Sanskrit 101

Hmsa Yogashala is a traditional Hatha Yoga studio so we use traditional Sanskrit words and phrases before, during and after class.

Far from being difficult, Sanskrit is easy to pronounce, because you ‘say what you see’, and makes more sense to use than the English translation.

Here are some typical things you will here at Hamsa Yogashala:
-Anjali Mudra. This is a hand position, where the palms are lightly pressed together in front of the heart.

-Asana. This means “sit, pose”, so you will here this often, because Yoga has lots of poses! Mostly, you will hear it at the end of a word, like: Bal-asana, “Child’s pose”, and Dand-asana, “Staff pose”, and Tad-asana, “Mountain pose”.

-Chakra. This means “wheel” and are the naturally occurring energy centers within the body. They correspond with muscles, bones and organs.

-Mantra. This means “word, saying, prayer” and can be a single word or a phrase. Mantras are sometimes used during meditation.

-Mudra. This means “seal” and can be a hand gesture or an asana.

-Namaste. This is a traditional greeting. It means “The light in me recognizes the light in you." When greeting someone, you can say “Namaste” and put your hands in Anjali Mudra.

-Prana. This is the “vital life force” that permeates all that lives. Other words for this life force include chi, qi and ki. In Yoga we access this naturally occurring energy through deep breathing.

-Pranayama. This is “life force work” or “breath work”. Yoga and deep breathing go hand-in-hand.

-Surya Namaskar. This is the “Sun Salutation”, Yoga’s oldes Vinyasa or “breath flowing movement”. Surya Namaskara emphasizes the foundation of many poses so is used to begin a class to gently warm and stretch the body.

-Ujayii-pranayama. This is “exalted breath work” and the type of breathing Yoga is most known for. It is a deep, rhythmic and audible breath that creates warmth in the body, lowers the blood pressure, relieves headaches, and creates an overall feeling of wellbeing.

-Vinyasa. This means “breath flowing movement” or the coordinated way the asanas are done with the aid of ujaji-pranayama. For example, if you raise your arms you inhale, and as you exhale you lower your arms. This movement is Vinyasa.

Now your ready for your first Yoga class! So grab your tapas and head over to the shala!

:D