Upward Salute | Urdhva Hastasana (Palm Tree Pose) From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Urdhva Hastasana (oord-vah hahs-TAHS-anna) Meaning: urdhva = upward, raised; hasta = hand Urdhva Hastasana, also called Talasana (Palm Tree Pose) or Urdhva Namaskarasana (Upward Prayer Pose), is most commonly known in English as Upward Salute, Upward Hand Pose or Volcano Pose. […]
Big Toe Pose | Padangusthasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Padangusthasana (PAH-DAHN-goos-TAH-sah-nah) Meaning: Pada = leg, foot ; angustha = big toe Known in English as Big toe Pose, Padangusthasana is a standing forward fold that well prepares the body for meditation. First standing posture of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series, it is meant
Hand to Feet Pose | Pada Hastasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Pada Hastasana (PAH-DAH-has-TAH-sah-nah) Meaning: Pada = leg, foot ; hasta = hand Known in English as Hands to Feet Pose, Pada Hastasana is a deeper version of Padangusthasana. Still a standing forward fold, it brings the opposite parts of our bodies together:
Extended Triangle Pose | Utthita Trikonasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Utthita Trikonasana (oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna) Meaning: extended; tri = three; kona = angle → trikona = three angles, triangle Utthita Trikonasana is known in English as Extended Triangle Pose or Three Angle Pose as this is the shape our bodies come to form in
Revolved Triangle Pose | Parivrtta Trikonaasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Parivrtta Trikonasana (par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna) Meaning: parivrtta = to revolve, turn around ; trikona = three angles, triangle Known in English as Revolved Triangle Pose or Twisted Triangle Pose, Parivrtta Trikonasana is – just like all other twists – a cleansing and energizing posture.
Extended Side Angle Pose | Utthita Parsvakonasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Utthita Parsvakonasana (oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna) Meaning: utthita = extended; parsva = side ; kona = angle Known in English as Extended Side Angle Pose, this powerful standing asana first appears in Krisnamacharya’s teachings during the 20th century. While, on the surface, this pose
Revolved Side Angle Pose | Parivrtta Parsvakonasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (par-ee-vrt-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna) Meaning: to revolve, turn around ; parsva = side ; kona = angle. Most commonly known in English as Revolved Side Angle it is also referred to as Twisted Side Angle, Rotated Side Angle or Side Angle Twist.
Wide Legged Forward Bend | Prasarita Padottanasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Prasarita Padottanasana (pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-anna) Meaning: to spread, outstretch, expand ; pada = foot, leg ; ut = intense ; tan = to stretch out. Most commonly known in English as Wide Legged Forward Bend this pose is an intense stretch and energizing
Intense Side Stretch Pose | Parsvottanasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Parsvottanasana (parsh-voh-tahn-AHS-anna) Meaning: parsva = side; ut = intense ; tan = to stretch out. Parsvottanasana, as its name indicates, involves an intense lateral stretch. That is why it is known in English as Intense Side Stretch Pose. People also often refer to
Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Fold | Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana From Sanskrit to English Sanskrit pronunciation: Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (ARE-dah-BAH-Dah-pod-MAHS -anna) Meaning: ardha = half ; baddha = bound; padma = lotus; uttana = intense stretch Known in English as Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Fold, this pose brings together a Half Lotus