What is Yoga Anyway?
The word yoga comes from the ancient Sanskrit word yuj, which means:
“To join,”
“To yoke” (a yoke is a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals are joined at the head or neck for working together)
“To unite.”
Traditionally, yoga signifies the union of the individual self with a greater universal consciousness, often thought of as a union between body, mind, and spirit. This unity reflects the central philosophy of yoga, which aims to achieve balance, peace and self realisation through creating harmony amongst the different aspects of the self.
Of course yoga doesn’t take place only on a yoga mat, the word yoga might refer to a number of practices or disciplines that encourage transformation, growth and inner exploration.
Yoga has been practised for thousands of years, over which time varying interpretations have taken place. Viewpoints can differ, but it’s a commonplace thought that the “ultimate” goal of yoga is to achieve liberation from suffering. By a variety of means and methods, most schools of yoga place focus on the bringing together of body, mind and breath with the purpose of altering energy or shifting consciousness.
Yoga is a Sanskrit word- but what is Sanskit, and why is it linked to Yoga?
Sanskrit is linked to yoga because yoga originated in ancient India, where Sanskrit was the primary language of scholarly, spiritual, and religious texts. Many foundational yoga texts, including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita, and various Upanishads, were written in Sanskrit. These texts form the philosophical and practical basis for yoga, and they offer guidance on yoga practices and ethics.
It’s considered a vibrational language, meaning its words and sounds are thought to have intrinsic energy. This is especially relevant in yogic practices, where mantras, such as Om and So Hum, are chanted to help focus the mind, connect with deeper states of awareness, and align with certain spiritual energies. The vibrational resonance of these words, along with their meanings, is believed to positively influence the mind and body, enhancing the meditative aspects of yoga.
Asana (the physical yoga postures) names in yoga are in Sanskrit, which links the modern practice to its ancient roots and helps maintain a sense of continuity and tradition across different yoga styles worldwide.
Interestingly, Buddha knew Sanskrit, but refused to teach in Sanskrit. Instead he taught in the common language of his day - Pali - so that the common people of society could access his teachings. During yoga teacher training most teachers will learn some Sanskrit and from there they might decided whether or not to use it in their own classes, dependent on the environment and their confidence in the language.
You might find hearing Sanskrit used in class really resonates with you, or you might find it doesn’t- either way is ok and we’ll always use English terms alongside.