No matter our lifestyle, we are all at risk of incurring an injury that turns our world upside down. Whether you work in an environment fraught with hazards or in a space considered safe such as an office, most serious accidents happen in the workplace, sustained in a wide variety of ways from operating malfunctioning equipment to simply slipping down the stairs. Road traffic collisions are another major cause, as are sports and extreme sports – especially when played at an elite level. Most recently, rugby has made news headlines as a study of retired players revealed serious mental health issues thought to have been caused by repeated head trauma during their careers.

Types of life-changing injuries vary widely, from loss of hearing or sight to restricted mobility and damage to the brain. This physical harm, which is in itself hugely distressing, also has a negative effect on your mental state as you face new challenges in your capabilities while trying to develop new routines. This makes the initial period following a serious injury incredibly daunting and stressful, and it is easy to feel isolated and depressed. Particularly in the short term, it is vital for anyone suffering from the mental consequences of a serious injury to actively take steps to combat and control these overwhelming emotions.

Manage Your Expectations

Perhaps time does not heal all wounds, but it certainly plays a big part in helping us to process pain. Manage your expectations about how quickly you will be able to recover, both physically and mentally, and be careful not to push yourself too far too soon. While you will be desperate to return to some sort of normality, challenging yourself to get there before you are really ready will only slow down the process in the long-run. Take your recovery step by step and remember to celebrate each win, big or small.

Don’t Suppress Emotions

However you are feeling – and this might change minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, in the first few days and weeks following the accident – embrace your emotions and let them run their course. Coming to terms with your new situation is incredibly draining and burdening yourself with suppressed emotions will only make you feel more exhausted. Surround yourself with friends and family and open up about how you are feeling – emotional support from trusted loved ones is a powerful healing tool. If you are uncomfortable expressing yourself to those close to you, it may help to speak to a professional about your state of mind.

Work Towards Closure

Especially in the short-term following your accident, closure may feel like a distant dream – or even an impossibility. However, once you are in a position to do so in terms of your health and headspace, working towards attaining closure around the incident which caused your injury will help you to feel released from the past and allow you to refocus your attention on the future. If you were a victim of malpractice, you could seek the advice of serious injury lawyers who will strive to get you fair compensation. While you cannot change what happened, proving that your injury was not your fault can go a long way towards minimising feelings of regret and helping you to mentally move on from the past.

Set Achievable Goals

Many doctors, psychologists, and even philosophers discuss the power of pursuing goals in attaining happiness. This is only true if the goals are achievable, however. Setting yourself unrealistic targets and then failing to meet them will only make your recovery feel further out of reach than ever. Following the recommendations of specialist advisers such as rehabilitation professionals, set out a limited number of attainable goals, some for the short-term and others for completion weeks or months in the future. Each achievement will increase your confidence in your recovery and tracking your progress will give you a visual representation of just how far you have come since you were first injured.

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According to Mind, a mental health charity in England and Wales, 1 in 5 students has a diagnosed mental health problem. This manifests itself in a number of different manners and there can be a number of different reasons why these issues surface. Going to university often brings about massive changes in students’ lives, causing uncertainty, additional stress, and many other emotions, and this can often be especially exasperated by the fact that many students first go off to university coming into the winter.

Most of us have experience in the fact that the cold, dingy, grey days of winter can be detrimental to our mental health, and therefore it is especially important for universities to help their students with their mental health during the winter. That does not mean, however, that they should not be focusing on it for the rest of the year, but an extra effort should be made during the winter months to enable students to both settle in effectively and also prosper whilst they are at university.

When it comes to the role that universities can play in offering mental health support to their students, there is plenty that can be done. Universities are not only formal educational institutions, but they are also central in producing independent individuals, many of whom are stepping away from the family unit for the first time, living new experiences, and helping to shape their futures in many ways.

Communication, Efficiency, And Reliability

It is important that universities understand the way their behaviour impacts students and their mental health. By adding extra stress and pressure on their students, this can have a detrimental effect on their mental health. Communication has been especially important during the pandemic, and universities that fail to fulfil their duties in terms of good communication with their students, behaving efficiently, and reliably, can find that they increase anxiety amongst their students.

It is vital that students are clear about what is expected from them – as well as what they can expect from their university – and that the university fulfils these expectations.

Help To Deal With The Issues

Many students come up against the same issues when they go to university. These issues can turn into mental health problems if they are not dealt with early on. Another way that universities can help their students to reduce the chance of mental health problems such as low mood and anxiety is to help them to avoid these issues in the first place. For example, giving students advice and support in looking after their finances can help them to avoid financial difficulties which can often lead to mental health problems.

Encouraging Peer Relationships And Support

Support does not need to necessarily come from the institution itself. Often students will support each other through difficult times and universities should be doing what they can to encourage peer relationships and friendships. As well as promoting anti-bullying policies, providing safe spaces, promoting team-working, kindness, and generally creating a positive, supporting environment.

Mental Health Support Schemes

Mental health support schemes such as helplines and counsellors should be available to all students. It is key that every student has access to these services and they should all be made aware of what is available and how to get this help. Universities should encourage their students to use these services and promote them as much as possible.

Additionally, universities can provide their students with out of education support services which are hugely beneficial for students looking to step away from campus life. Speaking as a former student, knowing there were healthcare services outside of my university campus that I could go to for mental health support was incredibly comforting. Helping Hands Home Care who provide professional mental health care support, state that “Being diagnosed with a mental illness can be life-changing but doesn’t necessarily mean loss of independence.”

Red Flags

Increasingly, universities are able to look for behavioural patterns and red flags in student behaviour that are signs that a student is struggling with their mental health. Signs such as a decrease of engagement, withdrawal from student life, or changes in attitude can be tell-tale signs that a student is having mental health problems. These signs can be picked up on by tutors and mentors, other students, or technological means, helping potential problems to be dealt with earlier.

The issue of student mental health should be central to every decision that is made within an educational institution. Universities have a duty to support their students as much as they possibly can, especially during the winter, nurturing the best environment for their students to learn effectively, as well as leaving the institution a well-rounded, mentally healthy individual.

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Namaste. Prana. Vinyasa. Om. Ujjayi. These yogic words are common to most yoga classes, but knowing all of the yoga jargon can be intimidating for beginners. Most yoga instructors guide their classes through sequences using both Sanskrit–the classical Indian language used in yoga–and the English translations for the common yoga terms. All of this yoga lingo can be intimidating and confusing to people who are new to their practice. Learning new movements and breathing techniques is difficult enough when adding another language to the mix. But, don’t worry! With consistent practice, students will naturally learn many of the Sanskrit meanings and yoga words as they progress further in their practice.

If you’re not quite there yet or could use a refresher, here are a few common yoga vocabulary words, in the original Sanskrit with their English translations, that you may hear in any yoga class. We will briefly explain the meanings of these yoga words and the context to which one usually finds these yogic terms used.

The top 15 yoga terms to know

If you are a beginner, there are about fifteen common yoga terms to know before your first class. After a few classes you can come back to this list of terms to slowly build up your vocabulary and understanding of the practice. We’ve highlighted in green the most common terms below to quickly get beginners up to speed.

79 Common yoga words used in yoga classes

Study this long list of yoga lingo to use your new Sanskrit knowledge in your next yoga class! Try to learn one or more of these for each class you take to slowly build up your vocabulary.

Abhyasa (ah-bee-yah-sah) – Defined as “constant exercise,” this describes a willful, focused and engaged spiritual practice.

Adho (ah-doh) – Translated as “downward”, as in Adho Mukha Svanasana for downward facing dog.

Ahamkara (ahan-ka-ra) – The “I-maker” or the yogic concept of ego, which is seen to could the mind and must be transcended to achieve enlightenment.

Ahimsa (a-him-sah) – Practicing non-violence or non-harming towards all living things. Ahimsa is the first of the Yamas, or moral codes listed in the Yoga Sutra.

Ananda (a-nun-dah) – An ecstatic state of complete bliss and love.

Apana (ah-pan-nah) – This vayu or internal “wind” is the second-most important of the five types of prana in Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda. Located at the pelvic floor, it regulates the outward flow of prana from the body and governs the elimination of physical wastes and toxins from the body.

Ardha (ar-dha) – Translates to “half,” as in Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose

Asana (a-sa-na) – The physical yoga poses in hatha yoga. Each yoga pose name in Sanskrit ends with asana.

Ashram (ash-rem) – A yoga hermitage or a school of yoga.

Ashtanga (ash-tan-ga) – Translated as “eight-limbed yoga,” this is the eight-limbed path described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. These eight stages build upon each other and lead the practitioner to a state ofenlightenmentt or samadhi.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga) – This challenging and athletic system of hatha yoga was popularized during the 20th century by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Atman (aht-muh-n) – The transcendental and eternal Self or indwelling spirit.

Bandha (bahn-da) – An energetic lock or seal in hatha yoga, requiring a contraction of muscles and internal focus to constrain the flow of prana or energy. Bandhas are often used in pranayama to promote energy flow and maintain optimal health. The three main locks or binds used are Mula Bandha (root lock), Uddiyana Bandha (naval lock), and Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock).

Bhagavad Gita (buhg-uh-vuhd-gee-tah) – The oldest Sanskrit book on yoga that is embedded in the larger Mahabharata epic. This text contains the teachings on karma yoga, samkhya yoga, and bhakti yoga.

Bhakti (bahk-ti) – The practice of cultivating love and devotion directed toward the Divine.

Bikram (bick-ram) – This style of yoga is practiced in a heated room with a set sequence of asanas. The founder of this yoga school has been embroiled in multiple controversies so most yogis prefer to practice other styles of hot yoga.

Buddhi (boo-dee) – The highest aspect of the mind which is considered to be the seat of wisdom.

Chandra (chun-drah) – The moon, as in Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose.

Chakra (chak-rah) – A swirling wheel of light and energy in the body. Each chakra is associated with a specific color, emotion, and elements. The most common chakras are the root chakra, heart chakra, and third eye.

Chaturanga (chat-u-ranga) – The yogi pushup movement used to move from plank to the ground.

Dharma (dar-mah) – The role, purpose, and path in life that leads one to truth, peace, and enlightenment.

Dhyana (dhya-na) – Meditation from a sustained state of mental focus and, the seventh limb of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga.

Drishti (drish-ti) – A focal point used in yoga to set your gaze and help with concentration, balance, and focus.

Duhkha (doo-kuh) – A bad space or a negative state of mind that leads to suffering or ignorance.

Dwi (dva) – The number Two; used in poses with names like Dwi Hasta Bhujasana, or Two Hand Arm Pose.

Eka (eh-kah) – The number One; used in many poses that focus on one limb, like Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, or One Leg Pigeon Pose.

Flow – See “vinyasa.”

Granthi (gran· thi) – One of the three “knots” or blockages in the central energy channel or nadi which prevents a full ascent of the serpent power to achieve enlightenment in tantra yoga.

Guna (goo-nuh) – One of the three main qualities or constituents of nature: tamas (inertia), rajas (overactivity), and sattva (equanimity).

Guru (goo-roo) – A spiritual teacher or leader who offers knowledge and guides one to the path of awakening and union.

Hatha (hah-tah) – The “forceful path.” Ha is translated to the Sun, and Tha, to the Moon. One goal of Hatha Yoga is to balance the sun and moon energy in the body.

Hasta (has-ta) – The hand (or arm).

Iyengar (eye-yen-gar) – One of the more popular styles of yoga, this tradition emphasizes detail, precision and alignment in the performance of asanas. It often makes use of props such as belts, blocks, ropes and blankets.

Japa (jah-pah) – The recitation of Sanskrit mantras or prayers, commonly used in Bhakti Yoga or mantra meditation.

Jnana (juh-nah-nuh) – The yogic path of knowledge and wisdom.

Karma (kar-mah) – The law of cause and effect. A yogi’s goal is to not accumulate any further karma in his or her lifetime.

Kirtan (kur-tan) – The devotional and ecstatic singing and chanting of hymns and mantras in a community gathering.

Kosha (koh-shuh) – One of the five sheaves or envelopes that surrounding the transcendental Self (atman) like Russian nesting dolls. Each kosha hides the one underneath and thus blocks its light and our awareness of their energy.

Kumbhaka (koom-bha-ka) – The holding or retention of breath used in pranayama practices.

Manas (man-uhs) – The rational aspect of mind, which is bound to the senses and processes basic information.

Mandala (muhn-dal-uh) – A circular geometric design that represents the cosmos and serves as an object of meditation and contemplation.

Mantra (man-truh) – A sacred Sanskrit sound or phrase, that has a transformative effect on the mind when used in meditation.

Maya (mah-yah) – The deluding or illusionary power of the mind’s projection of the world.

Moksha (mohk-shuh) – The “release” or freedom from the ignorance (avidya) of the true Self.

Mudra (mood-rah) – A hand gesture or bodily movement used in yoga practice to affect the flow of prana, life-force energy.

Namaste (nah-mah-stay) – A salutation said at the beginning or end of a class to acknowledge the inner light inside of all beings.

Nadi (nah-dee) – A channel of prana or subtle energy in the body. There are over 72,000 nadis in the body but there are only three main channels (ida-nadi, pingala-nadi, and sushumna-nadi).

Niyama (nee-yuh-muh) – The second limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga system contains the five internal practices of Niyama (observance). The five Niyamas are purity (saucha), contentment (samtosha), austerity (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and dedication to the Lord (ishvara-pranidhana).

Om or Aum (ohmm) – The sound of this primary mantra represents the union of the entire universe. Om is often prefixed to many of the Sanskrit mantras and hymns.

Pada (pah-dah) – The foot or leg, as in Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, or One Leg Pigeon Pose

Patanjali (puh-tuhn-juh-lee) – An ancient Indian sage, scholar, philosopher and the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, who lived c. 150 C.E.

Prana (prah-nuh) – The life-force energy that sustains the body. Also one of the five internal winds or vayus.

Pranayama (prah-nah-yah-mah) – The control and mastery of prana or life-force energy through mindful breathing exercises like the ujjayi breath.

Pratyahara (pruh-tyah-hahr-uh) – A yogic technique of “sense withdrawal” that creates internal focus and introspection through shutting out the distractions created by the senses.

Ujjayi (u-jai-yee) – The ocean sounding breath or victorious breath. This is a popular type of conscious breathing or pranayama.

Utthita (oo-tee-tah) – This translates to “extended,” is included in asanas in which the body is extended or stretched beyond its regular variation.

Sadhana (sa- dha-na) – The spiritual practice, training or discipline that is used to progress a yogi towards accomplishing enlightenment.

Samadhi (suh-mah-dee) – The highest goal of a yogi is to reach this unitive state in which the meditator becomes enmeshed with the object or focus of one’s meditation.

Samsara (suhm-sahr-uh) – The inherent state of flux and change in our world that we find ourselves cyclically entrapped in.

Samskara (sam-ska-ra) – The subconscious patterned impressions that are created and hidden in the depth of the mind and serve as a source of suffering.

Savasana (sha-va-sa-na) – Translated as “corpse pose,” this is the final relaxation pose after a class that involves lying flat on your back with your arms and legs flopped out to the side.

Shala (sha-la) – Used interchangeably with “yoga studio” or “yoga space,” a Shala is is a dedicated space where people can gather to learn, study and practice together. In retreat centers this is usually a type of pavilion that provides a shaded, open meeting place.

Shanti (shahn-tee) – This translates to “peace” in Sanskrit. Shanti is a common mantra chanted or said at the beginning or end of class.

Satsang (sat-sang ) – This is defined as “in the company of truth” and is a gathering to hear an experienced or enlightened yoga teacher speak on a philosophical concept.

Shakti (shak-ti) – The feminine aspect of dynamic divine energy that has a yin/yang relationship with pure consciousness.

Supta (soup-tah) – This translates as “to recline” and is used in poses that involve a reclining position to begin with.

Surya Namaskar (sur-ya na-ma-ska-ra) – The Sun Salutations are a sequence of yoga postures and movements that flow from one to the next. There are several different variations of Surya Namaskar.

Sutra (su-tra) – This translates as “string or thread” and refers to a short rule, like a theorem distilled into few words or short sentence, around which teachings of ritual, philosophy, or other subjects are woven. “The Sutras” is commonly used as shorthand for Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Raja (rah-juh) – Meaning “royal or king” this term is used in asana names and is also a major path of Yoga.

Restorative – This term is sometimes used broadly to describe the energetic effect of specific poses or a sequence. It is used to describe a specific style of yoga that uses blankets and bolsters to support the body while holding postures.

Tantra (tan-truh) – A type of yoga that focuses on the internal energetic side of yoga, involving the use of chakras, mantras, and Hindu mythology.

Tapas (ta-pas) – The heat and intensity that is created by practicing austerity and self-discipline.

Vedas (vay-dahs) – The oldest of the yogic scriptures that comprises four main collections of the Rig Veda, Sama Yajur, and Atharva Vedas.

Vairagya (vai-rahg-yah) – The yogic practice of detachment and the attitude of inner renunciation of worldly goods.

Vinyasa (vuh-nyaa-suh) – A linked sequence of two or more asanas performed in a fluid motion and synchronized with the breath. The most famous vinyasa is the sun salutation. The literal translation is: “nyasa” meaning “to place” and “vi” in a “special way.”

Yamas (yahm-uh) – The five moral, ethical and societal guidelines for the practicing yogi. These guidelines are all expressed in the positive, and describe how a yogi behaves and relates to her world when truly immersed in the unitive state of yoga.

Yin – This Chinese term is used to describe a restorative type of asana practice that focuses on flexibility using long holding times of specific postures.

Yoga (yo-guh) – Sanskrit for “yoking” or “union,” this collection of different spiritual techniques and philosophies aim to unite the mind, body, and spirit. It has four main paths to choose from: Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.

Yoga Sutras (yo-ga sut-ras) – One of the most popular Ancient Indian texts written by the sage Patanjali that describes a coherent and detailed philosophy of the practice of yoga.

Namaste yogis–we hope you loved this list of the common definitions of yoga terms and will find this list helpful in your study of yoga and Sanskrit. Is there something we forgot or did your teacher say something in class that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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