Half Lord of The Fishes Pose
Ardha Matsyendrasana
(ARE-dah MOT-see-en-DRAHS-anna)
Variation: side bend twist: elbow to the opposite knee
Pose Type: seated, forward bend, side bend, twist
Drishti Point: Padhayoragrai or Padayoragre (toes/feet)
ardha = half
Matsyendra = a Hindu sage and one of the first teachers of Hatha yoga, a legend, king of the fish
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
Eka Pada Konganarasana
(aa-KAH pah-DAH cone-GAH-nah-RAHS-anna)
Pose Type: prone, backbend
Drishti Point: Nasagrai or Nasagre (nose) or Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
eka = one
pada = foot or leg
Konganar = one of the Siddhars
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)third eye chakra (#6)
Pendant Pose
Lolasana
(loe-LAHS-anna)
Variation: on the fingertips; ankles crossed
Pose Type: arm balance, forward bend, core
Drishti Point: Angusthamadhye or Angustha Ma Dyai (thumbs) or Nasagrai or Nasagre (nose)
lola = pendant
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
Lion Pose Dedicated to an Avatar of Lord Vishnu in Garland Pose
Narasimhasana in Malasana
(also known as Lion Pose in Yoga Squat - Simhasana in Upavesasana)
(nah-rah-sim-HAHS-anna in maal-aa-sa-nna)
Variation: heels down
Pose Type: standing
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
Narasimha = an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu often visualized as half-man/halflion
mala = garland
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
throat chakra (#5)
third eye chakra (#6)
Complete Cobra Pose
Paripurna Bhujangasana
(par-ee-pur-nah boo-jah-ANG-ahs-anna)
Variation: grabbing onto the shins with overhead grip
Pose Type: prone, backbend
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
paripurna = full, entire, complete
bhujanga = cobra
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1),
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
throat chakra (#5)
third eye chakra (#6)
Parsva Baddha Konasana in Sirsasana 1
(PARSH-vah BAH-dah koh-NAH-sana in shear-SHAHS-anna)
Pose Type: inversion, side bend
Drishti Point: Nasagrai or Nasagre (nose)
parsva = side
baddha = bound
kona = angle
sirsa = head
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)crown chakra (#7)
Sideways Uneven Tip Toe Pose Dedicated to Goddess Kali
Parsva Visama Prapada Kaliasana
(PARSH-vah veesh-ah-mah pra-pah-DAH kah-lee-ahsanna)
Variation: side bend
Pose Type: standing, side bend
Padhayoragrai or Padayoragre (toes/feet)
parsva = side
visama = uneven, unequal
prapada = tip of the feet
Kali = Hindu Goddess of Time and Change
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
Sideways Yogic Seal Pose
Parsva Yoga Mudrasana
(also known as Sideways Bound Lotus Pose - Parsva Baddha Padmasana)
(PARSH-vah YO-gah MOO-drahs-anna)
Variation: chin to the knee
Pose Type: seated, forward bend, binding, twist
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
parsva = side
yoga = union, communion, the path which integrates the body, senses, mind and the intelligence with the self
mudra = seal
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1), sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
Tip Toe Bound Foot One Legged Inverted Staff Pose
Prapada Baddha Pada Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana
(pra-pah-DAH BAH-dah pah-DAH aa-KAH pah-DAH VEE-puh-reetuh don-DAHS-anna)
Variation: forearms to the floor, head off the floor
Pose Type: backbend, inversion
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
prapada = tip of the feet
baddha = bound
pada = foot or leg
eka = one
pada = foot or leg
viparita = inverted
danda = stick or staff
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
throat chakra (#5)
third eye chakra (#6)
King Pigeon Pose
Rajakapotasana
(rah-JAH cop-poh-TAHS-anna)
Variation: grabbing onto the knees feet to the head
Pose Type: prone, backbend
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
raja = king, royal
kapota = pigeon
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
throat chakra (#5)
third eye chakra (#6)
crown chakra (#7)
Rajakapotasana
(rah-JAH cop-poh-TAHS-anna)
Variation: grabbing onto the knees feet to the head
Pose Type: prone, backbend
Drishti Point: Bhrumadhye or Ajna Chakra (third eye, between the eyebrows)
raja = king, royal
kapota = pigeon
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
throat chakra (#5)
third eye chakra (#6)
crown chakra (#7)
Star Pose
Tarasana
(tar-uhs-anna)
Pose Type: seated, forward bend
Drishti Point: Nasagrai or Nasagre (nose)
tara = star
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
third eye chakra (#6)
crown chakra (#7)
Intense Ankle Stretch Tip Toe Lord of the Dance Pose
Uttana Kulpha Prapada Natarajasana
(also known as Tip Toe Pose Inspired by Parvati’s Graceful Dance - Prapada Lasyasana)
(OOT-tan-AH kulp-AH pra-pah-DAH not-ah-raj-AHS-anna)
Variation: standing leg bent, toes curled under; overhead grip, foot to the shoulder
Pose Type: standing one legged balance, backbend
Drishti Point: Hastagrai or Hastagrahe (hands)
ut = intense
tan= to stretch or extend
kulpha = ankle
prapada = tip of the feet
Nataraj = name of Shiva as a cosmic dancer
Chakras Activated:
root chakra (#1)
sacral chakra (#2)
solar plexus chakra (#3)
heart chakra (#4)
