While we refer to most poses in their English form, almost every yoga pose also has a Sanskrit equal…and while the poses may be equal since they’re the same thing but just a different word, they’re definitely not equal in their pronunciation
Bridge Pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
It may take a long time to cross (or say) this bridge (i.e. setu bandha sarvangasana).
Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose
Utthita Hasta Padangustasana
Don’t extend yourself too much in saying the name of the utthita hasta padangustasana.
Handstand
Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Keeping your balance like this may be almost as difficult as pronouncing this pose – adho mukha vrksasana
Monkey Pose
Hanumanasana
I don’t know any monkeys that can do this pose (and very few humans), so maybe hanumanasana is more appropriate after all.
Standing Split
Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana
As if doing a split sitting down was hard enough, try saying the name of the standing split pose – urdhva prasarita eka padasana
Upward Facing Two-Foot Staff Pose
Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana
Dwi pada viparita dandasana has got my tongue bending in ways I didn’t know it could – kind of like in what normal people call upward facing two-foot staff pose.
