Image: Shutterstock
About This Quiz
Do you love yoga? Think you know every move in the book? Take this quiz to find out how much you really know about yoga moves.
If you enjoy spending hours of your day twisted up like a pretzel, you're probably a yoga fan. Yoga has become popular for relaxation and exercise because it is more than just physical. Yoga combines mental, spiritual, and physical practices into one good-for-you discipline. But hey, if you practice yoga only for one, or some, of its benefits, we get it. You do you.
If you're into yoga on a casual level, you may not know that the moves each have their technical names as well as their more casual names. For instance, what you may know as the tree pose is also referred to as Vriksasana, which translates from the Sanskrit words of "vriksa," meaning "tree" and "asana," meaning "posture."Â
Similarly, what you may know as the corpse pose is also referred to as Shavasana, which translates from the Sanskrit words of "shava," meaning "corpse" and "asana," meaning posture. Don't worry, though; we're only going to ask you for the layman's name for the poses in this quiz.
Let's get started to find out how much you know about yoga moves.
This seated pose requires clasped hands, legs crossed and each foot resting on the opposite thigh.
Lotus
Lotus pose, or Padmasana, is one of the most well-known yoga poses. It requires constant practice to maintain hips open enough to do it.
Mountain
Lord of the Dance
Fish
Advertisement
In this pose you lay on your back, bent at the hips, and with your straight legs against a wall.
Legs-Up-the-Wall
Vipitara Karani, as it is known in Sanskrit, is considered a powerful move by many modern yogis. It relieves leg and foot cramps and is said to be a universal cure-all.
Half Lord of the Fishes
Lotus
Reclining Hero
Advertisement
This pose involves the hips, legs and feet flat on the ground. The upper body and head are held up and the forearms and hands rest flat on the ground.
Mountain
Half Moon
Sphinx
Sphinx, or Bhujangasana, is a baby backbend. According to traditional texts, it increases body heat, fights disease and helps awaken Kundalini.
Happy Baby
Advertisement
Stand up tall with your feet together and arms at your sides. Then take a deep breath and raise your arms, reaching toward the sky.
Crane
Boat
Mountain
Mountain Pose is a popular beginner pose for a reason. If you are ready for some relaxation but not ready to become a human pretzel, give this pose a try.
Peacock
Advertisement
In this pose, you would appear to be laying on the ground.
Crescent
Downward Dog
Feathered Peacock
Corpse
Corpse pose, or Savasana, is a restorative pose. It is suggested to stay in this pose 5 minutes for every 30 minutes of practice.
Advertisement
To do this pose, you sit on the floor with your legs folded, feet tucked under each leg, and hands on your knees.
Dolphin
Handstand
Mountain
Easy
This pose may be challenging if you are new to yoga and used to sitting in chairs. When you practice, remember to alternate which leg crosses over the other.
Advertisement
While seated, slide your left foot under your right leg and to the outside of your right hip. Then stack your right leg over the left so it lays flat.
Extended Puppy
Mountain
Fire Log
This seated hip opener does wonders for the outer hips. Its Sanskrit name is Agnistambhasana.
Cobra
Advertisement
Start on all fours, press your palms and feet wide against the mat, and then press your hips toward the sky so your body creates an inverted V.
Wild Thing
Downward Dog
Downward dog is another popular beginner pose. It does wonders for the hips, hamstrings and pelvis.
Corpse
Warrior
Advertisement
This pose involves your arms wrapped around your squatting legs and clasped behind your back.
Peacock
Cobra
Noose
This move is best for experienced yoga students. Its Sanskrit name is Pasasana.
Dolphin
Advertisement
To do this seated pose, you sit up straight with bent knees out to the sides and the bottoms of your feet touching in front of you.
Cobra
Bound Angle
Bound Angel pose is Baddhakonasana in Sanskrit. It is an effective hip opener.
Sphinx
Lord of the Dance
Advertisement
Stand with your legs 3-4 feet apart and turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your right foot in slightly. Extend your arms palms down, bend your right knee 90 degrees, and look straight ahead.
Warrior
This beginner pose features in many yoga classes. Switch sides, holding each for at least a minute.
Reclining Hero
Cobra
Lotus
Advertisement
Stand on your left leg and place the sole of the right foot inside your left thigh. Bring your hands into prayer position, inhale, and then extend your arms over your shoulders with your palms facing each other.
Triangle
Dolphin
Happy Baby
Tree
This beginners pose is generally held for 30 seconds. It is repeated on each side.
Advertisement
This pose ends with your feet and arms flat on the floor, your hips raised, thighs parallel to the floor, and chest toward your chin.
Eagle
Bridge
This popular beginner pose is great for the body. It stretches the thighs and chest and extends the spine, which can be great, especially if you work sitting down most of the day.
Handstand
Cobra
Advertisement
This pose ends with your right hand on the floor. Your feet will be 3 feet apart, the toes on your right foot will be turned out 90 degrees, and the left foot will be turned in 45 degrees. Extend your left hand toward the sky and look up.
Triangle
This popular pose does wonders for the whole body. Remember to repeat it on both sides.
Lord of the Dance
Crow
Side Plank
Advertisement
In this pose, your knees and toes touch the ground. Arch back and touch your hands to your heels.
Hero
Warrior
Peacock
Camel
Ustrasana is camel pose. It stretches the entire front of the body and is often difficult for beginners.
Advertisement
For this pose, your legs and feet lay on the floor while your press your upper body up and shoulders down.
Cobra
The cobra is a favorite pose of many new yoga practitioners. It's a good pose to relax between repetitions.
Upward Seal
Standing Forward Bend
Peacock
Advertisement
This pose starts in a push-up position. It ends with your arms bent, and your left knee on the floor near your shoulder with the left heel by the right hip. Lower down to the forearms with your top foot on the floor.
Lotus
Pigeon
This pose needs to be repeated on both sides and involves reps. It targets deep gluteal muscles.
Corpse
Child's
Advertisement
Balance on your hands and feet with your knees touching your arms. Bend your elbows, lift your feels, and rest your knees on the outside of your upper arms while keeping your toes on the floor.
Half Moon
Crow
The move begins with you in Downward Dog position. Hold it for 5-10 breaths.
Fish
Easy
Advertisement
Sit on your heels, lower your torso until your forehead rests on the ground, lower your chest to your knees and lay out your arms in front of you.
Chair
Bound Angle
Warrior
Child's
This is an excellent relaxation pose. When you hold it, remember to breathe deeply.
Advertisement
Stand upright with your feet parallel, bend down and slide your index fingers between your big toes and the second toes.
Big Toe Pose
This pose looks a lot like a forward bend but involves awareness of breathing. Take care to keep your face and forehead relaxed.
Bharadvaja’s Twist
Fire Log
Cat
Advertisement
Start standing tall. Keep your arms perpendicular to the floor and crouch so the front torso forms a right angle with the tops of the things. Press thigh bones toward the heels.
Chair
Hold this pose for 30 seconds to a minute. End it by straightening your knees with an inhalation and exhale as you release your arms and stand.
Feathered Peacock
Wheel
Standing Split
Advertisement
This pose looks like a wide-thighed squat with your elbows against your inner knees and your palms pressed together.
Triangle
Plow
Lord of the Dance
Garland Pose
This position is often held for 30 seconds to 1 minute. It is often followed by Uttanasana, a standing forward bend.
Advertisement
This pose ends with your hands on the ground shoulders over your hands, hips over your shoulders and feet high.
Handstand
While experienced yogis do this move freestanding, many beginners opt to do it against a wall for help balancing. If you are afraid you will fall, this is a good place to start.
Boat
Fish
Bound Angle
Advertisement
Your right foot and hand touch the floor. Your left leg is extended parallel to the floor and your left hand points toward the sky.
Cobra
Half Moon
The moon has deep symbolic importance in yoga. The moon and sun represent the polar energies of the human body.
Downward Dog
Warrior
Advertisement
To do this pose, you would need to get on your hands and knees with your lower leg and feet flat against the ground, and your spine arched.
Crane
Cow
This pose is easy and gentle and warms up the spine. Do 10-20 repetitions of raising your chest and sitting bones while letting your stomach sink toward the ground in this position.
Lord of the Dance
Garland
Advertisement
For this pose, you balance on your arms and toes. Your hands are flat on the ground, arms perpendicular the ground, and torso parallel to the floor.
Noose
Plank
This pose is excellent for beginners and prepares you for more difficult arm balances. It is a part of sun salutation.
Feathered Peacock
Half Moon
Advertisement
For this pose, cross your right foot over the outside of your left thigh, bend the left knee, and point your right knee toward the ceiling. Place the left elbow outside of your right knee, and your right hand on the floor behind you. Twist while keeping your behind on the floor.
Seated Twist
This is a popular seated pose. It stretches, strengthens and tones the body and improves circulation.
Warrior
Sphinx
Tree
Advertisement
Your feet, lower legs, and hands will be flat on the floor. Your knees will be bent, hips positioned above them, and spine rounded toward the ceiling.
Cat
Cat pose provides a gentle massage to the spine and internal organs. Its Sanskrit name is Marjaryasana.
Bridge
Warrior
Fire Log
Advertisement
In this pose, you stand on your right foot, while the other is arched behind you and held in your left hand. Your right hand and torso are parallel to the floor.
Downward Dog
Cobra
Fire Log
Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance Pose, or Natarajasana, is an excellent pose for beginners and there are several modified versions to help with balancing. Nataraja is another name for Shiva, and his dance symbolizes cosmic energy.
Advertisement
In this pose, lay flat on your back. Bend your knees flat against your belly and grip your feet with your hands.
Happy Baby
This beginner level pose is great for the hip joints. Its Sanskrit name is Ananda Balasana.
Locust
Downward Dog
Cow
Advertisement
This pose begins with you kneeling on the floor and ends with your hands on the floor, elbows above your hands, and body held parallel to the floor.
Lotus
Fire Log
Peacock
Peacock pose, or Mayurasana, requires full body strength. According to Hindu lore, peacocks are a symbol of immortality.
Crane
Advertisement
For this pose, the body creates an inverted V. Forearms, clasped hands, and feet touch the floor while your sitting bones point toward the sky.
Upward Dog
Corpse
Dolphin
This pose strengthens the core, legs and arms. It can be good for back pain.
Half Moon
Advertisement
In this pose, your legs and feet touch the ground. Your hands touch the ground by your thighs, and your chest and head are lifted.
Fire Log
Monkey
Locust
Locust pose is known as Salabhasana in Sanskrit. It helps get beginners ready for more complex backbends.
Dolphin
Advertisement
In this pose, you sit up straight with your hands resting on your knees and your feet on the floor by your behind.
Hero
Hero Pose is known as Virasana in Sanskrit. People either sit in Hero or Lotus pose usually for seated meditation.
Lotus
Fish
Dolphin
Advertisement
For this pose, your head and arms touch the floor and your hands are clasped behind you. Your torso is perpendicular to the floor and your feet touch the ground behind your head.
Big Toe Pose
Plow
Plow can be good for back pain and sleep. Most beginners cannot do the full pose and require help.
Staff Pose
Tree Pose
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
