Sanskrit Friday: Tittibha/Lapwing (टिट्टिभ)

Hi! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is टिट्टिभ. It's pronounced tih-ttih-bhuh in English and means lapwing or tittibha bird, which is a kind of bird that lives on the coast in India.

You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make टिट्टिभासन tittibhasana, which in English we've come to refer to as firefly pose. As far as I can tell, there is no Sanskrit basis for the translation of tittibha to mean firefly. If anyone has any information on why this has come to be, please comment below!

The "t" sound in tittibha is made in the middle-upper part of the mouth. In linguistics terms, the sound is a voiceless retroflex stop and, to me, is one of those sounds that sounds distinctly Indian. The double "tt" is held a bit longer than just one t, as though there is a pause there. Say it with me – tittibhasana. Tittibhasana!

Tittibhasana is an intermediate/advanced arm balance pose and requires a lot of core and shoulder strength. It's best done after malasana (garland pose) and बकासन bakasana (crane/crow pose). You can also transition from tittibhasana back into bakasana while still balancing on your arms. It's very challenging!

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Camel (उष्ट्र)

Hi! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is उष्ट्र. It's pronounced euh-shtra in English and means camel, but it also means buffalo. Hmm! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make उष्ट्रासन ustrasana, or camel pose.

There are two "sh" sounds in sanskrit. The "sh" sound here is like an English "sh" sound but made more in the back of the mouth. Say it with me now — ustrasana. Ustrasana!

Ustrasana is a moderately difficult pose and requires much attention to form. A good camel pose involves lengthening the spine up and back and not pushing your hips and glutes forward. Focus on making the spine very long, the chest very open. Place your fists into your lower back and lean up and back from there. When you're ready you can reach for your ankles behind you. You can also keep your head in line with the spine rather than dropping the head back.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Locust (शलभ)

Hello! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is शलभ. It's pronounced shuh-lub in English and means locust. You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make शलभासन shalabhasana, or locust pose. The "bh" sound is like a regular "b" sound but you breathe out more while you speak. Say it with me now — shalabhasana. Shalabhasana!

शलभ (shalabh) means locust, but it also means cricket, grasshopper, and moth. It's as confusing as the word is in English, where it can also mean cicada or grasshopper. I've taken the usage for grasshopper, since the word usage to mean cicada didn't start until the last two hundred years. There's a great explanation on Wikipedia about its etymology if you're interested.

Shalabhasana is a difficult pose, as its a strong back bend using your arms. A good tip is to place your hands palm-up underneath you, using your fingers to prop up your thighs to come deeper into the pose.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Correction 8/11/14: The pronunciation guide in the infographic has been fixed!

Sanskrit Friday-ish: Fish (मत्स्य)

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been moving house this weekend and it's taken quite a bit of time!

Today's word is मत्स्य. It's pronounced muts-yuh in English and means fish. You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make मत्स्यासन matsyasana, or fish pose.

Say it with me now — matsyasana. Matsyasana!

Matsyasana is a great counter-pose to shoulder stance and plough poses, as it extends your spine in the opposite direction. It's important to keep your chest open wide in this position to help extend your spine. I really enjoy looking at the world upside-down in this pose, viewing the world as a child might.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Cobra (भुजङ्ग)

Namaste, friends!



Today's word is भुजङ्ग. It's pronounced bhu-juhn-guh in English and means cobra! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make भुजङ्गासन, or cobra pose. Say it with me now — bhu-juhn-ga-suhn-uh. Bhu-juhn-ga-suhn-uh!
I prefer this pose to upward dog because it keeps your lumbar spine supple and supported. Cobra pose has your pelvic bones in contact with the mat, feet touching the mat behind you, either supported 20% through the arms or without. The erector spinae muscles are hard at work and this pose is great for those with forward-leaning shoulders and a closed chest. It's sister pose (to me) is snake pose, which I'll come to in a later post.

You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Crane (बक)

Namaste, friends!

Today's word is बक. It's pronounced like the word "buck" in English and means crane! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make बकासन, or crane pose. You'll often hear this pose called crow pose as well, which can also be correct (though the Sanskrit would be  काकासन (kahk-ahsun)). Some schools of yoga make a difference between having your arms bent (crow) and straight (crane) in this arm balance pose.

A nice tip for beginners is to place a block a few feet in front of you before coming into the pose. This will allow you to gently place the crown of your head on the block to help make crane/crow pose easier.

You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Tiger (व्याघ्र)

Namaste, friends!

I've moved to Tulsa, OK and teach yoga very regularly here now, so now that I'm kinda established I wanted to bring you my new weekly feature: Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is व्याघ्र. It's pronounced vyāghra (vyah-ghruh) and means tiger! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make व्याघ्रासन, or tiger pose. Total Yoga has a nice explanation of Tiger Pose, although I would recommend keeping your toes pulled back instead of pointing but either is fine.

You've got one Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.


Tyler