Yoga Terms

Question 1

1. RESTRAINTS

Attitude toward our environment

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 1

1. YAMA

Represent ethical rules within yoga

The Yamas are the “don’t do these” list of self-restraints, typically representing commitments that affect one’s relations with others and self.

Question 2

2. OBSERVANCES

Attitude towards ourselves

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 2

2. NIYAMA

The complementary Niyamas represent the “do these” list of observances, and together Yamas and Niyamas are personal obligations to live well.​

Question 3

3. POSTURES

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 3

3. ASANAS

Question 4

4. BREATHING

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 4

4. PRANAYAMA

Prana: life force, vital energy (particularly the breath)

Ayama: extend or draw out

The art of breath control

Question 5

5. WITHDRAWAL OF THE SENSES

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 5

5. PRATYAHARA

Prati: against or away

Ahara: food or anything we take into ourselves from the outside

Control of ahara

Gaining mastery over external influences

In yogic thought there are three levels of ahara, or food. The first is physical food that brings in the five elements necessary to nourish the body—earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The second is impressions, which bring in the subtle substances necessary to nourish the mind—the sensations of sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell that constitute the subtle elements: sound/ether, touch/air, sight/fire, taste/water, and smell/earth. The third level of ahara is our associations, the people we hold at heart level who serve to nourish the soul and affect us with the gunas of sattva, rajas, and tamas (the prime qualities of harmony, distraction, or inertia).

Question 6

6. CONCENTRATION

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 6

6. DHARANA

Holding, holding steady, single focus

The last three limbs of Ashtanga yoga — dharana, dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (enlightenment) — are collectively referred to as sanyam, which means “control.” Patanjali explains dharana as the binding of attention to anything more than a single spot. He also states that the last three limbs should be considered together, as they are progressive stages of concentration.

Practicing dharana leads the practitioner to dhyana, which is the next stage of Ashtanga yoga. Dharana is the practice of concentrating on a particular subject, and dhyana is the state in which total concentration is achieved. This eventually leads to the eighth limb, samadhi, which is the deepest stage of concentration.

Question 7

7. MEDITATION

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 7

7. DYANA

Dhi: receptacle, the mind

Dhyai (alternative root word): to think of

yana: moving, going

Dhyana is a refined meditative practice that requires deep mental concentration. This kind of meditation is taken up only after engaging in preparatory exercises.

The term, dhyana, appears in the Bhagavad Gita, which outlines the four branches of yoga: Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga and Dhyana yoga. In the text, Dhyana yoga is described by Lord Krishna as being the yoga of meditation.

Question 8

8. CONNECTION WITH THE DIVINE

Complete state of concentration

Enlightenment

Ashtanga Yoga System

Ashtanga refers to the 8-limbed paths described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. “Astha” is the number eight and “ang” means limb.

Answer 8

8. SAMADHI

sama: together
dhi: mind

Question 9

1. NON VIOLENCE

5 Yamas

Answer 9

1. AHIMSA

a: not
himsa: violence, harming, injuring, killing
13. 8-12 Nonviolence is generally taken to mean not killing or destroying the body, but actually nonviolence means not to put others into distress. People in general are trapped by ignorance in the material concept of life, and they perpetually suffer material pains. So unless one elevates people to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence. One should try his best to distribute real knowledge to the people, so that they may become enlightened and leave this material entanglement. That is nonviolence.

Question 10

2. TRUTHFULNESS

5 Yamas

Answer 10

2. SATYA

Sat: that which exists, that which is.

Seeing and reporting things as they are rather than the way we would like them to be.

Question 11

3. NON-STEALING

5 Yamas

Answer 11

3. ASTEYA

steya: stealing

Because the urge to steal arises from a sense of unhappiness, incompleteness, and envy, the solution is to practice giving any chance you get. Give food; give money; give time. Since wealth is ultimately a state of mind, you will feel increasingly wealthy; and through selfless giving, your sense of inner wealth may bring you outer wealth.

Question 12

4. CHASTITY

Moderating the senses

5 Yamas

Answer 12

4. BRAHMACHARYA

Literal translation: walking in God consciousness

Practically speaking, this means that brahmacharya turns the mind inward, balancing and supervising the senses, and leads to freedom from dependencies and cravings. And the sages tell us that when the mind is freed from domination by the senses, sensual pleasures are replaced by inner joy.

Question 13

5. NON-POSSESSIVENESS

5 Yamas

Answer 13

APARIGRAHA

Pari: things

Graha: to grasp

A yogic maxim says, “All the things of the world are yours to use, but not to own.” That is the essence of aparigraha. Whenever we become possessive, we are in turn possessed, anxiously holding onto our things and grasping for more. But when we make good use of the possessions that come to us and enjoy them without becoming emotionally dependent on them, then they neither wield power over us nor lead to false identities and expectations.

Question 14

1. CLEANLINESS

Purification

5 Niyamas

Answer 14

1. SHAUCHA

The yogis discovered that impurities in both our external environment and our internal body adversely affect our state of mind, and prevent the attainment of real wisdom and spiritual liberation. The practices of asana, pranayama and meditation cleanse and purify the body and mind, as well as strengthening their capacity to maintain a pure state of being. We must also consciously work at surrounding ourselves with a pure environment (including food, drink, friends, entertainment, home furnishings and transportation) to not add any external impurities back into our bodies or minds.

Question 15

2. CONTENTMENT

5 Niyamas

Answer 15

2. SANTOSHA

Not craving for what we do not have as well as not coveting the possessions of others. The yogis tell us that when we are perfectly content with all that life gives us, then we attain true joy and happiness.

Question 16

3. AUSTERITY

Asceticism: severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons

5 Niyamas

Answer 16

3. TAPAS

Is a yogic practice of intense self-discipline and attainment of will power. Basically, Tapas is doing something you do not want to do that will have a positive effect on your life. When our will conflicts with the desire of our mind an internal “fire” is created which illuminates and burns up our mental and physical impurities. This inner fire can also be used as a source of spiritual energy; the yogis say the sole practice of Tapas can lead to the release of kundalini and attainment of enlightenment. Tapas transforms and purifies us as well as enables the conscious awareness and control over our unconscious impulses and poor behaviour. Tapas builds the will power and personal strength to help us become more dedicated to our practice of yoga

Question 17

4. STUDY OF THE VEDAS

Study of scriptures

Self study

One’s own reading

5 Niyamas

Answer 17

4. SVADHYAYA

Sva: own, one’s own, self, the human soul

Adhyaya: a lesson, lecture chapter, reading

In the Smritis, it refers to the historical practice of self-reciting Vedas to ensure it is memorized and faithfully transmitted, without writing, by the word of mouth, to the next generation

Is the ability to see our true divine nature through the contemplation of our life’s lessons and through the meditation on the truths revealed by seers and sages.

Question 18

5. DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE

5 Niyamas

Answer 18

5. ISHVARA PRANIDHANA

Ishvara: Superem/Personal God

Pranidhana: to dedicate, devote, or surrender.

Is the dedication, devotion, and surrender of the fruits of one’s practice to a higher power.

Question 19

ACTION/ACTIVITY

Answer 19

KARMA

Above these modes there is eternal time, and by a combination of these modes of nature and under the control and purview of eternal time there are activities.

Similarly, in every field of life we enjoy the results of our work, or we suffer the results. This is called karma.

Question 20

LIFE PURPOSE

Answer 20

DHARMA

Dharma refers to that which is constantly existing with a particular object. We conclude that there is heat and light along with the fire; without heat and light, there is no meaning to the word fire. Similarly, we must discover the essential part of the living being, that part which is his constant companion. That constant companion is his eternal quality, and that eternal quality is his eternal religion.

Question 21

SHEATH OF THE BODY

Answer 21

KOSHA

Sheath, covering

Koshas are the five layers of awareness that veil the Atman, or true Self. Discovering each layer is believed to bring the individual closer to oneness with the universe and the true Self.

BG 13.5 Purport

Question 22

1. BASE CHAKRA

Root Chakra

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 22

1. MULADHARA

mula = root

adhara = base, foundation

Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded.

Emotional issues: Survival issues such as financial independence, money and food.

It is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the colour red.

Question 23

2. SACRAL CHAKRA

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 23

2. SVADISTANA

Sva: one’s own

Adhisthana: abode, seat

Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences.

Emotional issues: Sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure and sexuality.

Question 24

3. SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

It’s the part of the stomach beneath the diaphragm; pit of the stomach

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 24

3. MANIPURA

mani: gem

pura/puri: city

‘city of jewels’

Our ability to be confident and in control of our lives.

Emotional issues: Self-worth, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Question 25

4. HEART CHAKRA

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 25

4. ANAHATA

Unstruck, unheart, unbeaten

Our ability to love.

Emotional issues: Love, joy and inner peace.

Question 26

5. THROAT CHAKRA

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 26

5. VISHUDDHI

shuddhi: pure
vi: which intensifies the word

therefore, vishuddhi means “especially pure

Our ability to communicate.

Emotional issues: Communication, self-expression of feelings and the truth.

It is called purification or purified because, according to yogic teaching, the body is required to have reached a purified state in order for this chakra to be balanced and open. It is also linked to the idea that when this chakra is activated or balanced, we are able to express our truths with purity and honesty.

Question 27

6. THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 27

6. AGYA

ajna: perceive, command or beyond wisdom

Our ability to focus on and see the big picture.

Emotional issues: Intuition, imagination, wisdom and the ability to think and make decisions.

Question 28

7. CROWN CHAKRA

Chakra: Wheel of energy

Chakra is an old Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel. This is because the life force, or prana, that moves inside of you is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has 7 centers in your body, starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head

Answer 28

7. SAHASRARA

Meaning “thousand petaled,” sahasrara is so termed because this chakra is said to be in the form of a lotus with 1,000 petals arranged in 20 layers.

The highest chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually.

Emotional issues: Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality and pure bliss.

Question 29

ENERGETIC PATHWAYS

Answer 29

NADI

Tube, channel, flow

It refers to the network of channels through which energy travels through the body. The number of nadis that the body is believed to contain varies depending on the tradition, but there are three principal nadis that weave through the spinal cord and the intense energy centers known as chakras.

In yoga, asanas, breathing exercises (pranayama) and chanting are among the tools used to help circulate the prana (life energy) through the nadis.

Question 30

LUNAR FORCE

One of the three basic nadis (energy channels) found in the astral (subtle) body.

Answer 30

IDA

As the leftmost channel, ida emanates from the left of the muladhara(root chakra) and passes through all the chakras in curves, ending to the left of ajna (third eye chakra).

Ida is the lunar nadi and, hence, is considered cool and dominantly feminine

Ida’s energy is white and it is responsible for all mental processes as it regulates the function of the parasympathetic nervous system.

When ida is too dominant in the energetic body, it results in fatigue, depression and a lack of mental clarity.

Question 31

SOLAR FORCE

One of the three basic nadis (energy channels) found in the astral (subtle) body.

Answer 31

PINGALA

Pingala has rational, analytical, objective and sometimes aggressive tendencies. In Indian medicine and philosophy, pingala is thought to be the masculine, firey or solar energy channel.

It’s found on the right side.

Question 32

SPIRITUAL FORCE

Answer 32

SHUSHUMNA

very gracious, kind

Central nadi

The sushumna nadi is the most important nadi of the astral (emotional) body. When prana flows freely through the sushumna, the yogi can attain a still mind; however, when impurities exist in the other nadis of the body, prana is not able to freely flow through the sushumna.