A Comprehensive List of Yoga Pose Names in English and Sanskrit

It’s not uncommon for yogis, both seasoned and newbies, to grapple with remembering the names of yoga poses. The dynamic blend of Sanskrit and English terminology can certainly feel overwhelming. Yet, knowing the names and meanings of yoga poses can deepen your practice and appreciation for this ancient discipline. In this article, we’ll dive into a comprehensive list of yoga poses, identifying each asana by its English and Sanskrit name.

Āsana Explained: What We Call Yoga Poses in Sanskrit

Yoga is an ancient practice full of rich history, and this shows in the Sanskrit names of the yoga poses. Each name does more than just describe a posture. It tells a story, connects us to the origins of yoga, and helps us understand the meaning behind each pose. Yet, as someone who practices yoga today, you might find these Sanskrit names a little bit tricky.

In Sanskrit, the word for a yoga pose is “āsana“. This word means “pose” or “seat”. So, when you hear a yoga pose name that ends with “āsana”, you know it’s the Sanskrit pose name.

The Magic of Sanskrit Yoga Pose Names

Understanding the Sanskrit names of yoga poses is more than a memory exercise. It’s a way to deepen your connection to the practice and its cultural origins. Sanskrit names often hold clues about the pose – whether it’s the body parts involved, the pose’s resemblance to a creature or object, or the desired effect of the pose. By exploring these names, we invite a richer understanding and respect for the depth of yoga as a practice.

Embarking on the journey to understand yoga pose names can be fascinating and enriching. I hope this comprehensive list of yoga pose names in English and Sanskrit serves as a useful guide, whether you’re lesson planning, studying, or simply deepening your practice. Remember, yoga is a journey, not a destination. So, enjoy each step and every āsana!

Three Ways to Name a Yoga Pose: English, Correct Sanskrit (IAST), and Common Sanskrit

In this yoga pose list, you’ll see each pose named in three ways. First, there’s the English name, which many of us are most familiar with. Next, we have the Sanskrit name written in IAST. This helps us pronounce the Sanskrit words as accurately as possible. Lastly, you’ll see a common version of the Sanskrit name. This version doesn’t include special marks called ‘diacritics’, which are important in Sanskrit but often left out in the Western yoga world. So, while this version isn’t technically correct, it’s widely used and recognized in many yoga communities.

International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST)

IAST, or International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, is a system used to write the Sanskrit language using the alphabet we’re familiar with. It’s a way to see and write Sanskrit words when we don’t know the original script. This helps us pronounce Sanskrit words more accurately. So, when you see yoga pose names in IAST, it’s just Sanskrit written in a way that’s easier for us to read and say.

List of Yoga Pose Names

Dive into this complete guide of common yoga poses, each listed with their English and Sanskrit names. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, practitioner, or student, this list is a helpful resource to deepen your understanding and practice.

English Pose Name	Sanskrit Pose Name (IAST)	Sanskrit Pose Name (Common)
Accomplished Pose	siddhāsana	Siddhasana
Airplane Pose	digāsana	Digasana
Archer Pose	ākarṇa dhanurāsana	Akarna Dhanurasana
Baby Cobra Pose	ardha bhujaṅgāsana	Ardha Bhujangasana
Baby Cradle Pose	hindolāsana	Hindolasana
Ball Pose	piṇḍāsana	Pindasana
Bharadvajas Twist Pose A	bharadvājāsana I	Bharadvajasana I
Big Toe Pose	pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Padangusthasana
Bird Of Paradise Pose	svarga dvijāsana	Svarga Dvijasana
Boat Pose	nāvāsana	Navasana
Bound Angle Pose	baddha koṇāsana	Baddha Konasana
Bound Angle Headstand Pose	baddha koṇā śīrṣāsana	Baddha Kona Sirshasana
Bound Infinity Pose	baddha anantāsana	Baddha Anantasana
Bound Lotus Pose	baddha padmāsana	Baddha Padmasana
Bound Revolved Garland Pose	ardha baddha parivṛtta mālāsana	Ardha Baddha Parivrtta Malasana
Bound Wheel Pose	cakra bandhāsana	Cakra Bandhasana
Bow Pose	dhanurāsana	Dhanurasana
Bridge Pose	setu bandha sarvāṅgāsana	Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Bridge Building Pose	setu bandhāsana	Setu Bandhasana
Camel Pose	uṣṭrāsana	Ustrasana
Cat Pose	biḍālāsana / mārjārāsana	Bidalasana / Marjarasana
Chair Pose	utkaṭāsana	Utkatasana
Chest-Knees-Chin Pose	aṣṭāṅga namaskāra	Astanga Namaskara
Childs Pose	bālāsana	Balasana
Cobra Pose	bhujaṅgāsana	Bhujangasana
Corpse Pose	śavāsana	Shavasana
Cow Pose	bitilāsana	Bitilasana
Cow Face Pose	gomukhāsana	Gomukhasana
Cowherd Pose	gorakṣāsana	Goraksasana
Crane Pose	bakāsana	Bakasana
Crocodile Pose	makarāsana	Makarasana
Crocodile Pose (Ashtanga)	nakrāsana	Nakrasana
Crow Pose	kākāsana	Kakasana
Dolphin Pose	ardha piñca mayūrāsana	Ardha Pinca Mayurasana
Dolphin Plank Pose	makara adho mukha śvānāsana	Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana
Double Big Toe Pose	ubhaya pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Ubhaya Padangusthasana
Downward-Facing Dog Pose	adho mukha śvānāsana	Adho Mukha Svanasana
Eagle Pose	garuḍāsana	Garudasana
Ear Pressure Pose	karṇapīḍāsana	Karnapidasana
Eight Angle Pose	aṣṭāvakrāsana	Astavakrasana
Elbow Stand Pose	śayanāsana	Sayanasana
Elephant Trunk Pose	ekahasta bhujapīḍāsana	Ekahasta Bhujapidasana
Embryo In Womb Pose	garbha piṇḍāsana	Garbha Pindasana
Extended Childs Pose	utthita bālāsana	Utthita Balasana
Extended Frog Pose	uttāna maṇḍūkāsana	Uttana Mandukasana
Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose	utthita hasta pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Extended Leg Pose	uttāna pādāsana	Uttana Padasana
Extended Triangle Pose	utthita trikoṇāsana	Utthita Trikonasana
Feathered Peacock Pose	piñca mayūrāsana	Pincha Mayurasana
Feet-Behind-The Head Pose A	dvipāda śīrṣāsana I	Dvipada Sirshasana I
Feet-Behind-The Head Pose B	dvipāda śīrṣāsana II	Dvipada Sirshasana II
Figure Four Pose	eka pāda utkaṭāsana	Eka Pada Utkatasana
Fire Log Pose	agnistambhāsana	Agnistambhasana
Firefly Pose	ṭiṭṭibhāsana	Tittibhasana
Firefly Pose B	ṭiṭṭibhāsana II	Tittibhasana II
Firefly Pose C	ṭiṭṭibhāsana III	Tittibhasana III
Fish Pose	matsyāsana	Matsyasana
Five-Pointed Star Pose	utthita tāḍāsana	Utthita Tadasana
Floating Staff Pose	utplutiḥ daṇḍāsana	Utplutih Dandasana
Flying Pigeon Pose	ekapāda gālavāsana	Ekapada Galavasana
Flying Splits Pose	ekapāda kauṇḍinyāsana B	Ekapada Kaundinyasana B
Foot-Behind-The-Head Pose 1	ekapāda śīrṣāsana I	Ekapada Sirshasana I
Foot-Behind-The-Head Pose 2	ekapāda śīrṣāsana II	Ekapada Sirshasana II
Foot-Behind-The-Head Pose 3	ekapāda śīrṣāsana III	Ekapada Sirshasana III
Four-Limbed Staff Pose	caturaṅga daṇḍāsana	Caturanga Dandasana
Frog Pose (B)	bhekāsana	Bhekasana
Frog Pose (M)	maṇḍūkāsana	Mandukasana
Garland Pose	mālāsana	Malasana
Gate Pose	parighāsana	Parighasana
Goddess Pose	utkaṭa koṇāsana	Utkata Konasana
Gorilla Pose	pādahastāsana	Padahastasana
Half Boat Pose	ardha nāvāsana	Ardha Navasana
Half Bound Lotus Forward Bend Pose	ardha baddha padma paścimottānāsana	Ardha Baddha Padma Pascimottanasana
Half Bow Pose	ardha dhanurāsana	Ardha Dhanurasana
Half Circle Pose	ardha maṇḍalāsana	Ardha Mandalasana
Half Cow Face Pose	ardha gomukhāsana	Ardha Gomukhasana
Half Four-Limbed Staff Pose	ardha caturaṅga daṇḍāsana	Ardha Caturanga Dandasana
Half Frog Pose	ardha bhekāsana	Ardha Bhekasana
Half Frog Pose	ardha maṇḍūkāsana	Ardha Mandukasana
Half Happy Baby Pose	ardha ānanda bālāsana	Ardha Ananda Balasana
Half Hero Pose	ardha vīrāsana	Ardha Virasana
Half Locust Pose	ardha śalabhāsana	Ardha Salabhasana
Half Lord Of The Fishes Pose	ardha matsyendrāsana	Ardha Matsyendrasana
Half Lotus Pose	ardha padmāsana	Ardha Padmasana
Half Lotus Tree Pose	ardha padma vṛkṣāsana	Ardha Padma Vrksasana
Half Monkey Pose	ardha hanumānāsana	Ardha Hanumanasana
Half Moon Pose	ardha candrāsana	Ardha Candrasana
Half Moon Bow Pose	ardha candra cāpāsana	Ardha Candra Capasana
Half Pigeon Pose	ardha kapotāsana	Ardha Kapotasana
Half Wheel Pose	ardha cakrāsana	Ardha Cakrasana
Handstand Pose	adho mukha vṛkṣāsana	Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Happy Baby Pose	ānanda bālāsana	Ananda Balasana
Head-To-Knee Pose	jānu śīrṣāsana I	Janu Sirsasana I
Head-To-Knee Pose B	jānu śīrṣāsana II	Janu Sirsasana II
Head-To-Knee Pose C	jānu śīrṣāsana III	Janu Sirsasana III
Hero Pose	vīrāsana	Virasana
Heron Pose	krauñcāsana	Krauncasana
Warrior 1 Pose	vīrabhadrāsana I	Virabhadrasana I
Crescent Lunge Pose	aṣṭa candrāsana	Asta Candrasana
Extended Side Angle Pose	utthita pārśvakoṇāsana	Utthita Parsvakonasana
Bound Side Angle Pose	baddha pārśvakoṇāsana	Baddha Parsvakonasana
Humble Warrior Pose	baddha vīrabhadrāsana	Baddha Virabhadrasana
Himalayana Duck Pose	kāraṇḍavāsana	Karandavasana
Horse Face Pose	vātāyanāsana	Vatayanasana
Infinity Pose	anantāsana	Anantasana
Intense Half Bound Lotus Pose	ardha baddha padmottānāsana	Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
Intense Side Stretch Pose	pārśvottānāsana	Parsvottanasana
Inverted Locust Pose	viparīta śalabhāsana	Viparita Shalabhasana
Inverted Staff Pose	viparīta daṇḍāsana	Viparita Dandasana
King Pigeon Pose	rāja kapotāsana	Raja Kapotasana
Lion Pose	siṃhāsana	Simhasana
Little Thunderbolt Pose	laghu vajrāsana	Laghu Vajrasana
Locust Pose	śalabhāsana	Salabhasana
Locust Pose B	śalabhāsana B	Salabhasana B
Lord of the Dance Pose	naṭarājāsana	Natarajasana
Lord Of The Fishes Pose	paripūrṇa matsyendrāsana	Paripurna Matsyendrasana
Lotus Pose	padmāsana	Padmasana
Crescent Moon Pose	āñjaneyāsana	Anjaneyasana
Equestrian Pose	aśva sañcalanāsana	Asva Sancalanasana
Bound Crescent Moon Pose	baddha āñjaneyāsana	Baddha Anjaneyasana
Marichis Pose Pose A	maricyāsana I	Marichyasana I
Marichis Pose Pose B	maricyāsana II	Marichyasana II
Marichis Pose Pose C	maricyāsana III	Marichyasana III
Marichis Pose Pose D	maricyāsana IV	Marichyasana IV
Melting Heart Pose	anāhatāsana	Anahatasana
Monkey Pose	hanumānāsana	Hanumanasana
Mountain Pose	tāḍāsana	Tadasana
Noose Pose	pāśāsana	Pasasana
One-Legged Bridge Pose	ekapāda setu bandha sarvāṅgāsana	Ekapada Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
One-Legged Down­ward-Facing Dog Pose	ekapāda adho mukha śvānāsana	Ekapada Adho Mukha Svanasana
One-Legged Inverted Staff Pose	ekapāda viparīta daṇḍāsana	Ekapada Viparita Dandasana
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose	ekapāda rāja kapotāsana	Ekapada Raja Kapotasana
One-Legged Mountain Pose	eka pāda tāḍāsana	Eka Pada Tadasana
One-Legged Plank Pose	ekapāda kumbhakāsana	Ekapada Kumbhakasana
One-Legged Scorpion Pose	ekapāda vṛścikāsana	Ekapada Vrschikasana
One-Legged Shoulderstand Pose	ekapāda sarvāṅgāsana	Ekapada Sarvangasana
One-Legged Upward Bow Pose	ekapāda ūrdhva dhanurāsana	Ekapada Urdhva Dhanurasana
One-Legged Wind-Relieving Pose	ekapāda pavanamuktāsana	Ekapada Pavanamuktasana
Peacock Pose	mayūrāsana	Mayurasana
Pendant Pose	lolāsana	Lolasana
Pigeon Pose	kapotāsana	Kapotasana
Plank Pose	kumbhakāsana	Kumbhakasana
Plow Pose	halāsana	Halasana
Rabbit Pose	śaśāsana	Sasasana
Reclining Angle Pose	supta koṇāsana	Supta Konasana
Reclining Baby Cradle Pose	supta hindolāsana	Supta Hindolasana
Reclining Big Toe Pose	supta pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Supta Padangusthasana
Reclining Bound Angle Pose	supta baddha koṇāsana	Supta Baddha Konasana
Reclining Hero Pose	supta vīrāsana	Supta Virasana
Reclining Pigeon Pose	supta kapotāsana	Supta Kapotasana
Reclining Revolved Eagle Pose	supta parivṛtta garuḍāsana	Supta Parivrtta Garudasana
Reclining Staff Pose	supta daṇḍāsana	Supta Dandasana
Reclining Thunderbolt Pose	supta vajrāsana	Supta Vajrasana
Reclining Tortoise Pose	supta kūrmāsana	Supta Kurmasana
Reclining Tree Pose	supta vṛkṣāsana	Supta Vrksasana
Reclining Twist Pose	supta matsyendrāsana	Supta Matsyendrasana
Reverse Corpse Pose	adhvāsana	Adhvasana
Reverse Table Pose	ardha pūrvottānāsana	Ardha Purvottanasana
Reverse Triangle Pose	viparīta trikoṇāsana	Viparita Trikonasana
Revolved Boat Pose	parivṛtta nāvāsana	Parivrtta Navasana
Revolved Chair Pose	parivṛtta utkaṭāsana	Parivrtta Utkatasana
Revolved Down­ward-Facing Dog Pose	parivṛtta adho mukha śvānāsana	Parivrtta Adho Mukha Svanasana
Revolved Garland Pose	parivṛtta mālāsana	Parivrtta Malasana
Revolved Goddess Pose	parivṛtta utkaṭa koṇāsana	Parivrtta Utkata Konasana
Revolved Half Lotus Pose	parivṛtta ardha padmāsana	Parivrtta Ardha Padmasana
Revolved Half Moon Pose	parivṛtta ardha candrāsana	Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
Revolved Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose	parivṛtta hasta pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Parivrtta Hasta Padangusthasana
Revolved Head-To-Knee Pose	parivṛtta jānu śīrṣāsana	Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana
Revolved Reclining Big Toe Pose	parivṛtta supta pādāṅguṣṭhāsana	Parivrtta Supta Padangusthasana
Revolved Split-Legged Headstand Pose	parivṛttaikapāda śīrṣāsana	Parivrttaikapada Sirsasana
Revolved Thunderbolt Pose	parivṛtta vajrāsana	Parivrtta Vajrasana
Revolved Triangle Pose	parivṛtta trikoṇāsana	Parivrtta Trikonasana
Revolved Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose	parivṛtta prasārita pādottānāsana	Parivrtta Prasarita Padottanasana
Rooster Pose	kukkuṭāsana	Kukkutasana
Sage Vishvamitra’s Pose	viśvāmitrāsana	Visvamitrasana
Scale Lifted Lotus Pose	tulāsana / utplutiḥ	Tulasana / Utpluti Dandasana
Scorpion Pose	vṛścikāsana I	Vrschikasana I
Scorpion Handstand Pose	vṛścikāsana II	Vrschikasana II
Easy Pose	sukhāsana	Sukhasana
Shoulder Press Pose	bhujapīḍāsana	Bhujapidasana
Shoulder Stand Pose	sālamba sarvāṅgāsana	Salamba Sarvangasana
Side Bow Pose	pārśva dhanurāsana	Parsva Dhanurasana
Side Crow Pose	pārśva bakāsana	Parsva Bakasana
Side Fetal Pose	pārśva śavāsana	Parsva Savasana
Side Lunge Pose	skandāsana	Skandasana
Side Plank Pose	vasiṣṭhāsana	Vasisthasana
Side Plow Pose	pārśva halāsana	Parsva Halasana
Sleeping Yogi Pose	yoga nidrāsana	Yoga Nidrasana
Snake Pose	sarpāsana	Sarpasana
Sphinx Pose	sālamba bhujaṅgāsana	Salamba Bhujangasana
Staff Pose	daṇḍāsana	Dandasana
Standing Backbend Pose	anuvittāsana	Anuvittasana
Standing Forward Bend Pose	uttānāsana	Uttanasana
Standing Half Forward Bend Pose	ardha uttānāsana	Ardha Uttanasana
Standing Splits Pose	ūrdhva prasārita eka pādāsana	Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana
Supported Headstand Pose	sālamba śīrṣāsana	Salamba Sirsasana
Table Pose	bhārmanāsana	Bharmanasana
Table Twist Pose	parivṛtta bhārmanāsana	Parivrtta Bharmanasana
Thread The Needle Pose	pārśva bālāsana	Parsva Balasana
Three Parts Forward Bend Pose	tiryaṅ mukhaikapāda paścimottānāsana	Tiryang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana
Thunderbolt Pose	vajrāsana	Vajrasana
Tiger Pose	vyāghrāsana	Vyaghrasana
Tortoise Pose	kūrmāsana	Kurmasana
Tree Pose	vṛkṣāsana	Vrksasana
Tripod Headstand Pose	mukta hasta śīrṣāsana	Mukta Hasta Sirsasana
Twisted 1-Legged Arm Balance Pose	ekapāda kauṇḍinyāsana A	Ekapada Kaundinyasana A
Unsupported Tiger Pose	nirālamba vyāghrāsana	Niralamba Vyaghrasana
Upward Bow Pose	ūrdhva dhanurāsana / cakrāsana	Urdhva Dhanurasana / Chakrasana
Upward Facing Dog Pose	Upward-Facing Dog	Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog)
Upward Facing Forward Bend Pose	ūrdhva mukha paścimottānāsana	Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana
Upward Lotus Pose	ūrdhva padmāsana	Urdhva Padmasana
Upward Plank Pose	pūrvottānāsana	Purvottanasana
Upward Salute Pose	ūrdhva hāstāsana	Urdhva Hastasana
Upward Salute Side Bend Pose	pārśva ūrdhva hāstāsana	Parsva Urdhva Hastasana
Warrior 2 Pose	vīrabhadrāsana 2	Virabhadrasana 2
Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend Pose	upaviṣṭa koṇāsana	Upavista Konasana
Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose	prasārita pādottānāsana	Prasarita Padottanasana
Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose A	prasārita pādottānāsana I	Prasarita Padottanasana I
Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose B	prasārita pādottānāsana II	Prasarita Padottanasana II
Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose C	prasārita pādottānāsana III	Prasarita Padottanasana III
Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose D	prasārita pādottānāsana IV	Prasarita Padottanasana IV
Wild Thing Pose	camatkārāsana	Camatkarasana
Wind-Relieving Pose	pavanamuktāsana	Pavanamuktasana
Wounded Peacock Pose	pungu mayūrāsana	Pungu Mayurasana
Yoga Seal Pose	yoga mudrā	Yoga Mudra

The Fun Approach: Learn Yoga Poses Names with Stick Figures

Yoga stick figures make the learning process much simpler. They serve as visual aids that you can refer to any time you need to.

Stick Figures: Your Secret Weapon for Learning Yoga Pose Names

When you’re learning yoga, figuring out the names of the poses can be a little tricky. But don’t worry, I’ve got a fun and effective way to help you! By using stick figures, you can visually link each pose’s shape with its name. This way, the Sanskrit names won’t seem so foreign anymore. Each time you see the stick figure in a particular pose, your brain will start to connect it with the corresponding Sanskrit name. Whether it’s a quick reminder before your yoga class or a mini self-study session on your coffee break, learning yoga pose names has never been this easy and enjoyable.

Yoga Cards for a Handy Reference (+ Free Yoga Cards)

If you’re someone who prefers a more portable option, you might love my printable cards. Each card features a yoga stick figure and the Sanskrit name of the pose. You can carry these cards with you, making it easy to practice or revise the poses wherever you are.

The Ultimative Yoga Pose Cheat Sheet

For a more structured learning process, I’ve created a cheat sheet. Each pose is accompanied by a stick figure illustration, making it simple to identify and remember the asanas. This resource is perfect for both yoga practitioners and teachers. The printable PDF with Yoga Stick-Figures helps you quickly learn the names of nearly all major poses, saving you time and effort. No more looking up names every time!

Yoga Posters for Inspiration and Learning

And then there are my posters. These beautifully designed posters feature a collection of yoga stick figures along with their Sanskrit names. They’re not only educational but also make great wall art for your home or yoga studio.

So, if you’ve ever felt a bit lost with Sanskrit yoga pose names, remember, you’re not alone. And with Yoga Paper, you have a friend to guide you along the way. Let’s make learning about yoga pose names a fun and enriching part of your yoga journey.