Yoga Glossary S–Z |
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| A–C D–H I–N O–R S–Z |
- Sadhana:
- Spiritual practices.
- Samadhi:
- Meaning ecstasy—to stand outside oneself—involves a significant shift in one's state or sense of identity - to transcend the ego and reach a state of blissfulness.
- Samkyha:
- Translates as number—insight or 'investigative understanding'. A preclassical tradition developed between 500 and 200 BCE. Samkyha has a close connection to the tradition of Yoga, as both traditions are said to lead to the same goal. The main distinction between the two is that Samkyha relies on tradition (or adepts) whereas yoga relies on perception. The sage Kapila is said to have founded Samkyha. The spiritual path of Samkyha requires the renunciation of everything other than the Self, which is said to be the only principle capable with true consciousness.
- Samskaras:
- Subliminal activators, unconscious imprints or impressions.
- Samtosha:
- Contentment; one of the five attributes of niyama (self-restraint).
- Satya:
- Truthfulness; one of the five attributes of yama (moral observance).
- Shauca:
- Purity; one of the five attributes of niyama (self-restraint).
- Sukha:
- Pleasure.
- Superego:
- One of the Freud three levels or states of mind—the parent ego or conscience state.
- Surya:
- Sun.
- Sushumna:
- One of the three primary nadis (energy paths or points in the body), extending from the base of the spine to the top of the head; see Hatha and nadis.
- Sutra:
- Thread or map. The Yoga Sutra [or Sutras] of Patanjali are the first written account of yoga. As yoga means union, 'Yoga Sutra' suggests a map to achieving unity.
- Svadhyaya:
- Self-study; one of the five attributes of niyama (self-restraint).
- Tapas:
- Perfection of the body, sometimes involving extreme measures such as complete silence; one of the five attributes of niyama (self-restraint).
- Tattva:
- "Thatness".
- Tension:
- In the body—created by sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight response).
- The Seer:
- The consciousness behind the thought.
- Vidya:
- Wisdom or knowledge.
- Vrttis:
- Whirl or activity—fluctuations of consciousness.
- Yama:
- Moral observance. Yama, the first limb of the eightfold path taught by Patanjali consists of five attributes—ahimsa (non-harming), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (chastity) and aparigraha (greedlessness)—also see eightfold path.
- Yoga:
- Yoke.