Yoga Philosophy
The eight limbs, sutras, yamas, niyamas, and foundational teachings of yoga.
Terms in This Category
69 termsYoga Sutras
Patanjali's foundational text of 196 aphorisms outlining the philosophy and practice of yoga.
Eight Limbs of Yoga
Ashtanga—the eight-fold path outlined by Patanjali: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi.
Yama
The first limb of yoga—five ethical restraints including non-violence, truthfulness, and non-stealing.
Niyama
The second limb of yoga—five personal observances including purity, contentment, and self-study.
Ahimsa
Non-violence or non-harming—the first and most important yama in yoga philosophy.
Satya
Truthfulness—the second yama, encouraging honest speech and authentic living.
Asteya
Non-stealing—the third yama, extending beyond material theft to not taking what is not freely given.
Brahmacharya
Moderation of the senses—traditionally celibacy, modernly interpreted as wise use of sexual energy.
Aparigraha
Non-possessiveness—the fifth yama, teaching non-attachment to material things.
Saucha
Purity or cleanliness—the first niyama, referring to body, mind, and environment.
Santosha
Contentment—the second niyama, finding peace with what is.
Tapas
Discipline or austerity—the third niyama, the burning enthusiasm that fuels practice.
Svadhyaya
Self-study—the fourth niyama, including study of sacred texts and self-reflection.
Ishvara Pranidhana
Surrender to the divine—the fifth niyama, letting go of ego and trusting a higher power.
Pratyahara
Sense withdrawal—the fifth limb, turning attention inward away from external stimuli.
Moksha
Liberation or spiritual freedom—release from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
Samsara
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy.
Karma
The law of cause and effect—actions and their consequences across lifetimes.
Dharma
One's duty, purpose, or righteous path—cosmic law and individual responsibility.
Guru
A spiritual teacher who dispels darkness (gu) with light (ru)—guiding students on the path.
Shanti
Peace—often chanted three times to invoke peace in body, speech, and mind.
Namaste
A greeting meaning "the divine in me honors the divine in you"—often said with palms together.
Atman
The eternal self or soul—the unchanging essence within each being.
Brahman
The ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness—the infinite, unchanging source of all existence.
Maya
Illusion—the veil that obscures the true nature of reality and creates the appearance of separation.
Sankalpa
A heartfelt intention or resolve—a vow aligned with one's highest truth.
Bhagavad Gita
The 700-verse Hindu scripture—a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on dharma and yoga paths.
Vedas
The oldest sacred texts of Hinduism—four collections of hymns, philosophy, and ritual instructions.
Upanishads
Philosophical texts forming the end of the Vedas—exploring the nature of reality and self.
Ahimsa
Non-violence—the first and foundational yama in yoga ethics.
Satya
Truthfulness—speaking and living in alignment with truth.
Asteya
Non-stealing—not taking what is not freely given.
Brahmacharya
Right use of energy—traditionally celibacy, now often moderation.
Aparigraha
Non-possessiveness—releasing attachment to material things.
Saucha
Purity—cleanliness of body, mind, and environment.
Santosha
Contentment—finding peace with what is.
Tapas
Discipline—the heat of committed practice burning away impurities.
Svadhyaya
Self-study—inquiry into one's true nature through study and reflection.
Ishvara Pranidhana
Surrender to the divine—offering actions to a higher power.
Klesha
The five afflictions that cause suffering: ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, fear.
Avidya
Spiritual ignorance—the root cause of all suffering in yoga philosophy.
Asmita
Ego or false identification—mistaking the self for the personality.
Raga
Attachment—clinging to pleasure and desired outcomes.
Dvesha
Aversion—pushing away pain and unpleasant experiences.
Abhinivesha
Fear of death—clinging to life and bodily existence.
Viveka
Discernment—the wisdom to distinguish real from unreal.
Vairagya
Non-attachment—release from the pull of desires and aversions.
Samskara
Mental impressions—unconscious patterns formed by past actions.
Vasana
Latent tendencies—deep-seated desires and habits from past lives.
Chitta
Mind-stuff—the field of consciousness including thoughts and memories.
Vritti
Mental fluctuations—the waves or modifications of the mind.
Nirodha
Cessation—stilling the fluctuations of the mind for liberation.
Kaivalya
Absolute freedom—the ultimate liberation in Patanjali's yoga.
Purusha
Pure consciousness—the unchanging witness in Samkhya philosophy.
Prakriti
Nature—the manifest world of matter and mind in Samkhya.
Gunas
The three qualities of nature: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
Maya
Illusion—the veil obscuring our perception of ultimate reality.
Dharma
Righteous duty—one's purpose and moral responsibility in life.
Moksha
Liberation—freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Advaita Vedanta
Non-dual philosophy teaching oneness of self and reality.
Bhagavad Gita
Sacred dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on dharma.
Yoga Sutras
Patanjali's foundational text on classical yoga.
Upanishads
Ancient philosophical texts exploring ultimate reality.
Vedas
Oldest sacred texts of Hindu tradition.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Classical text on Hatha yoga techniques.
Bhakti
Path of devotional love and surrender to the divine.
Jnana
Path of knowledge and self-inquiry.
Karma Yoga
Path of selfless action without attachment to results.
Raja Yoga
Royal path of meditation and mental mastery.
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