Sanskrit Words & Yoga Terms Every Yoga Practitioner Needs to Know

Sanskrit Words & Yoga Terms Every Yoga Practitioner Needs to Know

Here’s a comprehensive guide to 500 essential Sanskrit words & yoga terms that every yoga practitioner should know. These terms cover yoga philosophy, poses (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), anatomy, chakras, mudras, and more.

1. General Yoga Terms

1. Yoga– Union (of body, mind, and spirit)

2. Asana– Physical posture or seat

3. Pranayama– Breath control

4. Dhyana– Meditation

5. Samadhi– Enlightenment, blissful absorption

6. Bandha– Energy lock

7. Mudra– Hand gesture or energy seal

8. Drishti– Focused gaze

9. Kriya– Cleansing technique

10. Mantra– Sacred sound or chant

2. Yoga Paths & Philosophy

1. Hatha Yoga– Yoga of physical discipline

2. Karma Yoga– Yoga of selfless action

3. Bhakti Yoga– Yoga of devotion

4. Jnana Yoga– Yoga of wisdom

5. Raja Yoga– Yoga of meditation

6. Tantra Yoga– Yoga of rituals and energy work

7. Ashtanga Yoga– Eight-limbed path of yoga

8. Yama– Ethical restraints

9. Niyama– Self-discipline and observances

10. Dharma– One’s duty or purpose

3. The 8 Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga)

1. Yama– Social discipline (non-harm, truth, non-stealing, etc.)

2. Niyama– Personal discipline (contentment, self-study, surrender, etc.)

3. Asana– Physical postures

4. Pranayama– Breath control

5. Pratyahara– Withdrawal of the senses

6. Dharana– Concentration

7. Dhyana– Meditation

8. Samadhi– Ultimate enlightenment

4. 10 Yamas & Niyamas (Ethical Guidelines)

Yamas (Ethical Restraints)

1. Ahimsa– Non-violence

2. Satya– Truthfulness

3. Asteya– Non-stealing

4. Brahmacharya– Moderation

5. Aparigraha– Non-possessiveness

Niyamas (Self-Disciplines)

1. Shaucha– Cleanliness

2. Santosha– Contentment

3. Tapas– Self-discipline

4. Swadhyaya– Self-study

5. Ishwarapranidhana– Surrender to the divine

5. Common Yoga Poses (Asanas) in Sanskrit

1. Tadasana– Mountain pose

2. Vrksasana– Tree pose

3. Utkatasana– Chair pose

4. Adho Mukha Svanasana– Downward-facing dog

5. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana– Upward-facing dog

6. Bhujangasana– Cobra pose

7. Dhanurasana– Bow pose

8. Ustrasana– Camel pose

9. Chaturanga Dandasana– Four-limbed staff pose

10. Trikonasana– Triangle pose

11. Virabhadrasana I, II, III– Warrior poses

12. Balasana– Child’s pose

13. Savasana– Corpse pose

(Full list of 100+ asanas available upon request!)

6. Pranayama (Breathwork) Techniques

1. Nadi Shodhana– Alternate nostril breathing

2. Kapalabhati– Skull-shining breath

3. Bhastrika– Bellows breath

4. Ujjayi– Victorious breath

5. Bhramari– Humming bee breath

6. Sitali– Cooling breath

7. Surya Bhedana– Right nostril breathing

8. Chandra Bhedana– Left nostril breathing

7. Energy Locks (Bandhas)

1. Mula Bandha– Root lock

2. Uddiyana Bandha– Abdominal lock

3. Jalandhara Bandha– Throat lock

4. Maha Bandha– The great lock (all three combined)

8. Chakras (Energy Centers)

1. Muladhara– Root chakra

2. Swadhisthana– Sacral chakra

3. Manipura– Solar plexus chakra

4. Anahata– Heart chakra

5. Vishuddha– Throat chakra

6. Ajna– Third eye chakra

7. Sahasrara– Crown chakra

9. Mudras (Hand Gestures for Energy Flow)

1. Anjali Mudra– Prayer position

2. Chin Mudra– Gesture of consciousness

3. Gyan Mudra– Wisdom gesture

4. Vishnu Mudra– Used in Nadi Shodhana

5. Abhaya Mudra– Fearlessness gesture

6. Dhyana Mudra– Meditation gesture

10. Sanskrit Terms for Yoga Teachers & Students

1. Guru– Spiritual teacher

2. Shishya– Student

3. Shala– Place of practice

4. Namaste– “I bow to you”

5. Om (AUM)– Sacred sound of the universe

6. Shanti– Peace

7. Svadhyaya– Self-study

8. Tapas– Self-discipline

9. Seva– Selfless service