Much of yoga terminology is Sanskrit. The word yoga means to "yoke" or "unite." According to Womenshealth.gov, yoga is "a mind-body exercise that combines stretching and controlled breathing to achieve relaxation and a stable mood." Many classes today are taught with a mixed usage of the Sanskrit terms and their translations. For a yoga novice, even the translated versions can leave the student wondering. You won't need to know what king pigeon pose is before you take your first class, but you might want to know some other basic yoga terms to deepen your understanding.
Props
The most common yoga prop is the yoga mat. If you have never taken a yoga class, you may not know that there are other props or tools to aid you throughout the class. The yoga block can be used to modify poses when reaching the floor is an issue. Yoga belts or straps have many uses, such as aiding in reaching your toes and feet. You will find yoga blankets and bolsters for cushioning and support.
Styles of Yoga
There are many different styles of yoga. Physical yoga practices fall under the umbrella of "Hatha," a term meaning "sun and moon," with the aim of bringing balance to the body and mind. A flowing and rigorous Hatha class is known as Vinyasa flow. One popular yoga in the West now is called Bikram. Named for its creator, Bikram Choudhury, this form of yoga consists of 26 postures and is done in a hot room.
Pranayama
Breathing techniques to build prana, or energy, are known as "pranayama." This is an important aspect of the yoga tradition and a part of the physical practice. A commonly used pranayama in Western classes is known as ujaii breathing. This is breath that mimics the sound of the ocean by constricting the throat. This technique links the breath with movements.
Asana
The physical practice of yoga is known as Asana and consists of postures or poses. There are hundreds of different yoga postures, and they vary among the different styles and disciplines of Hatha Yoga. Teachers will often give the names of the postures in English, Sanskrit or a mix of the two. In a Vinyasa Flow yoga class, the students are led through sun salutations, or "Surya Namaskar." These are a series of postures that can be repeated to build prana.
Om & Namaste
Some classes will be bookended by a unison "om." This mantra, or sacred chanting syllable, is a considered to be a primordial sound of the universe. Following your last "om" of the class, the teacher may give the common salutation "Namaste." According to yoga teacher Aadil Palkhivala of Yoga Journal, "Namaste" literally means "I bow to you."
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