Yoga Glossary: Poses, Breathing and Sanskrit Terms
Plain, beginner-friendly yoga explanations.
Bound Angle Pose (Butterfly)
Baddha Konasana
A seated pose with the soles of the feet together and the knees open to the sides that stretches the inner thighs and groin.
Bow Pose
Dhanurasana
A backbend lying on your stomach where you hold your ankles and lift your chest and thighs, so your body curves like a bow.
Box Breathing
Sama Vritti
A breathing exercise with four equal steps: inhale, hold, exhale and hold, usually for a count of 4 each.
Bridge Pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
A pose done lying on your back with knees bent, where you press through your feet to lift your hips, working the glutes and hamstrings.
Camel Pose
Ustrasana
A kneeling backbend where you lift your chest and reach back toward your heels, stretching the front of the body from thighs to throat.
Cancer Recovery Support
Recovery
Gentle practice during or after cancer treatment.
Cat-Cow
Marjaryasana-Bitilasana
A gentle warm-up on hands and knees where you move between rounding and arching your spine in time with your breath.
Chair Pose
Utkatasana
A standing squat-like pose where you bend your knees and sit your hips back as if lowering into a chair, building strength in the legs.
Child's Pose
Balasana
A kneeling resting pose where you sit back toward your heels and fold forward. You can take it at any point in a yoga practice.
Chin Mudra
A meditation hand position with the index fingertip touching the thumb tip, the other fingers extended, and the palms facing up on the knees...
Cobra Pose
Bhujangasana
A gentle backbend lying face down, where you lift your chest using your back muscles while your hips stay on the floor.
Cooling Breath
Sitali
A breathing technique in which you inhale through a rolled tongue, so the air feels cool, and exhale slowly through the nose.
Cooling Sequence
Chandra Namaskar variation
Gentle, cooling poses to wind down.
Corpse Pose
Savasana
The resting pose at the end of most yoga classes, where you lie still on your back for a few minutes and let your breathing settle.
What is yoga terminology?
Yoga terminology includes Sanskrit and common English names for poses, breathing techniques, and meditation practices. Understanding these terms helps you follow classes, read guides, and communicate with teachers and practitioners. Each entry explains what the term means, how to practice it, and when to skip it.
Is yoga a treatment for health conditions?
No. Some poses and breathing practices have been studied for things like lower back pain, stress, and sleep, and the results are usually modest. Use this glossary to learn the practices, not to treat a condition, and talk to your doctor if you have one.
Safe practice for older people
If you are 50 or older, look for terms marked "Safe for 50+" and "Beginner." Always warm up gently, use props when needed, and avoid pushing into pain. Consult your doctor before starting yoga if you have injuries, heart conditions, or balance concerns. Our definitions include contraindications and when to stop or seek medical advice.