Sadhana — The spiritual practice, training or discipline which helps the seeker progress.
Sahasrara — The crown chakra, located at the top of the head, holds the energy of transcendence; also a place of connection with Infinite Consciousness.
Samadhi — A high meditative state in which the meditator becomes one with the object of meditation.
Samsara — The inherent state of flux and change in the world wherein we find ourselves cyclically entrapped.
Samskara — The subconscious patterns/impressions created or hidden in the chakras which often serve as a source of suffering or latent talents.
Sankalpa — Selfish motive
Sannyas — Renunciation in which one makes everything, including their life, an offering to God.
Satsang — This is defined as “in the company of truth;” a gathering in which yoga devotees share experiences, scriptures and inspiration.
Savasana — Translated as corpse pose, a relaxation pose that helps one let go of mental, emotional and physical tension and turbulence.
Self-Realization — A state in which an individual knows their true self and lives in that state of consciousness.
Shakti — Spiritual energy. Considered the feminine aspect of dynamic divine energy.
Shanti — This translates as peace in Sanskrit.
Shraddha — Faith. The performance of acts with sincerity and full faith.
Soul — The principle of life, feeling, thought and action in a person. It is regarded as a distinct entity, separate from the body, and commonly held to be independent in existence from the body, mind and emotions; the spiritual part of a person distinct from the physical part.
Spirit — The essence of life, consciousness and all creation; the vital principle in humans, animating the body, mind and emotions.
Sushumna — The main energy channel of the subtle body. Vital life force energy, known as prana, travels along energy pathways called nadis — the ida nadi being the left pathway, pingala nadi the right passage and sushumna nadi the central passage.
Sutra — This translates as “string or thread” and refers to short sentences (thread ideas) which convey yoga teachings, as in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Svadhisthana — The sacral chakra, located at the sacrum, holds the energy of creativity, sensuality, and relationships with others.