Yoga Confusables

Although languages are logical, Sanskrit words used in yoga postures can be

confusing. Latin being an acknowledged derivative of Sanskrit, root words

in both these language sound similar to one another (therefore to English).

An easy way to remember names of various postures is to recall core words.

For instance, hasta is hand, uttana is up (hasta uttana = hands-raised);

pada is foot (pada hasta = hands to feet);

tri is three and kona is corner (trikona = triangle);

vira is brave (virabhadra = brave warrior);

ardha means half, chandra refers to the moon (ardha chandra = half moon);

supta is supine, vajra/ vaira means diamond (supta vajra = supine diamond);

maha is great, mudra means gesture (maha mudra = grand gesture);

paripoorna is very full, (pari poornanava = full boat);

ashta is eight; anga is limb (ashtanga namaskara = 8-limbed salutation);

finally, bandha means that which binds (hence sethu bandha = bridge).