40 Common Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know - Yoga Journal 17/01/2023, 23:33

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Yoga Journal Foundations Sanskrit

Sanskrit "SUM-Skruth-ah"
Thelanguageofthegods

&

2 47

PuaDehipande@Rinathelest211
S A N S K R I T ( H T T P S : / / W W W.Y O G A J O U R N A L . C O M / Y O G A -
101/SANSKRIT/)

40 Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know

Looking to expand your knowledge about this ancient language and take your
yoga practice to a deeper level? This is the place to begin.

APRIL 7, 2021
RINA DESHPANDE (HTTPS://WWW.YOGAJOURNAL.COM/BYLINE/RINA-DESHPANDE/)

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It has been said that learning a new language is like a spiritual journey in which we
discover another culture. Studying the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit has an added
benefit—it can assist you in going deeper in your yoga practice to reveal a greater
understanding of the poses you’re perfecting.

Whether you’ve just started taking yoga classes or are already an experienced yogi, there’s
plenty to discover about this mystical language. Here, we’ve broken down 40 common
Sanskrit words and their meanings, so you can broaden your mind and confidently take to
your mat.

Learn more: Should Yoga Teachers Use Sanskrit? (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-

101/sanskrit/should-yoga-teachers-use-sanskrit/)

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40 Common Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know - Yoga Journal 17/01/2023, 23:33

Ahimsa
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

Should Yoga Teachers Use Sanskrit?

(nonharming) (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-
101/sanskrit/should-yoga-teachers-
use-sanskrit/)
See also Does Ahimsa Mean I Can’t Eat Meat?
RINA DESHPANDE
(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/yoga-101/ahimsa-mean-cant-eat-meat/) (HTTPS://WWW.YOGA JOURNAL.COM/BYLINE/RINA-
DESHPANDE/)

Ananda 13 Yoga Mantras to Memorize

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-
101/spirituality/13-major-mantras-
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memorize/)
YELENA MOROZ ALPERT
(HTTPS://WWW.YOGA JOURNAL.COM/BYLINE/YELENA-
(bliss) MOROZ-ALPERT/)

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cullis-joyful-sequence-14-poses-holidays/)
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Asana
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(seat)

Explore Yoga Journal‘s comprehensive pose library

(https://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/)

Ashtanga
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(eight-limbed union)

See also Get to Know the 8 Limbs of Yoga

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/beginner-faqs-why-yoga/eight-limbs-
of-yoga/)

Avidya
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(ignorance)

See also Awaken to Your Potential for Change: The 5 Kleshas

(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/yoga-101/awakening/)

Ayurveda
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

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40 Common Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know - Yoga Journal 17/01/2023, 23:33

(life science)

Explore The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda

(https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/)

Bhakti
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(love + devotion)

See also What Is Bhakti Yoga? Why You Should Try the Yoga of Devotion
(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/bhakti-yoga-love-devotion-
relationship/)

Brahma Nadi

(divine channel)

More How to Be Happy at Every Age (https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/how-to-be-

happy-at-every-age/)

Citta
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(mind)

Learn more A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation

(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/presence-of-mind/)

Devanagari
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(divine writing)

See also 11 Journaling Prompts to Transform Your Writing Practice

(https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/looking-for-journaling-inspiration-these-31-
prompts-can-transform-your-writing-practice/)

Dhyana
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(meditation)

See also The Art of Being: Exploring the Seventh Limb of Yoga
(https://www.yogajournal.com/live-be-yoga-featured/dhyana/)

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40 Common Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know - Yoga Journal 17/01/2023, 23:33

Drishti
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(view/sight)

Learn more See More Clearly By Practicing Drishti

(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/philosophy/the-eye-of-the-beholder/)

Guru
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(a spiritual teacher)

See also My Guru, My Self (https://www.yogajournal.com/article/yoga-trends/guru-

self/)

Ida-nadi
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(pale conduit)

Lear more Discover the Ida and Pingala Nadis (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-

101/philosophy/balancing-act-2-2/)

Japa
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(muttering)

Read more Intro to Chanting, Japa, and Mantra

(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/teach/what-is-mantra/)

Jnana
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(knowledge)

See also Intro to Jnana Yoga: Playing the Mind-Body Edge

(https://www.yogajournal.com/article/history-of-yoga/new-look-yoga-playing-edge-
mind-body/)

Kosha

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Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(casing)

See also Getting to Know You: The 5 Koshas (https://www.yogajournal.com/article/yoga-

101/getting-know/)

Try Ashtanga Flash Cards (https://amzn.to/2VpxHyM)

Kundalini
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(coiled power)

See also A Beginner’s Guide to Kundalini Yoga (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-

101/a-beginners-guide-to-kundalini-yoga/)

Mantra
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(mind instrument)

See also Top Yoga Teachers Share Their Go-To Mantras

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-teachers-people/top-teachers-share-their-go-to-
yoga-mantras/)

Mandala
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(circle)

See also Vastu 101: How to Make Your Home a Healing Sanctuary
(https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/vastu-101/)

Mudra
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(seal)

See also A Mudra-Based Meditation for Processing Stress

(https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/mudra-based-meditation-to-reduce-anxiety-
and-stress/)

Namaste

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Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(I bow to you.)

Learn more The Meaning of “Namaste”

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/beginner-faqs-why-yoga/the-
meaning-of-quot-namaste-quot/)

Nirodhah
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(restriction)

Learn more Yoga Sutra (https://www.yogajournal.com/category/yoga-

101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/)

Niyama
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(observance)

See also 5 Ways to Put the Niyama Into Practice Right Now
(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/ways-to-put-the-niyamas-into-
practice-right-now/)

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Om
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(universal sound)

Learn more Mastering the Om: A Guide for Beginners

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/mastering-om/)

Pingala Nadi
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(conduit)

More How to Use the 7 Chakras in Your Yoga Practice

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/a-guide-to-the-chakras/)

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Prajna
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(wisdom)

Watch Meditation: How to Find Peace Amid Chaos

(https://www.yogajournal.com/video/find-peace-amid-chaos/)

Prana
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(life force)

Practice 6 Poses to Open Your Energy Channels & Boost Prana Flow
(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/6-poses-to-open-your-energy-channels-boost-
prana-flow/)

Pranayama
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(life force or breath extension)

See also A Beginner’s Guide to Pranayama

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/how-to/pranayama/)

Pratyahara
Photo: Illustration by Rina Deshpande

(withdrawal)

Read more Ancient Wisdom, Modern Practice: The Draw of the Senses
(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/ancient-wisdom-modern-practice-draw-of-the-
senses-pratyahara/)

Try HolyShirts Eight Limbs of Yoga Poster (https://amzn.to/2VIQOmH)

Samadhi

(union)

See also Stoke Your Spirit: 5 Ways to Move Toward Samadhi

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/stokeyourspirit-5-ways-to-move-toward-
samadhi/)

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Samskara

(activator)

Practice Find Your Willpower With This Samskara-Busting Sequence

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/practice-a-sequence-to-find-your-willpower/)

Satya

(truthfulness)

See also Embody Satya (Truthfulness) on the Mat (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-

101/philosophy/yama-satya-truthfulness-yoga-practice/)

Shakti

(power)

See also Find the Light in Meditation: How to Align With Shakti
(https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/find-light-meditation-align-shakti/)

Sutra

(thread)

Learn more Embrace the Yoga Sutras in a Totally New Way With These Visual Meditation
Practices (https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/embrace-the-yoga-sutras-in-a-
totally-new-way-with-these-visual-meditation-practices/)

Swadhyaya

(self-study)

See also Practice Swadhyaya on the Mat (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-

101/philosophy/niyamas-svadhyaya-self-study-yoga-practice/)

Tapas

(glow/heat)

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Learn How to Use Tapas to Make Your Practice More Sustainable

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/how-to-use-tapas-to-make-your-practice-more-
sustainable/)

Viveka

(sight)

See also 7 Ways to Incorporate Yoga Philosophy into a Physical Flow

(https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/incorporate-yoga-philosophy-
physical-flow/)

Yama

(restraint)

Yantra

(machine, contraption)

See also How to Use Yantras to Bring the Power of the Gods and Goddesses Into Your
Daily Life (https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/what-are-yantra-and-how-to-
harness-their-energies/)

Yoga

(union)

See also Yoga for Beginners – The Ultimate Guide

(https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/yoga-for-beginners/)

Rina Deshpande is a teacher, writer, and researcher of yoga and mindfulness practices.
Having grown up with Indian yoga philosophy, she rediscovered its profound value as a
New York City public school teacher. For more than 15 years, she has practiced and
shared the benefits of yoga across the globe. After studying yoga and mindfulness as
self-regulation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she designs curriculum for
science research and K–12 education. She is the author of Jars of Space, a book of
handwritten and illustrated yogic poetry. Learn more at
@rinathepoet or rinadeshpande.com (http://rinadeshpande.com/).

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