Vocabulary Words Every Yoga Instructor Should Know

Yoga

Definition: A physical and mental practice that involves breath control, meditation, and poses.

• She practices yoga to relax and stay fit.
• Yoga helps improve flexibility and strength.
• He joined a yoga class at the community center.

Yoga in a sentence

Pose

Definition: To assume a particular position or stance, often for a photo or to create a specific impression.

• They decided to pose for a picture at the park.
• He likes to pose like a superhero when taking photos.
• She asked her friends to pose together for the group photo.

Pose in a sentence

Mat

Definition: A flat piece of material used for various purposes, like a floor covering or a yoga mat.

• She placed a mat on the floor for yoga.
• The entrance mat keeps dirt from entering the house.
• Understanding mats can improve home organization.

Mat in a sentence

Breathe

Definition: to take air into and out of the lungs

• Remember to breathe deeply when you relax.
• He can't breathe well because of the cold.
• She learned to breathe slowly during yoga.

Breathe in a sentence

Stretch

Definition: To extend or lengthen something; to make flexible.

• I like to stretch before exercising.
• Please stretch your arms and legs.
• He will stretch the rubber band to see how far it goes.

Stretch in a sentence

Relax

Definition: To become less tense or anxious; to rest.

• I like to relax by reading a book.
• After a long day, it's important to relax.
• She listens to music to help her relax.

Relax in a sentence

Body

Definition: The physical structure of a person or animal.

• My body needs rest after a long day.
• We must take care of our body through exercise.
• The human body is made up of many systems.

Body in a sentence

Mind

Definition: The part of a person that thinks and feels.

• I need to clear my mind.
• He has a creative mind.
• What's on your mind today?

Mind in a sentence

Calm

Definition: Peaceful and without worry.

• He remained calm during the storm.
• She took a deep breath to feel calm.
• A calm environment helps me concentrate.

Calm in a sentence

Balance

Definition: A state of stability; an equal distribution of weight or amount.

• It's important to maintain a balance between work and play.
• She tries to balance her studies and hobbies.
• The scale showed a perfect balance.

Balance in a sentence

Teacher

Definition: A person who educates students in a school.

• My teacher is very supportive.
• She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
• He enjoys being a teacher and helping others learn.

Teacher in a sentence

Student

Definition: A person who is learning, especially in a school.

• She is a student at the local high school.
• The student asked a question in class.
• He helped a fellow student with her homework.

Student in a sentence

Practice

Definition: To repeat an activity to improve skills.

• He needs to practice playing the piano.
• She practices soccer every day.
• Practice makes perfect in any sport.

Practice in a sentence

Class

Definition: A group of students learning together or a subject taught in school.

• I have math class every Monday.
• The class went on a field trip to the museum.
• She is my favorite teacher in class.

Class in a sentence

Move

Definition: To change position or place.

• Please move your chair closer.
• The train will move soon.
• She moved to a new city.

Move in a sentence

Energy

Definition: The ability to do work or cause change; vitality.

• I need more energy to finish my homework.
• He has a lot of energy after a good sleep.
• They use solar energy to power their home.

Energy in a sentence

Feel

Definition: To sense or experience something.

• I feel happy today.
• She felt cold in the winter.
• He feels tired after running.

Feel in a sentence

Strong

Definition: Having great physical power; also refers to firmness or intensity.

• He is strong enough to lift heavy weights.
• She has a strong opinion on the matter.
• A strong foundation is essential for a building.

Strong in a sentence

Focus

Definition: To concentrate on something.

• Please focus on your studies.
• She needs to focus during the test.
• He lost focus while watching TV.

Focus in a sentence

Center

Definition: The middle point of something or a place where activities happen.

• The center of the circle is easy to find.
• They met at the community center for the event.
• The center of the city is always busy.

Center in a sentence

Flow

Definition: the movement of something in a steady stream

• The flow of the river was strong after the rain.
• We need to improve the flow of information.
• The flow of the presentation was smooth.

Flow in a sentence

Movement

Definition: A change in position or a group working towards a common goal.

• The movement for climate change is growing.
• He felt a sudden movement in the water.
• They joined the movement to support equality.

Movement in a sentence

Health

Definition: The state of being free from illness or injury.

• Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.
• Regular exercise helps improve your health.
• We should take care of our mental health as well.

Health in a sentence

Strength

Definition: The quality of being strong; physical power.

• He has the strength to lift heavy weights.
• She showed great strength during the competition.
• They admire her strength and determination.

Strength in a sentence

Asana

Definition: A posture or position in yoga.

• She practiced the downward dog asana.
• The teacher demonstrated a new asana in class.
• Each asana helps improve flexibility and strength.

Asana in a sentence

Breath

Definition: The air taken into or expelled from the lungs.

• He took a deep breath before speaking.
• It’s important to control your breath while swimming.
• She felt a breath of fresh air in the morning.

Breath in a sentence

Meditation

Definition: a practice to focus the mind and relax

• She practices meditation every morning.
• Meditation helps reduce stress.
• He learned meditation techniques in a workshop.

Meditation in a sentence

Alignment

Definition: The arrangement of something in a straight line; agreement.

• The alignment of the wheels was off, causing issues.
• They checked the alignment of the project goals.
• Proper alignment is crucial for the machine's operation.

Alignment in a sentence

Flexibility

Definition: The ability to change or adapt easily; willingness to adjust.

• Flexibility is important in a fast-paced environment.
• He demonstrated flexibility in handling unexpected challenges.
• She values flexibility in her work schedule.

Flexibility in a sentence

Relaxation

Definition: The state of being free from tension or anxiety.

• She practices yoga for relaxation.
• Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress.
• He enjoys listening to music for relaxation.

Relaxation in a sentence

Instructor

Definition: A person who teaches a course or skill, often in a formal setting.

• The instructor explained the lesson clearly.
• She is a dance instructor at the local studio.
• The instructor provided helpful feedback on the project.

Instructor in a sentence

Technique

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in a skillful manner.

• He learned a new technique for playing the guitar.
• The artist used a unique technique for her painting.
• We practiced the technique repeatedly to improve.

Technique in a sentence

Awareness

Definition: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact; being conscious of something.

• She raised awareness about environmental issues.
• Awareness of mental health is growing.
• He emphasized the need for awareness in the community.

Awareness in a sentence

Mindfulness

Definition: The practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment; awareness.

• Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety.
• She practices mindfulness through meditation.
• They learned mindfulness techniques to improve focus.

Mindfulness in a sentence

Pranayama

Definition: a practice of breath control in yoga

• Pranayama helps improve focus and relaxation.
• She practiced pranayama to calm her mind.
• Understanding pranayama enhances yoga experiences.

Intention

Definition: A plan or aim; what someone wants to do.

• Her intention is to help others in need.
• He had good intentions when he offered assistance.
• His intention was to improve his grades this semester.

Intention in a sentence

Breathwork

Definition: a practice involving controlled breathing techniques for relaxation

• Many people use breathwork to reduce stress.
• In yoga class, we often practice breathwork to calm our minds.
• Breathwork can help improve focus and clarity.

Posture

Definition: The position in which someone holds their body.

• Good posture is important for health.
• She sat up straight to improve her posture.
• Practice good posture when sitting at a desk.

Posture in a sentence

Sequence

Definition: A specific order in which events or actions happen.

• The sequence of events in the story was easy to follow.
• The teacher asked us to write the sequence of our day.
• Understanding the sequence helps in organizing tasks.

Sequence in a sentence

Wellness

Definition: The state of being in good health; overall well-being.

• She practices yoga for her wellness.
• Wellness is important for a happy life.
• They promote wellness through healthy eating.

Wellness in a sentence

Chakras

Definition: Plural of chakra; multiple energy centers in the body.

• The teacher explained the seven chakras in class.
• They learned how to align their chakras during yoga.
• Chakras are believed to influence physical and emotional health.

Grounding

Definition: establishing a connection or understanding

• Grounding concepts in examples helps learning.
• He discussed the grounding principles of physics.
• The grounding of the theory was important for the students.

Grounding in a sentence

Concentration

Definition: The act of focusing attention; the amount of a substance in a mixture.

• Concentration is important for studying effectively.
• The concentration of salt in the water was measured.
• He struggled with concentration while doing homework.

Concentration in a sentence

Embodiment

Definition: The tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.

• She is the embodiment of kindness and generosity.
• The statue was an embodiment of the city’s spirit.
• He viewed her as the embodiment of his dreams.

Embodiment in a sentence

Chakra

Definition: In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, energy centers in the body.

• She practices yoga to balance her chakras.
• Each chakra has a different color and meaning.
• Understanding chakras can help with meditation.

Transcendence

Definition: The state of going beyond limits; surpassing.

• Art can express a sense of transcendence.
• His performance was one of pure transcendence.
• They seek transcendence through meditation.

Transcendence in a sentence

Serenity

Definition: A state of being calm and peaceful.

• Meditation can bring a sense of serenity.
• He enjoys the serenity of nature while hiking.
• Understanding serenity helps manage stress.

Serenity in a sentence

Holistic

Definition: An approach that considers the whole system rather than just individual parts.

• Holistic health focuses on physical and mental well-being.
• She practices holistic medicine to treat patients.
• Understanding holistic approaches can improve overall health.

Holistic in a sentence

Integration

Definition: The process of combining or bringing together parts into a whole.

• The integration of technology in classrooms enhances learning.
• They worked on the integration of different cultures.
• Integration is important for a harmonious society.

Integration in a sentence

Resilience

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

• Her resilience helped her overcome challenges.
• He admired her resilience during tough times.
• They teach kids about resilience in school.

Resilience in a sentence

Dharma

Definition: A concept in Hinduism and Buddhism referring to duty, righteousness, or moral law.

• Following one's dharma is important in Hindu culture.
• She learned about dharma in her philosophy class.
• Understanding dharma helps in making ethical decisions.

Dharma in a sentence

Sutra

Definition: A rule or aphorism in Sanskrit literature; often refers to religious texts.

• The Buddhist sutra offers guidance for meditation.
• She studied a famous sutra in her philosophy class.
• Understanding sutras can deepen knowledge of spiritual practices.

Sutra in a sentence

Samadhi

Definition: A state of intense concentration achieved through meditation.

• She reached samadhi during her yoga practice.
• Samadhi is a goal for many meditation practitioners.
• Finding samadhi requires dedication and practice.

Vinyasa

Definition: A style of yoga that emphasizes breath and movement.

• Vinyasa yoga is great for building strength.
• She loves the flow of vinyasa classes.
• He practices vinyasa every morning for relaxation.

Restorative

Definition: Having the ability to restore health or well-being.

• Yoga is known for its restorative benefits.
• The restorative effects of nature are well-documented.
• She enjoys restorative practices like meditation.

Restorative in a sentence

Mantra

Definition: A phrase or word repeated to aid concentration or meditation; often used for motivation.

• She recited her mantra to stay focused during exams.
• His mantra is "Keep going, no matter what."
• The mantra helped him find peace in difficult times.

Mantra in a sentence

Ahimsa

Definition: A principle of non-violence towards all living things.

• Ahimsa teaches us to treat every creature with kindness.
• She practices ahimsa by not eating meat.
• In yoga, ahimsa is an important value to follow.

Ahimsa in a sentence

Sutras

Definition: Plural of sutra; collections of aphorisms or teachings in various traditions.

• The yoga sutras provide insights into practice and philosophy.
• They read the ancient sutras during their studies.
• Many students explore different sutras in their courses.

Shavasana

Definition: A resting pose in yoga, often performed at the end of a session.

• She enjoys shavasana to relax her body and mind.
• In shavasana, you lie flat on your back and breathe.
• Practicing shavasana helps improve focus.

Bandha

Definition: a yoga term for a lock or binding

• Practicing bandha can improve stability.
• She learned about bandha in her yoga class.
• Using bandha helps focus energy during poses.

Drishti

Definition: A term in yoga referring to a focused gaze or point of concentration.

• She practiced drishti to improve her balance.
• Drishti helps maintain focus during meditation.
• Understanding drishti is essential for yoga practice.

Tapas

Definition: Small Spanish dishes served as appetizers or snacks, often enjoyed with drinks.

• They ordered a variety of tapas to share at dinner.
• Tapas are great for trying different flavors.
• She loves going to restaurants that serve tapas.

Pratyahara

Definition: the practice of withdrawing the senses in yoga

• Pratyahara helps in developing concentration.
• He practiced pratyahara during meditation.
• Understanding pratyahara is important for mindfulness.

Kriya

Definition: A form of meditation or practice in yoga aimed at achieving a specific goal.

• She practiced kriya to improve her focus.
• Kriya techniques can help reduce stress.
• He attended a workshop on kriya meditation.

Sankalpa

Definition: A Sanskrit term for intention or resolve.

• She made a sankalpa for her meditation practice.
• His sankalpa guided his goals for the year.
• Sankalpa can help focus your mind during yoga.

Savasana

Definition: A yoga pose used for relaxation, typically performed lying on the back.

• She relaxed in savasana at the end of the class.
• Savasana helps calm the mind and body.
• The instructor guided them into savasana for deep relaxation.