Home
« Return to Standards & Self-Assessment Hub

YOGA TEACHING VOCABULARY – Self-Assessment

Introduction

Here you can quickly assess your knowledge of yoga teaching vocabulary, and identify gaps in your understanding.

  • We’ve compiled a comprehensive vocabulary list, plus a list of common Sanskrit components that make up pose names.
  • The vocabulary list includes terminology from anatomy, science, psychology and medicine that address the same subjects as yoga. For example, “reciprocal inhibition” is a physiology term directly related to teaching asana. The Higgs Field is a scientific term that equates to the aether in yoga philosophy. Terms such as “core belief” and “cognitive bias” from psychology address the same subject as vikalpa in yoga philosophy. And so on. Awareness of such terminology increases a teacher’s capability of connecting dots from multiple modalities, speaking students’ language, and modernizing or interpreting teachings for various audiences.
  • For briefer quizzes by subject, see the other self-assessments.

Purpose

We offer a series of free quizzes for yoga teachers to:

  1. Make it easy to self-assess knowledge privately.
  2. Help teachers who identify knowledge gaps to bolster their learning with accessible and practical lessons.

More Free Self-Assessments

For more free self-assessments, see the Standards & Self-Assessment Hub.

Quotes indicate the word is in Sanskrit. Links go to the related Member lessons and teaching support.

  1. Abdominal Cavity
  2. Abduction (in anatomy)
  3. Abductors
  4. “Abhinivesha”  
  5. “Abhyasa”  
  6. Achilles Tendon
  7. Achilles Tendonitis
  8. Active Inversions
  9. Active Stretching
  10. Adaptation (of yoga practices)
  11. Adaptive Immunity
  12. Adduction
  13. Adductors
  14. Adenoids
  15. Adipose Cells / Adipocytes
  16. Adrenal Glands
  17. “Advaita Vedanta”  
  18. Aether
  19. Afferent Neuron
  20. Affirmations
  21. “Agni”  
  22. Agonist
  23. Agonist – Antagonist Relationship
  24. “Ahimsa”  
  25. Air Element
  26. “Ajna Chakra”  
  27.  Akash / Akasha”
  28. Allegory of the Cave
  29. Allergic Reaction
  30. Alpha Brain State
  31. Altered State
  32. “Amrita”  
  33. Anahata Chakra”
  34. Anandamaya Kosha”
  35. Anatomical Position
  36. Anatomy
  37. “Anjali Mudra”
  38. Ankle Joint
  39. Annamaya Kosha”
  40. Antagonist (in anatomy)
  41. “Antara Kumbhaka”  
  42. “Antaranga Yoga”  
  43. Anterior
  44. Anterior Tilt / Anteversion / Happy Tail
  45. Antifragile
  46. Aorta
  47. “Apana Vayu”  
  48. “Aparigraha”  
  49. “Apaurusheya”  
  50. Apoptosis
  51. Appendicular Skeleton
  52. Arjuna
  53. Arm Balancing Poses
  54. Arteries
  55. “Asana”  
  56. Ascension
  57. “Ashtanga Yoga”  
  58. “Asmita”  
  59. “Asteya”  
  60. Athara Veda
  61. Atman”
  62. Atom
  63. ATP
  64. Atria
  65. Atrophy
  66. “Aum / Om”  
  67. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
  68. Autophagy
  69. “Avidya”  
  70. Awakening Experience
  71. Awareness
  72. Axial Extension
  73. Axial Skeleton
  74. Ayurveda
  75. Backbending Poses 
  76. Backbone
  77. “Bahiranga Yoga”  
  78. “Bahya Kumbhaka”  
  79. Balance (as a theme)
  80. Balancing Poses
  81. Ball and Socket Joint
  82. “Bandha”
  83. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
  84. Beliefs
  85. Belly Brain
  86. Beta Brain State
  87. “Bhagavad Gita”  
  88. “Bhakti Yoga”  
  89. “Bija Mantras”  
  90. Binaural Beats
  91. “Bindu”  
  92. Biocentrism
  93. Biofield
  94. Biofield Tuning
  95. Biology
  96. Biomechanics
  97. Blood
  98. Blood Brain Barrier
  99. Blood Cells
  100. Blood Pressure
  101. Blood Vessels
  102. Body Positivity
  103. Bone Cells 
  104. Bone Marrow (See also: Musculoskeletal System Intro)
  105. Bone Remodeling
  106. Bones
  107. Bow Legs
  108. “Brahma”
  109. “Brahmacharya”
  110. “Brahman”  
  111. “Brahmin”  
  112. Brain Hemispheres
  113. Brain Stem
  114. Brain Wave
  115. Brain Wave States
  116. Brainwave Entrainment
  117. Breathing
  118. Breathing Issues / Restricted Breathing
  119. Calcaneus
  120. Calf Muscles
  121. Capillaries
  122. Cardiac ANS
  123. Cardiac Muscle
  124. Cardiovascular System
  125. Cartilage
  126. Cell
  127. Cell Biology
  128. Cell Danger Response
  129. Cell-Mediated Adaptive Immunity
  130. Central Nervous System (CNS)
  131. Cerebellum
  132. Cerebral Cortex
  133. Cerebral Spinal Fluid
  134. Cerebrum
  135. Cervical Spine
  136. “Chakra”  
  137. “Chakra Bija Mantras”  
  138. “Chandra Namaskar”  
  139. Change
  140. Changing Perspective
  141. Choice
  142. Chronic Stress
  143. Circulatory System
  144. Clasp Knife Reflex
  145. Classic Inversions
  146. Classical Yoga
  147. Coccyx
  148. Cognitive Bias
  149. Cognitive Reframing
  150. Cold Electricity
  151. Collagen
  152. Collagen Type I (Col-I)
  153. Collective Experience
  154. Compact Bone
  155. Concentric Contraction
  156. Connective Tissue
  157. Conscience
  158. Conscious
  159. Conscious Mind
  160. Conscious Sleep
  161. Consciousness
  162. Consciousness Expansion
  163. Contraindications
  164. Core Belief
  165. Core Engagement
  166. Core Muscles
  167. Core Strengthening
  168. Coronal / Frontal Plane
  169. Corpus Callosum
  170. Cosmic Consciousness
  171. Cosmology
  172. Cosmos
  173. Counternutation
  174. Counterpose
  175. Courage
  176. Cultural Appropriation
  177. Cultural Exchange
  178. Cymatics
  179. Dark Energy
  180. Dark Matter
  181. Darkness
  182. “Darshan / Darshana”
  183. Death
  184. Deep (in anatomy)
  185. Deep Back Muscles
  186. Deep or Intrinsic Back Muscles
  187. Degenerative Disc Disease
  188. Delta Brain State
  189. Detachment
  190. “Dharana”
  191. “Dharma”
  192. “Dharmamegha Samdhi”
  193. Dhyana”  
  194. Diabetes Type 1
  195. Diaphragm
  196. Digestive System
  197. Disc Degeneration
  198. Disc Issues
  199. Distal
  200. Distress
  201. Dorsal
  202. Dorsiflexion
  203. “Dosha”
  204. “Drishti”
  205. Ductless Glands
  206. Durga
  207. “Dvesha”
  208. Dynamic Stretching
  209. Earth Element
  210. Earthing
  211. Eccentric Contraction
  212. Efferent Neuron
  213. Eight Limbs of Yoga
  214. “Ekagrata”
  215. Elements / “Panchamahabhutas”
  216. Embodiment
  217. Endocrine System
  218. Energy
  219. Energy Body
  220. Energy from the Vacuum
  221. Entanglement
  222. Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
  223. Epithelial Cells
  224. Erector Spinae (Spinal Erectors)
  225. Ether
  226. Etheric Energy
  227. Ethics
  228. Eukaryotic Cells
  229. Eustress
  230. Eversion (of the foot)
  231. Exoconsciousness
  232. Extension
  233. External / Lateral Rotation
  234. Exteroception
  235. Facilitated Stretching
  236. Fascia
  237. Fat Cells
  238. Femur
  239. Fibula
  240. Fibularis Longus
  241. Field, The
  242. Fight or Flight Response
  243. Fire Element
  244. Five Elements
  245. Fixator Muscle
  246. Flexibility
  247. Flexion
  248. Foot Extensors
  249. Foot Flexors
  250. Forces of Nature
  251. Forebrain
  252. Forgiveness
  253. Forward Bending Poses
  254. Fractal
  255. Fragility
  256. Frequency (of Vibration)
  257. Frequency Healing
  258. Frontal Cortex
  259. Full Inversions
  260. GABA
  261. Galt
  262. Gamma Brain State
  263. Ganesha
  264. Gastrocnemius
  265. “Gayatri”
  266. General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
  267. Generosity
  268. “Gheranda Samhita”
  269. Glands
  270. Gluteal
  271. Glutes
  272. Glymphatic System
  273. Golgi Tendon Reflex
  274. Gonads
  275. Gratitude
  276. Grief
  277. Groins
  278. Grounded & Grounding
  279. “Gunas”
  280. Gut
  281. Gut-Brain Axis
  282. Habits
  283. Hamstrings
  284. Happiness & Joy
  285. “Hatha Yoga”
  286. “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”
  287. Headaches & Yoga
  288. Healthy Posture
  289. Heart
  290. Heart Rate Variability
  291. Hero’s Journey
  292. Higgs Field
  293. Hindbrain
  294. Hinge Joint
  295. Hip Extensors
  296. Hip Flexors
  297. Holding Space
  298. Holidays & Observations
  299. Holographic
  300. Holographic Universe
  301. Hormesis
  302. Hormones
  303. HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis
  304. Humoral Adaptive Immunity
  305. Hyperarousal or Acute Stress Response
  306. Hyperextension
  307. Hypnagogia or Hypnagogic State
  308. Hypnosis
  309. Hypnotherapy / Self-Hypnosis
  310. Hypothalamus
  311. “Ida Nadi”
  312. Immune & Lymphatic Systems
  313. Immune Deficiency
  314. Immune System
  315. Immunity & Yoga
  316. Impermanence
  317. Inclusivity
  318. Individual Consciousness
  319. Inferior (in anatomy)
  320. Inflammation & Yoga
  321. Innate
  322. Innate Immunity
  323. Inner Attention
  324. Intention
  325. Intermediate Back Muscles
  326. Internal / Medial Rotation
  327. Internal Rotators
  328. Interneuron
  329. Interoception
  330. Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP)
  331. Inverse Stretch Reflex
  332. Inversion (of the foot)
  333. Inversion Poses
  334. Invert
  335. Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Disease
  336. Ischemia
  337. “Ishvara”
  338. “Ishvara Pranidhana”
  339. Isometric Contraction
  340. Isotonic Contraction
  341. “Jal / Jala”
  342. “Jalandhara Bandha”
  343. “Japa”
  344. “Jivatman”
  345. “Jnana Yoga”
  346. Joint
  347. Joint Capsule
  348. Joint Congruency
  349. Just Intonation (JI)
  350. “Kaivalya”
  351. “Kaivalya Pada”
  352. “Kapha”
  353. “Karana Sharira”
  354. “Karma”
  355. “Karma Yoga”
  356. Kinesthesia
  357. Kinetic Chain
  358. “Kirtan”
  359. “Kleshas”
  360. Knee Joint
  361. “Kosha”
  362. Krishna
  363. “Kriya Yoga”
  364. “Kumbhaka”
  365. “Kundalini”
  366. Lakshmi
  367. Lateral
  368. Lateral Arch (of the foot)
  369. Letting Go
  370. Leukocytes
  371. Lifestyle
  372. Ligament
  373. Ligand
  374. Limbic System
  375. Limiting Beliefs
  376. Love
  377. Lumbar Spine
  378. Lymph Nodes
  379. Lymph Vessels
  380. Lymphatic Drainage
  381. Lymphatic Fluid (Lymph)
  382. Lymphatic System
  383. “Mahabharata”
  384. “Manipura Chakra”
  385. “Manomaya Kosha”
  386. “Mantra”
  387. “Maya”
  388. MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
  389. Medial
  390. Meditation
  391. Meditation Seats
  392. Melatonin
  393. Meninges
  394. Metabolic
  395. Metabolism
  396. Microbe
  397. Microbial Cells
  398. Microbiome (or Gut Microbiome)
  399. Midbrain
  400. Mild / Partial / Half Inversions
  401. Mindfulness
  402. Mission & Vision
  403. Mitochondria
  404. Molecular Biology
  405. Molecule
  406. Moon Phases
  407. Motor Function
  408. “Mudra”
  409. “Mula Bandha”
  410. “Muladhara Chakra”
  411. Multifidus Muscles
  412. Muscle
  413. Muscle Cells
  414. Muscle Contraction
  415. Muscle Memory
  416. Muscle Spindle Stretch Receptor
  417. Musculoskeletal System
  418. Music Therapy
  419. Myofascia
  420. Myotatic Reflex
  421. Myth
  422. “Nada Yoga”
  423. “Nadi”
  424. “Namas”
  425. Namaskar / Namaste”
  426. Neck Issues
  427. Nerve
  428. Nerve Cells
  429. Nervous System
  430. Neural Entrainment
  431. Neuro
  432. Neurogenesis
  433. Neuroinflammation
  434. Neuron
  435. Neuron/Nerve Cell
  436. Neuroplasticity
  437. Neurotransmitters
  438. Neutral Pelvis
  439. Neutral Spine
  440. “Nirvana”
  441. “Niyamas”
  442. Noetic Sciences
  443. Non-attachment/Detachment
  444. Nonlocality
  445. Non-ordinary State of Consciousness
  446. Normal Curves
  447. Normal Walking Consciousness / Rational Consciousness
  448. Nucleus
  449. Nutation
  450. Odic Force
  451. “OM”
  452. Organelles
  453. Orgone
  454. Origin
  455. Origin & Insertion Points
  456. Oscillation
  457. Osteo
  458. Osteoblasts
  459. Osteocalcin
  460. Osteocytes
  461. Osteoprogenitor Cells
  462. Overstretching
  463. “Panca / Pancha”
  464. “Panchamahabhutas”
  465. “Panchamayakosha Model
  466. Pancreas
  467. Paradoxical Breathing
  468. “Paramatman”
  469. Parasympathetic Nervous System
  470. Parathyroid
  471. Parinama
  472. Passive Stretching
  473. Patanjali
  474. Patanjali Yoga
  475. Patella
  476. Pelvic Floor
  477. Peripheral Nervous System
  478. Peroneus Brevis
  479. Peroneus Longus
  480. Physics
  481. Physiology
  482. Pineal Gland
  483. “Pingala Nadi”
  484. “Pitta”
  485. Pituitary Gland
  486. Planes of Motion
  487. Plantar Fascia
  488. Plantar Flexion
  489. Plasma
  490. Poetry
  491. Polyvagal Theory
  492. Positive CBT
  493. Posterior
  494. Posterior Tilt / Retroversion / Sad Tail
  495. Postural Issues
  496. Posture
  497. Power
  498. “Prakrti”
  499. “Prana”
  500. “Prana Vayu”
  501. “Prana Vayus”
  502. “Pranamaya Kosha”
  503. “Pranayama”
  504. “Pratipaksha Bhavana”
  505. Pratipasava
  506. “Pratyahara”
  507. “Pratyaya”
  508. Pregnancy / Prenatal Yoga
  509. Present Moment Awareness
  510. Prime Mover
  511. “Privthi”
  512. Pronation
  513. Prone
  514. Proprioception
  515. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
  516. Protein(S)
  517. Proximal
  518. Psoas
  519. Psyche
  520. Psychic Sleep
  521. Psychological Defense Mechanisms
  522. Psychoneuroimmunology
  523. Pulmonary Circuit
  524. “Puraka”
  525. “Purusha”
  526. Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
  527. Quadriceps / Quads
  528. Quanta
  529. Quantum
  530. Quantum Field
  531. Quantum Mechanics
  532. Quantum Physics
  533. Quantum Theory
  534. Quantum Vacuum
  535. Quintessence
  536. Radiant Energy
  537. “Raga”
  538. Raising Vibration (or Frequency)
  539. “Raja Yoga”
  540. “Rajas”
  541. Receptor (in cells)
  542. “Rechaka”
  543. Reciprocal Inhibition
  544. Relaxation Response
  545. Renunciation
  546. Reptilian Brain
  547. Research on the Impact of Yoga
  548. Research on Yoga – Brain Structure & Function
  549. Research on Yoga – Immunity & General Health
  550. Research on Yoga – Mental Health
  551. Research on Yoga – Pain, Inflammation & Conditions
  552. Research on Yoga – Trauma
  553. Research Types
  554. Resistance Stretching
  555. Resolutions
  556. Resonance
  557. Respect & Honor
  558. Respiration
  559. Restorative Yoga
  560. Reverse Breathing
  561. Rhythms, Flow
  562. Rib Flare
  563. Rig Veda
  564. Rishi
  565. ROM
  566. Sacred Space
  567. Sacredness
  568. Sacrum
  569. “Sadhana Pada”
  570. Sagittal /Median Plane
  571. “Sahasrara Chakra”
  572. Sama Veda
  573. “Samadhi”
  574. “Samadhi Pada”
  575. “Samana Vayu”
  576. “Samkhya”
  577. “Samskara”
  578. “Samyama”
  579. “Sankalpa”
  580. Sanskrit
  581. “Santosha”
  582. Saraswati
  583. “Sattva”
  584. “Satya”
  585. “Saucha”
  586. Scalar Energy
  587. Sciatica
  588. Scrub (in asana)
  589. Seasonal Yoga
  590. Second Brain
  591. Secretory Cells
  592. Seed Sounds / Seed Mantras
  593. Self-Acceptance
  594. Self-Realization
  595. Sensory Motor Amnesia
  596. Sensory Receptors
  597. Sesamoid Bone
  598. Shadow
  599. Shadow Work
  600. “Shakti”
  601. Shin Splints
  602. “Shiva”
  603. Shoulder Issues
  604. Shruti
  605. “Siddhis 
  606. Skeletal Muscle
  607. Skeletal System / Skeleton
  608. Sleep Issues & Yoga
  609. Sleepless Sleep
  610. Smooth Muscle
  611. Soleus
  612. Solfeggio Scale & Frequencies
  613. “Soma”
  614. Somatic Nervous System
  615. Sound
  616. Sound Bath
  617. Sound Healing
  618. Sound Wave
  619. Space Time
  620. Space, Creating
  621. Spinal Column 
  622. Spinal Conditions
  623. Spinal Cord Reflex Arc
  624. Spinal Movements
  625. Spinal Reflexes
  626. Spine
  627. Spinous Processes
  628. Spiritual Awakening
  629. Spiritual or Mystical Experiences
  630. Spleen
  631. Split Brain Theory
  632. Spongy Bone
  633. Stabilizer Muscle
  634. Standard Anatomical Position
  635. Standing in Neutral
  636. Static Stretching
  637. Stem Cells
  638. “Sthira Sukham Asanam”
  639. Strategic Planning
  640. Stress and link
  641. Stress Resilience 
  642. Stretch Reflex
  643. Stretching
  644. Stretch-Related Reflexes
  645. “Stula Sharira”
  646. Subatomic
  647. Subatomic Phenomena
  648. Subconscious Mind
  649. Subliminal
  650. Subtle
  651. Subtle Body
  652. Subtle Energy
  653. Suffering
  654. “Sukshma Sharira”
  655. Superficial (in anatomy)
  656. Superficial Abdominals
  657. Superficial Back Muscles
  658. Superior (in anatomy)
  659. Supination
  660. Supine
  661. Surrender
  662. “Surya”
  663. Surya Namaskar
  664. “Sushumna”
  665. “Sutra”
  666. “Svadhisthana Chakra”
  667. “Svadhyaya”
  668. Sympathetic Nervous System
  669. Synergist Muscles
  670. Synovial Joint
  671. Systematic Circuit
  672. Tachyon Energy
  673. Talus
  674. Tamas”
  675. “Tantra”
  676. Tapas”
  677. Tendon
  678. Tensile Load / Tensile Strength
  679. Theta Brain State
  680. Third Eye
  681. Thoracic Cavity
  682. Thoracic Mobility Issues
  683. Thoracic Spine
  684. Thymus
  685. Thymus Gland
  686. Thyroid
  687. Tibia
  688. Tonsils
  689. Transformation
  690. Transitioning
  691. Transpersonal Psychology
  692. Transverse / Horizontal Plane
  693. Transverse Arch (of the foot) 
  694. Transversus Abdominals (TA)
  695. Triune Brain Model
  696. Tuck (or Scoop) the Tailbone
  697. Twisting Poses
  698. “Udana Vayu”
  699. “Uddiyana Bandha”
  700. Unconscious, The
  701. Unconsciousness
  702. Unified Field Theory
  703. Unified Theory of Physics
  704. Union
  705. Upanishads
  706. Vagus Nerve
  707. “Vairagya”
  708. “Vasana”
  709. Vascular
  710. Vascular System
  711. “Vata”
  712. “Vayu”
  713. “Veda”
  714. “Vedanta”
  715. “Vedas”
  716. Vedas, The
  717. Veins
  718. Venae Cavae
  719. Ventral
  720. Ventricles
  721. Vertebrae
  722. Vertebral Column
  723. Vestibular System
  724. “Vibhuti Pada”
  725. Vibhutis”
  726. Vibration
  727. Vibrational Healing
  728. “Vijnanamaya Kosha”
  729. “Vikalpa”
  730. “Vinyasa”
  731. “Vinyasa Krama”
  732. Visceroception
  733. Vishnu
  734. “Vishuddha Chakra”
  735. “Viveka”
  736. “Vritti”
  737. Vulnerability
  738. “Vyana Vayu”
  739. Water Element
  740. Wave / Wave Form
  741. Wheel of the Year
  742. Whole Brain Functioning
  743. Wise Practice
  744. Wrist Issues
  745. Yajur Veda
  746. “Yamas”
  747. Yin Yoga
  748. “Yoga”
  749. “Yoga Darshana”
  750. Yoga Meditation
  751. “Yoga Nidra”
  752. “Yoga Sutra”
  753. Zero Point Energy
  754. Zero Point Field

Sanskrit Components in Pose Names

  1. adho
  2. ardha
  3. asana
  4. baddha
  5. dwi
  6. eka
  7. hasta
  8. janu
  9. jathara
  10. kona
  11. mukha
  12. nirlamba
  13. pada
  14. paripurna
  15. parivrtta
  16. parsva
  17. paschima
  18. prasarita
  19. purva
  20. salamba
  21. sirsa
  22. supta
  23. tri
  24. urdhva
  25. uttana
  26. utthita

Member lesson: Preparing to Use Sanskrit in Teaching


In a Nutshell

  • The enrollment fee is $25 and is open to Yoga Teacher Central members, past members and non-members.
  • Members receive current membership benefits plus additional benefits listed below.
  • Enrollment in the Pre-Certification Study Program qualifies you for lifetime YTC Teacher status.

Benefits

Enrolling in the YTC Pre-Certification Study Program gives you:

  1. A downloadable Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide to walk you through a structured assessment and study path toward certification.
  2. Selection of 5 Downloadable Lessons of your choice (from a library of nearly 400) for lifetime use.
  3. Recognition as a YTC Teacher (for life; no expiration).
  4. Professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.*

Members

  • Your current membership gives you online access to not only thousands of pages of organized study and teaching knowledge, but also sequence breakdowns and teaching notes, theme plans, injury cheat-sheets, and so on.
  • When you enroll in the Pre-Certification Study Program, you get these additional benefits: a Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide, selection of 5 Downloadable Lessons of your choice, and a professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.

* In the future, YTC Teachers will have an option to matriculate and achieve certification status via low cost, in-home examination.

© 2025 Yoga Teacher Central • All rights reserved • Terms of service • Privacy policy