Sanskrit is the language used by the ancient sages who first developed the yoga tradition thousands of years ago in India. The word Sanskrit literally means "perfected" or "polished". It is a sophisticated language of remarkable power and precision.
The Sanskrit names of yoga postures describe their shape or function, express some part of nature including animals and birds, or recall Indian gods and sages.
To understand and use the Sanskrit terms, helps you to experience the deeper meaning of the postures, provides a common language for clearer communication, and gives a sense of connection with those who practice yoga.
Pronunciation Guide
| a .... organ |
au .... how |
t .... tart*
.
|
b .... bird |
|
-
a .... father
|
k .... come |
th .... light-heart*
.
|
bh .... rub-hard |
| i .... bit |
kh .... echkart |
d .... dub*
.
|
m .... mumps |
|
-
i .... beet
|
g .... gum |
dh .... red-head*
.
|
y .... yet |
| u .... put |
gh .... dig-hard |
n .... nut*
.
|
r .... run |
|
-
u .... pool
|
.
n…..sing
|
t .... tub** |
l .... lug |
|
r .... written
.
|
c .... chair |
th .... light-heart** |
v .... love |
|
-
r .... wr-r-ritten
.
|
ch ... staunch-heart |
d .... dub** |
'
s .... shove
|
| e .... they |
j .... jug |
dh .... red-head** |
s .... shine
.
|
| ai .... isle |
jh .... hedge |
n .... nut |
s .... sun |
| o .... go |
~
n .... onion
|
p .... purr |
h .... hug |
* with tongue against roof of mouth
** with tip of tongue against back of upper teeth
Information obtained from material offered by Ramamand Patel and Beatrice Briggs
Balance & Bliss®, Inc. MM17611