How Learning Key Sanskrit Terms can help your Yoga Practice
Yoga is, at its heart, a practice of connection—body with breath, breath with mind, movement with meaning. Sanskrit is one of the threads that ties these elements together.
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Yoga postures are often named poetically—after animals, objects in nature, or qualities of being. Understanding the original Sanskrit names helps you visualise and embody the essence of the pose. For example, Vīrabhadrāsana (Warrior Pose) comes from a legendary warrior of great strength and courage, whilst Balāsana translates to “Child’s Pose”—a reminder of surrender, rest, and ease. Knowing this background can deepen the emotional quality of a posture, as when the name carries meaning, the movement takes on depth.
It enhances focus
Learning a new language—even in small amounts—engages the brain in a way that brings you firmly into the present moment. Trying to recognise a pose by its Sanskrit name encourages mindful attention and subtly trains your awareness.
It also creates continuity across classes and teachers as Sanskrit provides a universal vocabulary. Whether you’re practising locally or dropping into a class while travelling, certain words stay the same. A teacher of yoga in Mornington, Manchester, or Mumbai will all recognise Tādāsana and Śavāsana. Understanding the shared language fosters a sense of belonging in the global yoga community. Mobile yoga teachers Mornington Peninsula can bring the practice to you if you are unable to make it to a local studio.
Connect to the root
Yoga today has many faces and forms, but its ancient language is one tie that remains consistent across the varied styles available. Learning it honours the lineage of the practice. Even as yoga evolves, this connection to tradition brings depth and authenticity to your experience.
You don’t need to memorise the entire yoga dictionary. Start with a small handful of words you hear frequently. Here are a few key terms to get you started:
Common posture names
Tādāsana – Mountain Pose
Adho Mukha Śvānāsana – Downward-Facing Dog
Bhujangāsana – Cobra Pose
Utkatāsana – Chair Pose (literally “Fierce Pose”)
Trikoṇāsana – Triangle Pose
Śavāsana – Corpse Pose (final relaxation)
Learning even four or five of these will make your next class instantly feel more grounded and familiar.
How to learn Sanskrit with ease (no flashcards required!)
Most people pick up Sanskrit simply by hearing it. Notice how your teacher pronounces a term and practice saying it quietly to yourself. The language is phonetic, so once you recognise the sound, the spelling makes more sense.
Use it in your home practice, so If you practise alone try naming one or two poses in Sanskrit as you move. This gentle repetition builds confidence. And remember to keep it light-hearted, treat Sanskrit as an exploration, not an exam. You’re not aiming for perfection—you’re building familiarity and connection.
There are some common areas where learning some words and phrases can be beneficial in your practice, some of these include:
1. Alignment cues: Sanskrit words are often used as cues during yoga classes to help students align their bodies correctly in a pose. These can act as memory-joggers for your teacher to help them remember specific alignment points in a pose to share with your class. For example, the word “namaste” is a reminder to align your palms and elbows when performing a prayer pose.
2. Breathwork: There are specific words used to describe different elements of breathwork, also known as pranayama. Knowing these words can help you to cue students to connect to their breath and use it to support their practice.
3. Philosophy: Yoga is a language of philosophy, and as such Sanskrit is the language of it. So it is fitting that many of the fundamental concepts and teachings of its teachings are explained in this language. A little knowledge of Sanskrit key terms will also help students gain a better understanding of its more philosophical side.
4. Mindfulness: Sanskrit can also be used as reminders to keep you and your students focused and present during your yoga practice. For example, the Sanskrit word “drshti” is used to refer to your point of focus during a yoga pose. This word is frequently used to remind students to keep their gaze steady and soft during their practice.
5. Traditions: Learning some terms can help students connect to the traditional lineage of yoga. This can be meaningful for some students, and give them the context and feeling that they are a part of something much larger and ancient.
Is it worth starting now?
For beginners, Sanskrit can feel like an optional extra. But the moment you start recognising even a few names, something shifts. The words become anchors for awareness. They give texture to your practice. They help you feel part of something larger than the hour you spend on the mat.
Yoga is, at its heart, a practice of connection—body with breath, breath with mind, movement with meaning. Sanskrit is one of the threads that ties these elements together. You don’t need to master the language. You just need to let it in, little by little, as part of your practice. From day one, it can help you feel more present, more informed, and more deeply connected to the traditions that continue to shape yoga today.
