8 Sanskrit words to know, to understand the names of yoga postures

‘Svastikāsana’ illustrated in the 1830 manuscript of ***Joga Pradīpikā*** originally written by Ramanandi Jayatarama in 1737

Posture names are sometimes difficult to remember for a beginner. By learning a few basic Sanskrit words, one can easily decipher the names of the most common asanas and thus better understand and remember them.

1. Adho – अधो = downward

Example: Adho Mukha Svanasana – अधोमुखश्वानासन = Downward-facing dog

2. Urdhva – ऊर्ध्व = upward

Example: Urdhva Prasarita Padasana – उर्ध्व प्रसारित पादासन = Legs extending upward

**Urdhva** Prasarita Padasana (or legs up the wall)

3. Supta – सुप्त = supine, lying down on your back

Example: Supta Svastikāsana – सुप्त स्वस्तिकासन = Supine cross-legged pose

4. Utthita – उत्थित = extending

Example: Utthita Trikoṇāsana – उत्थित त्रिकोणासन = Extended triangle pose

5. Kona – कोण = angle

Example: Upaviṣṭa Koṇasana = Seated angle pose

6. Baddha – बद्ध = bound

Example: Supta Baddha Koṇasana – सुप्त बद्धकोणासन = Supine bound angle pose

7. Pārśva – पार्श्व = side

Example: Utthita Pārśvakoṇāsana – उत्थित पार्श्वकोणासन = Extended side angle pose

8. Parivṛtta – परिवृत्त = revolved, twisting

Example: Parivṛtta Trikoṇāsana – परिवृत्त त्रिकोणासन = Revolved triangle pose