Sanskrit First Words

Primary Words for Consideration

Here you’ll find a list of relatively common Sanskrit words you may wish to be familiar with and consider teaching. You can test your knowledge by reviewing this list — alphabetized by Sanskrit name. Use the list in the next section to see more information and get links for further study.

Ahimsa

• Pronunciation – uh-HIM-sah
• Meaning – “non-harming,” “non-injury,” “consideration,” “love,” one of the yamas
• Teaching Support – Yamas & Niyamas Overview

Asana

• Pronunciation – AH-suh-nah
• Note – It is not pronounced Uh-SAUNA-uh
• Meaning – “seat,” “posture”
• Teaching Support – Eight Limbs Asana Philosophy

AUM / Om

• Pronunciation – AH – OH – MM
• Meaning – the “primordial sound” or the “sound of the Universe,” a representation of Source
• Teaching Support – Aum / Om

Avidya

• Pronunciation – uh-VID-yah 
• Meaning – the error of regarding the non-self as the Self
• Teaching Support – Avidya 

Balasana

• Pronunciation – bah-LAHS-anna
• Meaning – Child’s Pose
• Teaching Support – Restorative Yoga

Bandha

• Pronunciation – BUHN-dah
• Meaning – “to bind or lock”
• Teaching Support – Bandhas

Bhakti

• Pronunciation – BUHK-tee
• Meaning – devotion
• Teaching Support – Bhakti

Chakra

• Pronunciation – CHUCK-ruh
• Note – Although CHOCK-ruh and SHOCK-ruh are common pronunciations, CHUCK-ruh is correct
• Audio – link
• Meaning – “wheel,” literally the wheel of a wagon; metaphorically, psycho-energetic center of the subtle body, located along spinal column
• Teaching Support – Chakras

Citta Vrtti Nirodhah

• Pronunciation – CHITTA  VRIT-tee  Nee-ROAD-uh-huh
• Audio – link and link
• Meaning – mastery over the roaming tendencies of the mind
• Teaching Support – Yoga Sutra 1.2

Drishti

• Pronunciation – DRISH-tee
• Meaning – “view/sight,” sometimes referred to as “yogic gazing”
• Teaching Support – Drishti

Hatha

• Pronunciation – HUH-tah
• Note – Although HAW-thuh is a common pronunciation, HUH-tah is correct
• Audio – link
• Meaning – union of the sun and moon; Hatha Yoga is yoga through the body
• Teaching Support – Branches or Paths of Yoga

Karma

• Pronunciation – KAHR-muh 
• Meaning – the law of universal causality; Karma Yoga is the yoga of action
• Teaching Support – Branches or Paths of Yoga

Kosha

• Pronunciation – KOH – shuh
• Meaning – sheath, layer or body
• Teaching Support – Koshas Intro

Mantra

• Pronunciation – MUN-truh
• Note – Although commonly pronounced MAHN-truh, MUN-truh is correct
• Audio – link
• Meaning – “to protect the mind,” “to think,” a sacred sound or phrase such as om that has a transformative effect on the mind
• Teaching Support – Mantras Hub

Mudra

• Pronunciation – MOO-drah
• Meaning – “seal,” “symbol,” a hand or whole-body gesture
• Teaching Support – Mudras

Namaste / Namaskar

• Pronunciation – nah-MAH-stay
• Audio – link and link
• Meaning – “the light within me acknowledges and honors the light within you”
• Teaching Support – Namaste / Namaskar

Prana

• Pronunciation – PRAH-nah
• Meaning – “life force energy,” “life/breath,” the life force that sustains the body
• Teaching Support – Energy & Subtle Body Anatomy

Pranayama

• Pronunciation – PRAH-nah-yama
• Meaning – “life/breath extension,” regulated breathing techniques that bring about a fuller expression of life force
• Teaching Support – Eight Limbs Pranayama Philosophy,  Teaching Pranayama Techniques

Savasana

• Pronunciation – shuh-VAHS-anna
• Note – It begins with SHU, not Su
• Meaning – corpse pose
• Teaching Support – Restorative Yoga

Tadasana

• Pronunciation – tuh-DAHS-anna
• Meaning – mountain pose
• Teaching Support – Tadasana Asana Digest

Tantra

• Pronunciation – TUN-truh
• Note – Although often pronounced, TAWN-truh, TUHN is correct
• Audio – link
• Meaning – to extend, expansive or whole; Tantra Yoga practices are designed to realize through experience that everything is divine and connected.
• Teaching Support – Branches or Paths of Yoga

Veda

• Pronunciation – VAY-duh
• Audio – link
• Meaning – “veda” = knowledge; The Vedas of India are revealed scriptures estimated to have been written between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago
• Teaching Support – Origins & Sources of Yoga

Yamas & Niyamas

• Pronunciation – YUHM-uh | NEE-yuh-muh 
• Meaning – “yamas” (restraints) are principles of behavior in relationships; “niyamas” (observances) concern relationship with self
• Teaching Support – Yamas & Niyamas Introduction & Overview

Yoga

• Pronunciation – YOH-guh
• Meaning – derived from “yuj” meaning to yoke or bind; a method of discipline that serves to connect or unify
• Teaching Support – Defining Yoga

List of Common Pose Names

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nARZk1xegk

Here you’ll find a list of relatively common pose names you may wish to be familiar with and consider teaching. You can test your knowledge by reviewing this list — alphabetized by Sanskrit name. Use the list in the next section— alphabetized by English name — to see more information and get links for further study.

• For a more complete pose list, see the Asana Index: English Version or Sanskrit Version.
• See also: Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary
• To translate English words into Devanagari (the symbols that make up the Sanskrit alphabet), see Apte English Sanskrit Dictionary

Suggested Poses by Sanskrit Name

1. Adho Mukha Svanasana
2. Anahatasana
3. Anantasana
4. Ardha Chandrasana; Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
5. Ardha Matsyendrasana
6. Adho Mukha Vrksasana
7. Baddha Konasana; Supta Baddha Konasana
8. Bakasana
9. Balasana
10. Bhekasana
11. Bhujangasana
12. Bhujapidasana
13. Chaturanga Dandasana
14. Dandasana
15. Dhanurasana
16. Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
17. Garudasana
18. Gomukhasana
19. Halasana
20. Hanumanasana
21. Janu Sirsasana; Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana
22. Jathara Parivartanasana
23. Kurmasana
24. Lolasana
25. Malasana
26. Matsyasana
27. Mayurasana
28. Natarajasana
29. Navasana; Ardha Navasana; Paripurna Navasana
30. Padmasana
31. Parsvottanasana
32. Pasasana
33. Parighasana
34. Pincha Mayurasana
35. Prasarita Padottanasana
36. Purvottanasana
37. Salabhasana; Ardha Salabhasana
38. Salamba Sarvangasana
39. Salamba Sirsasana
40. Samasthiti
41. Savasana
42. Setu Bandhasana
43. Simhasana
44. Sukhasana
45. Supta Padangusthasana
46. Surya Namaskar
47. Tadasana
48. Upavistha Konasana
49. Urdhva Dhanurasana
50. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
51. Ustrasana
52. Utkatasana
53. Uttanasana
54. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
55. Utthita Parsvakonasana; Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
56. Utthita Trikonasana; Parivrtta Trikonasana
57. Vajrasana
58. Virabhadrasana
59. Virasana; Supta Virasana
60. Vrksasana
61. Yoga Nidrasana

Pose Name Study Guide

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Arm Pressure Pose

• Bhujapidasana
• boo-ja-pi-dah-sana
• “bhuja” = arm “pida” = pressure

Boat Pose

• Navasana
• na-VAHS-ana
• “nava” = boat

Full Boat Pose

• Paripurna Navasana
• par-ee-POOR-nah nah-VAHS-anna
• “paripurna” = full, entire, complete  “nava” = boat

Half Boat Pose

• Ardha Navasana
• ARE-dah-nah nah-VAHS-anna
• “ardha” = half   “nava” = boat

Bound Angle Pose

• Baddha Konasana
• BAH-dah cone-AHS-anna
• “baddha” = fixed, restrained, bound  “kona” = angle

Bow Pose

• Dhanurasana
• don–yur–AHS–anna
• “dhanu” = bow

Bridge Pose

• Setu Bandhasana
• SET–too BAHN–dah or SAY–tuh–bahn–DHAHS–ana
• “setu” = bridge  “bandha” = lock

Camel Pose

• Ustrasana
• oosh-TRAWS-anna
• “ustra” = camel

Child’s Pose

• Balasana
• bah-LAHS-anna
• “bala” = child

Cobra Pose

• Bhujangasana
• boo-jawng-GAWS-ahna
• “bhujanga” = cobra

Corpse Pose

• Savasana
• shah-VAHS-anna
• “sava” = corpse

Cow Face Pose

• Gomukhasana
• go-moo-KAHS-anna
• “go” = cow  “mukha” = face

Crane (Crow) Pose

• Bakasana
• bahk-AHS-anna
• “baka” = crane

Dancer (Standing Bow) Pose

• Natarajasana
• not-ah-ra-JAHS-anna
• “nata” = actor, dancer, mime  “raja” = king

Downward Facing Dog Pose

• Adho Mukha Svanasana
• AH-do MOO-kuh shvah-NAWS-ana
• “adho” = down  “mukha” = face  “svan” = dog

Eagle Pose

• Garudasana
• gah-rue-DAHS-anna
• “Garuda” = Mythological name of the “king of birds” who transports Lord Vishnu

Easy Pose

• Sukhasana
• soo-KAHS-ah-nah
• “sukha” = easy, comfortable

Equal Standing Pose

• Samasthiti
• “sama” = same, even or equal  “sthiti” = state, condition or stability

Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose

• Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
• oo-TEET-uh-AWS-tuh POD-ung-goosh-TAWS-un-nuh
• “utthita” = extended, stretched  “hasta” = hand  “pada” = foot  “angustha” = big toe

Extended Side Angle Pose

• Utthita Parsvakonasana
• oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna
• “utthita” = extended  “parsva” = side, sideways, flank  “kona” = angle

Fierce (Chair or Mighty) Pose

• Utkatasana
• OOT-kah-TAHS-anna
• “utkata” = powerful, fierce

Fish Pose

• Matsyasana
• mot-see-AHS-anna
• “matsya” = fish

Forearm Balance (Feather Peacock Pose)

• Pincha Mayurasana
• pin-cha my-your-AHS-anna
• “pincha” = feather   “mayura” = peacock

Four Limbed Staff (Low Push Up) Pose

• Chaturanga Dandasana
• chah-tur-ANGH-uh dun-DAHS-uh-nuh
• “chartur” = four  “anga” = limb  “danda” = staff

Frog Pose

• Bhekasana
• “bheka” = frog

Gate Pose

• Parighasana
• par-ee-GOSS-anna
• “parigha” = gate, crossbar, bar or beam for shutting gate

Half Lord of Fishes

• Ardha Matsyendrasana
• ARE-dah MOT-see-en-DRAHS-anna
• “ardha” = half  “Matsyendrasana” = Lord of the Fishes*

Half Moon

• Ardha Chandrasana
• ARE-duh-chun-DRAHS-anna
• “ardha” = half  “chandra” = brilliance, moon

Handstand (Downward Facing Tree Pose)

• Adho Mukha Vrksasana
• ah-do moo-kah vriks-SHAHS-anna
• “adho” = downward  “mukha” = face  “vrksa” = tree

Head to Knee Pose

• Janu Sirsasana
• JAH-new shear-SHAHS-anna
• “janu” = knee  “sirsa” = head

Headstand Supported

• Salamba Sirsasana
• sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAW-sa-nuh
• “salamba” =  with support  “sirsa” = head

Hero Pose

• Virasana
• veer-AHS–ana
• “vira” = hero, chief

Lion Pose

• Simhasana
• sim-HAHS-anna
• “simha” = lion

Locust Pose

• Salabhasana
• shawl-uh-BOSS-ahna
• “salabha” = locust

Half Locust

• Ardha Salabhasana
• ARE-duh-shawl-uh-BOSS-ahna
• “ardha” = half “salabha” = locust

Lotus Pose

• Padmasana
• pod-MAHS-ah-nah
• “padma” = lotus

Mountain Pose

• Tadasana
• tah-DAHS-anna
• “tada” = mountain

Noose Pose

• Pasasana
• posh-AHS-anna
• “pasa” = a snare, trap, noose, tie, bond, cord, fetter

One Leg King Pigeon

• Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
• aa-KAH pah-DAH rah-JAH-cop-poh-TAHS-anna
• “eka” = one  “pada” = foot  “raja” = king  “kapota” = pigeon

Peacock Pose

• Mayurasana
• my-your-AHS-anna
• “mayura” = peacock

Pendant Pose

• Lolasana
• lo-LAHS-anna
• “lola” = dangling (like an earring), moving to and fro, tremulous, quake

Plow Pose

• Halasana
• ha-LAW-suh-nuh
• “hala” = plow

Pyramid (Itense Side Stretch) Pose

• Parsvottanasana
• pars-VOH-tah-NAS-ahna
• “parsva” = flank or side  “uttana” = intense stretch

Reclined Hero

• Supta Virasana
• soup-tah veer-AHS–ana
• “supta” = lying down, reclining  “vira” = hero, chief

Reclined or Supine Bound Angle

• Supta Baddha Konasana
• SOUP-tah BAH-dah cone-NAHS-anna
• “supta” = lying down, reclining  “baddha” = bound  “kona” = angle

Revolved Half Moon

• Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
• PAHR-ee-VREE-tah ARD-uh chan-DRAHS-uh-nuh
• “parivrtta” = revolved  “ardha” = half  “chandra” = moon

Reclined Hand to Toe Pose

• Supta Padangusthasana
• soop-TAH-pod-ang-goosh-TAHS-anna
• “supta” = reclining  “pada” = foot  “angusta” = big toe

Revolved Head to Knee

• Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana
• par-ee-vrt-tah-JAH-new shear-SHAHS-anna
• “parivrtta” = revolving  “janu” = knee  “sirsa” = head

Reclined Twist (Revolving Stomach Pose)

• Jathara Parivartanasana
• “jathara” = stomach  “parivrtta” = to revolve around  “tan” = to stretch or to go beyond

Revolved Side Angle

• Parivrtta Parsvakonasna
• par-ee-vrt-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna
• “parivrtta” = revolved  “parsvakona” = lateral angle

Seated Angle (Wide Angle or Straddle) Pose

• Upavistha Konasana
• oo-pah-VEESH-tah cone-AHS-anna
• “upavistha” = seated  “kona” = angle

Shoulderstand

• Salamba Sarvangasana
• sah-LAHM-bah SAHR-vahn-GAH-sah-nah
• “salamba” = supported  “sarva” = all or whole  “anga” = limb or body

Splits (Monkey) Pose

• Hanumanasana
• hah-new-mahn-AHS-anna
• “Hanuman”= name of monkey deity, reliever of suffering

Squat / Garland Pose

• Malasana

Staff (Stick) Pose

• Dandasana
• don-DAHS-anna
• “danda” = staff or stick

Standing Forward Bend

• Uttanasana
• OOT-tan-AHS-ahna
• “uttana” = intense stretching or extension

Sun Salutation

• Surya Namaskar
• SOOR-yah nam-ahs-KAHR
• “surya” = sun  “namaskar” = greeting of honor and respect to the divinity present in all

Thunderbolt Pose

• Vajrasana
• vuj-RAHS-uh-nuh
• “vajra” = thunderbolt or diamond

Tree Pose

• Vrksasana
• vrik-SHAHS-uh-nah
• “vrksa” = tree

Triangle (Extended Triangle) Pose

• Utthita Trikonasana
• oo-TEE-tah tree-ko-NAH-suh-nuh
• “utthita” = extended  “tri” = three  “kona” = angle

Revolved Triangle

• Parivrtta Trikonasana
• par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna
• “parivrtta” = reverse, revolved “trikona” = triangle

Turtle (Tortoise) Pose

• Kurmasana
• koor-MAH-sah-nah
• “kurma” = tortoise

Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose

• Urdhva Dhanurasana
• OORD-vah don-your-AHS-anna
• “urdhva” = upward  “dhanura” = bow

Upward Facing Dog Pose

• Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
• OORD-vah MOO-kah shvon-AHS-ahna
• “urdhva” = raised or upward  “mukha” = face  “svana” = dog

Upward Plank Pose

• Purvottanasana
• purvo-tan-AHS-ahna
• “purva” = east side (front of body)  “uttana” = intense

Warrior Pose

• Virabhadrasana
• veer-baah-draah-san-ah
• “Virabhadra” = name of a warrior from Indian mythology

Wide Legged Forward Bend

• Prasarita Padottanasana
• pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-anna
• “prasarita” = spread out, separated or expanded  “pada” = foot or leg  “uttan” = intense stretch, extended

Yoga Sleep Pose

• Yoga Nidrasana
• “nidra” = sleep