A–M

abhyanga

A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara

Diet or food

ama

A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana

The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic

Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D E F

G

ghee

Clarified butter made from milk of a cow or buffalo; used frequently in Ayurveda from cooking to therapeutic uses.

guna

An attribute or quality; in Ayurvedic Medicine they commonly refer to the twenty primary gunas used to describe different substances to understand the effects on one’s body

H I J

K

khavaigunya

A weak or defective space in the body commonly caused by a past illness, injury or genetic patterns.

L

M

mantra

A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.

marma

Vital energy points on the body that are connected to the deeper, subtle pathways of the body; each point being associated with certain organs, emotions, pathways to be used therapeutically or as a diagnostic tool for a practitioner.

mudra

A symbolic gesture that channels the flow of energy in the body, commonly used by hands but can include the entire body. 

N

nasya

A cleansing practice commonly used in Ayurveda; used as a daily practice or within a Panchakarma setting; applying therapeutic oil to the nasal passages.

neti

A cleansing practice of the nasal passages with saline water; using a neti pot to pour the saline solution from one nostril so it can flow out through the other nostril.

O

ojas

The essence of vigor, vitality, and immunity; is the end product of healthy digestion. 

P

panchakarma

A five fold deep detoxification process in Ayurveda focused on eliminating toxins and bringing the body back to balance; the five cleansing actions include vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of oil to the nasal passages); not all are used on a person as it depends on what’s going on in their body at the time.

prakriti

Constitution; the unique ratio of vata, pitta and kapha established at conception and resulting in a personally unique set of physical, emotional, and mental tendencies, strengths, and vulnerabilities.

prana

The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.

pranayama

The fourth limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; yogic breathing practices that work directly with the vital life energy of prana and that are intended to increase awareness and to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Each individual pranayama has specific indications, contra-indications, and benefits.

Q

R

rajas

One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.

rajasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of rajas: kinetic energy, movement, passion, and action.

rasa

A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).

rasayana

A substance that nourishes and tones the entire body; the Ayurvedic practice of rejuvenation therapy (also known as rasayana chikitsa)—a specific process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this practice is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenation

The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenative

A substance or experience that nourishes and tones specific tissues, or in some cases, the entire body.

rtu

Time; season; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—and considered an important component of reproductive health; rtu can also refer to internal cycles such as ovulation and menstruation, as well as to the timing of conception, gestation, and birth.

rtucharya

A seasonal routine; similar to the concept of dinacharya, but also accounting for the cycle of the seasons; rtucharya encourages us to adapt our personal routines to align more closely with the rhythms of the natural world, introducing practices and qualities that naturally promote balance all year long.

S

samadhi

A highly evolved state of consciousness invoking profound joy, spiritual bliss, and ecstasy; a state of mind characterized by expansiveness, and choiceless, passive awareness; a state of being in which the body, mind, and consciousness are superbly balanced as one’s individual awareness merges with the ultimate presence—into pure existence.

satsang

A Sanskrit word with several meanings such as “true company,” “company in pursuit of the highest truth,” or “spiritual discourse;” satsang typically refers to a group of like-minded individuals who gather in support of one another’s spiritual development; the gathering may involve reading or listening to spiritual teachings, reflecting on their meaning, and meditating—or practicing other means of integrating the teachings into one’s daily experience.

sattva

One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.

sattvic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.

sneha

A Sanskrit word meaning both “oil,” and “love”—which is noteworthy, given the regularity with which Ayurveda uses oil as a therapeutic substance; the connection between the two meanings is particularly significant to the practice of abhyanga, which involves the therapeutic application of oil (and love) to the entire body.

sub-dosha

Each of the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) has five sub-doshas (or sub-types), that have specific actions, overseeing the mind and emotions as well as the functions of specific organs.

T

tamas

One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.

tamasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of tamas: inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleepiness, and decay.

tridoshic

Pacifying or balancing for all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

triphala

A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.

U

V

Vedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

vikriti

An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).

W X

Y

yoga

A Sanskrit word that literally means “to yoke” or “to bind” together—“to unite;” the practice of yoga is a collection of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to transform and liberate the mind-body organism. In the West, the word yoga usually refers to the third limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: the practice of asanas (physical postures).

yogic

Of or belonging to the Vedic tradition of yoga.

Z

A

abhyanga
ah·bē·yən·gə

A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara
ah·hə·rə

Diet or food

agni (ôɡ·nē)
Fire element, regulating temperature, performing digestion, absorption, and assimilation of ingested food, and transforms into energy and consciousness.

ama (ah·mə)
A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana (ah·sə·nə)
The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic (ah·yər·və·dik)
Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

B

C

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D E F

G

ghee

Clarified butter made from milk of a cow or buffalo; used frequently in Ayurveda from cooking to therapeutic uses.

guna

An attribute or quality; in Ayurvedic Medicine they commonly refer to the twenty primary gunas used to describe different substances to understand the effects on one’s body

H I J

K

khavaigunya

A weak or defective space in the body commonly caused by a past illness, injury or genetic patterns.

L

M

mantra

A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.

marma

Vital energy points on the body that are connected to the deeper, subtle pathways of the body; each point being associated with certain organs, emotions, pathways to be used therapeutically or as a diagnostic tool for a practitioner.

mudra

A symbolic gesture that channels the flow of energy in the body, commonly used by hands but can include the entire body. 

N

nasya

A cleansing practice commonly used in Ayurveda; used as a daily practice or within a Panchakarma setting; applying therapeutic oil to the nasal passages.

neti

A cleansing practice of the nasal passages with saline water; using a neti pot to pour the saline solution from one nostril so it can flow out through the other nostril.

O

ojas

The essence of vigor, vitality, and immunity; is the end product of healthy digestion. 

P

panchakarma

A five fold deep detoxification process in Ayurveda focused on eliminating toxins and bringing the body back to balance; the five cleansing actions include vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of oil to the nasal passages); not all are used on a person as it depends on what’s going on in their body at the time.

prakriti

Constitution; the unique ratio of vata, pitta and kapha established at conception and resulting in a personally unique set of physical, emotional, and mental tendencies, strengths, and vulnerabilities.

prana

The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.

pranayama

The fourth limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; yogic breathing practices that work directly with the vital life energy of prana and that are intended to increase awareness and to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Each individual pranayama has specific indications, contra-indications, and benefits.

Q

R

rajas

One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.

rajasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of rajas: kinetic energy, movement, passion, and action.

rasa

A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).

rasayana

A substance that nourishes and tones the entire body; the Ayurvedic practice of rejuvenation therapy (also known as rasayana chikitsa)—a specific process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this practice is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenation

The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenative

A substance or experience that nourishes and tones specific tissues, or in some cases, the entire body.

rtu

Time; season; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—and considered an important component of reproductive health; rtu can also refer to internal cycles such as ovulation and menstruation, as well as to the timing of conception, gestation, and birth.

rtucharya

A seasonal routine; similar to the concept of dinacharya, but also accounting for the cycle of the seasons; rtucharya encourages us to adapt our personal routines to align more closely with the rhythms of the natural world, introducing practices and qualities that naturally promote balance all year long.

S

samadhi

A highly evolved state of consciousness invoking profound joy, spiritual bliss, and ecstasy; a state of mind characterized by expansiveness, and choiceless, passive awareness; a state of being in which the body, mind, and consciousness are superbly balanced as one’s individual awareness merges with the ultimate presence—into pure existence.

satsang

A Sanskrit word with several meanings such as “true company,” “company in pursuit of the highest truth,” or “spiritual discourse;” satsang typically refers to a group of like-minded individuals who gather in support of one another’s spiritual development; the gathering may involve reading or listening to spiritual teachings, reflecting on their meaning, and meditating—or practicing other means of integrating the teachings into one’s daily experience.

sattva

One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.

sattvic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.

sneha

A Sanskrit word meaning both “oil,” and “love”—which is noteworthy, given the regularity with which Ayurveda uses oil as a therapeutic substance; the connection between the two meanings is particularly significant to the practice of abhyanga, which involves the therapeutic application of oil (and love) to the entire body.

sub-dosha

Each of the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) has five sub-doshas (or sub-types), that have specific actions, overseeing the mind and emotions as well as the functions of specific organs.

T

tamas

One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.

tamasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of tamas: inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleepiness, and decay.

tridoshic

Pacifying or balancing for all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

triphala

A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.

U

V

Vedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

vikriti

An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).

W X

Y

yoga

A Sanskrit word that literally means “to yoke” or “to bind” together—“to unite;” the practice of yoga is a collection of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to transform and liberate the mind-body organism. In the West, the word yoga usually refers to the third limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: the practice of asanas (physical postures).

yogic

Of or belonging to the Vedic tradition of yoga.

Z

A

abhyanga

A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara

Diet or food

ama

A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana

The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic

Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

B

C

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D E F

G

ghee

Clarified butter made from milk of a cow or buffalo; used frequently in Ayurveda from cooking to therapeutic uses.

guna

An attribute or quality; in Ayurvedic Medicine they commonly refer to the twenty primary gunas used to describe different substances to understand the effects on one’s body

H I J

K

khavaigunya

A weak or defective space in the body commonly caused by a past illness, injury or genetic patterns.

L

M

mantra

A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.

marma

Vital energy points on the body that are connected to the deeper, subtle pathways of the body; each point being associated with certain organs, emotions, pathways to be used therapeutically or as a diagnostic tool for a practitioner.

mudra

A symbolic gesture that channels the flow of energy in the body, commonly used by hands but can include the entire body. 

N

nasya

A cleansing practice commonly used in Ayurveda; used as a daily practice or within a Panchakarma setting; applying therapeutic oil to the nasal passages.

neti

A cleansing practice of the nasal passages with saline water; using a neti pot to pour the saline solution from one nostril so it can flow out through the other nostril.

O

ojas

The essence of vigor, vitality, and immunity; is the end product of healthy digestion. 

P

panchakarma

A five fold deep detoxification process in Ayurveda focused on eliminating toxins and bringing the body back to balance; the five cleansing actions include vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of oil to the nasal passages); not all are used on a person as it depends on what’s going on in their body at the time.

prakriti

Constitution; the unique ratio of vata, pitta and kapha established at conception and resulting in a personally unique set of physical, emotional, and mental tendencies, strengths, and vulnerabilities.

prana

The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.

pranayama

The fourth limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; yogic breathing practices that work directly with the vital life energy of prana and that are intended to increase awareness and to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Each individual pranayama has specific indications, contra-indications, and benefits.

Q

R

rajas

One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.

rajasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of rajas: kinetic energy, movement, passion, and action.

rasa

A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).

rasayana

A substance that nourishes and tones the entire body; the Ayurvedic practice of rejuvenation therapy (also known as rasayana chikitsa)—a specific process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this practice is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenation

The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenative

A substance or experience that nourishes and tones specific tissues, or in some cases, the entire body.

rtu

Time; season; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—and considered an important component of reproductive health; rtu can also refer to internal cycles such as ovulation and menstruation, as well as to the timing of conception, gestation, and birth.

rtucharya

A seasonal routine; similar to the concept of dinacharya, but also accounting for the cycle of the seasons; rtucharya encourages us to adapt our personal routines to align more closely with the rhythms of the natural world, introducing practices and qualities that naturally promote balance all year long.

S

samadhi

A highly evolved state of consciousness invoking profound joy, spiritual bliss, and ecstasy; a state of mind characterized by expansiveness, and choiceless, passive awareness; a state of being in which the body, mind, and consciousness are superbly balanced as one’s individual awareness merges with the ultimate presence—into pure existence.

satsang

A Sanskrit word with several meanings such as “true company,” “company in pursuit of the highest truth,” or “spiritual discourse;” satsang typically refers to a group of like-minded individuals who gather in support of one another’s spiritual development; the gathering may involve reading or listening to spiritual teachings, reflecting on their meaning, and meditating—or practicing other means of integrating the teachings into one’s daily experience.

sattva

One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.

sattvic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.

sneha

A Sanskrit word meaning both “oil,” and “love”—which is noteworthy, given the regularity with which Ayurveda uses oil as a therapeutic substance; the connection between the two meanings is particularly significant to the practice of abhyanga, which involves the therapeutic application of oil (and love) to the entire body.

sub-dosha

Each of the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) has five sub-doshas (or sub-types), that have specific actions, overseeing the mind and emotions as well as the functions of specific organs.

T

tamas

One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.

tamasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of tamas: inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleepiness, and decay.

tridoshic

Pacifying or balancing for all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

triphala

A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.

U

V

Vedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

vikriti

An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).

W X

Y

yoga

A Sanskrit word that literally means “to yoke” or “to bind” together—“to unite;” the practice of yoga is a collection of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to transform and liberate the mind-body organism. In the West, the word yoga usually refers to the third limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: the practice of asanas (physical postures).

yogic

Of or belonging to the Vedic tradition of yoga.

Z

A

abhyanga (ah·bē·yən·gə)
A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara (ah·hə·rə)
Diet or food

agni (ôɡ·nē)
Fire element, regulating temperature, performing digestion, absorption, and assimilation of ingested food, and transforms into energy and consciousness.

ama (ah·mə)
A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana (ah·sə·nə)
The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic (ah·yər·və·dik)
Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

B

C

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D E F

G

ghee

Clarified butter made from milk of a cow or buffalo; used frequently in Ayurveda from cooking to therapeutic uses.

guna

An attribute or quality; in Ayurvedic Medicine they commonly refer to the twenty primary gunas used to describe different substances to understand the effects on one’s body

H I J

K

khavaigunya

A weak or defective space in the body commonly caused by a past illness, injury or genetic patterns.

L

M

mantra

A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.

marma

Vital energy points on the body that are connected to the deeper, subtle pathways of the body; each point being associated with certain organs, emotions, pathways to be used therapeutically or as a diagnostic tool for a practitioner.

mudra

A symbolic gesture that channels the flow of energy in the body, commonly used by hands but can include the entire body. 

N

nasya

A cleansing practice commonly used in Ayurveda; used as a daily practice or within a Panchakarma setting; applying therapeutic oil to the nasal passages.

neti

A cleansing practice of the nasal passages with saline water; using a neti pot to pour the saline solution from one nostril so it can flow out through the other nostril.

O

ojas

The essence of vigor, vitality, and immunity; is the end product of healthy digestion. 

P

panchakarma

A five fold deep detoxification process in Ayurveda focused on eliminating toxins and bringing the body back to balance; the five cleansing actions include vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of oil to the nasal passages); not all are used on a person as it depends on what’s going on in their body at the time.

prakriti

Constitution; the unique ratio of vata, pitta and kapha established at conception and resulting in a personally unique set of physical, emotional, and mental tendencies, strengths, and vulnerabilities.

prana

The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.

pranayama

The fourth limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; yogic breathing practices that work directly with the vital life energy of prana and that are intended to increase awareness and to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Each individual pranayama has specific indications, contra-indications, and benefits.

Q

R

rajas

One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.

rajasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of rajas: kinetic energy, movement, passion, and action.

rasa

A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).

rasayana

A substance that nourishes and tones the entire body; the Ayurvedic practice of rejuvenation therapy (also known as rasayana chikitsa)—a specific process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this practice is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenation

The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenative

A substance or experience that nourishes and tones specific tissues, or in some cases, the entire body.

rtu

Time; season; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—and considered an important component of reproductive health; rtu can also refer to internal cycles such as ovulation and menstruation, as well as to the timing of conception, gestation, and birth.

rtucharya

A seasonal routine; similar to the concept of dinacharya, but also accounting for the cycle of the seasons; rtucharya encourages us to adapt our personal routines to align more closely with the rhythms of the natural world, introducing practices and qualities that naturally promote balance all year long.

S

samadhi

A highly evolved state of consciousness invoking profound joy, spiritual bliss, and ecstasy; a state of mind characterized by expansiveness, and choiceless, passive awareness; a state of being in which the body, mind, and consciousness are superbly balanced as one’s individual awareness merges with the ultimate presence—into pure existence.

satsang

A Sanskrit word with several meanings such as “true company,” “company in pursuit of the highest truth,” or “spiritual discourse;” satsang typically refers to a group of like-minded individuals who gather in support of one another’s spiritual development; the gathering may involve reading or listening to spiritual teachings, reflecting on their meaning, and meditating—or practicing other means of integrating the teachings into one’s daily experience.

sattva

One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.

sattvic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.

sneha

A Sanskrit word meaning both “oil,” and “love”—which is noteworthy, given the regularity with which Ayurveda uses oil as a therapeutic substance; the connection between the two meanings is particularly significant to the practice of abhyanga, which involves the therapeutic application of oil (and love) to the entire body.

sub-dosha

Each of the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) has five sub-doshas (or sub-types), that have specific actions, overseeing the mind and emotions as well as the functions of specific organs.

T

tamas

One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.

tamasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of tamas: inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleepiness, and decay.

tridoshic

Pacifying or balancing for all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

triphala

A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.

U

V

Vedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

vikriti

An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).

W X

Y

yoga

A Sanskrit word that literally means “to yoke” or “to bind” together—“to unite;” the practice of yoga is a collection of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to transform and liberate the mind-body organism. In the West, the word yoga usually refers to the third limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: the practice of asanas (physical postures).

yogic

Of or belonging to the Vedic tradition of yoga.

Z

A

abhyanga

A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara

Diet or food

ama

A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana

The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic

Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

B

C

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D E F

G

ghee

Clarified butter made from milk of a cow or buffalo; used frequently in Ayurveda from cooking to therapeutic uses.

guna

An attribute or quality; in Ayurvedic Medicine they commonly refer to the twenty primary gunas used to describe different substances to understand the effects on one’s body

H I J

K

khavaigunya

A weak or defective space in the body commonly caused by a past illness, injury or genetic patterns.

L

M

mantra

A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.

marma

Vital energy points on the body that are connected to the deeper, subtle pathways of the body; each point being associated with certain organs, emotions, pathways to be used therapeutically or as a diagnostic tool for a practitioner.

mudra

A symbolic gesture that channels the flow of energy in the body, commonly used by hands but can include the entire body. 

N

nasya

A cleansing practice commonly used in Ayurveda; used as a daily practice or within a Panchakarma setting; applying therapeutic oil to the nasal passages.

neti

A cleansing practice of the nasal passages with saline water; using a neti pot to pour the saline solution from one nostril so it can flow out through the other nostril.

O

ojas

The essence of vigor, vitality, and immunity; is the end product of healthy digestion. 

P

panchakarma

A five fold deep detoxification process in Ayurveda focused on eliminating toxins and bringing the body back to balance; the five cleansing actions include vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of oil to the nasal passages); not all are used on a person as it depends on what’s going on in their body at the time.

prakriti

Constitution; the unique ratio of vata, pitta and kapha established at conception and resulting in a personally unique set of physical, emotional, and mental tendencies, strengths, and vulnerabilities.

prana

The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.

pranayama

The fourth limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras; yogic breathing practices that work directly with the vital life energy of prana and that are intended to increase awareness and to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Each individual pranayama has specific indications, contra-indications, and benefits.

Q

R

rajas

One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.

rajasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of rajas: kinetic energy, movement, passion, and action.

rasa

A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).

rasayana

A substance that nourishes and tones the entire body; the Ayurvedic practice of rejuvenation therapy (also known as rasayana chikitsa)—a specific process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this practice is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenation

The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.

rejuvenative

A substance or experience that nourishes and tones specific tissues, or in some cases, the entire body.

rtu

Time; season; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—and considered an important component of reproductive health; rtu can also refer to internal cycles such as ovulation and menstruation, as well as to the timing of conception, gestation, and birth.

rtucharya

A seasonal routine; similar to the concept of dinacharya, but also accounting for the cycle of the seasons; rtucharya encourages us to adapt our personal routines to align more closely with the rhythms of the natural world, introducing practices and qualities that naturally promote balance all year long.

S

samadhi

A highly evolved state of consciousness invoking profound joy, spiritual bliss, and ecstasy; a state of mind characterized by expansiveness, and choiceless, passive awareness; a state of being in which the body, mind, and consciousness are superbly balanced as one’s individual awareness merges with the ultimate presence—into pure existence.

satsang

A Sanskrit word with several meanings such as “true company,” “company in pursuit of the highest truth,” or “spiritual discourse;” satsang typically refers to a group of like-minded individuals who gather in support of one another’s spiritual development; the gathering may involve reading or listening to spiritual teachings, reflecting on their meaning, and meditating—or practicing other means of integrating the teachings into one’s daily experience.

sattva

One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.

sattvic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.

sneha

A Sanskrit word meaning both “oil,” and “love”—which is noteworthy, given the regularity with which Ayurveda uses oil as a therapeutic substance; the connection between the two meanings is particularly significant to the practice of abhyanga, which involves the therapeutic application of oil (and love) to the entire body.

sub-dosha

Each of the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) has five sub-doshas (or sub-types), that have specific actions, overseeing the mind and emotions as well as the functions of specific organs.

T

tamas

One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.

tamasic

A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of tamas: inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleepiness, and decay.

tridoshic

Pacifying or balancing for all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.

triphala

A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.

U

V

Vedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

vikriti

An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).

W X

Y

yoga

A Sanskrit word that literally means “to yoke” or “to bind” together—“to unite;” the practice of yoga is a collection of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to transform and liberate the mind-body organism. In the West, the word yoga usually refers to the third limb of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: the practice of asanas (physical postures).

yogic

Of or belonging to the Vedic tradition of yoga.

Z

A

abhyanga – Ayurvedic

abhyanga

A head to toe oil based massage, can be a self massage done daily or done in treatment form by a trained therapist

ahara

Diet or food

ama

A toxic waste produced and stuck in the body when your food, emotions, experiences are not fully digested, assimilated or processed; how disease forms in the mind, body and spirit.

asana

The physical practice of yoga and the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Ayurvedic

Something pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda.

C

chakra – chikitsa

chakra

7 energy centers  or “wheels” (according to Sanskrit) of spiritual power in the human body running from your root chakra around your reproductive region and running up to the top of your head at the crown chakra.

channels

Pathways in the body that carry substances or energies throughout the body, can be physical or energetic 

chikitsa

An ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to help with the body's imbalance or diseases, can be anything from food based recommendations to breathing exercises or herbs and more

D

dinacharya – dinacharya

dinacharya

A daily practice used in Ayurveda that looks at nature to create daily activities, these routine based activities help re-establish balance to promote optimal health; these mind, body and spirit practices can include a variety of things such as self-care, exercise, meditation, abhyanga, sleep and more

A2

ambu vaha srotas – anupan

ambu vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes, and the pancreas; functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and the maintenance of body temperature; ambu vaha srotas is rooted in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its pathway is the GI mucous membrane, and its openings are the kidneys, the sweat glands, and the tongue; this channel is closely tied to the liquid, watery tissue of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), and to mutra vaha srotas (the urinary channel).

amla

The sour taste, which is predominated by the earth and fire elements, and is balancing to vata, but aggravating to pitta and kapha.

anabolic

A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; in biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesizes more complex molecules from simpler ones, builds up organs and tissues, produces growth and differentiation among cells, and that requires energy in order to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word, brmhana.

anahata chakra

The fourth of seven chakras, which is located at the heart center and is connected to our capacity for unconditional love; this chakra is said to house our purest self and is also linked to immunity; it is symbolized by a twelve-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and it is often associated with the thymus gland.

anna maya kosha

The first of five bodily sheaths, or coverings of the self; because this kosha is made of flesh and is directly nourished by our food, it is also known as the “food body” or the “sheath made of food.” The anna maya kosha is the grossest, most physical of all the koshas.

anna vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for taking in and carrying food. It is the upper digestive tract, which begins at the lips and includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

anupan

A substance that serves as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; many anupans are valued for their ability to carry herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues; common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk, and aloe vera juice or gel.

A3

apana vayu –
Ayurveda

apana vayu

One of the five subtypes of vata; that aspect of vata that resides primarily in the colon and the pelvic cavity and governs downward moving energy in the body; functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, defecation, ovulation, the movement of sperm, conception, and it is activated in the mother’s body during birth; apana vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the colon.

apatarpana

A deconstructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as langhana) that is reducing and lightening—catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of santarpana.

artava dhatu

The female reproductive tissue, including the ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; along with shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition, and the last one to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for procreation and emotional release; associated with the production of ojas.

asana

A Sanskrit word literally meaning “seat;” a physical yoga posture; the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which define asana as a state of stability, strength, and ease in the body.

asthayi

Raw, unprocessed, immature, unstable; refers to a particular stage in tissue formation when nutrients and food precursors have been selected by the tissues, but have not yet been assimilated into mature tissue.

asthi dhatu

The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissues) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for providing structure to the body, supporting movement, and protecting the vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair, and nails.

avalambaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; it governs the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue, and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle, and tends to the tone of the muscular portion of the bronchi.

Ayurveda

A five thousand year old system of healing with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”

A1

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

abhyanga

Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; self-massage is an important component of an Ayurvedic daily routine, but trained professionals also give abhyanga treatments—either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleanse, such as panchakarma.

agni

The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissues, energy, and consciousness.

ahara

Diet or food (as in ahara chikitsa—food-based therapy).

ahara rasa

The end result of digested food, yielded within about twelve hours of eating; this “food juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (the plasma and lymph) and the nutritive precursor of all seven dhatus (bodily tissues).

ajna chakra

The sixth of seven chakras, which is located at the third eye and is responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; this chakra is also associated with intuition—our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing—and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and it is often linked to the pineal gland.

alochaka pitta

One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color, and translucence of the eye, the maintenance of an appropriate eye temperature, as well as the perception of color and light.

ama

Raw, undigested; a toxic, disease-causing substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.

ambu

Water; bodily fluids such as rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), rakta dhatu (blood), and fluid secretions; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—considered an important component of reproductive health; in Ayurveda, ambu vaha srotas is the bodily channel for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids.

A2

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

ambu vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes, and the pancreas; functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and the maintenance of body temperature; ambu vaha srotas is rooted in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its pathway is the GI mucous membrane, and its openings are the kidneys, the sweat glands, and the tongue; this channel is closely tied to the liquid, watery tissue of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), and to mutra vaha srotas (the urinary channel).

amla

The sour taste, which is predominated by the earth and fire elements, and is balancing to vata, but aggravating to pitta and kapha.

anabolic

A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; in biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesizes more complex molecules from simpler ones, builds up organs and tissues, produces growth and differentiation among cells, and that requires energy in order to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word, brmhana.

anahata chakra

The fourth of seven chakras, which is located at the heart center and is connected to our capacity for unconditional love; this chakra is said to house our purest self and is also linked to immunity; it is symbolized by a twelve-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and it is often associated with the thymus gland.

anna maya kosha

The first of five bodily sheaths, or coverings of the self; because this kosha is made of flesh and is directly nourished by our food, it is also known as the “food body” or the “sheath made of food.” The anna maya kosha is the grossest, most physical of all the koshas.

anna vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for taking in and carrying food. It is the upper digestive tract, which begins at the lips and includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

anupan

A substance that serves as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; many anupans are valued for their ability to carry herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues; common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk, and aloe vera juice or gel.

A3

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

apana vayu

One of the five subtypes of vata; that aspect of vata that resides primarily in the colon and the pelvic cavity and governs downward moving energy in the body; functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, defecation, ovulation, the movement of sperm, conception, and it is activated in the mother’s body during birth; apana vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the colon.

apatarpana

A deconstructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as langhana) that is reducing and lightening—catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of santarpana.

artava dhatu

The female reproductive tissue, including the ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; along with shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition, and the last one to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for procreation and emotional release; associated with the production of ojas.

asana

A Sanskrit word literally meaning “seat;” a physical yoga posture; the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which define asana as a state of stability, strength, and ease in the body.

asthayi

Raw, unprocessed, immature, unstable; refers to a particular stage in tissue formation when nutrients and food precursors have been selected by the tissues, but have not yet been assimilated into mature tissue.

asthi dhatu

The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissues) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for providing structure to the body, supporting movement, and protecting the vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair, and nails.

avalambaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; it governs the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue, and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle, and tends to the tone of the muscular portion of the bronchi.

Ayurveda

A five thousand year old system of healing with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”

A1

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

abhyanga

Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; self-massage is an important component of an Ayurvedic daily routine, but trained professionals also give abhyanga treatments—either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleanse, such as panchakarma.

agni

The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissues, energy, and consciousness.

ahara

Diet or food (as in ahara chikitsa—food-based therapy).

ahara rasa

The end result of digested food, yielded within about twelve hours of eating; this “food juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (the plasma and lymph) and the nutritive precursor of all seven dhatus (bodily tissues).

ajna chakra

The sixth of seven chakras, which is located at the third eye and is responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; this chakra is also associated with intuition—our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing—and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and it is often linked to the pineal gland.

alochaka pitta

One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color, and translucence of the eye, the maintenance of an appropriate eye temperature, as well as the perception of color and light.

ama

Raw, undigested; a toxic, disease-causing substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.

ambu

Water; bodily fluids such as rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), rakta dhatu (blood), and fluid secretions; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—considered an important component of reproductive health; in Ayurveda, ambu vaha srotas is the bodily channel for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids.

A2

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

ambu vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes, and the pancreas; functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and the maintenance of body temperature; ambu vaha srotas is rooted in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its pathway is the GI mucous membrane, and its openings are the kidneys, the sweat glands, and the tongue; this channel is closely tied to the liquid, watery tissue of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), and to mutra vaha srotas (the urinary channel).

amla

The sour taste, which is predominated by the earth and fire elements, and is balancing to vata, but aggravating to pitta and kapha.

anabolic

A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; in biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesizes more complex molecules from simpler ones, builds up organs and tissues, produces growth and differentiation among cells, and that requires energy in order to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word, brmhana.

anahata chakra

The fourth of seven chakras, which is located at the heart center and is connected to our capacity for unconditional love; this chakra is said to house our purest self and is also linked to immunity; it is symbolized by a twelve-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and it is often associated with the thymus gland.

anna maya kosha

The first of five bodily sheaths, or coverings of the self; because this kosha is made of flesh and is directly nourished by our food, it is also known as the “food body” or the “sheath made of food.” The anna maya kosha is the grossest, most physical of all the koshas.

anna vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for taking in and carrying food. It is the upper digestive tract, which begins at the lips and includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

anupan

A substance that serves as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; many anupans are valued for their ability to carry herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues; common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk, and aloe vera juice or gel.

A3

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

apana vayu

One of the five subtypes of vata; that aspect of vata that resides primarily in the colon and the pelvic cavity and governs downward moving energy in the body; functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, defecation, ovulation, the movement of sperm, conception, and it is activated in the mother’s body during birth; apana vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the colon.

apatarpana

A deconstructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as langhana) that is reducing and lightening—catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of santarpana.

artava dhatu

The female reproductive tissue, including the ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; along with shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition, and the last one to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for procreation and emotional release; associated with the production of ojas.

asana

A Sanskrit word literally meaning “seat;” a physical yoga posture; the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which define asana as a state of stability, strength, and ease in the body.

asthayi

Raw, unprocessed, immature, unstable; refers to a particular stage in tissue formation when nutrients and food precursors have been selected by the tissues, but have not yet been assimilated into mature tissue.

asthi dhatu

The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissues) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for providing structure to the body, supporting movement, and protecting the vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair, and nails.

avalambaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; it governs the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue, and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle, and tends to the tone of the muscular portion of the bronchi.

Ayurveda

A five thousand year old system of healing with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”

A

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

abhyanga

Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; self-massage is an important component of an Ayurvedic daily routine, but trained professionals also give abhyanga treatments—either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleanse, such as panchakarma.

agni

The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissues, energy, and consciousness.

ahara

Diet or food (as in ahara chikitsa—food-based therapy).

ahara rasa

The end result of digested food, yielded within about twelve hours of eating; this “food juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (the plasma and lymph) and the nutritive precursor of all seven dhatus (bodily tissues).

ajna chakra

The sixth of seven chakras, which is located at the third eye and is responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; this chakra is also associated with intuition—our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing—and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and it is often linked to the pineal gland.

alochaka pitta

One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color, and translucence of the eye, the maintenance of an appropriate eye temperature, as well as the perception of color and light.

ama

Raw, undigested; a toxic, disease-causing substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.

ambu

Water; bodily fluids such as rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), rakta dhatu (blood), and fluid secretions; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—considered an important component of reproductive health; in Ayurveda, ambu vaha srotas is the bodily channel for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids.

ambu vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes, and the pancreas; functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and the maintenance of body temperature; ambu vaha srotas is rooted in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its pathway is the GI mucous membrane, and its openings are the kidneys, the sweat glands, and the tongue; this channel is closely tied to the liquid, watery tissue of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), and to mutra vaha srotas (the urinary channel).

amla

The sour taste, which is predominated by the earth and fire elements, and is balancing to vata, but aggravating to pitta and kapha.

anabolic

A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; in biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesizes more complex molecules from simpler ones, builds up organs and tissues, produces growth and differentiation among cells, and that requires energy in order to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word, brmhana.

anahata chakra

The fourth of seven chakras, which is located at the heart center and is connected to our capacity for unconditional love; this chakra is said to house our purest self and is also linked to immunity; it is symbolized by a twelve-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and it is often associated with the thymus gland.

anna maya kosha

The first of five bodily sheaths, or coverings of the self; because this kosha is made of flesh and is directly nourished by our food, it is also known as the “food body” or the “sheath made of food.” The anna maya kosha is the grossest, most physical of all the koshas.

anna vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for taking in and carrying food. It is the upper digestive tract, which begins at the lips and includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

anupan

A substance that serves as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; many anupans are valued for their ability to carry herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues; common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk, and aloe vera juice or gel.

apana vayu

One of the five subtypes of vata; that aspect of vata that resides primarily in the colon and the pelvic cavity and governs downward moving energy in the body; functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, defecation, ovulation, the movement of sperm, conception, and it is activated in the mother’s body during birth; apana vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the colon.

apatarpana

A deconstructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as langhana) that is reducing and lightening—catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of santarpana.

artava dhatu

The female reproductive tissue, including the ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; along with shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition, and the last one to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for procreation and emotional release; associated with the production of ojas.

asana

A Sanskrit word literally meaning “seat;” a physical yoga posture; the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which define asana as a state of stability, strength, and ease in the body.

asthayi

Raw, unprocessed, immature, unstable; refers to a particular stage in tissue formation when nutrients and food precursors have been selected by the tissues, but have not yet been assimilated into mature tissue.

asthi dhatu

The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissues) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for providing structure to the body, supporting movement, and protecting the vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair, and nails.

avalambaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; it governs the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue, and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle, and tends to the tone of the muscular portion of the bronchi.

Ayurveda

A five thousand year old system of healing with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”

Ayurvedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda; see Ayurveda.

B

(basti – brmhana)

 basti

A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.

bhastrika pranayama

A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.

bhrajaka pitta

One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the skin; it governs the complexion, color, and temperature of the skin as well as the tactile sense of touch, pain, and temperature perceived through the skin.

bhramari pranayama

A very calming yogic breathing practice, also known as “humming bee breath,” that soothes the nervous system and helps connect us with our truest inner nature; this practice consists of inhaling into the belly and exhaling while making a humming sound at the back of the throat—like the gentle humming of a bee.

bhuta agnis

Five specific physiological manifestations of agni (one for each element: earth, water, fire, air, and ether) that are housed in the liver; responsible for transforming ingested food into biologically useful substances.

bija

Seed; can refer to a plant seed or to the reproductive tissue—specifically male sperm and female ovum; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—considered an important component of reproductive health.

bija mantra

A seed sound, often associated with the seed syllables that correspond to each of the seven chakras; a sound that supports profound insight (beyond the capacity of the intellect) and helps us to align with—and better understand—certain truths associated with particular frequencies or vibrations.

bodhaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the mouth; it governs the sense of taste and the immune capacity within the tonsils; functionally, it is responsible for speech, swallowing, salivary secretions, regulating oral bacteria, initiating the first stages of digestion, as well as maintaining an appropriate oral temperature.

brmhana

A constructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as santarpana) that is tonifying, building, and nourishing—anabolic in nature; the opposite of langhana.

A

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

A

(abhyanga – ayurvedic)

abhyanga

Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; self-massage is an important component of an Ayurvedic daily routine, but trained professionals also give abhyanga treatments—either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleanse, such as panchakarma.

agni

The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissues, energy, and consciousness.

ahara

Diet or food (as in ahara chikitsa—food-based therapy).

ahara rasa

The end result of digested food, yielded within about twelve hours of eating; this “food juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (the plasma and lymph) and the nutritive precursor of all seven dhatus (bodily tissues).

ajna chakra

The sixth of seven chakras, which is located at the third eye and is responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; this chakra is also associated with intuition—our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing—and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and it is often linked to the pineal gland.

alochaka pitta

One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color, and translucence of the eye, the maintenance of an appropriate eye temperature, as well as the perception of color and light.

ama

Raw, undigested; a toxic, disease-causing substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.

ambu

Water; bodily fluids such as rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), rakta dhatu (blood), and fluid secretions; one of the four factors affecting fertility, conception, and prakriti—considered an important component of reproductive health; in Ayurveda, ambu vaha srotas is the bodily channel for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids.

ambu vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for receiving water and regulating bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and secretions of the nose, gastric mucous membranes, and the pancreas; functions of this channel include lubrication, energy, electrolyte balance, and the maintenance of body temperature; ambu vaha srotas is rooted in the pancreas, soft palate and choroid plexus, its pathway is the GI mucous membrane, and its openings are the kidneys, the sweat glands, and the tongue; this channel is closely tied to the liquid, watery tissue of rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph), and to mutra vaha srotas (the urinary channel).

amla

The sour taste, which is predominated by the earth and fire elements, and is balancing to vata, but aggravating to pitta and kapha.

anabolic

A constructive type of substance or metabolic process; in biology, a category of metabolic processes that synthesizes more complex molecules from simpler ones, builds up organs and tissues, produces growth and differentiation among cells, and that requires energy in order to occur. This term generally corresponds to the Sanskrit word, brmhana.

anahata chakra

The fourth of seven chakras, which is located at the heart center and is connected to our capacity for unconditional love; this chakra is said to house our purest self and is also linked to immunity; it is symbolized by a twelve-petaled lotus flower, the color green, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “yam,” and it is often associated with the thymus gland.

anna maya kosha

The first of five bodily sheaths, or coverings of the self; because this kosha is made of flesh and is directly nourished by our food, it is also known as the “food body” or the “sheath made of food.” The anna maya kosha is the grossest, most physical of all the koshas.

anna vaha srotas

The bodily channel responsible for taking in and carrying food. It is the upper digestive tract, which begins at the lips and includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

anupan

A substance that serves as a medium for taking herbs and other medicines; many anupans are valued for their ability to carry herbs and formulas deeper into specific tissues; common Ayurvedic anupans include water, ghee, honey, milk, and aloe vera juice or gel.

apana vayu

One of the five subtypes of vata; that aspect of vata that resides primarily in the colon and the pelvic cavity and governs downward moving energy in the body; functionally, it is responsible for urination, flatulence, defecation, ovulation, the movement of sperm, conception, and it is activated in the mother’s body during birth; apana vayu also absorbs minerals and nourishes the bones through the mucous membrane of the colon.

apatarpana

A deconstructive type of substance, process, or treatment therapy (also known as langhana) that is reducing and lightening—catabolic in nature; the process of fasting; the opposite of santarpana.

artava dhatu

The female reproductive tissue, including the ovaries, ova, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; along with shukra (the male reproductive tissue), the deepest dhatu (human tissue) in the Ayurvedic tradition, and the last one to receive nourishment through cellular nutrition; responsible for procreation and emotional release; associated with the production of ojas.

asana

A Sanskrit word literally meaning “seat;” a physical yoga posture; the third limb of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which define asana as a state of stability, strength, and ease in the body.

asthayi

Raw, unprocessed, immature, unstable; refers to a particular stage in tissue formation when nutrients and food precursors have been selected by the tissues, but have not yet been assimilated into mature tissue.

asthi dhatu

The fifth of seven dhatus (human tissues) in the Ayurvedic tradition; the bone tissue; responsible for providing structure to the body, supporting movement, and protecting the vital organs; also associated with cartilage, teeth, hair, and nails.

avalambaka kapha

One of the five subtypes of kapha; that aspect of kapha that resides primarily in the lungs, respiratory tract, heart, and spine; it governs the delivery of prana to every cell, tissue, and organ, maintains the tone and permeability of the alveoli, protects the heart muscle, and tends to the tone of the muscular portion of the bronchi.

Ayurveda

A five thousand year old system of healing with origins in the Vedic culture of ancient India. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is derived from the root words ayuh, meaning “life” or “longevity,” and veda, meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”

Ayurvedic

Of or pertaining to the Vedic tradition of Ayurveda; see Ayurveda.