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.

Derived Forms

• yogic, adjective

Other Words From

• yo·gic [yoh, -gik], adjective
• yo·gism 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

Humans have long used slow breathing to regulate their emotions, and practices like yoga and mindfulness have even popularized formal techniques like box breathing.

From Science Daily

When they could not leave their hotel on Wednesday because of heavy rain and flash flooding in the Andalusian city, spirits were kept high with games of spikeball and a yoga session.

From BBC

If I have a little time for myself, I’ll go to my yoga class.

From Los Angeles Times

About 20 family members of the victims were sitting in the public gallery, alongside Leanne Lucas, a yoga instructor who was also stabbed in the attack.

From BBC

I studied yoga for 35 years, so everything is related to that.

From Los Angeles Times