If your Sanskrit’s rusty, check this glossary of common yoga lingo. By Nicole Goodwin.



Ashtanga
Literally means “eight limbs”, but you’ll only need four.This style traditionally uses six series of strong poses, linked together with the breath in a flowing sequence. Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow are big fans. It improves circulation and calms the mind.


Bikram
The “hot yoga”, named after founder Bikram Choudhury. It’s a set sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises done in front of full-length mirrors in a 40°C room. You’ll sweat intensely, flushing out toxins, and possibly drown a small village.


Cin-mudra
Use this during meditation: place the tip of your index finger at the root of the thumb and extend the last three fingers, with the palm facing upwards. Now say, “Om”… if you’re “feeling it”.


Namaste
The traditional Indian salutation, which translates to “the divine in me bows to the divine in you”. Talk about mutual appreciation. It’s often spoken at the beginning or end of a yoga class, and you should join your hands together in prayer position, in front of the chest.


Power yoga
The 6.0 version of Ashtanga yoga. This updated yoga style follows a sequence of poses designed to develop strength and flexibility.


Vinyasa
Means “to place in a special way” and refers to any sequence of yoga postures that goes from simple to more complex, linked together with the breath in flowing moves. (Ashtanga yoga is also known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.)


And one for dinner party conversation…
Pincha mayurasana
The peacock feather pose. I always laugh when I say this one – it’s pronounced pin-cha-my-your-ass-ana. Yes, really.