Asana Names and the Language of Yoga (now called The Language of Yoga)

Note: The original Asana Names and the Language of Yoga was a 180 page spiral-bound book with separate double-CD, and came in a box.
The new version is called The Language of Yoga and is a hard-back book with a spiral-binding inside, with both CDs inside the back of the book.

Review in Light on Ayurveda by Doreen Paradeis

How many years of repetitive reading, hearing, and seeing common Sanskrit words did it take most of us to begin to feel familiar enough to use them in our everyday practice? Before learning of Nicolai BachmanÕs book and CD series, including Ò108 Sanskrit Flash Cards w/CDÓ, ÒVedic Astrology TerminologyÓ and the newly released ÒAsana Names and the Language of YogaÓ, I was certain the best and only way to truly learn Sanskrit would be to lock myself away in an ashram with one-on-one instruction and endless years of chanting. I had, afterall, obtained every and any CD available on ebay in hope that enough repetition without guidance would begin to sink in and make some sense. I attend the local kirtans and listen to nothing but Sanskrit while driving, and still find myself covering my mouth with my hand and mumbling on exhalation whenever it is time to remember how to pronounce any given term.

Asana Names and the Language of Yoga has sound quality and articulation that surpasses any other Sanskrit CD I have heard. Listening to Nicolai slowly articulate each word or phrase and then allowing space for me to repeat it, I felt as if I were obtaining that face to face instruction that other programs seemed to lack. The spiral bound book that accompanies the CD makes it a true classroom-like experience, allowing step by step follow-along on various aspects of Yoga related Sanskrit. Used like a flip chart, the book includes the Sanskrit, transliteration and translation of every Sanskrit word spoken on the CD. For asanas and mudras, sketches are provided alongside the words.

The CD begins with 7 chants for yoga practice, which is a beautiful and encouraging introduction. Then, Nicolai shares selected Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, Yamas and Niyamas, & yoga related terms grouped in categories such as Animals, Body Parts, Cakras, Deities and Sages, Directions & Positions, Elements, Mudras, Numbers, Text Names, general yoga terms and Asana names listed alphabetically A-Y. There is a comprehensive index of Asana Synonyms and a separate index of Asana Names in English, with a diagram of each pose next to it for easy reference. There is also a Sanskrit pronunciation key. The book is organized so precisely, it can serve as a textbook not only in learning Sanskrit words and pronunciations, but in memorizing important information categorically, such as the 8 Limbs of Yoga, the Vedas (names and main focus), the Vayus, the elements and a multitude of other important foundations of Ayurveda and Yoga. The book is layed out in columns and flip pages so that memorization is easy using it like flashcards for self-quizzing.

There are 2 separate CDs included, one with just the Asana Names and the other with all related information. The Asana names CD allows the listener to use the index and fast forward directly to a particular asana to hear the correct pronunciation.

The program is so comprehensive, a listener would not want to simply sit down and listen to the program from start to finish. Instead, the spiralbound book and 2 CDs can be used as an entire learning program for introductory Sanskrit. Every yoga teacher would benefit from this program, and for those looking for an introduction to Sanskrit self-study, this offering is unmatched. This program would be worth its weight in time and gold if used as a 6-10 week self-study introduction to Sanskrit, and then maintained for easy reference on a routine basis and more advanced learning of Sanskrit writing later. Used properly and diligently, a student will go away from this simple program being able to recognize and speak Sanskrit with confidence and ease, and will memorize the foundations of Yoga easily in the process.