Why do I use Sanskrit for some poses but not for all?

First, it’s important to note the history of Yoga which outlines my rationale for using Sanskrit; my aim is to be authentic to the tradition of Yoga and the language in which the teaching arises from.  

Sanskrit is one of the most ancient languages and can be found in religious texts and has roots in many languages today. Most, in fact I think all my books have references to Sanskrit and teachers I have learnt from use the Sanskrit language, along with the English translation in their teachings. I really enjoy learning the Sanskrit translations to many of the poses, but I don’t use it for all when teaching and here’s why… 

As much as I love using the Sanskrit language during teaching, it is a complex language to learn. I am only at the start of my journey and like with learning most languages it requires time, patience and commitment in order to master the pronunciation. 

Quite often when I teach Yoga, the poses where I am confident with using Sanskrit, I will always follow with the English translation, especially in a beginner class to not overwhelm people with too much straight away. 

Not only do I believe it’s enjoyable to learn and to share this knowledge with others, offering an insight to the history of Yoga, but for some of the poses the Sanskrit is shorter and I find it easier to use. For example, when flowing through a sun salutation or ‘Surya Namasakara’ there’s often so much for me to say, including when to breathe, technique cues, so through using Sanskrit it can often make things easier by using one word instead of several. Instead of saying ‘standing forward fold’ over and over, I sometimes switch out the English after prepping the pose following with the Sanskrit name, this then makes it easier through the rest of the class. ‘exhale to uttanasana’.
On the flip side to this, some of the English translations are shorter so my preference can change to help me during teaching. 

There are still so many poses I simply know I haven’t mastered the pronunciation to yet, but I continue to practise every day to ensure I pronounce the Sanskrit words correctly. 

Most postures are named after animals or things in nature, yet there are a few named after a sage or deity. However, some poses are non-traditional therefore they have no Sanskrit name like ‘3-legged dog’. 

Below are the names of some poses I like to say in Sanskrit, apart from 7,8 and 9 I usually use English with these because they are more well known in English. Please note I am unable to write them correctly with the proper diacritical marks which denotes the pronunciation. I will follow with a phonetical guide. 

Note that asana means pose /posture, it is my understanding that it derives from the word ‘seat’ in Sanskrit. 

1. Tadasana – mountain pose – tah-DAHS-anna

2. Balasana -childs pose – bah-LAHS-anna

3. Navasana – boat pose – nah-VAHS-anna

4. Uttanasana -standing forward fold – OOT-tan-AHS-anna

5. Ustrasana – camel pose – oosh- TRAHS-anna

6. Utkatasana- chair pose – OOT-kah-TAHS-anna

7. Virabhadrasana – Warrior 1,2,3 pose – veer-ah-bah-DRAHS-anna

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana – downward facing dog – AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna

9. Urdhva Mukha svanasana – upward facing dog – OORD-vah MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna

10. Baddha Konasana – bound angle pose – BAH-dah cone -AHS-anna