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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.
  • 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. Four Directions
  255. Fractal
  256. Fragility
  257. Frequency (of Vibration)
  258. Frequency Healing
  259. Frontal Cortex
  260. Full Inversions
  261. GABA
  262. Galt
  263. Gamma Brain State
  264. Ganesha
  265. Gastrocnemius
  266. “Gayatri”
  267. General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
  268. Generosity
  269. “Gheranda Samhita”
  270. Glands
  271. Gluteal
  272. Glutes
  273. Glymphatic System
  274. Golgi Tendon Reflex
  275. Gonads
  276. Gratitude
  277. Grief
  278. Groins
  279. Grounded & Grounding
  280. “Gunas”
  281. Gut
  282. Gut-Brain Axis
  283. Habits
  284. Hamstrings
  285. Happiness & Joy
  286. “Hatha Yoga”
  287. “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”
  288. Headaches & Yoga
  289. Healthy Posture
  290. Heart
  291. Heart Rate Variability
  292. Hero’s Journey
  293. Higgs Field
  294. Hindbrain
  295. Hinge Joint
  296. Hip Extensors
  297. Hip Flexors
  298. Holding Space
  299. Holidays & Observations
  300. Holographic
  301. Holographic Universe
  302. Hormesis
  303. Hormones
  304. HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis
  305. Humoral Adaptive Immunity
  306. Hyperarousal or Acute Stress Response
  307. Hyperextension
  308. Hypnagogia or Hypnagogic State
  309. Hypnosis
  310. Hypnotherapy / Self-Hypnosis
  311. Hypothalamus
  312. “Ida Nadi”
  313. Immune & Lymphatic Systems
  314. Immune Deficiency
  315. Immune System
  316. Immunity & Yoga
  317. Impermanence
  318. Inclusivity
  319. Individual Consciousness
  320. Inferior (in anatomy)
  321. Inflammation & Yoga
  322. Innate
  323. Innate Immunity
  324. Inner Attention
  325. Intention
  326. Intermediate Back Muscles
  327. Internal / Medial Rotation
  328. Internal Rotators
  329. Interneuron
  330. Interoception
  331. Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP)
  332. Inverse Stretch Reflex
  333. Inversion (of the foot)
  334. Inversion Poses
  335. Invert
  336. Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Disease
  337. Ischemia
  338. “Ishvara”
  339. “Ishvara Pranidhana”
  340. Isometric Contraction
  341. Isotonic Contraction
  342. “Jal / Jala”
  343. “Jalandhara Bandha”
  344. “Japa”
  345. “Jivatman”
  346. “Jnana Yoga”
  347. Joint
  348. Joint Capsule
  349. Joint Congruency
  350. Just Intonation (JI)
  351. “Kaivalya”
  352. “Kaivalya Pada”
  353. “Kapha”
  354. “Karana Sharira”
  355. “Karma”
  356. “Karma Yoga”
  357. Kinesthesia
  358. Kinetic Chain
  359. “Kirtan”
  360. “Kleshas”
  361. Knee Joint
  362. “Kosha”
  363. Krishna
  364. “Kriya Yoga”
  365. “Kumbhaka”
  366. “Kundalini”
  367. Lakshmi
  368. Lateral
  369. Lateral Arch (of the foot)
  370. Letting Go
  371. Leukocytes
  372. Lifestyle
  373. Ligament
  374. Ligand
  375. Limbic System
  376. Limiting Beliefs
  377. Love
  378. Lumbar Spine
  379. Lymph Nodes
  380. Lymph Vessels
  381. Lymphatic Drainage
  382. Lymphatic Fluid (Lymph)
  383. Lymphatic System
  384. “Mahabharata”
  385. “Manipura Chakra”
  386. “Manomaya Kosha”
  387. “Mantra”
  388. “Maya”
  389. MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
  390. Medial
  391. Medicine Wheel
  392. Meditation
  393. Meditation Seats
  394. Melatonin
  395. Meninges
  396. Metabolic
  397. Metabolism
  398. Microbe
  399. Microbial Cells
  400. Microbiome (or Gut Microbiome)
  401. Midbrain
  402. Mild / Partial / Half Inversions
  403. Mindfulness
  404. Mission & Vision
  405. Mitochondria
  406. Molecular Biology
  407. Molecule
  408. Moon Phases
  409. Motor Function
  410. “Mudra”
  411. “Mula Bandha”
  412. “Muladhara Chakra”
  413. Multifidus Muscles
  414. Muscle
  415. Muscle Cells
  416. Muscle Contraction
  417. Muscle Memory
  418. Muscle Spindle Stretch Receptor
  419. Musculoskeletal System
  420. Music Therapy
  421. Myofascia
  422. Myotatic Reflex
  423. Myth
  424. “Nada Yoga”
  425. “Nadi”
  426. “Namas”
  427. Namaskar / Namaste”
  428. Neck Issues
  429. Nerve
  430. Nerve Cells
  431. Nervous System
  432. Neural Entrainment
  433. Neuro
  434. Neurogenesis
  435. Neuroinflammation
  436. Neuron
  437. Neuron/Nerve Cell
  438. Neuroplasticity
  439. Neurotransmitters
  440. Neutral Pelvis
  441. Neutral Spine
  442. “Nirvana”
  443. “Niyamas”
  444. Noetic Sciences
  445. Non-attachment/Detachment
  446. Nonlocality
  447. Non-ordinary State of Consciousness
  448. Normal Curves
  449. Normal Walking Consciousness / Rational Consciousness
  450. Nucleus
  451. Nutation
  452. Odic Force
  453. “OM”
  454. Organelles
  455. Orgone
  456. Origin
  457. Origin & Insertion Points
  458. Oscillation
  459. Osteo
  460. Osteoblasts
  461. Osteocalcin
  462. Osteocytes
  463. Osteoprogenitor Cells
  464. Overstretching
  465. “Panca / Pancha”
  466. “Panchamahabhutas”
  467. “Panchamayakosha Model
  468. Pancreas
  469. Paradoxical Breathing
  470. “Paramatman”
  471. Parasympathetic Nervous System
  472. Parathyroid
  473. Parinama
  474. Passive Stretching
  475. Patanjali
  476. Patanjali Yoga
  477. Patella
  478. Pelvic Floor
  479. Peripheral Nervous System
  480. Peroneus Brevis
  481. Peroneus Longus
  482. Physics
  483. Physiology
  484. Pineal Gland
  485. “Pingala Nadi”
  486. “Pitta”
  487. Pituitary Gland
  488. Planes of Motion
  489. Plantar Fascia
  490. Plantar Flexion
  491. Plasma
  492. Poetry
  493. Polyvagal Theory
  494. Positive CBT
  495. Posterior
  496. Posterior Tilt / Retroversion / Sad Tail
  497. Postural Issues
  498. Posture
  499. Power
  500. “Prakrti”
  501. “Prana”
  502. “Prana Vayu”
  503. “Prana Vayus”
  504. “Pranamaya Kosha”
  505. “Pranayama”
  506. “Pratipaksha Bhavana”
  507. Pratipasava
  508. “Pratyahara”
  509. “Pratyaya”
  510. Pregnancy / Prenatal Yoga
  511. Present Moment Awareness
  512. Prime Mover
  513. “Privthi”
  514. Pronation
  515. Prone
  516. Proprioception
  517. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
  518. Protein(S)
  519. Proximal
  520. Psoas
  521. Psyche
  522. Psychic Sleep
  523. Psychological Defense Mechanisms
  524. Psychoneuroimmunology
  525. Pulmonary Circuit
  526. “Puraka”
  527. “Purusha”
  528. Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
  529. Quadriceps / Quads
  530. Quanta
  531. Quantum
  532. Quantum Field
  533. Quantum Mechanics
  534. Quantum Physics
  535. Quantum Theory
  536. Quantum Vacuum
  537. Quintessence
  538. Radiant Energy
  539. “Raga”
  540. Raising Vibration (or Frequency)
  541. “Raja Yoga”
  542. “Rajas”
  543. Receptor (in cells)
  544. “Rechaka”
  545. Reciprocal Inhibition
  546. Relaxation Response
  547. Renunciation
  548. Reptilian Brain
  549. Research on the Impact of Yoga
  550. Research on Yoga – Brain Structure & Function
  551. Research on Yoga – Immunity & General Health
  552. Research on Yoga – Mental Health
  553. Research on Yoga – Pain, Inflammation & Conditions
  554. Research on Yoga – Trauma
  555. Research Types
  556. Resistance Stretching
  557. Resolutions
  558. Resonance
  559. Respect & Honor
  560. Respiration
  561. Restorative Yoga
  562. Reverse Breathing
  563. Rhythms, Flow
  564. Rib Flare
  565. Rig Veda
  566. Rishi
  567. ROM
  568. Sacred
  569. Sacred Hoop
  570. Sacred Space
  571. Sacredness
  572. Sacrum
  573. “Sadhana Pada”
  574. Sagittal /Median Plane
  575. “Sahasrara Chakra”
  576. Sama Veda
  577. “Samadhi”
  578. “Samadhi Pada”
  579. “Samana Vayu”
  580. “Samkhya”
  581. “Samskara”
  582. “Samyama”
  583. “Sankalpa”
  584. Sanskrit
  585. “Santosha”
  586. Saraswati
  587. “Sattva”
  588. “Satya”
  589. “Saucha”
  590. Scalar Energy
  591. Sciatica
  592. Scrub (in asana)
  593. Seasonal Yoga
  594. Second Brain
  595. Secretory Cells
  596. Seed Sounds / Seed Mantras
  597. Self-Acceptance
  598. Self-Realization
  599. Sensory Motor Amnesia
  600. Sensory Receptors
  601. Sesamoid Bone
  602. Shadow
  603. Shadow Work
  604. “Shakti”
  605. Shin Splints
  606. “Shiva”
  607. Shoulder Issues
  608. Shruti
  609. “Siddhis 
  610. Skeletal Muscle
  611. Skeletal System / Skeleton
  612. Sleep Issues & Yoga
  613. Sleepless Sleep
  614. Smooth Muscle
  615. Soleus
  616. Solfeggio Scale & Frequencies
  617. “Soma”
  618. Somatic Nervous System
  619. Sound
  620. Sound Bath
  621. Sound Healing
  622. Sound Wave
  623. Space Time
  624. Space, Creating
  625. Spinal Column 
  626. Spinal Conditions
  627. Spinal Cord Reflex Arc
  628. Spinal Movements
  629. Spinal Reflexes
  630. Spine
  631. Spinous Processes
  632. Spiritual Awakening
  633. Spiritual or Mystical Experiences
  634. Spleen
  635. Split Brain Theory
  636. Spongy Bone
  637. Stabilizer Muscle
  638. Standard Anatomical Position
  639. Standing in Neutral
  640. Static Stretching
  641. Stem Cells
  642. “Sthira Sukham Asanam”
  643. Strategic Planning
  644. Stress and link
  645. Stress Resilience 
  646. Stretch Reflex
  647. Stretching
  648. Stretch-Related Reflexes
  649. “Stula Sharira”
  650. Subatomic
  651. Subatomic Phenomena
  652. Subconscious Mind
  653. Subliminal
  654. Subtle
  655. Subtle Body
  656. Subtle Energy
  657. Suffering
  658. “Sukshma Sharira”
  659. Superficial (in anatomy)
  660. Superficial Abdominals
  661. Superficial Back Muscles
  662. Superior (in anatomy)
  663. Supination
  664. Supine
  665. Surrender
  666. “Surya”
  667. Surya Namaskar
  668. “Sushumna”
  669. “Sutra”
  670. “Svadhisthana Chakra”
  671. “Svadhyaya”
  672. Sympathetic Nervous System
  673. Synergist Muscles
  674. Synovial Joint
  675. Systematic Circuit
  676. Tachyon Energy
  677. Talus
  678. Tamas”
  679. “Tantra”
  680. Tapas”
  681. Tendon
  682. Tensile Load / Tensile Strength
  683. Theta Brain State
  684. Third Eye
  685. Thoracic Cavity
  686. Thoracic Mobility Issues
  687. Thoracic Spine
  688. Thymus
  689. Thymus Gland
  690. Thyroid
  691. Tibia
  692. Tonsils
  693. Transformation
  694. Transitioning
  695. Transpersonal Psychology
  696. Transverse / Horizontal Plane
  697. Transverse Arch (of the foot) 
  698. Transversus Abdominals (TA)
  699. Triune Brain Model
  700. Tuck (or Scoop) the Tailbone
  701. Twisting Poses
  702. “Udana Vayu”
  703. “Uddiyana Bandha”
  704. Unconscious, The
  705. Unconsciousness
  706. Unified Field Theory
  707. Unified Theory of Physics
  708. Union
  709. Upanishads
  710. Vagus Nerve
  711. “Vairagya”
  712. “Vasana”
  713. Vascular
  714. Vascular System
  715. “Vata”
  716. “Vayu”
  717. “Veda”
  718. “Vedanta”
  719. “Vedas”
  720. Vedas, The
  721. Veins
  722. Venae Cavae
  723. Ventral
  724. Ventricles
  725. Vertebrae
  726. Vertebral Column
  727. Vestibular System
  728. “Vibhuti Pada”
  729. Vibhutis”
  730. Vibration
  731. Vibrational Healing
  732. “Vijnanamaya Kosha”
  733. “Vikalpa”
  734. “Vinyasa”
  735. “Vinyasa Krama”
  736. Visceroception
  737. Vishnu
  738. “Vishuddha Chakra”
  739. “Viveka”
  740. “Vritti”
  741. Vulnerability
  742. “Vyana Vayu”
  743. Water Element
  744. Wave / Wave Form
  745. Wheel of the Year
  746. Whole Brain Functioning
  747. Wise Practice
  748. Wrist Issues
  749. Yajur Veda
  750. “Yamas”
  751. Yin Yoga
  752. “Yoga”
  753. “Yoga Darshana”
  754. Yoga Meditation
  755. “Yoga Nidra”
  756. “Yoga Sutra”
  757. Zero Point Energy
  758. 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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