Why 84? In Vedic cosmology, the number appears repeatedly:
Note: Many original Sanskrit names have been lost or transliterated differently. This list reflects the most widely accepted classical 84.
It remains the gold standard for a well-rounded practice. However, it requires a knowledgeable teacher to adapt the poses to the individual, rather than forcing the individual into the poses. 84 yoga asanas list
When you look at modern compilations of the "84 Asanas" (such as those taught in Sivananda Yoga or Ashtanga Vinyasa series), the list generally includes:
When we speak of the "84 yoga asanas," we are not merely referencing a workout routine. We are invoking a lineage. Unlike modern yoga’s infinite variations (many stemming from the 20th-century Mysore Palace tradition), the classical lists of 84 postures represent a : a sacred geometry of the body designed to stabilize the mind for meditation. Why 84
| # | Sanskrit Name | English Equivalent | |---|---|---| | | (Meditation & Pranayama) | | | 1 | Siddhasana | Accomplished Pose | | 2 | Padmasana | Lotus Pose | | 3 | Swastikasana | Auspicious Pose | | 4 | Vajrasana | Thunderbolt Pose | | 5 | Sukhasana | Easy Pose | | 6 | Bhadrasana | Gracious Pose | | 7 | Muktasana | Liberated Pose | | 8 | Simhasana | Lion Pose | | 9 | Gomukhasana | Cow Face Pose | | 10 | Virasana | Hero Pose | | Standing Postures | | | | 11 | Tadasana | Mountain Pose | | 12 | Trikonasana | Triangle Pose | | 13 | Virabhadrasana I-III | Warrior Poses I, II, III | | 14 | Parsvakonasana | Side Angle Pose | | 15 | Uttanasana | Intense Forward Fold | | 16 | Ardha Chandrasana | Half Moon Pose | | 17 | Garudasana | Eagle Pose | | 18 | Natarajasana | Lord of the Dance Pose | | Balancing Postures | | | | 19 | Vrikshasana | Tree Pose | | 20 | Bakasana | Crane Pose | | 21 | Kukkutasana | Cockerel Pose (in Lotus) | | 22 | Mayurasana | Peacock Pose | | 23 | Kukkuṭāsana | Rooster Pose | | 24 | Talasana | Palm Tree Pose | | Inversions | | | | 25 | Sirsasana | Headstand | | 26 | Sarvangasana | Shoulderstand | | 27 | Viparita Karani | Legs-Up-the-Wall | | 28 | Hamsasana | Swan Pose (arm balance) | | 29 | Vrishchikasana | Scorpion Pose | | Backbends | | | | 30 | Bhujangasana | Cobra Pose | | 31 | Salabhasana | Locust Pose | | 32 | Dhanurasana | Bow Pose | | 33 | Ustrasana | Camel Pose | | 34 | Chakrasana | Wheel Pose (full backbend) | | 35 | Kandharasana | Shoulder-supported Bridge | | Twists | | | | 36 | Matsyendrasana | Lord of the Fishes Pose | | 37 | Ardha Matsyendrasana | Half Lord of the Fishes | | 38 | Vakrasana | Twisted Pose | | Forward Folds | | | | 39 | Paschimottanasana | Seated Forward Fold | | 40 | Janu Sirsasana | Head-to-Knee Pose | | 41 | Kurmasana | Tortoise Pose | | 42 | Yoganidrasana | Yogic Sleep Pose | | Supine & Others | | | | 43 | Matsyasana | Fish Pose | | 44 | Halasana | Plow Pose | | 45 | Karnapidasana | Ear Pressure Pose | | 46 | Setu Bandhasana | Bridge Pose | | 47 | Shavasana | Corpse Pose | | 48 | Garbhasana | Womb/Fetus Pose | | 49 | Akarna Dhanurasana | Shooting Bow Pose | | 50 | Eka Pada Sirsasana | Foot Behind Head |
The is a masterpiece of physical culture and spiritual discipline. It serves as an excellent curriculum rather than just a checklist. It remains the gold standard for a well-rounded practice
While various lineages list different sets of 84, this guide compiles the most frequently cited postures from classical sources like the Hatha Ratnavali and modern hatha sequences.
Today, (father of modern yoga) and his students—B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, and T.K.V. Desikachar—popularized the idea that a master should know 84 lakh asanas (symbolically) but practice a core 84.