Sanskrit Terminology from the book Vinyasa Krama by Matthew Sweeney

The Indian Sanskrit language is a logical and straightforward system and the naming of asana even more so. When a body part is used in a name, it reflects in most rudimentary terms what is to be done with that part of

Toni Romero, Eka pada Rajakapotasana

the body. For example. hasta padangustasana, hands and toes posture (literally hands and foot-fingers). This tells you that you should be holding the big toes with your hands in some manner. When a sage is referred to in a posture it is named after him or for what that sage was renowned for. For example. marichyasana indicates one knee in an upright position each time. Marichi is the son of Brahma and his name
literally means ‘ray of light. ' By imitating a sage or Rishi (enlightened sage) you are aspiring to his or her divine qualities.
Animal names are often used as visual inspiration. By imitating an animal in a posture it is intended that you
experience some exceptional aspect of that particular creature: the lightness of a bird, the flexibility of a monkey or the fierceness
of a crocodile. For example, the naming of kapotasana, the pigeon, reflects the position of the arms and chest. Both of the elbows tend to be pointed like the beak of the pigeon with the chest sticking out like a pigeon’s breast . These postures resemble a pigeon's ability to swivel its head into seemingly impossible backward angles.[...]
It is important to learn the traditional Sanskrit names of the postures and what they mean. The system of Yoga is culturally Indian, and despite the current Western influence. the full impact of the spirituality of Yoga is difficult to grasp unless this culture is embraced in some way. In my experience, learning some of the basic terms adds an insightful and devotional quality to the practice. In the visual risana library of this book all of the names for the postures and their variations are provided. including a description ofthe great sages, saints and gods invoked by many of the postures.