When starting out on our yoga journey, it can feel a little daunting, not least because you may be exposed to lots of terms that you haven't heard before. You might have heard your teacher say a pose name in a different language. This was probably Sanskrit!
Sanskrit is the classical Indian language still used in yoga to define poses and practices. It is the language that the Hindu scriptures were written in, and the classical Indian Epic Poems. For this reason (along with its beauty and intricacy), it is sometimes referred to as "the language of the Gods". It emerged around 2000 years BCE and was once widely spoken in Central, South and Southeast Asia. It is thought that there are only around two million Sanskrit speakers in India today. It is from Sanskrit that many Northern Indian languages were derived.
Most Sanskrit terms have an English translation and you will find these are often used by your teacher as well as the Sanskrit term. After a while of attending classes, you will start to become familiar with some of the most commonly used terms and their meanings.
There are also lots of terms that are not Sanskrit but are unfamiliar to us when we are starting out on our yoga journey. For example, what does it mean when a class is described as 'open level'? What is a 'yoga bolster?' Which part of the body is the 'sacrum'?
To help with becoming more familiar with yoga terminology, we have put together a list of some of the most commonly used terms in yoga. It isn't necessary to know any yoga terms before starting to come to classes - your teacher will explain everything that you need to know. However, the information below might help if you would like to know more.
Types of Yoga
Ashtanga: This style of yoga is generally much more structured than other types. Ashtanga largely sticks to a set sequence of yoga postures (known as the Primary or Secondary series) that students move through at their own pace. Ashtanga is typically practiced early in the morning, up to six days a week.
Hatha: Hatha yoga is usually practiced at a slower pace, with more static postures, than is found in Vinyasa Yoga.
Kundalini: Kundalini yoga is a form of yoga that involves chanting, meditation, movement and breathwork, believed to awaken Kundalini energy that’s said to reside at the base of the spine. Kundalini energy moves up the spine through the seven Chakras leading to an expanded state of consciousness.
Restorative: A type of yoga that focuses on deep relaxation through long-held poses often supported by various yoga props.
Vinyasa: Vinyasa yoga is one of the most popular contemporary styles of yoga. During a vinyasa class, you will be guided through a number of poses at a steady pace which are strung together to form a sequence. Each movement is synchronized with your breath.
Yin: Yin Yoga is a slower, more meditative style of yoga. In Yin Yoga, the postures are held for longer periods of time (typically 3-5 minutes) to target the deepest connective tissues of the body (such as the ligaments, the tendons, the joints and the bones). As a result, the postures are passive holds with little muscular engagement.
Yoga Poses
Asana: The physical postures that are practiced during yoga classes. For example, a downward facing dog.
Chaturanga: A pose that shows up a lot in vinyasa and ashtanga yoga. From plank pose, we lower the body until the elbows are in line with the shoulders. It can be modified by lowering the knees.
Downward Facing Dog: A common yoga pose which stretches the hamstrings. The hips are lifted up high with the hands and feet on the floor.
Forward Folds: Any posture where the front of the upper body comes towards the lower body. There are standing forward folds, seated forward folds and reclined forward folds. These are generally thought of as calming and introspective postures because they mimic the protective foetal position, drawing our energy and attention inwards.
Plank Pose: Plank pose is a strengthening and balancing pose that prepares the arms and core body for more advanced arm-balancing postures.
Savasana: The final resting pose at the end of a yoga class. Usually spent lying down on your back. Also called corpse pose.
Warrior II: Warrior two pose is the second of three related powerful standing postures that improve strength and flexibility. In this pose, the legs are placed in a lunge position with the forward knee at a 90 degree angle. The arms stretch out in opposite directions, in alignment with the body, which is facing forwards.
Warrior III: A balance pose where the back leg lifts off the ground as the anchored leg straightens. The torso tilts forward until the arms, torso and back leg are parallel with the floor.
Sun Salutations: A practice in yoga incorporating a sequence of a number of asanas (poses). The basic sequence involves moving from a standing position into downward and upward dog poses, but many variations are possible.
Tadasana: Also known as Mountain Pose. Tadasana is the starting and finishing position of all Sun Salutation sequences, in addition to its use as a resting pose between other more strenuous postures.
Yoga Equipment
Blanket: A prop used to support the body during our physical yoga practice. It can be used in many ways, for example, as cushioning under the knee, or to sit on to lift the pelvis making forward folds easier to achieve.
Bolster: A firm pillow or cushion designed to support your body in yoga poses. Bolsters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from rectangular to round, thin or thick. Bolsters are very popular in yin yoga, pregnancy yoga, and restorative yoga classes where the bolster can deepen the stretch without straining joints or bones.
Brick: A yoga brick is a popular prop used in classes. Made from foam, wood or cork, they provide a firm surface over a combination of heights. Bricks can be used to make postures more accessible and our practice more comfortable, e.g., by providing a surface to place our hands onto in poses where they do not reach the floor.
Strap/Belt: A simple, lightweight prop used during yoga practice to increase flexibility, stabilise joints, and create space in your body.
Levels of Yoga Classes
Open Level: Open level classes are suitable for everyone. The teacher will provide different options to suit those in the class, including beginners and those wanting more challenging options.
Level 1: Level 1 classes are suitable for those new to yoga. The directions are detailed and clear, and the pace isn’t too fast.
Level 2: A more advanced class where it is helpful to have some knowledge of basic yoga postures, including sun salutations.
Other Yoga Terms
Chakras: Seven wheels of energy that are believed to be centered along the spine, from the base of the pelvis up to the crown of the head. Each chakra is often associated with a different colour, moving from red (at the base of your pelvis) to purple (at the crown of your head).
Drishti: Focused gaze, or the practice of looking at a fixed point during yogic practice (for example, to help with balance).
Heart Centre: The space at the centre of the chest, where the sternum bone is.
Meditation: A formal practice engaged in for a set amount of time which involves cultivating a state of awareness by way of paying purposeful and non-judgmental attention to the present.
Mindfulness: The act of paying attention, noticing and being present in whatever we are doing.
Mudra: A hand gesture held during meditation for a symbolic purpose.
Namaste: A salutation said at the beginning or end of a class to acknowledge the inner light inside of all beings. Usually, this is said whilst pressing the palms against one another in front of the heart center, bowing the head towards the hands.
Pranayama: Breathing exercises
Proprioception: Awareness of the body in space
Sacrum: A large triangular bone in the base of the spine. It is comprised of five vertebrae that fuse together during adulthood.
Sanskrit: An ancient language of Southeast Asia. In yoga, many things are referred to by their Sanskrit name, including yoga poses, types of yoga, and philosophical concepts.
Sit/Sitting Bones: Bones located in the lower part of the pelvis. The two sharp protrusions on the underside of the glutes which are in contact with the ground when the person is in a seated position.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A set of eight steps or guidelines to live a meaningful and purposeful life, written by Patanjali, an ancient sage, between 500 BCE and 400 CE. They include ethical and moral standards (yamas), spiritual and self-discipline observances (niyamas), yoga postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and absorption (samadhi). They are considered a roadmap to inner peace and self-realisation.
Ujjayi Breath: The ocean sounding breath or victorious breath. This is a popular type of conscious breathing or pranayama used during vinyasa yoga. The sound is created using a subtle constriction at the back of the throat (as if fogging and unfogging a mirror)
Yoga Sutras: One of the most popular Ancient Indian texts written by the sage Patanjali that describes a coherent and detailed philosophy of the practice of yoga.
If you are hearing any yoga terms in classes that are not mentioned above, please let us know and we will add them to the list.
Emily x
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