Yoga & Sanskrit

by Vanessa Barron

For many people new to the practice of yoga, the terms and language associated with it can seem a bit overwhelming. I also experienced this in the first class I took when I had just moved to Vancouver. It was fast-paced, and everyone seemed to follow along with many terms that were unfamiliar to me. No introduction, no cueing, and as I desperately tried to keep up with what my classmates were doing, it was clear that I had no clue! Needless to say, I didn’t continue with that class for very long. I did however keep coming back to the practice of yoga and tried different teachers and types of classes until I found what was right for me.

Once I found a yoga teacher and style where I felt the benefit at the end of each class, I stuck with it. I went to this teacher for over 10 years. It wasn’t until I decided to become a certified yoga teacher that I fully appreciated just how much I had learned both physically and philosophically about the practice of yoga over time.

There are two reasons I continue to use Sanskrit in classes today.  One reason is because it is part of learning. Our brains are designed for thinking and we need to challenge ourselves continuously to learn new things. Think of it as a work out for your brain. Hearing something that is unfamiliar causes your brain to pay more attention, and yoga is about helping the mind focus and tune into the subtleties of our body. When we concentrate our mind and senses fully on the shapes we create in yoga for flexibility, strength, and balance,  our nervous system creates new pathways over time. This is known as neuroplasticity.

The second reason, is that using Sanskrit words is a sign of respect for the history of this ancient practice. Over time, this deepens our understanding of the layers to yoga. For example, the beginning of the word ‘asana’, defined as posture or seat, also means to be present, to sit quietly, to celebrate, and to do something without interruption.  Namaste, which you hear at the end of class, means “I bow to you,” the “you” meaning the deeper you/self within. It represents the idea that we are all connected as humanity.   

I too, struggled with learning and pronouncing the Sanskrit terms for poses. I still don’t have them all fully memorized! Sometimes I use both the Sanskrit and English terms in class. And even if none of this has meaning for you yet, we will walk through getting into poses together.

Here is a reference site if you are interested:  https://greatist.com/move/common-yoga-poses#easy.  As a word of caution, please don’t try poses that are unfamiliar to you or that we don’t do in class. I look forward to our ongoing journey in the practice of yoga together.