Lying Poses

Ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana (Sanskrit: ऊर्ध्वमुखश्वानासन; Sanskrit pronunciation: [urd̪ʱhvə mukʰə ɕʋɑːn̪ɑːs̪ən̪ə]; IAST: Urdhva mukha śvānāsana) or Upward Facing Dog Pose is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words ūrdhva meaning “up”, mukha meaning “face”, śvān meaning “dog” and āsana (आसन) meaning “posture” or “seat”. Step by Step:- Lie proneContinue Reading

Vasishtha (वसिष्ठ, Vasiṣṭha) = literally: “the richest”; the name of a famous Vedic saint. According to scriptures he owned Nandini, the legendary cow of prosperity. It made all the wishes of the Brahman came true. Vasishtha is known for his conflicts with Vishvamitra. He is said to be one ofContinue Reading

Anantasana (Sanskrit: अनन्तासन; IAST: Anantāsana), Vishnu’s Couch Pose, Eternal One’s Pose, or Side-Reclining Leg Lift is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words anantā (अनन्त) meaning “without end” or “the infinite one”, derived from the name of the thousand-headed serpent Sesa upon which Vishnu rested at the bottomContinue Reading

Bhujangasana (/ˈbuː.dʒænˈɡɑː.sɑː.nɑː/; Sanskrit: भुजङ्गासन; IAST: Bhujaṅgāsana) or Cobra Pose is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words bhujanga meaning “snake” or “serpent” and asana (आसन) meaning “posture” or “seat”. From a prone position with palms and legs on the floor, the chest is lifted. Bhujangasana may strengthen theContinue Reading

Chaturanga Dandasana (Sanskrit: चतुरङ्ग दण्डासन; Sanskrit pronunciation: [tɕɐtuɽɐŋɐ dɐnɖɐːsɐnɐ]; IAST: Caturaṅga Daṇḍāsana) or Four-Limbed Staff Pose is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words catur (Sanskrit: चतुर्; IAST:catur) meaning “four”, anga (Sanskrit: अङ्ग; IAST: aṅga) meaning “limb”, danda (Sanskrit: दण्ड; IAST:daṇḍa) meaning “staff” (refers to the spine, theContinue Reading

Salabhasana, Shalabhasana (Sanskrit: शलभासन; IAST: Śalabhāsana), Locust Pose or Grasshopper Pose is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words “shalabh” meaning “grasshopper” It is backbend, or spine stretch, using the strength of the upper and middle back to lift the weight of the legs as high as possibleContinue Reading

Matsyasana (mahtz-yah-sah-nah; Sanskrit: मत्स्यासन; IAST: Matsyāsana) or Fish Pose is an asana. It is commonly considered a counter asana to Sarvangasana, or shoulder stand, specifically within the context of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series The name comes from the Sanskrit words Matsya (मत्स्य) meaning “fish” and asana (आसन) meaningContinue Reading

Navasana (“Boat Pose”) is an asana. Variations include Paripurna Navasana (Sanskrit: परिपूर्णनावासन; IAST: paripūrṇanāvāsana “Full Boat Pose”), Ardha Navāsana (Sanskrit: अर्धनावासन “Half Boat Pose”) and ekapadanavasana (“one legged boat pose”). The name comes from the Sanskrit words nava meaning “boat” and asana (आसन) meaning “posture” or “seat”. In its literalContinue Reading

Dhanurasana (dah-noo-rah-sah-nah; Sanskrit: धनुरासन; IAST: Dhanurāsana), Bow Pose or sometimes Urdva Chakrasana (Upward Wheel Pose) is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words Dhanura (धनुर, Dhanura) meaning “bow” and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning “posture” or “seat”. Dhanurasana, the bow pose, is eighth in the sequence of 12 basicContinue Reading

Halasana (hah-lah-sah-nah; Sanskrit: हलासन; IAST: Halāsana) or Plow Pose is an asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words hala (हला) meaning “plow” and asana (आसन) meaning “posture” or “seat”. The practitioner lies on the floor, lifts the legs, and then places them behind the head. Experienced practitioners may enterContinue Reading