We all see yoga as some form of random physical exercise. While yoga is practised by many since time immemorial, most of them lack true potential. Many of us often misuse terms related to yoga because we do not possess the correct knowledge and pronunciation. Yoga is an age-old science that is up of different disciplines of mind and body. It’s based upon the Sanskrit word Yuja, which means to connect, to culminate, or to concur.
As per Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras, “Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.”
Have you been looking out for yogic expression and their meaning?
Let’s read out the following yogic terms, which are commonly misused, misunderstood, or misrepresented.
The 5 Yamas –
The foremost thing to know in yoga is the 5 Yamas. The Yama is the first limb of the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga’ originating from the ancient Indian philosophical text called ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’
The Yamas teach us principles and values of life, which lay the foundations of social behavior. They’re like the reference for living, a lifestyle that exists in total harmony with the world around us.
The first of the Yama is AHIMSA or ‘Non-violence‘ in every action such as, in thoughts, words, and is often associated with the commandment.
The second Yama is SATYA or ‘Truthfulness‘, which is honesty towards others, and more importantly to one’s self.
The third is ASTEYA, or in other words ‘Non-stealing’, which means so much more than that.
The fourth Yama is BRAHMACHARYA, or the Right use of energy, which demands moderation in all things.
The fifth Yama is APARIGRAHA, ‘Non-greed’ or ‘Non-attachment’ which mentions, that everything – our bodies, our actions, our thoughts – belongs to the Lord (our Higher Self).
Niyamas – The second limb of the Eight limbs of yoga is Niyamas, which usually means ‘positive duties’ or ‘observances’ and viewed as habits for healthy living and ‘spiritual existence’
The Niyamas consists of 5 things as follows;
SAUCHA, which refers to cleanliness
SANTOSHA, which roughly translates to contentment
TAPAS, meaning to discipline, austerity, or ‘burning enthusiasm’
SVADHYAYA, this term literally means ‘one’s own reading’ or more precisely ‘self-study’
ISVARA PRANIDHANA symbolizes our offerings to ‘the divine’ and humanity.
Asanas – The third of the Eighth Limbs of Yoga is Asanas referring to Postures. It is related to the physical aspect of yoga that leads to the path of freedom. It focuses upon the evolution of the muscular development of the human form.
Pranayama – The term ‘Prana’ refers to energy or life source. The most common understanding of Pranayama means breath-control or breath-restraint or as freedom of breath or breath expansion.
Pratyahara – Pratya means ‘withdrawal’ or more like ‘draw in’ or ‘draw back’ and in the second part, Ahara refers to anything taken into ourselves. To put it in simple terms Pratyahara encourages us to be quiet and still, to make silence a part of our daily lives.
Dharana – The practice of Dharana exercises the mind to stay focused. This sixth limb is linked to the previous limb, “Pratyahara” which are the essential parts of the same aspect.
Dhyana – This seventh limb of yoga is “Meditation Absorption” – when we are completely absorbed in our contemplation, and this is when we are really meditating.
Samadhi – The final step in the journey of yoga is Samadhi. Many of us know Samadhi means bliss or enlightenment. In this concluding phase, the yogi experiences ecstasy, pure joy, and complete consciousness.
Drishti– This yoga involves the practice of the ‘gazing technique’ that develops concentrated intention.
Divya-Drishti – The term Dibya-Drishti literally means divine eye-sight that refers to intuitive perception or cognition. As per Patanjali, Divya-Drishti is spiritual attainment that enables a yogi to communicate with heavenly bodies.
Sthiti – This term indicates a position, rank, or state of staying or continued existence in any place. The yoga terminology says Sthiti is the steadiness of the mind.
Atma – This Sanskrit word refers to inner self, spirit, or soul. It defines the true self of an individual beyond identification with phenomena.
Chetana – It is the rays emanating from Chitta, which go into your intellect & mind, help you in doing all the activities of your body like the legs can walk, eyes can see, the ears can hear etc. This is called “Chetana” Consciousness.
Brahma – This practice of Brahma yoga is unlike any other form of yoga. This practice of yoga is believed to bring harmony and stability and balance. It offers a gentle release in the neck and shoulder regions and also stimulates memory, tranquillity, and calmness.
Virya – This term in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is explained as one of the five attitudes and mindsets that are suitable for achieving inner peace. It portrays willpower, determination, and courage, which is needed for a yogi to stay, focused.
Sanyasa – The Sanyasa in yoga refers to peculiar planetary situations or combinations seen in some horoscopes that signify Sanyasa i.e. rejection of worldly material by people born with those yogas.
Sadhana – Sadhana means accomplishing that is a spiritual discipline. In the yogic tradition, if a person adopts the practice of sadhana then, it is said to aim them towards the ultimate expression of finding his or her life in this reality.
Japa – The Japa term means muttering or recitation of mantras or meditative repetition of a mantra or a divine name. This type of practice is mainly found in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Shintoism.
Nadi – This Sanskrit word Nadi can be translated to a tube or a channel that allows the flow of energy levels through the body. As per Indian Philosophy, there are three major Nadis, the Ida, the Pingala, and the Sushumna.
Tattva – This yogic term means principle or reality. Tattva is an inseparable part of Hindu philosophy with the various schools of thought defining it in their way. The five basic tattvas are earth, sky, air, water, and fire.
Vairagya –This word translates as dispassion or detachment from the pains and pleasures in the temporary material world. True Vairagya refers to an internal state of mind than to an external lifestyle.
Ananda –This Sanskrit word interprets the state of complete bliss or happiness.
Bindu – Bindu literally means – the dot or seed indicates the third eye where all the energies are focused.
Chakra – Chakra means the wheel or circle that is stored with 7 or more energy centres.
Prana – Prana means life force or life energy or the breath work which moves the life force through your body.
Dharma – The one who is a bearer of righteousness or going by “law”
Stitadhi – This Sanskrit term means someone who has a firm mind, or steady-minded, or cool.
Tirtha – Tirtha commonly means – a crossing place or any place, text, or person that is holy.
Muni – This Yogic term simply means a sage (a holy man) who has taken over the vow of silence.
Slok – Shokla or Sloka means a poetic form, which is used in Sanskrit.
Mantra – The sacred utterance of words or group of words in Sanskrit is known as a Mantra.
Tantra – The word Tantra refers to the teaching of both philosophical and set of spiritual practices.
Mandala – Mandala means circles and/or geometric shapes symbolizing the cosmos – usually symmetrical around a circle.
Sutra – Sutra is considered to be a genre of ancient and medieval Indian texts found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Sashtra – The term commonly refers to a text on a specified field of knowledge of “rules, manual, compendium, book, or treatise” in general use.
Mundra – Mundra usually refers to the ways to hold your fingers to make meaningful shapes like yoga for hands.
Om – This term means the ultimate sound of the universe. It is also pronounced as a-u-m which is prefixed to many mantric utterances.
Guru – Guru means a teacher or a spiritual teacher, someone who guides you from the dark to light.
Shishya – This term refers to a student or disciple of a guru.
Moksha – The state of freedom from the cycle of rebirth to a state of pure bliss is Moksha.
Namaste – Namaste is a beautiful greeting or closing said in Hinduism that means the light in me salutes the light in you.
