yoga

American  

[yoh-guh] / ˈyoʊ gə /

Or Yoga

noun

1. a school of Hindu philosophy advocating and prescribing a course of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world and union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle.

2. any or all of the methods or disciplines prescribed in the Hindu philosophical school of yoga, especially a series of postures and breathing exercises practiced to achieve tranquility, control of the body and mind, etc.

3. union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle.

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yoga British  

/ ˈjəʊɡɪk, ˈjəʊɡə /

noun

1. a Hindu system of philosophy aiming at the mystical union of the self with the Supreme Being in a state of complete awareness and tranquillity through certain physical and mental exercises

2. any method by which such awareness and tranquillity are attained, esp a course of related exercises and postures designed to promote physical and spiritual wellbeing See Astanga yoga Bikram yoga hatha yoga power yoga raja yoga Sivananda yoga

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yoga Cultural  

1. In Hinduism, a set of mental and physical exercises aimed at producing spiritual enlightenment.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• yogism
  noun
• yogic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of yoga

First recorded in 1780–90 from Sanskrit: literally, “act of yoking or joining; yoked team; employment”; see origin at yoke ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Yoga is an ancient form of physical and mental exercise that is still popular today. It involves lots of stretching and holding poses with funny names, like "downward dog." The kind of yoga that most westerners practice is based on "hatha yoga," the most familiar part of a complex Hindu system of meditation and spiritual practice. Yoga is an extremely popular form of exercise today, but it's been around for centuries. The word yoga was first used in English around 1820, when western intellectuals were first becoming interested in Hindu philosophy — it's a Sanskrit word that means "union."

Example Sentences

Lululemon’s U.S. sales have been declining for several quarters as it faces more pressure from newer competitors such as Alo Yoga, Beyond Yoga and Vuori.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Rosie Adamson, 33, from Swift Pilates and Yoga, runs classes at the church.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

The backroom that Goth Yoga LA calls home is all black paint, purple lights and sage-y smells; music growls ominously from the speaker system above.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Competition from Vuroi and Alo Yoga has increased and weighed on sales.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

"Hopefully on that new Yoga for Kids DVD!"

From "Scream for Ice Cream: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #2" by Carolyn Keene