To accomplish each yoga pose, you require willpower, perseverance and daily practice. There are numberless poses and postures in Yoga. But before trying and performing any posture, you should keep certain things in mind.
- You should know your body limits. If your body does not allow a particular Yoga posture, then do not push your body for it. Otherwise, your may get hurt in the process.
- The best thing to do is, learn from an experienced teacher. Or you can always refer to books learning Yoga poses or Yoga Asanas. Videos could be of great help.
- By daily practicing, you will improve on the poses or positions of Yoga. It is not something that you will gain in the very first class.
- Every yoga position has its own benefits, sometimes specific physical and mental benefits. According to your needs, you can practice a particular Yoga pose.
- Before starting a Yoga session, it is important to do some basic stretches to warm-up and to avoid strain.
Yoga Postures | |
Sanskrit Name | English Translation |
Adho Mukha Svanasana | Downward-Facing Dog |
Adho Mukha Vrksasana | Handstand (Downward-Facing Tree) |
Ajali Mudra | Salutation Seal |
Ardha Chandrasana | Half Moon Posture |
Ardha Matsyendrasana | Half Spinal Twist |
Baddha Konasana | Bound Angle |
Bakasana | Crane Pose |
Balasana or Garbhasana | Child's Pose |
Bharadvajasana | Bharadvaja's Twist |
Bhujangasana | Cobra Pose |
Chakrasana | Wheel Posture |
Chaturanga Dandasana | Four-Limbed Staff |
Dandasana | Staff pose |
Dhanurasana | Bow |
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana | One-Legged King Pigeon |
Garudasana | Eagle Posture |
Gomukhasana | Cow Face |
Halasana | Plow |
Hanumanasana | Monkey (named after Lord Hanuman) |
Janusirsasana | Head-to-Knee Forward Bend |
Kakasana | Crow Pose |
Krauncasana | Heron Posture |
Kukkueasana | Cockerel Pose |
Kurmasana | Tortoise Pose |
Makarasana | Crocodile Posture |
Matsyasana | Fish Posture |
Matsyendrasana | Lord of the Fishes |
Mayurusana | Peacock Pose |
Natarajasana | Lord of the Dance |
Padahastasana | Standing Forward Bend |
Padmasana | Lotus Pose |
Paripurnanavasana | Full Boat Posture |
Parivrttaparsvakonasana | Revolved Side Angle |
Parivrttatrikonasana | Revolved Triangle |
Pasasana | Noose |
Pascimottanasana | Seated Forward Bend |
Prasaritapadottanasana | Intense Spread Leg Stretch |
Pavana Mukta-Asana | Wind-releasing Posture |
Salabhasana | Locust Posture |
Sarvangasana | Shoulder Stand |
Shavasana / Mrtasana | Corpse Pose |
Sethubandasana | Bridge, Half Wheel |
Siddhasana / Muk-tasana /Guptasana | Perfect Pose |
Simhasana | Lion Posture |
Sirsasana | Head Stand |
Sukhasana | Auspicious Pose |
Suptabaddhakonasana | Reclining Bound Angle |
Suptapadangusthasana | Reclining Big Toe |
Suptavirasana | Reclining Hero |
Surya-Namaskar | Sun Salutation |
Svastikasana | Prosperous Pose |
Tadasana / Samasthiti | Mountain Pose |
Trikonasana | Triangle |
Upavistakonasana | Open Angle |
Urdhvadhanurasana | Upward Bow, Backbend, or Wheel |
Urdhvamukhasvanasana | Upward-Facing Dog |
Usthasana | Camel Pose |
Uttanakurmasana | Upside-Down Tortoise |
Utkatasana | Chair |
Uttanasana | Standing Forward Bend |
Utthitahastapadangusthasana | Raised Hand to Big Toe |
Utthitaparsvakonasana | Extended Side Angle |
Utthitatrikonasana | Extended Triangle Posture |
Vasisthasana | Side Plank |
Viparitakarani | Legs-up-the-Wall |
Vajrasana | Thunderbolt Pose |
Virasana | Hero |
Vriksha-Asana | Tree Pose |
Adho Mukha
Adho Mukha Svanasana is also called Downward Dog or Down Dog posture. The name comes from the Sanskrit words, adho which means downward, mukha which means face, svana which means dog and asana meaning pose.
Ardha Sarvangasana
Yoga is one of the oldest form physical disciplines in existence. There are numerous types of asana that are performed in Yoga, one of them being Ardha Sarvangasana. It is the Queen of all the asans.
Asanas at A glance
Yoga asanas bring wonderful health benefits. They let you feel the power of your body and the importance of keeping it healthy. When done in right way, Yoga is just fun and relaxing. You feel good, feel the blood surging through your veins, and the energy pulsating through your nerves.
Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses. It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine.
Dog & Cat
Yoga is an ancient meditation art from India. Practiced since ages in the country, it aims to bring the perfect blend of spiritual intelligence and physical fitness in one's life. The art focuses on bringing one's soul and body together, to give him repose, peace and self-enlightenment.
Janu Shirshasana
The term Janu Shirshasana has been derived from the Sanskrit words 'Janu', meaning 'knee', and 'Shirash', meaning 'head'. As the name suggests, the asana focuses on the two body parts. As you perform Janu Shirshasana,
Savasana
Savasana is the name used to describe the posture that is generally performed at the end of a yoga session. The main aim behind this asana is to provide relaxation to the body after a strenuous session and help it cool down.
Setubandhasana
The term Sethu Bandhasana has been derived from the words 'Sethu', whch means bridge, and 'Bandha', which means lock. It literally means 'constructing a bridge' and mainly comprises of building a sort-of 'bridge' with the body,
Sukhashana
Sukhasana, also termed as the 'easy pose', is one of the simplest postures of yoga. For undertaking this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position.
Tadshana
Tadasana, with 'tada' meaning 'mountain', is regarded as one of the most beneficial postures in yoga. Though it seems to be quite simple, a person has to undergo lots of practice to attain the perfect tadasana posture.
Trikonasana
The term Trikonasana has been derived from the words 'trikona', which means triangle, and 'asana', which means posture. In other words, in the asana, your body is stretched in such a way that a triangle-like shape is formed.
Uttanasana
The term Uttanasana has been derived from three words - 'Ut, which means 'intense', 'Tan, which means to stretch and extend, and 'asana', which means posture. In short, it is yoga posture that involves intense stretching of the body muscles.
Virabhadrasana
The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds.