Abhinivesa: Fear of death/change
Ahimsa: Nonviolence
Ajna chakra: “Command” chakra at forehead
Anahata chakra: “Unstruck” chakra at heart
Ananda: Bliss
Anandamaya kosha: The innermost sheath, bliss, spirit
Apanasana: Ball Pose
Aparigraha: Nonattachment
Ardha chandrasana: Half Moon Pose
Asana: Physical posture or pose in yoga
Asmita: Egoism
Asteya: Non-stealing
Avidya: Spiritual ignorance
Balasana: Child’s Pose
Bhagavad Gita: Foundational spiritual text of yoga
Bhakti: Path of emotion, love, devotion
Bhakta: One who follows the Bhakti Path
Bhujangasana: Cobra Pose
Brahmacharya: Moderation, continence, retaining and directing sexual energy to the highest
Chakras: Energy centers, “wheels”
Deviasana: Goddess Pose
Dhanurasana: Bow Pose
Dharana: Concentration
Dharma: Duty, purpose
Dhyana: Meditative state
Dvesha: Aversion
Ishvara pranidhana: Surrender
Jnana: Knowledge
Jnani: One who follows the Jnana Path
Karma: Action brings reaction; outcome
Karma Yoga: Path of yoga by which self-realization occurs through work/selfless service
Kati chakrasana: Standing Twisted Posture
Kosha: Sheath or layer
Klesa: Obstacle, hindrance to enlightenment
Kumbhaka: Breath retention
Kundalini Upanishad: Ancient scripture outlining bioenergy techniques
Makarasana: Crocodile Pose
Manas: Mind/emotion
Manipura chakra: “Hidden gem” at solar plexus
Maya: Illusory, material reality
Nadi: Energy channel
Niyama: Observance
Prana: Bioenergy or life force
Pranayama: Breath control/direction/prolongation
Pratyahara: Sensory mastery
Puraka: Prolonged inhale
Raga: Attachment
Raja: The “Royal” path; from the Yoga Sutras, psychology, meditation
Rajas: Active, lustful, hyper, greedy
Rechaka: Prolonged exhale
Sadhana: Remembrance, daily practice
Samadhi: Union, enlightenment
Samkalpa: Intention
Samskara: Grooves, patterns, pathways
Samtosha: Contentment
Satya: Truthfulness
Savasana: Corpse Pose
Shalabhasana: Locust Pose
Simhasana: Lion Pose
Sunyaka: Breath suspension
Svadhyaya: Study of self or scripture
Talasana: Palm Tree Pose
Tamasic: Inactive, dull, depressed, low vitality
Tantra: “To expand and liberate,” path of energetic awareness and connection
Tapas: Discipline, effort, routine, austerity
Taittiriya Upanishad: Ancient scripture outlining the layers of being, from food to joy
Uttanasana: Standing Forward Bend
Vijnana: Discerning intellect
Virabhadrasana I: Warrior I Pose
Virabhadrasana II: Warrior II Pose
Yama: Restraint
Yastikasana: Stick Pose