Terms & Definitions

Hatha - A term used generally to define the physical practice of yoga. Sometimes "hatha" is simply translated as "forceful," other times the word is broken down so that "ha" is translated as sun and "tha" as moon. This refers to the yoking or integration and balancing of opposites through the "forceful" practice of physical yoga. Within "hatha yoga" there are many schools or styles of yoga including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Viniyoga, etc.

Iyengar - B.K.S. Iyengar is an Indian man who has given his name to a style of yoga he developed in response to both his own physical and emotional needs and those of his students over the last 6-7 decades. Iyengar yoga places a strong emphasis on asana, in particular anatomical details and points of alignment. This style of yoga tends to cultivate a great deal of strength and openness in the body through the attention given to precise action and long holds. Iyengar also pioneered the use of props in asana using blocks, chairs, straps, wall ropes, bolsters, and more in order to help educate people about their bodies, and to enable asana to be used therapeutically for those with illness, injuries, or chronic physical or emotional conditions. The use of props also gave rise to restorative yoga which comes out of the Iyengar tradition.

Yin - "Yin" is a term used in Chinese medicine to refer to the aspect of nature that is associated with the cool, the dark, the receptive, and the feminine. Yin contrasts with the word "yang" which refers to that part of nature associated with the warm, the light, the active, and the masculine. In terms of yoga, "Yin Yoga" refers to a style of yoga that uses mostly seated and supine asana to stimulate the energetic system of the body. Poses are held for long periods of time (3-10 minutes) in order to innervate certain parts of the body and circulate the energy through the meridian system. Yin practice also provides a great opportunity for the practice of meditation.

Vinyasan - The term "vinyasan" most generally refers to placing one thing after another in a particular way. Most yoga practitioners use the term to refer to "flow" yoga where one asan moves into another as in a Sun Salutation, and the movement of the breath is consciously linked to the movement of the body. However, it can also refer to practicing one pose before or after another (whether or not they "flow" together) in order to create a specific therapeutic or beneficial effect or to achieve a particular goal such as relaxation, Dancer Pose, or greater strength. For more on vinyasan: yogachicago.com/nov03/vinyasa.shtml

Viniyoga - This style of yoga evolved from the traditional one-on-one student-teacher relationships that typified the practice of yoga common until yoga met the west in the 20th century. Originally in these teacher-student relationships yoga was a spiritual practice designed and regularly re-calibrated to meet the unique strengths, weaknesses, growth, and goals of the individual. Viniyoga emphasizes the use of asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, philosophy, etc. to meet individuals where they are and encourage their growth, health, and transformation.

Asan/asana - These are the singular and plural terms of a sanskrit word that refers to the yoga poses or postures. More literally translated "asan" means "to take a comfortable seat."

Pranayama - This sanskrit term generally refers to the conscious breath practices of yoga. "Prana" refers to breath, "life force," or vital energy, and "ayama" means "lengthening, extension." Through the practice of pranayama we seek not only to lengthen or extend the physical breath, but to lengthen our lives and revitalize our essential life energy. Pranayama practices encompass anything from simple breath awareness to strong manipulations and control of the breathing process.

Meditation - Meditation is a term that refers to a broad range of practices from various religious and spiritual traditions. For the purposes of yoga, the practice of meditation is a method of either sitting or resting in stillness for periods of time in an effort to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight. It is a practice that necessitates and helps create - over time - the resources of emotional and mental strength, flexibility, stamina, and equanimity.

Mindfulness - Most simply defined, mindfulness is "moment by moment non-judgmental awareness." Mindfulness is often very consciously practiced in sitting meditation, but may also be cultivated, with enormous benefits, while walking, driving, eating, speaking, listening, essentially doing any of the myriad activities that comprise our daily lives.

Dharma - "Dharma" is a word that has a few different meanings. Most simply, "Dharma" with a capital "D" refers to the words and teaching of the historical Buddha. "Dharma" with a small "d" more generally refers to "the law," i.e. the law of life, the way things are, cause and effect, action and consequence, suffering, impermanence, change.

Dana - "Dana" is the Pali word for "generosity." Generosity was most often the first practice that the Buddha gave to people seeking his teaching and desiring to walk the path toward liberation. When classes or teachings are offered in exchange for dana, it is an opportunity for students to practice generosity. In doing so, students must take into account the benefits they receive from the teachings, how much they are truly able to give and desire to give at the moment, and - most importantly - making it possible for the teachings to continue to be passed on through the generations.