Yoga Vocabulary Quick Reference

Asana Foundations 1.1

General Vocabulary
1. BACKBENDING POSES — Stretch the front of the body
2. BALANCING POSES — Remove an element of support to strengthen and stabilize
the body and mind
3. CLASSIC INVERSIONS — Variations of Headstand (called the king of asanas) and
Shoulderstand (the queen)
4. FORWARD BENDING POSES — Move the chest and thighs toward one another,
stretch the back of the body
5. FULL INVERSIONS — Poses in which the heart is higher than the head while also the
pelvis, legs and feet are higher than the heart
6. INVERSION POSES — Invert the body’s relationship to space and gravity
7. MILD / PARTIAL / HALF INVERSIONS — Poses where the head is below the heart
(but legs are not higher than the heart)
8. “NAMAS” — To bow to or adore
9. “NAMASKAR” — Greeting of honor and respect to the divinity present in all
10. “SURYA” — Sun
11. “SURYA NAMASKAR” — Sun Salutation
12. TWISTING POSES — Rotate the spine, increasing spinal range of motion and
lubricating spinal discs
13. “VINYASA” — To place in a special way
14. “VINYASA KRAMA” — Wise progression or placement

Vocab Rev. 1.1 Reprinted with permission from Yoga Teacher Central
 Sanskrit Components in Pose Names
1. ADHO — downward
2. ARDHA — half
3. ASANA — seat / pose
4. BADDHA — bind / bound
5. DWI — two
6. EKA — one
7. HASTA — hand
8. JANU — knee
9. JATHARA — abdomen
10. KONA — angle
11. MUKHA — face
12. NIRLAMBA — unsupported
13. PADA — foot or leg
14. PARIPURNA — full
15. PARIVRTTA — revolved
16. PARSVA — side of the body or flank
17. PASCHIMA — back of the body
18. PRASARITA — expanded / widespread
19. PURVA — front of the body
20. SALAMBA — supported
21. SIRSA — head
22. SUPTA — supine
23. TRI — three
24. URDHVA — upward
25. UTTANA — intense stretch
26. UTTHITA — extended

Vocab Rev. 1.1 Reprinted with permission from Yoga Teacher Central