Simple Yoga Poses…and Their Not So Simple Sanskrit Names

• Corinn


• 17 Mar 2016

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.