First Concepts

Yoga

/ˈjoʊɡə/, योग – ‘sum’, ‘summation’, ‘conjunction’, ‘addition’. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’, ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’

Mantra

/ˈmæntrə, ˈmɑːn-, ˈmʌn-/, मन्त्र – mantra is the speaking of a protected or secret sound.

Asana

/ˈɑːsənə/, आसन – ‘posture’ or ‘seat’. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali define asana as a position that is steady and comfortable.

Drishti

/d̪ɾɪʃ.ʈiː/, दृष्टि – ‘vision’, ‘sight’, ‘eyesight’. Drishti, or focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention.

Pranayama

 /ˌprɑːnʌˈjɑːməː/, प्राणायाम – there are some popular meanings:

1. prāṇa ‘breath’ + āyāma ‘restraint’. The suspension of breath
2. prāṇa ‘energy’ + ayām ‘expansion’. Expansion of individual energy into cosmic energy

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