Abdominal external oblique muscle
anatomy (Latin musculus obliquus internus abdominis) it is the lateral muscle of the abdomen located between the transverse abdominal muscle…
Yoga glossary
Practice, philosophy, breath — explore the essential concepts of Ashtanga and yoga in general.
A
Abdominal internal oblique muscle
anatomy (Latin musculus obliquus internus abdominis) it is the lateral muscle of the abdomen located between the transverse abdominal muscle…
Abhiniveśa Abhiniveśa
the attachment to the existence, the fifth factor of affliction (kleśa).
Adho
means downwards
Adho Mukha Svānnāsana Adho Mukha Svānnāsana
"Mukha" face "Adho Mukha" means the face turned downwards (to the floor).
Adyar
small river, 42 km long, crosses the Chennai and ends into the Indian Ocean, on the Coromandel coast (Tamil Nadu).
Amaravathi (Amaravati)
a famous Buddhist place on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh.
Ananta
word meaning without limits, endless, the eternity or the infinite.
Aṅga Aṅga
members , steps, branches.
Annamalaiyar
temple dedicated to Śiva, located in the Holy City of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.
Archāvatara Archāvatara
derived from āvatara, the "coming down" of the energy of a deity to poor it over an object which thus…
Archetype
(derived from the Greek arkhetupon meaning "primitive model" ).
Arjuna
one of the heroes of the major epic Mahābhārata, the third of the five Pāndava, famous archer in the Bhāgavata-Gītā,…
Arubathumoovar
a festival dedicated to the 63 Shaiva saints (Nayanmars ) which takes place in March-April in Chennai.
Aruṇāćala Aruṇāćala
the sacred hill of Aruṇāćala is considered to be one of the five saivite shrines in the South of the…
Asmitā Asmitā
the meaning of “I” or selfishness; the cause of the ego (Ahaṃkāra), one of the five factors of afflictions (kleśa).
Athanasius of Alexandria
called the Great, born around 298 and died in 373.
Auroville
''is an experimental, modern and spiritual town located at about ten kilometers north of Pondicherry in the state of Tamil…
Avatara
means "coming down" in the sense of "descent from heaven" , and refers in the Indian tradition to the incarnations…
Avidyā Avidyā
it''s a Sanskrit term which means the "erroneous knowledge".
B
Bandha
following the philosophical tradition of Yoga, it''s one of the means to get rid of the Karma, according to the…
Bansuri
it''s a large Indian flute, probably the oldest musical instrument in North India.
Bauls
"fools" in Bengali, Bardai in Hindi, Bards in Europe.
Bhaga
one of the sons of Āditi, the "mother goddess".
Bhagavad-Gītā Bhagavad-Gītā
the literally translation means the "song of the Blessed".
Bhajan
from Sanskrit bhajana "worship" , is a devotional song for the deities.
Bhaktavatsaleshwara
a temple dédicated to Śiva and located beneath the the rocky peak of Tirukalikundram (from 17km to Mahābalipuram - Tamil…
Bhangra
the name of the popular village folk dance of Rajasthan.
Bhārata Natyam Bhārata Natyam
''this dance is originally an ancient martial art linked to religious practices.
Boudon Jean -Paul
French Yoga Teacher (trained at the Satyananda Bihar School and BKS Iyengar).
Brahmā Brahmā
with Viṣṇu and Śiva, Brahmā composes the Trimūrti.
Brahman
''a Brahmin (brāhmaṇa), the word means linked to the sacred, it''s a member of one of the four castes (in…
Brihadesvara temple
It is one of the largest temples in the South of the India built between 1003-1010 in the city of…
C
Chaam
It is a sacred dance performed by lamas (religious Tibetans) the dancers wear masks and costumes rich in colours and…
Chapati (ćapātī) Chapati (ćapātī)
a kind unleavened flatbread, cooked on a "tava" (hot metal plate ) without any fat.
Chennai
the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu in South India (former name Madras).
Colette Poggi
Indianist and Sanskritist, speciaist in Abhinavagupta and Kashmir Shaivism.
D
DakchinaChitra
it''s a fascinating museum of the cultural life, art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India.
Damaru
are small double drums shaped in the form similar to an hourglass that is hit by beat shaped sticker.
Devanāgarī Devanāgarī
is derived from "deva" which means deity, god, divine and "nāgarī", a female name meaning ''city, civilized''.
DEVI Indra
from Russian origin, she was born May 12, 1899 in Riga and died on the 25th of April 2002 in…
Dhāraņā Dhāraņā
in the Yogasūtra, dhāraņā is the sixth limb (aṅga) of Aṣṭāṅgayoga and represents the power of concentration, maintaining one''s mind…
Dhoti
''''loincloth" , men''s garment worn in southern India.
Dhyāna Dhyāna
represents « dhyāna» in the Yogasūtra of Patañjali, the seventh limb (anga) of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga, the deep meditation, the mind…
Djavastambha
is a "metal flag door" lying in the inner courtyard in front of the temple entrance in South India.
Dosa (dosai)
''in Indian cuisine, dosa is a fermented pancake made from a mixture of rice batter and "black lentils" or chickpeas,…
Draupadi
essential female character from the Mahābhārata, she becomes the common wife of the five Pāndava brothers.
Drāvidien Drāvidien
people, language and style of architecture in South India.
Dɽʂʈi Dɽʂʈi
is the focusing of the gaze on a spot of the body in aṣṭāṅga-yoga, there are 9 Dristi(s) Navadṛṣṭi(s)
Duḥkha Duḥkha
the Buddha said that the main reason why most people are kept in saṃsāra (संसार) and prevents them from becoming…
Durgā Durgā
is the name of an important deity, it''s one of Pārvatī, names, the consort of Śiva, considered the « śakti»…
Dveṣa Dveṣa
aversion or hatred.
G
Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand
''he was born in Porbandar in Gurujat on October 2, 1869 and assassinated in New Delhi, January 30, 1948.
Gaṇesha Gaṇesha
the elephant-headed God?
Gangā Gangā
(Gangä in Sanskrit), it is the longest sacred river of northern India (3,000 km) and has its source in the…
Gautama
''also known as Siddhārtha Gautama or Shākyamuni and simply as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one", born in the fifth…
Golden Temple in Vellore
dedicated to Sri Lakshmi, it was inaugurated August 24, 2007, by Sri Sakthi Amma..
Gompas
Tibetan Monastery (Buddhist)
Gopura
(Sanskrit word, singular), Gopuram, plural), means "the door to the inner city" and consists of two words "Go" meaning "cow"…
Gopuram
(Sanskrit word, plural) is a term of the architecture of Hindu temples in South India.
Govardhana
famous mount near the northern city of Vrindavana (Uttar Pradesh) of the India.
Gujarat
''state in northern India, on the west coast, little visited by tourists, although it is the cradle of the Indus…
Guru
is composed of the words "Gu" or darkness and "Ru" meaning light.
H
Hamd or manqabat
Sufi devotional songs dedicated to Allah.
Hanumān Hanumān
''considered as being the God of prāṇāyāma, son of Vāyu God of Wind.
Hassan
a city in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Hatha Yoga – Hathayoga
in India there is the classical Yoga or Râja-yoga which is part of the Yoga Korunta (Aṣṭāṅgayoga) and which refers…
I
J
Jalakanteshwara
is derived from "Ishwara" which means Lord, a name that describes Śiva.
Jālandhara Jālandhara
This is the positioning of certain muscles in the throat (thyro-arytenoidien side) which will produce a sound during breathing called…
Jālandhara bandha Jālandhara bandha
this positioning (bandha) is practiced only in some Prānāyāma with retention of breath with full or empty lungs.
Jyotish
Indian astrology, this word is derived from "Jyotis" which means "light" or "star", like a light shining in the darkness…
K
Kailashanath Temple
located at some distance from the city of Kanchipuram.
Kamakshi
''Kamakshi'' meaning "the one whose eyes awaken desire or the one that has beautiful eyes", is one of Pārvatī names.
Kapaleeswarar
Temple at Mylapore (Chennai) dedicated to Shiva.
Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai
this magnificent temple is located in the neighborhood of Mylapore and is dedicated to Lord Śiva and his wife Pārvatī,…
Karagattam
old folk dance celebrated in the villages of Tamil Nadu.
Karma
from the root "KRI" meaning act, action, ritual, the effects of these karmic actions are expected to affect the different…
Karma
from the root "KRI", means "Act", "action", "rite", the effects of these karmic acts are expected to have an impact…
Karnataka
state located in the south of India.
Karthikai Deepam,
a famous Hindu religious festival held in November / December each year.
Kārtikeya Kārtikeya
'' is the son of Śiva and Pārvatī, Ganesh''s brother, Kârtikeya is also called Skanda or more familiarly Murugan in…
Kaṭha Upaniṣad Kaṭha Upaniṣad
one of the oldest Major Upaniṣads, it was commented by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya (788-820).
Kathak
dance from northern India influenced by Islam.
Kathakali
a kind of dance theatre from him also of the temples of the South of the India, Kerala.
Kaurava
The Kauravas represent one of the family in "game" with the "Pāndava(s)" See "Mahabharata".
kāverī kāverī
The kāverī River is the fourth most Holy river of India after the Yamuna, the Saraswati and the Ganga.
Kirtan
''from the Sanskrit kîrtana meaning "prayer to God".
Koklikatai
is the name of the popular village dance on stilts in Tamil Nadu.
Kollywood
it''s the Bollywood of the South, based in Chennai, where a lot of Indian films are produced.
Kośa Kośa
''Sanskrit term meaning "sheath", "girdle", "envelope", "body".
Krishna”s butterball
a Mahabalipuram, the giant naturally rock that looks vaguely spherical is called Krishna''s butterball.
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa
the eighth incarnation (avatāra) of Lord Vishnu or Viṣṇu.
Kuchipudi
at the time, the dance was executed in the temples and in groups.
L
Ladakh
''the former independent kingdom is now divided into three regions India, Pakistan and Aksai Chin, gained by China during the…
Lakṣmaṇa Lakṣmaṇa
the younger brother of Rāma, hero of the Rāmāyaṇa.
Lanza del Vasto
he was of Sicilian origin, was born September 29, 1901 in Italy and died January 5, 1981 in Spain.
Liṅgaṃ Liṅgaṃ
often an upright stone with a phallic appearance.
Lower abdominals
(latin musculus rectus abdominis) are paired muscles located vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the abdomen.
M
Madras
important city , the capital of Tamil Nadu, now called Chennai.
Mahābalipuram Mahābalipuram
''(city of King Bali) is located in Tamil Nadu at 60 km south of Chennai.
Mahābhārata Mahābhārata
"The Great War of the Bhārata(s)" is a famous epic and sacred book of ancient India.
Mālā Mālā
which means "garland", "chaplet".
Manas
is a word referring often to thought, mind and as in Yogasūtra Patañjali, to the mental state and sometimes the…
Mandala
This word means circle, community, according to the Buddhist tradition.
Mandapam
is an architectural term referring to a pillared hall in temples, with "thousands of pillars" often ornamented and carved.
Mantra
short sacred sentence made of phonemes, a mantra is recited, it is a sound and rhythmic formula based on the…
Marina Beach in Chennai
a very large sandy beach.
Masala Dosa
is a fermented pancake made from rice batter and black lentils, stuffed with fillings of spicy vegetables and accompanied by…
Māyā Māyā
Found this term in the hymns of the Rig Veda, which means: the illusion of reality, the reality is elusive.
Micheline Flak
former English teacher at the ''Lycée Condorcet'', we all dreamed of having as a child.
Midwife
the midwife is a health care professional specialized in prenatal, postnatal and birth care.
Mohiniyattam
"Dance of the Enchantment", the term is derived from "Mohini" meaning "the one who makes the view enchanting".
Mokṣa Mokṣa
is the state of eternal and ideal bliss, the final liberation of the individual soul or Jīva from the cycle…
Mother
Mirra Alfassa (white Rachel Mirra Alfassa) also nicknamed sweet mother or "the mother", known for his spiritual journey, his writings…
Mridangam
''Sanskrit mird "earth" and ang "body".
Mukha
This word means : face, face
Mūla Mūla
"root", "base", the Foundation ", originally", "source".
Mūla Bandha Mūla Bandha
For Sri K.
Mūlayaga Mūlayaga
it''s the name of a demon symbolizing ignorance, the no-knowledge.
Muttukadu
''village where the ''Museum'' of DakchinaChitra is located.
N
Nāḍī Nāḍī
This word means tube, canal, vessel, vein, artery, hollow rod, flute...
Nāḍī Śodhana Nāḍī Śodhana
the term "Śodhana": means "cleansing", "purification".
Nakṣatra Nakṣatra
"Lunar House" in Indian Astrology "Jyotish".
Nakūla Nakūla
name of one of the five "Pāṇḍavaḥ" in the epic of the "Mahābhārata" (Arjuna, Bhima, Nakūla, Sahadeva, and Yudhiṣṭhira) who…
Namaskar or Namasté Namaskar or Namasté
means "greeting", but this phrase has a deeper religious, spiritual meaning, "I bow before the divine in you", "I salute…
Nandi or Nandin
means "The Happy one" , it''s the Vāhana, the white bull on which rides Lord Śiva.
Nann
in Indian cuisine, "nann" is a kind of "bread" flat as a leaf, cooked on the vertical wall of an…
Naṭarāja Naṭarāja
Comes from the sanskrit "naṭa" = dance and "rāja" = King.
Nāyak Nāyak
The Nāya took advantage of the decline of the Vijayanagar after their defeat of Tilacota against Muslim armies, to successor…
Niyama
in Yogasūtra, niyama refers to the second limb (aṅga) of Yoga meaning abstinence, restraint, reserve, discipline, observance, austerity, practice…
O
P
P.-S Filliozat
son of the famous Indian scholar and director of the EFEO Jean Filliozat, Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat, is surrounded since childhood by…
Pallava
the Pallava dynasty ruled a portion of South-East of India (Tamil Nadu) between the end of the third to the…
Pañća Pañća
the number ''5''.
Pancha-kosa
Yoga distinguishes generally "five envelopes" (pañcha-kośa) or "sheaths", "sheaths", which envelop the self (ātman).
Pāṇḍavaḥ Pāṇḍavaḥ
see the "Mahābhārata".
Word of the dayParatha
in Indian cuisine, a sort of "flatbread" that is served with dishes.
Pārvatī Pārvatī
the daughter of the king of the Himalayan mountains, the reincarnation of Satī,, "the girl of the mountain", female consort,…
Pashmīnā Pashmīnā
shawls of Kashmir.
Patañjali Patañjali
is the compiler of the "science of Yoga" known as the « Yogasūtra ».
Perineum
Latin word meaning around the evacuation routes.
Perrez Noëlle Perrez Noëlle
French Yoga teacher, who received her training with BKS Iyengar.
Pongal
It is the feast of the harvest of rice and appreciation, fixed anywhere in India on 14 January.
Prāṇā Prāṇā
It is the vital breath, the life force of internal.
Prāṇāyāma Prāṇāyāma
The term consists of two words, "Prāṇā" meaning "vital force" and "vital energy" and "āyāma" meaning control.
Prasād Prasād
in Indian religious tradition, it''s a religious food offering presented to a deity or to a Master so that it…
Pratyāhāra Pratyāhāra
in the Yogasūtra, pratyāhāra is the fifth limb (aṅga) of Yoga is the withdrawal of of the objects of perception,…
Prayer
a prayer is a request, a thanking or praise addressed to a deity or a holy man.
Precision
from latin prae-cisus, it means "no split" "no division", "consciousness and correctness in action.
Pūjā Pūjā
a prayer ritual of worship of Aryan origin, which replaced the Vedic sacrifice (Yajna).
Pūjā room Pūjā room
is the place where the « pūjā » is being celebrated in house.
Pūjari Pūjari
the celebrant in charge to do the «pūjā», a Brahmin priest.
Punjab
northern state of India
R
Rabindranath Tagore (Rabīndranāth Thākur) Rabindranath Tagore (Rabīndranāth Thākur)
born in 1861, died in 1941, writer, playwright, composer, painter and Indian philosopher.
Rāga Rāga
This word means: color, tinted, passion, attraction...
Rāja-Yoga Rāja-Yoga
Rāja-Yoga or Yoga Royal.
Rajasthan
state in northwestern India, the land of the "Kings", Jaipur is its capital.
Rangoli
an ephemeral art transmitted from mother to daughter and is also known as Kolam, ariponas, or alponas according to the…
Ratha
"chariot procession".
Reich Wilhelm
Wilhelm Reich was a psychiatrist, one of the first Freudian psychoanalysts.
Rishi Jean- Bernard
French Yoga teacher (trained at the Satyānanda Bihār School, and with Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S Iyengar), founder of the "Centre…
Royal Enfield Bullet
a wonderful legendary motorcycle, only handmade.
S
Sādhaka Sādhaka
a practitioner of« Sādhana », a spiritual practice.
Sādhana Sādhana
female name meaning a practice, a spiritual path, an accomplishment.
Sādhana pāda Sādhana pāda
the second chapter of the Yogasūtra of Patañjali , which is composed of 55 sūtra.
Saluvankuppam
located at a distance of 7 km from Mahābalipuram.
Samādhi Samādhi
in the Yogasūtra of Patañjali, Samādhi refers to the eighth limb (aṅga) of Yoga and is a higher level of…
Sāṃkhya Sāṃkhya
With the Sāṃkhya, brahminical thought developed a new approach at least to the way of conceiving Beingness.
Saṃsāra Saṃsāra
the swirl of existence, the cycle of lives from birth to rebirth.
Satcitānanda Satcitānanda
Being, consciousness, Bliss, happy, sublime and experience without limits, State of pure consciousness where the ultimate reality is perceived.
Satprem
(Bernard Enginger) French writer.
Sattva
It is one of the three (guṇa) qualities of nature in the Sāṃkhya philosophy.
Satyānanda Bihār School Satyānanda Bihār School
School of Yoga founded by Satyānanda Saraswatī.
See Shore Temple
this worldwide renowned temple is located in Mahābalipuram (Mamallapuram) on the shores of the Coromandel Coast eputation is partially eroded…
Shawls of Kashmir
the shawls of Kashmir are famous since the nineteenth century fashion for late Ming, ''elegant'' European women are still wearing…
Shivakami
one of the names of Pārvatī, the wife of Śiva.
Shukrya
''Sanskrit meaning ''thank you'' to express ''dhanyavaad'' or ''shukrya'' meaning ''Thank you and be prosperous''.
Sikkim
former monarchy.
Sītā Sītā
in the Rāmāyaṇa, the wife of Rāma.
Somnāthpur Somnāthpur
is Karnataka in India from South to 12 km north west of Mysore at the edge of the river Kaveri.
Sri Aurobindo or Aurobindo Ghose
he developed a new approach to Yoga called "Integral Yoga".
Sri Lakshmi
goddess of wealth and beauty, wife of Lord Viṣṇu.
Sri Ramana Maharshi
One of the greatest sages and spiritual masters of modern India.
Sri Sakthi Amma
he was born January 3, 1976.
Sthira
means strength, strong, stable, immobile, constant stability, both physical and mental.
Sthira Bhaga
according to Yoga Korunta (Ashtanga Yoga transmitted by K.
Sthira sukham asanam
famous sūtra of Patañjali (Yogasūtra 2- 46 ) Sthira sukham āsanam describing how a Yoga posture should be, its quality.
Surya
is derived from the Sanskrit root "sur" or "svar" meaning to shine).
Sūryanamaskara Sūryanamaskara
Vient de Sūrya "soleil" et Namaskara "salutation" ; c''est donc "la salutation au Soleil", célèbre enchaînement de posture du Haṭhayoga…
Swami Gītānanda Giri Swami Gītānanda Giri
Gītānanda Giri (1907-1993) was born to an Irish mother converted to Hinduism by Ārya-Samāj and an Indian father, a lawyer…
T
Tamas
It is the third grade in the guṇa in the mode of the Samkhya thought.
Tamil Nadu
lies in the most southern part of India, the Tamil country.
Tampura
called "tambura" in the South is a musical instrument that produces a harmonic drone throughout the concert (now sadly replaced…
Tenzin Gyatso
the fourteenth and current Dalaï-lama
Thali
A thali is a complete Indian meal with a composition varying form region to region.
Thanjavur painting
it''s one of the major forms of Indian classical painting dating back to about 1600 AD.
The Ghazal
love songs with sometimes a mystical resonance.
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society was founded in New York in 1875.
Tiger Cave
is a superb place at the time of Palava located 4 km north of Mahābalipuram, on the edge of the…
Tirukalikundram
it is a large temple seated at the foot of the hill and dedicated to Śiva, deserving some attention because…
Tiruvannāmalai Tiruvannāmalai
it''s a town located at a distance of 130 km from Mahābalipuram and of 185 km from Chennai.
Transverse abdominal muscle
anatomy (Latin transversus abdominis) designates the deepest muscle layer of the abdominal wall.
Tristana
is derived from "Tri" meaning three; "stana" meaning stage; "Tristana" designates the three steps.
U
Uḍḍiyāna Uḍḍiyāna
it designates a particular position of the abdominal muscles.
Uḍḍiyāna Bandha Uḍḍiyāna Bandha
it refers to a yoga technique used in some prāṇāyāma.
Ujjāyī Ujjāyī
This is the ''control of the larynx'' called "Jālandhara" which it produces its particular "Ujjãyi", which controls the pressure internal…
Ujjãyi Prāṇāyāma Ujjãyi Prāṇāyāma
yes breathing technique used in some Yogas, it is also called "the ocean breath".
Upaniṣad Upaniṣad
(pronounced Upanishad) this term means "to come and sit down respectfully at the feet of a master in order to…
V
Vāhana Vāhana
refers to the being used by a deity as a mount (vehicle).
Van Lysebeth, André Van Lysebeth André
André Van Lysebeth, est né le 11 octobre 1919 en Belgique & il meurt le 28 janvier 2004.
Varadaraja Swami Temple
also called obedience Vishnouite great temple on 9 ha, outside of Kanchipuram, the thousand pillars (96) room is absolutely gorgeous.
Vedagireshvar Temple
a temple located on the top of the hill overlooking Tirukalikundram and dedicated to Śiva, at a distance of 17…
Vellore
''is a commercial town in the state of Tamil Nadu that is famous for its leather tanneries (shoes, clothing) and…
Vinoba Bhave
Acharya Vinoba was born on September 11, 1895 and died on November 15, 1982 at the age of 87 after…
Vinyāsa Vinyāsa
is derived from Vi = done with intelligence, specifically wisdom Vid = knowledge (Vidya, the knowledge) Vinaya = discipline and…
Viparyaya
a Sanskrit term meaning, according to the Yoga Sutra of Patañjali, the flawed knowledge or erroneous judgment based on the…
Viveka Cūḍāmaṇi Viveka Cūḍāmaṇi
"The jewel of discrimination", written by the great master of Vedānta, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, in the 8th century, composed of 580…
Y
Yajña Yajña
This term refers to the ritual of the Vedic fire sacrifice intended to honor the gods with songs and offerings.
Yama
in the Yogasūtra, "yama" is the first limb ((aṅga) of Yoga.
Yoga Korunta
title of the work of a ṛṣi from ancient times called Vanama, rediscovered by Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya at the University…
Yoga Mālā Yoga Mālā
is the title of the book written by Sri K.
Yoga sūtra or Yogasūtra Yoga sūtra or Yogasūtra
text in Sanskrit compiled by Patañjali.
Yoni
this term means a "sign, place", the origin, the female, the female genitalia.
Ā
Ādi Śeṣa Ādi Śeṣa
Ādi Śeṣa, the Cosmic Serpent, the infinity.
Āsana Āsana
in the Yogasūtra, āsana is the third limb (aṅga) of Yoga.
Āshram of Sri Aurobindo Āshram of Sri Aurobindo
It was founded by Aurobindo Ghose said Sri Aurobindo, November 24, 1926 in Pondicherry.
Ātman Ātman
in the Indian philosophies, this term refers to "āstikan", the true ''ONESELF'' as opposed to the ahamkara ego or individual…
Āyurveda Āyurveda
The original Sanskrit word āyurveda could be translated as "Life knowledge".