We have all been to a yoga class where the teacher uses Sanskrit names for the poses. At first, we are like, suptapadangawhat? After a while, some of the names stick. What does it all mean? Here is a little information on some of the yoga terminology we hear.
Apanasana - knees-to-chest pose
Asana - physical postures of yoga, pose
Balasana - child's pose
Chakra - vortex of energy
Dharana - concentration
Dhyana - meditation
Halasana - plow pose
Salabhasana - locust pose
Mudras - yoga of the hands, seal or gesture
Namaste - "I bow to you."
Niyama - rules of personal behavior; attitude towards ourselves
Om - the sound of creation
Pranayama - yogic breathing
Pratyahara - control or withdrawal of the senses
Samadhi - absorption, contemplation
Uttanasana - standing forward bend
Yama - rules of social conduct; attitude towards our environment
Yoga - union
