Yoga Jargon

Yoga is filled with unusual words that can often be intimidating. Don't let the fear of these words keep you away from the benefits of Yoga. We break down the barriers to Yoga jargon and short list some of the more popular Yoga terms.

1. Asanas - Yoga posture
2. Chakras - Centers of radiating life force or energy that are located between the base of the spinal column and the crown of the head. Sanskrit for "wheels." There are seven chakras that store and release life force (prana).
3. Mudras - Hand gestures that direct the life current through the body.
4. Namaste - This Hindu salutation says "the divine in me honors the divine in you." The expression is used on meeting or parting and usually is accompanied by the gesture of holding the palms together in front of the bosom.
5. Pranayama - Method of controlling breathing or the regulation of breathing.
6. Yogi - Someone who practices Yoga. (A female yoga is called a yogini)
7. Kundalini - An unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force.