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If you have been wondering just how many yoga poses are there in total, then let us tell you there
are plenty.
Each new yoga style or yoga master utilizes his understanding of asanas and alignment to invent
a new asana. So, here is a list of most common yoga poses with their Sanskrit names.
On the linked pages you can find the basic pose, its various other names, health benefits, step by
step instructions, pictures to check your alignment, contraindications, tips for beginners and all
kinds of easy and difficult variations related to that posture.
Level: Advanced
Improves focus and memory
Deep stretches the arms and legs
Good for flat feet and sciatica
Level: Intermediate
Tones waist and improves BMR
Relaxes spine and neck
Opens chest cavity for Pranayama
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens neck and shoulders
Massages abdominal organs and kidneys
Tones lower back and calves
Big Toe Pose (Padangusthasana)
Level: Intermediate
Ideal for women who are trying to get pregnant
Improves digestion
Relieves headache
Level: Beginner
Great hip opener and posture corrector
Stretches and relaxes shoulders and lower back
Relieves from neck pain and anxiety
Level: Advanced
Relieves from depression, stress and anxiety
Strengthens arms, wrists and shoulders
Improves flexibility and balance
Level: Intermediate
Tones lower back, thighs and buttocks
Stretches quads, ankles and forearms
Opens chest cavity and strengthens lungs
Level: Intermediate
Beneficial in stress, depression and anxiety
Improves neck and spine health
Enhances memory and focus
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens knees and back
Enhances balance and flexibility
Improves concentration
Level: Beginner
Relaxes back and tones abdomen
Aids in weight loss
Rejuvenates body and mind
Level: Beginner
Improves posture and balance
Tones abdomen and thighs
Great for athletes and runners
Level: Beginner
Great for stress, depression, and anxiety
Relaxes upper back, neck and arms
Helps sleep better at night
Level: Intermediate
Improves focus and retention
Enhances cardiovascular capacity
Tones abdomen and lower back
Compass Pose (Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana)
Level: Advanced
Improves digestion
Provides relief in respiratory disorders
Develops patience
Level: Beginner
Ideal pose for Yoga Nidra and abdominal breathing
Helps rejuvenate mentally and physically
Best restorative/follow up pose
Level: Intermediate
Improves back flexibility and stretches shoulders
Enhances lung capacity
Opens up hips and corrects seated posture
Level: Beginner
Great restorative pose for lower back stiffness
Strengthens arms and knees
Good for students looking to enhance focus
Level: Intermediate
Enhances arm and shoulders strength
Great for spine and neck
Improves digestion and balances hormones
Crocodile Pose (Makarasana)
Level: Beginner
Greatly centers anxious and depressed mind
Restores energy and rejuvenates physically
Good for flat feet
Dolphin Pose
Level: Intermediate
Brings relief to asthma patients
Stress-reliever
Prevents osteoporosis
Level: Advanced
Increases blood circulation in spine and head
Strengthens shoulders and knees
Stretches quadriceps and chest muscles
Level: Beginner
Enhances hamstring flexibility and hip flexion
Stretches Achilles tendons
Strengthens wrists, ankles, toes and back
Level: Intermediate
Great for balance
Good for respiratory problems
Tones calves, thighs and arms
Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
Level: Beginner
Stretches and tones inner thighs and ankles
Improves posture and ideal for Pranayama
Good for flat feet
Level: Intermediate
Massages abdominal organs and improves digestion
Tones calves and hips
Strengthens ankles and improves balance
Level: Intermediate
Improves balance and focus
Stimulates urinary and reproductive organs
Beneficial in weight loss
Level: Beginner
Stretches and relaxes arms and upper back
Aids in weight and fat loss
Rejuvenates stressed mind and body
Level: Beginner
Great pose for athletes and dancers
Improves body alignments and mental focus
Opens hips and strengthens ankles
Feathered Peacock Pose (Pinch Mayurasana)
Level: Advanced
Strengthens arms, shoulders and chest
Tones back and buttocks
Great for anxiety and stress
Level: Beginner
Corrects seated posture
Good pose to practice abdominal breathing
Strengthens toes and feet
Level: Advanced
Improves wrist strength and hand grip
Tones back of thighs and abdomen
Enhances balance and focus
Level: Intermediate
Deep stretches thighs and lower abdomen
Induces feeling of happiness and calms mind
Relieves from upper back pain
Level: Beginner
Stimulates abdominal and reproductive organs
Enhances lung capacity
Stretches thighs, knee and abdomen
Four Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)
Level: Beginner
Strengthens toes and fingers
Tones upper back, hips and chest
Works great on balance and arm strength
Level: Beginner
Improves reproductive health
Relieves from back pain and digestive issues
Strengthens arms and knees
Level: Intermediate
Helps get rid of belly fat
Improves digestion
Tones back, thighs, and arms
Level: Intermediate
Deep stretches abdomen
Beneficial in thyroid disorders
Tones hips, calves and arms
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens knees and toes
Deep stretches abdomen and thighs
Balances metabolism and aids in fat loss
Half Boat Pose (Ardha Navasana)
Level: Beginner
Strengthens knees and arms
Improves balance and focus
Tones abdominal muscles
Level: Advanced
Great stretch for Achilles tendon and hamstrings
Beneficial in hormonal imbalances
Strengthens arms and legs
Level: Intermediate
Improves balance and limb strength
Increases joint health
Deep stretches abdomen and thighs
Level: Beginner
Stretches abdomen and quadriceps
Strengthens arms and shoulders
Provides relief in back pain
Level: Intermediate
Beneficial in weight loss and asthma
Improves spine and hip flexibility
Massages abdominal organs
Half Lotus Pose (Ardha Padmasana)
Level: Beginner
Ideal pose for Pranayama practice
Stretches lower back and hips
Improves spine health and posture
Level: Beginner
Aids in fat loss
Greatly increases sense of balance and mental focus
Stretches thighs and ankles
Level: Beginner
Stretches groin and thighs
Tones lower back
Great for posture correction
Level: Advanced
Strengthens and tones chest muscles
Enhances sense of balance
Increases ankle and back strength
Headstand (Sirsasana)
Level: Advanced
Improves balance and focus
Strengthens upper body
Avoid if you have neck injury or migraine
Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
Level: Beginner
Induces feelings of relaxation and happiness
Rejuvenates back, arms and hips
Strengthens digestive system
Level: Intermediate
Beneficial in urinary and reproductive disorders
Deep stretches shoulders, arms and wrists
Strengthens knees
Level: Intermediate
Great stretch for hamstrings and calves
Increases metabolism
Strengthens back and shoulders
Level: Intermediate
Improves posture and balance
Deeply stretches thighs and calves
Good for spine health and memory
Level: Intermediate
Stretches back, groin and inner thighs
Tones abdomen and lower body
Great for weight and fat loss
Knee to Ear Pose (Karnapidasana)
Level: Advanced
Improves balance
Strengthens shoulders and knees
Stretches back and feet
Level: Intermediate
Beneficial in back pain
Strengthens whole body
Stimulates abdominal and reproductive organs
Level: Beginner
Improves digestion and metabolism
Relaxes back and neck
Stretches shoulders and arms
Level: Beginner
Restores energy levels
Good for spine health and neck
Beneficial in urinary disorders
Level: Beginner
Provides relief in reproductive health issues
Good for back pain
Strengthens arms and back
Lizard Pose (Uttana Pristhasana)
Level: Intermediate
Stretches shoulders, hips and groin
Shapes thighs and calves
Good for flat feet and sciatica
Level: Beginner
Tones hips, thighs, and upper back
Strengthens shoulders
Stretches quadriceps and feet
Level: Advanced
Great hip opener and balance enhancer
Improves mental focus and back flexibility
Sculpts arms and calves
Level: Beginner
Helps trim belly fat
Stimulates abdominal organs and urinary system
Stretches shoulders and abs
Level: Beginner
Stretches shoulders, abs and hamstrings
Tones back and hips
Aids in weight loss
Lotus in Shoulder Stand Pose (Padma Sarvangasana)
Level: Advanced
Strengthens shoulders and arms
Corrects posture
Improves memory and focus
Level: Beginner
Ideal pose for meditation and Pranayama
Stretches lower body and relaxes mind
Helpful in back pain and other back issues
Level: Beginner
Good for flat feet and mental stress
Strengthens Achilles tendon, hamstrings and fingers
Deep stretches the back and legs
Level: Intermediate
Stretches back, hips and hamstrings
Good for flat feet and digestive problems
Relaxes shoulders and arms
Level: Intermediate
Deep stretches hips and groin
Improves concentration and fact retention
Great for stretching chest, feet and ankles
Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Level: Beginner
Helps gain initial sense of balance
Opens up chest cavity for breathing exercises
Stimulates thyroid and helps increase height
Level: Intermediate
Improves seated balance and posture
Strengthens knees and ankles
Enhances focus and flexibility
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens back, ankles and shoulders
Great stretch for abdomen and quadriceps
Beneficial for urinary system function
One Legged Dog / Downward Dog (Split) Pose (Eka Pada Svanasana)
Level: Intermediate
Enhances hamstring flexibility and hip flexion
Stretches Achilles tendons and groin
Improves digestion and balance
Level: Advanced
Improves balance and focus
Strengthens arms, shoulders and ankles
Tones back, hips and calves
One Legged Headstand (Eka Pada Sirsasana)
Level: Advanced
Beneficial in mental stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue
Stretches legs and ankles
Strengthens back, elbows and forearms
Level: Advanced
Good for working on focus
Strengthens and tones arms and upper back
Tones lower body and back
Level: Intermediate
Deep stretches back
Strengthens shoulders and neck
Tones abdomen and helps get relief from obesity
Level: Advanced
Strengthens arms
Improves balance and focus
Stretches groin and legs
Level: Advanced
Corrects body alignment
Tones whole body
Strengthens arms and wrists
Reclined Hero Pose (Supta Virasana)
Level: Intermediate
Relieves from lower back issues
Stretches abdomen and quadriceps
Relaxes mind and helps in fertility
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens shoulders and elbows
Relieves from upper back pain and stiffness
Stretches chest muscles and helps breathe deeper
Level: Beginner
Great pose for mental and physical rejuvenation
Beneficial in reproductive issues
Deeply relaxes back, neck and groin
Level: Beginner
Relaxes mind and body
Stretches arm pits and abdomen
Alternative pose for Yoga Nidra
Level: Beginner
Stretches and tones abdomen and arms
Great for hip opening and stave off fat from legs
Improves spine and neck flexibility and strength
Revolved Abdomen Pose (Jathara Parivartanasana)
Level: Beginner
Stretches abdomen and lower back
Improves focus and sense of peace
Tones back of shoulders and calves
Level: Intermediate
Stretches groin and legs
Helps trim down belly fat and tone abdomen
Strengthens ankles, knees and wrist
Level: Intermediate
Stretches hamstrings and Achilles tendon
Relaxes back and hips
Tones abdomen and shoulders
Level: Advanced
Ideal for those ladies who are trying to conceive
Improves posture
Relieves back pain
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens arms, shoulders and chest
Great for balance enhancement and hand grip
Improves concentration
Scorpion Pose (Vrschikasana)
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens arms and shoulders
Great for flexibility and back pain
Improves mental focus
Level: Beginner
Stretches legs and back
Stimulates abdominal organs
Relaxes mind
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens arms, shoulders and wrists
Tones back and abdomen
Improves focus and balance
Sphinx Pose
Level: Beginner
Strengthens arms and shoulders
Tones lower back and hips
Good for digestive issues
Level: Beginner
Improves seated posture and prepares body for follow up poses
Enhances lung capacity and concentration
Relaxes back, legs and shoulders
Standing Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana)
Level: Beginner
Stimulates kidney, liver and pancreas for improved digestion
Provides relief in obesity, stress and depression
Enhances balance and spine strength
Level: Beginner
Corrects body alignment and standing posture
Strengthens ankles and enhances toe grip
Improves digestive and urinary functions
Level: Beginner
Stretches and relaxes abdomen
Strengthens spine and makes it flexible
Relieves of stress and anxiety
Level: Beginner
Stretches arms and thighs
Strengthens core and back
Improves balance and focus
Level: Beginner
Great for mental and physical rejuvenation
Stretches feet and shoulders
Good for reproductive disorders
Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana)
Level: Beginner
Aids in improving urinary and digestive functions
Corrects body posture and stretches quads
Great pose for practicing Pranayama
Level: Intermediate
Deeply stretches back and hips
Stimulates heart and lungs
Strengthens shoulders and lower back
Level: Beginner
Helps gain better sense of balance
Strengthens ankles, knees and improves toe grip
Rectifies standing posture
Level: Intermediate
Stretches inner thighs and groin
Tones waist and aids in fat loss
Helps with balance issues
Level: Advanced
Strengthens shoulders and neck
Improves balance and mental focus
Provides relief in stress and anxiety
Upward Extended Feet Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Padasana)
Level: Beginner
Tones legs and feet
Shapes abdomen and stimulates the organs
Helpful in hormonal imbalances
Level: Advanced
Enhances sense of balance
Stretches whole back and legs
Reduces stress and feelings of panic
Level: Intermediate
Deeply stretches thighs, abdomen and chest
Great for athletes
Makes body flexible and agile
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens arms and chest muscles
Stretches ankles and knees
Tones lower back
Level: Beginner
Stimulates abdominal organs
Stretches arms and upper back
Improves posture
Upward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Level: Intermediate
Helpful in thyroid issues
Tones back, thighs and calves
Strengthens shoulders and arms
Level: Beginner
Shapes calves and hips
Strengthens and stretches ankles and thighs
Relaxes arms and back
Level: Beginner
Strengthens and stretches ankles, calves and thighs
Improves focus and memory
Opens hips and stimulates reproductive organs
Level: Intermediate
Strengthens and tones the whole body
Improves memory
Corrects posture and improves balance
Level: Intermediate
Induces feelings of happiness and relieves from anger and
frustration
Great for digestive, urinary and reproductive system
Strengthens arms and legs
Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend Pose (Prasarita Paddotanasana)
Level: Intermediate
Provides relief from stress and obesity
Strengthens ankles and wrists
Enhances memory and flexibility
Level: Beginner
Stimulates digestive system
Help get rid of constipation and flatulence
Rejuvenates body and mind