Decoding The Words From Your Last Yoga Class

Savasa . . . what?

Originally from India, yoga is now a popular practice found all over the globe. Yoga uses the Indian language, Sanskrit, to describe the poses performed on the mat. However; as the practice has become popular in English-speaking countries, English words now accompany the Sanskrit pose names.

The word yoga means “unifying the spirit with meditation and concentration.” But, what about the other yogi terms you heard your instructors use in your last class? Well, we’re here to provide a quick reference guide so you aren’t left behind on the mat next time.

Mountain pose

Sanskrit:听tadasana, which stems from听the Sanskrit听tada听meaning “mountain”

English: mountain pose,听as you are channeling the stillness and height of a mountain

Benefits:听This seemingly simple standing pose tightens the core, strengthens thighs and knees, and stabilizes breath. It’s also said to improve confidence and posture.

Boat pose

Sanskrit: paripurna听navasana, which partially translates to “entire” and “complete”

English: boat pose,听because you resemble well, a boat, balancing on your sacrum

Benefits: ridding stress to helping with digestion, all while stimulating the kidneys听and improving the spine

Bow pose

Sanskrit:听Dhanurasana hails from the听Sanskrit word, Dhanu, which means “bow.” It also refers to the asana meaning “pose.”

English: Bow pose,听because听the shape you make in the pose resembles an archer’s bow. Your arms are the bowstring and your trunk is the frame.

Benefits:听An intense backbend that also opens your chest, strengthens the back, and stretches the body. This pose also helps stimulate your organs.

Cobra pose

Sanskrit:听Bhujangasana听emerges from the word, bhujanga, in Sanskrit, which means “cobra”

English:听cobra pose . . .听during this pose your form resembles the raised head of a cobra

Benefits: it helps open your heart and strengthens the spine, but it also stimulates abdominal organs听and has been said to soothe sciatica

Corpse pose

Sanskrit:听savasana听comes from the word, sava, which means “corpse.”听It can also be referred to as mrtasana听which translates to “death.”

English:听corpse pose . . .听this one requires a lot of concentration and meditation to be as still and silent as, well, a corpse

Benefits:听not only does this pose help relax the entire body, but it can help you sleep and relieve stress

Happy baby pose

Sanskrit: ananda balasana from听ananda which means “blissful” and bala or “baby”

English:听happy baby pose,听because babies perfected this fun and happy roll-around move

Benefits: besides feeling awesome on your back, this pose also helps stretch your inner groin

Downward dog

Sanskrit:听adho mukha svanasana听=听adho听(downward), mukha听(face), and svana听(dog)

English:听downward dog, because the pose resembles how a dog looks while stretching

Benefits:听anything from energizing the entire body to helping reduce high blood pressure

Half moon pose

Sanskrit:听Ardha chandrasana听emerges from ardha meaning “half” and candra or “a shining moon in the sky”

English: half moon pose,听because as you听balance on one leg and arm your body resembles a half moon

Benefits: you’ll stretch out your shoulders and chest in this pose along with strengthening your buttocks and thighs

Fish pose

Sanskrit: matsyasana which is derived from the word, matsya,听meaning “fish”

English:听fish pose,听because if you tried it in the water (lying on your back with your chest held up and the top of your head touching the water), you’d float in the water like a fish

Benefits: to听stretch the muscles around your rib cage, while also strengthening听your throat muscles and enhancing your posture