Same Pose, Many Names
Yoga pose names aren't standardized. The same English name can mean different poses in different styles (Half Moon is a one-leg balance in most classes but a standing side bend in hot yoga), and one pose can have several names (Chair Pose is also Fierce Pose, Utkatasana). When names clash, the picture and the Sanskrit are the safest guide.
What does “Half Moon” mean?
In most vinyasa, hatha and Iyengar classes, Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) is a standing balance on one leg with the body open to the side. In the Bikram / hot yoga series, "Half Moon" is a standing side bend with the arms overhead.
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Half Moon Pose Ardha Chandrasana Most styles: balance on one leg, top leg lifted, chest open to the side
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Standing Side Bend Indudalasana Bikram / hot yoga: both feet down, arms overhead, bend to one side
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Revolved Half Moon Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana Revolved Half Moon: the same balance with the chest turned toward the floor
What does “Crescent” mean?
Crescent Lunge usually means High Lunge (back heel lifted, back knee off the floor). Low Crescent Lunge means Anjaneyasana (back knee down). Some teachers also say "crescent moon" for a standing side bend.
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High Lunge Ashta Chandrasana Crescent Lunge / High Crescent: back knee lifted, back heel up
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Low Lunge Anjaneyasana Low Crescent Lunge (Anjaneyasana): back knee on the floor
- Standing Side Bend Indudalasana
Crescent Moon in some classes: a standing side bend
What does “Pigeon” mean?
In most classes, "Pigeon" means the hip-opening version: front shin across the mat, back leg long, often folding forward. King Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) is the full backbend, reaching back to hold the back foot.
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Pigeon Pose Eka Pada Kapotasana Everyday Pigeon: front shin across the mat, upright or folded forward
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King Pigeon Pose Eka Pada Rajakapotasana King Pigeon: deep backbend, hands hold the back foot
What does “Warrior I or Crescent Lunge” mean?
They look alike from the front. In Warrior I the back heel is down and the back foot turns out about 45°; in High (Crescent) Lunge the back heel is lifted and the back foot points forward.
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Warrior I Virabhadrasana I Back heel down, back foot turned out
- High Lunge Ashta Chandrasana
Back heel up, back foot pointing forward
What does “Cobra or Upward Dog” mean?
Cobra (Bhujangasana) keeps the hips and legs on the floor with the elbows bent; Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) straightens the arms and lifts the thighs and hips off the floor. Sphinx is the forearm version of Cobra.
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Cobra Pose Bhujangasana Hips and thighs stay down, elbows bent
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Upward Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana Arms straight, thighs and hips lifted
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Sphinx Pose Salamba Bhujangasana Forearms on the floor (Salamba Bhujangasana, "supported cobra")
What does “Chakrasana” mean?
Chakrasana ("wheel pose") usually means Wheel / Upward Bow (Urdhva Dhanurasana), the full backbend from the floor. Some schools use the same word for other poses, so check the picture rather than the name.
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Wheel Pose Urdhva Dhanurasana Wheel / Upward Bow: hands and feet on the floor, body arched up
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Bow Pose Dhanurasana Bow (Dhanurasana): lying on the belly, hands hold the ankles
One pose, several names
| Pose on this site | Also called |
|---|---|
| Chair Pose Utkatasana | Fierce Pose · Powerful Pose · Awkward Pose (Bikram) · UtkatasanaUtkata means "fierce" or "powerful"; "chair" describes the shape. |
| Triangle Pose Trikonasana | Extended Triangle · Utthita TrikonasanaUtthita ("extended") is often dropped from the name. |
| Extended Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana | Side Angle · Utthita Parsvakonasana |
| Mountain Pose Tadasana | Tadasana · Samasthiti (Ashtanga) · Equal StandingAshtanga calls standing at the front of the mat Samasthiti. |
| Tree Pose Vrikshasana | Vrksasana · VrikshasanaThe same word, transliterated two ways. |
| Corpse Pose Savasana | Savasana · Shavasana · Mrtasana · Final Relaxation |
| Downward Dog Adho Mukha Svanasana | Downward-Facing Dog · Down Dog · Adho Mukha Svanasana |
| Upward Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana | Upward-Facing Dog · Up Dog · Urdhva Mukha Svanasana |
| Butterfly Pose Baddha Konasana | Bound Angle · Cobbler's Pose · Baddha Konasana |
| Yogi Squat Malasana | Garland Pose · Malasana |
| Seated Forward Fold Paschimottanasana | Seated Forward Bend · Intense West Stretch · PaschimottanasanaPaschima = "west", the back of the body in yoga tradition. |
| Chaturanga Dandasana Chaturanga Dandasana | Four-Limbed Staff Pose · Low Plank · Chaturanga |
| Bridge Pose Setu Bandhasana | Setu Bandhasana · Setu Bandha Sarvangasana |
| Wheel Pose Urdhva Dhanurasana | Upward Bow · Chakrasana · Urdhva Dhanurasana |
| Side Plank Vasisthasana | Vasisthasana · Vasishtasana |
| Supine Spinal Twist Supta Matsyendrasana | Reclined Twist · Supine Twist · Supta Matsyendrasana |
| Happy Baby Pose Ananda Balasana | Dead Bug · Ananda Balasana |
| Full Splits Hanumanasana | Monkey Pose · Hanumanasana |
| Low Lunge Anjaneyasana | Low Crescent Lunge · Anjaneyasana |
| High Lunge Ashta Chandrasana | Crescent Lunge · Ashta Chandrasana |
| Standing Forward Fold Uttanasana | Standing Forward Bend · Uttanasana |
| Legs-Up-The-Wall Viparita Karani | Viparita Karani |
| Easy Pose Sukhasana | Sukhasana · Cross-Legged Seat |
| Child's Pose Balasana | Balasana |
More: pose A vs pose B · Sanskrit name parts decoded · all Sanskrit names