What does yogism mean?
Yogism is a noun meaning the philosophy, doctrine, or system connected with yoga. It refers not only to physical postures but to the wider body of ideas in which disciplined attention, meditation, ethical conduct, and awareness of the relationship between the individual and the universal are important. The word is relatively uncommon in everyday English and is more likely to appear in academic, philosophical, spiritual, or historical discussion than in descriptions of exercise classes. It should be distinguished from yoga, the broader practice or discipline, and from yogi, a person who practices it. In its secondary sense, yogism can also refer to an individual principle or maxim associated with yoga. The term is useful when the focus is on yoga as a systematic tradition of thought and practice rather than simply a modern form of physical exercise.
The philosophy, doctrine, or system associated with yoga.
"The text presents yogism as a discipline involving both mental training and physical practice."
This is the dominant modern sense of the word.
An individual principle or doctrine associated with yoga.
"The teacher used several yogisms to explain the relationship between attention and consciousness."
This sense is less common and is often found in plural form.
Rare; usually used for individual principles or doctrines associated with yoga.
"The lecturer analyzed several yogisms about consciousness and discipline."
A yogi practices yoga; yogism is the philosophy behind the practice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yogism
Yogism is an English formation from yoga and the suffix -ism, indicating a characteristic system, doctrine, or practice. Yoga comes from Sanskrit yoga, a noun derived from the root yuj, meaning “to yoke” or “join,” and related English forms include yogi and yogic. The compound yogism became established in the 19th century in English discussions of Indian philosophical and physical disciplines.
Related word forms
How yogism is actually used
Relatively uncommon and usually formal or intellectual. The term normally denotes a system of thought or practice rather than the physical exercise of modern yoga, and it is not normally used for a person.
Easily confused with yogism
Yoga is the discipline or practice itself, whereas yogism refers more specifically to its philosophy or doctrinal system.
A yogi is a person who practices yoga, while yogism is the body of ideas or principles associated with that practice.