Have you ever lately been to a yoga class the place the instructor known as out the poses utilizing Sanskrit names? Or do you retain listening to the identical Sanskrit phrases and marvel what they imply?
Understanding yoga Sanskrit phrases can really feel complicated and overwhelming as a newbie yogi. However don’t fear, you don’t must study an entire new language to know the posture your yoga instructor is cueing. Actually, understanding yoga Sanskrit poses is far simpler than you assume.
On this article, I’ll clarify the commonest Sanskrit phrases utilized in yoga lessons and their which means. I’ll additionally reply the query on each newbie yogi’s lips, ‘why is Sanskrit utilized in yoga lessons anyway?’
Prepared? Let’s dive into the world of Sanskrit!
10 Frequent Modifiers Utilized in Yoga Sanskrit Names
Understanding yoga Sanskrit poses is comparatively simple as they share a handful of frequent modifiers, the identical phrases used initially or finish of a pose title. So when you perceive the which means of those phrases, you’ll rapidly study the remainder of the pose title.
Asana
As talked about, asana means pose or posture, some of the generally recognized Sanskrit phrases in yoga. Nevertheless, do you know that the precise translation of asana is “seat”? It is because initially, asana solely meant the seated meditation place. It was solely because the years went on that increasingly yoga poses happened.
You might have seen that each Sanskrit yoga pose title ends in “asana.” Simply as we add “pose” to the tip of the English time period, the identical is true for Sanskrit. For instance, the Triangle pose is Trikonasana. Trikon interprets to “three corners,” which means “triangle,” and asana means posture.
Urdva
The Sanskrit phrase “Urdva” means “upward” and describes yoga poses the place the higher physique faces upwards. Some of the frequent yoga poses with this time period is Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward going through canine). Urdhva means upward, Mukha means face, and Svan means canine.
Adho
Adho is the alternative of Urdva, which means “down” or downward motion. In yoga poses, it’s sometimes used with the phrase “Mukha” (face) to explain poses the place you’re going through down, similar to Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Going through Canine Pose).
Uttana
The interpretation of Uttana is “intense stretch” and describes poses that stretch the again, entrance, or facet physique. For instance, Uttanasana is a standing ahead bend with the legs collectively and the torso shifting in direction of the thighs. Like the interpretation, this pose offers an intense stretch to all the again of the physique, together with the backbone and the legs.
Uttana is utilized in a number of pose names with the “u” eliminated. For instance, Purvottanasana is an upward plank that stretches the entrance physique.
Utthita
Utthita interprets to “prolonged” or “stretched” and is utilized in each pose names and variations of poses. Nevertheless, because it merely means stretched in some poses (which is apparent), it’s generally dropped from many Sanskrit names. For instance, the official title for the Triangle Pose is Utthita Trikonasana, however many yoga academics will simply name it Trikonasana.
One other in style pose the place Utthita is used is Utthita Parsvakonasana (prolonged facet angle pose), normally known as facet angle pose for brief. Within the second phrase of this pose title, “Parsva” means “facet” because it stretches the facet physique, and “Kona” means “angle,” referring to the extensive angle of the legs.
Supta
Supta means “supine” or “reclined” and, thus, refers to poses practiced whereas mendacity down. As many poses may be carried out seated or mendacity down, Supta serves as a useful phrase to distinguish the reclined model.
For instance, Supta Baddhakonasana refers back to the Supine Certain Angle Pose as a substitute of the seated variation. Likewise, Supta Padangusthasana is a Supine Large Toe Pose, the reclined model of the standing steadiness, prolonged huge toe pose.
Parivrtta
Parivrtta means “revolved” or “rotated” and describes poses that contain a twist or twisted variations of poses.
For instance, Parivritta Trikonasana is a “revolved triangle pose,” and Parivrtta Parsvakonasana is revolved facet angle pose. Each have the identical leg positioning because the basic poses, however the torso is twisted, so the higher physique faces within the different route.
Salamba
Salamba means “supported” and describes a supported model of a pose, similar to a headstand. Nevertheless, word that Salamba means to help your physique particularly together with your palms/arms, not with props or one other physique half.
For instance, Salamba Sirsasana is a supported headstand the place you employ the forearms to guard the neck and help the physique weight. Likewise, Sphinx Pose known as Salamba Bhujangasana as it’s the supported model of cobra pose, utilizing the forearms to keep up the elevate of the physique.
Prasarita
Prasarita means “unfold out” and sometimes refers to yoga poses with a large legs stance. Nevertheless, it may imply any two physique components shifting away from one another.
For instance, Prasarita Padottanasana is the generally practiced wide-legged standing ahead bend. Likewise, Urdhva Prasarita Padottanasana is the seated model the place the higher physique stays going through upwards as you steadiness in your sitting bones and lift the toes upwards, holding onto the large toes.
Parsva
Parsva means sideways and refers to stretching to the facet or stretching the facet of the physique by way of a lateral stretch slightly than a twist. For instance, Parsva Upavista Konasana is a wide-leg seated place the place you lengthen in direction of one leg by reducing one facet physique to the thigh and opening by way of the opposite facet physique.
It might probably additionally describe facet variations of poses, similar to Parsva Bakasana, the facet crow. On this pose, as a substitute of the legs being behind you, they arrive out to the facet.
Different Frequent Yoga Sanskrit Names
Listed here are a couple of extra Sanskrit phrases that usually seem in yoga pose names.
Ardha
Ardha means “half” and can be utilized to explain an precise yoga asana, similar to Ardha Chandrasana (half moon pose) or the half variations of a pose.
For instance, Ardha Matsyendrasana (half lord of the fishes) is the half variation of the complete pose Matsyendrasana. The leg positioning and twisting motion are the identical in each postures, however within the full model, the palms are sure behind the again, whereas within the half variation, there aren’t.
Paripurna
Paripurna means “full” and is included within the official title of the complete variation of poses which have half variations, similar to Matsyendrasana. Nevertheless, many yoga academics will drop that phrase when saying the pose title.
The identical is true for Navasana (boat pose). The complete variation with the legs prolonged is Paripurna Navasana, whereas the variation with the knees bent is Ardha Navasana. Nevertheless, you’ll possible hear your yoga instructor name it Navasana.
Baddha
Baddha means “sure” and may discuss with the linking or binding of the legs or palms. For instance, Baddha Konasana, which accurately interprets to sure angle pose however can be known as Butterfly pose, is a delicate bind the place you hyperlink the toes collectively by bringing the soles of the toes to the touch.
Baddha Padmasana, nevertheless, entails a a lot deeper bind of the legs and likewise the arms. It’s a sophisticated variation of Padmasana (lotus pose), the place you cross the arms behind you and seize maintain of the alternative huge toes.
Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana is a sure facet angle pose, the superior variation the place you bind your palms behind your decrease again and open the chest and shoulder.
Hasta
Hasta means “hand” however refers handy positioning in yoga asana. It’s used within the names of many yoga postures the place one or each palms level in a selected route, contact the bottom or attain the foot.
For instance, in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Prolonged Hand-to-Large-Toe Pose), Hasta refers back to the hand extending and reaching the foot. In the meantime, Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Arms Pose) pertains to the palms extending as much as the sky, and Dwi Hasta Bhujasana is a difficult arm steadiness the place each palms are rooted on the ground.
Pada
Pada means “foot” and describes the route or positioning of 1 or each toes in a yoga pose. Like Hasta, Pada is included in a pose title if the foot positioning is especially necessary.
For instance, it seems in Splits Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana) the place the main focus is on reaching one foot to the sky whereas preserving the opposite planted on the bottom. One other instance is Eka Pada Bakasana, a one-legged model of Crane Pose, the place one leg is prolonged to the sky behind.
Eka
You might have seen the phrase Eka within the above two examples. Eka doesn’t relate to toes in any approach; it truly means “one.” So in these two examples, it refers to the truth that just one foot is reaching upwards.
One other instance is Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, which interprets to the one-legged (foot) king pigeon pose.
Dwi
Whereas Eka means one, Dwi means “two.” You see this phrase in a couple of yoga pose names to explain the positioning of each toes or palms. For instance, the difficult arm steadiness Dwi Hasta Bhujasana refers to 2 palms being on the ground.
Full Listing Of English To Sanskrit Yoga Pose Translations
Now that you’ve a fundamental understanding of the yoga Sanskrit pose names, here’s a full listing of the most well-liked Hatha yoga poses with each their English and Sanskrit names and a translation breakdown.
Standing Poses
- Mountain Pose = Tadasana (Tada = mountain)
- Chair Pose = Utkatasana (Utkata = fierce/highly effective)
- Upward Arms = Urdhva Hastasana (Urdhva = upward, Hasta = hand)
- Standing Ahead Bend Pose = Uttanasana (Uttana = intense stretch)
- Triangle Pose = Trikonasana (Trikon = triangle)
- Revolved Triangle Pose = Parivritta Trikonasana (Parivrtta = revolved, Trikon = triangle)
- Warrior Pose = Virabhadrasana (Vira = hero/brave, Bhadra = good/peaceable)
- Pyramid Pose/ Intense Facet Stretch Pose = Parsvottanasana – (Parsva = facet, Uttana = intense stretch)
- Facet Angle Pose = Utthita Parsvakonasana (Utthita = prolonged, Parsva = facet, Kona = angle)
- Revolved Facet Angle Pose = Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Parivrtta = revolved, Parsva = facet, Kona = angle)
- Broad Legged Standing ahead Bend Pose = Prasarita Padottanasana (Prasarita = unfold out, Pada = foot, Uttana = intense stretch)
- Splits Pose = Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Urdhva = Upward Prasarita = unfold out, Eka = one, Pada = foot)
Stability Poses
- Half Moon Pose = Arda Chandrasana (Arda = half, Chandra = moon)
- Revolved Half Moon Pose = Parivritta Arda Chandrasana (Parivrtta = revolved, Arda = half, Chandra = moon)
- Tree Pose = Vrksasana (Vrksa = tree)
- Prolonged Hand To Large Toe Pose = Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Utthita – prolonged, Hasta = hand, Pada = foot, Angustha = huge toe)
- Eagle Pose = Garudasana (Garuda = eagle)
- Dancer’s Pose = Natarajasana (Nata = dancer, Raja = king)
- Crane/Crow Pose = Bakasana (Baka = crane)
Inversions
- Downward-Going through Canine = Adho Mukha Svanasana (Adho = downward, Mukha = going through, Svan = canine)
- Supported Headstand Pose = Salamba Sirsasana (Salamba = supported, Sirsa = head)
- Tripod Headstand = Mukta Hasta Sirsasana (Mukta = liberated, Hasta = hand, Sirsa = head)
- Handstand = Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Adho = downward, mukha = going through, Vrksa = tree)
- Shoulder Stand = Salamba Sarvangasana (Salamba = supported, sarva = all, anga = limb)
Backbends
- Cobra Pose = Bhujangasana (Bhujanga = snake/serpent)
- Upward Going through Canine = Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Urdhva = upward, Mukha = going through, Svan = canine)
- Sphinx Pose = Salamba Bhujangasana (Salamba = supported, Bhujanga = snake)
- Locust Pose
- Wheel (Upward Bow) = Urdva Dhanurasana (Urdva = upward, Dhanur = bow-shaped, curved or bent)
- Camel Pose = Ustrasana (Ustra = camel)
- Fish Pose = Matsyasana (Matsya = fish)
Seated Poses
- Seated Ahead Bend Pose (with legs collectively) = Paschimottanasana (Paschima = again of the physique, Uttana = stretch)
- Half Lord of the Fishes Pose = Ardha Matsyendrasana (Ardha = half, Matsya = fish, Indra = lord)
- Boat Pose = Navasana (Nava = boat)
- Certain Angle Pose = Baddha Konasana (Baddha = sure, Kona = angle)
- Lotus Pose = Padmasana (Padma = lotus)
- Half Lotus Pose = Ardha Padmasana (Ardha = half, Padma = lotus)
- Cow Face Pose = Gomukhasana (Go = cow, Mukha = face)
- King Pigeon Pose = Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Eka = one, Pada = leg/foot, Raja = king, Kapota = pigeon)
Supine Poses
- Supine Large Toe Pose = Supta Padangusthasana (Supta = reclined, Pada = foot, Angustha = huge toe)
- Supine Certain Angle Pose = Supta Baddha Konasana (Supta = reclined, Baddha = sure, Kona = angle)
- Supine Hero = Supta Virasana (Supta = reclined, Vira = hero/courageous particular person)
- Corpse Pose = Savasana (Sava = corpse)
What’s Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is an historical Indian language used within the Hindu faith. Sanskrit was the predominant language in India till across the thirteenth century. Though it’s not utilized in spoken language at the moment, it’s nonetheless utilized in Hindu prayers, rituals, and Buddhist chants.
Sanskrit can be thought-about an extremely sacred language because it was used within the Vedas, the primary Hindu texts and the earliest accepted scriptures of the human race. Furthermore, Sanskrit is exclusive as a result of it encompasses a exact, spiritually-technical vocabulary with potent vibrational harmonic high quality.
Why are Sanskrit phrases Used To Describe Yoga Poses?
The Sanskrit language was utilized in all historical yogic texts, similar to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. These texts detailed the yoga pose names in Sanskrit, which have been later translated into English. Thus, the Sanskrit phrases are the unique yoga poses names and are nonetheless used at the moment by many yoga academics to honor the follow’s historical custom.
Asana, which most individuals know to imply pose, can be a Sanskrit title and was detailed within the Yoga Sutras because the third of the eight limbs of yoga. As all yogic teachings stem from historical scriptures, there are Sanskrit phrases to explain all features of yoga, together with yogic philosophy. Nevertheless, this text will deal with the yoga Sanskrit names for the bodily postures.
Assets For Enhancing Your Sanskrit Data
When you’re planning to grow to be a yoga teacher, are eager to advance in your yoga follow, or need to study extra about the place yoga comes from, you might need to develop your Sanskrit data past this information.
I extremely advocate the e-book The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman because it comprises an A to Z listing of over 200 Sanskrit pose names and numerous different necessary Sanskrit phrases and chants. Plus, whenever you buy the e-book, you’ll get downloadable audio information with the pronunciation of lots of the posture names included within the e-book.
When you’re on the lookout for a free useful resource to learn to pronounce yoga Sanskrit pose names, try the wonderful Sanskrit Yoga Asana Glossary by Yog Temple.
Ultimate Ideas On Yoga Sanskrit Poses
You don’t must be a sophisticated yogi to get your head across the Sanskrit language. When you perceive the which means of the commonest phrases used within the pose names, you’ll rapidly choose it up.
You should definitely bookmark this web page to return again to every time it is advisable refresh your reminiscence!
