yoga

Or Yo·ga

[yoh-guh]

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.

yoga

/ 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

yoga

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

Other Word Forms

• yogic adjective
• yogism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of yoga¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yoga¹

C19: from Sanskrit: a yoking, union, from yunakti he yokes

Example Sentences

Yoga as a nightcap I like to do a little yoga before bed.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she suddenly saw her friend and colleague, yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who also gave evidence at the inquiry, being brutally attacked.

From BBC

In it he compiles listings for dozens of concerts, performances, yoga classes and other events happening across the high desert.

From Los Angeles Times

“The more exercise you do, the better,” said Reuben, a vegetarian who swims four days a week, jogs three days and does yoga on weekends.

From Los Angeles Times

Baldwin — a formerly accented yoga teacher who with husband Alec Baldwin and their seven baby “Baldwinitos” stars on, not surprisingly, “The Baldwins” — is only part of the cast’s reality TV contingent.

From Los Angeles Times