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Yoga Poses: A to Z Library with Sanskrit Names
Clear, step-by-step guides to the essential yoga poses, with alignment cues, benefits, common mistakes and safe modifications for every body.
Quick answer
The most important yoga poses for beginners are Mountain Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, Child's Pose, Cat-Cow, Warrior I, Warrior II, Tree Pose, Cobra, Bridge and Corpse Pose (Savasana). Together they build strength, balance, flexibility and body awareness, and they form the foundation of almost every yoga class and sequence.
Standing
Core, arm balances and inversions
Backbends and spinal movement
Seated poses and hip openers
Resting and restorative
All Yoga Poses A to Z
| English name | Sanskrit name | Level | Pose family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Pose | Navasana | Intermediate | Core, arm balances and inversions |
| Bridge Pose | Setu Bandha Sarvangasana | Beginner | Backbends and spinal movement |
| Camel Pose | Ustrasana | Intermediate | Backbends and spinal movement |
| Cat-Cow | Marjaryasana Bitilasana | Beginner | Backbends and spinal movement |
| Chair Pose | Utkatasana | Beginner | Standing |
| Child's Pose | Balasana | Beginner | Resting and restorative |
| Cobra Pose | Bhujangasana | Beginner | Backbends and spinal movement |
| Corpse Pose | Savasana | Beginner | Resting and restorative |
| Crow Pose | Bakasana | Intermediate | Core, arm balances and inversions |
| Downward-Facing Dog | Adho Mukha Svanasana | Beginner | Core, arm balances and inversions |
| Happy Baby | Ananda Balasana | Beginner | Resting and restorative |
| Lotus Pose | Padmasana | Advanced | Seated poses and hip openers |
| Mountain Pose | Tadasana | Beginner | Standing |
| Pigeon Pose | Eka Pada Rajakapotasana | Intermediate | Seated poses and hip openers |
| Plank Pose | Phalakasana | Beginner | Core, arm balances and inversions |
| Seated Forward Bend | Paschimottanasana | Beginner | Seated poses and hip openers |
| Tree Pose | Vrksasana | Beginner | Standing |
| Triangle Pose | Utthita Trikonasana | Beginner | Standing |
| Warrior I | Virabhadrasana I | Beginner | Standing |
| Warrior II | Virabhadrasana II | Beginner | Standing |
How to Use This Pose Library
New to yoga? Start with the beginner poses, practice each one for a few breaths, and read the common mistakes section before you try it. Then link poses together with our Sun Salutation guide or the 15-minute morning routine. Unsure what a Sanskrit word means? Look it up in the Yoga Glossary.
How many yoga poses are there?
There is no single official number. Traditional texts mention 84 classic asanas, while modern yoga styles teach hundreds of poses and variations. Most practitioners rely on a core set of 20 to 40 poses.
What are the easiest yoga poses for beginners?
Mountain Pose, Child's Pose, Cat-Cow, Bridge Pose and Corpse Pose are the easiest places to start. They are low risk, easy to modify and teach the breathing and alignment habits you will use in every other pose.
Why do yoga poses have Sanskrit names?
Modern yoga grew from Indian traditions that were recorded in Sanskrit. Most pose names end in "asana," which means seat or posture, and the first part usually describes the shape, such as Vrksasana (tree pose).
How long should I hold each yoga pose?
For most active poses, 3 to 8 slow breaths (about 15 to 45 seconds) is plenty. Resting and yin-style poses can be held for 1 to 5 minutes. Always come out sooner if you feel sharp pain, numbness or strain.