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.

---

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

---

yoga Cultural  

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

---

Other Word Forms

• yogic
  adjective
• yogism
  noun

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

I already had a relationship with Columbia River as a yoga teacher, so I felt comfortable reaching out to the superintendent to propose it.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

Rollins embraced yoga, finding that the breathing techniques and especially the concentration gave him a new fluency with his instrument.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

And as well as at least twice daily gym sessions - followed by ice baths, to minimise soreness and inflammation - Salah also practises yoga and Pilates, to improve flexibility and prevent injuries.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The result: I took an inexpensive yoga class at a beautiful studio, and I ate the most delectable pastry I’ve ever had.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

After yoga they went back to the third-grade room for reading circle.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold