List of Ashtanga Yoga Asana Names
Meaning of the yogasana poses of the primary series
Download the yoga poster chart of the primary & second series
PDF Ashtanga yoga chart | JPG Ashtanga yoga chart
Ashtanga yoga asanas names and sequences
List and meaning of yoga poses of primary series of the Ashtanga yoga
The names of the yoga poses that make up the Ashtanga Primary Series give clues to their ability to promote the health of the physical body but not just – many Ashtanga poses are named after an animal or natural phenomena that symbolises the essence of a specific quality of life-force. Take Navasana, for example. Visually speaking, the Boat Pose mimics a vessel at sea. Symbolically, a practitioner in Navasana is on a journey across the unsettled waters of samsara to the other shore. This is why asana practice is such a great way to promote not just physical strength but also emotional healing – we tend to store a lot of stress in our bodies, and unlocking that tension through the practice can be a profound experience.
What are the poses and sequences of the primary series of Ashtanga yoga?
1) STANDING POSES
- Samasthiti
Standing still - Surya Namaskara (A & B)
Sun salutation - Padangushtasana
Thumb to foot pose - Pada hastasana
Hand to foot pose - Utthita Trikonasana
Extended triangle pose - Parivritta Trikonasana
Revolved extended triangle pose - Utthita Parshvakonasana
Extended side way angle pose - Parivritta Parshvakonasana
Revolved extended side way angle pose - Prasarita Padottanasana (A, B, C & D)
Spread feet stretching pose - Parshvottanasana
Sideways stretching pose - Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana
Extended triangle pose - Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
Half bound lotus stretching pose - Utkatanasana
Uneven pose - Virabhadrasana (A & B)
Warrior pose
2) SITTING POSES
- Dandasana (Chaturanga Dandasana)
Four-Limbed Staff Pose (staff means spine, body support) - Paschimattanasana (3 types)
West-Back (extended-intense) stretching pose - Purvatanasana
Est-Front (extended-intense) stretching pose - Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimattanasana
Half bound lotus forward pose - Trianga Mukhaekapada Paschima
One foot transversely facing back forward stretch - Janu Shirshasana (A, B & C)
Head to knee pose - Marichyasana (A, B, C & D)
Marichya (Ray of light (of sun or moon)) pose - Navasana
Boat pose - Bhujapidasana
Arm pressure pose - Kurmasana
Tortoise pose - Supta Kurmasana
Sleeping tortoise pose - Garbha Pindasana
Embryo in the womb pose - Kukkutasana
Roster pose - Baddha Konasana
Bound angle pose - Upavishta Konasana
Seated angle pose - Supta Konasana
Sleeping angle pose - Supta Padangushtasana
Lateral sleeping thumb to foot pose - Ubhaya Padangushtasana
Both thumbs to feet pose - Urdhva Mukha Paschimattanasana
Upward facing forward stretch pose - Setu Bandhasana
Bridge configuration (construction) pose - Urdhva Dhanurasana
Elevated bow pose - Paschimattanasana
West-Back (extended-intense) stretching pose
3) FINISHING POSES
- Salamba Sarvangasana
All limbs pose - Halasana
Plow pose - Karnapidasana
Ear pressure pose - Urdhva Padmasana
Elevated lotus pose - Pindasana
Embryo pose - Matsyasana
Fish pose - Uttana Padasana
Extended foot pose - Shirshasana
Head standing pose - Baddha Padmasana
Bound lotus pose - Yoga Mudra
Yoga gesture - Padmasana
Lotus pose - Uth Pluthi (Tolasana)
Sprung up - Shavasana
Corpse pose
Let us help you rediscover your asana practice
Invigorate your body and mind with an Ayurvedic Yoga Massage treatment