Yoga Glossary of Terms

1. 7 Most Effective Exercises Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Exercise and Fitness Quiz!
3. How to Build a Better Butt Slideshow Pictures

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Alcohol abuse: Use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (binge...

Alternative medicine: Healing arts not taught in traditional Western medical schools that ...

Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa...

Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, w...

Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro...

Back pain: Pain felt in the low or upper back. Causes of pain in the low and upper back in...

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Cardiovascular: Relating to the circulatory system, which comprises the heart and blood ve...

Cartilage: Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. A flexible kind of cartilag...

Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ...

Chronic pain: Pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over ...

Clinical trials: Trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications or medical...

Depression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that affects the way...

Endocrine: Pertaining to hormones and the glands that make and secrete them into the blood...

Evolution: The continuing process of change.

Fatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ...

Gland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy...

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Heart disease: Any disorder that affects the heart. Sometimes the term "heart disease" is ...

Hypothalamus: The area of the brain that secretes substances that influence pituitary and ...

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every...

Informatics: The application of computers and statistics to the management of information....

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Insomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ...

Ligament: A tough band of connective tissue that connects various structures, such as two ...

Low back pain: Pain in the lower back area that can relate to problems with the lumbar spi...

Lungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon...

Meditation: A typically self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind....

Multiple sclerosis: A disease that is characterized by loss of myelin (demyelinization). A...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Muscular: Having to do with the muscles. Also, endowed with above average muscle developme...

Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric...

Organ: A relatively independent part of the body that carries out one or more special func...

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Pituitary: 1. As an adjective, pertaining to the pituitary gland or its hormonal se...

Posture: The carriage of the body as a whole, the attitude of the body, or the position of...

Range of motion: The full movement potential of a joint, usually its range of flexion and ...

Rehabilitation: The process of helping a person who has suffered an illness or injury rest...

Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joint...

Sclerosis: Localized hardening of skin. Sclerosis is generally caused by underlying diseas...

Spine: 1) The column of bone known as the vertebral column, which surrounds and protects ...

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

Strain: 1. An injury to a tendon or muscle resulting from overuse or trauma. 2. A heredita...

Stress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact...

Substance: 1. Material with particular features.
2. The material that...

Substance abuse: The excessive use of a substance, especially alcohol or a drug. (There is...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Traumatic brain injury: Brain damage from trauma. The three leading causes of death from t...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

Wrist: The part of the hand that is nearest the forearm and consists of the carpal bones a...

YAMA: See: Caspase 3.