A Sanskrit index of yoga poses
TOC
The index below lists poses alphabetically via their sanskrit name. Currently, there is not any details on what the sanskrit means, at least not word by word, though an overall English translation or name of each pose is given. Also note that in some cases there may be more than one article pertaining to particular poses. Ideally these reflect different ideas for focusing on while doing the poses.
Images of the poses are also included to make finding poses (and understanding what each pose is) easier.
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Downward facing dog
Downward facing dog, downward dog, down dog
Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Downward facing tree pose, handstand
Handstand, stabilizing the elbows
Agnistambhasana
Fire log pose
Double pigeon (seated yoga poses)
Anjaneyasana
Son of anjani (hanuman) pose
Ardha Ananda Balasana
Half happy baby pose
Happy baby single leg hip extensor stretch
Supine happy baby single leg hip extensor stretch
Ardha Baddha Pada Paschimotanasana
Half bound lotus seated forward bend
Half bound lotus (seated forward bends)
Half bound lotus seated upright
Half bound lotus seated upright (yoga forward bends)
Ardha Baddha Padmasana
Half bound lotus
Half bound lotus standing forward bend
Half bound lotus (balancing on one foot)
Half bound lotus standing (binding yoga poses)
Ardha Baddha Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
Half bound twisting side angle pose
Bound twisting side angle pose
Ardha Baddha Parsvakonasana
Half bound side angle pose
Bound side angle (binding yoga poses)
Ardha Chandrasana
Half moon pose
Half moon, balancing on one foot
Half moon, stretching the hamstrings
Half moon, sidebending the spine
Half moon, standing yoga poses
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Half lord of the fishes pose
Seated twist (binding yoga poses)
Seated twist (seated yoga poses)
Ardha Somakanasana
Half equal angle (side split) pose
Ardha Virasana
Half hero
Half hero side bend (kneeling poses)
Half hero side bend (seated yoga poses)
Ashwa Sanchalasana
Equestrian or horse stepping pose
Low lunge with front foot turned out
Astavakrasana
Eight angle pose
Astavakrasana arm balance (arm balances)
Badakonasana
Bound angle pose
Bound angle (seated yoga poses)
Bound angle (supine yoga poses)
Bound angle (with feet close to hips versus further forwards)
Bakasana/Kakasana
Crane/crow pose
Crow (or crane) arm balance pose
Crow pose (and dealing with wrist pain)
Crow pose (arm supported yoga poses)
Balasana
Child's pose
Child's pose (prone or belly down yoga poses)
Bandhas
Lock, direct, control, limit
Bharadvajasana
Bharadvaja's pose
Bharadvajasana, seated bound twisting yoga pose
Options for bharadvajasana (kneeling pose)
Seated twist (twisting yoga poses)
Bharmanasana
Dog pose with shoulder blade protraction
Dog pose (kneeling yoga poses)
Bharmanasana/Ardha Purvottanasana
Table top/half stretch for the front of the body
Table top pose (arm supported yoga poses)
Table top pose (seated yoga poses)
Table top pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Bhekasana
Frog pose
Bhujangasana
Cobra pose
Cobra pose (spinal back bends)
Catur Svanasana
Dolphin pose
Dolphin pose (arm supported yoga poses)
Chaturanga Dandasana
Four limbed staff pose
Chaturanga dandasana (using force effectively)
Chaturanga dandasana (yoga push ups)
Dandasana
Staff pose
Dandayamana Bharmanasana
Bird dog (arm supported yoga poses)
Bird dog (spinal back bending exercises)
Dhanurasana
Bow pose
Eka Pada Bakasana
Eka pada bakasana arm balance 1
Eka pada bakasana 1 (arm balances)
Eka pada bakasana 2 (arm balances)
Eka Pada Galavasana
Single leg galava pose
Galavasana (flying pigeon arm balance)
Eka Pada Koundinyasana
Single leg koundinya pose (hurdlers stretch)
Hurdlers stretch (hamstring stretching
Hurdlers stretch (seated poses)
Hurdlers stretch (forward bends)
Eka pada koundinyasana (or flying splits) arm balance
Eka Pada Sirsasana
Single leg (behind the) head pose
Foot behind the head (supine yoga poses)
Eka Pada Uttanasana
Single leg focused stretch
Standing forward bend on foot (balancing on one foot)
Standing forward bend on one foot (forward bends)
Garudasana
Eagle pose
Eagle pose (balancing on one foot)
Eagle pose (standing yoga poses)
Halasana
Plow pose
Plow pose (yoga forward bends)
Plow pose (yoga poses using a wall)
Hanumanasana
Hanuman's pose (splits)
Hanuman/splits variation with quadriceps stretch
Hanumanasana (arm supported poses)
Hanumanasana (hamstring stretches)
Hanumanasana (yoga forward bends)
Janusirsasana
Head to knee pose
Janu sirsasana (forward bends)
Janusirsasana A
Head to knee pose a
Janusirsasana B
Head to knee pose b
Janusirsasana b (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Janusirsasana C
Head to knee pose c
Janusirsasana c (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Kapotasana
Pigeon pose
Pigeon hip stretch, hips level
Pigeon hip stretch, reaching shoulder to foot
Upright pigeon with hips level
Pigeon hip stretch with spinal twist
Krounchasana
Heron pose
Compass pose prep/modified heron pose
Compass pose prep/modified heron pose (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Compass pose prep/modified heron pose (seated yoga poses)
Lolasana
Pendant pose
Pendant or dangle pose (arm supported yoga poses)
Malasana
Squat
Squat (yoga forward bend-(for the hips))
Marichyasana
Marichi's pose
Marichyasana A
Marichi's pose a
Marichyasana a (binding yoga poses)
Marichyasana a (seated yoga poses)
Marichyasana a (twisting poses)
Marichyasana a (yoga forward bends)
Marichyasana B
Marichi's pose b
Marichyasana b forward bend with leg in lotus
Marichyasana b (binding yoga poses)
Marichyasana b (seated yoga poses)
Marichyasana b (binding yoga poses)
Marichyasana C
Marichi's pose c
Marichyasana c (binding yoga poses)
Marichyasana c (seated yoga poses)
Marichyasana c (twisting poses)
Marichyasana D
Marichi's pose d
Marichyasana d twist with leg in lotus
Marichyasana d (binding yoga poses)
Marichyasana E
Marichi's pose e
Marichyasana e forward bend with leg in hero
Marichyasana e (kneeling poses)
Marichyasana e (twisting poses)
Mayurasana
Peacock pose
Mula Bandha
Root lock
Boat pose
Padahastasana
Hands under feet pose
Standing forward bend with hands under feet
Padangusthasana
Big toe pose
Standing forward bend with big toes grabbed
Padmasana
Lotus pose
Full lotus pose forward bend (yoga forward bends)
Parighasana
Gate pose
Gate pose variation (side bending the spine)
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
Revolving side angle pose
Bound twisting side angle pose
Bound twisting side angle pose (twisting poses)
Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana
Compass pose
Compass pose (seated hamstring stretch)
Compass pose (binding yoga poses)
Compass pose (seated yoga poses)
Parivrtta Tadasana
Revolving mountain pose
Upright standing twist (twisting poses)
Parivrtta Trikonasana
Revolved triangle (parivrtta trikonasana)
Revolved triangle (standing yoga poses)
Revolved triangle (twisting poses)
Parivtta Upavistha Konasana
Revolving seated angle pose
Parsvottanasana
Intense side stretch (pyramid) pose
Pyramid pose (parsvottanasana)
Pyramid pose hamstring stretch
Pyramid pose (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Pyramid pose (standing yoga poses)
Pyramid pose (yoga forward bends)
Parsvottanasana Reverse Prayer
Intense side stretch (hands in reverse prayer) pose
Reverse prayer asymetrical standing forward bend
Reverse prayer asymetrical standing forward bend (reverse prayer)
Paschimotansana
Intense back (west) stretch (forward bending) pose
Seated forward bend (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Seated forward bend (seated yoga poses)
Seated forward bend (yoga forward bends)
Phalakasana/Kumbhakasana
Give fruit, ripen/breath retension (plank) pose
Plank pose (arm supported poses)
Plank pose (yoga forward bends)
Pincha Mayurasana
Pincha mayurasana
Peacock feathers pose (forearm balance)
Prasarita Padottanasana
Intense extended foot (standing wide leg forward bend) pose
Wide leg standing forward bend
Wide leg standing forward bend (standing yoga poses)
Wide leg standing forward bend (yoga forward bends)
Prasarita Padottanasana A
Intense extended foot pose a
Wide leg standing forward bend a
Prasarita Padottanasana B
Intense extended foot pose b
Wide leg standing forward bend b
Prasarita Padottanasana C
Intense extended foot pose c
Wide leg standing forward bend c
Wide leg standing forward bend c (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Prasarita Padottanasana D
Intense extended foot pose d
Wide leg standing forward bend d
Purvottanasana
Intense front of the body (east) stretch (reverse plank pose)
Reverse plank (hamstring strengthening exercises)
Reverse plank (reverse plank yoga pose)
Reverse plank (arm supported yoga poses)
Reverse plank (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Salamba Sarvangasana
Supported all-limb (shoulderstand) pose
Shoulderstand (yoga forward bends)
Shoulderstand (yoga poses using a wall)
Shoulderstand feet against wall
Shoulderstand front to back splits
Samakonasana
Equal angle (side split) pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, Setu Bandasana
Bound bridge shoulder stand/bound bridge (bridge) pose
Bridge pose, a detailed approach
Bridge pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Bridge pose (supine yoga poses)
Bridge pose (supine yoga poses)
Bridge pose (supine yoga poses)
Shalabasana
Locust pose
Locust pose (prone yoga poses)
Locust pose (prone yoga poses)
Locust pose (spinal back bending exercises)
Locust pose (spinal back bending exercises)
Sirsasana
Headstand pose
Headstand, lifting with straight legs
Sukhasana
Easy (seated cross leg) pose
Sitting cross legged (easy seated forward bend)
Sitting cross legged (seated twist)
Sitting cross legged (twisting poses)
Sitting cross legged (yoga forward bends)
Supta Ardha Ananda Balasana
Reclining half happy baby pose
Reclining half happy baby pose
Supta Ardha Virasana
Reclining half hero pose
Reclining half hero pose (kneeling yoga poses)
Reclining half hero pose (seated yoga poses)
Supta Badakonasana
Reclining bound angle pose
Supine bound angle using a wall
Supta Eka Pada Sirsasana
Reclining foot (behind the) head pose
Supine foot behind the head using a wall
Supta Kapotasana
Reclining pigeon pose
Reclining pigeo pose using a wall
Supta Matsyedrasana/Jathara Parivartanasana
Reclining lord of the fishes/belly twisting pose
Prone/belly down twist (twisting poses
Supta Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Reclining intense hand to big toe pose
Prone big toe pose (prone yoga poses)
Supta Virasana
Reclining hero pose
Surya Namaskar
Sun salutation
Tadasana
Mountain pose
Mountain pose (standing yoga poses)
Tittibasana
Firefly pose
Triang Mukha Eka Pada Paschimotanasana
Three limbs facing foot pose
Half hero forward bend (seated yoga poses)
Half hero forward bend (yoga forward bends)
Uddiyana Bandha
Upward lengthening lock
Upavishta Konasana
Seated angle pose
Seated wide leg pose (seated straddle splits)
Seated wide leg pose (wide leg forward bend)
Seated wide leg pose (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Seated wide leg pose (seated yoga poses)
Seated wide leg pose (seated yoga poses)
Seated wide leg pose (yoga forward bends)
Seated wide leg pose (yoga forward bends)
Urdhva Hastasana Ardha Chandrasana
Upward hands half moon (side bend) pose
Standing side bend (side bending the spine)
Standing side bend (standing side bend)
Standing side bend (side bending the spine)
Standing side bend (standing yoga poses)
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Upward facing dog pose
Upward facing dog, upward dog, up dog
Upward facing dog, upward dog, up dog (arm supported yoga poses)
Upward facing dog, upward dog, up dog (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Urdhvra Dhanurasana
Upward bow pose
Wheel pose (arm supported yoga poses)
Wheel pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Wheel pose reverse push up (supine yoga poses)
Wheel pose (supine yoga poses)
Ustrasana
Camel pose
Camel pose (kneeling yoga poses)
Camel pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Camel pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)
Utkatasana
Fierce pose
Chair pose (standing yoga poses)
Uttansaana
Focused stretch (standing forward bend) pose
Standing forward bend (11 basic balance poses)
Standing forward bend (balancing on one foot)
Standing forward bend (hamstring stretches)
Standing forward bend (hamstring stretches)
Standing forward bend (hamstring stretches)
Standing forward bend (hamstring stretches)
Standing forward bend (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Standing forward bend (standing yoga poses)
Standing forward bend (yoga forward bends)
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Intense hand to big toe pose
Standing upright big toe pose (balancing on one foot)
Standing upright big toe pose (balancing on one foot)
Standing upright big toe pose (hamstring stretches)
Standing upright big toe pose (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Utthita Parsvokonasana
Intense side angle pose
Side angle pose (side bending the spine)
Side angle pose (standing yoga poses)
Utthita Trikonasana
Intense triangle pose
Triangle pose (utthita trikonasana)
Triangle pose (hamstring stretching yoga poses)
Triangle pose (side bending the spine)
Triangle pose (standing yoga poses)
Vajrasana
Kneeling pose
Kneeling (and working towards kneeling comfortably with active toe and ankle stretches)
Vasisthasana
Vasistha's (side plank) pose
Side plank (learning shoulder actions for side plank pose)
Side plank (arm supported yoga poses)
Viparita Karani
Inverted action (legs up wall)
Viparita Virhabhadrasana
Inverted warrior pose
Virabhadrasana 1
Warrior 1 pose
Warrior 1 (sartorius stretch warrior 1)
Warrior 1 (standing yoga poses)
Virabhadrasana 2
Warrior 2 pose
Warrior 2 (standing yoga poses)
Virabhadrasana 3
Warrior 3 pose
Warrior 3 (balancing on one foot)
Warrior 3 (standing yoga poses)
Warrior 3 (yoga forward bends)
Virasana
Hero pose
Virasana (kneeling yoga poses)
Virasana (kneeling yoga poses)
Vriksasana
Tree pose
Tree pose (balancing on one foot)