Yoga dictionary

Welcome to our weekly series dedicated to helping you navigate the confusing lingo of yoga. Beginner or not, this ‘yoga dictionary’ will be here every Tuesday to quench your curiosity about a new, bizarre yogi word. This week’s term: Chakra Referred to as the body’s energy centres, you’ll probably come […]

This is the Sanskrit for “butterfly pose” – perhaps once of the most recognisable yoga poses out there. A Baddha Konasana opens your hips and stretches your inner thighs. Spiritually, it is said to improve your mood and stimulate circulation.

Asana is most commonly translated to mean “posture.” That means each of the different postures in yoga could also be called an asana.
To add on to that, when you hear your yoga teacher say “asana sun salutations” it is just a certain series of postures done in a sequence called a sun salutation.

Empowerment, as a foundation of this practise, is the sense you’ll have leaving a Tantra yoga class or retreat. If you struggle with confidence, this type of yoga can boost your self-image and contentment.

You’re in for the full-balancing experience with Ayurvedic yoga. If you love the holistic approach in your life, then this is a wonderful yoga option for you.

With so many levels and aspects of Acroyoga, you can find the right teacher and class to suit your style and taste, plus get an idea of healing arts and acrobatics along with your traditional yoga.

If you’re a beginner, Hatha yoga is not intimidating and is built around equipping you with all of the knowledge and skills you will need to grow in your practice.

If you experience tightness in your joints from sport, a previous injury, or general stress, or you simply want to gain a deep flexibility in these typically inflexible areas, Yin yoga is an amazing practice. It can also help to strengthen and stretch your joints for a deeper ability to practice other types of yoga.

If you are looking for a mental challenge from your practice, Kundalini yoga is for you. You’ll develop a true insight into your mind and can focus on transforming your perspectives.

A type of yoga practice, zen yoga ranges from gentle movements designed to increase stamina to energetic practices for a more strenuous workout. All of its forms are based on harmonising the body, mind and spirit connection via breathing, concentration, and exercise.