Ever been to a yoga class and not able to connect there? That could be because you might not be familiar with the yoga lingo. So, make sure you are familiar with all the yoga terms for beginners. It will help you connect better with what your yoga teacher will preach.
Here are some yoga terms for beginners you should know. Read on.
In simple terms, yoga poses are called asanas. When your yoga teacher speaks about practicing a particular asana, he or she is meant to practice a physical pose or stance. Thus, practicing an asana ensures you have proper control of your body.
The life force running through your body that helps in sustaining your daily activities is called prana energy. In layman language, prana is also referred to as energy.
Various types of breathing exercises fall under the category of Pranayama. Furthermore, practicing different Pranayama exercises works on different levels or areas of your consciousness. It is one of the most crucial yoga terms for beginners you should be aware of.
Namaste is a form of greeting that yoga practitioners use to greet each other. By joining hands like you are about to do while praying, it massages the energy points in your hands. Hence, along with greeting someone, it also improves your blood circulation.
Aum is linked with the universal sound. In Hindu mythology, OM (AUM) is linked with the Hindu God Shiva who is the one carrier of the aspects of creation and destruction. Hence, it symbolizes a balance that every yoga practitioner aspires to have.
The hand gestures you do while practicing meditation are known as Mudras. There are different types of mudras you can practice to work on different dimensions of your being. Moreover, each mudra links with the flow and manipulation of energy differently.
Savasana is another name given to the Corpse pose. This is one of the most important and beneficial yoga poses that you should practice. When a yoga master talks about Savasana, he or she is talking about the Corpse pose.
The sight or focal point while practicing meditation is called Drishti. It is one of the most important yoga terms for beginners that you should learn about. Whether you are practicing meditation or yoga poses, having a strong Drishti is always important. It enhances the effect of yoga practice.
Flow yoga is generally known as Vinyasa. Beginners are advised to practice Vinyasa yoga flow once they have mastered the Hatha yoga. It ensures you never incur any injury because Vinyasa flow is an intense yoga form.
Mantras are sacred words, phrases, sentences, or sounds that are repeated many times while practicing meditation or yoga poses. The aim of mantra recitation is to change the chemical composition of your brain. When it happens, new beliefs are formed. Hence, it gives way to miracles in your life.
One of the crucial yoga terms for beginners, Chakra denotes energy points in your subtle body. Energy points or energy centers, whatever you call them, help in the proper functioning of your body. Furthermore, when you learn different chakras, you come face to face with different elements and dimensions of your life.
The pipe-like structures running through your body are called Nadis. The catch is Nadis are linked with the subtle body. With over 72,000 Nadis present in your subtle body, three primary yoga Nadis are there which you should know about. They are Ida, Pingala & Sushumna.
Mental peace is called Shanti in yogic terms. It incorporates into your life when you practice meditation or various yoga poses. Meditation practice is important to have Shanti in your life. Further, yoga masters preach various techniques or methods to have Shanti or peace of mind.
The art of focusing or looking within is called Dhyana. In simple terms, meditation is loosely called Dhyana sometimes. Practicing Dhyana helps you become aware of different things going in your head that affect your life.
The final stage of mediation practice is Samadhi. A person who attains Samadhi no longer has any desire nor gets hungry or feels thirsty. Thus, it is one of the yoga terms for beginners that you should know about.
Also Read: Yoga Instructions For Beginners
Getting to know about all the yoga terms for beginners mentioned above helps you feel a sense of connection with the yoga class. There are many other terms that you will know about with regular yoga practice. Just keep going and be consistent with your practice.