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UJJAYI

Pronounced ooo-ji-ee.

Ujjayi means ‘victorious breath’ or ‘one who is victorious’. It is an energizing and calming breathing technique in yoga. To create Ujjayi breath, slightly constrict the back of your throat during inhalation and exhalation. This gives the breath an audible, oceanic sounding quality. Focusing on your ujjayi breath and linking your breath to movement can help improve your endurance and concentration through challenging flows. 

Ujjayi - Victorious Breath or One Who is Victorious

USTRASANA

Pronounced Oosh-trah-sah-nah.

Translated as Camel Pose, ustra means camel. Kneel on the floor with knees hip width apart and press your shins and tops of your feet into the floor. Rest your hands on the backs of your hips with fingers pointing down. Lift your heart center toward the ceiling and lean back, rounding your spine until you can touch your hands to your heels. Keeping thighs perpendicular to the floor, lift from the front of the pelvis and heart center to extend your spine in the backbend, holding your heels.

Ustrasana - Camel Pose

UTKATASANA

Pronounced Ooot-kah-tah-sah-nah.

Also known as Chair Pose, utkata means chair. Begin in mountain pose, then inhale arms perpendicular to the floor, exhale and bend your knees, bringing your thighs as close to parallel to the floor as you can. Keep thighs parallel to each other and allow your torso to lean forward over your thighs, countering your hips and pelvis as you sit lower as though sitting in a chair.

Utkatasana - Chair Pose

UTTANASANA

Pronounced Oot-tahn-ah-sah-nah.

Also known as Standing Forward Bend, this pose is part of the popular Sun Salutation sequence. You’ll move from Tadasana, or Mountain pose, by bending at the hip and reaching toward the floor, keeping knees as straight as possible and bringing your hands to your shins or the floor.

Uttanasana - Standing Forward Bend or Standing Forward Fold

UTTHITA

Pronounced Oo-tee-tah.

This word, which means “extended,” is included in asanas in which the body is extended or stretched beyond its regular variation.

Utthita - Extended

UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA

Pronounced Oo-tee-tah / Parsh-vah-cone-ah-sah-nah.

This Sanskrit name translates directly to Extended Side Angle Pose. You’ll begin with legs 4 feet apart, toes in line, raising your arms parallel to the floor on an exhale. Turning your left foot in slightly and your right foot out to a 90-degree angle, bend your right knee keeping it over your toes. Bring your left arm up toward the ceiling as your right arm comes down the floor in front of your right foot. Extend your arms and spine to keep from collapsing into your legs.

Utthita_Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle Pose

UTTHITA TRIKONASANA

Pronounced Oo-tee-tah / Trik-cone-ah-sah-nah.

This Sanskrit name translates directly to Extended Side Angle Pose. You’ll begin with legs 4 feet apart, toes in line, raising your arms parallel to the floor on an exhale. Turning your left foot in slightly and your right foot out to a 90-degree angle, bend your right knee keeping it over your toes. Bring your left arm up toward the ceiling as your right arm comes down the floor in front of your right foot. Extend your arms and spine to keep from collapsing into your legs.