Can You Guess The Yoga Move From Its Description?

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By: Isadora Teich

6 Min Quiz

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." 

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 pose, or Padmasana, is one of the most well-known yoga poses. It requires constant practice to maintain hips open enough to do it.

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In this pose you lay on your back, bent at the hips, and with your straight legs against a 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.

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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.

Sphinx, or Bhujangasana, is a baby backbend. According to traditional texts, it increases body heat, fights disease and helps awaken Kundalini.

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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.

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.

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In this pose, you would appear to be laying on the ground.

Corpse pose, or Savasana, is a restorative pose. It is suggested to stay in this pose 5 minutes for every 30 minutes of practice.

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To do this pose, you sit on the floor with your legs folded, feet tucked under each leg, and hands on your knees.

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.

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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.

This seated hip opener does wonders for the outer hips. Its Sanskrit name is Agnistambhasana.

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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.

Downward dog is another popular beginner pose. It does wonders for the hips, hamstrings and pelvis.

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This pose involves your arms wrapped around your squatting legs and clasped behind your back.

This move is best for experienced yoga students. Its Sanskrit name is Pasasana.

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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.

Bound Angel pose is Baddhakonasana in Sanskrit. It is an effective hip opener.

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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.

This beginner pose features in many yoga classes. Switch sides, holding each for at least a minute.

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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.

This beginners pose is generally held for 30 seconds. It is repeated on each side.

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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.

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.

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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.

This popular pose does wonders for the whole body. Remember to repeat it on both sides.

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In this pose, your knees and toes touch the ground. Arch back and touch your hands to your heels.

Ustrasana is camel pose. It stretches the entire front of the body and is often difficult for beginners.

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For this pose, your legs and feet lay on the floor while your press your upper body up and shoulders down.

The cobra is a favorite pose of many new yoga practitioners. It's a good pose to relax between repetitions.

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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.

This pose needs to be repeated on both sides and involves reps. It targets deep gluteal muscles.

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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.

The move begins with you in Downward Dog position. Hold it for 5-10 breaths.

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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.

This is an excellent relaxation pose. When you hold it, remember to breathe deeply.

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Stand upright with your feet parallel, bend down and slide your index fingers between your big toes and the second toes.

This pose looks a lot like a forward bend but involves awareness of breathing. Take care to keep your face and forehead relaxed.

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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.

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.

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This pose looks like a wide-thighed squat with your elbows against your inner knees and your palms pressed together.

This position is often held for 30 seconds to 1 minute. It is often followed by Uttanasana, a standing forward bend.

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This pose ends with your hands on the ground shoulders over your hands, hips over your shoulders and feet high.

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.

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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.

The moon has deep symbolic importance in yoga. The moon and sun represent the polar energies of the human body.

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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.

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.

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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.

This pose is excellent for beginners and prepares you for more difficult arm balances. It is a part of sun salutation.

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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.

This is a popular seated pose. It stretches, strengthens and tones the body and improves circulation.

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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 pose provides a gentle massage to the spine and internal organs. Its Sanskrit name is Marjaryasana.

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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.

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.

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In this pose, lay flat on your back. Bend your knees flat against your belly and grip your feet with your hands.

This beginner level pose is great for the hip joints. Its Sanskrit name is Ananda Balasana.

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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.

Peacock pose, or Mayurasana, requires full body strength. According to Hindu lore, peacocks are a symbol of immortality.

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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.

This pose strengthens the core, legs and arms. It can be good for back pain.

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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.

Locust pose is known as Salabhasana in Sanskrit. It helps get beginners ready for more complex backbends.

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In this pose, you sit up straight with your hands resting on your knees and your feet on the floor by your behind.

Hero Pose is known as Virasana in Sanskrit. People either sit in Hero or Lotus pose usually for seated meditation.

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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.

Plow can be good for back pain and sleep. Most beginners cannot do the full pose and require help.

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