Ok let’s admit it, because most of us have been there. What
did that yoga teacher just say? Or was that a sneeze?
Here is my list of some of the things that yogis say or talk
about that you may have heard and may or may not have questioned.
Namaste: This is
an ancient Sanskrit greeting but translates close to: The light or spirit in me
bows to (or salutes) the light or spirit in you. Or I bow to the God in you. We
are all one.
Anjali Mudra: Mudra means seal or sign in Sanskrit. While
some mudras may use the entire body most are with the hands and fingers and by
placing in a certain form will make an energetic seal. Anjali Mudra is with
hands at the heart, palms together, thumbs into sternum. This represents a returning to ones own
heart, a connection of left and right hemispheres, and with the divine. Namaste is most often said while using this mudra and they
go beautifully together.
Kombucha: This
effervescent drink is made from fermented tea by using a colony of yeast and
bacteria called a SCOBY. It is sold in most grocery stores and comes in lots of
flavours.
Asana: This is the
Sanskrit word for posture. It is used when the body is positioned in a posture
to improve flexibility and strength to prepare for meditation and remain seated
for long periods of time.
Vinyasa: My
favourite definition of Vinyasa is linking the movement of the physical body
with breath. If you take a Vinyasa in class it often refers to a series of
postures that are linked through a flow of movement and guided by breath.
Savasana: More
than a nap, savasana is translated into corpse pose and is the final relaxation
posture or asana in a lot of yoga practices. You can take this important posture by
laying on your back with arms at your sides and closing your eyes.
If you are new to yoga and looking to start conversation..... try the topics kale salad or green smoothie. I promise you will have friends in class before you even start the asana.
Namaste,
CJ