48 yoga terms defined, from asana, vinyasa and drishti to bandha, savasana and namaste, each explained in a single line.
Yoga terminology runs on two tracks at once: the English a teacher cues with, and the Sanskrit the poses and the practices are actually named in. The words related to yoga below cover both, and the yoga glossary further down adds the words associated with yoga that a first class leaves unexplained, the yoga words for the styles, the breath work and the sounds at the end of a session.
Must-Know Yoga Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Asana
- Bandha
- Chakra
- Drishti
- Hatha
- Mantra
- Mudra
- Namaste
- Prana
- Pranayama
- Savasana
- Surya Namaskar
- Vinyasa
- Yoga mat
- Yogi
- Alignment
- Bhakti
- Core
- Downward Dog
- Flow
- Kundalini
- Meditation
- Om
- Pose
- Restorative
- Sequence
- Tadasana
- Ujjayi breath
- Warrior
- Zen
Yoga Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Ahimsa | Non-harming, the first of the yamas in Patanjali's ethical framework. In practice it covers how you treat your own body on the mat as well as everyone off it. |
| Alignment | How the body is arranged in a pose, joint over joint, so that the work goes where it should and the strain does not. |
| Asana | A yoga posture. The word originally meant seat, and it is the third of the eight limbs. |
| Ashtanga | A set sequence practice of fixed series linked by breath and drishti. Ashtanga also names Patanjali's eight limbs, which is where the style got its title. |
| Balasana | Child's Pose, kneeling with the torso folded forward. The default resting pose in most classes. |
| Bandha | An internal lock used to hold and direct energy. The three main ones are Mula Bandha at the pelvic floor, Uddiyana Bandha at the abdomen and Jalandhara Bandha at the throat. |
| Bhakti | The path of devotion, practised through chanting, prayer and offering rather than through posture. |
| Bikram | A style of 26 fixed postures and two breathing exercises, practised in a heated room to a set script. |
| Blocks | Foam or cork bricks used to bring the floor closer to the hands, the most common prop in a studio. |
| Bolster | A firm padded cylinder used to support the body in restorative and yin poses so it can stay there without effort. |
| Chakra | One of the energy centres described along the spine in yogic tradition, seven main ones from the base to the crown. |
| Chaturanga | Chaturanga Dandasana, the low plank with elbows tucked, held between plank and upward dog in a vinyasa. |
| Core | The muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis that stabilise the spine. Most balance work depends on them. |
| Downward Dog | Adho Mukha Svanasana, an inverted V with hands and feet on the floor and hips high. The pose classes keep returning to. |
| Drishti | A fixed point for the gaze, prescribed for each pose in some styles. It steadies balance and keeps attention in one place. |
| Flow | A class that moves continuously from pose to pose in time with the breath. Usually another word for vinyasa. |
| Guru | A teacher in the traditional sense, a lineage holder rather than simply someone leading a class. |
| Hatha | The physical branch of yoga, and in class listings usually a slower, pose-by-pose session rather than a flow. |
| Iyengar | A style built on precise alignment and long holds, using blocks, straps and belts extensively. Named after B.K.S. Iyengar. |
| Karma | Action and its consequences. Karma yoga is the path of selfless service, one of the classical branches. |
| Kriya | A set sequence of postures, breath and sound worked through as a unit, especially in Kundalini yoga. Also used for cleansing practices. |
| Kundalini | The energy described as coiled at the base of the spine, and the style of practice built around raising it through kriyas, breath, chanting and meditation. |
| Mantra | A sound, syllable or phrase repeated aloud or silently to steady the mind. |
| Meditation | Training attention deliberately, on the breath, a sound, or nothing in particular, until the mind settles. |
| Mudra | A symbolic gesture, most often made with the hands. Anjali Mudra is palms together at the chest, Gyan Mudra is thumb and index finger touching. |
| Nadi | A channel through which prana is said to move. Nadi Shodhana, alternate nostril breathing, takes its name from clearing them. |
| Namaste | A greeting made with the palms together, used at the start or end of class as an acknowledgement between teacher and students. |
| Om | The sacred syllable, chanted at the opening or close of a practice. Also written Aum. |
| Pose | The English word for asana. Every pose has a Sanskrit name, usually ending in asana. |
| Prana | Life force or vital energy, the thing breath work is understood to move. |
| Pranayama | Breath control, the fourth limb. It covers everything from slow even breathing to ratio work and retentions. |
| Restorative yoga | A slow practice of a few supported poses held for several minutes each, with props doing the holding. |
| Samadhi | The eighth and final limb, described as complete absorption, where the separation between observer and object falls away. |
| Sanskrit | The classical language the poses and texts are named in. It is why Downward Dog is also Adho Mukha Svanasana. |
| Savasana | Corpse Pose, lying still on the back at the end of a class to let the practice settle. |
| Sequence | The order poses are put in, built to open the body gradually and to lead somewhere rather than wander. |
| Shanti | Peace. Often chanted three times at the close of a practice, after Om. |
| Surya Namaskar | Sun Salutation, a linked series of poses used to warm the body at the start of a practice. |
| Sutra | A short aphorism. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the classical source text for the eight limbs. |
| Tadasana | Mountain Pose, standing upright and evenly weighted. The reference point every other standing pose is built from. |
| Ujjayi breath | Breathing in and out through the nose with a slight narrowing at the throat, which makes a soft ocean sound and paces the practice. |
| Vinyasa | Linking breath to movement so one pose flows into the next. Also the specific sequence from plank through chaturanga to upward and downward dog. |
| Warrior | The family of standing poses, Virabhadrasana I, II and III, used to build leg strength and stamina. |
| Yin yoga | Long passive holds on the floor, three to five minutes, aimed at connective tissue rather than muscle. |
| Yoga mat | The non-slip mat that marks out your space and keeps hands and feet from sliding. |
| Yoga Nidra | A guided practice done lying down, sometimes called yogic sleep, in which attention is led around the body while the practitioner stays awake. |
| Yogi | Someone who practises yoga. Yogini is the form used for a woman. |
| Zen | A school of Mahayana Buddhism centred on seated meditation. Its influence shows up in yoga mainly through mindfulness and breath awareness. |
#1 Asana
The term used for any of the physical postures practiced in yoga; these range from simple seated positions to more complex poses requiring flexibility and strength. Asanas are the building blocks of most yoga practices.
#2 Bandha
A term for the body locks in yoga that are used to control and regulate the flow of energy and assist in maintaining certain postures. There are three primary bandhas: Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha.
#3 Chakra
Chakras are conceived as an energy centers within the body, each corresponding to different physical and spiritual functions. There are seven main chakras, starting from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
#4 Drishti
Drishti is a focused gaze or concentrated intention used in yoga practice to develop concentrated attention and spiritual insight. Each asana has a prescribed drishti, which aids in balance and meditative focus.
#5 Hatha
Hatha is a branch of yoga that emphasizes physical exercises to master the body along with mind exercises to withdraw it from external objects. The word Hatha means forceful, alluding to its physical techniques.
#6 Mantra
A mantra is a sacred utterance, a sound, a syllable, word, or group of words believed to have psychological and spiritual power. Mantras may be chanted, sung, or silently repeated in meditation.
#7 Mudra
A Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture used in yoga and meditation practices to direct energy flow within the body. Each mudra has a specific purpose and can promote different states of mind, such as calmness, clarity, or energy. Common mudras include Gyan Mudra (for wisdom) and Anjali Mudra (for reverence).
#8 Namaste
Namaste is a traditional Indian greeting or gesture of respect, made by bringing the palms together before the face or chest and bowing. In yoga, it is often used at the beginning or end of classes as a sign of respect and a symbol of gratitude and connection between the teacher and students.
#9 Prana
Prana is the Sanskrit word for life force or vital energy, which permeates all living things. In yoga practice, controlling the flow of prana through breathing techniques and meditation is believed to improve health and increase vitality.
#10 Pranayama
Pranayama refers to the practice of breath control in yoga. It’s composed of various techniques that are designed to regulate the breath, which is thought to help control the mind and maintain physiological balance.
#11 Savasana
Savasana, also known as Corpse Pose, is a restorative posture typically practiced at the end of a yoga session. It encourages total relaxation of the body and mind, allowing practitioners to assimilate the benefits of their practice.
#12 Surya Namaskar
Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation, is a series of twelve yoga poses performed in a sequence to honor the sun. It is often used as a warm-up routine to build heat in the body and prepare it for further asanas.
#13 Vinyasa
Vinyasa is a style of yoga that links breath and movement into a flowing sequence of poses. This dynamic form of yoga is known for its cardio effect and ability to improve strength and flexibility.
#14 Yoga mat
A yoga mat is a specially designed mat that provides cushioning and traction for yoga practices. It helps define one’s personal space, provides comfort, and prevents slipping while performing yoga asanas.
#15 Yogi
A yogi is a person who practices yoga and follows the path of yoga as part of their spiritual, physical, and mental discipline. The term can apply to anyone engaged in regular yoga practice, regardless of their level of proficiency.
#16 Alignment
In yoga, alignment refers to the precise way in which the body should be positioned in each pose to maximize benefits while minimizing the risk of injury. Proper alignment is crucial for effective practice and involves positioning the limbs, joints, and torso in a way that aligns with the structural integrity of the body.
#17 Bhakti
Bhakti in yoga is the path of devotion and love toward the Divine, or one’s chosen representation of divinity. This spiritual practice emphasizes a personal relationship with the divine, in contrast to purely physical or meditative approaches.
#18 Core
In yoga, the core refers to the muscles around the abdomen, back, and pelvic area. Strengthening the core is essential for improving posture, balance, and stability, and is a focus in many yoga poses and sequences.
#19 Downward Dog
Downward Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is a foundational yoga pose that resembles an inverted V shape. It stretches the back, opens the chest, and strengthens the arms, making it a key component of many yoga flows.
#20 Flow
Flow, often referred to as Vinyasa, in yoga, is a dynamic style that sequences poses together synchronizing with the breath. It creates a smooth transition between postures, resembling a dance-like movement, enhancing physical and mental fluidity.
#21 Kundalini
Kundalini Yoga is a practice aimed at awakening the Kundalini energy situated at the base of the spine. It involves specific sets of exercises (kriyas), meditation, chanting, and breathing techniques to elevate consciousness.
#22 Meditation
Meditation in yoga is a practice of focusing the mind to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. It involves techniques such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.
#23 Om
Om (or Aum) is a sacred sound and a spiritual symbol in Indian religions. In the practice of yoga, chanting Om is believed to unify the chanter with the universe while slowing the body and calming the mind. It is often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions.
#24 Pose
In yoga, “pose” refers to the specific positions that the body is put into during practice to promote physical strength, flexibility, and mental concentration. Each pose, or asana, has unique benefits and a Sanskrit name.
#25 Restorative
Restorative yoga is a gentle style focused on relaxation and healing, using props like yoga bolsters and blankets to support the body in poses that are held for an extended period, typically 5-20 minutes.
#26 Sequence
A sequence in yoga is a structured series of poses that flow from one to another. Sequencing is designed with specific intentions, such as opening a particular part of the body or focusing on a certain energetic effect.
#27 Tadasana
Tadasana, or Mountain Pose, is a foundational standing yoga pose that teaches proper alignment and posture. It is often used as a starting position for standing poses and can help improve balance and stability.
#28 Ujjayi breath
Ujjayi breath, also known as “oceanic breath,” is a breathing technique employed in yoga in which inhalations and exhalations are done through the nose with a slight constriction in the back of the throat, creating a soothing sound.
#29 Warrior
The Warrior poses are integral to many yoga practices, enhancing physical and mental discipline and integrating the narrative of inner strength and combat against personal struggle.
#30 Zen
Zen, often associated with a school of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizes rigorous meditation-practice, insight into Buddha-nature, and the personal expression of this insight in daily life, especially for the benefit of others. In yoga, Zen can influence practices focusing on mindfulness and meditation, guiding yogis toward a peaceful and insightful state of mind.
FAQ
What do people say at the end of a yoga class?
Namaste, said with the palms together at the chest, is the usual close. Many classes also chant Om once at the start and once at the end, sometimes followed by shanti, meaning peace, repeated three times.
What do you call someone who practises yoga?
A yogi, or yogini for a woman. In everyday studio language people simply say practitioner or student, and yogi does not imply any particular level of experience.
What are the words used for yoga poses called?
They are Sanskrit names, and most of them end in asana, which means pose or seat. Downward Dog is Adho Mukha Svanasana, Mountain Pose is Tadasana, Corpse Pose is Savasana. Teachers usually give both the English and the Sanskrit.
What is another word for a yoga mat?
Sticky mat is the older term, from the grip that made the modern mat different from a rug. Traditionally practice was done on a folded blanket or a mat of woven grass, and yoga rug is still used for those.
What is a community class in yoga?
A class offered at a reduced price or by donation so cost is not a barrier. They are often taught by newer teachers and tend to be larger, with less individual correction than a full-price class.
What do yoga teachers say instead of exhale?
Breathe out, release the breath, let it go, empty the lungs, soften the breath out. Teachers vary the wording so the cue does not go flat, but the instruction is the same one every time.
They fall into poses (asana, Tadasana, Savasana, Balasana, Chaturanga, Warrior), breath and mind (pranayama, ujjayi, drishti, mantra, meditation, prana) and styles (hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, Iyengar, kundalini, yin). The glossary above holds all three groups.
What are some Yoga terms for beginners?
“Asana,” “Pranayama,” and “Savasana” are some Yoga terms beginners should start with. These help understand basic poses, breath control, and relaxation techniques in Yoga.
What are some funny Yoga terms?
“Downward Dog” and “Happy Baby” are some funny Yoga terms that add light-heartedness to the practice with their playful names reminiscent of pets and children.
What is a famous Yoga phrase?
“Namaste,” is a famous Yoga phrase, often used to end a practice, signifying respect and acknowledging the divine spark within everyone, connecting the individual with the universal.
