Sometimes the most yogic move isnt deeper into the poseits deeper into the meaning of the words we use.
From History of Yoga: Roots, Traditions, Lineages, Culture – Yoga Journal on yogajournal.com
The Shala Daily
YOGA • PHILOSOPHY • LIFE
February 23, 2026
🧶
✦ YOGA PROFESSIONALS ✦
When a Yoga Pose Name Doesn’t Fit
Sometimes the most yogic move isn’t deeper into the pose—it’s deeper into the meaning of the words we use.
🕉️ KEY CONCEPTS
Pāśa
A bond, tether, snare, or that which binds; often understood philosophically as inner constriction or attachment
Svādhyāya
Self-study; reflective inquiry into what we think, repeat, and embody
"A name isn’t just a label—it’s a doorway into how we practice care."
— Michael Joel Hall
If a pose name feels loaded, use the Sanskrit and offer a more accurate, less harmful translation rooted in inquiry and context.
— MJH
Original Article: "History of Yoga: Roots, Traditions, Lineages, Culture - Yoga Journal", yogajournal.com
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