This glossary is your plain-language guide to the words you'll hear in yoga classes, teacher trainings, and studio conversations—from asana and pranayama to Yin, Yoga Nidra, and beyond.
Each term has its own dedicated page (300 words or less) so you can quickly understand what it means, how it shows up in class, and where to explore it next.
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The names you'll see on schedules: different ways to organize movement, breath, and rest.
Explore Aerial Yoga, the practice of performing poses in a suspended silk hammock.
Anusara Yoga is a heart-centered Hatha yoga practice that combines precise biomechanical alignment principles with a philosophy of intrinsic goodness and grace.
Explore the meaning of Ashtanga Yoga, a traditional and structured style.
Chair Yoga defined: An accessible form of yoga where poses are performed seated or using a chair for support—bringing the benefits of practice to anyone, regardless of mobility or physical limitations.
What is Gentle Yoga? Explore the benefits of this accessible, slow-paced practice.
Learn the definition of Hatha Yoga, the physical foundation of all modern yoga.
Hot Yoga defined: Yoga practiced in a heated room (90-105F) to promote sweating, flexibility, and detoxification.
Partner Yoga defined: A practice where two people support each other through yoga poses—deepening stretches, building trust, and creating connection through shared movement.
Power Yoga defined: A vigorous, fitness-focused style that emerged in the West, blending Ashtanga-inspired sequences with athletic intensity and creative freedom.
Discover the definition and benefits of Prenatal Yoga.
Discover the meaning of Restorative Yoga.
Discover Rocket Yoga, the dynamic style created by Larry Schultz.
Discover the meaning of Vinyasa Yoga, a dynamic style that links breath with movement.
Yin Yoga defined: A slow, meditative practice holding passive poses for 3-5 minutes to target connective tissue, increase flexibility, and cultivate stillness.
Yoga Nidra Defined: Also known as yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation practice that induces deep relaxation while maintaining conscious awareness.
The building blocks of any physical yoga class. Knowing these gives you confidence walking into any studio.
Half Lord of the Fishes (Ardha Matsyendrasana) defined: A seated spinal twist that wrings out tension, stimulates digestion, and honors the legendary yogi Matsyendra.
A clear definition of asana—yoga postures that build strength, mobility and mindful awareness.
Child's Pose (Balasana) defined: The resting pose of yoga—a gentle forward fold that calms the mind, releases the lower back, and offers refuge whenever you need it.
Boat Pose (Navasana) defined: A core-strengthening pose where you balance on your sit bones, building stability, focus, and the fire of disciplined practice.
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) defined: A powerful prone backbend where the body curves like an archer's bow—opening the entire front body while building back strength.
Breathwork defined: The only manual override for your Autonomic Nervous System.
Plow Pose (Halasana) defined: An inversion that stretches the spine and shoulders while calming the nervous system—named for the plow that turns the earth.
Kapalabhati is an energizing pranayama technique using rapid, rhythmic exhalations to cleanse the respiratory system, stimulate digestion, and awaken mental clarity.
Locust Pose (Salabhasana) defined: A prone backbend that strengthens the entire back body—building the foundation for deeper backbends through steady, patient effort.
Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) defined: A deep hip-opening pose that stretches the hip flexors while building leg strength and cultivating devotional energy.
Nadi Shodhana is a calming pranayama technique that alternates breathing between nostrils to balance the nervous system, quiet the mind, and prepare for meditation.
Revolved Chair Pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana) defined: A standing twist that combines the leg strength of Chair Pose with spinal rotation, building heat and challenging balance.
Pranayama Defined: The yogic practice of breath control and regulation to cultivate life force energy (prana).
Headstand (Sirsasana) defined: The 'king of asanas'—an inversion that builds strength, focus, and a new perspective on what the body can do.
Staff Pose (Dandasana) defined: The foundational seated pose—sitting with legs extended and spine tall, like a staff planted in the earth.
Reclined Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana) defined: A restorative hip opener performed lying down, opening the inner thighs and chest while promoting deep relaxation.
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) defined: The foundational standing pose that teaches alignment, grounding, and the art of standing with presence and intention.
Ujjayi Breath defined: The 'ocean breath' or 'victorious breath' that creates an audible, wave-like sound, builds internal heat, and anchors focus during yoga practice.
Standing Splits (Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana) defined: A standing balance and hamstring stretch where one leg reaches toward the ceiling while the torso folds forward.
Camel Pose (Ustrasana) defined: A kneeling backbend that opens the front body, challenges emotional vulnerability, and builds courage through heart-opening practice.
Vinyasa defined: The linking sequence of movements synchronized with breath that connects poses in a flowing practice.
Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana) defined: A full backbend that arches the body into a wheel shape—opening the heart, building strength, and cultivating the courage to be vulnerable.
Practices for presence, awareness, and mental clarity both on and off the mat.
Breathwork defined: The only manual override for your Autonomic Nervous System.
Dharana is the yogic practice of focused concentration—binding the mind to a single point.
Dhyana is the seventh limb of yoga—a state of sustained, effortless meditation where awareness flows continuously without interruption, bridging concentration and complete absorption.
Meditation defined: Learn how meditation rewires your brain's Default Mode Network, increases gamma wave activity, and creates measurable neurological changes—no incense required.
Sankalpa is a yogic intention or heartfelt resolve that aligns your actions with your deepest values, guiding practice and life from a place of inner truth.
Self-care in yoga is the intentional practice of attending to your physical, emotional, and mental needs through movement, rest, and awareness—not indulgence, but necessity.
Somatic refers to body-based awareness and practices that use physical sensation to process emotion, release tension, and restore wellbeing—the body as teacher.
The ancient wisdom and ethical framework underlying modern yoga practice.
Bandhas are internal energy locks used in yoga to help control the flow of prana, build stability, and enhance focus.
Chakra defined: The seven energy centers in yogic tradition that govern physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Dharana is the yogic practice of focused concentration—binding the mind to a single point.
Dharma defined: Your sacred duty, life purpose, and the cosmic order that governs right action.
Dhyana is the seventh limb of yoga—a state of sustained, effortless meditation where awareness flows continuously without interruption, bridging concentration and complete absorption.
Drishti defined: The focused gaze point used in yoga to steady the mind, improve balance, and deepen concentration during asana and meditation practice.
Guru defined: A spiritual teacher who guides students from darkness toward light—the remover of ignorance in the yoga tradition.
Japa defined: The meditative practice of repeating a mantra—silently, whispered, or aloud—to focus the mind and cultivate inner stillness.
Kleshas defined: The five afflictions or obstacles in yoga philosophy—ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, and fear of death—that cloud perception and create suffering.
Kriya Yoga defined: The yoga of action—a practical path combining discipline, self-study, and devotion.
Mantra Defined: Sacred sounds, words, or phrases repeated during meditation to focus the mind and cultivate spiritual awareness.
Mudra defined: Sacred hand gestures and body positions used in yoga and meditation to seal, direct, or channel energy—from the familiar prayer hands to intricate finger positions.
Namaste defined: The traditional Sanskrit greeting meaning 'I bow to you'—spoken with hands at heart to honor the light, divinity, or shared humanity in another person.
Niyama defined: The five personal observances of yoga—saucha, santosha, tapas, svadhyaya, and ishvara pranidhana.
Prana defined: The vital life force or energy that animates all living things in yoga philosophy—cultivated through breath, movement, and awareness to support health and spiritual growth.
Sadhana defined: Your dedicated spiritual practice—the daily discipline of yoga, meditation, and self-study that leads toward self-realization and inner transformation.
Samadhi defined: The eighth limb of yoga—a state of profound absorption where the meditator, meditation, and object of meditation merge into unified consciousness.
Samskara defined: The mental impressions, habits, and conditioned patterns that shape our perceptions, reactions, and tendencies.
Satsang defined: Gathering in the company of truth—being with wise teachers, practitioners, and teachings that support spiritual growth and self-understanding.
Yama defined: The five ethical restraints of yoga—ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha.
What you need to know about taking classes, finding teachers, and navigating studio culture.
Alignment in yoga defined: The precise positioning of the body in poses—protecting joints, maximizing benefits, and creating the conditions for awareness to deepen.
Drop-in class defined: A single yoga class you can attend without commitment.
Private session defined: One-on-one yoga instruction tailored to your specific needs, goals, and body.
RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) defined: Learn what this credential means, the different levels (200, 500), and how it helps you find qualified teachers.
Yoga Alliance defined: Learn about the largest international yoga registry, what RYS and RYT credentials mean, and how it shapes yoga education standards.
Yoga props defined: Blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets that support your practice.
Yoga retreat defined: Multi-day immersive experiences combining practice, rest, and renewal.
Yoga workshop defined: Extended sessions exploring specific topics in depth.
YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) defined: Learn what teacher training involves, from 200-hour foundations to advanced certifications, and what to expect.
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