adho

Adho is a transliteration from Sanskrit meaning downward or toward the ground. In Hindu and yogic contexts, the term functions as a directional indicator, describing orientation or movement within language, philosophy, and practice. It appears in the names of several yoga poses to convey a downward alignment.

In yoga, Adho Mukha Svanasana is the most well-known example, commonly translated as downward-facing dog. The term also appears in other asanas that direct the body downward, and in textual descriptions that specify positioning or progression through poses. The use of Adho emphasizes the downward direction in contrast to upward or horizontal orientations, which are often described with other Sanskrit terms.

Beyond yoga, Adho can occur in Sanskrit compounds to indicate downward movement or position. The word may also function as a personal name or appear in place names in some Indian languages, though there is no single geographic or organizational entity universally identified with the term. Because transliteration from Devanagari to Latin script varies, Adho can also be written as adha or adhah in different texts or contexts.

Overall, Adho is primarily a directional term rooted in Sanskrit, most widely recognized through its association with yoga poses that orient the body downward. Its usage in other contexts is more contextual and varied, reflecting broader linguistic and cultural practices rather than a single, discrete entity.