As Ashtanga yoga practitioners, we are familiar with the Sanskrit names of the yoga poses, or asanas. But have you ever wondered about the origins of this ancient language and its significance in the yoga tradition? In this post, we will explore the fascinating world of Sanskrit and its connection to our practice. What is Sanskrit? Sanskrit is an ancient language that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It is considered to be the mother of all Indo-European languages and is one of the oldest languages on Earth. The word Sanskrit itself translates to “perfected,” “polished,” or “refined.” This is because Sanskrit was developed to communicate spiritual insights and was used mainly for religious and scientific discourse. Unique Qualities of Sanskrit Sanskrit is a…