essay in yoga in sanskrit

योगः | Sanskrit Essay on Yoga

Essay on yoga in sanskrit.

योगविद्या भारतवर्षस्य अमूल्यनिधिः । पुराकालादेव अविच्छित्ररुपेण गुरुपरम्परापूर्वकं प्रचलिताऽऽसीत् गुरुपरम्परेयम् । वस्तुत ऋषिमुनियोगिनामध्यवसायजनितं साधनालब्धं अन्तर्जगतो महत्त्वपूर्णमन्तर्विज्ञान भवति तथा । अनेन योगसमाधिना ऋषयो मन्त्रान् द्रष्टुं समर्था आसन् श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतायां योगस्य द्विविधत्वं वर्णितं श्रीकृष्णेन । यथा –ज्ञानयोगः, कर्मयोगश्च । परम्परनिरपेक्षं मोक्षसाधनत्वेन कर्मज्ञानयोगरुपं निष्ठाद्वयमुक्तम् ।योगदर्शनानुसारेण योगस्य अष्टौ अङ्गानि सन्ति ।

तदुक्तं योगदर्शने यम्- नियम- आसन- प्राणायाम-प्रत्याहार –धारण् –ध्यान – समाधयोऽष्टाङ्गानि – इति । एतेषां वहिरङ्गान्तरङ्गभेदेन द्विविधत्वं कल्प्यते । एषु यम- नियम – आसन –प्राणायाम –प्रत्याहरादीनि पञ्चाङ्गानि वहिरङ्गानि सन्ति । धारणा –ध्यान –समाधीति त्रीणि अन्तरङ्गाणि भवन्ति । यतो हि एतेषामन्तः करणेन साकमेव सम्बन्धो विद्यते । अतः एतेषामन्तरङ्गत्वम् । महर्षिणा पतञ्जलिना त्रयाणां कृते संयमः इत्युच्यते । तद्यथा – त्रयमेकत्र संयमः । अष्टाङ्गयोगद्वारा प्रमाण- विपर्यय- विकल्प निद्रा – स्मृत्यादिपञ्चप्रवृत्तीनां निरोधं कृत्वा योगसमाधौ प्रविशति योगी ।कर्मफलमनपेक्षमाणः सन् अवश्यं कार्यतया विहितं कर्म यः करोति स एव योगी भवति । इन्द्रियभोगेषु तत्साधनेषु च कर्मसु यदा आसक्तिं न करोति, सर्वान् भोगविषयान् परित्यजति तदा स योगारुढं उच्यते । स एकान्ते स्थितः सन् सङ्गशून्यो भूत्वा मनः वशीकृत्य आशां परिग्रहञ्च परित्यज्य सततमात्मानं समाहितां कुर्यात् । तत्रासनमुपविश्य एकाग्रं विक्षेपरहितं मनः कृत्वा योगमथ्यसेत् । यस्य आहारः विहारश्च नियमितः, सर्वेषु कर्मसु यस्य चेष्टा नियमिता, यस्य शयनः जागरणञ्च नियमितं तस्य दुःखनिवर्त्तको योगो सिध

Yoga and the Sanskrit Connection

Rebecca is the Editor of Yogapedia. She has been an avid yogi and mindfulness practitioner for the past ten years.

Sanskrit can enhance your practice on and off the mat. Here’s a look at the history and benefits of pairing your yoga practice and daily life with the ancient language of Sanskrit.

So after I got to know them better, I started incorporating my knowledge of Sanskrit and the Vedas . Soon they were talking about how the benefits of our class stuck with them much longer than when they just thought this was a workout.

Yoga Is Bigger Than You Think

These higher forms of consciousness create a heightened human expression. These ancient writings are in the Sanskrit language and that knowledge opens your Yoga practice to new heights. To add to this mysterious layering of knowledge, Sanskrit, in itself is also a tool for enlightenment .

Sanskrit is a 5,000 to 8,000 year old language, which originated in India. It is the language of a vast library of knowledge, which includes the Vedas. The Vedas are the oldest literature and are comprised of four books (volumes) that delve into science, medicine, astronomy, astrology, mathematics, architecture, and the practical and cosmic aspects of society.

I like to look at it as yoga is the physical demonstration of the celestial knowledge of the ancient Vedas from India, and Sanskrit is a way to delve even deeper for a greater understanding.

The Use of Mantras

Mantras use a Sanskrit sound or word repeatedly to help regulate the mind and the breathing. Sanskrit mantras within themselves contains powerful vibratory qualities.

The use of these mantras at anytime can help to calm our restless minds, and when you pair one with an asana , your body and mind sync, becoming a physical expression of meditation.

According to the study "The Science of Mantra" by Julie K. Staples, healthy individuals that practiced mantra meditation daily for four weeks experienced significantly decreased stress, anxiety, and symptoms of psychological distress, and saw improvements in their mood.

Read: 5 Powerful Mantras and Their Sacred Meanings

This alone is an intriguing reason to look into Sanskrit. However, as you approach the Sanskrit language and the poetry associated with it, you may feel overwhelmed.

Breaking Down Sanskrit

When my sister and I teach Sanskrit, we are often met with this issue from students. The more you study the more you realize how vast this knowledge is.

While yes, there is a linguistic complexity to the study of Sanskrit, there is also a wonder and an enjoyment to being on this unique path to enlightenment.

If you view the study of Sanskrit like you would approach the study of math, you will see that it just keeps on going, and you don’t try to conquer it. You just enjoy you the experience.

With grace and humility, you let the teachings carry you to greater heights of understanding and depth of experience; much like you do with your yoga practice.

Read: Makings of a Mantra: The Basics of Sanskrit's Sacred Syllables & How to Choose Yours

An Introduction to Basic Mantras

So with that said, I would like to share with you a few easy mantras that can be used to calm the mind. Feel free to use these in meditation, while you hold an asana or while you are standing in line at the grocery store.

I have chosen these because of their simplicity and the smoothness with which they are said. Short or clipped mantras will affect you differently.

Om : The first sound, the sound of creation and it is also the root of the word, amen.
Lung: Pronounced, loong. Which means the earth. This is a good grounding mantra.
Rang: This word is pronounced with a long “a” like in the word father. This mantra means fire.
Hring: The “i” in this mantra is pronounced like “ee”. This word means either or space.
Gang: The “a” in this mantra is a long “a”. This mantra is referring to Ganesh , the Hindu god known as the remover of obstacles.
Aham Prema : The a's in this mantra are pronounced like the “a” in father, and the “e” is pronounced like “ay” in the word “way”. This mantra has a nice rhythm to it and it means "I am love."
So’ham : This mantra means “I am that” alluding “that” which is all of creation.

Let the Sanskrit mantras murmur around in your mind and allow yourself to get comfortable with them. Don’t worry about your pronunciation.

The sounds in Sanskrit are primordial and contain inherent vibratory qualities and will naturally synch with your breathing. Try and stick with one mantra at a time so you can see which ones feel the best for you.

The music group that I am a part of, Shanti Shanti , just released a course teaching 13 Healing Mantras. You can receive a free class teaching them here .

Read: Chanting : Align With Life

The Sound of Creation

There have been tremendous studies on the effects of the Sanskrit language and the science behind its unique properties. Sanskrit is said to be the sound of creation and you are a product of creation.

Sometimes our restless minds and busy lives make us feel separate and out of synch. If everything is comprised of vibrations, we can use the high vibrations of Sanskrit to affect ourselves and our environment.

If you are mildly familiar or completely unfamiliar with Sanskrit, I encourage you to enjoy this aspect of yogic studies. So whether you are sitting in traffic, in line at the store or immersed in yoga asana, gently introducing a mantra can pacify our busy minds.

Allow yourself to be immersed the unique depth of Sanskrit study and bring yourself into harmonious alignment with the universe.

Your beautiful self is not just having a great workout, but is part of a grand tradition that is many thousands of years old, and contains a depth that makes it a powerful tool in our modern, hectic world.

During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.

To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.

Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.

Related Terms

Enlightenment
So’ham

Written by Andrea Santos

I am a Sanskrit scholar, writer, musician and half of the music group Shanti Shanti . I am a lifetime yogi: TM meditator since I was five years old and a practitioner of Yoga and Ayurveda.

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Essay on International Yoga Day in Sanskrit

This is an Essay on International Yoga Day in Sanskrit.

अन्ताराष्ट्रीयः योगदिवसः इति विषये संस्कृते निबन्धः।

अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस पर निबंध।.

English and Hindi translation are given for better understanding.

This post can be referenced by school students and Sanskrit learners.

Table of Contents

Video of Sanskrit Essay on International Yoga Day

प्रतिवर्षं “२१ जून्” इति दिने “अन्ताराष्ट्रीयः योगदिवसः” अस्ति। भारतस्य प्रयासेन संयुक्तराष्ट्रसङ्घः इदं दिनम् अघोषयत्।

अधुना बहुषु देशेषु योगदिवसः आयुज्यते। अस्मिन् दिने सर्वे जनाः सम्मिल्य योगाभ्यासं कुर्वन्ति। भारतदेशे अपि भव्यं आयोजनं क्रियते। देशेभ्यः विदेशेभ्यः च नेतरः साधारणाः जनाः च आगच्छन्ति, योगासनानि कुर्वन्ति च।

जनाः शरीरस्य चित्तस्य च स्वास्थ्यं प्रति उदासीनाः सन्ति। तेषां शरीरे मनसि च विभिन्नाः रोगाः जायन्ते। भारतवर्षे गुरुकुलेषु सूर्यनमस्कारः शिष्याणां पाठ्यक्रमस्य अङ्गम् आसीत्। योगासनानां नैके प्रकाराः सन्ति। यथा – शीर्षासनं, पद्मासनं, शवासनम् आदीनि च। शीर्षासनेन बुद्धिः तीव्रा भवति। प्राणायामेन श्वासप्रक्रिया नियन्त्रिता भवति। ध्यानेन कार्येषु कुशलता वर्धते।

योगासनेन शरीरं सुदृढं निरामयं च भवति। योगासनेन शरीरे चित्ते च स्फूर्तिः जायते। योगासनेन उत्साहः वर्धते। जनाः कार्यप्रवीणाः भवन्ति। जनाः रोगरहिताः अपि भवन्ति। योगासनार्थं कस्यापि साधनस्य आवश्यकता नास्ति।

सत्यमेव उक्तं – योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्।

antārāṣṭrīyaḥ yogadivasaḥ iti viṣaye saṃskṛte nibandhaḥ।

prativarṣaṃ “21 jūn” iti dine “antārāṣṭrīyaḥ yogadivasaḥ” asti। bhāratasya prayāsena saṃyuktarāṣṭrasaṅghaḥ idaṃ dinam aghoṣayat।

adhunā bahuṣu deśeṣu yogadivasaḥ āyujyate। asmin dine sarve janāḥ sammilya yogābhyāsaṃ kurvanti। bhāratadeśe api bhavyaṃ āyojanaṃ kriyate। deśebhyaḥ videśebhyaḥ ca netaraḥ sādhāraṇāḥ janāḥ ca āgacchanti, yogāsanāni kurvanti ca।

janāḥ śarīrasya cittasya ca svāsthyaṃ prati udāsīnāḥ santi। teṣāṃ śarīre manasi ca vibhinnāḥ rogāḥ jāyante। bhāratavarṣe gurukuleṣu sūryanamaskāraḥ śiṣyāṇāṃ pāṭhyakramasya aṅgam āsīt। yogāsanānāṃ naike prakārāḥ santi। yathā – śīrṣāsanaṃ, padmāsanaṃ, śavāsanam ādīni ca। śīrṣāsanena buddhiḥ tīvrā bhavati। prāṇāyāmena śvāsaprakriyā niyantritā bhavati। dhyānena kāryeṣu kuśalatā vardhate।

yogāsanena śarīraṃ sudṛḍhaṃ nirāmayaṃ ca bhavati। yogāsanena śarīre citte ca sphūrtiḥ jāyate। yogāsanena utsāhaḥ vardhate। janāḥ kāryapravīṇāḥ bhavanti। janāḥ rogarahitāḥ api bhavanti। yogāsanārthaṃ kasyāpi sādhanasya āvaśyakatā nāsti।

satyameva uktaṃ – yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam।

Essay on International Yoga Day

Every year, on the 21st of June, International Yoga Day is celebrated. Due to the efforts of the Indian government, the United Nations has declared this day.

Now, International Yoga Day is celebrated in many countries. On this day, people come together and do yoga. In India, grand preparations are done. From both countries far and afar, both politicians and common people come to practice yoga.

Many people do not pay attention to their physical or mental health. This causes many diseases. In India, in the gurukul system of education, the Suryanamaskara was a part of the students’ curriculum. There are various kinds of Yogasanas. Like – Shirshasana, Padmasana, Shavasana, etc. Doing the Shirshasana, sharpens the mind. Pranayama helps regulate breathing. Meditation helps to improve work capacity.

Doing yoga helps make the body strong and healthy. Doing yoga makes our mind and body energetic. Doing yoga increases our enthusiasm. People perform better at work. People also fall sick less often. To do yoga, no equipment is required.

It is truly said – By doing yoga, excellence can be achieved in work.

हर साल 21 जून इस दिन को अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस होता है। भारत के प्रयत्नों से संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ ने इस दिन की घोषणा की थी।

अब बहुत देशों में योग दिवस का आयोजन किया जाता है। इस दिन, सारे लोग एकत्रित होकर योगाभ्यास करते हैं। भारत में भी भव्य आयोजन किया जाता है। देश-विदेश के नेता और लोग आते हैं और योगासन करते हैं।

लोग शरीर और मन के स्वास्थ्य के प्रति उदासीन हैं। उनके शरीर और मन में विविध रोग होते हैं। भारत में गुरुकुल में सूर्यनमस्कार शिष्यों के पाठ्यक्रम का भाग था। योगासनों के अलग-अलग प्रकार हैं। जैसे – शीर्षासन, पद्मासन, शवासन इत्यादी।शीर्षासन करने से बुद्धि तीव्र हो जाती है। प्राणायाम से श्वास की क्रिया नियंत्रित हो जाती है। ध्यान करने से सारे कार्यों मे कुशलता बढ़ती है।

योगासन से शरीर सदृढ और निरामय होता है। योगासन से शरीर और चित्त में स्फूर्ति आती है। योगासन से उत्साह बढ़ता है। लोग कार्य में कुशल होते हैं। लोग निरोगी होते हैं। योगासन के लिए कोई साधन की भी आवश्यकता भी नहीं होती।

सच कहते हैं – योग से ही कर्मों में कुशलता आती है।

Importance of Machines

Importance of Art

Republic Day of India

Examination

Pandita Ramabai

Teachers Day

The Experience of Covid

Essay on Ganeshotsav

Importance of Indian Festivals

Importance of Discipline

Importance of Sports

Nutritious Diet

Books My Friend

Mahatma Gandhi

Lokmanya Tilak

Importance of Knowledge

Makar Sankranti

Indian National Flag

Importance of Cleanliness

Importance of Exercise

Importance of Water

Summer Season

Rainy Season

My favourite Teacher

Indian Independence Day

Raksha Bandhan

World Environment Day

River Ganga

Abdul Kalam

Goddess Saraswati

Sanskrit Language

Festival of Holi

Shri Krishna

Shri Ganesha

Other Interesting Sections

Learn about Sanskrit Axioms which is a statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.

Learn about Sanskrit Proverbs which are a short, well-known saying, stating a general truth or piece of advice.

Learn about Shloka or shlokas in Sanskrit which consists of four padas of 8 syllables each, or of two half-verses of 16 syllables each.

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Mandala Collections Texts

Explore ashtanga yoga: a curated guide, ashtanga yoga, a curated guide.

This guide provides a brief overview of ashtanga yoga with a primary focus on providing a curated and annotated list of important relevant resources and those frequently cited, referenced, or recommended by current scholars and experts in the field.

Ashtanga yoga is a practice consisting of a series of physical postures, breathing techniques, and cultivated forms of concentration. While it has ancient roots, ashtanga yoga as practiced today was codified and initially popularized in India in the twentieth century by K. Pattabhi Jois (1915–2009). Unless otherwise specified, references to ashtanga yoga in this guide are to Jois’s form of the practice.

Jois taught yoga in Mysore, India beginning in 1937, first at the Sanskrit College under the patronage of the maharaja of Mysore and later at his own school, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI), which he started in 1948. Westerners began coming to Mysore to study with Pattabhi Jois in the 1960s, and he began traveling to the West to teach in the mid-1970s, leading to a steady burgeoning of interest in ashtanga yoga, and yoga more broadly, around the world over the following decades.

Jois’s own teacher was the renowned yogi Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who is widely regarded as the father of modern yoga. Jois and Krishnamacharya cited an ancient Sanskrit text called the Yoga Korunta, attributed to the sage Vamana (which Krishnamacharya learned orally from his teacher, Rama Mohan Brahmachari), as the basis for the ashtanga yoga they taught. Any manuscripts of this text are believed to have been destroyed, and its authenticity would be difficult to validate, but it is considered by some to be the original source of this ashtanga yoga lineage.

Ashtanga yoga is organized into six series of postures, which are learned slowly over time and practiced sequentially. Postures are linked together through a breathing and movement system called, in Sanskrit, vinyāsa, with each movement assigned a corresponding inhalation (pūraka) or exhalation (recaka). Jois described the postures as being strung together, like the flowers of a mala or flower garland, on the thread of the breath (Jois, 2002). Breathing during ashtanga practice is smooth, long, even, through the nose, and accompanied by the sound produced by a slight glottal constriction, as when whispering.

Cultivating awareness around breath and posture during ashtanga yoga practice constitutes two parts of tristhāna (from Sanskrit, tri, “three,” and sthāna, “standing place”), a three-pronged system for maintaining concentration. The third is dṛṣṭi, a prescribed gazing point for each posture. Further awareness is directed toward bandha, subtle energetic locks, or valves, in the body that regulate the flow of energy, support breath, and provide physiological structure. Although bandhas can be subtle and somewhat esoteric, they have a physical expression in the body. The two main bandhas cultivated in ashtanga practice are mūla bandha, or “root lock,” which starts as a contraction of the pelvic floor, and uḍḍīyana (“flying upward”) bandha, which manifests as a drawing in and up of the lower abdomen.

The ashtanga practice is rooted in a foundational yoga philosophy described in the Yoga Sūtras, an ancient treatise commonly believed to have been compiled by the Indian sage Patañjali around the turn of the Common Era and which came to represent one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy. The Sanskrit word aṣṭāṅga means “eight limbs,” from aṣṭou, “eight,” and aṅga, “limb.” Patañjali’s yoga consists of eight pillars:

Yama, five ethical principles or social restraints
Niyama, five personal observances
Āsana, physical postures—literally, “seat”
Prāṇāyāma, controlling the prāṇa, or life force, as through breathing practices
Pratyāhāra, sense withdrawal or detachment from sense objects, leading to control over the senses
Dhāraṇā, concentration
Dhyāna, meditation
Samādhi, meditative absorption or a state of higher consciousness

According to Sharath Jois (Pattabhi Jois’s grandson), practicing ashtanga yoga means practicing all eight limbs. The ashtanga yoga tradition is passed down through paraṁparā, a “direct and unbroken transmission of knowledge” (Jois, 2013) from teacher to student. The current ashtanga yoga “lineage holder” is broadly considered to be Sharath Jois, who continues to teach in Mysore and is the only person to have completed all six series of ashtanga yoga. In the early 2000s, the AYRI became the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI), and in 2019, Sharath opened the Sharath Yoga Centre. Pattabhi Jois’s daughter (Sharath’s mother), Saraswathi Jois, also teaches in Mysore; his granddaughter, Sharmila Mahesh, teaches in Bangalore; and his son, Manju Jois, teaches in California.

There are ashtanga yoga teachers and studios all over the world. “Authorized” teachers are those who have practiced with Sharath or Pattabhi Jois in Mysore for a certain amount of time and have received permission from one of them to teach this method, either through the primary series (level 1) or intermediate series (level 2). “Certified” teachers are more senior practitioners who have practiced in Mysore for a long time, have typically completed the Advanced A (3rd) series, and have dedicated their lives significantly to practicing and teaching. Saraswathi Jois has also recently started authorizing her students. These teachers, along with many others and their students, have led to the formation of a vast network of ashtanga yoga śālās (schools, or literally “homes”) and programs all over the world.

Ashtanga classes are typically conducted in the Mysore-style, meaning students do their own self-practice within a group setting while the teacher moves around the room offering individual guidance and assistance. In this way, students get one-on-one attention from the teacher and learn the practice at their own pace as adapted to their individual needs.

In 2017, it came to light publicly that Pattabhi Jois abused a number of his female students over the course of many years, touching them in a sexual manner in the classroom under the guise of adjustments. Some of these women had spoken out about this abuse in the past, but their testimony was largely ignored. This has sparked a large amount of discussion and reflection within the ashtanga community and beyond. In acknowledging the abuse and honoring the victims’ experiences now, many in the ashtanga community are attempting to assimilate this history into a shifting approach moving forward.

Bryant, Edwin F. The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary . New York, NY: North Point Press, 2009.

Compiled by the sage Patañjali somewhere around the turn of the Common Era, the Yoga Sūtras is one of the canonical texts of classical Eastern thought and came to represent one of the six schools of Indian philosophy. The text consists of 195 short aphorisms organized into four chapters. Centered mainly around meditative absorption, it presents the eight-fold path of aṣṭāṅga yoga to serve as a guide to reaching direct experience and realization of the puruṣa, the innermost self, or what might be thought of as the soul.

Desai, Sharmila, and Anna Wise. Yoga Sadhana for Mothers: Shared experiences of Ashtanga yoga, pregnancy, birth and motherhood. London, UK: Yogawords, Limited, 2014.

This in-depth book by two long-term practitioners and teachers, Sharmila Desai and Anna Wise, offers guidance for practitioners of ashtanga yoga through pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and motherhood. The book includes anatomical resources and suggestions for practice, developed in collaboration with Sharath Jois, along with photographs and diagrams. It also contains interviews with over 30 women steeped in this practice about their journey through conception, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.

Freeman, Richard, and Mary Taylor. The Art of Vinyasa: Awakening Body and Mind through the Practice of Ashtanga Yoga . Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications, 2016.

This book by senior teachers Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor is a guide to yoga as a moving meditation on the subtle, internal forms of the practice, particularly through an understanding of vinyāsa. The section on āsana, rather than being organized based on the ashtanga sequence, is arranged according to forms: forward bends, backbends, twists, balancing postures, etc.

Freeman, Richard. The Mirror of Yoga: Awakening the Intelligence of Body and Mind . Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 2010.

Richard Freeman’s book is a consideration of the philosophy underlying the ashtanga yoga practice, including through discussion of a number of texts and philosophies, such as Sāṃkhya, the Upaniṣads, and the Yoga Sūtras. He discusses the eight limbs of yoga, different approaches to and schools of yoga, and practices such as chanting and meditation

Hendry, Hamish. Yoga Dharma. London, UK: Pushpam, 2016.

Senior teacher Hamish Hendry of Ashtanga Yoga London wrote this small handbook to offer insight beyond the physical practice of yoga into its underlying philosophy, essential texts, and Hindu mythology and stories.

Hunt, Taylor. A Way from Darkness: My Story of Addiction, Recovery, and Yoga . Ekam Publishing, 2016.

Hunt of Ashtanga Yoga Columbus wrote this memoir about his struggle with addiction and his path to ashtanga yoga.

Niranjanananda Saraswati. Samkhya Darshan. Samkhya Darshan: Yogic Perspective on Theories of Realism . Munger, Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 2008.

Sāṁkhya is one of the earliest schools of Indian philosophy and presents a dualistic view of reality, consisting of the puruṣa, or witnessing consciousness, and prakṛti, the root cause of creation. Sāṁkhya philosophy is essential as a foundation for understanding yoga (and is also a basis for Buddhist philosophy); it can be considered the underlying metaphysics of self-realization, with yoga being the method for attaining it. The Sāṁkhya Kārikā was written by a third-generation disciple, Īśvara Kṛṣṇa, and describes the entire philosophy, as taught by the sage Kapila, in 72 ślokas, or verses.

Jois, Pattabhi. Yoga Mala: The Original Teachings of Ashtanga Yoga Master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois . New York, NY: North Point Press, 2002.

Originally published in the Kannada language in 1962, this is K. Pattabhi Jois’s brief guide to ashtanga yoga. In this book, he explains some of the philosophy behind ashtanga yoga, explaining key terms and principles and citing a number of foundational yoga texts and scriptures. He outlines the first four limbs of yoga according to Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, and then goes through the primary series of ashtanga yoga, explaining each posture, the method for entering and exiting it (vinyāsa), and some of the benefits it provides, accompanied by a photo of himself or Sharath demonstrating the posture. The book features forewords by Sharath and senior teacher Eddie Stern.

Jois, Sharath. Aṣṭāṅga Yoga Anuṣṭāna . Mysore, India: KPJAYI Mysore, 2013.

Written by Sharath Jois and published by KPJAYI in Mysore, this book provides a brief introduction to ashtanga yoga and the precise, “official” vinyāsa count for each of the postures in the primary series, along with photos of Sharath demonstrating each posture.

Jois, Sharath, and ‎Isha Singh Sawhney. Ageless: A Yogi's Secrets to a Long and Healthy Life . New Delhi, India: Juggernaut Books, 2018.

In this book, Jois offers advice, through the lens of yoga principles and philosophy, on how to live a long and healthy life. He provides dietary and lifestyle recommendations, as well as a few āsana sequences.

Desikachar, T. K. V.., E. R. Ramaswamy Iyengar, Kausthub Desikachar, and Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Yoga Makaranda: The Nectar of Yoga. Chennai, India: Media Garuda, Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation, 2011.

First published in the Kannada language in 1934, this is Krishnamacharya’s first book on yoga and one of the first to present yoga to a general population as a “householder’s practice.” This was one of the first books to present the practice of āsanas in a sequential manner (vinyāsa krama). It includes information about complementary health and lifestyle practices and photos of Krishnamacharya and some of his students demonstrating the postures.

MacGregor, Kino. The Power of Ashtanga Yoga: Developing a Practice That Will Bring You Strength, Flexibility, and Inner Peace. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 2013.

This textbook by senior teacher Kino MacGregor provides a view of the ashtanga yoga practice as a path of spiritual transformation and personal development. It also contains a guide to the full ashtanga primary series, with photographs and descriptions of each posture.

MacGregor, Kino. The Power of Ashtanga Yoga II: A Practice to Open Your Heart and Purify Your Body and Mind. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 2015.

Senior teacher Kino MacGregor’s follow-up to her primary series book provides information on the ashtanga intermediate series, including philosophical background. She demonstrates the full series in a pose-by-pose guide.

Maehle, Gregor. Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy . Novato, CA, New World Library, 2007.

This textbook by Gregor Maehle provides an overview of ashtanga yoga, covering its history and lineage; the fundamentals of breath, bandha, and dṛṣṭi; a rendering of the complete Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali; and a breakdown of each posture of the ashtanga primary series. It includes detailed photographs, descriptions, and anatomical information.

Maehle, Gregor. Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice. Novato, CA: New World Library, 2009.

Similar to the author’s primary series book, this book covers the āsanas of the ashtanga intermediate series and includes further background on the practice’s philosophical and mythological heritage and the Sanskrit language.

Stern, Eddie. One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How It Can Transform Your Life . New York, NY: North Point Press, 2019.

In this book, senior teacher Eddie Stern explores the effects of yoga on the human nervous system from the perspective of modern neuroscience and ancient principles and through a variety of practices, including breathing, chanting, postures, and meditation. It provides a scientific and practical understanding of how our bodies and minds work. Deepak Chopra writes the foreword.

Muktibodhananda, Swami. Hatha Yoga Pradipika . Bihar, India: Bihar School of Yoga, 1998.

This fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual written by Svātmārāma presents the practice of yoga as a balance of mind, body, and energy through the performance of āsanas and other physical techniques, including dietary habits, cleansing practices (kriyās), breathing, and unblocking the flow of prāṇa through the physical and subtle energetic body.

Patton, Laurie L. The Bhagavad Gita . New York, NY: Penguin Classics, 2008.

Composed in the first or second century CE and considered one of the foundational yoga texts, the Gītā is an episode of the Sanskrit epic poem the Mahābharata. It recounts the conversation between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer, Kṛṣṇa (an incarnation of the god Viṣṇu), on the brink of a major battle. Their conversation unfolds into an exposition on philosophy, morality, duty, and yoga as a path to self-realization.

Fiori, Francesca, Nicole David, and Salvatore M. Aglioti. “ Processing of Proprioceptive and Vestibular Body Signals and Self-Transcendence in Ashtanga Yoga Practitioners. ” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 8 (2014): 734.

This study tested whether the effect of body-related expertise in weighting perceptual information is influenced by self-focusing abilities and looked into any potential link with self-transcendence, or the tendency to experience spiritual feelings and ideas. The findings suggest that highly self-transcendent yoga practitioners are able to rely more on internal signals from their own body rather than on exteroceptive, visual cues.

Hagins, Marshall, Rebecca States, Terry Selfe, and Kim Innes. “ Effectiveness of Yoga for Hypertension: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. ” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013).

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine yoga’s effectiveness on reducing blood pressure in adults with hypertension and to compare different types and lengths of yoga intervention in this regard. The study determined that yoga can be preliminarily recommended for reducing blood pressure, but the authors recommended additional controlled trials.

Kim, SoJung, Michael G. Bemben, Allen W. Knehans, and Debra A. Bemben. “ Effects of an 8-Month Ashtanga-Based Yoga Intervention on Bone Metabolism in Middle-Aged Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Study. ” Journal of Sports Science & Medicine 14, no. 4 (2015): 756–768.

This study examined the effects of an eight-month progressive ashtanga-based yoga program on several bone metabolism markers in 34 women between the ages of 35 and 50. The trial found that regular, long-term ashtanga yoga had a small positive effect on bone formation.

Solomonova, Elizaveta. “ First-Person Experience and Yoga Research: Studying Neural Correlates of an Intentional Practice. ” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 9, no. 85 (2015).

This is an opinion paper on the experiential aspects of yoga as a movement-based contemplative practice (MBCP) and the role of first-person experiential reports in the neurophenomenological investigation of yoga and other MBCPs.

Wiese, Christine, David Keil, Anne S. Rasmussen, and Rikke Olesen. “ Effects of Yoga Asana Practice Approach on Types of Benefits Experienced. ” International Journal of Yoga 12, no. 3 (2019): 218–225.

This study looked at the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational benefits of yoga practice and whether specific practice approaches impact these benefits. The authors determined that practice frequency of at least five days per week provided practitioners with the greatest amount of benefits across all categories.

Wiese, Christine, David Keil, Anne S. Rasmussen, and Rikke Olesen. “ Injury in Yoga Asana Practice: Assessment of the Risks. ” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 23, no. 3 (2019): 479-488.

The study found a low incidence of injuries and an infrequent occurrence of serious injuries, per years of practice, reported by yoga participants as compared to other physical activities.

Grim Hall, Anthony. “ Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama Yoga… At Home ” (blog). Accessed June 21, 2020.

This is a blog by Anthony Grim Hall, who has delved deeply into self-practice at home, and has extensively researched the work and teachings of Krishnamacharya. Posts feature detailed investigations into the history of modern ashtanga, as well as a range of information on practice. The archive is currently unavailable but may be back online in the near future.

Griswold, Eliza. “ Yoga Reconsiders the Role of the Guru in the Age of #MeToo. ” The New Yorker, July 23, 2019. Accessed June 21, 2020.

This article covers the sexual assault scandal around Pattabhi Jois, as well as consent and abuse in the yoga world more broadly, particularly around “guru” figures.

Jamison, Angela. “ Ashtanga Yoga: Ann Arbor: House Recommendations. ” Summer, 2013. Accessed June 21, 2020.

This pamphlet, written—or “crowdsourced and curated”—by Angela Jamison of Ashtanga Yoga: Ann Arbor, contains recommendations and guidelines around the practice, what she calls “a collection of micropractices to help ashtangis de-theorize practice.”

Jamison, Angela. Inside Owl (blog), January 3, 2020. Accessed June 21, 2020.

Angela Jamison of Ashtanga Yoga: Ann Arbor writes this blog, bringing with her a rigorous background in sociology and critical thought to inform her discriminating view of the practice and current dynamics within the ashtanga community.

Keil, David, Christine Wiese, Rikke Olesen, and Anne Rasmussen. “ The YogAnatomy Research Project: Assessing Impacts of Yoga Asana Practice on Physical Health and Injury. ” Yoganatomy.com, accessed January 16, 2020, Accessed June 21, 2020.

This article describes a study conducted through a cross-sectional, descriptive survey intended to examine the physical, mental, and emotional experiences of people who practice yoga āsana.

Landrum, Ty. " Is Ashtanga Too Linear? " Ty Landrum (blog), accessed January 14, 2019, Accessed June 21, 2020.

This blog is written by Ty Landrum of the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, CO, which he took over from senior teachers Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. Landrum has a PhD in philosophy, a background that informs his writings about yoga practice, philosophy, and mythology.

Pushpam. Accessed June 21, 2020.

Pushpam is a roughly bi-annual magazine published by senior teacher Hamish Hendry of Ashtanga Yoga London, “focusing on yoga beyond asana.” Its contributors include prominent ashtanga teachers, academics, and practitioners.

Garrigues, David. " Asana Kitchen with David Garrigues. " YouTube video channel.

Senior teacher David Garrigues hosts this YouTube channel, which features videos offering a variety of guidance around the ashtanga practice, including practice principles, philosophical discussion, postural tips, and recipes.

Garrigues, David. " Asana Kitchen Podcast. " Podcast audio.

In this podcast, Garrigues covers a range of yoga topics, mostly dealing with yoga philosophy and ideas around integrating practice into life.

Hunt, Taylor. " The Heartbreak Kids. " Podcast audio.

In this podcast, Taylor Hunt of Ashtanga Yoga Columbus interviews practitioners and teachers of ashtanga yoga about their journeys to ashtanga yoga and the place yoga has in their lives.

Glaser, Laruga. “ The Impossible: Ashtanga Yoga Demo by Laruga Glaser .” Filmed and edited by Alessandro Sigismondi. January 14, 2015, YouTube video, 5:05.

This video presents an ashtanga yoga demonstration by well-known ashtanga teacher Laruga Glaser.

The Impossible | Ashtanga Yoga Demo by Laruga Glaser

Landrum, Ty. “ The Flow of Breath | Uncut & Explained | Ty Landrum .” January 17, 2016, YouTube video, 28:46.

In this demonstration and talk, Landrum performs selected āsanas from the first four series of ashtanga yoga and provides voice-over narration about breath and prāṇa in practice.

The Flow of Breath | Uncut & Explained | Ty Landrum

Sonima. " Live Sonima ." YouTube video channel.

This is the YouTube channel of the wellness site Sonima, founded by wellness advocate, philanthropist, and ashtanga practitioner Sonia Jones. The channel features numerous interviews and guided yoga classes with Sharath Jois.

OMstars . Video platform.

This streaming service, created by senior ashtanga teacher Kino MacGregor, hosts classes and videos on yoga, lifestyle, and wellness featuring a wide range of teachers. The service’s website describes it as “Netflix for Yogis.”

Jois, Sharath. “ Sharath Rangaswamy Jois Practices Ashtanga Yoga Advanced A (1999) .” Adam Wade, December 31, 2013, YouTube video, 1:04:46.

In this video posted by Adam Wade, Sharath Jois demonstrates the entire advanced a (third) series of ashtanga yoga.

Sharath Rangaswamy Jois Practices Ashtanga Yoga Advanced A (1999)

Wilkinson Priest, Genny. Triyoga Talks. Podcast audio.

Wilkinson Priest of Triyoga in London hosts this podcast featuring interviews with yoga teachers, ashtanga and otherwise. The podcast covers such topics as ethics, contemplative practice, and advice for teachers.

Ashtanga Dispatch

The Ashtanga Dispatch website includes a popular podcast, blog, and magazine by ashtanga teacher Peg Mulqueen and her daughter, Meghan Powell. The podcast comprises mostly interviews with prominent teachers in the ashtanga community. The blog and magazine feature articles by and interviews with figures in the ashtanga community on a variety of topics related to practice and lifestyle, as well as photography by Meghan Powell.

Ashtanga: Parampara

This website is a project by Lu Duong and consists of interviews with authorized and certified ashtanga yoga teachers.

This extensive website by Dr. Ronald Steiner features a variety of resources on ashtanga yoga in English and German. It includes a breakdown of the first three series of ashtanga—primary, intermediate, and advanced a—along with photographs, translations, the vinyāsa count and dṛṣṭi for each posture, and “cheat sheets” of each series with the names and photographs of the postures. It also has resources on Sanskrit and philosophy, including source texts and mantras associated with ashtanga yoga, with translations, and a Sanskrit pronunciation guide. There are also videos and articles on yoga anatomy, philosophy, and tradition.

This organization and website produces a magazine, Namarupa: Categories of Indian Thought, which is edited and published by yoga and Vedanta teacher Robert Moses and senior ashtanga teacher Eddie Stern. Namarupa also raises money to support the education of children in Himalayan villages and organizes periodic yātrās—pilgrimages or retreats—to India. The website features a number of resources, including a blog and book store.

Sharath Yoga Centre

The is the official website of Sharath Jois and the Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysore, India. It features Sharath’s teaching schedule and guidelines for applying to study at the shala.

Trini Foundation

This is a non-profit organization created by ashtanga teachers Taylor Hunt and Jessica Hunt of Ashtanga Yoga Columbus, which partners with treatment centers, recovery programs, and studios nationwide to help offer yoga to people in early addiction recovery.

Yoganatomy.com

This is the website of David Keil, an ashtanga yoga teacher and expert on anatomy, kinesiology, and neuromuscular therapy. The website features articles on anatomy, mostly as it relates to the practice of ashtanga yoga, highlighting specific muscle groups, postures, and common injuries. It also provides online courses and workshops.

Date Submitted: January 27, 2020

Last update: July 14, 2020

David Kessel served as a writer and researcher for the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia.

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November 10

Exploring Sanskrit

Beginner's Guide to Essential Yoga Terms

Essential Sanskrit

Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, holds a sacred place in the world of yoga. Understanding some basic Sanskrit words and their meanings can deepen your connection to the practice, making it more enriching and meaningful. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to a few essential Sanskrit terms that every yoga beginner should know.

Asana (आसन)

Asana refers to the physical postures or poses practiced in yoga. From Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II), these poses are designed to strengthen, stretch, and balance the body while cultivating mindfulness.

Pranayama (प्राणायाम)

Pranayama is the practice of breath control. It involves various breathing techniques that help regulate the flow of prana, or life force energy, in the body. Pranayama exercises can calm the mind, improve lung capacity, and enhance overall well-being.

Namaste (नमस्ते)

You've likely heard this word at the end of a yoga class. Namaste is a gesture of respect and gratitude. It is often spoken with a slight bow and the hands pressed together at the heart center. It means "the divine in me honors the divine in you."

Om, often written as "Aum," is a sacred sound and symbol in yoga and Hinduism. It represents the universe's vibration and the interconnectedness of all things. Chanting or meditating on Om can bring a sense of unity and tranquility.

Mantra (मंत्र)

A mantra is a sacred word or phrase repeated during meditation or yoga practice. It can help focus the mind, deepen concentration, and create a sense of peace. The most well-known yoga mantra is "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," which means "peace" repeated three times.

Connection Through Sanskrit

Understanding these basic Sanskrit words can enhance your yoga journey and foster a deeper connection to the practice's spiritual and philosophical aspects. As you continue your yoga journey, you'll encounter more Sanskrit terms that contribute to the rich tapestry of yoga's tradition and philosophy. Embrace these words as gateways to a deeper understanding of yoga's holistic approach to well-being, and let them enrich your practice both on and off the mat.

The Everyday Magic of Sanskrit: Bringing the Sacred Language of Yoga Into Your Practice

I am not an expert. I am not Indian, nor am I a Sanskrit scholar. But I have devoted some time to teaching English as well as yoga, and it is the convergence of language and yoga that has fascinated and inspired me to dabble in this ancient language.

Some might argue that yoga practitioners do not have to know Sanskrit in order to practice yoga. I do think, though, that it is worth it to open a curious eye to this age-old language that had a deep influence on the development of yoga. Here in the West, we sometimes rush into the postures via our own language. But just as some of the postures feel foreign at first, that feeling of ‘otherness’ we can perceive in a language like Sanskrit offers an opportunity to come face-to-face with something unfamiliar. That initial point of awkwardness can become the doorway into a relationship with Sanskrit as a language that you reserve just for yoga.

Since Swami Vivekananda’s arrival in the United States in the late 19th century, yoga has been coming from India in waves, and in many cases and places, taken on the hue of whatever community it sprouts in. Here’s an example from my own experience: In 2011, I took yoga classes when I lived in Barcelona, where most instructors taught in Spanish, a language I knew very little of at the time. Some used Spanish names for poses, but many also used their Sanskrit names. It was a point of familiarity for me, and in those moments it occurred to me that Sanskrit used in this way, across linguistic borders, was a uniting force. In that moment, I thought, why divorce ourselves from Sanskrit in the name of making yoga accessible to a wider audience?

On soundtracks and comfort

I love the sound of Sanskrit mantras. Perhaps it was easy for me to accept those foreign sounds as part of yoga because I grew up in what some call the hippy capital of California (the seaside city of Santa Cruz). Or it might be that I am more at ease hearing a language I don’t understand since my parents immigrated here from the Philippines and never bothered to teach me their language, Tagalog, even though they communicate with one another almost exclusively in it.

There’s more to it than just familiarity, though. If you ever learned a foreign language and tried to use it in everyday life, you might have realized how you make associations between the language and the experiences you have in that language.

I can’t help but associate Sanskrit with that light, clear, relaxed feeling I have after a good hatha yoga session or a deep meditation. Sanskrit mantra can be used as another way we tap into that calm, balanced mindset that so many of us seek through yoga practice. It might not be comfortable or familiar at first, but over time, you can create personal associations with the sounds of it.

When I began doing yoga in the 90’s it seemed that I mostly heard the Sanskrit words om, shanti, prana, and savasana in class. The teacher training I went through at Kali Ray Triyoga used mostly English names for poses and there was no reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali or the Bhagavad Gita . I was certified to teach in 1999 and since then, my path through yoga has exposed me to more and more of the Sanskrit language. Just through attending classes and referring to books now and then, I began learning the Sanskrit names of postures. I heard more Sanskrit mantras as teachers played music with Sanskrit lyrics in classes. At some point, I was introduced to the aforementioned Indian texts, some of which showed the Sanskrit text followed by an English translation.

I have an ear for languages and an easy time remembering sounds and words, so learning pose names came quickly. After years of yoga practice, I finally got around to meditating more than a few minutes at a time when I stayed at Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia. There, we chanted several Sanskrit mantras before and after meditations, in hatha yoga classes, and before eating meals together. After five months there, I made many dear friends, deepened my yoga practice like never before, and created an even stronger positive association with those Sanskrit mantras in my heart and mind. How could I not like it after that?

Can you think of an album or song that functions as a soundtrack for a great period in your life? That soundtrack becomes a portal to the “happy place” you visit in times of stress. Through my time at Yogaville, Sanskrit mantras became a sort of switch that I could flip to bring myself into a calm state of mind despite what was going on around and within me. For that, I love Sanskrit; it has come to have personal meaning. I also understand people who perceive it as a hindrance to yoga practice, though. Beginners get overwhelmed by the foreign-sounding names of postures; others might feel it’s a waste of time and that they’d rather have the teacher get on with the postures.

I’m not saying you need to learn Sanskrit to benefit from your yoga practice. But if you give it a chance, you can feel a bit more connected to the tradition of yoga. For example, if you take on the task of learning the Sanskrit names of postures, you notice almost all of them end in the word asana and that the word asana itself has subtler translations that refer to the practice as more than just postures . If I were to say Sanskrit is useless for modern, Western yogis, then I would miss out on those nuanced meanings that could ultimately help me practice yoga in a more balanced way.

A language for a special purpose

At Yogaville, we chanted the English translation of the mantras directly after the Sanskrit version. It was interesting to know what it meant and it helped me to appreciate the teachings of yoga beyond the postures. I have to admit, though, the English versions don’t sound as graceful and musical. Every language has a special resonance and feel to it. Take how an English speaker might think that anything in French sounds sexy, even something that doesn’t mean anything sexy. That same person might think that anything in German, Hebrew, or Arabic sounds harsh because of the guttural nature of the language. And there’s a reason that operas sound better in Italian than in other languages.

Chanting Sanskrit mantra is a great way to go a little deeper into how sounds resonate in the body and create an ambience of meditation and ritual. It’s not just a language for communicating or conveying ideas; through its close relationship with yoga over the generations, it has become a way of experiencing a more embodied way of being. One teacher at Yogaville always began his classes by guiding us in chanting om nine times. Each time, he would add a nuance, such as “This time, drop your jaw and completely relax your face,” or “Now relax your throat completely,” or “Pronounce the beginning of om less as the O sound at the beginning of the word open and more like an ‘ah’ or ‘uh’ sound.” By walking us through the subtleties of chanting om, he brought us to the physical experience of how making sound could be a vehicle for deeper awareness of our bodies.

If we accept that yoga is a way of focusing the mind and inhabiting our bodies more consciously, then it makes sense to have a language that brings us to that mindset, especially a language that we don’t use casually in everyday communication. It’s a little bit like the concept of linguistic register , which gives us a range of ways to speak, from formal dialogue to casual conversation, where we can throw around slang terms and signal the closeness of such relationships. Register is why most people don’t greet their grandma with a terse ‘sup?’ or use the phrase “If it’s not too much trouble, I would love to (fill in the blank)” while making love.

Language is a key to setting the tone in a relationship. Yoga is a relationship with oneself (and higher Self ), and I find Sanskrit to be that key that opens the part of my mind, heart, and spirit to a certain state of mind. That keeps me coming back to my yoga practice. I’m still not an expert, only an admirer and dabbler, and yet Sanskrit has nourished my practice in many wonderful ways.

Energy, and the everyday magic of Hari Om

If you hang out long enough in the yoga community, someone is bound to casually drop the word energy or vibration (or both) in conversation. But what do they mean? Is energy just the feeling or essence of something? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say something like, “Even if you don’t understand the words, just chanting in Sanskrit immerses you in a higher vibration.”

Perhaps that is true, but there are some things in yoga that I prefer to experience rather than just accept as true. There were two moments at Yogaville that helped me to feel the physical effects of chanting in Sanskrit, that vibration I hear about so often.

One was in the example above in the class where the teacher had us chant om nine times in a row at the start of every hatha yoga class. At first, it seemed excessive, but after attending his class a few times, I realized that when I repeated something that seemed so simple, I experienced it differently each time.

The other moment at Yogaville was when another teacher explained the function of the mantra Hari Om and how it creates a certain vibrational pattern that you feel as you chant it. The syllable ha vibrates the chest and heart area. The syllable ri brings that vibration up through the throat and into the mouth. The syllable om sends the vibration from the mouth up through the top of the head. Many teachers included this practice at the beginning of a hatha class, so I was able to do it enough times to focus less on the effort of creating the words and more on the feeling of the sounds of each syllable as they resonated through my chest, throat, and skull. Let’s try it!

Sit comfortably on a mat, cushion, or chair. Eyes opened or closed is fine. With eyes closed, it’ll be easier to bring focus to how the sounds feel in your body as you chant them.
Wiggle your fingers and toes, drop your shoulders down, and sit up tall.
Take a few deep breaths in and out. Make sure you relax your jaw so that the ha sound vibrates in your chest and throat, rather than in just your mouth.
Take a slow inhale. You don’t have to completely fill the lungs, otherwise, it might make for a ridiculously long ‘hari om.’
On the exhale, chant ‘hari om,’ but break it down into distinct syllables: ha-ri om. Linger on each syllable for a few seconds to sense the way the sounds vibrate in the body.
If you have lots of breath left to exhale, hold the ‘m’ at the end of om or chant hari om a few more times until you’ve completed the exhale.
Repeat as many times as you like. Even just chanting it once can give you the experience of the vibration moving upward.

This practice is best followed by a moment of silence. The chanting helps to focus the mind before meditation. Think of it as changing the channel, from the noise of your busy day, to a more simple sound that you can feel in your body as you make it.

This is just the beginning of an exploration into how Sanskrit can augment the experiential aspect of yoga—it helps us to use sound moving through our bodies for a deeper awareness of both body and breath. I know not everyone automatically loves the sound and feeling of Sanskrit mantra as the words move through the body and out the mouth, but I invite those who are curious and open enough to try it. It is similar to practicing the postures you dislike—you try them anyway, to see how your body and mind respond to that aversion. One of the most valuable lessons yoga has taught me is that sometimes trying and sticking with something that feels kind of awkward or foreign can bring me to a closer relationship to myself.

Edited by Ely Bakouche

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“Even if you don’t understand the words, just chanting in Sanskrit immerses you in a higher vibration.”

I think you nailed it.

Such an insightful article!

Cheers, Guru

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The Secret Language of Yoga: A Guide to 40 Important Sanskrit Words

Table of Contents

Why Sanskrit in Yoga?

Sanskrit, often referred to as the “language of yoga,” holds a special place in the world of yoga practice and philosophy. While most yoga classes today are conducted in the language of the region where they are taught, the use of Sanskrit terminology remains integral. Why? Because Sanskrit is not just a historical artifact; it’s a living language of profound wisdom that encapsulates the essence of yoga. It adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the practice, connecting modern yogis to the ancient roots of this transformative discipline.

Incorporating Sanskrit into your yoga practice allows you to understand the original teachings, providing a more profound connection to the practice and philosophy. It’s a language rich in symbolism and spirituality, making it a valuable tool for exploring the profound depths of yoga. While fluency in Sanskrit is not necessary, familiarity with key Sanskrit words can greatly enhance your yogic journey.

40 Common Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know

Now, let’s explore 40 essential Sanskrit words that every yogi should be acquainted with. These words carry profound meanings that enrich your understanding of yoga practice and philosophy.

Asana, meaning “seat” or “pose,” is the physical postures or poses that you perform in yoga practice. Asanas are not just about physical exercise but are also intended to calm the mind and prepare it for meditation.

2. Pranayama:

Pranayama translates to “control of breath.” It involves various breathing techniques used to regulate and enhance the flow of prana (life force energy) in the body.

Dhyana refers to meditation or the state of focused concentration. It’s a practice of calming the mind and achieving a deep state of awareness.

A mantra is a sacred word, sound, or phrase repeated during meditation to aid concentration and promote spiritual growth.

Chakras are energy centers within the body, often associated with specific locations along the spine. Balancing these chakras is believed to promote physical and emotional well-being.

Karma signifies the law of cause and effect, suggesting that our actions have consequences, either in this life or the next.

A guru is a spiritual teacher or guide who imparts knowledge and wisdom to their disciples.

8. Shishya:

Shishya means “disciple” or “student.” It refers to someone who learns from a guru.

Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence or non-harming towards all living beings, a fundamental ethical concept in yoga.

Satya translates to “truthfulness.” It emphasizes honesty and integrity in one’s thoughts, words, and actions.

11. Asteya:

Asteya means “non-stealing” and encourages honesty, not just in material possessions but also in thoughts and actions.

12. Brahmacharya:

Brahmacharya advocates moderation and control of one’s desires, particularly in the context of sexual energy.

13. Aparigraha:

Aparigraha is the principle of non-greed and non-possessiveness. It encourages detachment from material possessions.

14. Yamas: Yamas are the ethical guidelines in yoga practice, encompassing principles like non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and non-possessiveness.

15. Niyamas: Niyamas are personal observances in yoga, including cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power.

16. Vinyasa:

Vinyasa refers to the coordination of movement and breath, commonly used in the dynamic flow of yoga classes.

17. Hatha: Hatha represents the balance between the sun (ha) and moon (tha) energies within the body, often associated with physical yoga practice.

18. Ujjayi:

Ujjayi is a specific pranayama technique involving deep, oceanic breathing, often used to build internal heat in yoga practice.

19. Anahata:

Anahata is the heart chakra, associated with love, compassion, and emotional healing.

Ajna is the third eye chakra, located in the forehead, linked to intuition and spiritual insight.

21. Samadhi:

Samadhi is the ultimate state of union and bliss in yoga, achieved through meditation and deep spiritual practice.

Atman is the individual soul or true self, often equated with the eternal and unchanging aspect of one’s being.

23. Brahman: Brahman represents the ultimate reality or universal consciousness in Hindu philosophy.

24. Mula Bandha:

Mula Bandha is a yogic technique involving the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles to redirect energy flow.

25. Drishti:

Drishti refers to the focused gaze or point of concentration during yoga poses to enhance balance and concentration.

26. Namaste:

Namaste is a common greeting in yoga, often accompanied by a bow and the hands pressed together at the heart center. It signifies respect and acknowledgment of the divine in each person.

Mudras are hand gestures used in yoga and meditation to channel energy and enhance concentration.

28. Bandha:

Bandhas are energy locks in the body, often used to control and direct the flow of prana.

29. Svadhyaya: Svadhyaya is the practice of self-study and self-reflection, encouraging self-awareness and personal growth.

30. Sankalpa: Sankalpa refers to a deeply rooted intention or resolve, often set at the beginning of yoga practice or meditation.

31. Nadi: Nadi represents the energy channels in the body through which prana flows, similar to the concept of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine.

32. Prana: Prana is the life force energy that animates all living beings, crucial for physical and mental vitality.

33. Vrikshasana: Vrikshasana is the Tree Pose, symbolizing balance and rootedness, often practiced to improve concentration and balance.

34. Tadasana: Tadasana is the Mountain Pose, emphasizing proper alignment and posture.

35. Bhujangasana: Bhujangasana is the Cobra Pose, promoting flexibility in the spine and chest opening.

36. Savasana: Savasana is the Corpse Pose, a relaxation pose often practiced at the end of a yoga session.

37. Adho Mukha Svanasana:

Adho Mukha Svanasana is the Downward-Facing Dog Pose, frequently used as a resting posture and for strengthening.

38. Utkatasana: Utkatasana is the Chair Pose, building strength in the legs and core.

39. Ananda: Ananda means “bliss” or “divine joy,” representing the ultimate goal of yoga.

Om is the universal sound, representing the essence of the ultimate reality and often chanted at the beginning or end of yoga practice.

Benefits of knowing Sanskrit words

Understanding these Sanskrit words provides several benefits to your yoga practice:

Cultural Connection: It deepens your connection to yoga’s rich cultural heritage and its spiritual roots.
Enhanced Instruction: You can better follow yoga class instructions, especially in traditional settings.
Deeper Practice: It allows for a more profound exploration of yogic philosophy and concepts.
Mantra Practice: You can incorporate mantras and chants into your practice with more understanding.
Alignment Awareness: Sanskrit terminology often relates to proper alignment, aiding in safer practice.

Incorporating Sanskrit words into your yoga journey can be transformative. It not only enriches your practice but also fosters a deeper understanding of the holistic philosophy that underlies yoga. As you delve into the meanings behind these words, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, aligning your practice with its ancient roots and timeless wisdom.

Through the power of Sanskrit, you connect with generations of yogis who have sought physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening. It’s not just a language; it’s the secret code to unlock the profound teachings of yoga, helping you to attain balance, harmony, and inner peace.

I am a Pune based artist, Kathak dancer, Dance Movement Therapist, and an avid Yoga practitioner/ teacher. I am also the Director at the Sakal Media Group, a Trustee of Pune Blind School and Nirdhar Trust.

Being a part of Sakal Media Group, with its strong foundation of service and ethical journalism, I am deeply committed in making this world a better place by pushing boundaries, giving opportunities to others, following my convictions, helping others make better choices and to tell powerful stories that will help reshape the world we live in.

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Learn Sanskrit: What Yoga Students and Teachers Need to Know

Not sure if it’s pronounced cha-kra or “sha”-kra everything you learned about how to pronounce sanskrit may be wrong. here’s how to get this surprisingly simple language right, plus how it can deepen your practice..

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Want to dive deeper into yoga philosophy and asana with the study of Sanskrit? Join Richard Rosen—author, YJ contributing editor, and co-founder of the former Oakland- and San Francisco Bay-based Piedmont Yoga Studio—for Sanskrit 101: A Beginner’s Guide . Through this 6-week introductory online course, you will learn Sanskrit translations, refine your pronunciations, explore its historic highlights, and more. But, even more significantly, you will transform your practice as you begin to understand the beauty and meaning behind the original language of yoga. Sign up today!

Teresa Thompson was tongue-tied.

“When I started studying Sanskrit last year, I was shocked by how many words in the original language of yoga were ones I’d learned incorrectly from seemingly accomplished teachers,” says Thompson, a vinyasa instructor at Barefoot Works in Lexington, Kentucky.

Thompson isn’t alone in realizing the Sanskrit she first learned was substandard.

“As they deepen their practice, many yoga instructors discover that the Sanskrit they studied in teacher training just isn’t enough,” says Jay Kumar , the San-Francisco based creator of the instructional CD The Sacred Language of Yoga. “More people are coming to understand that there’s a deep, rich philosophy behind yoga practice—and that Sanskrit is the language by which that philosophy lives, breathes, and flows.”

See also Sanskrit Top 40: Must-Learn Lingo for Yogis

Why You Should Learn (and Teach) Sanskrit

Teach this rich but relatively simple language to your students, and not only will it help them follow your directions in class but, energetically, it will help them get the most out of every class. Each Sanskrit word is believed to have its own consciousness, and pronouncing that word is said to tap you into that consciousness. “This is especially true for mantras, chants to purify the mind,” says Nicolai Bachman, the Santa Fe-based author of The Language of Yoga . “A mantra’s whole effect is based on its sound, and to get the right effect, you have to get the sound right.”

If your students want to delve into yoga philosophy as well as hatha practice, Sanskrit can help them understand that philosophy in greater depth. They can have a direct reading of yoga’s philosophical sutras or “threads,” like the one that prompts us to learn Sanskrit by performing svadhyaya , or “self-study.” In Sanskrit, your students can also comprehend and express spiritual concepts that are not readily conveyed in English. “No language in the world can as effectively translate the mystical, transcendent, and divine,” says Graham Schweig, the Newport News, Virginia-based author of The Bhagavad Gita: The Beloved Lord’s Secret Love Song . “There are dozens of words for love, all with different nuances, from rati , or passionate love, to prema , pure love with a sweet selflessness to it.”

Does your Sanskrit flow as it should? If you’re uncertain—or want to improve your use of the language—opportunities to hone your skills abound. By turning to the CDs, books, and other resources listed below, you can better grasp Sanskrit and pass it on to your students, enabling them—and enabling yourself—to have a more authentic experience of yoga.

How much Sanskrit should you use in class? “Seek guidance from your studio managers and teacher trainers, and meet your students where they’re at,” advises Jo Brill, an American Sanskrit Institute instructor in Peekskill, New York. If you’re teaching at a gym, you may want to go light on or even skip Sanskrit. But if you’re working at a spiritual center that focuses on the history of yoga—or if you’re working with advanced practitioners who have an interest in yoga’s spiritual element—a more in-depth analysis will likely be welcomed and helpful.

How to Pronounce Sanskrit

From the beginning, it’s crucial to avoid the Sanskrit mispronunciations that are rampant in the West. Only correct pronunciation will help you and your students tap into the consciousness of Sanskrit—and glean the full benefit of its energetic vibrations. Sanskrit’s Devanagari alphabet has 50 letters (nearly double the number in English), and when linguists transliterate it, they place symbols around English letters—abbreviations that, like Sanskrit consonants and vowels, too many English speakers bungle. Despite what you may hear in yoga studios, the th in hatha should have a hard t as in tummy and not a soft th as in thin . The ch in chakra should sound like the ch in chat , not the sh in shine .

The History of Sanskrit

As you explain Sanskrit’s basic vocabulary and pronunciation, you may also want to tell your students about its rich history, noting that it predates Greek and Latin and stems from proto-European languages spoken in India 7,000 years ago. Passed down orally for centuries, Sanskrit was first written down around 1,500 B.C. in the form of the oldest-known yoga scripture, the Rig Veda. Around 500 B.C., a scholar named Panini established the rules that define classical Sanskrit, the language we use in yoga today.

To make it accessible for your students, you can point out that many Sanskrit words are the roots of words in English, which borrowed from Sanskrit heavily over the course of its own evolution. Bandha (or “lock”), for example, is related to the English word bound , while Navasana (Boat Pose) is related to “navy.”

Despite these similarities, Sanskrit is different from English in one key way: The language of yoga is much easier to learn. While English is a phonemic language, with the same letters sometimes pronounced in different ways (think of the o in love versus the o in open ), Sanskrit is phonetic, so every letter is always pronounced the same. While English has erratic rules, Sanskrit’s grammar is more straightforward and thus simpler for newcomers to grasp.

How to Teach Sanskrit

As you lovingly introduce new Sanskrit words , repeat them often, as it takes seven repetitions of a word for most people to remember it. Build your students’ vocabulary by referring back to old words as you continue to introduce new ones. “Break each word into syllables and pronounce it slowly, one syllable at a time,” advises Manorama, director of the New York City-based School of Sanskrit Studies. This will help your students improve their comprehension and pronunciation.

“To deepen my students’ understanding of yoga, I like to break Sanskrit pose names down and explain how the elements fit together,” says Linda Spackman, who studied with Bachman and teaches Iyengar Yoga at YogaSource in Santa Fe. “I tell them that for Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose), utthita means ‘extended,’ parsva is ‘side,” kona is ‘angle,’ and asana is ‘posture.’ When they understand this, they suddenly get Sanskrit and also get the pose, automatically forming the correct angle between the downward press of the back heel and the outward reach of the side arm. A light goes off, and together, we’re all enjoying a deeper experience of yoga.”

Sanskrit Study Resources

Books and cds:.

English-Sanskrit Dictionary by Monier Williams
Introduction to Sanskrit manual
Learn to Pronounce Yoga Poses with Manorama
Learn to Chant Yoga Invocations with Manorama
Namo Namah: Invoke Reverence by Manorama
Sanskrit Atlas by Vyaas Houston
Sanskrit by CD by Vyaas Houston
The Yoga Sutra Workbook by Vyaas Houston
American Sanskrit Institute ( americansanskrit.com )
Learn Sanskrit Online ( ibiblio.org/sanskrit )
School of Sanskrit Studies ( sanskritstudies.com )

See also 5 Sanskrit Words Every Yogi Should Know

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संस्कृत निबंध: ( Sanskrit Essays )

Request essay

योगः ( Sanskrit essay on Yoga )

24 comments:.

good one. but there is not much about yogaasanas and abhyaasa.

namaste sir!

booooooooooooooo

yes u r right

helped me a lot for making my sanskrit magazine

संस्कृत-निबंधं पठित्वा अति प्रसन्न अभवम्। धन्यवादम् करोमि।

can u please give the english meaning of this please

more longggggggggggggg too short. ...........enewfnjufjner

what is this who are you

i am the greatest abhilash abhilash

There is not about yoga mahatv...I want to search about yagasya mahatv for my Sanskrit project in my school... Thank you

matter is too short i need a long one and also about how we are doing it in our daily life ..plz

very good effort

अहम् धन्यवादम् करोमी

(In Tamil) Romba nalla irukku. En projects easy a mudiyudhu. Excellent-nnu vote panniten. Idha ezhidhanavan nalla irukanum.

I WANT SOME LINES ON WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR RASHTRA NIRMAN

IN SANSKRIT

SOME LINES ON YOGASANS AND THEIR USES IN SANSKRIT

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Can you please make an essay on the relation between yoga and sankskrit please?

79 Yoga Words and Sanskrit Terms to Know for Class

Namaste. Prana. Vinyasa. Om. Ujjayi. These yogic words are common to most yoga classes, but knowing all of the yoga jargon can be intimidating for beginners . Most yoga instructors guide their classes through sequences using both Sanskrit–the classical Indian language used in yoga–and the English translations for the common yoga terms. All of this yoga lingo can be intimidating and confusing to people who are new to their practice. Learning new movements and breathing techniques is difficult enough when adding another language to the mix. But, don’t worry! With consistent practice, students will naturally learn many of the Sanskrit meanings and yoga words as they progress further in their practice.

If you’re not quite there yet or could use a refresher, here are a few common yoga vocabulary words, in the original Sanskrit with their English translations, that you may hear in any yoga class. We will briefly explain the meanings of these yoga words and the context to which one usually finds these yogic terms used.

The top 15 yoga terms to know

If you are a beginner, there are about fifteen common yoga terms to know before your first class. After a few classes you can come back to this list of terms to slowly build up your vocabulary and understanding of the practice. We’ve highlighted in green the most common terms below to quickly get beginners up to speed.

79 Common yoga words used in yoga classes

Study this long list of yoga lingo to use your new Sanskrit knowledge in your next yoga class! Try to learn one or more of these for each class you take to slowly build up your vocabulary.

Abhyasa (ah-bee-yah-sah) – Defined as “constant exercise,” this describes a willful, focused and engaged spiritual practice.

Adho (ah-doh) – Translated as “downward”, as in Adho Mukha Svanasana for downward facing dog .

Ahamkara (ahan-ka-ra) – The “I-maker” or the yogic concept of ego , which is seen to could the mind and must be transcended to achieve enlightenment.

Ahimsa (a-him-sah) – Practicing non-violence or non-harming towards all living things. Ahimsa is the first of the Yamas, or moral codes listed in the Yoga Sutra.

Ananda (a-nun-dah) – An ecstatic state of complete bliss and love.

Apana (ah-pan-nah) – This vayu or internal “wind” is the second-most important of the five types of prana in Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda. Located at the pelvic floor, it regulates the outward flow of prana from the body and governs the elimination of physical wastes and toxins from the body.

Ardha (ar-dha) – Translates to “half,” as in Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose

Asana (a-sa-na) – The physical yoga poses in hatha yoga. Each yoga pose name in Sanskrit ends with asana.

Ashram (ash-rem) – A yoga hermitage or a school of yoga.

Ashtanga (ash-tan-ga) – Translated as “eight-limbed yoga,” this is the eight-limbed path described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. These eight stages build upon each other and lead the practitioner to a state ofenlightenmentt or samadhi.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga) – This challenging and athletic system of hatha yoga was popularized during the 20th century by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois .

Atman (aht-muh-n) – The transcendental and eternal Self or indwelling spirit.

Bandha (bahn-da) – An energetic lock or seal in hatha yoga , requiring a contraction of muscles and internal focus to constrain the flow of prana or energy. Bandhas are often used in pranayama to promote energy flow and maintain optimal health. The three main locks or binds used are Mula Bandha (root lock), Uddiyana Bandha (naval lock), and Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock).

Bhagavad Gita (buhg-uh-vuhd-gee-tah) – The oldest Sanskrit book on yoga that is embedded in the larger Mahabharata epic. This text contains the teachings on karma yoga , samkhya yoga, and bhakti yoga.

Bhakti (bahk-ti) – The practice of cultivating love and devotion directed toward the Divine.

Bikram (bick-ram) – This style of yoga is practiced in a heated room with a set sequence of asanas. The founder of this yoga school has been embroiled in multiple controversies so most yogis prefer to practice other styles of hot yoga.

Buddhi (boo-dee) – The highest aspect of the mind which is considered to be the seat of wisdom.

Chandra (chun-drah) – The moon, as in Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose.

Chakra (chak-rah) – A swirling wheel of light and energy in the body. Each chakra is associated with a specific color, emotion, and elements. The most common chakras are the root chakra, heart chakra, and third eye.

Chaturanga (chat-u-ranga) – The yogi pushup movement used to move from plank to the ground.

Dharma (dar-mah) – The role, purpose, and path in life that leads one to truth, peace, and enlightenment.

Dhyana (dhya-na) – Meditation from a sustained state of mental focus and, the seventh limb of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga.

Drishti (drish-ti) – A focal point used in yoga to set your gaze and help with concentration, balance, and focus.

Duhkha (doo-kuh) – A bad space or a negative state of mind that leads to suffering or ignorance.

Dwi (dva) – The number Two; used in poses with names like Dwi Hasta Bhujasana, or Two Hand Arm Pose.

Eka (eh-kah) – The number One; used in many poses that focus on one limb, like Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, or One Leg Pigeon Pose.

Flow – See “vinyasa.”

Granthi (gran· thi) – One of the three “knots” or blockages in the central energy channel or nadi which prevents a full ascent of the serpent power to achieve enlightenment in tantra yoga .

Guna (goo-nuh) – One of the three main qualities or constituents of nature : tamas (inertia), rajas (overactivity), and sattva (equanimity).

Guru (goo-roo) – A spiritual teacher or leader who offers knowledge and guides one to the path of awakening and union.

Hatha (hah-tah) – The “forceful path.” Ha is translated to the Sun, and Tha, to the Moon. One goal of Hatha Yoga is to balance the sun and moon energy in the body.

Hasta (has-ta) – The hand (or arm).

Iyengar (eye-yen-gar) – One of the more popular styles of yoga, this tradition emphasizes detail, precision and alignment in the performance of asanas. It often makes use of props such as belts, blocks, ropes and blankets.

Japa (jah-pah) – The recitation of Sanskrit mantras or prayers, commonly used in Bhakti Yoga or mantra meditation .

Jnana (juh-nah-nuh) – The yogic path of knowledge and wisdom .

Karma (kar-mah) – The law of cause and effect . A yogi’s goal is to not accumulate any further karma in his or her lifetime.

Kirtan (kur-tan) – The devotional and ecstatic singing and chanting of hymns and mantras in a community gathering.

Kosha (koh-shuh) – One of the five sheaves or envelopes that surrounding the transcendental Self (atman) like Russian nesting dolls. Each kosha hides the one underneath and thus blocks its light and our awareness of their energy.

Kumbhaka (koom-bha-ka) – The holding or retention of breath used in pranayama practices.

Manas (man-uhs) – The rational aspect of mind, which is bound to the senses and processes basic information.

Mandala ( muhn -dal- uh ) – A circular geometric design that represents the cosmos and serves as an object of meditation and contemplation.

Mantra (man-truh) – A sacred Sanskrit sound or phrase, that has a transformative effect on the mind when used in meditation.

Maya (mah-yah) – The deluding or illusionary power of the mind’s projection of the world.

Moksha (mohk-shuh) – The “release” or freedom from the ignorance (avidya) of the true Self.

Mudra (mood-rah) – A hand gesture or bodily movement used in yoga practice to affect the flow of prana, life-force energy.

Namaste (nah-mah-stay) – A salutation said at the beginning or end of a class to acknowledge the inner light inside of all beings.

Nadi (nah-dee) – A channel of prana or subtle energy in the body. There are over 72,000 nadis in the body but there are only three main channels (ida-nadi, pingala-nadi, and sushumna-nadi).

Niyama (nee-yuh-muh) – The second limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga system contains the five internal practices of Niyama (observance). The five Niyamas are purity (saucha), contentment (samtosha), austerity (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and dedication to the Lord (ishvara-pranidhana).

Om or Aum (ohmm) – The sound of this primary mantra represents the union of the entire universe. Om is often prefixed to many of the Sanskrit mantras and hymns.

Pada (pah-dah) – The foot or leg, as in Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, or One Leg Pigeon Pose

Patanjali (puh-tuhn-juh-lee) – An ancient Indian sage, scholar, philosopher and the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, who lived c. 150 C.E.

Prana (prah-nuh) – The life-force energy that sustains the body. Also one of the five internal winds or vayus.

Pranayama (prah-nah-yah-mah) – The control and mastery of prana or life-force energy through mindful breathing exercises like the ujjayi breath.

Pratyahara (pruh-tyah-hahr-uh) – A yogic technique of “ sense withdrawal ” that creates internal focus and introspection through shutting out the distractions created by the senses.

Ujjayi (u-jai-yee) – The ocean sounding breath or victorious breath. This is a popular type of conscious breathing or pranayama.

Utthita (oo-tee-tah) – This translates to “extended,” is included in asanas in which the body is extended or stretched beyond its regular variation.

Sadhana (sa- dha-na) – The spiritual practice, training or discipline that is used to progress a yogi towards accomplishing enlightenment.

Samadhi (suh-mah-dee) – The highest goal of a yogi is to reach this unitive state in which the meditator becomes enmeshed with the object or focus of one’s meditation.

Samsara (suhm-sahr-uh) – The inherent state of flux and change in our world that we find ourselves cyclically entrapped in.

Samskara (sam-ska-ra) – The subconscious patterned impressions that are created and hidden in the depth of the mind and serve as a source of suffering.

Savasana (sha-va-sa-na) – Translated as “ corpse pose ,” this is the final relaxation pose after a class that involves lying flat on your back with your arms and legs flopped out to the side.

Shala (sha-la) – Used interchangeably with “yoga studio” or “yoga space,” a Shala is is a dedicated space where people can gather to learn, study and practice together. In retreat centers this is usually a type of pavilion that provides a shaded, open meeting place.

Shanti (shahn-tee) – This translates to “peace” in Sanskrit. Shanti is a common mantra chanted or said at the beginning or end of class.

Satsang (sat-sang ) – This is defined as “in the company of truth” and is a gathering to hear an experienced or enlightened yoga teacher speak on a philosophical concept.

Shakti (shak-ti) – The feminine aspect of dynamic divine energy that has a yin/yang relationship with pure consciousness.

Supta (soup-tah) – This translates as “to recline” and is used in poses that involve a reclining position to begin with.

Surya Namaskar (sur-ya na-ma-ska-ra) – The Sun Salutations are a sequence of yoga postures and movements that flow from one to the next. There are several different variations of Surya Namaskar.

Sutra (su-tra) – This translates as “string or thread” and refers to a short rule, like a theorem distilled into few words or short sentence, around which teachings of ritual, philosophy, or other subjects are woven. “The Sutras” is commonly used as shorthand for Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Raja (rah-juh) – Meaning “royal or king” this term is used in asana names and is also a major path of Yoga.

Restorative – This term is sometimes used broadly to describe the energetic effect of specific poses or a sequence. It is used to describe a specific style of yoga that uses blankets and bolsters to support the body while holding postures.

Tantra (tan-truh) – A type of yoga that focuses on the internal energetic side of yoga, involving the use of chakras , mantras, and Hindu mythology.

Tapas (ta-pas) – The heat and intensity that is created by practicing austerity and self-discipline.

Vedas (vay-dahs) – The oldest of the yogic scriptures that comprises four main collections of the Rig Veda, Sama Yajur, and Atharva Vedas.

Vairagya (vai-rahg-yah) – The yogic practice of detachment and the attitude of inner renunciation of worldly goods.

Vinyasa (vuh-nyaa-suh) – A linked sequence of two or more asanas performed in a fluid motion and synchronized with the breath. The most famous vinyasa is the sun salutation. The literal translation is: “nyasa” meaning “to place” and “vi” in a “special way.”

Yamas (yahm-uh) – The five moral, ethical and societal guidelines for the practicing yogi. These guidelines are all expressed in the positive, and describe how a yogi behaves and relates to her world when truly immersed in the unitive state of yoga.

Yin – This Chinese term is used to describe a restorative type of asana practice that focuses on flexibility using long holding times of specific postures.

Yoga (yo-guh) – Sanskrit for “yoking” or “union,” this collection of different spiritual techniques and philosophies aim to unite the mind, body, and spirit. It has four main paths to choose from: Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.

Yoga Sutras (yo-ga sut-ras) – One of the most popular Ancient Indian texts written by the sage Patanjali that describes a coherent and detailed philosophy of the practice of yoga .

Namaste yogis–we hope you loved this list of the common definitions of yoga terms and will find this list helpful in your study of yoga and Sanskrit. Is there something we forgot or did your teacher say something in class that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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19 responses to “79 yoga words and sanskrit terms to know for class”.

Thanks for this wonderful article about Sanskrit yoga words. My favorite word is Namaste!

Please keep creating this amazing info about Sanskrit Yoga Words to know and use! Let me understand how I can assist promote what you do.

Please keep up the good work you do.I really appreciate the info you shared!!

Is there a Sanskrit word for a group of people who practice with and support each other’s yoga practice?

Sangha is often used although this term is specific to Buddhists. Satsang is sometimes used, but it usually refers to a gathering. Ashram is related as well but that refers more to the physical location and structure. Yogis might be an applicable word for this.

What is Rayke

Do you mean Reiki?

Sitting here lonely quarantined from my family for 5 days just tested positive for COVID after being exposed to it at work and feeling stressed over the death of my Dad 3 wks ago with no parents left in the world for the first time in my life, it was suggested by a few loved ones I should try yoga since I can’t go for a run rn. . I’ve been to yoga classes and hot yoga being my favorite on a cold snowy day, but here in my bedroom, I’ve never done. I looked up the word for yoga movements abs came across this article of Sanskrit Yoga terms. I thank you for all these yoga words and meanings. This article has inspired me to get out of bed and put my little “Shala” together and start working on my “asana” flow. Maybe then I won’t feel as tired anymore now that my symptoms from COVID have gotten better. My body is not made for all this much resting I’ve had to do. Body’s were built for moving and I can’t wait to get moving again. Thank you for your article!

Thanks for the great article, i really enjoyed learning the yoga words and sanskrit terms to know for class. Yoga is a Sanskrit word in itself and it is derived from the root yuj meaning to join or unite. The literal translation means “to join or unite.” So Yoga eventually came to be a means by which people could unite their minds and bodies, thus becoming a union of the physical body with the mind.

Great learning stuff on Sanskrit Words for Class! While asana alone can impart deep wisdom — and there’s a lot of wisdom in that realm — learning the language of yoga is about more than understanding the mechanics of a pose. It’s about understanding the foundations of yoga philosophy, called yoga sutras, which are the yogic teachings behind asana. And that’s a lot.

This is an awesome list of words and phrases to know when starting out with yoga. I have found that knowing these terms makes learning more fun and easier. I am currently working towards becoming a certified yoga instructor so this is very useful information.

This list is so useful for beginners who are just starting out with their practice. Knowing these terms will help them understand the deeper meaning behind each pose. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome resource!

This is an awesome list of yoga terminology. I have always struggled with knowing what some of the words meant when I hear them used during class or even just reading articles online. Thank you so much for sharing this information.

I’ve always been a bit intimidated by going to classes and not being able to understand the terminology completely, but this article has been a great resource. Appreciate all the effort you put in!

This article was so incredibly helpful! This article was so incredibly helpful! Every sanskrit word and definition was explained clearly and I’m so thankful for it! Thank you Yoga Basics for this great article. Every sanskrit word and definition was explained clearly and I’m so thankful for it! Thank you Yoga Basics for this great article.

As a teacher of yoga, I always strive to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the practice. This article has given me a new perspective on the importance of Sanskrit in yoga and how it can enhance my teaching.

I’m curious about how the use of Sanskrit in yoga has evolved over time. Has the language always been an integral part of yoga practice, or did it become more important in recent years?

I had heard the word “om” before but didn’t know its significance in yoga practice. It’s amazing how this one syllable can represent the entire universe and the unity of all things.

Woohoo! Finally, someone made an easy-to-understand list of yoga jargon! The English translations of those Sanskrit words are a game-changer for my yoga practice. Now I won’t feel lost in class.

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History and Importance of the language Sanskrit in Yoga

Yoga is as ancient as human civilization itself or perhaps even older than the time since we came to be known as a “civilization”. Even before we could articulate our thoughts into a language, even before we could communicate, we were practicing yoga. We were “living” Yoga. Civilizations many thousand years old show tablets, epithets, seals, etc., where humans are shown to be sitting in yogic postures. These seals and tablets reveal that humans were incorporating yogic postures in their day to day lives but we still do not know what language they spoke. There is an intense debate on it, which is not of significance in the discussion of this topic. Maybe we will decipher the language, the origin of it, verbiage of it, maybe not. Nevertheless, we know that yoga is as old as humans themselves and practice is more important than language.

Yogis used Sanskrit as a medium of communication because that is what they were speaking many thousands of years ago. Yogis lived a very simple life back then. They secluded themselves from the everyday hustle and bustle. They lived in forests, on mountain tops, in caves, etc.. They drew inspiration from nature constantly. A lot of yoga asanas are named after animals, insects, birds, mountains, rivers, etc.. Many times, these postures are named after sages/seers, and craftsmen/workers. By understanding the names of the postures in Sanskrit, we can connect to the thought process and lives of these yogis. We can understand what were the sources of inspiration for them. What got them excited, what influenced their mind. This in turn will allow us to attune our practice to the same elements. This will help us develop a spiritual connection to this ancient practice.

Yoga has a very complex history. It is influenced by many religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and many more, as well as by many cultures. This history is thousands of years old, and the earliest descriptions of yoga are found in ancient Hindu texts known as Vedas.

Having originated in the early second millennium BCE as Vedic Sanskrit and tracing its linguistic ancestry back to Proto-Indo-Iranian and Proto-Indo-European group of languages, Sanskrit was the language of a cultural order that exerted influence across South Asia, Inner Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia. As the oldest Indo-European language for which substantial written documentation exists, Sanskrit holds a prominent position in Indo-European group of languages. The “Rig Veda” which is known to be one of the oldest texts written in Indo-European language, is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is here that we first see the mention of the word “Yoga”. In Rig Veda, Yoga is mentioned as “to Yoke” or “to make one”. Asanas are not described as the method of this “yoking” in Rig Vedas; rather Meditation is used as the way of “making one” of the self with the Divine.

The hymns that are written in the Rig Veda and many other sacred texts are known to have a potent spiritual effect on the practitioner, when repeated in Sanskrit language. Some of us as students and teachers feel the need to say these hymns, mantras, asana names in their original ancient and sacred language while others feel that the language is archaic and does not feel the need to do so. Some of us feel a deeper spiritual connection to our practice through the language, others might find it strange, unnecessary and sometimes contradicting with their religious or spiritual beliefs.

As practitioners of yoga, we need to derive the conclusion from our own personal practice and then cultivate sensitivity towards others and their choices. This can be in the form of asana names, mantras, chanting of OM, discussing Vedas and Sutras, etc.. Choosing to incorporate Sanskrit in your personal practice in a way that resonates with you the most, is the only way to honor and pay tribute to one of the oldest, most refined and grammatically evolved languages of the ancient time.

Essay on Yoga for Students and Children

Yoga is an ancient art that connects the mind and body. It is an exercise that we perform by balancing the elements of our bodies. In addition, it helps us meditate and relax.

Moreover, yoga helps us keep control of our bodies as well as mind. It is a great channel for releasing our stress and anxiety . Yoga gained popularity gradually and is now spread in all regions of the world. It unites people in harmony and peace.

Origin of Yoga

Yoga essentially originated in the subcontinent of India. It has been around since ancient times and was performed by yogis. The term yoga has been derived from a Sanskrit word which translates to basically union and discipline.

In the earlier days, the followers of Hinduism , Buddhism, and Jainism practiced it. Slowly, it found its way in Western countries. Ever since people from all over the world perform yoga to relax their minds and keep their bodies fit.

Furthermore, after this popularity of yoga, India became known for yoga worldwide. People all over the world have started to realize the benefits of yoga. Several workshops are held and now there are even professional yogis who teach this ancient practice to people so they can learn about it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has numerous benefits if we look at it closely. You will get relief when you practice it regularly. As it keeps away the ailments from our mind and body. In addition, when we practice several asanas and postures, it strengthens our body and gives us a feeling of well-being and healthiness.

Furthermore, yoga helps in sharpening our mind and improving our intelligence . We can achieve a higher level of concentration through yoga and also learn how to steady our emotions. It connects us to nature like never before and enhances our social well-being.

In addition, you can develop self-discipline and self-awareness from yoga if practiced regularly. You will gain a sense of power once you do it consistently and help you lead a healthy life free from any problems. Anyone can practice yoga no matter what your age is or whichever religion you follow.

21st of June is celebrated as International Day of Yoga where people are made aware of the benefits of yoga. Yoga is a great gift to mankind which helps us keep better and maintain our health. You also develop a higher patience level when you practice yoga which also helps in keeping the negative thoughts away. You get great mental clarity and better understanding.

In short, yoga has several benefits. Everyone must practice it to keep their health maintained and also benefit from it. It is the secret to living a healthy and long life without the use of any artificial means like medicines or any other shortcuts of any kind.

FAQs on Yoga

Q.1 Write about the origin of Yoga.

A.1 If we look at the history, we see that Yoga originated in India. This ancient practice began when various yogis started performing yoga. Yoga translates to union and discipline and is derived from the Sanskrit language. The religious followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism used to practice it in the earlier days.

Q.2 What are the benefits of Yoga?

A.2 Yoga has not one but many benefits. It helps in keeping our mental and physical health intact. It helps us to connect to nature. Furthermore, your body becomes more flexible after consistent yoga practice and you also develop a great sense of self-discipline and self-awareness. In short, it improves our well-being and gives us better mental clarity.

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Sanskrit Poem on Importance of Yoga योगस्य महत्त्वम्

4to40.com June 20, 2019 Poems For Kids 44,927 Views

योगस्य महत्त्वम्

सर्वप्रथम महर्षि पतञ्जलिः योगसुक्तम् प्रतिपादितम। अस्मिन् ग्रन्थे अष्टांग-योगस्य वर्णनम् अस्ति।

सम्प्रति महानगरे प्रदूषणस्य समस्या अस्ति। ध्वनि, वायुः एवम् जलप्रदूषण: महानगरस्य जीवनस्य विकटसमस्या अस्ति।

एकल परिवारः महानगरस्य यथार्थ: एतेन कारणेन जनाः रुग्नाः भविन्त। समयाभावेन जनेषु परस्परम् प्रेमः स्नेहः च न अस्ति।

वयम् सर्वे तनावग्रस्ताः भवामः। अतएववयम् नूनं योगः करणीय:।

प्रतिदिनम् प्रातः सायं योगम् पूजनीयम्। केवलम् योगेन वयम् स्वस्थः भविष्यामः शारिरिकम् मान्सिकम् च पुष्ठये योगः महत्वपूर्णः अस्ति।

गीतायाम् अपि कथ्यते –

योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्।

अधुना अखिलम् विश्वम् अपि जून मासस्य एक एकविशति: तिथिः योगदिवसः इति मन्यते। समस्तदेशाः सम्प्रति योगस्य महत्वम् स्वीकुव्रन्ति।

जयतु योगः जयतु भारतः एवम् जयतु विश्वम्।

~ आयुष सावर्ण St. Gregorios School, Gregorios Nagar, Sector 11, Dwarka, New Delhi

Ancient history of yoga in india.

Nobody is sure about the origin of Yoga . Earlier historians believed that yoga came into existence 500 years back, during the time of Gautam Buddha . This concept was refuted when excavations of the Indus valley civilization started and figurines resembling different yogic postures were found in soapstone seals. Rig Veda, which is popularly known as the first book of mankind mentions yogic meditation. Yajur Veda exhorts mankind to practice yoga for enhancing mental health, physical strength, and prosperity. In addition, yoga-related terms like pranayama and samadhi occur repeatedly in Bhagavad-Gita . Yoga was systematized by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras during the time frame between 300–200 B.C. According to him, yoga was the only way for the soul to know its true self.

Popularity of Yoga during the 19th Century

Yoga got its worldwide recognition when Swami Vivekananda spoke about the practice of Yoga in the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He lectured about this ancient form of holistic healing in different parts of America and Europe and founded the Vedanta Society for propagating this practice. During the early 20th century a number of teachers from India migrated to the Western countries to teach yoga. They authored numerous books, detailing the benefits yoga had on the human mind and body.

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Essay on Yoga

Here we have shared the Essay on Yoga in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Yoga in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams.

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Yoga in 150 words

Essay on yoga in 250-300 words, essay on yoga in 500-1000 words.

Yoga is an ancient practice originating from India, known for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, yoga promotes overall well-being. It enhances flexibility, strength, and balance while reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga cultivates mindfulness, improving focus and promoting inner peace. The ethical principles of yoga guide practitioners towards positive values such as compassion and truthfulness. It is inclusive and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Yoga has gained global popularity and recognition, leading to the establishment of International Yoga Day on June 21st. It is a transformative practice that improves physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. By embracing yoga, individuals can find harmony, balance, and inner peace, enhancing their overall quality of life.

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India and has gained global popularity for its numerous physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. It is a holistic discipline that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and ethical principles to promote overall well-being.

The practice of yoga brings harmony between the body and mind, enhancing flexibility, strength, and balance. It improves physical fitness and promotes relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety. Regular practice of yoga helps to increase mindfulness, improve focus, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

Yoga is not just a physical exercise but a way of life. It encourages self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-transformation. The ethical principles of yoga, known as the Yamas and Niyamas, guide practitioners toward compassion, truthfulness, contentment, and other positive values.

The beauty of yoga lies in its inclusivity. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, yoga offers a space for personal growth and self-exploration.

Yoga has transcended cultural boundaries and has become a global phenomenon. Its popularity is attributed to its effectiveness in promoting physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. It has also been recognized by the United Nations, which declared June 21st as International Yoga Day, highlighting its significance as a holistic practice for humanity.

In conclusion, yoga is a transformative practice that benefits individuals physically, mentally, and spiritually. Its ancient wisdom and holistic approach make it a valuable tool for managing stress, improving fitness, and promoting overall well-being. By embracing yoga, individuals can cultivate a balanced and harmonious life, finding inner peace and contentment amidst the challenges of the modern world.

Title: The Transformative Power of Yoga – Cultivating Harmony in Body, Mind, and Spirit

Introduction :

Yoga, an ancient practice originating from India, has gained global popularity for its holistic approach to health and well-being. Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and ethical principles, yoga offers a comprehensive system for cultivating harmony in body, mind, and spirit. This essay explores the origins and philosophy of yoga, its physical and mental benefits, and its profound impact on personal transformation.

Origins and Philosophy

Yoga traces its roots back thousands of years to ancient Indian civilization. It is deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy and encompasses various paths to self-realization. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to unite or join. It refers to the union of the individual self (jiva) with the universal consciousness (Brahman).

The practice of yoga is guided by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a foundational text that outlines the philosophy and principles of yoga. Patanjali describes yoga as the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind, leading to a state of inner stillness and self-awareness.

Physical Benefits of Yoga

Yoga offers numerous physical benefits that contribute to overall health and well-being. The practice of asanas, or physical postures, improves flexibility, strength, and balance. It enhances body awareness, alignment, and posture, reducing the risk of injuries. Regular yoga practice can alleviate chronic pain, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance the functioning of the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Yoga

Beyond the physical realm, yoga provides profound mental and emotional benefits. The practice of pranayama, or breathing techniques, calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation. Meditation cultivates mindfulness, improving focus, concentration, and emotional stability. Yoga fosters self-acceptance, self-compassion, and resilience, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. It promotes mental clarity, creativity, and a sense of inner peace.

Ethical Principles of Yoga

Yoga is not just a physical exercise but a way of life. It encompasses ethical principles known as the Yamas and Niyamas, guiding practitioners towards a virtuous and mindful existence. The Yamas include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and non-possessiveness. The Niyamas include purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power. These principles encourage individuals to cultivate positive relationships, live with integrity, and embrace self-reflection and personal growth.

Personal Transformation and Spirituality

Yoga is a transformative practice that goes beyond the physical and mental realms, opening doors to spiritual growth and self-realization. It provides a path for individuals to connect with their inner selves and tap into their innate wisdom and intuition. The practice of yoga fosters a sense of interconnectedness, recognizing the oneness of all beings and the unity of the universe. It invites individuals to explore their spiritual nature and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life.

The Global Impact of Yoga

Yoga’s profound impact has transcended cultural boundaries, reaching people of diverse backgrounds and belief systems worldwide. It has gained recognition for its ability to improve physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. In 2014, the United Nations declared June 21st as International Yoga Day, highlighting its global significance. On this day, people around the world come together to celebrate and practice yoga, emphasizing its role in promoting peace, harmony, and unity.

Conclusion :

Yoga is a transformative practice that offers a holistic approach to health and well-being. It harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit, fostering physical strength, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. Through the practice of asanas, pranayama, meditation, and ethical principles, individuals can experience profound personal transformation. Yoga’s impact extends beyond the individual, promoting global unity, peace, and interconnectedness. As more people embrace yoga, its benefits continue to ripple through society, creating a positive impact on individuals, communities, and the world at large. By cultivating inner harmony, practicing mindfulness, and embodying the principles of yoga, we can lead more fulfilling, balanced, and purposeful lives.

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Essay on Yoga

Yoga is a well-known term these days, it is called a spiritual discipline that is based on a subtle science that aims at attaining harmony between body and mind. This is also referred to as science and art for achieving healthy living. The derivation of the word yoga is considered from the Sanskrit word Yuj. The meaning of Yuj is to join or yoke is to unite.

Yoga is safe and is practised even by kids and older people. There is no use of hard equipment, but only movements of the body for the extension. Yoga gives relaxation to not only the mind but also flexibility to the body.

The students are also taught the benefits of yoga in their curriculum. Have you ever got the task of writing an essay on yoga? How are you going to write it? Well, the first thing that will appear in your mind is the benefits of yoga to include in the yoga essay. It is like writing an essay on other topics - you will have to write a perfect title, a comprehensive introduction, the body of the essay, and an appealing conclusion.

Do you want to get guidance for writing a yoga essay? Here is the information shared for your guidance.

Origin of Yoga

In India, the practice of yoga started centuries ago. In the present times as well, it is followed by many due to its benefits for health as well as the overall life. Yoga has made several changes in the lifestyle of people. This is the inheritance embraced by centuries and will keep going for years. From working individuals to celebrities, everyone practices yoga to maintain a balanced life. Yoga helps to unite people in harmony and peace.

Centuries ago, people belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism started the following yoga and continued even now. Over the years, yoga experts have discovered different types of yoga offering numerous benefits. India is currently the centre stage of yoga and people from other countries visit India to practice it.

Currently, when the whole world is fighting against Coronavirus, yoga has gained its importance. The craze of yoga among people has increased so much and people are ready to join it via digital mode. Breathing practices have become a common practice for people as the medicines have not been introduced for the deadly virus. Several mudras and postures are also recommended by the doctors during this time.

Benefits of Yoga

As mentioned above, yoga offers flexibility to the body and relaxation to the mind. There are different asanas practised by people, and each asana has its benefits on the mind and body. Yoga is designed to sharpen our minds and to improve our intelligence. Regular practice of yoga can help in controlling our emotions and promote well-being.

Some Other Benefits of Practising Regular Yoga are -

It helps to develop self-discipline and self-awareness if practised regularly.

It helps to strengthen our flexibility and posture.

It increases muscle strength, tone and balances metabolism.

You will gain a sense of power as yoga helps to lead to a healthy life free of cost!

Besides physical benefits, yoga also helps to benefit mentally in the long run. If you are stressed out, then practising yoga will bring change in your mental behaviour. If incorporated with meditation and breathing exercises, yoga will help to improve mental well-being.

We live in an age where we struggle to get mental peace. Professional and personal stress takes a toll on us. Lack of physical activities further builds stress. Practising yoga regularly can help in bringing calm, increasing body awareness, relief from chronic sleep patterns and others. Practising yoga can benefit you a long way. Many experts practice yoga and help by teaching the same.

On June 21, International Yoga Day is celebrated all across the world to make people aware of the benefits of yoga. It is the day to celebrate the gift the entire humankind has received and follow it full-fledgedly.

Different Types of Asana

There are different types of asana. From beginners to advanced level, one can perform yoga as per the need.

Standing Yoga Poses

Big Toe Pose

Dolphin Pose

Downward Facing Dog

Twist Yoga Poses

Bharadvaja's Twist

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose

Marichi's Pose

Like these, there are many more poses to practice, and each offers flexibility in its sense. In the initial stage, you may take time to adjust and balance your body. However, as you practice daily, you will be able to balance your body.

Importance of Yoga

It is essential to practice yoga daily to get benefits out of it. In this stressful lifestyle, practising workouts or yoga is very much important, and it can be greatly helpful, irrespective of age. It is the cheapest and free of cost treatment for all the health issues we face. From blood pressure to stress and body pain, everything gets under control on performing yoga regularly.

The main idea behind practising yoga is to control the body part movement using breathing exercises. There is no specific day to practice yoga. Depending on your schedule, you can practice this easy workout. However, it is highly recommended to practice yoga in the morning.

Yoga improves the quality of our life, and we need to work on it regularly. The main aim of writing this essay on yoga is to give you the primary picture of how yoga is beneficial for our life in the long run. You can practice or learn yoga from online classes or from expert. The ultimate aim is to make your life physically and mentally fit, which is a great challenge in this fast-paced life.

FAQs on Yoga Essay

1. Is yoga enough to keep you fit?

Yoga is not the only way to remain fit. When we say, “keeping fit,” it does not mean only physically, but mentally too. Therefore, along with yoga, you also need to work on your diet, lifestyle and thinking process. Practising meditation and keeping stress away is the best way to keep yourself fit.

Moreover, you cannot just perform yoga or a healthy lifestyle just for a few days, but you need to practice it regularly. We face stress daily, which is contributed by our professional and personal lives. It can take a toll on us if we do not take a healthy lifestyle seriously.

2. How is yoga crucial in our lives?

Yoga is considered crucial for diverse reasons. Unlike fitness exercises, yoga is a method to make both our body and mind healthy. Like any other activity, the same rule applies to yoga - you need to gain comprehension before starting. If you want to get perfect guidance, you can take part in yoga classes or hire a yoga instructor. Remember that this is not a single day process, so you will keep doing it until you gain perfection and desired results.

3. Why is the concept of “30 minutes yoga” gaining popularity these days?

The concept is gaining popularity not only in India but all across the world. It has been designed specially to help people with a hectic schedule. They can maintain their fitness just by offering half an hour of time on a daily basis. Once people start yoga, they experience the wonders within a month or two, if they remain consistent. Therefore, eventually, people become so fond of 30 minutes of yoga that they refer it to their family and friends as well.

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व्यायाम पर संस्कृत निबंध। Vyayam Essay in Sanskrit

व्यायाम पर संस्कृत निबंध। Vyayam Essay in Sanskrit : एतत् कथ्यते शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मसाधनम्’। स्वस्थशरीरेण एव धर्माचरणं कर्तुं प्रभवति नरः। स्वस्थशरीरं कस्मात् प्राप्येत। अस्य स्वास्थ्यस्य अनेकानि साधनानि सन्ति। तेषु ‘व्यायाम' इति महत्त्वपूर्णं साधनमस्ति। यदि मनुष्य: दीर्घायुः वाञ्छति, तर्हि तेन नियमित व्यायाम करणीयः। स्वास्थ रक्षायै व्यायाम: अतीव आवश्यकः अस्ति। नियमित व्यायामनैव शरीरं नीरोगं जायते। व्यायामस्य अनेके लाभा: सन्ति। अनेन बलं वर्धते, शरीरस्य सर्वेषां अंगानां विकासो भवति, तथा शरीरे रुधिर संचारः सम्यक् भवति। प्रात:काले वायुः प्रदूषणरहितः अस्ति। अतः प्रतिदिनं व्यायामेन शुद्धवायुं लभते। प्रात:काले वातावरणमपि उत्साहवर्धकमस्ति।

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योग के महत्व पर निबंध (Importance of Yoga Essay in Hindi)

योग – अभ्यास का एक प्राचीन रूप जो भारतीय समाज में हजारों साल पहले विकसित हुआ था और उसके बाद से लगातार इसका अभ्यास किया जा रहा है। इसमें किसी व्यक्ति को सेहतमंद रहने के लिए और विभिन्न प्रकार के रोगों और अक्षमताओं से छुटकारा पाने के लिए विभिन्न प्रकार के व्यायाम शामिल हैं। यह ध्यान लगाने के लिए एक मजबूत विधि के रूप में भी माना जाता है जो मन और शरीर को आराम देने में मदद करता है। दुनियाभर में योग का अभ्यास किया जा रहा है। विश्व के लगभग 2 अरब लोग एक सर्वेक्षण के मुताबिक योग का अभ्यास करते हैं।

योग के महत्व पर छोटे तथा बड़े निबंध (Short and Long Essay on Importance of Yoga in Hindi, Yog ke Mahatva par Nibandh Hindi mein)

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस पर 10 वाक्य | योग पर 10 वाक्य

निबंध – 1 (250 – 300 शब्द)

योग का शब्द का उद्भव संस्कृत के ‘ युज ‘ धातु से हुआ है। जिसका अर्थ है , शारीरिक और मानसिक शक्तियों का संयोग।योगएक अभ्यास है जो मानसिक, शारीरिक, आध्यात्मिक और सामाजिक स्वास्थ्यको बनाए रखता है। योग एक कला है जो हमारे शरीर, मन और आत्मा को एक साथ जोड़ता है।

शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य में योग की भूमिका

लचीलापन – लोग आजकल कई प्रकार के दर्द से पीड़ित हैं। वे पैर की उंगलियों को छूने या नीचे की ओर झुकने के दौरान कठिनाइयों का सामना करते हैं। योग का नियमित अभ्यास सभी प्रकार के दर्द से राहत प्रदान करता है।

रक्त प्रवाह बढ़ाएं – योग आपके हृदय को स्वस्थ बनाने में मदद करता है और यह आपके शरीर और नसों में रक्त के प्रवाह को बढ़ाता है। यह आपके शरीर को ऑक्सीजन युक्त रखने में मदद करता है।

मानसिक स्वास्थ्य में योग की भूमिका

आंतरिक शांति – योग आंतरिक शांति प्राप्त करने और तनाव के खिलाफ लड़ाई में मदद करता है। योग एक व्यक्ति में शांति के स्तर को बढ़ाता है और उसके आत्मविश्वास को और अधिक बढ़ाने तथा उसे खुश रहने में मदद करता है।

ध्यान केंद्रित करने की शक्ति – योग आपके शरीर को शांत करने और आराम करने में मदद करता है जिसका मतलब तनाव का कम होना है और आप अपने काम पर ध्यान केंद्रित कर सकते है। यही कारण है कि बच्चों और किशोरों को योग करने के लिए प्रोत्साहित किया जाता है क्योंकि यह उनकी पढ़ाई में बेहतर तरीके से ध्यान केंद्रित करने में मदद करता है।

योग के नियम कापालन और प्रतिदिनअभ्यास करके हम अपने स्वास्थ्य को बेहतर बना सकते है।कहा गया है की स्वस्थ शरीर में ही स्वस्थ मन का वाश होता है।

निबंध – 2 (400 शब्द): योग के फायदे

शरीर, मन और आत्मा को नियंत्रित करने में योग मदद करता है। शरीर और मन को शांत करने के लिए यह शारीरिक और मानसिक अनुशासन का एक संतुलन बनाता है। यह तनाव और चिंता का प्रबंधन करने में भी सहायता करता है और आपको आराम से रहने में मदद करता है। योग आसन शक्ति, शरीर में लचीलेपन और आत्मविश्वास विकसित करने के लिए जाना जाता है।

योग के फायदे

मांसपेशियों के लचीलेपन में सुधार
शरीर के आसन और एलाइनमेंट को ठीक करता है
बेहतर पाचन तंत्र प्रदान करता है
आंतरिक अंग मजबूत करता है
अस्थमा का इलाज करता है
मधुमेह का इलाज करता है
दिल संबंधी समस्याओं का इलाज करने में मदद करता है
त्वचा के चमकने में मदद करता है
शक्ति और सहनशक्ति को बढ़ावा देता है
एकाग्रता में सुधार
मन और विचार नियंत्रण में मदद करता है
चिंता, तनाव और अवसाद पर काबू पाने के लिए मन शांत रखता है
तनाव कम करने में मदद करता है
रक्त परिसंचरण और मांसपेशियों के विश्राम में मदद करता है
चोट से संरक्षण करता है

ये सब योग के लाभ हैं। योग स्वास्थ्य और आत्म-चिकित्सा के प्रति आपके प्राकृतिक प्रवृत्ति पर ध्यान केंद्रित करता है।

योग सत्र में मुख्य रूप से व्यायाम, ध्यान और योग आसन शामिल होते हैं जो विभिन्न मांसपेशियों को मजबूत करते हैं। दवाओं, जो हमारे मानसिक और शारीरिक स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक है, से बचने का यह एक अच्छा विकल्प है।

योग अभ्यास करने के मुख्य लाभों में से एक यह है कि यह तनाव कम करने में मदद करता है। तनाव का होना इन दिनों एक आम बात है जिससे शरीर और मन पर विनाशकारी प्रभाव पड़ता है। तनाव के कारण लोगों को सोते समय दर्द, गर्दन का दर्द, पीठ दर्द, सिरदर्द, तेजी से दिल का धड़कना, हथेलियों में पसीने आना, असंतोष, क्रोध, अनिद्रा और ध्यान केंद्रित करने में असमर्थता जैसी गंभीर समस्याएं पैदा होती हैं। समय गुज़रने के साथ इन प्रकार की समस्याओं का इलाज करने में योग वास्तव में प्रभावी है। यह एक व्यक्ति को ध्यान और साँस लेने के व्यायाम से तनाव कम करने में मदद करता है और एक व्यक्ति के मानसिक कल्याण में सुधार करता है। नियमित अभ्यास मानसिक स्पष्टता और शांति बनाता है जिससे मन को आराम मिलता है।

योग एक बहुत ही उपयोगी अभ्यास है जिसे करना बहुत आसान है और यह कुछ गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं, जो आज के जीवन शैली में सामान्य हैं, से भी छुटकारा पाने में मदद करता है।

निबंध – 3 (500 शब्द): योग की उत्पत्ति

योग की उत्पत्ति संस्कृत के शब्द, ‘यूज’ (YUJ) से हुई है। इसका मतलब है जुड़ना, कनेक्ट या एकजुट होना। यह सार्वभौमिक चेतना के साथ व्यक्तिगत चेतना का संघ है। योग 5000 साल पुराना भारतीय दर्शनशास्त्र है। इसका सबसे पहले प्राचीन पवित्र पाठ – ऋग्वेद में उल्लेख किया गया था (वेद आध्यात्मिक जानकारी, गीत और ब्राह्मणों द्वारा इस्तेमाल होने वाले अनुष्ठानों, वैदिक पुजारियों के ग्रंथों का एक संग्रह थे)।

हजारों सालों से भारतीय समाज में योग का अभ्यास किया जा रहा है। योग करने वाला व्यक्ति अलग-अलग क्रियाएँ करता है जिसे आसन कहते हैं। योग उन लोगों को लाभ देता है जो इसका नियमित रूप से अभ्यास करते हैं।

योग में किए गए व्यायाम को ‘आसन’ कहा जाता है जो शरीर और मन की स्थिरता लाने में सक्षम हैं। योग आसन हमारे शरीर के अधिक वजन को कम करने और फिट रखने का सबसे सरल तरीका है।

योग की उत्पत्ति

योग का जन्म प्राचीन भारत में हजारों साल पहले हुआ था। सबसे पहले धर्म या विश्वास प्रणाली के जन्म से भी पहले। यह माना जाता है कि शिव पहले योगी या आदियोगी और पहले गुरु हैं। हजारों साल पहले हिमालय में कंटिसारोकर झील के तट पर आदियोगी ने अपने ज्ञान को महान सात ऋषियों के साथ साझा किया था क्योंकि इतने ज्ञान को एक व्यक्ति में रखना मुश्किल था। ऋषियों ने इस शक्तिशाली योग विज्ञान को दुनिया के विभिन्न हिस्सों में फैलाया जिसमें एशिया, उत्तरी अफ्रीका, मध्य पूर्व और दक्षिण अमेरिका शामिल हैं। भारत को अपनी पूरी अभिव्यक्ति में योग प्रणाली को प्राप्त करने का आशीष मिला हुआ है।

सिंधु-सरस्वती सभ्यता के जीवाश्म अवशेष प्राचीन भारत में योग की मौजूदगी का प्रमाण हैं। इस उपस्थिति का लोक परंपराओं में उल्लेख है। यह सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता, बौद्ध और जैन परंपराओं में शामिल है। अध्ययनों के अनुसार एक गुरु के प्रत्यक्ष मार्गदर्शन के तहत योग का अभ्यास किया जा रहा था और इसके आध्यात्मिक मूल्य को बहुत महत्व दिया गया था। सूर्य को वैदिक काल के दौरान सर्वोच्च महत्व दिया गया था और इसी तरह सूर्यनमस्कार का बाद में आविष्कार किया गया था।

महर्षि पतंजलि को आधुनिक योग के पिता के रूप में जाना जाता है। हालाँकि उन्होंने योग का आविष्कार नहीं किया क्योंकि यह पहले से ही विभिन्न रूपों में था। उन्होंने इसे प्रणाली में आत्मसात कर दिया। उन्होंने देखा कि किसी को भी अर्थपूर्ण तरीके से समझने के लिए यह काफी जटिल हो रहा है। इसलिए उन्होंने आत्मसात किया और सभी पहलुओं को एक निश्चित प्रारूप में शामिल किया जिसे योग सूत्र कहते हैं।

आसन या योग पदों के अभ्यास में सांस की भूमिका बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। सांस हमारे कार्यों के आधार पर एक महत्वपूर्ण बल है और ऑक्सीजन परिवर्तन हमारे शरीर की आवश्यकता है। अगर हम व्यायाम करते हैं तो हमें अधिक ऑक्सीजन की आवश्यकता होती है इसलिए हम साँस तेजी से लेते है और अगर हम आराम करते हैं तो हम साँस आराम से लेते हैं। योग में धीमी गति से आसन करते समय पूरा ध्यान सांस पर एकीकृत करना होता है। योग अभ्यास आराम से साँस लेने और साँस छोड़ने को बढ़ावा देता है।

योग को आसान तक सीमित होने की वजह से आंशिक रूप से ही समझा जाता है, लेकिन लोगों को शरीर, मन और सांस को एकजुट करने में योग के लाभों का एहसास नहीं है। किसी भी आयु वर्ग और किसी भी शरीर के आकार के व्यक्ति द्वारा योग का चयन और इसका अभ्यास किया जा सकता है। यह किसी के लिए भी शुरू करना संभव है। आकार और फिटनेस स्तर से कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता क्योंकि योग में विभिन्न लोगों के अनुसार प्रत्येक आसन के लिए संशोधन मौजूद हैं।

निबंध – 4 (600 शब्द): योग के प्रकार व उनके महत्व

योग आसन हमेशा योग संस्कृति में एक महत्वपूर्ण चर्चा रही है। विदेशों में स्थित कुछ योग स्कूलों में योग मुद्राओं को खड़े रहने, बैठेने, पीठ के बल लेटने और पेट के बल लेटने के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया है लेकिन योग के वास्तविक और पारंपरिक वर्गीकरण में कर्म योग, ज्ञान योग, भक्ति योग और क्रिया योग सहित चार मुख्य योग शामिल हैं।

योग के प्रकार व उनके महत्व

यहां योग के चार मुख्य मार्गों और उनके महत्व को समझने के लिए संक्षेप में देखें:

कर्म योग- यह पश्चिमी संस्कृति में ‘कार्य के अनुशासन’ के रूप में भी जाना जाता है। यह योग के चार महत्वपूर्ण भागों में से एक है। यह निस्वार्थ गतिविधियों और कर्तव्यों के साथ संलग्न हुए बिना तथा फ़ल की चिंता किए बिना कोई काम करना सिखाता है। यह मुख्य पाठ है जो कर्म योगी को सिखाया जाता है। यह उन लोगों के लिए है जो आध्यात्मिक पथ की खोज करते हैं और परमेश्वर के साथ मिलना चाहते हैं। इसका अपने नियमित जीवन में ईमानदार तरीके से नतीजे की चिंता किए बिना अपने कर्तव्य का संचालन करके भी अभ्यास किया जा सकता है। यह आध्यात्मिक विकास का मार्ग है। असल में कर्म जो हम करते हैं वह क्रिया है और उसका नतीज़ा इसकी प्रतिक्रिया है। व्यक्ति का जीवन अपने कर्म चक्र द्वारा शासित होता है। अगर उस व्यक्ति के अच्छे विचार, अच्छे कार्य और अच्छी सोच है तो वह सुखी जीवन जिएगा वहीँ वह व्यक्ति अगर बुरे विचार, बुरे काम और बुरी सोच रखता है तो वह दुखी और कठिन जीवन जिएगा आज की दुनिया में ऐसे निस्वार्थ जीवन जीना बहुत मुश्किल है क्योंकि मानव कर्म करने से पहले फ़ल की चिंता करने लगता है। यही कारण हैं कि हम उच्च तनाव, मानसिक बीमारी और अवसाद जैसी समस्याओं का सामना कर रहे हैं। कर्म योग सभी भौतिकवादी रास्तों से छुटकारा पाता है और एक खुश और सफल जीवन का नेतृत्व करता है।
ज्ञान योग- इसे ‘विज़डम योग’ के रूप में भी जाना जाता है। यह सभी के बीच एक बहुत ही कठिन और जटिल रास्ता है। यह किसी व्यक्ति को गहरी अंतरात्मा के मन से ध्यान और आत्म-प्रश्न सत्र आयोजित करने के द्वारा विभिन्न मानसिक तकनीकों का अभ्यास करके आंतरिक आत्म में विलय करना सिखाता है। यह किसी व्यक्ति को स्थायी जागरूक और अस्थायी भौतिकवादी दुनिया के बीच अंतर करना सिखाता है। यह पथ 6 मौलिक गुणों – शांति, नियंत्रण, बलिदान, सहिष्णुता, विश्वास और ध्यान केंद्रित करके मन और भावनाओं को स्थिर करना सिखाता है। लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने और सर्वोत्तम तरीके से इसे करने के लिए एक सक्षम गुरु के मार्गदर्शन में ज्ञान योग का अभ्यास करने की सलाह दी जाती है।
भक्ति योग- इसे ‘आध्यात्मिक या भक्ति योग’ के रूप में भी जाना जाता है। यह दिव्य प्रेम के साथ जुड़ा हुआ है क्योंकि यह प्रेम और भक्ति के माध्यम से आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान का सबसे बड़ा मार्ग है। इस योग के रास्ते में एक व्यक्ति भगवान को सर्वोच्च अभिव्यक्ति और प्यार के अवतार के रूप में देखता है। इसकी मुख्य विशेषताएं हैं – भगवान का नाम जपना, उसकी स्तुति या भजन गाना और पूजा और अनुष्ठान में संलग्न होना। यह सबसे आसान और सबसे लोकप्रिय है। भक्ति योग मन और हृदय की शुद्धि से जुड़ा है और कई मानसिक और शारीरिक योग प्रथाओं द्वारा इसे प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। यह प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों में भी साहस देता है। यह मूल रूप से दयालुता का एहसास कराती है और परमात्मा को दिव्य प्रेम से शुद्ध करने पर केंद्रित है।
क्रिया योग- यह शारीरिक प्रथा है जिसमें कई शरीर मुद्राएं ऊर्जा और सांस नियंत्रण या प्राणायाम की ध्यान तकनीकों के माध्यम से की जाती हैं। इसमें शरीर, मन और आत्मा का विकास होता है। क्रिया योग का अभ्यास करके पूरे मानव प्रणाली को कम समय में सक्रिय किया जाता है। सभी आंतरिक अंग जैसे कि यकृत, अग्न्याशय आदि सक्रिय हैं। शरीर को स्वस्थ रखने के लिए आवश्यक हार्मोन और एंजाइमों को सक्रीय अवस्था में लाया जाता है। रक्त ऑक्सीजन की उच्च मात्रा को अवशोषित करता है और जल्द डी-कार्बोनाइज हो जाता है जो आम तौर पर बीमारियों की संख्या घटाता है। सिर में अधिक परिसंचरण के माध्यम से मस्तिष्क की कोशिकाओं को सक्रिय किया जाता है जिससे मस्तिष्क की कामकाजी क्षमता बढ़ जाती है और स्मृति तेज हो जाती है और व्यक्ति जल्दी थका हुआ महसूस नहीं करता।

योग गुरु या शिक्षक चार मौलिक मार्गों के समुचित संयोजन को पढ़ा सकते हैं क्योंकि ये प्रत्येक साधक के लिए आवश्यक है। प्राचीन कहावतों की माने तो उपरोक्त योग मार्ग प्राप्त करने के लिए गुरु के निर्देशों के तहत काम करना जरूरी है।

अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस 2022 पर अधिक जानकारी

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Importance of Yoga (योग के महत्व पर अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न)

उत्तर- भारत

उत्तर- पतंजलि योगपीठ भारत में।

उत्तर- भगवान शिव एवं दत्तात्रेय को योग का जनक माना जाता है।

मेरी रुचि पर निबंध (My Hobby Essay in Hindi)

धन पर निबंध (Money Essay in Hindi)

समाचार पत्र पर निबंध (Newspaper Essay in Hindi)

मेरा स्कूल पर निबंध (My School Essay in Hindi)

शिक्षा का महत्व पर निबंध (Importance of Education Essay in Hindi)

बाघ पर निबंध (Tiger Essay in Hindi)

Sanskrit Schools

JSSMVP operates JSS Sanskrit Schools intending to promote the study of ancient Indian wisdom such as Veda, Agama, and Astrology, which require a knowledge of the Sanskrit language. The organization believes that Sanskrit is not only extensively used in literature such as sacred hymns, philosophy, mythology, science, mathematics, history, poetry, drama, music, and traditional Ayurveda and yoga but is also the language of the environment. The organization also believes Sanskrit students develop sharper memories and better cognitive skills.

JSSMVP established the Kyatanahalli Sri SiddlingaiahSamskrutaPatashala in Mysuru 60 years ago to teach Sanskrit, and since then, ten such schools have been established. Five of these schools have been set up in rural areas to allow rural students to learn Sanskrit. Currently, around 1,800 students (approx. 1,000 boys and 800 girls) are studying in these schools, and Veda, Agama Shastra, and Astrology are also being taught in the Mysuru and Suttur schools.

In 2013, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamy opened a Sanskrit college in Suttur that offers courses in Alankara, Shakthivishishtadwaitha Vedantha, Jyothishya, and Sanskrit language to talented rural students, spreading the light of knowledge. For more information about the Sanskrit college, visit http://jssonline.org/our-institutions/general-education/degree-colleges-jss-mahavidyapeetha/jss-sanskrit-college-suttur/ .

IMAGES

international yoga day essay in sanskrit
Learn Sanskrit Names of Basic Yoga Poses
The Complete Glossary of Sanskrit Words Used in Yoga
41 Traditional Asana Full Sanskrit Names (Part 1) Standing and Sitting Yoga Pose Names
TOP 30 Yoga Poses In Sanskrit (EXPLAINED)
Patanjali Yoga Sutra ((Sanskrit Text with Transliteration, English

VIDEO

Introduction of Yoga Darshana (Sanskrit) । योग दर्शन का परिचय by Dr. Janakisharan Acharya
Yan sandhi in Sanskrit
[Yoga Essay] 요가에세이, 핀챠마유라아사나, 아쉬탕가요가
Yoga
Top 34 Yoga Poses in Sanskrit
10 Lines On Importance Of Yoga/Essay On Yoga Day/Essay On Importance Of Yoga/International Yoga Day

COMMENTS

योगः
Essay on Yoga in Sanskrit योगविद्या भारतवर्षस्य अमूल्यनिधिः । पुराकालादेव ...
Yoga and the Sanskrit Connection
Mantras use a Sanskrit sound or word repeatedly to help regulate the mind and the breathing. Sanskrit mantras within themselves contains powerful vibratory qualities. The use of these mantras at anytime can help to calm our restless minds, and when you pair one with an asana, your body and mind sync, becoming a physical expression of meditation.
International Yoga Day
Essay on International Yoga Day. Every year, on the 21st of June, International Yoga Day is celebrated. Due to the efforts of the Indian government, the United Nations has declared this day. Now, International Yoga Day is celebrated in many countries. On this day, people come together and do yoga.
Sanskrit: Yoga Pose, Chant, and Mantra Meanings
Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the classical Indian language still used in yoga to define poses and practices. So, if your teacher references a foreign-sounding word during class, that's usually why. For example, "Corpse Pose" is also known as "Savasana". That said, the Sanskrit language goes beyond the names of poses, mantras, and chants.
An Introduction to Sanskrit: The Language of Yoga
devavāṇī. "language of the gods". Sanskrit is one of the most ancient continuously used languages in the world. Known by tradition as the language spoken by the gods (devavāṇī), it is understood as the "perfected" language (saṃskṛta). For many, Sanskrit is revered as the language and voice (vāc) of the entire cosmos—the ...
Ashtanga Yoga: A Curated Guide
Bihar, India: Bihar School of Yoga, 1998. This fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual written by Svātmārāma presents the practice of yoga as a balance of mind, body, and energy through the performance of āsanas and other physical techniques, including dietary habits, cleansing practices (kriyās), breathing, and unblocking the flow of prāṇa ...
The Dedicated Yogi's Guide to Sanskrit Lingo
The 6 Branches of Yoga. Bhakti (bahk-tee): yogic path of selfless devotion to reach the divine. Hatha (ha-tuh): yogic path which purifies the physical and pranic bodies. Jnana (nyah-nuh): yogic path of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Karma (car-muh): the act of selfless service.
Preserving the Authenticity of Yoga: How and Why to Learn Sanskrit as a
Joining Sanskrit or Yoga Philosophy Study Groups. Study groups offer an interactive and community-driven way to learn Sanskrit. By joining or creating your circle of fellow practitioners, you can ...
Exploring Sanskrit
Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, holds a sacred place in the world of yoga. Understanding some basic Sanskrit words and their meanings can deepen your connection to the practice, making it more enriching and meaningful. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to a few essential Sanskrit terms that every yoga beginner should know.
The Everyday Magic of Sanskrit: Bringing the Sacred Language of Yoga
Chanting Sanskrit mantra is a great way to go a little deeper into how sounds resonate in the body and create an ambience of meditation and ritual. It's not just a language for communicating or conveying ideas; through its close relationship with yoga over the generations, it has become a way of experiencing a more embodied way of being.
The Secret Language of Yoga: A Guide to 40 Important Sanskrit Words
Incorporating Sanskrit into your yoga practice allows you to understand the original teachings, providing a more profound connection to the practice and philosophy. It's a language rich in symbolism and spirituality, making it a valuable tool for exploring the profound depths of yoga. While fluency in Sanskrit is not necessary, familiarity ...
Learn Sanskrit
Each Sanskrit word is believed to have its own consciousness, and pronouncing that word is said to tap you into that consciousness. "This is especially true for mantras, chants to purify the mind," says Nicolai Bachman, the Santa Fe-based author of The Language of Yoga. "A mantra's whole effect is based on its sound, and to get the ...
PDF Yoga Teacher Training
Sanskrit Words and Pronunciation for Yoga Teachers 8 Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Related to Yoga (Phonetic spelling is in parentheses) Ahimsa (ah-heem-sah) Means non-violence. It is the undertaking to live without causing injury to others or self. This non-violence is practiced in action, speech and thought.
योगः ( Sanskrit essay on Yoga )
योगः ( Sanskrit essay on Yoga ) ... Our app has full page Yoga essay. Download app here. Navigate to Home> Ancient > Yog in our app Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. 24 comments: karunakaran June 24, 2015 at 7:02 AM.
79 Yoga Words and Sanskrit Terms to Know for Class
Japa (jah-pah) - The recitation of Sanskrit mantras or prayers, commonly used in Bhakti Yoga or mantra meditation. Jnana (juh-nah-nuh) - The yogic path of knowledge and wisdom. Karma (kar-mah) - The law of cause and effect. A yogi's goal is to not accumulate any further karma in his or her lifetime.
History and Importance of the language Sanskrit in Yoga
The "Rig Veda" which is known to be one of the oldest texts written in Indo-European language, is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is here that we first see the mention of the word "Yoga". In Rig Veda, Yoga is mentioned as "to Yoke" or "to make one". Asanas are not described as the method of this ...
Essay on Yoga for Students and Children
Essay on Yoga for Students and Children. Yoga is an ancient art that connects the mind and body. It is an exercise that we perform by balancing the elements of our bodies. In addition, it helps us meditate and relax. Moreover, yoga helps us keep control of our bodies as well as mind. It is a great channel for releasing our stress and anxiety.
Sanskrit Poem on Importance of Yoga योगस्य महत्त्वम्
Rig Veda, which is popularly known as the first book of mankind mentions yogic meditation. Yajur Veda exhorts mankind to practice yoga for enhancing mental health, physical strength, and prosperity. In addition, yoga-related terms like pranayama and samadhi occur repeatedly in Bhagavad-Gita. Yoga was systematized by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras ...
Essay on Yoga: 150-250 words, 500-1000 words for Students
Essay on Yoga in 150 words. Yoga is an ancient practice originating from India, known for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, yoga promotes overall well-being. It enhances flexibility, strength, and balance while reducing stress and anxiety.
Yoga Essay for Students in English
Essay on Yoga. Yoga is a well-known term these days, it is called a spiritual discipline that is based on a subtle science that aims at attaining harmony between body and mind. This is also referred to as science and art for achieving healthy living. The derivation of the word yoga is considered from the Sanskrit word Yuj.
व्यायाम पर संस्कृत निबंध। Vyayam Essay in Sanskrit
व्यायाम पर संस्कृत निबंध। Vyayam Essay in Sanskrit : एतत् कथ्यते शरीरमाद्यं ...
योग के महत्व पर निबंध (Importance of Yoga Essay in Hindi)
योग के महत्व पर निबंध (Importance of Yoga Essay in Hindi) By अर्चना सिंह / November 1, 2017. योग - अभ्यास का एक प्राचीन रूप जो भारतीय समाज में हजारों साल पहले विकसित हुआ ...
Sanskrit Schools
Five of these schools have been set up in rural areas to allow rural students to learn Sanskrit. Currently, around 1,800 students (approx. 1,000 boys and 800 girls) are studying in these schools, and Veda, Agama Shastra, and Astrology are also being taught in the Mysuru and Suttur schools. In 2013, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri ...

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अन्ताराष्ट्रीयः योगदिवसः इति विषये संस्कृते निबन्धः।

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antārāṣṭrīyaḥ yogadivasaḥ iti viṣaye saṃskṛte nibandhaḥ।

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योगः | Sanskrit Essay on Yoga