Reference
Yoga Glossary
Substantive explanations of every major yoga and meditation practice — written for women who research before they book.
From Yin's passive connective-tissue release to Vipassana's ten days of silence — each style has a different aim, tradition, and physical demand. These pages explain what each practice actually is, who it's for, and which retreat destinations offer the best conditions for it.
Yin Yoga Deep stillness. Connective tissue release.
Passive postures held 2–5 minutes to release fascia and ligaments. The antidote to a life lived in overdrive.
Hatha Yoga The foundation of all yoga.
Classical posture-based practice with pranayama and meditation. The root from which every modern yoga style descends.
Vinyasa Yoga Breath-led movement. Dynamic flow.
Postures linked by breath into flowing sequences that build heat, strength, and a moving meditation state.
Ashtanga Yoga Serious practice. Traditional method.
Fixed sequences taught in Mysore-style — breath, bandha, and drishti working together in the original Pattabhi Jois method.
Kundalini Yoga Energy, breath, and awakening.
Kriyas, Breath of Fire, mantra, and meditation working directly with the nervous system and the subtle body.
Yoga Nidra Conscious sleep. Complete restoration.
Guided practice at the threshold of waking and sleep — producing theta-wave rest while maintaining conscious awareness.
Restorative Yoga Supported stillness. Nervous system reset.
Fully propped passive postures that eliminate all muscular effort, activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Ayurveda Ancient Indian medicine meets yoga.
India's 5,000-year system of personalised medicine — dosha-based diet, herbal treatment, and Panchakarma detoxification.
Vipassana Meditation Insight meditation. Silence and clarity.
The Theravada Buddhist technique of non-reactive body-sensation observation — typically taught in 10-day silent retreats.
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