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Abhaya – Freedom from fear.
Abhyasa - Consistent and resolute study or practice. Therapeutic
repetition.
Acute – Of or relating to a condition with a rapid onset and a
short, severe course.
Agni – Digestive fire.
Ahimsa – Non-violence.
Akrodha – Freedom from anger.
Alasya – Idleness, sloth or apathy.
Amitayus – Buddhist deity representing infinite life, longevity.
Amrita – Nectar of immortality.
Apana – Vital energy of the lower abdomen controlling elimination.
Aparigraha – Freedom from hoarding or collecting.
Apunya – Vice or demerit.
Asana – Physical postures. The 3rd limb of astanga yoga.
Asmita – Egotism.
Astanga Yoga – The eight limbs of yoga described by Patanjali.
They include:
- Yamas – Moral and ethical discipline.
- Niyamas – Self-purification through discipline.
- Asana – Yoga postures.
- Pranayama – Breath control.
- Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the mind from the senses.
- Dharana – Concentration.
- Dhyana – Meditation.
- Samadhi – State of oneness. Bliss.
Avidya – Ignorance.
Balance – A state of equilibrium characterized by cancellation
of all forces by equal opposing forces. An influence or force tending to produce
equilibrium. A harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or elements.
Bandha – Energy locks used to build and circulate energy.
- Mula bandha – Root lock.
- Uddiyana bandha – Naval lock.
- Jalandhara bandha – Throat lock.
Biomechanics – The study of the mechanics of a living body, especially
of the forces exerted by muscles and gravity on the skeletal structure.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [CTS] – Inflammation of tendons and nerves
in the wrist.
Chakra – Energy centers located throughout the body, primarily
along the spine.
Chi – The energy of the breath, life force.
Chronic – Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent
recurrence.
Complimentary – Serving to complement or complete. Supplying mutual
needs or offsetting mutual lacks (as in complimentary therapies).
Compression – The act, process, or result of compressing especially
when involving a compressing force on a bodily part. An increase in the density,
usually resulting reduced range of motion and discomfort.
Decompression – The relief of pressure on a body part. The act
or process of releasing from pressure or compression.
Endurance – The ability to withstand physical work or stress.
Evolution – A gradual process in which something changes into a
better form.
Five Element System – Traditional Taoist way of looking at the
individual’s relationship to all aspects of Life. Method of describing the relationship
of the individual’s microcosm to the macrocosm of life by contrasting the five elements
of life (fire, water, earth, metal and wood) to the meridians of the individual’s
energy system, thereby providing a map for harmonizing the microcosm and the macrocosm.
Fluidity – Smooth and flowing, graceful.
Frozen Shoulder – Extreme reduction of range of
motion in the shoulder caused by muscle strain and scaring.
Full Potential – Full ability or capacity for growth, development,
or coming into being.
Hatha – Ha = sun, Tha = moon – To unite or balance the opposites
of (yin and yang).
Health Insurance – Anything that insures against ill health.
Homeostasis – The optimal state of healthy balance in all bodily
systems.
Ida – Yin energy channel beginning in the left nostril.
Immune System – The integrated body system of organs, tissues and
cells that protects the body from illness.
Integration – The process of combining into completeness and harmony.
Karma – Sanskrit for action. Your actions are seeds that germinate
and grow to liberate and serve higher purposes or they serve to bind one to a negative
cycle of reincarnation and living in illusion (maya).
Karuna – Compassion or devoted action toward alleviating suffering.
Kinesiology – The study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics
of body movement. The application of the principles of kinesiology to the evaluation
and treatment of muscular imbalance.
Klesa – Pain and suffering.
Kriya – A cleansing process.
Kundalini – Coiled snake or dormant female energy at the base of
the spine. By awakening this energy through yoga and raising it up the spine to
the crown chakra, it clears blockages in the spine and elevates consciousness.
Lobha – Greed.
Longevity – Long duration of individual life. In Buddhism, living
a long healthy life is considered the best way to work out one’s karma. In Buddhism
the Long Life Trinity of deities include: Amitayus, White Tara and Ushnishavijaya.
Maintenance – The work of keeping something in proper condition.
The act of providing basic and necessary support.
Maya – Illusion in worldly life.
Mudra – Postural energy seal or hand positions automatically assumed
as energy flows through nadis.
Nadi – Energy channels that flow throughout the subtle body.
Niyamas - Five self-purifications through discipline.
- Saucha – Purity.
- Santosa – Contentment.
- Tapas – Austerity.
- Svadhyaya – Self-study.
- Ishvara pranidhana – Devotion to a higher power.
Parigraha – Hoarding.
Patanjali – Indian yogi that compiled and systematized existing
knowledge of yoga. He also focused on presenting the philosophy of yoga. Previously
yoga was an oral tradition.
Physiology – All the functions of a living organism or any of its
parts.
Pingala – Yang energy channel beginning in the right nostril.
Power – The ability to perform or act effectively. Forcefulness,
effectiveness.
Prana – The energy of the breath, life force.
- Prana - Vital energy that resides in the heart.
- Apana – Vital energy in the lower thorax, responsible for elimination.
- Vyana – Vital energy that distributes energy to the entire body.
- Udana – Vital energy that resides in the throat, responsible for
speech and higher states of consciousness.
- Samana – Vital energy that aids in digestion.
Prevention – Taking advance measures against something probable,
as in injury.
Quality Of Life – Personal satisfaction with the conditions under
which you live.
Range Of Motion [ROM] – The area through which a joint may normally
be freely and painlessly moved, the range of flexion and extension of a joint.
Rehabilitation – To restore to good health, condition, operation
through therapy.
Repetitive Strain Injury [RSI] – Strain in the body caused by repetitive
movements.
Role Of Flexibility – Optimal flexibility increases functional
strength, increases range of motion and results in pain free movement, (especially
in the elderly, much of the pain and stiffness associated with the ”aging process”
is due to compression and lack of flexibility, which creates, irritated joints).
This compression is easily released through bodywork and yoga.
Rotator Cuff – Cuff of four muscles connecting the upper arm to
the shoulder blade.
Sadhaka – A spiritual seeker.
Sadhana – A spiritual practice.
Samskara – A mental impression from the past.
Soma – An herbal drink used in spiritual ceremonies in ancient
India for elevating consciousness (translates as "Food Of The Gods"). In Greek it
means, "of the whole body or cells of the body", implying wholeness. Somatic sensing
is the practice of bringing consciousness to all the senses (or every cell in the
body) at once to experience (or "be in") the moment. Acronym used for an area in
San Francisco (South Of Market).
Strength – Ability to resist strain or stress. A balance of contractibility
and flexibility in muscles.
Sushumna – The main energy channel that runs up the spine to the
crown chakra.
Tapas – Purifying heat created through yoga and self-discipline.
Therapy – Treatment of illness or disability. Healing power or
quality.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome [TOS] – Compression of the brachial nerve
plexus and brachial artery as it exits the thorax to the arm. Referred pain or numbness
in the arm and hand caused by this compression.
Transformation – A marked change, as in appearance or character,
usually for the better.
Ujjayi – Pranayama technique that extracts prana from the physical
breath.
Ushnishavijaya – Buddhist goddess representing protection, health
and longevity.
White Tara – Buddhist goddess representing wisdom, health and longevity.
Yamas – Five mo7ral and ethical disciplines.
- Ahimsa – Non-violence.
- Satya – Truth.
- Asteya – Non-stealing.
- Brahmacharya – Continence.
- Aparigraha – Non-coveting.
Yoga – Union, to bring together the body, mind and spirit.
Yogi – Male practitioner of yoga.
Yogini - Female practitioner of yoga.
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