AYM Yoga School · Rishikesh

Yoga Terms & Sanskrit Glossary

A comprehensive reference guide to essential Sanskrit terms, concepts, and practices used across all schools of yoga.

92Total Terms
21Letters
5000+Years of Yoga
AYM Yoga School — Sanskrit Glossary
92 terms
A
12 terms
A

Asana

A set of yoga postures in which you are comfortable and stable. Asanas make muscles stress-free and increase their efficiency.

A

Ashtanga Yoga

It means practice of 8-limb yoga as defined by sage Patanjali in Yoga Sutras. It is a path of internal purification of self though 8 practices namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

A

Aikam

It means one in Sanskrit.

A

Ashta

It means eight in Sanskrit.

A

Ashtaadasha

It means eighteen in Sanskrit.

A

Anahata chakra

Anahata is the heart chakra. Its element is air.

A

Ajna chakra

It is the location of 3rd eye and is the master of all chakras. Mind is its element.

A

Asteya

Non-Stealing.

A

Ahimsaa

Non violence.

A

Aparigraha

Non-Possession.

A

Ananda

Happiness.

A

AUM or OM

Aum or OM is a mantra that represents the universe, where A represents the creation aspect of the universe, U represents the maintaining energy of the universe and M characterizes the transformative energy of the universe.

B
6 terms
B

Bandha

Bandhas are certain locks done to channelize the energy within. Bandhas are also used to align the backbone, and are usually practiced during asanas.

B

Bhakti Yoga

It means devotion to the god almighty. It is the yoga through heart.

B

Bhastrika

Bhastrika in Sanskrit means 'bellows'. It is a kind of pranayama in which breathing exercise is done either in a slow or in a fast way to get maximum oxygen for the body through inhaling and exhaling.

B

Bhramari

Bhramari comes from the Sanskrit word 'Bramar' which means the black Indian bee. In Bhramari pranayama, humming sound is produced during slow exhalation. One's eyes and ears are closed using fingers and a humming sound is made within mouth.

B

Bhrumadhya

Bhrumadhya (3rd Eye) is the location of Ajna chakra. It is located on the forehead, between two eyebrows. It is the centre-point of concentration.

B

Brammcharya

Celibacy.

C
4 terms
C

Chatvaari

It means four in Sanskrit.

C

Chaturdash

It means fourteen in Sanskrit.

C

Chakra

Chakra means wheel of Nadis or energy channels. There are total 7 chakras.

C

Chin-mudra

A common hand gesture used in meditation. Index finger and thumb touching each other.

D
6 terms
D

Dhyana

Dhyana is one of the 8 limbs of yoga and concentrates on a particular point of focus, with the intention of knowing truth about it. Dhyana means meditation. It is derived from the Sanskrit root 'dhyai' meaning 'to think of'.

D

Dharana

Means fixing the mind at one point. We call it concentration of mind on one point. It is the 6th limb of yoga sutras.

D

Dve

It means two in Sanskrit.

D

Dasha

It means ten in Sanskrit.

D

Dvaadasha

It means twelve in Sanskrit.

D

Drishti

Point of focus while asana practice or meditation.

E
1 term
E

Ekaadasha

It means eleven in Sanskrit.

F
1 term
F

Flow Yoga

Flow yoga is one in which poses are connected with each-other and the practitioner transits from one pose to another without any break.

G
2 terms
G

Gyan Yoga

It is the yoga through brain in which a person gets realization through wisdom.

G

Guru

A spiritual teacher.

H
3 terms
H

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is that yoga which is balance flowing between left and right sides of the body. 'Ha' means sun (right-side) and 'Tha' means moon (left side), which together form Hatha meaning balance of two opposite energies.

H

Hatha Vinyasa Yoga

This style of yoga is a combination of Hatha and Vinyasa which is practice of Hatha yoga postures mixed with Chaturanga upward-downdog (Vinyasa) poses. Usually the poses are difficult.

H

Hastha

Hastha means hand and it represents the creativity of sun. Closed fist of a hand gives a person ability to achieve his/her goals and good manners. It is a drishti used in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.

I
1 term
I

Ida Nadi

It is the main energy channel in the left side of the body and is feminine in nature.

J
2 terms
J

Japa Yoga

Repetition of any mantra or repetition of god's name while doing certain yoga asanas is called Japa yoga.

J

Jalandhara Bandha

Chin lock used to activate the Vishuddhi chakra.

K
6 terms
K

Kriya

Kriya means category of actions to clean and detoxify body and mind.

K

Karma Yoga

It is a self-service to the holy divine in any and every way or form. It is yoga through hand.

K

Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga means union of finite (human) with infinite (God) through regular practice of yoga, meditation and mudra.

K

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is about awakening of Kundalini energies (Sleeping Prana or Unmanifested Prana) to Sahasara chakra.

K

Kapal Bhati

It is a breathing exercise done to clean the windpipe. It is also a part of pranayama which is done to remove toxins out of the body and cleanse it. It is done to treat stomach related disorders and to lose weight.

K

Kunjal Kriya

Kunjal kriya is yogic vomiting which is done to purify stomach and cleanse the upper digestive tract.

L
1 term
L

Laya Yoga

It is that kind of yoga which merges the mind with any inner or outer sound. Those sounds might come from within and through them, one tries to connect with the almighty.

M
5 terms
M

Mudra

Mudras are the shortcut to meditate. Usually they are hand and mind expressions to lead us to meditation.

M

Mula Bandha

Root lock used to align the lower back, sacral region and also used in pranayama.

M

Muladhara chakra

It is a basic chakra located on root of the spine.

M

Manipura chakra

This is the gem chakra or fire chakra which controls all energy within the body. It is located in the naval of human body.

M

Mantra

MAN (Mind) + TRA (instrument) — a sacred sound or syllable used as an instrument of the mind.

N
7 terms
N

Nadi Shodhana

'Nadi' means 'energy channels', 'Shodhana' means 'purification'. Thus, Nadi Shodhana means purification of energy channels. It is the alternate nostril breathing technique which helps in keeping the mind calm, happy and peaceful.

N

Nava

It means nine in Sanskrit.

N

Navadasha

It means nineteen in Sanskrit.

N

Nadi

Nadis are the energy channels through which Prana flows.

N

Neti / Jal Neti

Neti is an important part of shatkriya and is a yogic system of clearing air passage-ways in the head. It is also used for nasal-cleansing.

N

Nauli

Nauli is a powerful technique, used to massage all muscles of abdomen. It is 1 of the 6 purification methods of Shatkarma.

N

Niyama

Means positive personal duties. It's a personal code of conduct of recommended activities and habits for healthy living, which should be observed every day.

P
7 terms
P

Pranayama

Control of Prana or regulation of breath to regulate energy within body and mind.

P

Power Yoga

It is a fitness-based and calorie burning style of yoga which includes fast paced exercises and yoga postures and is aimed at strengthening physical, mental and spiritual strength.

P

Pada

Pada means foot and is used in Ashtanga. Pada also means 'connected' with what precedes it and what follows it.

P

Pancha

It means five in Sanskrit.

P

Panchadasha

It means fifteen in Sanskrit.

P

Pingala Nadi

It is the main energy channel in the right side of the body and is masculine in nature.

P

Prana

Means 'vital energy' or 'life force'. It is the force that exists in all living beings, small or large.

R
1 term
R

Raj Yoga

Raja Yoga also called 'Royal Yoga' at times, includes all kinds of yoga including meditation. It emphasizes on benefits of meditation for realization of spiritual self and meaningful evolution of one's self-consciousness. It is a systematic yoga.

S
13 terms
S

Sutra

Sutra is that in which knowledge is condensed in few words. A person has to decode sutras to get its meaning.

S

Samadhi

State of autonomous and continuous flow of mind on any one object of meditation. The last of Patanjali's 8 limbs, state of UNION, all chakras open, absolute meditation state. It also means balance of mind.

S

Shat

It means six in Sanskrit.

S

Sapta

It means seven in Sanskrit.

S

Shodash

It means sixteen in Sanskrit.

S

Saptadasha

It means seventeen in Sanskrit.

S

Swadhistana chakra

It is the 2nd chakra located near Pubis bone. Its element is water and it controls all fluidity in the body.

S

Sushumna Nadi

It is the central energy channel and is the balance between feminine and masculine by nature.

S

Sutra Neti

Sutra means 'thread' and cleansing nose through waxed (Honey wax) cotton thread is called Sutra Neti.

S

Shankha Prakshalana

Shank means shell and Prakshalana means cleansing. Together it means cleaning the elementary canal from mouth to anus, by drinking saline water and doing a set of certain asanas.

S

Samatvam

Consistency.

S

Satya

Truth.

S

Shanti

Means tranquility, peace, is often chanted three times after one chant of Aum.

T
5 terms
T

Tark-Vitark

Debate.

T

Traditional Yoga

It is the most real and authentic form of yoga which has been practiced for ages in India. Raja yoga and Hatha yoga are both considered as traditional yoga.

T

Treeni

It means three in Sanskrit.

T

Trayodasha

It means thirteen in Sanskrit.

T

Trataka

Trataka means yogic gazing where the gaze is fixed at an object for some time, after which it can be gazed through closed eyes.

U
2 terms
U

Ujjayi

It is a conscious breathing in which our breath catches the windpipe. It is used to enhance Hatha yoga practice.

U

Uddiyan Bandha

Abdominal lock used to align the lumber back.

V
4 terms
V

Vinyasa Yoga

It is that style of yoga in which one goes from one pose to another through transition in a specific way and with controlled breathing.

V

Vinyasa Flow Yoga

It is a style of yoga in which yoga poses are done in a synchronized way, combined with controlled breathing (inhale and exhale). The poses are practiced in an inter-linked way including Chaturanga up-dog, down-dog.

V

Vimshatihi

It means twenty in Sanskrit.

V

Vishuddhi chakra

It is the 5th basic chakra also known as the throat chakra with the element of aakash (space).

Y
3 terms
Y

Yoga

Yoga means union or connection. Yoga is a state of mind in which there is no modification of mind, which remains peaceful and silent. It is also a set of body techniques which allow one to connect with divine.

Y

Yoga Sutra

The first 4 stages of yoga namely Samadhi, Sadhana, Vibhuti and Kaivalya are together known as yoga sutra, written by sage Patanjali.

Y

Yama

1st of Patanjali's 8 limbs of Yoga.

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✦ Travel Guide

How to Reach Us

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Easy & Comfortable Travel Options to Reach Indian Yoga Association in Rishikesh — Delhi to Rishikesh travel options by air, train & bus.

By Airways

Fastest Way to Reach Rishikesh

Fly from Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun — approximately 20 km from Rishikesh. Taxis and private transfers are easily available. Indian Yoga Association provides pickup & drop facility on request. Smooth and comfortable journey assured. Advance booking recommended for convenience.

AirlineDepartsArrivesDuration
IndiGo06:30 AM07:30 AM1h
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By Train

Affordable & Comfortable

Travel from New Delhi Railway Station to Rishikesh or Haridwar Junction (25 km from Rishikesh). Taxis and auto-rickshaws are always available for the onward journey to Indian Yoga Association, Rishikesh.

TrainDepartsArrivesVia
Dehradun Shatabdi06:45 AM11:25 AMHaridwar
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Jan Shatabdi Exp.03:20 PM09:00 PMHaridwar
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By Bus

Budget Friendly Option

Regular Volvo, AC and sleeper buses operate daily from Delhi to Rishikesh. Travel time is approximately 5–6 hours via scenic NH58, passing through the beautiful Shivalik foothills. Comfortable and budget-friendly travel option. Multiple departures available throughout the day. Easy booking options available online.

BusDepartsArrivesType
Volvo AC06:00 AM11:30 AMAC
Sleeper Coach09:00 PM04:00 AMSleeper
AC Seater02:00 PM07:30 PMAC
Deluxe Bus11:00 PM05:30 AMDeluxe
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Comfortable transfer service

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