When I first started learning the Sanskrit names for yoga postures it was like I'd been given a special key to open the door to deepening my practice. 

Learning Sanskrit connects you with ancient yoga tradition.  It is one of the oldest languages, dating back to the Vedic period, and universally used by yogis in practice all over the world. 

Pronunciation may seem trivial, but sound affects the subtle body, and Sanskrit is designed for the sounds of words to carry their meaning -  everything you say has an energetic effect.

You might ask: how does knowing the meaning of a posture’s Sanskrit name add depth to our understanding of that particular posture?

Knowing the meaning of a posture name can also link the practice to the ancient tradition. Many postures are named after sages or characters in the mythological stories. Such as Virabhadra, the great Warrior created from a lock of Lord Shiva"s hair (Virabhadrasana), or Hanuman the Monkey god who leaped across the sea (Hanumanasana), or Anjani a yogini and the mother of Hanuman (Anjanyasana). Becoming familiar with some of these stories broadens our understanding of the yoga tradition. Sanskrit provides a standard across the globe, allowing you to understand which posture to do no matter what the local language is.

Sanskrit grounds you in the foundation of the culture. It connects you to the subtle body through sound. By learning the Sanskrit you are not limited to the physical body. In this tradition, what affects the subtle body is more powerful, and on a deeper level.

This shifts your perspective inward, and the outer world may look very different.

Sanskrit Mantra:

लोकः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु

Lokah Samastah

Sukino Bhavantu

“May all beings everywhere be

happy and free"