Imagine Yoga Academy
Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Mantras, chakras, the ten bodies, breathwork and the philosophy behind them.
About
How this glossary works
In the study of Kundalini Yoga, both practice and philosophy, you will find words from Gurmukhi, Sanskrit, English and other sources. You hear them in class, read them in a kriya, chant them in a meditation.
This glossary brings together the most used words and gives each one in its most direct, basic meaning, the way we do in our 200h Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training. Our intention is to help you understand the words commonly used in Kundalini Yoga so you can deepen your practice and your understanding.
Topics
Browse by topic
Mantras & Sound
The mantras chanted in class and in personal practice, and the words and sounds they are made from.
Chakras & Energy Centers
The chakras, the main nadis, Kundalini energy, and the body points and fields used in practice.
Bodies & Mind
The ten bodies, and the way Kundalini Yoga describes the mind: its three minds and its functions.
Breath & Pranayama
Prana, pranayama, and the breathing techniques taught in class.
Kriya & Technique
Kriyas, postures, locks, mudras and the technical points of a practice.
Practice & Discipline
Sadhana and the disciplines around it: recitation, forty day commitments and diet.
Philosophy & Texts
The ideas and texts behind the practice, from the eight limbs and the gunas to karma, dharma and the Upanishads.
Index
All terms, A to Z
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No term matches that search. Check the spelling, or try the first few letters.
FAQ
Questions about the glossary
What is the Kundalini Yoga glossary?
It is a reference of the terms used in Kundalini Yoga: mantras, chakras, the ten bodies, breathing techniques, kriyas and the philosophy behind the practice. Each entry explains what the term means and how it is used in practice.
Where do the definitions come from?
They come from the manual used in the Imagine Yoga Academy 200h Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training. Entries follow the manual, including its spellings, so the glossary matches what our students learn.
Do I need to know these terms to take a Kundalini Yoga class?
No. You can practise without knowing any of them. The glossary is there for when you hear a word in a class, a kriya or a meditation and want to look it up.
Which terms should I learn first?
A good starting set is Kundalini, Kriya, Sadhana, Sat Nam, Adi Mantra and Pranayama. They come up often in class.
How do I find a specific term?
Type it into the search box at the top of the page, browse by topic, or use the A to Z index. Terms with a second name, such as Aad Gure Nameh and Mangala Charan Mantra, can be found under either one.
Are these terms covered in the Imagine teacher training?
Yes. The glossary is built from the manual of our 200h Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, which is taught online and in person in Zürich, Geneva & Lugano, Madrid and Málaga.
Imagine Yoga Academy
Learn these terms by practising them
Imagine Yoga Academy is a Kundalini Yoga school. Daniela and Pedro founded it in 2012 and are its Lead Trainers. Over 900 students have trained with us, online and in person in Zürich, Geneva & Lugano, Madrid and Málaga.
You can read about the 200h Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in Zürich, Geneva & Lugano, or book a call and we will talk through which training fits you.
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