Stepping onto your yoga mat for the very first time can sometimes feel like walking into a room where everyone is speaking a completely different language. You are trying to figure out where to put your hands and feet, and suddenly the teacher tells you to "flow through your Vinyasa" or "find your Savasana."

If you have ever caught yourself looking around the park in a slight panic, wondering what on earth a Chaturanga is, take a deep breath. You are absolutely not alone!

Yoga has its roots in ancient India, which is why we still use Sanskrit words to describe the practice today. But at Yoga by the Beach with Bec, our goal is to make movement as accessible and welcoming as possible. You don't need a dictionary to practice with us, but if you are curious, here is a quick, jargon-busting glossary of the words you will hear most often on the grass.

The Beginner's Yoga Glossary

1. Asana (Ah-sah-nah)

• The simple translation: A physical pose or posture.

• What it means in class: When you hear the word "asana," it simply refers to the physical shapes we are making with our bodies. Downward Facing Dog, Tree Pose, and Warrior II are all different asanas.

2. Pranayama (Prah-nah-yah-mah)

• The simple translation: Breath control or breathwork.

• What it means in class: Prana means life force or energy, and Yama means control. This is the practice of breathing on purpose. When we sit at the beginning of class and take those long, deep breaths of salty ocean air to calm our nervous systems, we are practicing Pranayama.

3. Vinyasa (Vin-yah-sah) / Flow

• The simple translation: Linking breath with movement.

• What it means in class: You will often hear me say, "Let's flow," or refer to our class as a "Vinyasa Flow." This just means we aren't holding poses in isolation for minutes at a time. Instead, we are stringing them together smoothly, moving from one shape to the next on an inhale or an exhale. It feels a bit like a slow, intentional dance.

• Note: "Take a Vinyasa" is also a shorthand phrase teachers use for a specific mini-sequence (Plank to low push-up, to Upward Dog, to Downward Dog) used to reset the body between sides.

4. Savasana (Shah-vah-sah-nah)

• The simple translation: Corpse Pose.

• What it means in class: The absolute best part of the morning! This is the final resting pose at the very end of our practice. You simply lie flat on your back, close your eyes, and do absolutely nothing. It gives your body and mind a few quiet minutes to absorb the benefits of the class before you roll up your mat and head off to grab a coffee.

5. Namaste (Nah-mah-stay)

• The simple translation: A respectful greeting or closing.

• What it means in class: We usually close our practice by bringing our hands together at our hearts, bowing our heads, and saying "Namaste." While it has many deep, beautiful translations, the most common interpretation is: "The light and goodness in me honours the light and goodness in you." It is simply a lovely way to thank each other for sharing the morning energy.

You Don't Need to Be Fluent to Flow

The beautiful thing about yoga is that your body inherently understands the language of movement and breath, even if your brain doesn't know the Sanskrit vocabulary yet.

If you ever get lost during a class, just look around, take a breath, or simply rest in a comfortable seated position. There is zero pressure to know exactly what every word means. Just bring yourself, your mat, and a willingness to try.

Ready to put your new vocabulary to the test? Join us at Hollindale Park, Main Beach (QLD 4217)

• Wednesday: 7:00 AM

• Friday: 7:00 AM

• Saturday: 8:00 AM

See you on the grass! – Bec