Sanskrit Yoga Glossary
41 terms you will hear on the mat. Each entry includes pronunciation, definition, and exactly how the word appears in a VibrantYou class.
Showing 41 of 41 terms
Asana
ah-SAH-nah · Pose
A physical posture or pose practiced in yoga. Originally referring to a seated position for meditation, the term now encompasses all yoga poses. Asana is one of the eight limbs of yoga as described b…
Adho Mukha Svanasana
AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna · Downward-Facing Dog
One of the most widely recognised yoga poses, forming an inverted V-shape with the body. Adho means downward, Mukha means face, and Svana means dog. The pose stretches the hamstrings, calves, and sho…
Savasana
shah-VAHS-anna · Corpse Pose
The final resting pose at the end of a yoga class, lying flat on the back with eyes closed. Often called the most important pose in yoga, Savasana allows the body and mind to absorb the benefits of t…
Surya Namaskar
SOOR-yah nah-mah-SKAR · Sun Salutation
A flowing sequence of poses performed as a warm-up or as a practice on its own. The sequence links breath to movement through a series of forward folds, lunges, and backbends. Traditionally practised…
Tadasana
tah-DAH-sah-nah · Mountain Pose
The foundational standing pose from which all other standing asanas derive. Feet together or hip-width apart, spine long, arms relaxed at the sides. Tadasana teaches the principles of grounding and a…
Virabhadrasana I
veer-ah-bah-DRAH-sah-nah · Warrior I
The first of three Warrior poses, named after the fierce warrior Virabhadra from Hindu mythology. The front knee bends to ninety degrees over the ankle, the back leg is straight, the hips face forwar…
Virabhadrasana II
veer-ah-bah-DRAH-sah-nah · Warrior II
The second Warrior pose, distinguished by open hips and horizontally extended arms. The front knee bends deeply over the front ankle, hips open to the side of the mat, and the gaze reaches over the f…
Virabhadrasana III
veer-ah-bah-DRAH-sah-nah · Warrior III
A standing balance pose in which the body forms a T-shape: one leg extends straight back parallel to the floor while the standing leg bears the full bodyweight. Of the three Warrior poses it is the m…
Balasana
bah-LAH-sah-nah · Child's Pose
A gentle resting pose where the knees fold under the torso and the forehead rests on the mat. Arms can extend forward or alongside the body. Child's Pose relieves tension in the lower back and hips a…
Bhujangasana
boo-jahn-GAH-sah-nah · Cobra Pose
A prone backbend named for the cobra snake. Lying on the stomach, the hands press into the floor beside the lower ribs as the chest lifts forward and upward, elbows slightly bent. Strengthens the ent…
Trikonasana
tree-koh-NAH-sah-nah · Triangle Pose
A wide-legged standing pose with the legs straight and the torso extending to one side. One arm reaches toward the floor beside the front foot while the other extends upward toward the ceiling, creat…
Utkatasana
oot-kah-TAH-sah-nah · Chair Pose
A standing pose where the knees bend deeply as if sitting into an invisible chair while the arms reach overhead. Builds heat and strength in the legs, glutes, and core. The name translates as "fierce…
Paschimottanasana
pash-ee-moh-tah-NAH-sah-nah · Seated Forward Fold
Legs extended straight, torso folded forward over the legs. Deeply stretches the entire back body from the heels to the base of the skull. The name translates as "intense stretch of the west side of …
Setu Bandhasana
SAY-too bahn-DAH-sah-nah · Bridge Pose
Lying on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, the hips lift toward the ceiling forming a bridge shape. Strengthens the back extensors and glutes while opening the chest and hip flexor…
Matsyasana
mah-SYAH-sah-nah · Fish Pose
A supine backbend where the chest lifts and the crown of the head rests lightly on the floor, opening the throat and heart. Named for the fish (matsya) in Hindu mythology. Often practiced as a counte…
Vrksasana
vrik-SHAH-sah-nah · Tree Pose
A standing balance pose where one foot is placed on the inner calf or thigh of the standing leg while the arms reach overhead or press together at the heart. Builds single-leg stability, concentratio…
Uttanasana
oo-tah-NAH-sah-nah · Standing Forward Fold
From standing, the torso folds forward over the legs with hands reaching toward the floor or resting on the shins. Stretches the hamstrings and calves, decompresses the spine, and calms the nervous s…
Chaturanga Dandasana
chah-too-RAHN-gah dahn-DAH-sah-nah · Four-Limbed Staff Pose
A low push-up position where the body hovers parallel to the floor with elbows bent at ninety degrees and hugging the ribcage. One of the most demanding poses in a Vinyasa sequence, requiring upper b…
Ardha Chandrasana
ARE-dah chan-DRAH-sah-nah · Half Moon Pose
A balancing pose where the body extends horizontally from one standing leg, with one arm reaching toward the floor and the other extending upward toward the ceiling. The extended leg lifts parallel t…
Bakasana
bah-KAH-sah-nah · Crow Pose
An arm balance where the knees rest on the backs of the upper arms as the feet lift off the floor. Requires wrist strength, core engagement, and the willingness to shift weight forward over the hands…
Pranayama
prah-nah-YAH-mah · Breath Control
Breath control or breathing techniques. Derived from Prana (life force) and Ayama (extension or expansion). Pranayama practices regulate the breath to influence the flow of energy in the body and dir…
Ujjayi
oo-JAH-yee · Victorious Breath
A pranayama technique involving a slight constriction at the back of the throat that creates an audible ocean-like sound. The breath flows only through the nose. Ujjayi builds internal heat, steadies…
Nadi Shodhana
NAH-dee shoh-DAH-nah · Alternate Nostril Breathing
A pranayama practice where the breath alternates between the left and right nostril using the hand to close each side in turn. Nadi means "channel" and Shodhana means "purification." Research support…
Kapalabhati
kah-pah-lah-BAH-tee · Skull-Shining Breath
A pranayama technique involving rapid, forceful exhalations through the nose with passive inhalations. Kapalabhati translates as "skull shining," referring to the clarity of mind it produces. It gene…
Bandha
BAHN-dah · Lock or Seal
Muscular contractions or "locks" applied to specific areas of the body to contain and direct the flow of prana. The three primary bandhas are Mula Bandha (root lock at the pelvic floor), Uddiyana Ban…
Vinyasa
vin-YAH-sah · Flow
A style of yoga that links breath to movement in a flowing sequence. The word translates as "to place in a special way." Also refers to a specific transition sequence of Chaturanga, Upward-Facing Dog…
Hatha
HAH-tah · Sun and Moon / Force
The foundational style of yoga from which all modern physical yoga traditions derive. Hatha classes move at a deliberate pace with emphasis on alignment, breath awareness, and holding poses long enou…
Yin
yin · Passive / Receptive
A style of yoga where poses are held for three to seven minutes in a relaxed, passive manner to target the deep connective tissues, fascia, ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules, that active strengt…
Ashtanga
ash-TAHN-gah · Eight Limbs
A structured, traditional style of yoga codified by K. Pattabhi Jois that follows a fixed sequence of poses linked by vinyasa and controlled by Ujjayi breath, Drishti, and Bandha. Also refers to Pata…
Kundalini
koon-dah-LEE-nee · Coiled Energy
A primal energy described in Tantric philosophy as lying coiled at the base of the spine. Kundalini yoga uses dynamic movement, breathwork, chanting (mantra), and meditation to awaken and move this e…
Restorative
res-TOR-ah-tiv · Therapeutic Rest
A deeply therapeutic style of yoga using props, blankets, bolsters, and blocks, to support the body in fully passive poses held for five to twenty minutes. The goal is complete muscular release. By a…
Namaste
nah-mah-STAY · The Light in Me Honours the Light in You
A greeting meaning "the light in me honours the light in you." Derived from the Sanskrit words Nama (bow), As (I), and Te (you). In yoga it carries a specific acknowledgment of shared humanity and is…
Chakra
CHUHK-rah · Energy Centre / Wheel
An energy centre in the body. In yogic tradition there are seven main chakras running along the spine from the base to the crown of the head: Muladhara (Root), Svadhisthana (Sacral), Manipura (Solar …
Dharma
DHAR-mah · Righteous Duty / Path
The cosmic law and order; one's righteous duty or path in life. In yogic philosophy, dharma refers to living in alignment with one's true nature and contributing to the greater good of all beings. It…
Karma
KAR-mah · Action / Cause and Effect
The universal law of cause and effect. Actions performed with intention, on and off the mat, generate karmic energy that shapes future experience. Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, teaches that perform…
Ahimsa
ah-HIM-sah · Non-Violence
Non-violence; the first of the five Yamas (ethical observances) in Patanjali's eight-limbed path of yoga. Ahimsa applies to thoughts, words, and actions toward oneself and others. On the mat, it mean…
Om
ohm · The Primordial Sound
Om (also written Aum) is considered the primordial sound of the universe in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. In yoga philosophy it is the syllable from which all creation emanated, and its vibra…
Shanti
SHAN-tee · Peace
The Sanskrit word for peace. Often chanted three times, "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti", at the close of a practice. The triple repetition is said to invoke peace in body, speech (mind), and spirit. Shanti…
Mantra
MAHN-trah · Sacred Sound or Phrase
A sacred word, sound, or phrase used as a focal point in meditation or chanting. From the Sanskrit "man" (mind) and "tra" (instrument or tool). Repetition of a mantra calms the activity of the mind, …
Mudra
MOO-drah · Gesture or Seal
A symbolic hand gesture or seal used in yoga and meditation to direct the flow of prana (life force energy) in the body. Each mudra has a specific energetic effect. Common examples include Chin Mudra…
Drishti
DRISH-tee · Focused Gaze
A focused gazing point used during asana and meditation practice. Fixing the eyes on a single still point quiets the fluctuations of the mind and dramatically improves balance and concentration. In A…
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