[a-bhi-ne-vay-sa] fear of death; - more...

[abh-yaa-sa] regular steady practice - more...

[a-dho-moo-kha shvaa-naa-sa-na] downward-facing dog. - more...

[ag-knee] fire; deity presiding over fire; vedic sacred fire. - more...

: [ag-knee saa-ra] a cleansing exercise that uses the “fire” in the body to help remove impurities - more...

the ego; egoism. - more...

Non-violence, non-injury, mercy. This is one of the basic principles of yoga. - more...

Ajna: [a-nya] Sixth chakra; centre of spiritual energy between the two eyebrows; the ‘third eye’. - more...

[aa-kaa-sha] space; ether; the most of the five elements that constitute the physical universe; the other four elements are: vayu (air), agni (fire), apas (water) and prthivi (earth). - more...

[a-naa-ha-ta] - more...

Bliss, joy, infinite happiness. - more...

- more...

a limb, a part – as in chaturanga dandasana (4-part stick pose) or ashtanga yoga (8-part yoga). - more...

the outward/downward-moving manifestation of prana; controls excretion and the functions of the lumbar region of the autonomic nervous system. The seat of apana is at the muladhara chakra - more...

Non-receiving of presents (bribes); freedom from covetousness. Aparigraha is one of the yamas (the first limb) of raja yoga - more...

[aa-pas] water, one of the five material elements of which the physical realm is composed. - more...

[are-dha] half - more...

[art-ta] wealth; pursuit of wealth. Artha is seen as one of the four goals of human life, along with kama (pleasure), dharma (right conduct) and moksha (liberation). - more...

Seat; posture or position. Pose for meditation and / or body control. - more...

[aash-ram-(a)] (1) Hermitage or monastery (2) The four states or stages of life in Indian tradition: brahmacharya or studentship, grhastha or household-life, vanaprasta or forest-dwelling, and sanyasa or monastic life. - more...

Eight limbed; another name for raja yoga, as described by Patanjali; the scientific, step-by-step approach by which the mind is brought under control. - more...

[ass-me-taa] egoism, the tendency to identify with the individual personality. This is one of the five afflictions (klesha) that are listed by Patanjali. - more...

Non-covetousness; lack of jealousy. This is one of the yamas (the first limb) of raja yoga. - more...

[aat-man] the Self; the higher Self; the True Self. - more...

[a-vid-yaa] ignorance, lack of true knowledge, spiritual blindness; illusion. Avidya is the inability to see things for what they are; this causes one to mistake the transient for the permanent. Avidya is one of the five afflictions (klesha) listed by Patanjali, along with abhinivesha (clinging to life), asmita (eogism), raga-dwesha (likes and dislikes). - more...

[Bhaa-ga-vad Gee-ta] Literally translation: Song of God, one of the great scriptures of yoga. - more...

[bha-jan] devotional singing. - more...

[bhak-tea] devotion; love (of God). - more...

[bhak-te yo-ga] the yoga path in which devotion (to God) is the predominant practice. - more...

: [bhas-tea] one of the six kriyas (cleansing exercises) in hatha yoga; cleansing of the lower digestive tract, i.e. the colon and anus. - more...

[bha-streak-a] bellows breathing; one of the major pranayama practices involving rapid strong inhalation and exhalation. - more...

[bhra-ma-ri] a minor pranayama; bee breathing. - more...

[bhoo-jang-aa-sa-na] cobra pose. - more...

A Style of yoga practised in a hot room. Temperatures can rise as much as 40 degrees. - more...

[bo-dha] spiritual wisdom; knowledge; intelligence; awareness. - more...

[bo-dhee] a person who has spiritual wisdom. - more...

[braah-ma-char-ya] Control of the sensual energy. This is one of the basic principles of yoga; one of the yamas (restrictions) of raja yoga. - more...

[bud-dhee] Intellect; understanding; reason; intelligence; determinative faculty - more...

[chak-ra] The psychic energy centres, located in the astral body - more...

[chak-raa-sana] wheel pose. - more...

: [chit-ta] consciousness, mind; the energy field that is known as the mind; all aspects of mind; individual consciousness; mind stuff; all aspects of perceived individual experience, including intelligence, emotions, sentiments, thoughts, memories, dream - more...

: [DAY-vee] Divinity in its feminine aspect; the Divine Mother - more...

[dha-noor-aa-sa-na] bow pose. - more...

[dhar-ma] Righteous conduct; right action - more...

: [dhow-tea] one of the six kriyas (cleansing exercises) in hatha yoga; cleaning of the upper digestive tract, i.e. the mouth, oesophagus and stomach. - more...

[dhyaa-na] Meditation; seventh limb of raja yoga. - more...

Initiation given by the GURU - more...

Three humours of the body; see kapha, pitta, vata - more...

[dvay-sha] dislike, hatred, repulsion; one of the 5 kleshas (afflictions) listed by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. - more...

[ay-ka] one - more...

[ay-kaa-gra-taa] one pointed-ness; single mindedness. - more...

[Ga-nay-sha] the remover of obstacles; the Hindu god who is pictured with an elephant’s head; son of Siva and Parvati. - more...

[Ga-roo-da] Eagle; vehicle of Vishnu. - more...

[go-moo-kaa-sa-na] cow’s head pose. - more...

[gran-tee] knot - more...

: [goo-na] Quality or attribute; three qualities of Nature: sattva, rajas and tamas. - more...

: [goo-roo] Teacher; one who removes darkness - more...

: [ha-Tta yo-ga] the path of yoga that works mainly with the prana - more...

[ha-Tta yo-ga pra-dee-pi-kaa] one of the major classic texts that deal with hatha yoga. - more...

: [EE-daa] Left nadi (psychic nerve channel), to the left of the sushumna, and flowing through the left nostril; its nature is intuitive, holistic, inner-directed, emotional, subjective, feminine, cool. - more...

[in-dree-ya] sense perception; sense organ. The five jnana indriyas (organs of knowledge are taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and five karma indriyas (organs of action are the hands, feet, tongue, anus and genitals). - more...

: [Ish-wa-ra-pra-nee-dhaa-na] Self surrender; surrender of the ego. One of the niyamas, the second limb of raja yoga. - more...

[iti-ha-sa] Hindu epic; a book describing the life and adventures of a hero or heroes. The term is applied to the Indian epic poems Ramayana and Mahabharata. - more...

[jaa-lan-dha-ra ban-dha] the chin lock. - more...

[ja-pa] repetition of mantra - more...

: [gee-va] Individual soul with ego. The individual personality, which undergoes birth and rebirth - more...

[nyaa-na] Knowledge; Self-knowledge; transcendent wisdom. Knowledge of Reality; knowledge of Brahman, the Absolute; knowledge of the Supreme Self - more...

- more...

[nyaa-na yoga] philosophical approach; yoga in which the main practice is self-enquiry. - more...

[ka-kaa-sa-na] crow pose. - more...

[ka-ma] desire; pleasure; passion; lust; pursuit of desire. - more...

[ka-pa-la-bha-tea] a yogic breathing exercise that consists of a gentle, yet rapid pumping of the lungs. This is one of the six kriyas (cleansing exercises) of hatha yoga. - more...

[ka-ra-na sha-ri-ra] causal or seed body; most subtle of the three bodies. - more...

: [kar-ma] action; the law of action and reaction, or cause and effect - more...

[kar-ma yo-ga] path of selfless service - more...

[khoom-ba-ka] retention of breath - more...

[keer-tan] Singing of devotional songs. - more...

: [kri-ya] A cleansing or purification exercise - more...

[kree-ya yo-ga] yoga path that focuses on purifying actions. - more...

: [kun-da-LEE-nee] potential psychic energy; the primordial cosmic energy - more...

[kor-maa-sa-na] tortoise pose - more...

Union by absorption - more...

[ma-nas] mind; reactive, habitual mind; the thinking facility. - more...

[man-da-la] complex geometic design representing the entire cosmos - more...

[ma-nee-poor-a] the third chakra; the psychic energy centre that is located at the solar plexus. - more...

: [man-tra] Sacred syllable, word or set of words. - more...

[mats-yaa-sa-na] fish pose - more...

[mats-yen-draa-sa-na] spinal twist pose. - more...

[maa-yaa] illusion; the cosmic illusion of duality. - more...

[ma-your-aa-sa-na] peacock pose - more...

: [mok-sha] Liberation; release; the term is particularly applied to the liberation from the bondage of karma, i.e. from the eternal cycle of birth and death. - more...

[mow-na] Silence; the practice of voluntarily keeping silent - more...

[muːˈdrɑː] is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers - more...

[moo-la-ban-dha] base-of-trunk lock. - more...

: [moo-la-dhaa-ra] The first chakra; the lowest centre of psychic energy, located at base of the body. - more...

[naa-da] sound. - more...

[naa-da yoga] yoga path that focuses on sound and the use of mantras. - more...

[naa-dee] channel through which prana passes, located in the subtle body; psychic current; meridian of acupuncture. - more...

[naa-dee shoo-da-na] alternate nostril breathing designed to cleanse nasal passages, as well as the subtle energy channels. - more...

[na-ta-raa-ja] Siva in His form of the cosmic dancer. - more...

[na-ta-raa-jaa-sa-na] - more...

: abdominal churning; this is one of the six kriyas (cleansing exercises) of hatha yoga. - more...

: abdominal churning; this is one of the six kriyas (cleansing exercises) of hatha yoga. - more...

: [nid-ra] deep sleep, dreamless sleep - more...

[knee-ro-dhah] cessation; disappearance; restraint; control; process of ending. - more...

: [nee-ya-ma] Your relationship with your self, including internal and external purification. This is the second limb or raja yoga. It includes the principles of contentment, self-study, austerities, purity and surrender of egoistic attachments. - more...

[O-jas] primary vigour of body and mind; spiritual energy; vitality; the essential fluid of the body; the essence of all tissues. - more...

[AAH-OO-M] the or sacred monosyllable which symbolizes the Absolute; the essence of all mantras. - more...

[OM-ka-ra] the sound of the sacred monosyllable OM. - more...

[pa-da] foot; one-fourth portion; word. - more...

[Pa-da-has-taa-sa-na] standing-Head-to-Knee pose. - more...

[pod-maa] lotus flower; chakra. - more...

[pod-maass-an-na] lotus pose; one of the main sitting poses in yoga - more...

[pas-chi-mo-Tta-naa-sa-na] seated forward bend. - more...

[ping-a-laa] The nadi (psychic channel) to the right side of the sushumna. Its nature is aggressive, logical, sequential, analytical, outer-directed, rational, objective, hot, masculine; directing left brain (mathematical and verbal) activities. - more...

[praa-naa] Vital force; life energy; chi (Chinese); ki (Japanese). - more...

: [praa-naa-yaa-ma] Yoga breathing exercises; control of prana; science of breath control. This is the fourth limb of raja yoga. - more...

: [prat-yaa-haa-ra] withdrawal of the mental energy from the senses. The fifth limb of raja yoga. Inner accumulation of energy that overcomes the distracting influences of the senses. - more...

[prit-ti-vee] earth; solid. The element of earth with density and fragrance as its characteristic features. - more...

[poo-ra-ka] inhalation of breath; inhaling - more...

[poo-raa-na] ancient; old. Eighteen ancient scriptures of Hindu myths and legends. These are ancient sacred works having five characteristics: 1. history, 2. cosmology, 3. secondary creation, 4. genealogy of kings, 5. cosmic cycles. - more...

[poo-roo-shaa-ta] human effort; individual exertion; the (4) aims of human life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha - more...

: [raa-ga] attachment, passion. craving; attachment that binds the soul to the universe; the flame of desire that causes addiction to pleasure. Raga is one of Patanjali’s five afflictions, or obstacles on the spiritual path. Raga discourages you from leav - more...

: [raa-ga-dvay-sha] attraction and repulsion; likes and dislikes; love and hatred. These powerful obstacles to spiritual progress are noted in the Yoga Sutra. - more...

[raa-ja] king - more...

[raa-ja yo-ga] the psychological approach to yoga; the eight-limbed yoga of Patanjali. - more...

: [raa-jas] activity, passion, stimulation; restlessness; one of the three qualities that make up the cosmic energy; the principle of dynamism in nature that brings about all changes. - more...

[raa-ja-sik] The quality of rajas, activity. - more...

[ray-cha-ka] exhalation. - more...

[saa-dha-na] Spiritual practice. - more...

: [sa-has-raa-ra] The thousand petal lotus; the highest psychic energy centre where one experiences the union between the individual soul and the Universal Self. - more...

[sa-maa-dhi] the super-conscious state. - more...

[sam-saa-ra] the continuous round, or wheel, of births and deaths; phenomenal existence and transmigration; web of worldly existence. - more...

: [sam-skaa-ra] subtle impression of past lives; a deep mental impression caused by past experience; a mental or behavioural pattern; prenatal tendency; ceremonial purification; an impression in the subconscious mind. - more...

[san-kal-pa] thought, imagination; mental activity (especially will or desire). - more...

[san-TOE-sha] contentment; joy; happiness. One of the niyamas (second limb) of raja yoga. - more...

[sat-sang] association with spiritually-minded people; company of wise people. - more...

: [sat-vaa] the quality of purity, light, balance. - more...

[sat-vick] having the quality of purity - more...

[sat-ya] truth, truthfulness. One of the yamas (the first limb of raja yoga). - more...

sow-cha] cleanliness, purity, both internal and external. One of the niyamas (the second limb of raja yoga). - more...

[sar-vaan-gaa-sa-na] shoulderstand; literal translation: the pose that benefits all parts (of the body). - more...

[sha-vaa-sa-na] the Corpse pose. - more...

: [say-two-bhan-daa-sa-na] bridge pose - more...

[shaan-tea] peace - more...

[shad kree-ya] 6 cleansing exercises: neti, nauli, dhauti, bhasti, kapalabhati, tratak. - more...

[sid-dha} a person with extraordinary powers; an advanced yogi. - more...

[sid-haa-sa-na] a seated pose for the practice of meditation and/or pranayama. - more...

[sid-dhee] psychic power; extraordinary gift. - more...

[shear-shaa-sa-na] head stand. - more...

[shee-ta-lee] a cooling pranayama that is practiced with rolled tongue. - more...

- more...

[smri-tee] memory; that which is remembered. - more...

[shru-tee] that which is heard; the Vedas; knowledge that is directly revealed by a divine source. - more...

[stool-a sha-ri-ra] the physical body. - more...

[sue-khaa-sa-na] seated pose; simple cross-legged position. - more...

[suksh-ma sha-ri-ra] astral body (sometimes referred to as Linga sharira) - more...

[soor-ya] the Sun. - more...

[soor-ya na-mas-kar] sun salutation sequence of yoga poses. - more...

[sue-shum-naa] the central nadi, astral tube or channel. - more...

[sue-tra] thread; string; an aphorism with minimum words and maximum sense; a terse sentence. - more...

: [swaa-dhish-taa-na] One of the seven major chakras (energy centres) in the subtle body; second from bottom of the seven chakras. - more...

[swaa-dhyaa-ya] self-study; study of the nature of the Self; study of scriptures or spiritual books. One of the niyamas (second limb) of raja yoga. - more...

[swa-stick-aa-sa-na] one of the yoga poses to sit for pranayama and/or meditation. - more...

[ta-daa-sa-na] mountain pose. - more...

: [taa-mas] the quality (guna) of darkness, inertia and infatuation. - more...

: [taa-ma-sick] having the nature of tamas; impure, rotten (with reference to food), lazy, dull. - more...

[tan-tra] (1) technique (2) a yoga practice that lays great emphasis on repetition of mantra and other esoteric meditations. Yoga path that focuses on the elimination of obstacles that hinder the movement of prana in the sushumna. - more...

[ta-pas] austerity or penance, voluntary simplicity; purificatory action; ascetic self-denial; One of the niyamas (second limb) of raja yoga. The word ‘tapas’ is derived from the root ‘tap’, meaning ‘to burn’. - more...

123 - more...

testing testing - more...

[traa-tak] steady gazing (usually at the flame of a candle) with the purpose of cleansing and strengthening the eyes and frontal region. An eye exercise to improve mental concentration as well as eyesight. One of the six kriyas (yogic cleansing exercises) of hatha yoga; the yogi gazes without winking at some minute object until tears flow profusely; by this the celestial vision is acquired. - more...

[tree-cone-aa-sa-na] triangle pose. - more...

: [oud-dee-yaa-na bon-dha] abdominal lock. This is one of the three most important energy locks of hatha yoga, in which the abdomen is contracted after exhalation. - more...

[ouj-ja-yee] a pranayama that is said to be heating and removes problems caused by excess mucus.. - more...

[oo-pa-ni-shad] the final (fourth) section of the Vedas, containing their philosphical essence. They deal with ultimate Truth, the nature of Brahman and realisation of Brahman. The Upanishards are the scriptural basis of Vedanta philosophy. Upanisads are usually recognised to be 108 in number, of which 10 are regarded the principle, most important: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukiya, Aitareya, Taitiriya, Chhandogya, Brihadaranyaka - more...

[vay-raag-ya] dispassion; detachment; detached observation; indifference to objects of worldly desire; letting go; dispassionate objectivity that is vital for a sincere yogi - more...

[vay-raag-ya] dispassion; detachment; detached observation; indifference to objects of worldly desire; letting go; dispassionate objectivity that is vital for a sincere yogi. - more...

[vaa-you] air; gaseous matter; vital breath; prana; the Wind-god. - more...

[Vay-da] There are 4 Vedas; they are the revealed scriptures of India, containing the Upanishads. - more...

[vay-daan-ta] the philosophy of monism that is based primarily on the ancient scriptures known as the “Upanishads”. The literal meaning of the word “Vedanta” is the “end of the Vedas”, as the Upanishads form the last section of the Vedas. - more...

[vick-shay-pa] Tossing of the mind. - more...

[vi-pa-ree-ta ka-ra-ne] viteral translation is \'topsy turvey\' pose. The term is often used to refer to \'half-shoulderstand\'. - more...

[vi-shoed-ha] the fifth chakra, located at the throat. - more...

[vi-vay-ka] discernment; the ability to distinguish between what is permanent and temporary /real and unreal. - more...

[vrick-shaa-sa-na] scorpion pose. - more...

[vrit-tea] Thought wave; mental modification, activities, changes, fluctuations, movements, waves, ripples, definitions in the energy field. Any kind of thought process: cognitive, reflective, gross, subtle - more...

[ya-ma] ethics, restrictions, internal purification through moral training.; the first limb of raja yoga that guides you in your relationships to the other people and to society. Yama includes the principles of truthfulness, non-violence, control of the sensual energy, non-stealing and non-greediness. The word “yama” comes from the root “yam”, meaning to uphold, to sustain. - more...

[yan-tra] geometric representation or diagram of the levels and energies of the cosmos, including the microcosm; the human body. A diagram which acts as a receptacle for the power of a mantra. - more...

yo·ga [yoh-guh] - more...

[yo-gaa-sa-na] a yoga posture. - more...

[yo-ga nid-ra] A preparation for meditation; state of half-concentration and pre-sleep; light yogic sleep i which the individual retains awareness. - more...

[yo-ga sue-tra]: This classical treatise on yoga was written by the sage Patanjali approximately 2000 years ago. - more...

A person who practises yoga; an aspirant going through any course of spiritual discipline; a spiritually advanced person whose mind remains unruffled under all conditions. - more...

[ga-roo-daa-sa-na] eagle pose. - more...

: [clay-sha] affliction; pain, anguish, suffering, distress, trouble, sorrow, misery. Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutra, gives five main causes for human suffering: avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha and abhinivesha. - more...

[sha-la-bhaa-sa-na] locust pose. - more...

[sit-ka-ree] a cooling pranayama that is performed with a folded tongue - more...

[soor-ya bhay-da] an advanced form of pranayama which increases the heat in the body - more...