Glossary of Common YOGA Terms
Asana - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that means yoga posture
Ashram - place or community setting where yoga is practiced
Asthanga - athletic style of yoga, popularly known as Power Yoga, that emphasizes strength, stamina, flexibility and the movement of heat around the body
Bandha - energy lock
Bhujangasana - cobra posture used in the sun salutation exercise sequence
Chakras - physical or spiritual energy centers located along the spine, above the head, as well as in the hands and feet
Dharana - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that means "concentration"
Dhyana - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that means "meditation"
Guru - yoga master
Hatha - yogic system of bodily control, consisting of physical exercises
Iyengar - hatha yoga practice that emphasizes structure and alignment using props
Jnana - yogic system of knowledge moving towards wisdom
Kapalabhati - cleansing breathing exercise that literally means "skull shining"
Karma - yogic system believing that everything you do, say or think has an immediate effect on the universe and in you
Kundalini - hatha yoga practice that emphasizes breath work (specifically moving the breath along the spine to stimulate different energy centers)
Mantra - meditative sound or prayer consisting of a syllable or word(s)
Meditation - a soulful experience with best results when practiced at regular times each day, 5 to 30 minutes, 1 to 3 times daily
Namaste - traditional greeting (prayer like gesture) given at the end of practice meaning "I salute the divine light within you"
Niyama - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that refers to self observation
Om (aum) - a sacred symbol used as a mantra meaning universal oneness
Pranayama - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that refers to deep breathing exercises or breath control
Pratyahara - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that refers to a withdrawing of the senses
Samadhi - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that refers to a state of joy and peace
Sanskrit - ancient terms of over 2500 years, considered to be "Language of the Gods"
Sukasana - easy sitting posture
Surya Namaskara - sanskrit word for "sun salutation" which is a series of flowing postures done as gratitude towards the sun
Tadasana - mountain posture used in the sun salutation exercise sequence
Tantra - yogic system that promotes heightened sexual pleasure
Trikonasana - triangle posture sometimes known as the "happy pose"
Ujayi - deep and audible "drawing breath" exercise
Vrikasana - tree posture
Yama - one of the "eight limbs of yoga" that refers to ethical disciplines
Yogi - a gender neutral term used to describe "a
person who practices yoga". "Yogin" specifically refers to a male student
and "yogini" is used for a female practitioner
Yoga - means "union"
