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Yoga Fundamentals Textbook

A free, self-paced textbook in 7 chapters. Read a chapter, then drill it with the 100 companion flashcards using spaced repetition.

7 chapters · 100 cards · Updated

Chapters

  1. 1Foundations and Philosophy

    Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago, with its earliest references appearing in the Rigveda. The word "yoga" itself comes from the Sanskrit roo...

  2. 2Ethical Foundations: Yamas and Niyamas

    The first two limbs of yoga are ethical and personal practices that form the moral foundation for everything else. The Yamas are five ethical restraints that govern how we interact...

  3. 3Modern Styles of Yoga

    Over the centuries, yoga has branched into many distinct styles, each with its own emphasis and pace. Hatha Yoga is the broad umbrella term for any practice that teaches physical p...

  4. 4Asana: The Physical Practice

    Asana, the third limb of yoga, refers to any physical posture practiced in a session. Although the Sanskrit word literally means "seat," it has come to describe the wide range of p...

  5. 5Breath, Sequences, and Flow

    Pranayama, the fourth limb of yoga, is the conscious extension and regulation of breath. "Prana" means life force and "ayama" means extension, so the practice is designed to channe...

  6. 6Alignment, Modifications, and Props

    Alignment is the practice of arranging the body in a pose so that each joint and muscle works as intended, both protecting against injury and deepening the pose's benefits. In Vira...

  7. 7Mind, Energy, and the Deeper Practice

    Beneath the surface of the asanas, yoga offers a sophisticated map of subtle energy and consciousness. The seven chakras are energy centers that run along the spine, each associate...

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