Asana
Meaning: A Sanskrit term for a physical yoga posture or pose.
Why it matters: Asanas help build strength, flexibility, and focus. They are just one component of the broader yoga tradition.
Ahimsa
Meaning: Often translated as “non-harming” or “non-violence.”
Why it matters: One of the key Yamas (ethical observances) in the Eight-Limb Path; encourages kindness and compassion toward all beings, including oneself.
Bandha
Meaning: An “energy lock” in the body, often referring to muscular engagements that direct the flow of energy (prana).
Why it matters: Practicing bandhas can help maintain stability, support healthy posture, and intensify the energetic benefits of an asana.
Chakra
Meaning: Literally “wheel” or “disk” in Sanskrit, referring to energy centers along the spine.
Why it matters: Balancing chakras is believed to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Dharana
Meaning: “Concentration,” the sixth limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: Prepares the mind for deeper meditation by training it to focus on a single point or object.
Dhyana
Meaning: “Meditation,” the seventh limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: A state of uninterrupted flow of concentration, leading to heightened awareness and tranquility.
Drishti
Meaning: A focused gaze or visual point used in many yoga postures.
Why it matters: Helps cultivate concentration, balance, and proper alignment in poses.
Mantra
Meaning: A word, sound, or phrase repeated to aid concentration in meditation.
Why it matters: Mantras help calm the mind and can carry significant spiritual or emotional resonance (e.g., “Om” or “Aum”).
Mudra
Meaning: A hand gesture or bodily position believed to direct energy flow within the body.
Why it matters: Often used in meditation and pranayama to enhance focus and energetic balance.
Namaste
Meaning: A respectful greeting that can be translated as “I bow to you,” or “the divine in me acknowledges the divine in you.”
Why it matters: Typically said at the end of class, Namaste symbolizes the mutual respect and shared experience between teacher and student.
Niyama
Meaning: Personal observances or practices; the second limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: Guiding principles for self-discipline and personal growth.
Om (Aum)
Meaning: A sacred sound and spiritual symbol commonly used in yoga and meditation.
Why it matters: Represents the essence of ultimate reality and universal consciousness.
Pranayama
Meaning: “Breath control,” the fourth limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: Regulates energy flow, calms the mind, and prepares the body for meditation.
Pratyahara
Meaning: “Withdrawal of the senses,” the fifth limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: By controlling how you engage with external stimuli, you develop deeper focus and reduce mental distractions.
Samadhi
Meaning: “Enlightenment,” the eighth and final limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: A state of oneness or total absorption, often described as the ultimate goal of yoga practice.
Savasana
Meaning: Also called “Corpse Pose,” typically the final relaxation posture of a yoga practice.
Why it matters: Integrates the benefits of practice, allowing both mind and body to rest and reset.
Sutra
Meaning: A short, aphoristic statement or manual; in yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a core philosophical text.
Why it matters: Provides in-depth guidance on the mental and spiritual aspects of the yogic path.
Vinyasa
Meaning: A style of yoga characterized by flowing from one pose to another in coordination with the breath.
Why it matters: Builds heat, endurance, and promotes a moving meditation as breath and movement synchronize.
Yama
Meaning: Ethical guidelines or restraints; the first limb of the Eight-Limb Path.
Why it matters: Encourages ethical living and harmonious relationships with others.