anuloma
|a-nu-lo-ma|
🇺🇸
/əˈnuːloʊmə/
🇬🇧
/əˈnuːləʊmə/
with the grain; following natural order
Etymology
'anuloma' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the compound 'anu' + 'loma', where 'anu' meant 'along, following' and 'loma' meant 'hair (or the direction of hair)'.
'anuloma' entered English in modern times via transliteration from Sanskrit in yoga and Ayurvedic texts rather than through Old or Middle English; it was adopted into English technical vocabulary in the 19th–20th century yoga literature.
Initially it literally meant 'with the hair' (i.e. 'following the hair'), but over time it came to be used figuratively for 'following the natural order' and specifically for a breathing technique (pranayama) that follows a natural or regular pattern.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a traditional yogic/Ayurvedic term referring to a breathing practice (often paired with viloma) meaning literally 'with the grain'; used to denote a form of pranayama or a pattern of respiration that follows the natural direction of breath.
Many teachers include anuloma in beginner pranayama classes to introduce controlled breathing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/13 09:32