A paradox of the practice of yoga is the abundant collection of word flow or articles describing postures, poses, and a sense of spiritual connectiveness. Yoga’s spiritual / physical practice is filled with words describing the physical or spiritual practice of yoga, the postures and emotions. Perhaps this word flow stems from interpreting the language of yoga from Sanskrit or the verbosity of its newfound popularity or the desire to share. Yoga is more than a verbal practice.
Yoga Words and Expressions
It is difficult if not impossible for a beginner to understand terms scattered about instructional articles such as “jump your feet behind you” or “jump through,” “ ground your sit bones,” ”open the chest with each breath,” “open the third eye.” These are but a few of a multitude of the well meaning instructions scattered through out the Internet. There are also the known words with directions such as “hold Drishti” which is the focusing of the eyes, or “engage the mula bandha.” Perhaps it is because so many instructors are continuously repeating where to place the left hand or the right knee and how to focus that the words then become a kind of literary mantra that may do more harm than good for the novice yogi who tries to listen to the movement instructions or read them rather than experience the sequence.
A musician can “hear” notes when reading music. An advanced yogi can see the posture when reading the words. The beginner can’t do this. Fortunately, there are visuals available.
Best Internet Yoga Photos, Illustrations of Postures and Poses
Beginners should avoid word descriptions of physical movements. Any site that promises teaching and goes on for more than 100 words without illustrations should be avoided. There are some excellent sites with postures done in a precise form for the beginner to view. Yoga is an art and not competitive but searching through wordy sites isn’t part of the initial enlightenment. Below are some good sources.
- For Hot Yoga (Bikram), Hot Yoga Willits has a download with the names in Sanskrit and the meanings with a diagram of each pose along with a brief explanation.
- Yoga Pose Gallery has a photo of the pose with words describing each step. It describes beginner and then more advanced versions.
- Yoga Journal has an extensive guide with a model illustrating the poses and step-by-step words describing the movement. Again, this may be more suitable for the advanced beginner.
- Yoga org nz has a male model illustrating the pose and with finger click a mini second video opens of a movement. This too should be a refresher not initial instruction.
- Free Online Illustrated Kundalini Yoga Poses & Exercises E-Book
- Real Yoga by Naveem Kuttappa gives a photo to click on to illustrate the posture
- Hatha Yoga Lesson is a great site with animated figures going through the pose.
- The site abc-of-yoga has an illustrated figure going smoothly through the movements in each posture.
Using yoga DVDs, books and videos online as well as you-tube downloads helps see the pose in motion. Attending class is priceless for learning and correction but following up with pictures and online demonstrations can add to learning.
Read also What to Wear for Yoga Class for Men and Women,
The Best Way to Clean a Yoga Mat, and
A Review of Yoga Film Documentaries, Movies and DVDs for more yoga information.
Free online Stencils and Templates for Yoga can also be found.
Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...
Join the Conversation