Yoga Glossary

Ajna Chakra:

The sixth chakra, also called the Sun Chakra or Brow Chakra is located at the point between the eyebrows. It is often referred to as the "third eye". It is the center of imagination, concentration, and intuition.

Anahata Chakra:

The fourth chakra, also called the Venus Chakra or Heart Chakra is located behind the heart. It is the center of compassion, love and devotion.

Ananda Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that teaches affirmations, or positive thoughts, to accompany different poses. It uses poses to clear and energize the body in preparation for meditation while simultaneously focusing on the postures to heighten self-awareness.

Asana:

The third stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is the postures or poses designed to help master control of the mind and body to prepare the body for meditation.

Ashram:

A peaceful retreat where yoga is taught and practiced.

Ashtanga:

Literally means "eight limbs". It refers to the eight stages or limbs of yoga as described in Pantanjali's The Yoga Sutras." These eight steps basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

Ashtanga Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that includes an intense physically challenging workout, also referred to as "power yoga". It places equal emphasis on strength, flexibility and stamina while it synchronizes movements with breath in a continual flow of action to create heat which produces a cleansing or detoxifying effect of the body.

Astral Body:

Yogic philosophy sees the body as a vehicle for the soul in its journey toward enlightenment and as such is really three "bodies". The astral body is the vehicle of the spirit corresponding with the mind. It contains the prana, intellect and emotions. It is higher than the physical body, but below the causal body.

Ayurveda:

A medical science that originated in India five thousand years ago and is based on the existence of a primal energy and the belief that when an individual's energy flow is smooth, health is maintained. Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that recognizes the importance of mind-body balance.

Bhagavad Gita:

One of India's most beloved and famous sacred texts, it is the epic story of Arjuna, a warrior prince, who confronts moral dilemmas and is led to a better understanding of reality through the intercession of the god Krishna. It provides the philosophical basis of yoga.

Bhakti Yoga:

A branch or path of yoga. It is the path of love and devotion which sees the Divine in all of creation and places devotion to the Divine ahead of everything else. It provides us with an opportunity to cultivate acceptance and tolerance for everyone we come into contact with.

Bikram Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that emphasizes a high-energy workout and sweating which focuses on cleansing the body from the inside out. It is also referred to Choudhury Yoga or the Yoga College of India.

Brahman:

A Hindu priest, also an Indian caste.

Breath of Fire:

See Kapalabhati

Causal Body:

Yogic philosophy sees the body as a vehicle for the soul in its journey toward enlightenment and as such is really three "bodies". The causal body is the subtlest of the three bodies. It houses the spirit and contains the karmic blue-print that determines the person you are. It is higher than the physical and astral bodies.

Chakras:

The seven major energy centers in the astral body; they correspond to nerve centers located along the spine in the physical body. They move in ascending order starting with the base of the spine, the genitals, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, between the eyebrows and the crown of the head.

Ch'i:

Chinese word for life force.

Corpse Pose:

See Shavasana

Crown Chakra:

See Sahasrara Chakra

Dharana:

The sixth stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is the practice of concentration which precedes meditation. It strives to slow down and discipline the mind so that it becomes single-pointed and focused. Extended periods of concentration naturally lead to meditation.

Dharma:

One's duty or path in life; the duty of being true to oneself.

Dhyana:

The seventh stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is contemplation or meditation. At this stage the mind has been quieted, and in the stillness, it produces few or no thoughts at all which allows the achievement of a state of profound mental and emotional calm and to focus on the inner person or soul.

Dristi:

A soft gaze, focus or awareness that keeps you attentive to what your body is doing in relation to your breath and your mind. Depending on the posture you may focus on the tip of the nose, the thumb, the third-eye point (an internal point located behind the middle of the forehead, the horizon line or a point on the floor or wall in front of you.

Guru:

A spiritual teacher or advisor who helps direct the yogi or yogini toward enlightenment.

Hatha Yoga:

A branch or path of yoga. It is the path that deals primarily with control of the physical body and consists of asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercises), and meditation.

Heart Chakra:

See Anahata Chakra

Hinduism:

The major religion of India.

Integral Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that combines all the paths of yoga: asana (postures), pranayama (controlled breathing), meditation, prayer, chanting, selfless service and self-inquiry into one approach. Emphasis is placed on relaxation, alignment, and finding your comfort center while practicing yoga.

ISHTA Yoga:

An emerging style or school of hatha yoga taught at Yoga Zone studios. The acronym ISHTA stands for the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayerveda and is derived from the Sanskrit word ishta which means "personalized" and is a style of yoga that adapts to the needs of the individual.

Iyengar Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that focuses on alignment, symmetry and technique. This style of yoga also relies a lot on props: wood blocks, benches, chairs, sandbags, blankets, bolsters and straps as a support system to achieve greater symmetry and extension in the posture. It is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the West.

Jnana:

Knowledge or wisdom.

Jnana Yoga:

A branch or path of yoga. It is the path of the mind and requires development of the intellect through the study of the scriptures and texts of the yogic tradition.

Jupiter Chakra:

See Svadhishthana Chakra

Kapalabhati:

A breathing exercise involving rapid abdominal breathing which is carried out to cleanse the respiratory tract; also called "Breath of Fire". This is one of the 6 kriyas, or cleansing exercises.

Karma:

Literal translation of this Sanskrit word means "action". Karma operates through the law of cause and effect, meaning that everything happening to you is the effect of your past actions.

Karma Yoga:

A branch or path or yoga. It is the path of selfless service by performing actions without wanting reward or payment. The principle of Karma Yoga is that what we experience today is created by our actions in the past. Therefore, all of our present efforts become a way to consciously create a future that frees us from being bound by negativity and selfishness.

Kripalu Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that teaches the basic mechanics of yoga postures and introduces the concepts of breathwork. It is less concerned with the structural detail of the postures and is a more inner-directed form of yoga. It emphasizes the student's mental and emotional states as the poses are held and encourages a gentle, compassionate and introspective approach. Kripalu teachers emphasize the importance of accepting the body, encouraging students to note where tension is held or simply to recognize their strengths and weaknesses.

Kriyas:

Six cleansing and energizing techniques for purification of the physical body; purity of the body encourages purity of the mind.

Kundalini:

The primordial cosmic energy dormant within each individual. It is often described as a serpent, coiled at the base of the spine. Through practice, this energy is awakened and moves up through the spine.

Kundalini Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga. It is a path centered around awakening and employing kundalini energy stored at the base of the spine. It uses the breath, postures, chanting and meditation to stimulate and move this energy up the spine.

Lotus Flower:

Symbolizes our human spiritual evolution. The root in the soil represents our lowest nature. The stem, which develops from water, denotes our intuitive endeavors; and the flowering lotus blossom, which develops from the sun, represents self-realization.

Mala:

A string of 108 beads; it is a tool to help focus the mind for meditation. The string of beads is held in the right hand. Each bead is rolled with the thumb and a finger, one by one, as you repeat and focus on your mantra.

Mandala:

Beautiful, usually circular, geometric design that draws your eyes to the center and is used as an object of focus for concentration and meditation.

Manipura Chakra:

The third chakra, also called the Mars Chakra or Solar Plexus Chakra is located on the spine behind the navel. It the center of true energy, willpower and our sense of self. It is involved in the digestive process and distributes the life force to all parts of the body.

Mantra:

A syllable, word or phrase used to focus the mind during meditation. It can be repeated mentally or out loud. Om is the best known mantra.

Mars Chakra:

See Manipura Chakra

Meditation:

The state of consciousness characterized by mental stillness and inner calm coupled with an intense awareness. The goal is to free the mind from the stream of thoughts that usually inhabit it and the attainment of supreme spiritual peace.

Mercury Chakra:

See Vishuddha

Mindfullness Meditation:

A form of meditation originally developed in the Buddhist traditions of Asia and can be defined as awareness of each moment as it occurs. Your body, mind, feelings, mental states, perceptions, sounds and sights are all equally recognized with the intention to understand what is actually taking place beneath your concepts, thoughts or ideas of what is occurring.

Mountain Pose:

See Tadasana

Muladhara Chakra:

The first chakra, also called the Saturn Chakra or Root Chakra is located at the base of the coccyx in the lower spine. It is the center of physical vitality and energy. It is the anchor or foundation chakra in which a coiled energy lies sleeping like a serpent. When awakened through yoga this energy (or kundalini) travels up the spine through all the chakras.

Mudras:

Hand positions that direct the life current or prana in specific directions through the body.

Nadis:

In Yogic theory there are about 72,000 nadis or subtle tubes in the astral body. They equate to the acupuncture meridians.

Namaste:

The traditional expression of greeting and farewell practiced among yogis and performed with the hands placed in prayer position at the heart center. It is usually accompanied with a bowing of the head and body. It means "The Divine in me salutes the Divine in you."

Namaste Mudra:

A mudra or hand position in which the hands are placed together in prayerlike fashion to honor the inner light.

Niyamas:

The second stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is a collection of five observances or personal disciplines. The five niyamas are purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and living with an awareness of the Divine.

Om:

A sacred monosyllable often written as "Aum" commonly used as a mantra during meditation and representative of the absolute or oneness of the universe.

Patanjali:

A sixth-century Indian scholar who collected all the known knowledge of yoga and organized it into a treatise called the Yoga Sutras which describes all the techniques and aims of yoga.

Phoenix Rising Yoga:

An emerging style or school of hatha yoga based on the Kripalu style and is a combination of classical yoga poses married to elements of mind-body psychology. It's immensely therapeutic, incorporating poses for inner awareness, mental acuity, emotional stability and physical balance, as well as spiritual awareness.

Physical Body:

Yogic philosophy sees the body as a vehicle for the soul in its journey toward enlightenment and as such is really three "bodies". The physical body is the body we see. It is the body that is born, grows and eventually dies while the other two: the astral and causal bodies continue on to the hereafter. It is the lowest of the three bodies.

Power Yoga:

An emerging style or school of hatha yoga based on the Ashtanga style of yoga. This physical form of yoga incorporates both a strong mind and body workout. Practiced in a sequence of postures, power yoga builds strength and focus while unwinding tight joints and muscles.

Prana:

Universal energy or life force which sustains all life. We take in prana or energy from the food we eat, the air we breathe and from sunshine. Yoga postures, good food, sunlight, fresh air, correct breathing techniques and meditation can all encourage prana to flow through the astral body in the nadis.

Pranayama:

The fourth stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is the breathing exercises designed to help you master control of your breath to prepare the body and mind for meditation.

Pratyahara:

The fifth stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is the practice of drawing inside of oneself by training the mind to shift awareness away from the external world, resting instead on what is going on within. It is the withdrawal of the mind from the senses in order to still the mind and is an essential first step in meditation.

Raja:

Royal or ruler.

Raja Yoga:

A branch or path of yoga also known as the "royal" path, and "classical" yoga. It is considered the highest form of yoga. It concentrates on physical and mental control and meditation is the focal point. The practice of raja yoga typically starts with hatha yoga, which gives the body the needed health and strength to endure the more advanced stages of training.

Rajasic Foods:

Foods that cause excessive energy and agitation, leading to discomfort. They create a distracting, restless state of mind. Rajasic foods include stimulants such as onion, garlic, coffee, black tea, sugary foods, chocolate and spicy and salted foods. Tobacco is also considered rajasic. A healthy yogic diet would limit these types of foods.

Root Chakra:

See Muladhara Chakra

Sacral Chakra:

See Svadhishthana Chakra

Sahasrara Chakra:

The seventh chakra, also called the Thousand Petaled Lotus Chakra or Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It is the center of self-realization, perspective, unity, and enlightenment.

Samadhi:

The eighth stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is the enlightened and ecstatic state of supreme consciousness and union. It is the ultimate goal of yoga when the meditator comes to realize a profound connection to the Divine and an interconnectedness with all living things.

Sanskrit:

An ancient literary language of India. Early yoga literature and terms were written in Sanskrit.

Sattvic Foods:

Foods that promotes health, vitality, strength, and tranquility. They calm the mind and sharpen the intellect, maintaining mental poise throughout the day. They are also soothing and nourishing to the body. Sattvic foods include raw fruits and raw or lightly cooked vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole-grain bread, dairy products such as cheese and butter, and herbal tea. They are additive and chemical free. A healthy yogic diet would concentrate on these types of foods.

Saturn Chakra:

See Muladhara Chakra

Shavasana:

Also known as the Corpse Pose, this pose is meant to bring the body and mind into total, conscious relaxation.

Sivananda Yoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that teaches a five-point philosophy, including breath, relaxation, diet, exercise and positive thinking. The classes follow a standard format based on a routine of breathing exercises, sun salutations, a series of 12 classic yoga postures and relaxation.

Solar Plexus Chakra:

See Manipura Chakra

Sun Chakra:

See Ajna Chakra

Sun Salutation:

See Surya Namaskara

Surya Namaskara:

The Salutation to the Sun which is a series of 12 fluid postures coordinated with the breath that move from pose to counterpose giving you an easy, energizing workout. It is customarily done in the morning at sun rise.

Svadhishthana Chakra:

The second chakra, also called the Jupiter Chakra or Sacral Chakra is located on the spine near the genitals. It is the center of sexuality, passion, and the creation of life.

Swami:

A holy man.

Tadasana:

The basic standing posture in yoga, also called Mountain Pose. It begins and ends all the standing postures. The practice of this pose establishes the fundamentals of placement and alignment, the principles of which will be carried out in all standing poses. The emphasis in this posture is on creating a foundation of stability and symmetry.

Tamasic Foods:

Foods that contribute to lethargy, laziness, and inactivity. They are thought to decrease motivation and purpose, and are associated with depression. Overeating is also considered tamasic. Tamasic foods include meat, fish, eggs, drugs, and alcohol, as well as any foods that have been fermented, burned, fried or reheated many times. Mushrooms, because they grow in darkness, are also considered tamasic. A healthy yogic diet would limit these types of foods.

Tantra Yoga:

A branch or path of yoga. It is the pathway of ritual designed to awaken the kundalini energy in the body. Practitioners experience the Divine in all of life's activities including the consecration of relationships and the divine nature of sexuality and use ceremonies, customs and rituals as opportunities to experience union with the greater life force.

Third Eye Chakra:

See Ajna Chakra

Thousand Petaled Lotus Chakra:

See Sahasrara Chakra

Throat Chakra:

See Vishuddha

Transcendental Meditation:

A form of meditation, also known as TM, that involves the mental repetition of a mantra. Traditionally, you can only receive a mantra from a teacher, one who knows you and your particular needs. Transcendental Meditation was founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1960's, whose most famous disciples were The Beatles.

Tri-Yoga Yoga:

An emerging style or school of hatha yoga that incorporates a series of continuous, flowing postures accompanied by background music. It integrates asana, pranayama and meditation practice and is divided into seven levels, ranging from basic beginner to advanced.

Vedanta:

The philosophy on which yoga theory is based.

Venus Chakra:

See Anahata Chakra

Viniyoga:

A style or school of hatha yoga that emphasizes integrating poses and breathing. Awareness of the breath is central in this style and inhalation and exhalation are stressed a great deal throughout a class. It is an individualized, step-by-step approach that adjusts teaching to the level and needs of the students.

Vinyasa:

A steady flow of connected yoga asanas linked with breathwork in a continuous movement. It is a particularly dynamic form of yoga. The Sun Salutation is one example of a vinyasa yoga routine.

Vishuddha Chakra:

The fifth chakra, also called the Mercury Chakra or Throat Chakra is located at the throat. It is the center concerned with how we communicate and express ourselves in the world.

Yamas:

The first stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is a collection of five abstinences or principles governing the way to relate to other people. The five yamas are nonviolence, nonlying, nonstealing, moderation in sensual activities, and nonpossessiveness.

Yoga:

A term derived from the Sanskrit word "yug" meaning to join together, to yoke or to unite. It is a set of various techniques to unite the mind, body and spirit within the individual and to unite the individual with the Divine, the infinite or the universe.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

A collection of one hundred and ninety-five statements compiled two thousand years ago by an Indian sage named Patanjali giving guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth. It is the source of Patanjali's Eightfold Path of Ashtanga and has largely defined the modern concept of yoga.

Yogi:

A male student of yoga.

Yogini:

A female student of yoga.