Classical yoga asanas in detail
A series of detailed videos on performing asanas — for those who want to practise them correctly without being able to check their technique with an instructor.
Performed by
Darya Antonenko and other UFY instructors
What is a “correctly performed asana”?
It is an asana that produces the intended effect. Whatever the goal, what matters is the order of entering the pose, the position of the body and which muscles hold the body in the asana.
A correctly performed asana is the result of many repetitions and an instructor’s corrections.
- engaging a muscle channel — the muscles work as a single chain
- engaging just one muscle
- a sense of openness in the chest
- an energising or calming effect on the emotional state
- cultivating a desired emotional chakra experience
- relieving muscular discomfort
Asana video library
20 videos · Sanskrit names with translation
Classical asanas the foundation of hatha yoga practice
Bhujangasana भुजङ्गासन
bhujaṅgāsana · serpent pose
Padahastasana पादहस्तासन
pādahastāsana · hands-to-feet pose
Paschimottanasana पश्चिमोत्तानासन
paścimottānāsana · intense stretch of the back of the body
Dhanurasana धनुरासन
dhanurāsana · bow pose
Ushtrasana उष्ट्रासन
uṣṭrāsana · camel pose
Halasana हलासन
halāsana · plough pose
Matsyasana मत्स्यासन
matsyāsana · fish pose
Sarvangasana सर्वाङ्गासन
sarvāṅgāsana · pose of all the limbs
Chakrasana चक्रासन
cakrāsana · wheel pose
Ashtanga Namaskarasana अष्टाङ्गनमस्कारासन
aṣṭāṅganamaskārāsana · salute with eight limbs
Parvatasana पर्वतासन
parvatāsana · mountain pose
Virasana वीरासन
vīrāsana · hero pose
Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana ऊर्ध्वमुखश्वानासन
ūrdhvamukhaśvānāsana · upward-facing dog
Trikonasana त्रिकोणासन
trikoṇāsana · triangle pose
Strength asanas balance and arm strength
Ashtavakrasana अष्टावक्रासन
aṣṭāvakrāsana · pose of the sage Ashtavakra · performed by Tetiana Danylova
Adho Mukha Vrikshasana अधोमुखवृक्षासन
adhomukhavṛkṣāsana · handstand · performed by Tetiana Danylova
Dvi Pada Kaundinyasana द्विपादकौण्डिन्यासन
dvipādakauṇḍinyāsana · two-legged pose of the sage Kaundinya · performed by Tetiana Danylova
Sanskrit roots of asana names where the names come from
Asana dictionary
A whole section of the site is devoted to the Sanskrit names of asanas: the words found in asana names, the logic behind the names, and the Surya Namaskar sequence with its mantras.
Practise along with full sequences
Hatha yoga sequences on video — series for beginners, Surya Namaskar, hand balances, partner yoga, plus lectures on the history of yoga and Sanskrit.
A video can’t replace an instructor’s corrections. Find a group near you or online.
Practise with an instructor
A UFY instructor will guide your alignment, breathing and effort to suit you. Groups in Ukraine and around the world, plus more than 35 online classes every week.