Yoga Words and Sanskrit Terms to Know for Class
- Asana – a yoga posture
- Pranayama – breathing exercises
- Namaste – a greeting meaning “I bow to you”
- Om – a sacred sound symbolizing the universe and consciousness
- Chakra – energy centers in the body
- Vinyasa – a flowing sequence of yoga postures
- Hatha – a style of yoga that emphasizes physical postures
- Mantra – a repeated word or phrase used to aid concentration in meditation
- Savasana – a resting pose at the end of a yoga practice
- Ujjayi – a breathing technique used in yoga
- Bandha – a lock or seal used to control the flow of energy in the body
- Mudra – a hand gesture used to aid meditation
- Dhyana – meditation
- Guru – a teacher or guide
- Prana – life force energy
- Sutra – a concise statement or aphorism
- Shanti – peace
- Tapas – discipline or austerity
- Drishti – a gaze or point of focus
- Niyama – one of the eight limbs of yoga, meaning ethical guidelines or observances
- Yama – one of the eight limbs of yoga, meaning moral principles or restraints
- Kosha – sheaths or layers of the body
- Samadhi – a state of meditative consciousness
- Sankalpa – an intention or resolve
- Svadhyaya – self-study or self-reflection
- Ahimsa – non-violence or non-harming
- Satya – truthfulness
- Asteya – non-stealing or non-covetousness
- Brahmacharya – celibacy or control of sexual energy
- Aparigraha – non-possessiveness or non-greediness
- Santosha – contentment
- Tapas – self-discipline or heat
- Saucha – cleanliness or purity
- Ishvara pranidhana – surrender to a higher power or divine consciousness
- Ananda – bliss or joy
- Bhakti – devotion or love
- Karma – action or cause and effect
- Jnana – knowledge or wisdom
- Raja – royal or regal
- Tantra – a system of yoga that seeks to merge the individual self with the universal consciousness
- Kundalini – a dormant energy coiled at the base of the spine that can be awakened through yoga and meditation
- Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses from external stimuli
- Nadi – energy channels in the body
- Surya – sun or solar
- Chandra – moon or lunar
- Bhujangasana – cobra pose
- Adho Mukha Svanasana – downward facing dog pose
- Virabhadrasana – warrior pose
- Uttanasana – standing forward bend pose
- Padmasana – lotus pose
- Bakasana – crow pose
- Salamba Sirsasana – supported headstand pose
- Vriksasana – tree pose
- Balasana – child’s pose
- Malasana – squat pose
- Garudasana – eagle pose
- Natarajasana – dancer pose
- Tadasana – mountain pose
- Trikonasana – triangle pose
- Ustrasana – camel pose
- Utkatasana – chair pose
- Navasana – boat pose