List of asanas#Asanas
{{short description|List of postures in hatha yoga and yoga as exercise}}
File:'Bodhisattva Manjusri and Prajnaparamita', Nepal, c. 1575, Norton Simon Museum.JPG, lotus pose, used for meditation. Gilt bronze statue of Bodhisattva Manjusri and Prajnaparamita, Nepal, c. 1575]]
An asana (Sanskrit: आसन, IAST: āsana) is a body posture, used in both medieval hatha yoga and modern yoga.{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=4–5}} The term is derived from the Sanskrit word for 'seat'. While many of the oldest mentioned asanas are indeed seated postures for meditation, asanas may be standing, seated, arm-balances, twists, inversions, forward bends, backbends, or reclining in prone or supine positions. The asanas have been given a variety of English names by competing schools of yoga.{{sfn|Murugan|2012}}
The traditional number of asanas is the symbolic 84, but different texts identify different selections, sometimes listing their names without describing them.{{cite book |last1=Bühnemann |first1=Gudrun |title=Eighty-Four Asanas in Yoga: A Survey of Traditions |date=2007 |publisher=D. K. Printworld |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-8124604175 |url=https://archive.org/details/EightyFourAsanasInYogaGudrunBuhnemann_201801 |pages=47, 151 }}{{efn|name=symbolism|84's symbolism may derive from its astrological and numerological properties: it is the product of 7, the number of planets in astrology, and 12, the number of signs of the zodiac, while in numerology, 7 is the sum of 3 and 4, and 12 is the product, i.e. 84 is (3+4)×(3×4).{{cite book |last=Rosen |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Rosen (yoga teacher) |title=Yoga FAQ: Almost Everything You Need to Know about Yoga-from Asanas to Yamas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0oBPDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA171 |year=2017 |publisher=Shambhala |isbn=978-0-8348-4057-7 |pages=171–}}}} Some names have been given to different asanas over the centuries, and some asanas have been known by a variety of names, making tracing and the assignment of dates difficult.{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=59}} For example, the name Muktasana is now given to a variant of Siddhasana with one foot in front of the other, but has also been used for Siddhasana and other cross-legged meditation poses.{{cite web |title=Muktasana |url=https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7190/muktasana |publisher=Yogapedia |access-date=23 November 2018}} As another example, the headstand is now known by the 20th century name Shirshasana, but an older name for the pose is Kapalasana.{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=57}} Sometimes, the names have the same meaning, as with Bidalasana and Marjariasana, both meaning Cat Pose.{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=166}}
Affixes
Variations on the basic asanas are indicated by Sanskrit affixes including the following:
- class= "wikitable"
! English ! Sanskrit ! Meaning ! Example |
Adho
|अधो |downward | Adho Mukha Shvanasana (downward [facing] dog) |
Ardha
|अर्ध |half | Ardha Padmasana (half lotus) |
Baddha
|बद्ध |bound | Baddha Konasana (bound angle) |
Dvi
|द्वि |two | Dvi Pada Kaundinyasana (two-legged Kaundinya) |
Eka
|एक |one | Eka Pada Shirshasana (one-legged headstand) |
Parsva
|पार्श्व |side | Parsva Bakasana (side crane) |
Parivritta
|परिवृत्त |revolved | Parivritta Trikonasana (reverse triangle) |
Prasarita
|प्रसारित |spread out | Prasarita Padottanasana (wide stance forward bend) |
Salamba
| सालम्ब |supported | Salamba Shirshasana (supported headstand) |
Supta
|सुप्त |supine, reclining | Supta Virasana (reclining hero) |
Upavishta
|उपविष्ठ |seated | Upavishta Konasana (wide-angle seated forward bend) |
Urdhva
|ऊर्ध्व |upwards | Urdhva Dhanurasana (upwards bow) |
Utthita
|उत्थित |extended | Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended side angle) |
Viparita
|विपरीत |inverted | Viparita Dandasana (inverted staff) |
Asanas
A single asana is listed for each main pose, whether or not there are variations. Thus for Sirsasana (Yoga headstand), only one pose is illustrated, although the pose can be varied by moving the legs apart sideways or front-and-back, by lowering one leg to the floor, by folding the legs into lotus posture, by turning the hips to one side, by placing the hands differently on the ground, and so on. Iyengar's 1966 Light on Yoga lists 15 variations on the basic headstand, including for instance the combined variation Parivrttaikapada Sirsasana in which not only are the hips revolved but the legs are apart front-and-back.{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=179-205}} Since then, variations of many other poses have been created; their names are not listed here.{{cite web |last1=McCrary |first1=Meagan |title=#YJ40: 10 Poses Younger Than Yoga Journal |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/10-poses-younger-yoga-journal |publisher=Yoga Journal |date=15 July 2015 |quote=Once you learn how the fundamental poses work anatomically then it's very natural to start to play with breaking them apart and putting them back together differently ... You won't find this playful variation of Warrior II Pose in Light on Yoga.}} Yin Yoga names are for the equivalent Yin variants; these are usually somewhat different from the conventional (Yang) poses.
Indian texts are "notoriously difficult to date".{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=xxxix}} The table shows the approximate date and abbreviated title of the earliest document or authority to describe that asana (not only naming it), as follows:
{{colbegin}}
- AS = Ahirbudhnya Saṃhitā, c. 7th century
- BaH = Bahr al-Hayāt, 17th century
- DU = Darśana Upaniṣad, c. 4th century
- GhS = Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā, 17th century
- GS = Gorakṣaśataka, 10th century
- HAP = Hațhābhyāsapaddhati, 18th century
- HR = Haṭha Ratnāvali, 17th century
- HY = Hemacandra's Yogaśāstra, 11th century
- HYP = Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, 15th century
- JP = Joga Pradīpikā, 18th century
- LoY = Light on Yoga, 1966
- PL = Post-Light on Yoga{{efn|PL, Post-Light on Yoga poses, are marked as '21st C.' to sort late 20th as well as 21st century asanas after TK and LoY.}}
- PSV = Pātañjalayogaśāstravivaraṇa, 8th century
- ShS = Śiva Saṃhitā, 14th century
- ST = Śrītattvanidhi, 19th century
- TB = Theos Bernard, 1950
- TK = Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, c. 1940
- V = Vimānārcanākalpa, 10th century
- VM = Vivekamārtaṇḍa, 13th century
- VS = Vāsiṣṭha Saṁhitā, 13th century
{{colend}}
class= "wikitable sortable"
! Asana ! Sanskrit ! English ! Type ! Effect on spine ! Suitable for meditation ! Described{{efn|Sjoman notes that the names of asanas have been used "promiscuous[ly]", making their history difficult to trace: the presence of matching names is not proof of continuity, since the same name may mean a different pose, and a pose may have been known by other names at different times.{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=59}} The dates here are therefore based on documents which provide actual descriptions of the asanas.}} ! Yin Yoga variant{{sfn|Powers|2008|p=195}}{{efn|The Yin Yoga variants are similar but not identical to their 'Yang' equivalents.{{sfn|Powers|2008|p=195}}}} ! class="unsortable" |Image |
Adho Mukha Shvanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=147}}
| अधोमुखश्वानासन | Downward-Facing Dog | Standing | Forward bend | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=205-206}} | |
Adho Mukha Vrikshasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=142}}
| अधोमुखवृक्षासन | Downward-Facing Tree, | Balancing | | | 18th C. HAP{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=124}} | |
Akarna Dhanurasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=137}}
| आकर्णधनुरासन | Shooting bow, | Sitting | | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=84}} (as Dhanurāsana) | |
Anantasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=87}}
| अनन्तासन | Ananta's pose, | Reclining | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=246-247}} | |
Anjaneyasana{{cite journal |last1=Steiner |first1=Ronald |title=Anjaneyāsana - Learning devotion from Hanuman |journal=Yoga Aktuell |date=June 2015 |issue=92 June/July 2015 |url=https://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/inspiration-for-your-practice/180524-anjaneyasana/ |access-date=23 January 2019 |language=de}}
| अञ्जनेयासन | Crescent Moon{{sfn|Lidell|1983|pp=132–133}} | Standing | Backbend | | 20th C.{{sfn|Lidell|1983|pp=132-133}} | Dragon |
Ardha Chandrasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=30}}
| अर्धचन्द्रासन | Half moon | Standing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=74-76}} | |
Ashtanga Namaskara{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=205–206}}
| अष्टाङ्ग नमस्कार | Eight-Limbed Salutation | Reclining | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=205–206}} | |
Astavakrasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=128}}
| अष्टावक्रासन | Aṣṭāvakra's pose, | Balancing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=276-278}} | |
Baddha Konasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=57}} Bhadrasana{{cite web |title=How to do Bhadrasana? |url=http://theyogainstitute.org/how-to-do-bhadrasana/ |publisher=The Yoga Institute |access-date=5 January 2019 |date=3 August 2018}} |बद्धकोणासन | Bound angle, | Sitting | | Butterfly |
Bakasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=130}} Kakasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=60}} | बकासन, | Crane (arms straight) | Balancing | | | 17th C. HR{{sfn|Srinivasa|2002|pp=98–122 asanas listed; Figures of asanas in unnumbered pages between pages 153 and 154; asanas named but not described in text listed on pages 157–159}} | |
Balasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=39}}
|बालासन | Child | Sitting | | | 20th C. TK{{cite web |title=Balasana - Child Pose |url=http://akashayogaacademy.com/inspiration/teachings/asanas/child-pose/ |publisher=Akasha Yoga |access-date=13 January 2019}} | Child's |
Bhairavasana Ankushasana{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=69}} | भैरवासन | Formidable | Reclining | | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=69}} | |
Bharadvajasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=77}}
| भरद्वाजासन | Bharadvaja's twist | Sitting | Twist | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=251-254}} | Seated Twist |
Bhekasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=86}}
| भेकासन | Frog | Reclining | Backbend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=126-128}} | |
Bhujangasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=93}}
| भुजङ्गासन | Cobra | Reclining | Backbend | | 17th C. GhS 2.42{{sfn|Mallinson|2004|pp=16–17}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=76}} | Seal, Sphinx |
Bhujapidasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=129}}
| भुजपीडासन | Arm-pressing posture | Balancing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=280-282}} | Snail |
Bidalasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=166}} Marjariasana{{cite web |title=Cat Pose – Marjariasana |url=http://akashayogaacademy.com/inspiration/teachings/asanas/cat-pose/ |publisher=Akasha Yoga |access-date=13 January 2019}} | बिडालासन | Cat | Kneeling | Backbend | | 20th C. T.K.V. Desikachar, Satyananda Saraswati | |
Chaturanga Dandasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=89}}
| चतुरङ्गदण्डासन | Four-Limbed Staff | Reclining | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}} | |
Dandasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=52}}
| दण्डासन | Staff | Sitting | | | 8th C. PSV{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|pp=97-99}} | |
Dhanurasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=94}}
| धनुरासन | Bow | Reclining | Backbend | | 15th C. HYP 1.27 | |
Durvasasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=299-302}}
| दुर्वासासन | Durvasa's Pose | Standing, Balancing | | | 19th C. ST (as 'Trivikramasana'){{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=78}} | |
Garbha Pindasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|pp=136–137}}
| गर्भासन | Embryo in Womb | Sitting | | | 17th C. BaH | |
Garudasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=46}}
| गरुडासन | Eagle | Standing, Balancing | | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=75}}{{efn|GhS uses the name Garuḍāsana for a different pose.}} | |
Gomukhasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=56}}
| गोमुखासन | Cow-faced | Sitting | | Meditation{{cite web |title=Gomukhasana (Cow Face Posture) |url=http://sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=1261 |publisher=The Divine Life Society |access-date=28 January 2019 |date=2011 |quote=Hence, this Asana is suitable for the practice of Pranayama. Ordinarily you can sit at all times in this Asana for long meditation also.}} | 4th C. DU 3.3–4{{sfn|Ayyangar|1938|p=124}}{{sfn|Sriharisukesh|Pailoor|2019|pp=270–273}} | Shoelace |
Gorakshasana
|गोरक्षासन | Cowherd | Sitting | | Meditation | 14th C. ShS 3.108-112 | |
Halasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=110}}
| हलासन | Plough | Inversion | Forward bend | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=72}} (as Lāṇgalāsana, plough) | |
Hanumanasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=340}}
| हनुमनासन | Hanuman's Pose | Sitting | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=60–63}} | | File:Hanumanasana - Hanuman's Posture - in Diagonal View.jpg |
Janusirsasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=59}}
| जानुशीर्षासन | Head-to-Knee | Sitting | Forward Bend | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}}{{cite web |title=Head to Knee Pose – Janushirshasana |url=http://akashayogaacademy.com/inspiration/teachings/asanas/head-to-knee-pose/ |publisher=Akasha Yoga |access-date=13 January 2019}} | |
Jathara Parivartanasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=237–240}}
| ञटर परिवर्तनासन | Belly twist | Reclining | Twist | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=237–240}} | | |
Kapotasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=144}}
| कपोतासन | Pigeon | Kneeling | Backbend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=367-372}} | |
Karnapidasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=112}}
| कर्णपीडासन | Ear-pressing | Inversion | Forward bend | | 20th C. TB{{sfn|Bernard|2007|p=111}} (as variant of Halasana); LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=220-221}} | |
Kaundinyasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|p=276}}
| कौण्डिन्यसन | Kaundinya's pose | Balancing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=330-336}} | |
Kraunchasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=62}}
| क्रौञ्चासन | Heron | Sitting | | | 17th C. HR{{sfn|Srinivasa|2002|pp=98–122 asanas listed; Figures of asanas in unnumbered pages between pages 153 and 154; asanas named but not described in text listed on pages 157–159}} | | |
Kukkutasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|pp=136–137}}
| कुक्कुटासन | Cockerel | Balancing | | | 7th C. AS{{cite web |last1=Mallinson |first1=James |author-link=James Mallinson (author) |title=A Response to Mark Singleton's Yoga Body by JamesMallinson |url=https://www.academia.edu/1146607 |access-date=4 January 2019 |date=9 December 2011}} revised from American Academy of Religions conference, San Francisco, 19 November 2011. | |
Kurmasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=68}}{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=120}}
| कूर्मासन | Tortoise | Sitting | Forward bend | | 7th C. AS | |
Lolasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=124}}
| लोलासन | Pendant | Balancing | | | 20th C.{{efn|Not yet yoga in 1896 as Jhūla pose in Vyayama Dipika gymnastics book{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=55}}}}{{efn| LoY has the legs as in Gomukhasana, not in Padmasana.{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=116}}}} | |
Makarasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=90}}
| मकरासन | Crocodile | Reclining | | | 17th C. GhS 2.40{{efn|LoY quotes and interprets GhS 2.40 as meaning a variant of Salabhasana, the legs stretched out and raised, the arms as GhS states on the head, also raised;{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=100-101}} Saraswati has the head supported with elbows on the ground;{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=90}} a widespread modern form has feet and head on the ground.}} | |
Malasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=262-267}}
| मालासन | Garland | Squatting | Forward bend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=262-267}} | |
Mandukasana
| मन्दुकासन | Frog | Sitting | | | 17th C. GhS{{sfn|Mallinson|2004|pp=16–17}} | | |
Marichyasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=63, 70, 73}}
| मरीच्यासन | Marichi's Pose | Sitting | Twist | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Krishnamacharya|2006|p=115}} | |
Matsyasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=83}}
| मत्स्यासन | Fish | Reclining | Backbend | | 17th C. GhS 2.21 | Fish |
Matsyendrasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=326}}
| मत्स्येन्द्रासन | Lord of the Fishes | Sitting | Twist | | 15th C. HYP 1.28-29 | |
Mayurasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=142}}
| मयूरासन | Peacock | Balancing | | | 10th C. V{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|pp=100-101}} | |
Muktasana
| मुक्तासन | Liberated | Sitting | | Meditation | 10th C. V{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|pp=100-101}}{{efn|Several sitting meditation poses have been called Muktasana.}} | |
Natarajasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=149}}
| नटराजासन | Lord of the Dance | Standing | Backbend | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Goldberg|2016|p=223}} | |
Navasana Naukasana{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=69}} | नावासन, | Boat | Sitting | Forward bend | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=69}} | |
Padmasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=54}}
| पद्मासन | Lotus | Sitting | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=98}} | 4th C. DU{{sfn|Ayyangar|1938|pp=124-127}} | |
Parighasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=48}}
| परिघासन | Gate | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}} | |
Parshvakonasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=24-25}}
| पार्श्वकोणासन | Side angle | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Parshvottanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=40}}
| पार्श्वोत्तनासन | Intense side stretch | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Pashasana{{cite web |last1=(no byline) |title=Noose Pose |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/noose-pose |publisher=Yoga Journal |access-date=11 November 2018 |date=28 August 2007}}
| पाशासन | Noose | Squatting | Twist | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=76}} | |
Paschimottanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=64}}
| पश्चिमोत्तानासन | Seated Forward Bend | Sitting | Forward Bend | | 15th C. HYP 1:28{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=84}} | Full Forward Bend, Caterpillar |
Pincha Mayurasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=97}}
| पिञ्चमयूरासन | Feathered Peacock | Balancing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=285-287}} | |
Prasarita Padottanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=42}}
| प्रसारित पादोत्तानासन | Wide Stance Forward Bend | Standing | Forward bend | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Rajakapotasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=143}}
| राजकपोतासन | King Pigeon | Sitting | Backbend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=389-397}} | Swan, Sleeping Swan |
Shalabhasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=92}}
| शलभासन | Locust | Reclining | Backbend | | 20th C. TB{{sfn|Bernard|2007|p=114}} | |
Sarvangasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=111–115}}
|सालम्बसर्वाङ्गासन | Shoulder Stand | Inversion | | | 20th C. (this name); 19th C. as Viparita Karani in JP; 15th C. HYP | |
Samakonasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=149}}
| समकोणासन | Side splits | Sitting | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Shavasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=150}}
| शवासन | Corpse | Reclining | | | 15th C. HYP 1.32{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=79}} | Corpse |
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=116, 120–121}}
| सेतुबन्धसर्वाङ्गासन | Shoulder supported bridge | Inversion | Backbend | | 19th C. ST, called Kāmapīṭhāsana{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|page=Plate 14}} | | File:Kamapithasana (Setubandhasana) from Sritattvanidhi.jpg |
Siddhasana (men), Siddha Yoni Asana (women){{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=100–103}} | सिद्धासन | Accomplished, | Sitting | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=100–103}} | 10th C. GS 1.10-12 | |
Simhasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=106–107}}
| सिंहासन | Lion | Sitting | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=106–107}} | 4th C. DU{{sfn|Ayyangar|1938|pp=124-127}} | |
Shirshasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=98}} Kapalasana{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=74}} | शीर्षासन | Headstand, | Inversion | | | 11th C. HY{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=104}}(called Duryodhanāsana or Kapālīkarana) | |
Sukhasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=53}}
| सुखासन | Easy | Sitting | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=96}} | 4th C. DU{{sfn|Larson|Bhattacharya|2008|pp=479, 599}} | Easy |
Supta Padangusthasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=88}}
| सुप्त पादाङ्गुष्ठासन | Big toe supine | Reclining | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Surya Namaskar{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=146–147}}{{sfn|Lidell|1983|pp=34–35}}
| सुर्य नमस्कार | Salute to the Sun | Standing | Forward bend, | | 20th C. Rajah of Aundh,{{cite news |last1=Doctor |first1=Vikram |title=Bhawanrao Shrinivasrao Pant Pratinidhi: The man who promoted Surya Namaskar |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bhawanrao-shrinivasrao-pant-pratinidhi-the-man-who-promoted-surya-namaskar/articleshow/64607546.cms |work=The Economic Times (India) |date=15 June 2018}} then TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=205-206}} | |
Svastikasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=103–104}}
| स्वस्तिकसन | Auspicious | Sitting | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|pp=103–104}} | 8th C. PSV{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|pp=97-99}} | Square |
Tadasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=18}}
| ताडासन | Mountain | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}} | |
Tittibhasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=308-309}}
| टिट्टिभासन | Firefly | Balancing | | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=76}} (as Mālāsana) | |
Trikonasana, Utthita Trikonasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=22}} |त्रिकोणासन, | Triangle | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=90}} | |
Trivikramasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=356-357}}
| त्रिविक्रमासन | Trivikrama's pose | Standing, Balancing | | | 13th - 18th C. in Bharatnatyam dance statues of Eastern Gopuram, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram{{cite web |last1=Bhavanani |first1=Ananda Balayogi |last2=Bhavanani |first2=Devasena |title=Bharatanatyam and Yoga |url=http://www.dhdi.free.fr/recherches/horizonsinterculturels/articles/bharatanatyamyoga.htm |date=2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023215608/http://www.dhdi.free.fr/recherches/horizonsinterculturels/articles/bharatanatyamyoga.htm |archive-date=23 October 2006}} | |
Tulasana{{cite journal |last1=Ezraty |first1=Maty |title=Asana |journal=Yoga Journal |date=2002 |issue=January/February |pages=116–128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O-oDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA124}}
|तुलासन | Balance / Scales | Balancing | | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=134-135}} | |
Upavishta Konasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=65}}
| उपविष्टकोणासन | Open Angle | Sitting | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | Dragonfly |
Urdhva Dhanurasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=138}} Chakrasana | ऊर्ध्वधनुरासन, चक्रासन | Upwards-facing bow, | Inversion | Backbend | | 19th C. ST{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=70}} (as Paryaṇkāsana) | |
Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=91}}
| ऊर्ध्वमुखश्वानासन | Upward-Facing Dog | Reclining | Backbend | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}} | |
Ushtrasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=134–135}}
| उष्ट्रासन | Camel | Kneeling | Backbend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=87-88}} | |
Utkatasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=47}}
| उत्कटासन | Awkward or Powerful | Standing | | | 15th C. HYP (squatting){{sfn|Sjoman|1999|pp=40–41, plate 17}} | |
Uttanasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=44}}
| उत्तानासन | Standing Forward Bend | Standing | Forward bend | | 20th C. TB (as Padahastasana){{sfn|Bernard|2007|p=132}}; TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | |
Utthita Hastapadangusthasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=20}}
| उत्थित हस्तपादाङ्गुष्ठासन | Standing Big Toe Hold | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=204-205}}{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=49}} | | File:Utthita-Hasta-Padangusthasana Yoga-Asana Nina-Mel.jpg |
Vajrasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=109}}
| वज्रासन | Thunderbolt | Kneeling | | 17th C. GhS{{sfn|Mallinson|2004|pp=16–17}} (may mean Virasana{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|p=79}}) | |
Vasishtasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|pp=126–127}}
| वसिष्ठासन | Vasishta's pose, | Balancing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|pp=200-205}} | |
Viparita Dandasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=373–379}}
| विपरीत दण्डासन | Inverted Staff | Inversion | Backbend | | 20th C. TK?, LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=373–379}} | |
Viparita Karani{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=122}} Uttanapadasana (variant) | विपरीतकरणि | Inverted practice | Inversion | | | 13th C. VM for pratyahara{{cite web |last=Westoby |first=Ruth |title=The Viveka-mārtaṇḍa on pratyāhāra in viparītakaraṇī with James Mallinson |url=https://sanskritreadingroom.wordpress.com/2019/10/11/withdrawing-the-senses-james-mallinson/ |publisher=SOAS, University of London |access-date=14 November 2020 |date=October 2019}} | Legs-Up-the-Wall |
Viparita Virabhadrasana{{cite web |last1=McCrary |first1=Meagan |title=#YJ40: 10 Poses Younger Than Yoga Journal |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/10-poses-younger-yoga-journal |publisher=Yoga Journal |date=15 July 2015 |quote=Reverse Warrior {{!}} You won't find this playful variation of Warrior II Pose in Light on Yoga.}}
| विपरीतवीरभद्रासन | Reversed Warrior{{efn|This is a well-documented example of a post-Light on Yoga (1966) pose, created as a variation of the 20th century Warrior poses. Hundreds of less common variations of other poses have been created in the same time frame.}} | Standing | | | |
Virabhadrasana I{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=26}}
| वीरभद्रासन | Warrior I | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{cite web |title=Virabhadrasana or Warrior Pose |date=2 August 2016 |url=http://bahiranga.com/the-history-and-meaning-of-warrior-pose/ |publisher=Bahiranga.com |access-date=11 January 2019}}{{sfn|Singleton|2010|p=161}} | |
Virabhadrasana II{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=28}}
| वीरभद्रासन II | Warrior II | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|p=161}} | |
Virabhadrasana III{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=32}}
| वीरभद्रासन III | Warrior III | Standing | | | 20th C. TK{{sfn|Singleton|2010|p=161}} | |
Virasana,{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=50}} Dhyana Virasana{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=105}} | वीरासन, | Hero, | Kneeling | | Meditation{{sfn|Saraswati|1996|p=105}}{{cite web |last1=Crandell |first1=Jason |title=You Don't Have to Play Martyr in Hero Pose |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/hero-s-journey |publisher=Yoga Journal |access-date=16 November 2018 |date=28 August 2007}} | 4th C. DU{{sfn|Ayyangar|1938|pp=124-127}} | |
Vrikshasana{{sfn|Mehta|Mehta|Mehta|1990|p=21}}
| वृक्षासन | Tree | Standing, Balancing | | | 17th C. GhS{{sfn|Mallinson|2004|pp=16–17}} | |
Vrischikasana{{sfn|Lidell|1983|p=104}}
| वृश्चिकासन | Scorpion | Inversion | Backbend | | 20th C. LoY{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=386–388}} (13th - 18th C. in Bharatnatyam dance statues of Eastern Gopuram, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram but not yoga) | |
Yoganidrasana{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=304-307}} Pasini Mudra | योगनिद्रासन | Yogic sleep | Reclining | Forward bend | | 17th C. HR 3.70 | |
See also
- Mudra – yoga gestures
- Pranayama – yoga breathing techniques
- Surya Namaskar – a foundational sequence of asanas
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|18em}}
Sources
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- {{cite book | last=Bernard | first=Theos | author-link=Theos Bernard | title=Hatha yoga : the report of a personal experience | publisher=Harmony | publication-place=Edinburgh | year=2007 | orig-year=1944 | isbn=978-0-9552412-2-2 | oclc=230987898}}
- {{cite book | last=Goldberg | first=Elliott |author-link=Elliott Goldberg | title=The Path of Modern Yoga : the history of an embodied spiritual practice | publisher=Inner Traditions | publication-place=Rochester, Vermont | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-62055-567-5 | oclc=926062252}}
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- {{cite book |last1=Krishnamacharya |first1=Tirumalai |author-link=Tirumalai Krishnamacharya |title=Yoga Makaranda |date=2006 |orig-year=1934 |translator=Lakshmi Ranganathan |translator2=Nandini Ranganathan |url=https://yogastudies.org/2011/04/yoga-makaranda-first-part/}}
- {{cite book |last1=Larson |first1=Gerald James |author1-link=Gerald James Larson |last2=Bhattacharya |first2=Ram Shankar |title=Yoga : India's Philosophy of Meditation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p6pURGdBBmIC&pg=PA599 |year=2008 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3349-4}}
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- {{cite book | last=Mallinson | first=James |author-link=James Mallinson (author) | title=The Gheranda Samhita: the original Sanskrit and an English translation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=73DzK3kTIgEC | year=2004 | publisher=YogaVidya | isbn=978-0-9716466-3-6}}
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- {{cite web |last=Murugan |first=Chillayah |publisher=Silambam |title=Yoga Asanas for Health and Fitness |date=20 October 2012 |url=http://www.silambam.asia/yoga_asana.html |access-date=31 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003155100/http://silambam.asia/yoga_asana.html |archive-date=3 October 2015}}
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- {{cite journal |last1=Sriharisukesh |first1=N. |last2=Pailoor |first2=Subramanya |title=A review of asanas referenced in ancient texts and a brief comparative study of selected asanas |url=https://www.anantaajournal.com/archives/2019/vol5issue4/PartE/5-4-48-526.pdf |journal=International Journal of Sanskrit Research |date=2019 |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages= |issn=2394-7519}}
- {{cite book |author=Srinivasa |first1=Narinder |editor1-last=Gharote |editor1-first=M. L. |editor2-last=Devnath |editor2-first=Parimal |editor3-last=Jha |editor3-first=Vijay Kant |title=Hatha Ratnavali Srinivasayogi {{!}} A Treatise On Hathayoga |date=2002 |publisher=The Lonavla Yoga Institute |location=Lonavla, India |isbn=81-901176-96 |edition=1st |url=https://archive.org/details/HathaRatnavaliSrinivasayogiATreatiseOnHathayogaEd.GharoteM.L.DevnathParimalDevNa/page/n191}}
- {{cite book | last=Singleton | first=Mark |author-link=Mark Singleton (yoga teacher) | title=Yoga Body : the origins of modern posture practice | title-link=Yoga Body | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-19-539534-1 | oclc=318191988}}
- {{cite book |last=Sjoman |first=Norman E. |author-link=Norman Sjoman |title=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |title-link=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1999 |isbn=81-7017-389-2}}
{{Asana}}
{{Yoga}}
{{Yoga as exercise}}