Geeta Iyengar writes the following in her booklet Yoga in Action - A Preliminary course: "Often pupils do not remember the asanas or their names. While learning the asanas, apart from putting the body into the correct position, one needs to know the name and form of the asana to be in order to be in the correct posture. This aids one in the linking of the movement, action, and inner adjustments, not only in that particular asana but also with the next asana. Knowing the name and form of the asana before entering into the asana yields a preparation not only at the physical level but also at the mental level." When you learn a new language, it is necessary to learn terms used in the language, as they allow for better communications. It is impossible to translate all these terms because the translation is often awkward; it also won’t serve us well when we go abroad to study yoga. In addition, the Sanskrit names of poses have great symbolic significance. The names relate to animals, birds, reptiles, heroes and saints of Indian mythology, and much more. They describe the energy and feel of the pose. The yogi can experience what it is like to be a frog, an eagle, a dog, a snake, etc., all in one lifetime! He does not need to wait to transform into all these forms, because he can experience the energy of the sacred animal or saint through the asana practice. Therefore, even if the names of the poses seem at first quite strange and alien, you should make an effort to learn them. ^ Back to top