Yogi Sanskrit 101
Starting something new can be daunting. Many people are intimated by yoga, not only for the physicality, but also the terminology. Walking into a class and having the teacher start off by saying “we are going to begin with some pranayama so find a comfortable seat” can be enough to make someone get up and walk out of the room without a second thought. The language of yoga is just that, a different language. Sanskrit is an ancient language of India that today is spoken by less than 1% of Indians, most of whom are Hindu priests participating in religious ceremonies. The other place Sanskrit is commonly used worldwide? Yoga studios. Here’s an A-Z list of some basic yogic Sanskrit words to help you feel less intimated by the verbiage thrown around in a studio.
A
· Asana: translates to “seat” but in modern yogic practice is synonymous with “posture” or “pose.” Down dog = an asana, Utkatasana (chair pose) = an asana you get the picture
· Ashtanga: is the yogic practice that was developed by Patanjali, also referred to as the eightfold path. This practice consists of 6 yogic sequences, or series. Each series is a sequence of asanas practiced in the same order hundreds of times before moving to the next one. The high the number series (i.e. the 6th and final series) the more advanced.
B
· Bhakti Yoga: one of the three types of yoga. “Path of devotion” yoga.
· Bhagavad Gita: this translates to the “Lord’s Song” and sometimes is just referred to as the Gita. It is an ancient Indian text and is commonly viewed as yogic scripture. The Gita contains the teachings of the three types of yoga (karma, bhakti, and jnana). The Gita is part of a larger ancient text call the Mahabharata.
· Bandha: translates to “bond” or “lock.” Yogic practice uses “internal body locks” or bandhas to shape the flow of energy and prana through the body. There are three locks: Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock), Mula Bandha (root lock), and Uddiyana Bandha (abdominal lock).
C
· Charkra: translates to “wheel.” Charkras are energy centers within the body. Energy turns and flows through the charkras but they can become blocked. Yoga is used to unblock the charkras and let energy flow freely through the body. There are 7 that run along the spinal column.
D
· Dharma: this term has many different translations but commonly known to mean “an aspect of truth” or “the nature of reality.” Yoga teachers often start practice with a dharma talk in which the teacher pulls from their own personal experiences to humanize Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
· Drishti: translates to “view” or “sight.” It is a gaze or a focal point used in practice to help with balance and steadying the mind.
H
· Hatha Yoga: an umbrella term used to describe a yogic practice that focuses on the physical aspect and asanas.
J
· Jnana Yoga: one of the three types of yoga. “Path of knowledge” yoga.
K
· Koshas: translates to “sheath” or “casing.” Any one of the 5 sheaths (annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vijnanamaya kosha, anandamaya kosha) covering one’s Self. Yoga is used to lift these veils or make them transparent. Lifting all 5 koshas results in enlightened and becoming in touch with one’s highest Self.
· Karma Yoga: one of the three types of yoga. “Path of action” yoga.
· Krama: roughly translates to “progress.” The progression or work to advance one’s practice.
· Kleshas: five mental states described by Patanjali that are the root cause of pain and suffering in the human existence. They are Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (ego), Raga (attachment), Dvesa (aversion), and Abhinivesah (fear).
M
· Mantra: a word or sound used to aid in concentration. Used to help steady and quiet the mind during meditation.
· Mudra: translates to “seal.” Mudras are used to help shape the flow of energy and are commonly hand gestures.
· Mahabharata: translates to “Great Bharata/India.” An ancient Indian text containing both the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita.
N
· Niyamas: The second limb of Patanjali’s eightfold path that focuses on personal growth and observance. It encourages us to embrace saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), topas (self-discipline), and ishvara pranidhana (acknowledging a higher source). Niyamas are the complement of yamas.
· Namaste: probably the Sanskrit word new yogis are most familiar with. It roughly translates to “I bow to you” and is an acknowledgement of the soul/light in every person.
O
· Om: the sound of the creation of the universe. Acknowledges everything that is both known and unknown; all that has been and will be.
P
· Patanjali: he is considered to be the grandfather of modern day yoga and wrote the Yoga Sutras.
· Pranayama: roughly translates to “life breath.” It is the practice of breath control with conscious inhalation, retention, and exhalation. The forth limb of Patanjali’s eightfold path focuses on pranayama.
R
· Ramayana: translates to “Rama’s Life.” It is an ancient Indian text containing the story of Rama who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Ramayana is part of a larger ancient text called the Mahabharata.
S
· Shanti: translates to “peace.” Commonly said three times; the first shanti for peace with the environment, the second for peace with one another, and the third for peace with ourselves.
· Sutra: translates to “thread.” An individual or collection of succinct expressions of truth or principle. The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali are commonly referenced to in dharma talks at the beginning of practices.
U
· Ujjayi: is a breathing method or type of pranayama used during yoga practices.
V
· Vinyasa Yoga: A yogic practice that flows through asanas and synchronizes breath to movement.
Y
· Yamas: The first limb of Patanjali’s eightfold path that focuses on the celebration of others and our attitude towards people and things outside of ourself. This limb encourages us to avoid violence (ahimsa), dishonesty (satya), stealing (asteya), possessiveness (aparigraha) and wasting energy (brahmacharya). It is the complement to niyamas.
Resources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28755509
