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

• yogic adjective
• yogism noun

Etymology

Origin of yoga

First recorded in 1780–90 from Sanskrit: literally, “act of yoking or joining; yoked team; employment”; 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

The event features yoga, sound healing and dinners as well as disco dancing at a ticket price of Aus$2,699 per person.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

With a background in Kundalini yoga, breath work, meditation and sound healing, Raccio is a 20-year veteran of the wellness space.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

At least a yoga date for date No. 14 would be slightly more exciting than recounting life stories over drinks at the local bar.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

And if your festival experience wouldn't be complete without a yoga class or cold water swimming, The Big Retreat Festival, set in Pembrokeshire between 22 and 25 May, could be for you.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

I nodded as if I agreed, but my parents meditated and did yoga together, and didn’t yell.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King