What is Sanskrit?
Sanskrit which means “perfected” or “refined” is one of the oldest languages in existence. Sanskrit terms may are commonly used to direct yoga poses in many yoga studios around the world.
Why Should You Know Sanskrit Terms?
Many yoga classes, especially advanced classes will interweave Sanskrit terms within the class pose terminology. Learning Sanskrit is an interesting and fun way to learn another aspect of yoga and deepen your practice. Another benefit; you can go to class anywhere in the world and understand the postures if they use Sanskrit within a yoga sequence.
Sanskrit Yoga Pose Terms
ASANA – Pose
ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA – Downward Facing Dog
Adho – Down
Mukha – Face
Svana – Dog
ANANDA BALASANA – Happy Baby
Ananda – Bliss
Bala – Baby
ARDA UTTANASANA – Half Lift
Arda – Half
Uttanasana – Forward bend or fold
BADDHA KONASANA – Bound Angle Pose
Baddha – Bound
Kona – Angle
Asana – Pose
BALASANA – Child’s Pose
BALA – Child
DANDASANA – Staff Pose
Danda -Stick or Staff
EKA PADA RJAKAPOTASANA – Pigeon Pose
Eka – One
Pada – leg/foot
Kapota – dove or pigeon
JANU SIRASANA – Head-to-Knee Pose
Janu – knee
Sira – head
MALASANA – Yogi Squat
Mala – Garland, necklace, rosary
SAMASTHITI
Sama – Equal, same
Sthiti – To establish or stand.
SHAVANASA – Corpse Pose
SETU BANDHA SARVANGASANA – Bridge Pose
Setu – Bridge
Bandha – Lock
Sarva – All
Anga – Limb
SHALABHASANA – Locust Pose
Shalabha – Locust or grasshopper
SUKASANA – Easy Seated Pose
Suka– Sweet, Easy
TADASANA – Tree Pose
Tada –Mountain
UTKATA KONASANA – Goddess pose
Utkata – Powerful or fierce
Kona – Lady
UTTHAN PRISTHASANA – Lizard Pose
Utthan – To stretch out
Pristha – page of a book
PASCHIMOTTOANASANA – Seated Forward Fold
Pashima – west (meaning the back of the body)
Ut – intense
Tan – stretch
URDHVA HASTASANA – Upward Salute
Urdva – Upward
Hasta – Hand
UTTANASANA – Standing forward bend fold
ut – intense
tan – stretch
UTKATASANA – Chair Pose or Thunderbolt Pose
Utkata- Powerful or fierce
VIPARITA KARANI – Legs Up The Wall
Viparita -Reversed/inverted
Karani – Action
VIRABHADRASANA– Warriors I, II and III
Vira – Hero
Bhadra – Friend
VASISTHASANA – Side Plank
Vasistha – most excellent or best.
Other Sanskrit Terms of Interest
Dharma – Doing good with your calling or your purpose.
GYAN MUDRA
Gyan – Wisdom, knowledge
Mudra – Gesture, Seal.
HASTA – Hand
MANTRA – Centering phrase that is spoken each day, part of meditation sacred sound.
NADI SHODHANA – Alternate Nostril Breathing
Nadi – Flow, Channel, Motion, Vibration
Shodhana – Purification.
PADMA MUDRA
Padma – Lotus Flower
Mudra – Gesture or seal.
PRANA – Life force (breath).
Samyukta– Mudra using both hands in mudra
VRITTI – Whirlpool
YAMA – Restraints
To hear and learn more about Sanskrit visit the 108 yoga app.
Watch for Sanskrit for Beginners Part Two
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