Sanskrit Pose Names, Decoded

Most Sanskrit pose names are built from a few recurring parts. Ardha means half, Parivrtta revolved, Supta reclined, Adho and Urdhva downward and upward, and -asana (seat, pose) ends almost every name. Learn the 30 parts below and you can read names like Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (revolved half moon pose) on sight.

Meanings are the common teaching translations; spellings vary between schools (Vrksasana / Vrikshasana).

Direction and position

Supta reclined, lying down: Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle), Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Supta Virasana (Reclined Hero Pose), Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Spinal Twist)
Adho downward: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand), Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged Dog)
Urdhva upward: Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Split), Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Dog), Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute), Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose)
Mukha face, facing: Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand), Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged Dog), Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Dog)
Viparita inverted, reversed: Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-The-Wall), Viparita Virabhadrasana (Reverse Warrior)
Parsva side: Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle), Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle), Parsva Bakasana (Side Crow), Parsva Balasana (Thread the Needle)
Upavistha seated: Upavistha Konasana (Wide-Angle Seated Forward Fold)

Shape of the pose

Ardha half: Ardha Pincha Mayurasana (Dolphin Pose), Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Fold), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes), Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose), Ardha Hanumanasana (Half Splits), Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon)
Parivrtta revolved, twisted: Parivrtta Utkatasana (Revolved Chair), Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon), Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle), Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle)
Utthita extended: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle)
Baddha bound: Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose), Baddha Virabhadrasana (Humble Warrior), Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle)
Prasarita spread out, wide: Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Split), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Fold)
Salamba supported: Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand), Salamba Bhujangasana (Sphinx Pose)
Uttana intense stretch: Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Fold), Uttana Shishosana (Puppy Pose), Parsvottanasana (Pyramid Pose), Purvottanasana (Reverse Plank), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold), Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Fold)
Kona angle: Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose), Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle), Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose), Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle), Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle), Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), Upavistha Konasana (Wide-Angle Seated Forward Fold)

Parts of the body

Pada foot, leg: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon Pose), Eka Pada Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose), Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Split), Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged Dog), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Fold)
Hasta hand: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
Angustha big toe: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose)
Janu knee: Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Pose)
Sirsa head: Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Pose), Sirsasana (Headstand)
Anga limb: Chaturanga Dandasana (Chaturanga Dandasana), Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Numbers

Eka one: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon Pose), Eka Pada Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose), Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Split), Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged Dog)
Chatur four: Chaturanga Dandasana (Chaturanga Dandasana)
Tri three (as in Trikona, "triangle"): Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

Animals, objects and figures

Danda staff, stick: Dandayamana Bharmanasana (Bird Dog), Chaturanga Dandasana (Chaturanga Dandasana), Dandasana (Staff Pose)
Svana dog: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Three-Legged Dog), Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Dog)
Kapota pigeon: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon Pose), Eka Pada Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose)
Raja king: Natarajasana (Dancer's Pose), Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)
Chandra moon: Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose), Ashta Chandrasana (High Lunge), Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon)
Vira hero: Virasana (Hero Pose), Baddha Virabhadrasana (Humble Warrior), Supta Virasana (Reclined Hero Pose), Viparita Virabhadrasana (Reverse Warrior), Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I), Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III)

Quick check: read the name

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What does "Ardha" mean in a pose name?

Which pose has "Baddha" (bound) in its Sanskrit name?

What does "Supta" mean in a pose name?

Which pose has "Mukha" (face, facing) in its Sanskrit name?

What does "Uttana" mean in a pose name?

Which pose has "Chatur" (four) in its Sanskrit name?

What does "Hasta" mean in a pose name?

Which pose has "Sirsa" (head) in its Sanskrit name?

What does "Danda" mean in a pose name?

Which pose has "Raja" (king) in its Sanskrit name?

More: all Sanskrit pose names · same pose, many names · pronunciation drill