Asanas

[WandererInGray]

Asana, the sanskrit word in yoga that is used to describe the various poses one twists themself into. ;) it's literal meaning is "seat" which would evolve into a meaning like "positioning of the body."

Yoga is about positioning, breathing, and being mindful. You can slog through a routine, but you won't get the same benefits out of it. And you may end up risking an injury because you're either a) not listening to your body in a position, or b) not doing the pose correctly in the first place.

In the next post I'm going to provide you with a list of asanas and their more common names. Here in the West the chances are that you're going to hear the common names a lot more than the Sanskrit ones. So don't stress out because they are Indian and hard to pronounce, let alone remember! I'm still having to go back and check on names frequently, because I learned most of the English pose names. There are some variations in the common names, but on the whole you'll see the same ones consistantly.

Yoga Journal, an excellent print magazine, has a website with a great index of the poses. They can be located in either Sanksrit or English and the pages contain a wealth of information. Including the benefits and contraindicators (hazards) of the pose. There are photos as well that you can use for reference until I can get some pictures up.

Yoga Journal Pose Index (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/index.cfm?ctsrc=hptpnav)

[WandererInGray]

Hopefully I can figure out how to make a table. *laughs* When I do I'll clean this up a bit.

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Common name - Sanskrit name

Plank pose - (none)

Downward-Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana

Handstand - Adho Mukha Vrksasana

Salutation Seal - Anjali Mudra

Half Moon pose - Ardha Chandrasana

Half Lord of the Fishes pose - Ardha Matsyendrasana

Bound Angle pose - Baddha Konasana

Crane pose - Bakasana

Child’s pose - Balasana

Bharadvaja’s Twist - Bharadvajasana I

Cobra pose - Bhujangasana

Four-Limbed Staff pose - Chaturanga Dandasana

Bow pose - Dhanurasana

One-Legged King Pigeon pose - Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Eagle pose - Garudasana

Cow face pose - Gomukhasana

Plow pose - Halasana

Monkey pose - Hanumanasana

Head-to-Knee Forward Bend - Janu Sirasana

Heron pose - Krounchasana

Pose dedicated to the Sage - Marichyasana I

Marichi, I - Marichyasana II

Marichi’s pose - Marichyasana III

Fish pose - Matsyasana

Lord of the Dance pose - Natarajasana

Lotus pose - Padmasana

Full Boat pose - Paipurna Navasana

Side Angle pose - Parsvakonasana

Revolved Side Angle pose - Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

Revolved Triangle pose - Parivrtta Trikonasana

Noose pose - Pasasana

Seated Forward Bend - Paschimottanasana

Wide-Legged Forward Bend - Prasarita Padottanasana

Locust pose - Salabhasana

Shoulderstand - Sarvangasana

Supported Shoulderstand - Salamba Sarvangasana

Headstand - Sirsasana

Supported Headstand - Salamba Sirsasana

Corpse pose - Savasana

Bridge pose - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Reclining Bound Angle pose - Supta Baddha Konasana

Reclining Big Toe pose - Supta Padangusthasana

Reclining Hero pose - Supta Virasana

Mountain pose - Tasasana

Open Angle pose - Upavistha Konasana

Upward Bow pose, Backbend, Wheel - Urdhva Dhanurasana

Upward-Facing Dog - Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Camel pose - Ustrasana

Chair pose (powerful pose) - Utkatasana

Standing Forward Bend - Uttanasana

Extended Side Angle pose - Utthita Parsvakonasana

Extended Triangle pose - Utthita Trikonasana

Side Plank pose - Vasisthasana

Legs-Up-the-Wall pose - Viparita Karani

Warrior II pose - Virabhadrasana II

Warrior III pose - Virabhadrasana III

Hero pose - Virasana

Tree pose - Vrksasana

[Romani Vixen]

I found it rather interesting when I was taking a formal class in college... my instructor said that one part of the meaning of "assana" is to hold a position comfortably!!! The masters can hold all the poses with ease and comfort. :D wow.....

0.02

:)