urdhva

Urdhva is a Sanskrit term meaning upward, skyward, or above. In classical usage it functions as an adverb or adjective to indicate direction or position toward the head or the sky. The opposite term is adhah, meaning downward. Beyond its literal sense, urdhva appears in religious and literary contexts to describe elevation, ascent, or superior position.

In yoga, urdhva serves as a directional marker in the names of many asanas, signaling upward extension or elevation. Examples include Urdhva HastaSana (Raised Hands Pose), in which the arms are lifted overhead from a standing position; Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose), where the chest opens upward and the torso lengthens; Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose or Upward Bow), a backbend with the torso arched upward; and Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (Upward Extended Leg Pose), in which the legs are extended upward from a supine position.

Beyond asana names, urdhva appears in instructional phrases and ritual gestures that emphasize upward movement or elevation. In some traditions, practices such as urdhva namaskara or related gestures involve raising the hands overhead as a sign of greeting, offering, or reverence, aligning with the same sense of upward orientation.

Overall, urdhva functions as a versatile Sanskrit term tied to upward direction across yoga practice and related cultural expressions, contrasting with downward concepts and intersecting with both physical postures and symbolic gestures.