ESSENTIAL YOGA DICTIONARY

Sometimes, yoga people use words in Sanskrit during daily conversations without realizing that maybe the other person never heard those words before. Or maybe you are a yoga beginner and your teacher is saying Sanskrit words, and you are looking around trying to understand what to do next. I have to confess that I’m guilty in both cases, I use words in Sanskrit in and off the mat.

So, if you want to understand a little better that #yogajunkie in your life, here I’m translating for you, in plain English, some of the most common words that we usually use.

- Asana: physical practice of yoga postures. It is a synonym for pose.

- Bandhas: internal muscular ‘locks’. The 4 bandhas are:

• Mula Bandha: pelvic floor

• Uddiyana Bandha: abdominal muscles

• Jalandhara Bandha: throat

• Maha Bandha: perform simultaneously all 3 bandhas

- Drishti: gaze at a specific point. Nose, third eye, fingers or toes are common drishtis.

- Mantra: a repeated syllable, word or phrase, either out loud or in the mind. Om is the most common mantra used during a regular yoga class.

- Mudra: a hand gesture that helps maintain concentration during the asana or meditation practice.

- Namaste: a frequent greeting in Indian culture. Can be translated as “the light within me bows to the light within you”.

- Om or AUM: is considered the original syllable and has multitude of meanings. One of the most widespread is “the sound of the Universe”.

- Pranayama: controlled breathing. There are numerous of breathing techniques, one of the most popular is Ujjaji Pranayama or Ocean Breath.

- Sankalpa: is a Sanskrit term for intention, solemn vow or heartfelt desire.

- Shanti: the Sanskrit word for Peace.

I hope this list was useful for you. Now, you know Kung Fu, I mean Sanskrit!

If you enjoyed this post feel free to share with a friend in need.

And remember ‘there is no spoon’!

Gaby