43 Key Yoga Phrases
- Namaste – A traditional greeting or farewell that means “I bow to the divine in you.”
- Asana – A yoga pose or posture.
- Prana – Life force energy that is vital for the body and mind.
- Chakra – One of the seven energy centers in the body that are believed to be connected to different aspects of our physical, emotional and spiritual selves.
- Pranayama – Breath control techniques used to calm the mind and increase energy.
- Om – A sacred syllable that represents the sound of the universe and is often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga classes.
- Vinyasa – A flow sequence of yoga poses, often used in styles such as Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga.
- Bandha – Energy locks that are used to control the flow of prana in the body.
- Dhyana – Meditation or contemplation that leads to a state of deep concentration and awareness.
- Mudra – Hand gestures that are used to direct energy flow in the body.
- Hatha – A style of yoga that focuses on physical postures and breathing techniques.
- Niyama – One of the eight limbs of yoga that relates to personal ethics and self-discipline.
- Ujjayi – A breath technique that involves creating a soft hissing sound by constricting the throat muscles.
- Shanti – Peace or tranquility.
- Savasana – A resting pose that is often done at the end of a yoga class to allow the body and mind to relax.
- Surya Namaskar – A series of yoga postures that are often used as a warm-up or as a standalone practice.
- Guru – A teacher or mentor who guides students on their spiritual path.
- Ayurveda – An ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes the connection between the body, mind and spirit.
- Karma – The law of cause and effect, which states that every action has a consequence.
- Ahimsa – Non-violence and compassion towards all living beings.
- Sattva – Purity or clarity of mind.
- Tapas – Discipline or self-control that is used to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
- Dharma – One’s purpose or duty in life.
- Samadhi – A state of blissful union with the divine.
- Karma Yoga – The path of selfless service and action.
- Bhakti Yoga – The path of devotion and love towards the divine.
- Jnana Yoga – The path of knowledge and wisdom.
- Raja Yoga – The path of meditation and self-realization.
- Ashtanga Yoga – The eight-limbed path of yoga, as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.
- Yoga Sutra – A collection of ancient texts that outlines the philosophy and practices of yoga.
- Shavasana – A relaxation pose done at the end of a yoga class.
- Ashtanga Vinyasa – A dynamic form of yoga that combines breath with movement in a flowing sequence of poses.
- Trikonasana – Triangle pose.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward-facing dog pose.
- Uttanasana – Forward fold pose.
- Bakasana – Crow pose.
- Chaturanga Dandasana – Low plank pose.
- Natarajasana – Dancer pose.
- Tadasana – Mountain pose.
- Virabhadrasana I – Warrior I pose.
- Virabhadrasana II – Warrior II pose.
- Vrksasana – Tree pose.
- Upavistha Kon