Yoga is more than just an exercise principle. It is an entire philosophy which integrates science and art with the needs of our mind and body. Like any philosophy, there are several common words that will “pop up” during your practice.
This dictionary will help define some of the more frequently used ones:
A
placing your body in a relatively correct (ideal) position to help reduce excess stress and strain. In Alignment yoga, we seek to become aware of what your ideal alignment is and make small movements to bring your body back to its natural state.
A form of hatha yoga which combines the principles of universal alignment with the philosophy of connecting with the good. Anusara literally means following your heart.
A yogic posture or series of postures.
A modern form of hatha yoga, derived by Krishnamacharya-Pattabhi Jois. The idea behind this principle is to bring awareness in all of the eight limbs of yoga (following Putanjali’s principle in the Yoga Sutra). This form of yoga is a fluid, fast paced principle, which encourages you to focus your mind on the specific needs of your body.
Being conscious of the needs of both your mind and body. This is the principle focus of all forms of yoga.
An eastern form of wellness and medicine which believes that we are each primarily one of three doshas: vata, Pitta or kapha. When we focus on wellness and medicine, we need to be aware of the specific requirements of our doshas and act accordingly.
B
Asanas in all forms of yoga whose main focus is on building and strengthening balance. The balance poses helps integrate yoga’s belief that the mind and body must work together.
Asanas in all forms of yoga whose main focus is on building and strengthening balance. The balance poses helps integrate yoga’s belief that the mind and body must work together.
Developed by yogiraj bikram choudhury. Bikram yoga is a heated yoga class based on a series of 26 asana’s. The main focus is on warming, strengthening and building the muscles.
Defined as the yoga of devotion. This form of yoga focuses on concentrating your entire self: mind, body, emotions and senses on the Divine.
Support tools used to assist in some of the more complicated postures. Often used in restorative and prenatal/postnatal yoga.
A smaller support tool in the shape of a brick. These tools are used to help improve alignment, posture and help maintain challenging positions.
C
The Sanskrit word for wheel. They are described as the seven wheels of life. Each chakra represents an area of energy around our body.
A form of yoga which focuses on strengthening the spine, abdominal muscles and our breath. When we build core strength it helps strengthen our alignment and allows our body to move more readily into challenging postures.
Commonly known as savasana. This asana is typically done at the end of a yoga posture. The intention is to quiet the mind and body.
D
The concept of cosmic rightness and order. It is the law that governs the universe.
The sixth step in Patanjali’s yoga sutra. It is the stage of concentration.
The seventh step of patanjali’s yoga sutra. It is the stage of meditation.
(Adho mukha svanasana) Probably the most commonly known yoga asana. It is frequently used in all forms of hatha yoga. This simple inversion pose has a multitude of benefits including stilling the mind and energizing the body.
A technique that helps develop concentration. This is a gazing technique where the practitioner is taught to place their eyes in one of nine specific points.
E
The ultimate goal of the yogic path. When we reach enlightenment we are fully aware of our physical beings needs and are able to transcend them. This is the final stage of patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga.
F
A fluid form of yoga where the asana’s seem to connect in a dance like form. This class works on synchronizing the breath with the movement.
With the final intent being to create a healthy yoga habit. This 40 day challenge encourages you to participate in an hour yoga class every day for 40 days.
G
A spiritual teacher, leader, mentor.
A mythical eagle-like bird after which a pose is named (Garuda Asana).
H
The most commonly known form of yoga. The philosophy behind the class is building the union between the sun (Ha) and moon (tha). The focus of this form is to find universal harmony by practicing the asanas and yogic breath.
This is a fast paced, heated form of yoga whose intent is to focus the mind and discover your personal strength and energy developed quasi simultaneously by two American teachers Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest. Another name often associated with power yoga is Baron Baptiste, whom we salute as one of our teachers and take our inspiration from.
I
Asana’s that are practiced in an inverted (upside down) position. Inversions are believed to help strengthen the heart, lungs and thyroid.
Developed by Alan Finger. This form of yoga focuses on incorporating the chakras with the common yoga asanas and breath.
Developed by Yogi Iyengar. This form of yoga focuses on three main aspects: proper body alignment, pranayama (yogic breath) and asana’s (yogic postures).
J
Joyful, happy, delighted, blissful, ecstatic, pleasurable – all by products of your yoga practice.
K
Often touted as the “breath yoga”, this form of yoga combines active (dynamic) breathing, meditation, mantras and movements.
Doing or making action.
It is a service by helping people in all good ways.
L
Love everyone.
M
A common saying or chant (often one or two words) used to help develop focus and meditation.
This most common tool used in yoga. A yoga mat helps maintain balance and provides additional comfort and protection for your body. The mats can be made from a variety of materials: but should be slip and sweat resistant.
N
A common salutation said at the end of a yoga class. The Sanskrit meaning is “I bow to you”. It is believed that there is divine energy in each of u. It is said as a form of respect and honour from the instructor to the class and from the class to the instructor.
Yoga nidra is defined as a state of deep sleep. In this class, you are a guided into a state of deep relaxation and meditation.
The second limb of patanjali’s theory. The focus of niyama is building relationships and connections. It teaches us how to live with others and to practice living with good intentions.
O
A common mantra believed to be the sound of the universe.
P
See hot power yoga
Yogic breath. An energizing controlled breathing technique that incorporates the entire body and mind. It helps build awareness to all regions and can energizing, restorative and relaxing depending on your specific needs.
The Sanskrit word for vital life.
The fifth limb of Patanjali’s yoga sutra. The focus of this limb is on sense withdrawal. The focus is on building strength in both posture and breath in order to successfully to gain control and eventually withdraw from the needs of the senses.
Q
Yoga is an inquiry process keep asking Y.
R
A slower paced form of yoga where the intent is on becoming conscious of your specific body’s needs and restoring health back to your mind and body.
S
See corpse pose.
A bone in the lower back between the pelvis and hipbones.
The final stage of Patanjali’s eight limb philosophy. This is the stage of enlightenment.
(Surya Namaskar) a connected series of asanas (postures) often done at the beginning of a yoga class as a way to greet the day. This series may vary from class to class.
T
A burning effort which involves purification, self-discipline and austerity.
U
See pranayama.
Sitting down near or sitting close to a Guru to receive spiritual instructions, The Upanishads are sacred Hindu text dealing with metaphysical questions and core teachings of Vedanta.
V
“Breath-synchronized movement” – Covers a broad range of yoga classes. This style is sometimes also called flow yoga, because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance. Power yoga is a Vinyasa flow.
Knowledge, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism, revealed by saints and sages of India.
Y
The first limb of Patanjali’s philosophy. The focus of the five yama’s is to develop self restraint so that we can live in harmony with others.
A form of yoga whose focus is on strengthening the body’s connective tissues.
An individual (male/ female) who practices the art of yoga.
To join, unite or yoke.
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