Asana Catalogue – A Professional Guide for Teachers & Students
The ITW Asana Catalogue is a structured guide designed to deepen the understanding of yoga postures (āsanas) through their functional principles, Sanskrit roots, and anatomical applications. Organized by planes of movement—such as forward bends (flexion), backbends (extension), side bends (lateral flexion), twists (parivṛtti), axial extension, and inversions—this catalogue allows practitioners and teachers to appreciate not only the physical form of each posture but also the directional flow of energy and movement within the body.
Understanding the Planes of Movement
Each asana is presented according to the primary anatomical action it emphasizes:
- Flexion (Forward Bends): Grounding and introspection, lengthening the posterior chain.
- Extension (Backbends): Vitality and openness, energizing the spine and chest.
- Lateral Flexion (Side Bends): Balance and expansion, improving side-body length and ribcage mobility.
- Rotation (Twists): Detoxification and renewal, enhancing spinal flexibility and organ stimulation.
- Axial Extension: Alignment and posture awareness, integrating breath with vertical lift.
- Inversions: Circulatory refresh and perspective shift, calming the nervous system while building stability.
This classification offers teachers a clear pedagogical framework and students a practical map of body mechanics, making the catalogue a reliable tool for sequencing, therapy, and practice design.
Breakdown of Sanskrit Names
Each posture includes a linguistic breakdown of its Sanskrit name, allowing teachers and students to connect more deeply with the roots of yoga. For example:
- Paścimatānāsana – paścima (west/back body) + tāna (stretch) + āsana (posture).
- Utkatāsana – utkata (powerful/fierce) + āsana (posture).
- Cakravākāsana – cakravāka (a mythical bird) + āsana (posture).
This linguistic approach not only supports accurate pronunciation and cultural appreciation but also enriches the teaching experience, as names often reveal the symbolic or physical intention behind the pose.
A Professional Guide for Practice & Teaching
More than a reference, the ITW Asana Catalogue is a practical teaching aid that empowers:
- Teachers: to design balanced classes, sequence with therapeutic awareness, and communicate yoga in an anatomically precise yet accessible way.
- Students: to cultivate self-awareness, understand the why behind each posture, and progress safely and intelligently in their practice.
By integrating planes of movement, linguistic breakdown, and visual reference, this catalogue transforms into a comprehensive toolkit for yoga learning and teaching, bridging tradition with modern application.
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