asana

[ ah-suh-nuh ]

noun

1. any of the postures in a yoga exercise.

asana

/ ˈɑːsənə /

noun

1. any of various postures in yoga See also hatha yoga

Word History and Origins

Origin of asana¹

First recorded in 1810–15; from Sanskrit āsanam “(act of) sitting, sitting position,” from the Sanskrit root ās- “to sit, be seated”

Word History and Origins

Origin of asana¹

Sanskrit

Example Sentences

They persist in following Zaloznyi’s guidance, moving their bodies from one asana, or yoga position, to another with closed eyes.

From Seattle Times

The asanas - or postures - gave me physical strength; Sivananda's principles of karma, positive thinking and meditation nourished my soul.

From BBC

"But at the same time, yoga asana is such an intimate and physical practice, and I fear we have lost some of that connection by losing the aspect of community."

From Salon

The physical practice of yoga — known as the asanas — is just one branch of yoga, and it wasn’t what Yogananda particularly focused on.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever I felt helpless while reading or doing my writing, I got on to a yoga mat and did whatever asana that came to mind.

From The Guardian