This essay on Yoga poses contains information on Yoga postures, Yoga asanas, Yoga exercise and other basic Yoga poses.

Yoga Poses

Yoga PosesYoga comprises of some simple and effective body movements, which strengthen one's back, tones the stomach muscles, and reallocate body weight. These body movements are known as asanas, or poses. The Asanas have evolved over centuries and work wonders in keeping the body healthy and the mind peaceful. If performed in a right manner, these Yoga poses or positions help to tone muscles, lubricate joints and massage the body. Not only this, the asanas also enhance body endurance and increase flexibility. These postures bring physical and mental stability, along with health and vigor; they exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles.

To accomplish each yoga pose, you require willpower, perseverance and daily practice. There are numberless poses and postures in Yoga. But before trying and performing any posture, you should keep certain things in mind.

Yoga Postures
Sanskrit Name English Translation
Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward-Facing Dog
Adho Mukha Vrksasana Handstand (Downward-Facing Tree)
Ajali Mudra Salutation Seal
Ardha Chandrasana Half Moon Posture
Ardha Matsyendrasana Half Spinal Twist
Baddha Konasana Bound Angle
Bakasana Crane Pose
Balasana or Garbhasana Child's Pose
Bharadvajasana Bharadvaja's Twist
Bhujangasana Cobra Pose
Chakrasana Wheel Posture
Chaturanga Dandasana Four-Limbed Staff
Dandasana Staff pose
Dhanurasana Bow
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana One-Legged King Pigeon
Garudasana Eagle Posture
Gomukhasana Cow Face
Halasana Plow
Hanumanasana Monkey (named after Lord Hanuman)
Janusirsasana Head-to-Knee Forward Bend
Kakasana Crow Pose
Krauncasana Heron Posture
Kukkueasana Cockerel Pose
Kurmasana Tortoise Pose
Makarasana Crocodile Posture
Matsyasana Fish Posture
Matsyendrasana Lord of the Fishes
Mayurusana Peacock Pose
Natarajasana Lord of the Dance
Padahastasana Standing Forward Bend
Padmasana Lotus Pose
Paripurnanavasana Full Boat Posture
Parivrttaparsvakonasana Revolved Side Angle
Parivrttatrikonasana Revolved Triangle
Pasasana Noose
Pascimottanasana Seated Forward Bend
Prasaritapadottanasana Intense Spread Leg Stretch
Pavana Mukta-Asana Wind-releasing Posture
Salabhasana Locust Posture
Sarvangasana Shoulder Stand
Shavasana / Mrtasana Corpse Pose
Sethubandasana Bridge, Half Wheel
Siddhasana / Muk-tasana /Guptasana Perfect Pose
Simhasana Lion Posture
Sirsasana Head Stand
Sukhasana Auspicious Pose
Suptabaddhakonasana Reclining Bound Angle
Suptapadangusthasana Reclining Big Toe
Suptavirasana Reclining Hero
Surya-Namaskar Sun Salutation
Svastikasana Prosperous Pose
Tadasana / Samasthiti Mountain Pose
Trikonasana Triangle
Upavistakonasana Open Angle
Urdhvadhanurasana Upward Bow, Backbend, or Wheel
Urdhvamukhasvanasana Upward-Facing Dog
Usthasana Camel Pose
Uttanakurmasana Upside-Down Tortoise
Utkatasana Chair
Uttanasana Standing Forward Bend
Utthitahastapadangusthasana Raised Hand to Big Toe
Utthitaparsvakonasana Extended Side Angle
Utthitatrikonasana Extended Triangle Posture
Vasisthasana Side Plank
Viparitakarani Legs-up-the-Wall
Vajrasana Thunderbolt Pose
Virasana Hero
Vriksha-Asana Tree Pose

Adho Mukha
Adho Mukha Svanasana is also called Downward Dog or Down Dog posture. The name comes from the Sanskrit words, adho which means downward, mukha which means face, svana which means dog and asana meaning pose.

Ardha Sarvangasana
Yoga is one of the oldest form physical disciplines in existence. There are numerous types of asana that are performed in Yoga, one of them being Ardha Sarvangasana. It is the Queen of all the asans.

Asanas at A glance
Yoga asanas bring wonderful health benefits. They let you feel the power of your body and the importance of keeping it healthy. When done in right way, Yoga is just fun and relaxing. You feel good, feel the blood surging through your veins, and the energy pulsating through your nerves.

Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses. It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine.

Dog & Cat
Yoga is an ancient meditation art from India. Practiced since ages in the country, it aims to bring the perfect blend of spiritual intelligence and physical fitness in one's life. The art focuses on bringing one's soul and body together, to give him repose, peace and self-enlightenment.

Janu Shirshasana
The term Janu Shirshasana has been derived from the Sanskrit words 'Janu', meaning 'knee', and 'Shirash', meaning 'head'. As the name suggests, the asana focuses on the two body parts. As you perform Janu Shirshasana,

Savasana
Savasana is the name used to describe the posture that is generally performed at the end of a yoga session. The main aim behind this asana is to provide relaxation to the body after a strenuous session and help it cool down.

Setubandhasana
The term Sethu Bandhasana has been derived from the words 'Sethu', whch means bridge, and 'Bandha', which means lock. It literally means 'constructing a bridge' and mainly comprises of building a sort-of 'bridge' with the body,

Sukhashana
Sukhasana, also termed as the 'easy pose', is one of the simplest postures of yoga. For undertaking this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position.

Tadshana
Tadasana, with 'tada' meaning 'mountain', is regarded as one of the most beneficial postures in yoga. Though it seems to be quite simple, a person has to undergo lots of practice to attain the perfect tadasana posture.

Trikonasana
The term Trikonasana has been derived from the words 'trikona', which means triangle, and 'asana', which means posture. In other words, in the asana, your body is stretched in such a way that a triangle-like shape is formed.

Uttanasana
The term Uttanasana has been derived from three words - 'Ut, which means 'intense', 'Tan, which means to stretch and extend, and 'asana', which means posture. In short, it is yoga posture that involves intense stretching of the body muscles.

Virabhadrasana
The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds.