BSEB Inter Yoga & PE key terms

A disciplined Indian system of body, breath and mind practices aimed at stilling mental fluctuation and uniting the individual self with a higher reality; its classical form is codified in Patanjali's eight limbs.

The second sutra's definition of yoga: the restraint or stilling of the modifications of the mind-stuff. Mastery of this state is said to allow the seer to abide in its own true nature.

Compiler of the Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of classical Raja Yoga, dated roughly between the second century BCE and fourth century CE. The text organizes practice into eight limbs leading to liberation.

Patanjali's aphoristic treatise in four chapters covering the nature of mind, the means of practice, yogic powers, and final liberation. It is the authoritative source for classical Raja Yoga philosophy.

Patanjali's eight-limbed path: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. The first five are outer or preparatory limbs and the last three are internal aids to liberation.

The first limb of Patanjali's path: five social restraints - ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. They are called the great vows and are to be observed irrespective of time, place or circumstance.

The second limb: five personal observances - shaucha, santosha, tapas, svadhyaya and Ishvara pranidhana. They regulate cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study and surrender to the divine.

Non-violence in thought, word and deed, the first yama. In the Yoga Sutras it is treated as a great vow, and its perfection is said to end hostility in the presence of the practitioner.

The eighth and final limb of yoga, in which the mind becomes absorbed in the object of meditation and subject-object duality dissolves. It has progressive stages culminating in kaivalya, or absolute isolation of pure consciousness.

Liberation in Patanjali's system: the state in which pure consciousness abides in its own nature, free from identification with the mind and matter. It is the final goal of yogic practice.

A branch of yoga emphasizing physical purification and control of the body and vital energy through asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and kriya. Its major texts are the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita.

A fifteenth-century manual by Svatmarama describing asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas and samadhi in four chapters. It is a principal source text for classical Hatha practice.

A classical Hatha text presented as a dialogue between Gheranda and Chanda, teaching seven limbs of practice and a large number of asanas. It is known for its emphasis on purification and bodily perfection.

A dialogue in the Mahabharata between Krishna and Arjuna that presents karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga as paths to liberation. It also defines yoga as equanimity and skill in action.

The path of selfless action taught in the Bhagavad Gita, in which one performs one's duty without attachment to results. It purifies the mind and is presented as equal in value to other yogic paths.

The path of devotion, in which love and surrender to a personal deity become the means of liberation. The Bhagavad Gita names it among the principal yogas and praises the devotee as dear to the divine.

The path of knowledge and discriminative discernment, in which the practitioner distinguishes the eternal self from the perishable body and mind. It is classically associated with Vedanta and with the Upanishadic quest.

A steady and comfortable bodily posture, the third limb of Patanjali's path. In Hatha yoga it also means the many specific poses used to build strength, flexibility and steadiness for pranayama and meditation.

Patanjali's formula for asana: a posture that is both steady and comfortable, achieved through relaxation of effort and meditation on the infinite. It marks the shift from mere posture to a meditative seat.

Regulation of prana through conscious control of inhalation, exhalation and retention of breath. It is the fourth limb of yoga and includes techniques such as Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati and Ujjayi.

Breath retention in pranayama, either after inhalation (antara kumbhaka) or after exhalation (bahya kumbhaka). It is considered the central practice of classical pranayama and is advanced work requiring guidance.

Alternate-nostril breathing, in which breath is channelled through the left and right nostrils in turn, often with retention. It is used to balance the energy channels and calm the nervous system before meditation.

A yogic lock: a deliberate contraction of specific muscles to confine and redirect prana. The three principal bandhas are mula, uddiyana and jalandhara, and they are used with pranayama and mudra.

A yogic seal or gesture, either a hand position or a whole-body attitude combining bandhas and breath control. Mudras are said to seal energy within the body and support concentration and inner awareness.

The six classical purification methods of Hatha yoga: dhauti, basti, neti, trataka, nauli and kapalabhati. They are taught to remove excess phlegm and impurities before advanced pranayama practice.

A cleansing practice of short, forceful exhalations with passive inhalation, often classed as a kriya and used to clear the nasal passages and stimulate the abdomen. It is distinct from Bhastrika pranayama.

In Hatha and Tantric yoga, the dormant spiritual energy pictured as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. Practices aim to raise it through the chakras toward union with consciousness.

An educational process that uses planned physical activity to develop fitness, motor skills, knowledge, attitudes and social behaviour. It is a school subject and a profession with its own aims, curriculum and assessment.

A learned, goal-directed movement performed with consistency and efficiency, such as throwing, running or catching. Skills progress from gross to fine and from simple to complex through practice and feedback.

The branch of biology concerned with the structure of the body and the relationships between its parts, including bones, muscles, joints and organs. It is basic knowledge for coaches, teachers and first-aiders.

The study of how living systems function, including how organs and tissues carry out processes such as respiration, circulation and digestion. Exercise physiology applies these principles to physical activity.

The study of how the body's systems respond and adapt to acute exercise and long-term training. It covers energy supply, cardiorespiratory response, thermoregulation and recovery.

The maximum rate at which the body can take up and use oxygen during intense exercise, expressed in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute. It is a key indicator of aerobic fitness.

A by-product formed when glucose is broken down without sufficient oxygen, as in short maximal efforts. Its accumulation is linked to muscle fatigue and the burning sensation during intense work.

The ability to carry out daily tasks with vigour and without undue fatigue, with energy left for leisure and emergencies. It includes health-related components such as cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility and body composition.

The training rule that the body adapts only when it is subjected to a stimulus greater than it is accustomed to. Load must be increased progressively and individually to keep producing gains.

A preparatory phase of light activity and mobility work before training or competition. It raises muscle temperature, increases blood flow and improves readiness, reducing injury risk and improving performance.

Gentle activity and stretching performed after exercise to bring heart rate and breathing gradually back to resting levels. It aids recovery and helps prevent dizziness and muscle stiffness.

The scientific study of behaviour, thought and emotion in sport and exercise settings. It covers motivation, arousal, anxiety, attention, confidence and mental-skills training for performance.

The general level of physiological and psychological activation a performer experiences, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement. Its relationship to performance is often explained by the inverted-U hypothesis.

The internal and external forces that initiate, direct and sustain behaviour toward a goal. Intrinsic motivation arises from enjoyment, while extrinsic motivation comes from rewards or pressure.

The degree to which members of a team stick together and remain united in pursuit of shared goals. Task cohesion concerns performance aims, while social cohesion concerns interpersonal bonds.

Planned learning experiences that help people make informed decisions about their health. It addresses hygiene, nutrition, disease prevention, first aid and healthy lifestyle choices in school and community settings.

A diet supplying all essential nutrients in the proportions the body needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. It supports growth, energy needs and disease prevention.

Immediate, temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional help arrives. Its priorities are airway, breathing, circulation, control of bleeding and prevention of shock.

First-aid management of soft-tissue injury: rest, ice, compression and elevation. It aims to limit swelling and pain in the first 24 to 48 hours after a sprain or strain.

A state in which the body loses more water than it takes in, impairing temperature regulation and performance. Symptoms include thirst, dark urine, dizziness and fatigue; it is prevented by drinking before, during and after exercise.