Yoga Basics: Say What? Understanding Yoga Terminology

It can be overwhelming to go to a yoga class for the first time. Not only might you worry that you are the only one who is new, but who knows if you'll be able to do the poses and will you have any idea what they are saying when you are told to move into Adho Mukha Svanasana? In this post we'll put the language issue to rest so you are more comfortable in class.

Yoga poses are named for body parts, directions or animals. They have Sanskrit versions that all end in the word 'asana'. Pronounced just as it sounds, it translates to 'pose'. The language of yoga comes from Sanskrit and is often translated into English and sometimes one pose has multiple translations. Often times you'll hear a mix of the two in a class. Below you'll find a list of the basic yoga poses in both Sanskrit and English.

Tadasana = Mountain Pose

Uttanasana = Standing Forward Bend

Adho Mukha* Svanasana** = Downward Facing Dog Pose

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana = Upward Facing Dog Pose

Balasana = Child's Pose

Bhujangasana = Cobra Pose

Vrksasana*** = Tree Pose

Utkatasana = Chair Pose

Trikonasana = Triangle Pose

Virabadhrasana (I, II or III) = Warrior Pose (I, II, or III)

Baddha Konasana = Bound Angle or Cobbler's Pose

Dandasana = Staff Pose

Viparita Karani - Legs up the Wall Pose

Savasana**** = Corpse Pose

* H's are usually silent 
**The 'sv' and 'si' combinations are pronounced 'shv' and 'shee'
*** 'Vrk' is pronounced 'Vreek'
*****'Sa' is occasionally pronounced "shah" as in the initial sa in Vrksasana, pronounced 'Vreekshasana' or in Savasana, pronounced Shavasana

You might also hear the word "Pranayama" used. This is the word for the breath practices taught in yoga. Meditation is "Dhyana", though I don't think I've ever heard a teacher call it anything but meditation in all my years of practice!

The other word that is bandied about a fair amount is 'Namaste'. Teachers often say it at the end of the class while holding their hands palms together at the center of the chest, knuckles of the thumbs pressing into the sternum. I know I went to class for years wondering why it was said, as I had no idea what it meant! It translates to "I bow to the divine in you."

And what about "Om"? This is often chanted at the beginning or end of a class.  It is a mantra, or a seed sound that is used to represent the whole of the universe. In yogic thought, it was the sound that was made at the creation of the Universe. Chanting it is thought by some to be the best way to get in touch with the divine being that lives in each one of us. Often, Om is broken down into three parts and pronounced "AUM", but a lot of time you just hear OM. When done at a reasonable pitch, chanting Om is a nice way to open the throat and get the voice moving!

I hope you will practice yoga today!
Namaste!