Language of Yoga

Sanskrit is an ancient language of India, in which Hindu scriptures and classical Indian epic poems are written.  It is also the language of yoga.  There are far too many yoga terms for one web page, so here are just a few sanskrit words referred to in yoga practice.  Find much, much more on www.yogaglossary.com

a

Ananda: bliss or joy

Asana: steady and comfortable posture, 3rd limb of the 8 stage astanga yoga system

Ashtanga: the 8 limbs or aspects of Patanjali's yoga sutras

Aum: universal mantra, cosmic vibration of the universe, represents 4 states of consciousness

 

b

Bhajan: devotional song, handed down orally over the centuries

Bhakti: The path of devotion

Brahma: creator of the universe

c

Chakra: “wheel” The subtle body is depicted as having 7 lotus-like chakras, extending from the base of the spine to the crown of the head

Chitta: Consciousness, which comprises mind, intellect

 

d

Dharana: Concentration, the 6th limb of the 8 stage astanga yoga system

Dhyana: Meditation or contemplation, the 7th limb of the 8 stage astanga yoga system

Dosha: unique body and mind type - see Vata, Pitta, Kapha

 

g

Guna: Quality of nature - see sattva, rajas, tamas

Guru: One who dispels darkness, a wise personal or spiritual teacher; helps to lift the veil of ignorance so we can see the truth

 

h

Hatha: sun (ha) and moon (tha), a physical practice of yogasana designed to balance body, mind and spirit

 

i

Ida Nadi: left energy channel

Iyengar: a form of yoga founded by BKS Iyengar, which uses props and aids to perfom asanas

 

j

Jiva: Individual soul

Jnana: Knowledge, yoga of wisdom, ability to distinguish between the real and the unreal

k

Kapha: The dosha governing all strenth, substance and structure of the body, earth & water element

Karma: Physical action; the law of cause and effect; there is karma of merit and karma of demerit

Karma Yoga: Action or duty, unselfish performance, duty without aspiring results

 

m

Mantra: ‘mind-free’; Sacred sound vibrations that assist in freeing the mind and bring clarity, peace and well being

Mudra: Hand movement, mainly of the fingers, capable of expressing ideas or emotions, enhancing yoga postures

 

n

Namaste: A traditional Indian greeting, hands pressed together at the heart ‘I bow and honour the divine presence in you’

Niyamas: The 1st limb of the 8 stage yoga system; 5 ‘observances’  (purity, contentment, ardour, discipline, study of self)

 

p

Patanjali: Sage and author of the yoga sutras

Pingala Nadi: right energy channel

Pitta: Dosha governing digestion, metabolism and transformation in the body, fire & water element

Prana: vital life force energy, you can compare to the Chinese ‘Qi’ or ‘chi’

Pranayama: 4th limb in the 8 stages of yoga, breathing techniques to regulate the flow of energy

Pratyahara: 5th limb in the 8 stages of yoga, sense withdrawal to concentrate the mind

 

r

Rajas: the principal of activity or restlessness, one of the 3 gunas

 

s

Samadhi: Final 8th limb of yoga in which concentration becomes one with the object of concentration, supreme union

Sattva: It manifests as balance, purity and calmness, one of the 3 gunas

 

t

Tamas: The principle of dullness or inertia, one of the three gunas

 

v

Vata: The dosha governing all motion and flow in the body, air & ether element

 

y

Yamas: 2nd limb of the 8 stage yoga system; 5 yamas or ways to relate to others or moral conduct (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-possessiveness)