Walk into any yoga class worldwide and you’ll hear the same Sanskrit names — Tadasana, Virabhadrasana, Savasana. But what do these ancient words actually mean? Sanskrit is one of the oldest known Indo-European languages, and understanding its building blocks makes yoga pose memorization effortless.
The Structure of Sanskrit Pose Names
Most yoga pose names follow a simple pattern: descriptor + asana. The word “asana” means “seat” or “posture,” and it appears at the end of almost every pose name. As the NCCIH explains, yoga’s physical postures (asanas) are just one of several components of the traditional practice.
Once you know the descriptors, you can decode any pose name.
Common Sanskrit Roots
Body Parts
| Sanskrit | Meaning | Example Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Pada | Foot | Eka Pada (one foot) |
| Hasta | Hand | Hasta Uttanasana (hand raising) |
| Sirsa | Head | Sirsasana (Headstand) |
| Mukha | Face | Adho Mukha (downward-facing) |
| Janu | Knee | Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee) |
Animals
Many poses are named after animals whose shapes they resemble. Yoga Journal’s pose encyclopedia is a helpful reference for connecting Sanskrit names with their English translations:
| Sanskrit | Animal | Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Bhujanga | Cobra/Serpent | Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) |
| Garuda | Eagle | Garudasana (Eagle Pose) |
| Ustra | Camel | Ustrasana (Camel Pose) |
| Baka | Crow/Crane | Bakasana (Crow Pose) |
| Matsya | Fish | Matsyasana (Fish Pose) |
Nature
| Sanskrit | Meaning | Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Vriksha | Tree | Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) |
| Tada | Mountain | Tadasana (Mountain Pose) |
| Chandra | Moon | Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon) |
| Padma | Lotus | Padmasana (Lotus Pose) |
Figures from Mythology
| Sanskrit | Figure | Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Virabhadra | Warrior hero | Virabhadrasana (Warrior I, II, III) |
| Nataraja | Dancing Shiva | Natarajasana (Dancer’s Pose) |
Actions and Positions
| Sanskrit | Meaning | Example Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Uttan | Intense stretch | Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold) |
| Setu | Bridge | Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) |
| Danda | Staff/Rod | Dandasana (Staff Pose) |
| Nava | Boat | Navasana (Boat Pose) |
| Salabha | Locust | Salabhasana (Locust Pose) |
Qualities and Descriptions
| Sanskrit | Meaning | Example Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Sukha | Easy/Pleasant | Sukhasana (Easy Pose) |
| Vira | Hero | Virasana (Hero Pose) |
| Ananda | Bliss/Joy | Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose) |
| Bala | Child | Balasana (Child’s Pose) |
Key Prefixes and Modifiers
- Adho = downward (Adho Mukha Svanasana = Downward-Facing Dog)
- Urdhva = upward (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana = Upward-Facing Dog)
- Ardha = half (Ardha Chandrasana = Half Moon Pose)
- Eka = one (Eka Pada = one-footed)
- Supta = reclined/supine (Supta means lying down)
- Parivrtta = revolved/twisted (Parivrtta Trikonasana = Revolved Triangle)
- Utthita = extended (Utthita Parsvakonasana = Extended Side Angle)
Number Prefixes
- Eka = one
- Dvi = two
- Tri = three
- Chatur = four (Chaturanga = four-limbed)
Putting It All Together
Let’s decode some pose names:
- Trikonasana = Tri (three) + Kona (angle) + Asana (pose) = Three-Angle Pose (Triangle)
- Chaturanga Dandasana = Chatur (four) + Anga (limb) + Danda (staff) + Asana = Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana = Adho (downward) + Mukha (face) + Svana (dog) + Asana = Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Downward Dog)
- Viparita Karani = Viparita (inverted) + Karani (doing/making) = Inverted Action (Legs Up the Wall)
- Eka Pada Rajakapotasana = Eka (one) + Pada (foot) + Raja (king) + Kapota (pigeon) + Asana = One-Legged King Pigeon Pose (Pigeon Pose)
- Ardha Matsyendrasana = Ardha (half) + Matsyendra (Lord of the Fishes, a sage) + Asana = Half Lord of the Fishes
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana = Setu (bridge) + Bandha (lock/bind) + Sarva (all) + Anga (limb) + Asana = All-Limbs Bridge Pose (Bridge Pose)
- Utkatasana = Utkata (fierce/powerful) + Asana = Powerful Pose (Chair Pose)
Common Pronunciation Tips
Sanskrit pronunciation can feel intimidating, but a few guidelines make it much more approachable.
Vowel Sounds
Sanskrit vowels are pure and consistent — they do not shift the way English vowels do. The letter “a” is always pronounced like the “u” in “but” (short) or the “a” in “father” (long). The letter “i” sounds like “ee,” and “u” sounds like “oo.” So “asana” is pronounced “AH-suh-nuh,” not “uh-SAH-nuh.”
Emphasis and Flow
Most Sanskrit yoga terms place a gentle emphasis on the second-to-last syllable. Tadasana is “tah-DAH-suh-nuh,” Virabhadrasana is “veer-ah-bah-DRAH-suh-nuh.” Once you get used to this rhythm, the names start to feel natural rather than foreign.
The “Th” and “Dh” Sounds
In Sanskrit, “th” and “dh” are aspirated consonants — they sound like “t” and “d” with a puff of air after them. Virabhadrasana has a “dh” that sounds close to the “d” in “dog” with extra breath, not like the English “th” in “the.”
Do Not Worry About Perfection
Sanskrit pronunciation has subtleties that even native Hindi speakers debate. As a yoga practitioner, your goal is clear communication, not academic precision. If your teacher and classmates understand which pose you mean, your pronunciation is good enough. Confidence matters more than flawless diction.
Why Learning Sanskrit Names Matters
You might wonder whether learning Sanskrit is worth the effort when English names work perfectly well. Here are some practical reasons.
Follow Any Class, Anywhere in the World
Yoga is practised in nearly every country. English names vary — what one teacher calls “Chair Pose” another might call “Fierce Pose” or “Thunderbolt Pose.” But Utkatasana means the same thing in a studio in New York, Berlin, Tokyo, or Mumbai. Knowing Sanskrit gives you a universal vocabulary.
Deepen Your Connection to the Practice
Sanskrit names carry layers of meaning that English translations often lose. Chair Pose sounds mundane, but its Sanskrit name Utkatasana translates to “Powerful Pose” or “Fierce Pose” — a much more accurate description of the strength and intensity involved. Corpse Pose is blunt in English, but Savasana (from “sava” meaning corpse) connects to the yogic idea of practising complete surrender.
Build Confidence in Group Settings
Many yoga teachers call poses by their Sanskrit names, sometimes exclusively. If you only know English names, you may spend half the class looking around the room for visual cues. Learning even the 20 most common Sanskrit names eliminates that uncertainty and lets you flow with the class rather than playing catch-up.
It Is Easier Than You Think
Because Sanskrit pose names follow logical, consistent patterns — descriptor plus “asana” — the language is more like a code you crack than a vocabulary you memorise. Once you learn that “Adho” means downward and “Urdhva” means upward, you immediately understand two new names. The tables above give you enough building blocks to decode dozens of poses on the spot.
How to Practice Sanskrit Names
- Start with common poses you already know physically, then learn their Sanskrit names. Harvard Health notes that familiarity with yoga terminology helps practitioners get more out of every class.
- Break names into parts — once you know “Virabhadra” means warrior, all three Warrior poses make sense.
- Use the yoga-bits game — play the 60-second matching challenge to test yourself on all 68 Sanskrit pose names across three difficulty levels.
- Say names aloud — pronunciation reinforces memory. Each pose page on yoga-bits includes a pronunciation guide.
Common Mistakes When Learning Sanskrit
Trying to Memorise Everything at Once
With dozens of pose names to learn, it is tempting to sit down and cram them all in one session. This rarely works. Instead, focus on 5-10 names at a time and build from there. Start with poses you already practise physically — connecting a name to a movement you know makes it stick far better than memorising a list.
Ignoring the Root Words
Many learners try to memorise each pose name as a standalone word. This is much harder than learning the building blocks. If you memorise the 20 or so root words in the tables above, you can decode most pose names on the spot rather than recall them from memory. Work smarter, not harder.
Being Afraid to Say Names Out Loud
Reading Sanskrit silently is very different from saying it out loud. Your mouth and your ears reinforce memory in ways your eyes alone cannot. Say the names aloud during your practice — even if you are alone at home. “Inhale, Urdhva Hastasana. Exhale, Uttanasana.” Over time this verbal repetition becomes automatic.
Quick Reference: 15 Pose Names Every Beginner Should Know
If you learn nothing else, these 15 names will carry you confidently through most yoga classes:
- Tadasana — Mountain Pose
- Uttanasana — Standing Forward Fold
- Adho Mukha Svanasana — Downward Dog
- Urdhva Mukha Svanasana — Upward Dog
- Virabhadrasana I — Warrior I
- Virabhadrasana II — Warrior II
- Trikonasana — Triangle Pose
- Utkatasana — Chair Pose
- Vrikshasana — Tree Pose
- Balasana — Child’s Pose
- Bhujangasana — Cobra Pose
- Chaturanga Dandasana — Chaturanga
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana — Bridge Pose
- Navasana — Boat Pose
- Savasana — Corpse Pose
Key Takeaways
- Sanskrit pose names follow a predictable pattern: descriptor(s) + “asana” (pose).
- Learning roughly 20 root words lets you decode the majority of yoga pose names without rote memorisation.
- Prefixes like Adho (downward), Urdhva (upward), Ardha (half), and Parivrtta (revolved) modify the base pose and tell you the variation.
- Pronunciation does not need to be perfect — clarity and confidence matter more than academic precision.
- Practise names out loud alongside your physical practice for the fastest retention.
- Play the yoga-bits matching game to quiz yourself across three difficulty levels and solidify your Sanskrit vocabulary.
Browse All Sanskrit Pose Names
Ready to explore? Browse all 68 yoga poses organized by difficulty level, each with its Sanskrit name, pronunciation guide, and step-by-step instructions.