One of the most intimidating aspects of yoga is yoga vocabulary. Don’t let the fear of these unusual words keep you from experiencing the benefits of yoga. Yoga terminology is based on ancient Sanskrit words, many of which beautifully express movement or thought. Here is a short listing of some of the more popular yoga terms found in the yoga vocabulary and their meanings.
* Ahimsa – non-violence
* Aparigraha- non-greed
* Asanas- yoga postures
* Ashram- retreat or secluded area where yoga classes are held
* Asmita- the ego
* Bhakti yoga- yoga claiming the pathway to devotion
* Bikram yoga- yoga performed in very hot places, extremely vigorous
* Brahman- the name for the Divinity in yoga, the Great Being
* Chakras- energy concentrations located from the bottom of the spine to the head, there are seven of these in the body
* Dharma- the self-discipline required for yoga
* Guru- the spiritual leader or teacher in yoga
* Hatha yoga- yoga focusing on well-being, balance, mind, and spirit
* Iyengar yoga- a form of yoga utilizing props focusing on how the body works and body alignment
* Jnana yoga- yoga as a path to wisdom
* Karma yoga- yoga as a path to action
* Kundalini yoga- yoga including chanting and breathing techniques performed to release energy
* Mandala- a tool used to represent the spirit and the cosmos, a circle to aid one on the path to enlightenment
* Mantra- chanted words or phrases
* Meditation- looking inward, focusing on the self
* Mudras- the use of the hand to move energy through the body
* Namaste- a way to greet and show respect
* Om- a word used in many mantras or for chanting, represents the creation, the preservation, and destruction
* Prana- life energy or the life force found in the body, also called “chi”
* Pranayama- using breathing techniques to control prana or life forces
* Raja yoga- a yoga that focuses on physical and mental aspects of the body
* Samadhi- a state of bliss, a goal of most yoga techniques
* Shauca- the place of inner clarity or purity, the attainment of inner purity
* Sivananda yoga- a peaceful yoga discipline that focuses on healthy lifestyles
* Swami- the respectful name of a spiritual yoga guide
* Tantra yoga- a form of yoga that includes many methods such as chanting, mantras, poses, and Kundalini methods
* Vinyasa- breathing techniques including in many yoga disciplines
Once the Sanskrit terms are understood you will find that entering your first yoga class is much less threatening. The above yoga vocabulary only includes brief descriptions of the Sanskrit words. For a deeper understanding of each word you will enjoy studying yoga vocabulary in depth.
