YogaDirectory.net’s Glossary List of Common Yoga Terms:

1. Ahimsa

Non-violence. Be gentle with yourself, others, and the world—on and off the mat.

2. Alignment

This is the proper placement of the body while performing the postures in yoga to create safety, balance, and maximum benefit. Proper alignment prevents injury and promotes the proper flow of energy.

3. Asana

These are the physical postures or poses in yoga. These are designed to promote flexibility, strength, and balance while preparing the body for meditation.

4. Ayurveda

The sister science of Yoga, which addresses general health and wellness. Ayurveda teaches the balance of your body, mind, and spirit through diet, lifestyle, and naturopathy.

5. Bandha

Body locks to control the flow of energy in yoga. For example, Mula Bandha, or root lock, engages the muscles of the pelvic floor, creating strength and stability.

6. Bhakti

Yoga of devotion: Open your heart to connect to a higher power with love, music, and prayer.

7. Chakra

Energy points in the body, very much considered to be spinning wheels. In the main body, seven chakras are very much believed to exist in specific physical, emotional, and spiritual elements of life.

8. Dharana

Concentration or one-pointed focus. It is the process of holding one’s attention to a single object, thought, or breath as a step toward deeper meditation.

9. Dhyana

Meditation or contemplation. It is where you transcend the physical practice and delve into stillness and awareness.

10. Drishti

A focused gaze in yoga that helps improve concentration and balance. It could be best described as choosing a visual anchor to keep the mind steady.

11. Guru

A spiritual teacher or experienced master. The guru imparts wisdom and guidance along the path of yoga in order for you to find yourself.

12. Hatha Yoga

One of the oldest and most traditional forms of yoga, it focuses on asanas and kumbhaka. It’s perfect for a beginning yogi who wants to create a steady and mindful practice.

13. Karma Yoga

The yoga of action and selfless service. It involves doing one’s duties skillfully but without attachment to the fruits of those actions.

14. Kundalini

This is a spiritual intelligence that is curled up at the base of the spine. Kundalini yoga works to unblock stagnant energy through the help of breath, movement, and meditation. It’s purpose is to help one attain full kundalini activation to elevate the activity of the right hemisphere of the brain, thus increasing one’s spiritual connection to life and nature.

15. Mantra

A word, phrase, or sound repeated to help concentration during meditation. Just think of it like a tool to help keep your mind focused and with your intention.

16. Mudra

Hand gestures or seals directing the flow of energy in the body. Example: Bringing your thumb and forefinger together into “Gyan Mudra” symbolizes knowledge and wisdom.

17. Namaste

A common greeting to begin class, and literally means “I bow to you.” It comes from an intent to recognize and pay respect to the divine within another creature.

18. Niyama

The second limb of the Eightfold Path in yoga, referring to personal disciplines or observances like cleanliness, contentment, and self-study.

19. Om (Aum)

A sacred sound and spiritual symbol in yoga, generally chanted at the start or end of a practice. It represents the vibration of the universe where all life begins and returns. It aids in bringing focus and calmness to one’s self returning one’s Self to the center of being.

20. Pranayama

Control of the breath: “prana” is life force, and “ayama” means expansion. The essence of pranayama is to deeply connect with your body and quiet the mind.

21. Sadhana

The daily spiritual practice-one that could be a commitment to growth and self-discovery through yoga, meditation, or journaling.

22. Samadhi

The ultimate aim of yoga: a blissful state of union with the absolute. The process of the manifested meeting with the unmanifested together in harmony. In this union, the experience holds total awareness, presence, and peace within/without.

23. Sankalpa

A Sanskrit word that means a heartfelt intention or resolve. Setting a sankalpa during your practice can help you feel purpose and direction.

24. Santosha

Contentment and acceptance. This niyama will help you look for happiness and gratitude no matter your circumstances.

25. Shanti

Sanskrit for the word ‘peace’. You may find yourself hearing it chanted three times in a class to bring about inner and outer harmony.

26. Sutra

A few words and short, pithy teaching or thread of wisdom. For example, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali give insight into philosophy and practice.

27. Svadhyaya

Self-study or introspection. Yoga is not just about the asanas but also about learning more about oneself.

28. Tadasana

Otherwise known as Mountain Pose, this is a foundational stance of many standing poses. This invites good posture and connection to the ground.

29. Ujjayi Breath

A breathing technique often used in Vinyasa yoga: you breathe deeply through your nose while slightly constricting your throat. It makes this really soothing, ocean-type sound and helps to regulate your practice.

30. Vinyasa

A flowing sequence of postures linked with breath. Sometimes also called as “flow yoga,” Vinyasa emphasizes fluid transitions between postures.

31. Yama

Ethical observances for how you relate to the world: non-violence, truthfulness, and non-possessiveness.

32. Yogi/Yogini

A male yoga practitioner is called a yogi, and a female yoga practitioner is called a yogini. More than that, these terms identify one who lives a yogic lifestyle.