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Step into a yoga class at AntwerpYoga and you might hear words that sound mysterious at first: Ujjayi, Shavasana, Bandha, OM. Like most yoga schools, we use Sanskrit, the ancient language in which yoga was first described. It can feel like learning a new vocabulary, but over time the meanings reveal themselves. To make it easier, we’ve gathered a little Yoga ABC, an introduction to some of the key terms you’ll often hear in class.
Every yoga posture ends with the word asana. For example: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog), Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch). In Sanskrit, asana means posture or seat; so whenever you hear it, you know it refers to a physical pose.
Bandhas are energetic “locks” in the body. There are three main ones:
By engaging them gently, you create stability, support your spine, and channel energy more efficiently. It takes time to sense and refine them, but with practice they become a natural part of movement and breath.
The word chakra means “wheel”. Chakras are described as energy centers along the spine, each linked to different aspects of body and mind:
Whether you see them symbolically or energetically, they offer a way to reflect on balance in life.
Every posture has a drishti, a focal point for the gaze. It helps to steady the mind and deepen concentration. For example, in Downward-Facing Dog you look towards the navel, while in standing poses you often follow the hand or gaze gently upwards.
Kirtan is call-and-response singing of mantras, usually with simple melodies and live music. You don’t need to be musical, just willing to join in. Many people find it uplifting and deeply calming at the same time.
A mantra is a word or phrase repeated out loud or silently to focus the mind. The vibrations of the sound can calm, energize, or create a sense of connection. One of the most well-known mantras is OM.
These are symbolic hand gestures often used in meditation. Each mudra channels energy in a specific way; for example, touching the thumb and index finger together (Jnana Mudra) is said to represent wisdom and clarity and helps you focus.
This traditional form of Ashtanga Yoga is a self-paced practice. Everyone moves through the set sequence at their own rhythm, while the teacher offers individual guidance and adjustments. It allows beginners and advanced students to practice side by side.
Chanted at the beginning and end of many classes, OM is considered the primordial sound of the universe. Beyond its symbolism, chanting OM helps open the lungs, calm the nervous system, and create a sense of unity in the group.
When yogis talk about their “practice,” they mean their regular time on the mat; whether that’s a full sequence, a short meditation, or a single posture.
Often translated as “life force” or vital energy. In yoga, prana is linked to the breath and the flow of energy through the body.
Breathing techniques designed to regulate prana. “Prana” means life force, and “ayama” means extension or control. These practices range from calming to energizing and form a core part of yoga.
In Ashtanga Yoga, the Primary Series is the first structured sequence of postures: sun salutations, standing poses, seated poses with transitions, and a finishing sequence. It’s designed to purify and bring balance to body and mind.
Known as the “Corpse Pose,” Savasana is the relaxation at the end of a class. Though it looks like resting, it’s an active practice of awareness; allowing the body to integrate the effects of the session while the mind settles.
The Sun Salutation, a flowing sequence of movements linked with the correct breath. It warms up the body and is the foundation of many yoga styles.
Sometimes called the “victorious breath.” By gently narrowing the throat, you create a soft ocean-like sound with the breath. Practiced in Ashtanga and Vinyasa, it helps focus the mind and sustain energy through movement.
Vinyasa is the precise coordination of breath and movement that links the asanas into one continuous practice.
Shala means “house” in Sanskrit. A yoga shala is a dedicated space to practice. At Antwerp Yoga, our yoga rooms are called 'Shala's' , a place where energy builds through shared practice.
A yogi traditionally refers to a male practitioner deeply devoted to yoga, while a yogini refers to a female practitioner. In modern usage, both words are often used more loosely to describe anyone who practices yoga. In the traditional sense, however, a yogi or yogini is someone who embraces yoga as a whole—living its principles both on and off the mat.
This is just the beginning of the yoga vocabulary. The words may seem unusual at first, but the more you practice, the more they begin to feel natural—like keys that unlock deeper layers of yoga. At Antwerp Yoga, we’d love to welcome you to a workshop or even our teacher training, where curiosity turns into experience and the tradition of yoga comes to life both on and off the mat.
