Adrenals:

Part of the endocrine system. They support your body in stressful situations, activating your fight-or-flight response. The adrenals attach to the kidneys.

Ajna:

The Third-Eye or Brow Chakra. It means to perceive. The chakra is located between the eyes and slightly above the brow line. The Ajna Chakra is said to radiate an indigo glow.

Allopathic medicine:

Uses surgery and drugs to combat disease, also considered conventional medicine.

Alternative healing practices:

Healing modalities that are not considered conventional practices by Western medical standards. Alternative practices include, but are not limited to, mind-body medicine, natural remedies, energy work, and bodywork. These practices are considered alternative when used instead of allopathic treatments.

Anahata:

The Heart Chakra. The name means unstruck, and the chakra is said to have a green glow.

Anandamaya kosha:

Bliss sheath.

Annamaya kosha:

Food sheath.

Aromatherapy:

The use of the scents of essential oils to soothe and heal body, mind, and spirit.

Asana:

Any of the physical postures of Hatha yoga practice.

Atman:

The soul, higher self.

Aura:

The energetic field surrounding the body. It can be seen by the naked eye and in kirlian photography.

Auric field:

See Aura.

Ayurveda:

Called the science of life, it is a comprehensive medical system of health considered to be the sister science to yoga. It is a holistic system, caring for the health of the mind, body, and spirit.

Causal body:

Bliss sheath.

Cervical vertebrae:

The upper part of the spine, made up of seven vertebrae.

Chakra:

Sanskrit for wheel or disc. Spinning vortices of energy.

Complementary healing practices:

Healing modalities that are used in conjunction with allopathic medicine to support the healing process. Complementary modalities include, but are not limited to, mind-body medicine, natural remedies, energy work, and bodywork.

Dharma:

Your life's purpose and calling.

Dinacharya:

Literally means close to the day, and details how to care for the senses.

Dowser:

A divining rod, or a person who uses it, to help find water or minerals.

Essential oils:

Potent oils distilled from flowers, plants, trees, and grasses that are used in aromatherapy to promote and sustain wellness.

Ganglia/ganglion:

Masses of nerve tissue originating in the spinal cord and branching out to other parts of the body.

Gonads:

Part of the endocrine system, responsible for the secretion of sex hormones.

Hatha yoga:

The physical practice of yoga postures.

Ida nadi:

One of the three major energy channels in the body. The ida nadi starts at the Third-Eye Chakra and first curves to the left before crossing the sushumna at the Throat Chakra, then curving to the right. It criss-crosses with the pingala nadi back and forth all the way down to the Root Chakra.

Islets of Langerhans:

Part of the endocrine system, located in the pancreas. They are responsible for the secretion of insulin.

Kapha:

One of the three doshas, according to Ayurveda. Kapha has the properties of water and earth.

Kireji:

A “cutting” word or phrase in haiku that marks a transition from one thought or image to another.

Kirlian photograph:

A photograph that captures an aura as visible light.

Kirtan:

Call-and-response chanting, usually of mantras from the Indian spiritual traditions.

Koshas:

The five sheaths or layers that are the physical, energetic, mental, knowing, and spiritual parts of the body.

Kundalini:

The serpent goddess who is said to be coiled around the Root Chakra, until she is awakened and travels up the seven chakras to unite with divine consciousness at the Crown Chakra.

Lumbar vertebrae:

The lower part of the spine above the sacrum, consisting of five vertebrae.

Mandala:

A geometric design used for meditation, usually consisting of a square inside a circle with sacred images or patterns evoking the order and beauty of the universe.

Manipura:

Referred to as lustrous gem, the Solar Plexus Chakra, is said to glow a bright yellow.

Manomaya:

The mind sheath.

Meridians:

Energy channels in the body mapped out in Chinese medicine, especially useful for acupuncture, acupressure, and reflexology.

Muladhara:

The Root Chakra, said to glow a deep red.

Nadi:

Energy channel in the body.

Nirvana:

State of liberation from the physical body.

Niyama:

Special observances for how to take care of your mind, body, and spirit on the eight-limbed path of yoga.

Om:

The universal sound; the primordial sound; the sound of God, energy, spirit.

Parasympathetic nervous system:

Creates the relaxation response.

Pericarp:

The fleshy part of the fruit or flower, the part that protects the seed.

Perineum:

The area of the body between the genitals and the anus.

Petroglyph:

Rock carving

Physical body:

The mortal part of the body.

Pineal gland:

Part of the endocrine system that secretes serotonin and melanin.

Pingala nadi:

One of the three major energy channels in the body. The pingala nadi starts at the Third-Eye Chakra and first curves to the right before crossing the sushumna at the Throat Chakra, then curving to the left. It criss-crosses with the ida nadi back and forth all the way down to the Root Chakra.

Pitta:

One of the three doshas, according to Ayurveda. Pitta has the properties of fire and water.

Pituitary:

A gland of the endocrine system that influences growth, metabolism, and many chemical processes in the body.

Prakruti:

According to Ayurveda, the constitution you were born with.

Prana:

Life-force energy.

Pranamaya kosha:

The breath/energy sheath.

Pranayama:

Breath and energy control.

Raja yoga:

The yogic path of self-awareness, learning to develop witness consciousness.

Sadhu:

A student on the path of yoga.

Sahasrara:

Literally means thousandfold, it's the Crown Chakra, that glows white, gold, or violet.

Samsara:

Scars, trauma, and karma that gets carried from one lifetime to the next.

Shadow sides:

Aspects of one's personality that the individual rejects.

Sitz bones:

The sitting bones.

Subtle body:

The wisdom, mental, and breath/energy sheaths.

Sushumna:

The central energy channel of the body that is located in the spine.

Sutra:

See Yoga sutras.

Svadhistana:

Meaning sweetness, this is the Sacral Chakra, said to glow a bright orange.

Sympathetic nervous system:

Activated when you are in fight-or-flight response, increases your heart rate and prepares you for action.

Theosophist:

A student of theosophy.

Theosophy:

A school of mystical thought founded in 1875, inspired by yogic philosophy.

Thoracic vertebrae:

These twelve vertebrae make up the central part of the spine.

Thymus:

A gland in the endocrine system responsible for supporting your immune system.

Thyroid:

A gland in the endocrine system that supports metabolism.

Upanishads:

Vedic philosophy.

Vaidya:

A doctor trained in Ayurveda.

Vata:

One of the three doshas, according to Ayurveda. Vata has the qualities of space and air, particularly the quality of movement.

Vijnanomya:

The wisdom sheath.

Vikruti:

How the doshas are showing up within you, now.

Visuddha:

The Throat Chakra. In Sanskrit it means purification. It is said to have a blue glow.

Whole systems of health:

Medical practices that are comprehensive in theory and practice, and separate from conventional Western medicine. These include Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and homeopathy.

Witness consciousness:

A state of awareness that can observe the thinking mind, the emotions, and the body without identifying with them.

Yama:

Special observances for conducting yourself in the world, as part of the eight limbs of living a yogic lifestyle.

Yoga nidra:

Yogic sleep.

Yoga sutras:

The philosophy of the practice of yoga as outlined in writing by Patanjali. “Sutra” means thread.