yoga

[yoh-guh] /ˈyoʊ gə/
noun, (sometimes initial capital letter)
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 of the methods or disciplines prescribed, especially a series of postures and breathing exercises practiced to achieve control of the body and mind, tranquillity, etc.
3.
union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle.
Origin
1810-20; < Sanskrit
Related forms
yogic
[yoh-gik] /ˈyoʊ gɪk/ (Show IPA),
adjective
yogism, noun
Examples from the web for yoga
  • Flexible-spending accounts are to personal finances what yoga is to your body.
  • The aim is for them to become fitter-activities range from yoga to martial arts-as well as slimmer.
  • There's excellent fly-fishing, hiking, and poolside yoga.
  • yoga retreats are held here, and it's been written up all over the place.
  • yoga if you're adventurous, it's great for both mind and body.
  • Short of quitting your job and moving permanently to a yoga retreat or a monastery, there is help out there.
  • And on the rooftop, a spa offers free yoga for guests, plus outdoor tubs overlooking the bay.
  • Buddhists are cool because they teach you how to relax and yoga is good for toning.
  • Pelicans perform strange-looking exercises to stretch and maintain their pouch in a brand of pelican yoga.
  • There are some people who are playing pretty much the yoga and others who are focusing on the strength training.
British Dictionary definitions for yoga

yoga

/ˈjəʊɡə/
noun (often capital)
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
Derived Forms
yogic (ˈjəʊɡɪk) adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Sanskrit: a yoking, union, from yunakti he yokes
Word Origin and History for yoga

1820, from Hindi yoga, from Sanskrit yoga-s, literally "union, yoking" (with the Supreme Spirit), from PIE root *yeug- "to join" (see jugular).

yoga in Culture

yoga definition


In Hinduism, a set of mental and physical exercises aimed at producing spiritual enlightenment.