15 Yoga Facts - Yoga Terms

Yoga connects the mind, the body and the spirit (will).
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to join”, “to yoke” or the union.
Sanskrit is the official language of yoga.
Ha means sun and tha means moon.
Yoga combines asana (postures or poses), pranayama (breathing) and samyama (meditation and relaxation).
A yogi is a male yoga practitioner whereas a yogini is a female yoga practitioner.
Yoga is comprised of 8 limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
Prana is life force.
The practice of pranayama means conscious yoga breathing.
There are 8 pranayamas: Bhastrika; Ujjayi; Shitali; Shitkari; Plavini; Bhramari; Keval Kumbhak.
Mudra are hand positions in yoga and meditation.
Three bandhas (or locks) are typically held during asana: throat (Jalandhara Bandha), below the belly button (Uddiyana Bandha), and the pelvic floor (Moola Bandha).
There are six kriyas practiced to purify the mind and the body: Kapalabhati breath (breath of fire); Neti (nasal); Trataka (eye exercises); Nauli (abdominal muscle); Dhouti (intestine cleanse); Vasti (rectum cleanse).
The word Shanti in Sanskrit means peace.
The meaning of the mantra “Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung” is Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity. All that is in infinity. I am Thee.