Yoga has been practiced for many thousands of years around the world, but it is relatively new to western culture. In fact, some of the oldest texts known talk about yoga and yoga is one of the six main philosophical systems of India.

Consequently, because the roots of yoga are so old and there are so many yoga variations, the amount of uncertainty and confusion for those just learning about yoga is astronomically high.

Even the origins of yoga are unclear, as yoga comes from the ancient Sanskrit language. Yoga either comes from "yuj" or from "yujir", so it could mean anything from: "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite", to "contemplation" or "absorption". And since this is just the definition of the original word, it does not encompass the fact that yoga was beyond an exercise regime, but a way of life. And since history has shown that mankind and all that we do are constantly changing and evolving, it only stands to reason that yoga has changed and evolved in a similar fashion.

Here, in order to provide some clarity regarding yoga terminology, we will define some of the words and terms commonly associated with yoga for you with the best definitions that we could find:

• Yoga: Union

• Asanas: Physical poses and postures

• Pranayamas: breathing exercises for expanding, purifying and optimizing your entire mind-body-spirit complex. It is the science of breath control.

• Mantras: Sound vibrations

• Mudras: Hand positions

• Sadhana: daily spiritual practice

• chakra:wheel

• nadis: psychic channels

• Shushumna: Primary psychic channel for flow of prana and kundalini

• prana: life force (chi)

• kundalini: energy

Albeit this is only a small group of yoga terms, these are some that encompass yoga as a way of life and not just an exercise. For example, yoga with mantras takes the energy that is flowing in/through your body from the yoga poses (asanas) and adds the energy of sound. (When mastered, this can be very powerful!) And if you consider that upwards of 90% of our energy comes from oxygen, pranayamas increase the life giving O₂ to targeted regions when combined with yoga poses (asanas). Finally, when you consider the immense power of the mind, anything entered into with the full power of positive intention is far more potent than science has been able to accurately quantify and measure.

We hope that this information helps you on your transformative journey.

If you are looking for a little encouragement and support, visit my yoga blog. Here, I have posted some of my favourite routines, for everything from: beginner yoga poses to best yoga poses, to specific yoga poses for weight loss and yoga poses for chakras.

You can also visit my self improvement site for additional discussions on this and various other aspects of self improvement.

Love and Light! - Ali