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A Sanskrit index of yoga poses

Yoga pose details with a focus on feeling your body and adjusting it

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

adho mukha svanasana, downward facing dog, downward dog,  down dog

Downward facing dog, downward dog, down dog

Downward facing dog

Down dog

Adho Mukha Vrksasana

Downward facing tree pose, handstand

adho mukha vrksasana, handstand

Handstand

Handstand, stabilizing the elbows

Balancing in handstand

Handstand

Jumping into handstand

Kicking up into handstand

L-shaped handstand

Lifting into handstand

Agnistambhasana

Fire log pose

agnistambhasana, double pigeon

Double pigeon

Double pigeon (seated yoga poses)

Anjaneyasana

Son of anjani (hanuman) pose

anjaneyasana, high lunge

High lunge

Lunge

Semi kneeling lunge

Straight knee lunge

Upright lunge

Ardha Ananda Balasana

Half happy baby pose

ardha ananda balasana, happy baby single leg hip extensor stretch

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

ardha baddha pada paschimotanasana, half bound lotus (binding)

Half bound lotus (binding)

Half bound lotus

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

ardha baddha padmasana, half bound lotus standing forward bend

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

ardha baddha parivrtta parsvakonasana, bound twisting side angle pose

Bound twisting side angle pose

Ardha Baddha Parsvakonasana

Half bound side angle pose

ardha baddha parsvakonasana, bound side angle pose

Bound side angle pose

Bound side angle (binding yoga poses)

Ardha Chandrasana

Half moon pose

ardha chandrasana, half moon

Half moon

Half moon, balancing on one foot

Half moon, stretching the hamstrings

Half moon, sidebending the spine

Standing side bend

Half moon, standing yoga poses

Ardha Matsyendrasana

Half lord of the fishes pose

ardha matsyendrasana, seated twist

Seated twist

Seated twist (binding yoga poses)

Seated twist (seated yoga poses)

Seated twist (twisting poses)

Ardha Somakanasana

Half equal angle (side split) pose

ardha somakanasana, side split

Side split

Ardha Virasana

Half hero

ardha virasana, half hero side bend (kneeling poses)

Half hero side bend (kneeling poses)

Half hero side bend (seated yoga poses)

Ashwa Sanchalasana

Equestrian or horse stepping pose

ashwa sanchalasana, low lunge

Low lunge

Low lunge with front foot turned out

Astavakrasana

Eight angle pose

astavakrasana, astavakrasana arm balance

Astavakrasana arm balance

Astavakrasana arm balance (arm balances)

Badakonasana

Bound angle pose

badakonasana, bound angle pose

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

bakasana/kakasana, crow (or crane) arm balance pose

Crow (or crane) arm balance pose

Crow pose (and dealing with wrist pain)

Crow pose (arm balances)

Crow pose (arm supported yoga poses)

Balasana

Child's pose

balasana, child's pose (kneeling poses)

Child's pose (kneeling poses)

Child's pose (prone or belly down yoga poses)

Bandhas

Lock, direct, control, limit

bandhas, bandhas

Bandhas

Bharadvajasana

Bharadvaja's pose

bharadvajasana, bharadvajasana, seated bound twisting yoga pose

Bharadvajasana, seated bound twisting yoga pose

Seated bound twist

Options for bharadvajasana (kneeling pose)

Semi kneeling twist

Modified semi-kneeling twist

Semi kneeling twist with one foot in lotus (getting the lotus and relieving low back pain via forearm pressure on the low back)

Arm assisted seated twist

Seated twist (twisting yoga poses)

Bharmanasana

bharmanasana, dog pose with shoulder blade protraction

Dog pose with shoulder blade protraction

Dog pose knee lift

Dog pose (kneeling yoga poses)

Dog pose (prone yoga poses)

Dog pose (yoga forward bends)

Bharmanasana/Ardha Purvottanasana

Table top/half stretch for the front of the body

bharmanasana/ardha purvottanasana, table top pose

Table top pose

Table top pose (arm supported yoga poses)

Table top pose (seated yoga poses)

Table top pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)

Bhekasana

Frog pose

bhekasana, frog pose (prone yoga poses)

Frog pose (prone yoga poses)

Bhujangasana

Cobra pose

bhujangasana, cobra pose

Cobra pose

Cobra pose (prone poses)

Cobra pose (spinal back bends)

Catur Svanasana

Dolphin pose

catur svanasana, dolphin pose

Dolphin pose

Dolphin pose (arm supported yoga poses)

Chaturanga Dandasana

Four limbed staff pose

chaturanga dandasana, chaturanga dandasana

Chaturanga dandasana

Chaturanga dandasana (using force effectively)

Chaturanga dandasana (yoga push ups)

Dandasana

Staff pose

dandasana, dandasana

Dandasana

Dandayamana Bharmanasana

dandayamana bharmanasana, bird dog

Bird dog

Bird dog (balancing cat pose)

Bird dog (arm supported yoga poses)

Bird dog (prone yoga poses)

Bird dog (spinal back bending exercises)

Dhanurasana

Bow pose

dhanurasana, Bow pose

Bow pose

Eka Pada Bakasana

eka pada bakasana, eka pada bakasana arm balance 1

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

eka pada galavasana, galavasana (flying pigeon arm balance)

Galavasana (flying pigeon arm balance)

Galavasana (arm balances)

Eka Pada Koundinyasana

Single leg koundinya pose (hurdlers stretch)

eka pada koundinyasana, hurdlers stretch

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

eka pada sirsasana, foot behind the head

Foot behind the head

Foot behind the head (supine yoga poses)

Eka Pada Uttanasana

Single leg focused stretch

eka pada uttanasana, standing forward bend on foot (balancing on one foot)

Standing forward bend on foot (balancing on one foot)

Standing forward bend on one foot (forward bends)

Garudasana

Eagle pose

garudasana, eagle pose

Eagle pose

Eagle pose (arm position)

Eagle pose (balancing on one foot)

Eagle pose (standing yoga poses)

Halasana

Plow pose

halasana, plow (plough) pose

Plow (plough) pose

Plow pose (yoga forward bends)

Plow pose (yoga poses using a wall)

Hanumanasana

Hanuman's pose (splits)

hanumanasana, hanumanasana

Hanumanasana

Hanuman/splits variation with quadriceps stretch

Splits

Hanumanasana (arm supported poses)

Hanumanasana (hamstring stretches)

Hanumanasana (yoga forward bends)

Janusirsasana

Head to knee pose

janusirsasana, janusirsasana

Janusirsasana

Janu sirsasana side bend

Janu sirsasana (seated poses)

Janu sirsasana (forward bends)

Janusirsasana A

Head to knee pose a

janusirsasana a, janusirsasana A

Janusirsasana a

Janusirsasana B

Head to knee pose b

janusirsasana b, janusirsasana B

Janusirsasana b

Janusirsasana b (hamstring stretching yoga poses)

Janusirsasana C

Head to knee pose c

janusirsasana c, janusirsasana C

Janusirsasana c

Janusirsasana c (hamstring stretching yoga poses)

Kapotasana

Pigeon pose

kapotasana, pigeon pose hip stretch

Pigeon pose hip stretch

Low pigeon pose

Pigeon hip stretch, hips level

Upright pigeon hip stretch

Pigeon hip stretch, reaching shoulder to foot

Upright pigeon with hips level

Upright pigeon with hip down

Pigeon hip stretch with spinal twist

Pigeon pose forward bend

Krounchasana

Heron pose

krounchasana, Compass pose prep/modified 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

lolasana, Pendant or Dangle pose (arm supported yoga poses)

Pendant or dangle pose (arm supported yoga poses)

Malasana

Squat

malasana, deep squat

Deep squat

Body weight squat

Squats

Squat (yoga forward bend-(for the hips))

Marichyasana

Marichi's pose

marichyasana, Marichyasana poses

Marichyasana poses

Marichyasana A

Marichi's pose a

marichyasana a, marichyasana A (forward bend)

Marichyasana a (forward bend)

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, marichyasana B forward bend with leg in lotus

Marichyasana b forward bend with leg in lotus

Marichyasana b

Marichyasana b (binding yoga poses)

Marichyasana b modified

Marichyasana b easy variation

Marichyasana b (seated yoga poses)

Marichyasana b (binding yoga poses)

Marichyasana C

Marichi's pose c

marichyasana c, marichyasana C twist

Marichyasana c twist

Marichyasana c (binding yoga poses)

Marichyasana c (seated yoga poses)

Marichyasana c (twisting poses)

Marichyasana D

Marichi's pose d

marichyasana d, Marichyasana D twist with leg in lotus

Marichyasana d twist with leg in lotus

Marichyasana d (binding yoga poses)

Marichyasana E

Marichi's pose e

marichyasana e, marichyasana E forward bend with leg in hero

Marichyasana e forward bend with leg in hero

Marichyasana e (kneeling poses)

Marichyasana e (twisting poses)

Mayurasana

Peacock pose

mayurasana, Mayurasana arm balance

Mayurasana arm balance

Mula Bandha

Root lock

mula bandha, mula bandha

Mula bandha

Boat pose

navasana, boat pose

Boat pose

Boat pose (seated yoga poses)

Padahastasana

Hands under feet pose

padahastasana, standing forward bend with hands under feet

Standing forward bend with hands under feet

Padangusthasana

Big toe pose

padangusthasana, standing forward bend with big toes grabbed

Standing forward bend with big toes grabbed

Standing forward bend with big toes grabbed (padangusthasana padahastasana and other standing forward bends)

Standing forward bend with big toes grabbed (padangusthasana padahastasana and other standing forward bends)

Padmasana

Lotus pose

padmasana, full lotus

Full lotus

Full lotus pose forward bend (yoga forward bends)

Parighasana

Gate pose

parighasana, gate pose variation

Gate pose variation

Gate pose variation (side bending the spine)

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

Revolving side angle pose

parivrtta parsvakonasana, bound twisting side angle pose

Bound twisting side angle pose

Bound twisting side angle pose (twisting poses)

Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana

Compass pose

parivrtta surya yantrasana, compass pose

Compass pose

Compass pose (seated hamstring stretch)

Compass pose (binding yoga poses)

Compass pose (seated yoga poses)

Parivrtta Tadasana

Revolving mountain pose

parivrtta tadasana, upright standing twist

Upright standing twist

Upright standing twist (twisting poses)

Parivrtta Trikonasana

parivrtta trikonasana, Twisting Triangle

Twisting triangle

Revolved triangle (parivrtta trikonasana)

Revolved triangle (standing yoga poses)

Revolved triangle (twisting poses)

Parivtta Upavistha Konasana

Revolving seated angle pose

parivtta upavistha konasana, seated wide leg side bend

Seated wide leg side bend

Parsvottanasana

Intense side stretch (pyramid) pose

parsvottanasana, pyramid pose

Pyramid pose

Pyramid pose (parsvottanasana)

Pyramid pose hamstring stretch

Pyramid pose

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

parsvottanasana reverse prayer, reverse prayer asymetrical standing forward bend

Reverse prayer asymetrical standing forward bend

Reverse prayer asymetrical standing forward bend (reverse prayer)

Paschimotansana

Intense back (west) stretch (forward bending) pose

paschimotansana, seated forward bend

Seated forward bend

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

phalakasana/kumbhakasana, plank pose

Plank pose

Plank pose (arm supported poses)

Plank pose and push ups

Plank pose

Plank pose (prone yoga poses)

Plank pose (yoga forward bends)

Pincha Mayurasana

Pincha mayurasana

pincha mayurasana, peacock feathers Pose (forearm balance)

Peacock feathers pose (forearm balance)

Prasarita Padottanasana

Intense extended foot (standing wide leg forward bend) pose

prasarita padottanasana, wide leg standing forward bend

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

prasarita padottanasana a, wide leg standing forward bend A

Wide leg standing forward bend a

Prasarita Padottanasana B

Intense extended foot pose b

prasarita padottanasana b, wide leg standing forward bend B

Wide leg standing forward bend b

Prasarita Padottanasana C

Intense extended foot pose c

prasarita padottanasana c, wide leg standing forward bend 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

prasarita padottanasana d, wide leg standing forward bend D

Wide leg standing forward bend d

Purvottanasana

Intense front of the body (east) stretch (reverse plank pose)

purvottanasana, reverse plank (hamstring strengthening exercises)

Reverse plank (hamstring strengthening exercises)

Reverse plank

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

salamba sarvangasana, shoulderstand

Shoulderstand

Shoulder stand using a wall

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

samakonasana, shoulderstand side splits

Shoulderstand side splits

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, Setu Bandasana

Bound bridge shoulder stand/bound bridge (bridge) pose

setu bandha sarvangasana, setu bandasana, bridge pose

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

shalabasana, locust pose

Locust pose

Locust pose (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

sirsasana, headstand

Headstand

Headstand using a wall

Headstand, lifting with straight legs

Sukhasana

Easy (seated cross leg) pose

sukhasana, sitting cross legged

Sitting cross legged

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

supta ardha ananda balasana, reclining half happy baby pose

Reclining half happy baby pose

Supta Ardha Virasana

Reclining half hero pose

supta ardha virasana, reclining half hero pose

Reclining half hero pose

Reclining half hero pose (kneeling yoga poses)

Reclining half hero pose (seated yoga poses)

Supta Badakonasana

Reclining bound angle pose

supta badakonasana, supine bound angle

Supine bound angle

Supine bound angle using a wall

Supta Eka Pada Sirsasana

Reclining foot (behind the) head pose

supta eka pada sirsasana, supine foot behind the head using a wall

Supine foot behind the head using a wall

Supta Kapotasana

Reclining pigeon pose

supta kapotasana, reclining pigeo pose using a wall

Reclining pigeo pose using a wall

Supta Matsyedrasana/Jathara Parivartanasana

Reclining lord of the fishes/belly twisting pose

supta matsyedrasana/jathara parivartanasana, prone twist

Prone twist

Prone/belly down twist (twisting poses

Supta Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

Reclining intense hand to big toe pose

supta utthita hasta padangusthasana, prone big toe pose

Prone big toe pose

Prone big toe pose (prone yoga poses)

Supta Virasana

Reclining hero pose

supta virasana, reclining hero pose

Reclining hero pose

Surya Namaskar

Sun salutation

surya namaskar, sun salutations

Sun salutations

Sun salutation a

Sun salutation b

Sun salutation steps

Tadasana

Mountain pose

tadasana, mountain pose

Mountain pose

Mountain pose (standing yoga poses)

Tittibasana

Firefly pose

tittibasana, firefly pose

Firefly pose

Triang Mukha Eka Pada Paschimotanasana

Three limbs facing foot pose

triang mukha eka pada paschimotanasana, half hero forward bend

Half hero forward bend

Half hero forward bend (seated yoga poses)

Half hero forward bend (yoga forward bends)

Uddiyana Bandha

Upward lengthening lock

uddiyana bandha, upward lengthening belly lock

Upward lengthening belly lock

Upavishta Konasana

Seated angle pose

upavishta konasana, seated wide leg pose

Seated wide leg 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

urdhva hastasana ardha chandrasana, standing side bend

Standing side bend

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

urdhva mukha svanasana, upward facing dog, upward dog, up dog

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

urdhvra dhanurasana, wheel pose

Wheel 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

ustrasana, camel pose

Camel pose

Camel pose (kneeling yoga poses)

Camel pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)

Camel pose (spinal back bending yoga poses)

Utkatasana

Fierce pose

utkatasana, fierce pose

Fierce pose

Fierce or chair pose

Chair pose (standing yoga poses)

Uttansaana

Focused stretch (standing forward bend) pose

uttansaana, standing forward bend

Standing forward bend

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

utthita hasta padangusthasana, standing upright big toe pose

Standing upright 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

utthita parsvokonasana, side angle pose

Side angle pose

Side angle pose (side bending the spine)

Side angle pose (standing yoga poses)

Utthita Trikonasana

Intense triangle pose

utthita trikonasana, triangle pose

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

vajrasana, kneeling (and working towards kneeling comfortably with active toe and ankle stretches)

Kneeling (and working towards kneeling comfortably with active toe and ankle stretches)

Vasisthasana

Vasistha's (side plank) pose

vasisthasana, side plank

Side plank

Side plank (learning shoulder actions for side plank pose)

Side plank (side plank)

Side plank (arm supported yoga poses)

Viparita Karani

Inverted action (legs up wall)

viparita karani, legs up a wall pose

Legs up a wall pose

Viparita Virhabhadrasana

Inverted warrior pose

viparita virhabhadrasana, side bending warrior pose

Side bending warrior pose

Virabhadrasana 1

Warrior 1 pose

virabhadrasana 1, warrior 1

Warrior 1

Warrior 1 (sartorius stretch warrior 1)

Warrior 1 (virabhadrasana)

Warrior 1 (warrior 1)

Warrior 1 (standing yoga poses)

Virabhadrasana 2

Warrior 2 pose

virabhadrasana 2, warrior 2

Warrior 2

Warrior 2 (standing yoga poses)

Virabhadrasana 3

Warrior 3 pose

virabhadrasana 3, warrior 3

Warrior 3

Warrior 3 (balancing on one foot)

Warrior 3 (standing yoga poses)

Warrior 3 (yoga forward bends)

Virasana

Hero pose

virasana, hero pose

Hero pose

Virasana (kneeling yoga poses)

Virasana (kneeling yoga poses)

Virasana (prone yoga poses)

Virasana (seated yoga poses)

Vriksasana

Tree pose

vriksasana, tree pose

Tree pose

Tree pose (yoga tree pose)

Tree pose (balancing on one foot)

Tree pose (balancing on one foot)

Tree pose (standing yoga poses)

Published: 2022 10 16
Updated: 2022 10 17

Neil Keleher

Hi, I'm Neil Keleher.

I have a degree in Systems Design engineering. Before that I served in the British army for five years. My main job was fixing guns.

I've been teaching yoga for about twenty two years now. I also do a lot of programming in python and node.js.

One of my other main projects is studying Chinese, but it's been hold while I developed tools to make studying easier. One of those is a Chinese character dictionary and the other is a Chinese word and phrase dictionary.

Both include a lookup system for Chinese characters that is foreigner friendly and that I'm proud to say that I designed.

Clearly defined poses, exercises and stretches for improving stability, body awareness and flexibility.
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