Descriptionary

nearfall a vulnerable position in which the shoul­ders are exposed to the mat but are not touching.

pin to hold both of an opponent's shoulder blades to the mat for a set amount of time to win the bout. Also known as a fall.

pommeling battling with the arms and hands to gain upper body position.

reversal when a wrestler in the bottom position breaks out and gains control of the man on top.

riding manipulating an opponent from the top position.

roll an attempt at an escape and reversal by rolling out from under an opponent.

scrimmage to practice wrestling maneuvers.

setups false movements or changes of stance that trick an opponent into a vulnerable position.

sitout escaping from a disadvantaged position by sitting up abruptly.

slam an excessively powerful throw to the mat, resulting in a penalty.

snapdown a takedown in which the opponent's head is snapped back into the mat.

snatch attacking the opponent's leg at the knee. Also known as a high single.

souplesse a body throw made with the back-arch.

standup escaping an opponent's hold by standing up abruptly.

takedown throwing an opponent down on the mat from a neutral position.

turk lifting one leg of an opponent, then tripping the other leg out from under him for a takedown to the mat.

yoga

Ananda a gentle style of yoga noted for its thought­ful affirmations.

asanas literally, "comfortable position"; the various body positions or poses of yoga.

ashram a retreat or school where yoga and spiritu­ality are taught or practiced.

ashtanga yoga a style or discipline of yoga that incorporates breath control with stretches and pos­tures that work together to realign the spine, detoxify the body, and build strength and stamina. Also known as power yoga.

bandha a body lock.

chakras one of seven energy centers thought to be spinning like wheels along the spine. If any of these is under- or overenergized, disease is thought to occur in the body.

cobra a yoga position in which one lies on the floor and curls the upper body up and back.

dhyana the quieting of the mind through medita­tion and reflection.

downward dog starting from an upward dog posi­tion, the raising of the hips and pressing of the heels into the floor, reminiscent of a dog stretching.

fish a yoga position in which one lies on the back while arching the chest.

guru a spiritual teacher.

half-lotus a position in which one is seated on the floor with legs folded in and ankles crossed. An easier position to attain than a regular lotus.

Hatha yoga a form of yoga that uses difficult but low-impact stretches and postures performed with controlled breathing to induce a sense of calm.

kundalini as held by yoga philosophy, the spiritual energy hidden in all beings.

Kundalini yoga a form of yoga that employs breath techniques to heat the body and stimulate the energy center at the base of the spine.

lion a body position in which one sits on the heels with hands resting on the knees while simultaneously widening the eyes and fully extending the tongue from the mouth.

locust a yoga position in which one lies on the stomach and raises one or both legs up in the air.

lotus a position in which one is seated on the floor with legs crossed and both feet resting souls-up on opposite thighs.

mantra a hymn or excerpt of text taken from any one of the four sacred Hindu books known as the Veda and chanted as part of a prayer or meditation.

mudra a hand gesture that directs one's life current.

nadi a channel of energy thought to carry the life force throughout the body.

om a popular meditation sound chanted over and over again to help free the mind of distracting or troubling thoughts. The sound represents all that is, all that was, and that will ever be. Also spelled aum.

plough a body position in which one lies on the back and raises the straightened legs slowly up and back over one's head.

power yoga see ashtanga yoga.

prana life energy; life force.

pranayama breath control or conscious breathing.

samadhi the path to enlightenment. A trancelike state of oneness or deep meditative focus.

samskara an emotion from past experience thought to be recorded within the cells and nervous system of the body.

Sanskrit ancient Indic language from which many yoga terms are derived.

sattwic the ideal yogic diet, consisting of pure, fresh, organic or healthful foods.

Shakti feminine energy or expression, thought to reside at the base of the spine.

Shiva male energy or expression, thought to reside at the crown of the head.

sirshasana a headstand thought to increase brain power.

suryanamaskara a "salute to the sun." In ashtanga yoga, a focusing of one's concentration and breath while performing an opening series of stretches and warm-ups to increase flexibility for deeper postures to follow.