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


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