Yoga Words and Sanskrit Terms to Know for Class

Yoga Words and Sanskrit Terms to Know for Class

1. Asana: yoga pose
2. Pranayama: breath control techniques
3. Bandha: energy lock
4. Chakra: energy center in the body
5. Drishti: gaze or focus point
6. Hatha: physical yoga practice
7. Mantra: a word or sound repeated during meditation
8. Mudra: hand gesture or seal
9. Namaste: a traditional Indian greeting or farewell meaning “I honor the divine in you”
10. Om: a sacred sound or mantra in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
11. Savasana: final relaxation pose
12. Sun Salutation: a series of yoga poses performed in a sequence to energize the body
13. Ujjayi: a type of pranayama where the breath is audible and creates a “hissing” sound in the throat
14. Vinyasa: a flow sequence linking movement with breath
15. Yamas: ethical guidelines in yoga
16. Niyamas: personal practices in yoga
17. Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses from external distractions
18. Dhyana: meditation or the state of meditation
19. Ashtanga: a type of yoga that follows a specific sequence of poses
20. Ayurveda: a system of traditional medicine that originated in India
21. Bhakti: devotion or love for a divine being
22. Dharma: one’s purpose or duty in life
23. Guru: a spiritual teacher or guide
24. Karma: the law of cause and effect
25. Kriya: a specific sequence of movements or actions used in yoga or meditation
26. Nadi: energy channels in the body
27. Natarajasana: Lord of the Dance Pose
28. Padmasana: Lotus Pose
29. Prana: life force or energy in the body
30. Sattva: the quality of purity or clarity
31. Siddhasana: Accomplished Pose
32. Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation
33. Tantra: a system of practices and beliefs that emphasizes the union of the individual self with the divine
34. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana: Upward-Facing Dog Pose
35. Vrikshasana: Tree Pose
36. Adho Mukha Svanasana: Downward-Facing Dog Pose
37. Anahata: the heart chakra
38. Ardha Chandrasana: Half Moon Pose
39. Bhujangasana: Cobra Pose
40. Chaturanga Dandasana: Four-Limbed Staff Pose
41. Garudasana: Eagle Pose
42. Hanumanasana: Monkey Pose
43. Kapotasana: Pigeon Pose
44. Natarajasana: Lord of the Dance Pose
45. Navasana: Boat Pose
46. Parivrtta Trikonasana: Revolved Triangle Pose
47. Sarvangasana: Shoulder Stand Pose
48. Sirsasana: Headstand Pose
49. Svadhisthana: the sacral chakra
50. Trikonasana: Triangle Pose
51. Virabhadrasana I: Warrior I Pose
52. Virabhadrasana II: Warrior II Pose
53. Vishuddha: the throat chakra
54. Anjali Mudra: prayer hands
55. Baddha Konasana: Bound Angle Pose
56. Balasana: Child’s Pose
57. Dandasana: Staff Pose
58. Gomukhasana: Cow Face Pose
59. Malasana: Garland Pose