When yoga arrived in our Western world, the names of the poses that came with it were in the ancient sanskrit language. Our more recent western yoga is built on the asanas that were these forms. Some asanas have been adapted by some more recent yoga teachers in line with increased knowledge of biomechanics, body functions and also how bodies in our western culture tend to habitually organise. Some have been incorporated into flow (vinyasa) sequences. And many have remained as they were when western civilisation met and embraced the practice of hatha yoga. Utopian yoga works with adapted forms of asanas in line with increased understanding of body mechanics. It also works with flow or vinyasa.
In more recent years the sanskrit names for poses have been translated into english. Sometimes this is adapted from the original sanskrit names and sometimes the names are more descriptive in the case of poses like ‘Intense Chest Stretch – Parsvottanasana”.
Here is a list of translations that might help you understand what your yoga teacher calls poses or flows, whether they use the English terms or the Sanskrit.
Utopian yoga modifies many of these poses for a more sustainable practice.
Mountain – Tadasana
Warrior 2 – Virabhadrasana
Triangle Extended – Utthita Trikonasana
Extended Side Stretch – Utthita Parsvakonasana
Intense Chest Stretch – Parsvottanasana
Down Dog – Adhomulcha Svarasana
Cobra – Bhujangasana
Intense Forward Bend – Uttanasana
Plough – Halasana
Camel – Ustrasana
Lotus – Padmasana
Upward Facing Dog – Urdhua mukha Svanasana
Hybrid poses – Some poses are a combinatiopn of other poses
Headstand – Salamba Sirsasana
Warrior 1 – Virabhadrasana
Shoulder Stand – Salamba Sarvangasana
Eagle – Garudasana
Chair pose – Utkatasana
Fish – Matsyasana
Tree – Vrksasana
Bow – Urdhva Dhanurasana
Want to know what the sanskrit or english translation is for another pose? Get in touch and we’ll add it to our list.