Yoga Terms

Many people get scared away from yoga because of the difficult or rather foreign terminology. In order to get the most out of doing yoga, it is helpful to understand the different terms that are referenced by yoga instructors and books. Below is a list of the most used words in yoga and their definitions. All of these definitions were obtained from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Yoga.

• Abhinivesha: survival instinct
• Asanas: postures
• Bhakti Yoga: it emphasizes the devotion to the divine
• Chakras: centers of energy located between the base of your spinal column and the crown or your head
• Dhyana: meditaion
• Hatha Yoga, Ha: Sun Tha: Moon a type of yoga primarily concerned with mastering control over the physical body as a path to enlightenment
• Jnana Yoga: it emphasizes questioning and meditation
• Kriya Yoga: focuses on action and participation in life
• Mantra Yoga: involves chanting of sounds
• Om: a syllable that is used as a mantra
• Padmasana: lotus pose
• Pingala: a channel on the right side of the spine through which prana moves
• Prana: soul of the universe
• Pranayama: breathing exercises
• Raja Yoga: it focuses on the control of the intellect in order to obtain enlightenment
• Samadhi: goal of yoga, becoming aware of nothing
• Tantra: technique
• Tantra Yoga: made up of different rituals
• Tapas: self-discipline
• Upanishads: ancient scriptures of Hindu philosophy that describe the path of Jnana Yoga
• Yoga: to yoke or join together
• Yogi: one who practices yoga
• Vinyasa: grouping of yoga postures that flow together