Technically, yoga is another language. It can be especially intimidating if the teacher begins throwing out the Sanskrit terms for poses or using shortcut language like, “You can vinyasa through this or go straight to downward dog.” Um…huh?
“Especially for those who haven’t done a good deal of yoga, it can be off-putting to be in a class where you feel like you don’t understand anything,” says Monique Maxwell, a Minneapolis-based yoga teacher. “You might feel like an outsider, and that’s the opposite of how yoga is supposed to be.”
Fortunately, it doesn’t take a degree in all things yoga to get on the inside track. Here’s a quick primer that can help:
ASANA
The poses practiced during a yoga class. Traditional yoga has several aspects — called the “eight limbs of yoga” — and asana is one of them. The others involve tactics like breathing techniques, focused concentration and meditation. Most yoga classes focus mainly on asana, sometimes with breathing exercises incorporated into the mix.
DOWN DOG
Also called downward dog or downward-facing dog, this is one of the most common yoga poses. The body forms an inverted V-shape, with back straight and heels reaching toward the floor.
NAMASTE
Used as hello and goodbye in some countries like Nepal, this word is often used to close out a class because it also means: I acknowledge you, I bow to the divine in you or I recognize the teacher in you. Basically, it’s a yogic way of saying, “You’re cool, I’m cool, I’m glad we got to hang out.”
OM
This is a single syllable that is considered sacred in many religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. Some believe that it’s the sound of the universe, with the power to transform the person who chants it. Whether you believe that or not, it’s a nice way to begin and end a class, similar to ringing a gong. Also, if you don’t feel like chanting it along with a class, no one will hold it against you, since it’s completely optional.
PRACTICE
There are many disciplines of yoga, although most have several poses in common. You may see terms like hatha, ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, yin, jivamukti, power yoga and others. These are simply variations on the same theme, although they can be strikingly different from one another. For example, yin yoga has students hold each poses for 5–7 minutes, while power yoga is a very fast-paced practice in which you might hold a pose for only a few seconds.
PRANAYAMA
Another limb of yoga, this is the formal name for breathwork. The root word “prana” also means “energy” or “life force.” In some class descriptions, you may see a phrase like “asana and pranayama will be covered.” That just means you’ll be doing poses and breathing techniques.
SUN SALUTATION
This very specific yoga sequence is used often in classes, because it’s said to strengthen all major muscle groups. It’s also a favorite as a warmup to more challenging poses.
VINYASA
This method of yoga relies on a flowing sequence, so one pose leads gracefully to the next. If a teacher says you can “vinyasa through,” it usually means that you can go from one pose to the next through a series that consists of plank, upward-facing dog and then downward-facing dog.
YOGA
The word itself is often translated as “to yoke,” which means that you’re yoking mind and body together through specific movements and focused breathing. It’s considered different from just stretching because it involves staying aware of what your body is doing — and being conscious of your emotions and attention.
YOGI/YOGINI
Someone who practices yoga regularly. Yogi is for males and yogini is for females, although it’s also common for all students to be called yogis.
Beyond these terms, feel free to ask your teacher or fellow students about any you might not know yet. “If there’s one thing about yogis and yoginis, they love to talk about yoga,” says Maxwell with a laugh. “You might be in for a longer explanation than you wanted. But in general, a yoga studio is designed to be a supportive environment, so don’t be afraid to ask questions before or after class.”
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