Home 
Resources Glossary of terms
Resources Glossary of terms
Glossary of terms used on this site
There are 36 entries in this glossary.All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| (1) Yoga |
Yoga is a group of ancient spiritual practices designed for the purpose of cultivating a steady mind. It originated in India possibly as early as 3300 BCE. A practitioner of Yoga is called a Yogi or Yogini.
|
| (2) Asana |
Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, intended primarily to restore and maintain a practitioner's well-being, improve the body's flexibility and vitality, and promote the ability to remain in seated meditation for extended periods. In the context of Yoga practice, asana refers to two things: the place where a practitioner (yogin (general usage); yogi (male); yogini (female)) sits and the manner (posture) in which s/he sits.
|
| (3) Ahimsa |
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term meaning non-violence. It is an important tenet of the religions that originated in ancient India. Ahimsa is a rule of conduct that bars the killing or injuring of living beings. It is closely connected with the notion that all kinds of violence entail negative karmic consequences.
|
| (4) Aparigraha |
Non-greed (one of the yamas).
|
| (5) Ashram |
Retreat or secluded place, usually where the principles of yoga and meditation are taught and practiced.
|
| (6) Asmita |
Ego, individuality, I-am-ness
|
| (7) Asteya |
Non-stealing (one of the yamas).
|
| (8) Brahmacharya |
Purity, chastity, non-lust (one of the yamas).
|
| (9) Dhyana |
Meditation or contemplation. The process of quieting the mind.
|
| (10) Dharma |
Self-discipline, the life of responsibility and right action.
|
| (11) Chakras |
Centers of radiating life force or energy that are located between the base of the spinal column and the crown of the head. There are seven major chakras that store and release life force (prana).
|
| (12) Namaste |
This Hindu salutation says "the divine in me honors the divine in you." The expression is used on meeting or parting and usually is accompanied by the gesture of holding the palms together in front of the bosom. Pronounced NUM-ah-stay.
|
| (13) Prana |
Life energy, life force, or life current. These finer-than-atomic energies have inherent intelligence as opposed to atoms and electrons, which are considered to be blind forces. The Chinese call this life force "chi" or "qi".
|
| (14) Kriya |
Kriya (in Sanskrit "action, deed, effort") most commonly refers to a technique or practice within a yoga discipline, also the outward physical manifestations of awakened kundalini. Types of kriya may vary widely between different schools of yoga. Kriyas are the spontaneous movements resulting from the awakening of Kundalini energy. Certain kriyas eventually developed into the asanas of hatha yoga.
|
| (15) Mandala |
A circular geometric design that represents the cosmos and the spirit's journey. It is a tool in the pilgrimage to enlightenment. One of the most famous mandalas appears on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France. It is not uncommon for churches in the United States to recreate well-known mandalas and call them labyrinths. Spiritual pilgrims literally walk the labyrinth to attain spiritual insight.
|