Poses

The Yoga Lotus



Yoga is built around a series of poses. When Yoga originated, it focused on seating meditation poses. Later, active poses were introduced. Generally the names of yoga poses describe the nature, viz animals, mountains, trees etc. Each pose has a Sanskrit name, since yoga originated from India. People who practice yoga are called 'Yogis'. 

Yoga Posture Index - Sorted by Sanskrit Name

SANSKRIT NAME	ENGLISH TRANSLATION	DIFFICULTY
Akarna dhanur-asana	Shooting bow posture	6
Anjanaya-asana	Salutation posture	7
Ardha Chandra-asana	Half Moon posture	2
Ardha Matsyendra-asana	Half Spinal Twist posture	4
Baddha kona-asana	Restrained angle posture	4
Bala-asana	Child posture	1
Chakra-asana	Wheel posture	8
Dhanur-asana	Bow posture	5
Ekapada-asana	One-legged posture	5
Garuda-asana	Half Spinal Twist posture	3
Gomukha-asana	Cow face posture	4
Hala-asana	Plow posture	5
Hasta-pada-angusta	Hand-foot-big toe posture	3
Matsya-asana	Fish posture	3
Naga-asana	Cobra or Snake posture	4
Nataraja-asana	King of the Dance posture	3
Padma-asana	Lotus posture	6
Parivritta-parshvakona	Turned Side-Angle posture	7
Pavana mukta-asana	Wind-releasing posture	1
Sarvanga-asana	Shoulder stand posture	5
Shalabha-asana	Locust posture	5
Shava-asana	Corpse posture	1
Siddha-asana	Accomplished posture	2
Simha-asana	Lion posture	2
Sirsha-asana	Headstand posture	7
Surya-namaskar	Sun Salutation	4
Tada-asana	Mountain pose	1
Trikona-asana	Triangle pose	2
Ugra-asana	Powerful posture	4
Ushtra-asana	Camel posture	5
Vajra-asana	Diamond posture	2
Vira-asana	Hero posture	2
Vriksha-asana	Tree pose	4
Vrischika-asana	Scorpion pose	9