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Glossary

You may be in a yoga class and hear the teacher using Sanskrit words for different aspects of body, mind & soul exercises. We thought you might find this list helpful in translating some of the more commonly used terms. Use always the box on the right to navigate our Glossary. Feedback for corrections and additions is welcome: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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NADA - sound, the three stages of sound in the body:
- PARA - in the navel
- PASHYANTI - in the throat
- BAIKHARI - on the lips


NADI - nerves, subtle channels: ida, pingala, sushumna
- IDA - nadi that passes along the left side of the spine, stemming from the left nostril
- PINGALA - nadi that passes along the right side of the spine stemming from the right nostril
- SUSHUMNA - the main nadi  in the centre of the spinal column


NADI SODHAN - breath technique for purifying nadis


NAKRA - "the crocodile", make-up, nonreality


NARAKA - hell


NAULI KRIYA - a yoga technique, churning of the abdominal muscles


NETI - a purification technique, rinsing the nose


NIDIDHYASAN - realization through meditation


NIRANJAN - spotless, pure


NIRGUNA - formless, without attribute


NIRGUNA BHAKTI - see bhakti 


NIRGUNA MEDITATION - meditation on the Absolute


NIRGUNA MANTRA - divine mantra which leads to the Absolute


NIRODHA - prevention


NIRVIKALPA SAMADHI - the highest stage of samadhi, a state of complete unity with cosmic consciousness, liberation from all desires and karmas


NITYA - everlasting, intransient


NIYAMA - the principles of inner discipline