Whether you are new to the practice of yoga or have been practicing a while, you may come across unfamiliar terms. Yoga has a language of its own. Sanskrit is an ancient language that originated in India, where yoga originated. As a result, many of the words used in yoga are in this ancient language. In this blog and the next two, I’ll cover some of the more common words.
Adho Mukha Svanasana: downward facing dog pose
Ahimsa: One of the Yamas (from Patanjali’s Eight Limbs). It means non violence or harmlessness.
Alignment: correct positioning of the body in a yoga pose
Ananda: bliss
Ananda Balasana: happy baby pose
Ananda yoga: a type of gentle stretch yoga often used in preparation for meditation
Antar kumbhaka: breath retention between inhalation and exhalation in pranayama breathing
Aparigraha: One of the Yamas, meaning non-greed.
Ardha Dhanurasana: half bow pose
Ardha padmasana: half lotus pose
Asanas: Yoga poses
Ashram: Retreat where yoga and mediation are practiced.
Ashtanga yoga: yoga practice based on the eight limbs described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras
Asteya: One of the yamas, meaning non-stealing
Ayurveda: Form of medicine that originated in the Vedic culture of ancient India 3000 years ago and is still used today. Ayurvedic medicine uses yoga, diet and healing herbs, as well as an emphasis on personal hygiene.
Baddha Konasana: cobbler’s pose
Baddha Padmasana: bound lotus pose
Balasana: child’s pose
Bahir kumbhaka: breath retention at the end of the exhalation before the inhalation in pranayama breathing.
Bhakti yoga: type of yoga that focuses on connection with God and devotion.
Bhujangasana: cobra pose
Bikram yoga: physically active type of yoga that is practiced in a hot environment
Brahmacharya: one of the yamas, meaning non-lust.
Brahman: God, Divinity
Chakras: 7 centers of energy or life force (prana). The chakras are located from the base of the spine to the top of the head.