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
