YCB Level 3 key terms

A classical Sanskrit text of 196 aphorisms, compiled by Patanjali, that sets out the theory and practice of yoga, including the eight limbs and the definition of yoga as stilling the mind.

A fifteenth-century hatha yoga manual by Svatmarama describing asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and cleansing practices, and one of the core source texts for physical yoga practice.

Patanjali's eight-limbed path: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi, taught as a progressive route from ethical conduct to deep meditative absorption.

A 700-verse dialogue within the Mahabharata in which Krishna teaches Arjuna about duty, devotion and disciplined action, and which presents karma, bhakti and jnana yoga as paths.

The first limb of Patanjali's eight limbs: five social restraints or ethical vows, namely ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha, that guide a yoga practitioner's conduct towards others.

The second limb: five personal observances, namely shaucha, santosha, tapas, svadhyaya and ishvarapranidhana, covering cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study and surrender.

The principle of non-harming in thought, word and action; in a wellness class it means choosing safe techniques, avoiding force and never pushing a student past their comfortable limit.

The fluctuating patterns or modifications of the mind, such as thoughts, memories, judgements and perceptions, which Patanjali says yoga quietens so the observer can rest in its true nature.

The vital energy or life force described in yogic texts, carried through the body by nadis and breath; in practice it refers to the subtle energy that breathing and movement are said to regulate.

The five vital airs, prana, apana, samana, udana and vyana, each linked to a direction of flow and a body function such as breathing, elimination, digestion, upward movement and circulation.

Subtle energy channels in yogic physiology through which prana is said to flow; classical texts describe many thousands, with ida, pingala and sushumna considered the most important for practice.

One of seven energy centres arranged along the spine in yogic physiology, each associated with a body region, a quality and a seed sound, and used as a map in meditation and chanting.

The five sheaths said to encase the self, namely food, breath, mind, intellect and bliss, forming a yogic model of layers of human experience from the physical body to deep stillness.

An automatic muscle contraction triggered when a muscle is stretched too quickly, monitored by muscle spindles; it explains why bouncing or forcing a stretch is counterproductive and why slow entry is safer.

Patanjali's classical instruction that a posture should be steady and comfortable, giving teachers a simple test for whether a student's asana is safe, sustainable and suitable.

A condition, injury or situation in which a particular posture, breath practice or technique should be avoided or modified because it could cause harm; for example inversions in uncontrolled hypertension.

A posture chosen to neutralise the effect of the previous one, such as a forward bend after backbends, used to restore balance in the spine and joints before the class closes.

The linking of movement with breath in a flowing sequence, where each posture is entered and exited on a specific inhalation or exhalation; also a general term for breath-led flow classes.

A set of twelve linked postures performed as a continuous sequence with breath, used as a warm-up, a cardiovascular stimulus and a complete practice in its own right.

A tool such as a block, strap, bolster or chair that supports or modifies a posture so a student can practise with better alignment and without strain.

Deliberate breath retention, either after inhalation (antara) or after exhalation (bahya); it is an advanced pranayama practice taught only once a student can breathe smoothly without strain.

A pranayama in which the breath is drawn through a gently narrowed throat, creating a soft oceanic sound; it slows the breath and is often used to set a rhythm during asana.

Alternate-nostril breathing that balances the flow between the right and left nostrils; it is calming, is used before meditation and is generally suitable for most healthy students.

A cleansing practice of short forceful exhalations with passive inhalation, driven mainly by the abdominal muscles; it is stimulating and is avoided in hypertension, hernia, pregnancy and epilepsy.

A subtle lock created by gently contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor and lifting upward; it supports the lower body in standing postures and is used with breath retention in classical pranayama.

A hand gesture or bodily seal used to direct the flow of prana and to focus the mind; hand mudras such as chin mudra are commonly used during pranayama and meditation.

The seventh limb of Patanjali's path: sustained, effortless attention on a single object, in which the sense of separation between meditator and object becomes thin; meditation itself.

A chronic non-communicable condition linked to habits such as poor diet, inactivity, stress and smoking; examples include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease.

Persistently raised arterial blood pressure; in class it calls for gentle pacing, avoidance of long breath holds, inversions and forceful breath work, and confirmation that the student is medically managed.

Pain in the lumbar region, often mechanical and related to posture, weak core control or prolonged sitting; classes address it with gentle mobility, core awareness and avoidance of deep loaded flexion early on.

A structured set of questions asked before a student joins a class to identify medical conditions, injuries, medications and pregnancy, so the teacher can modify practice or refer on.

A written outline of a class showing its aim, target group, sequence of practices, timing, props, modifications and how the session will be evaluated at the end.

The words a teacher uses to guide students, including instructions on breath, alignment and action, supported by demonstration and by touch only with consent; good cueing is short, specific and well timed.

A student's voluntary agreement to take part in a class or assessment after being told what it involves, its possible risks and their right to stop or withdraw at any time.

The professional duty to keep a student's personal, health and assessment information private, sharing it only with others involved in their care and only with their permission.

The boundaries of what a yoga wellness instructor is trained and legally permitted to do: teaching yoga, not diagnosing disease, prescribing medication or claiming to cure medical conditions.

Directing a student to a doctor, physiotherapist or other qualified professional when their condition or symptoms fall outside the yoga teacher's training or need medical assessment.