YOGA TERMS

ABHINIVESHA
fear of impermanence, fear of death

ABDUCTION
moving the leg away from the mid-line (sagittal plane)

ADDUCTION
moving leg across the mid-line (sagittal plane)

ASANA
poses

ASMITA
ego

AVIDYA
ignorance, separation from True Self:

  • confusing Permanent for Impermanent
  • confusing Pure for Impure
  • confusing Pleasure for Pain
  • confusing Self with Non-self

AXES OF MOVEMENT

  • X axis | the car wheel axis. When you fold forward, you are moving the torso on the X Axis
  • Y axis | the LP/DVD axis. When you turn the head left and right, you’re moving on the Y Axis
  • Z axis | the steering wheel axis. When you hike one hip higher than the other, that’s the Z Axis

DHARANA
concentration

DHARMA
purpose, life-work, duty

DHYANA
meditation

DVESHA
aversion

EXTENSION
increasing of space between thigh and torso (Tadasana and Bhujanghasana are both hip extension poses)

EXTERNAL ROTATION
rotating the leg out, away from the mid-line (sagittal plane), knee points out

FLEXION
decreasing of space between thigh and torso (bending forward)

FRONTAL
divides body into front and back halves

INTERNAL ROTATION
rotating the leg in, towards the mid-line (sagittal plane), knee points in

KLESHAS
obstacles on the yogic path

NIYAMA
internal restraints:

  • Saucha | cleanliness
  • Santosha | contentness with what is
  • Tapas | fire, discipline, accepting not causing pain
  • Svadhyaya | self-study
  • Ishvara-pranidhana | devotion to divine

PRANAYAMA
breath control

PRATYAHARA
withdrawal of senses, drawing against the grain of the sensory organs

RAGA
attachment

SAGITTAL
divides body into left and right halves

SAMADHI
oneness with cosmic spirit

TRANSVERSE
divides body into top and bottom halves

YAMA
external restraints:

  • Ahimsa | compassion, kindess, non-violence
  • Satya | truthfulness
  • Asteya | non-stealing
  • Brahmacharya | control of creative force
  • Aparigraha | balanced giving/taking