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| Abdomen |
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Area between the pelvis and the chest. |
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| Abreaction |
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Release of emotional energy, freeing the mind of neurotic energy. |
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| Adrenal Glands |
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A pair of endocrine glands situated just above the kidneys (in mammals). Involved in the manufacture and distribution of cortisone, epinephrine, and certain steriods. |
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| Afferent Nerves |
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Nerves that carry messages from the body to the brain. |
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| Agni |
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Fire. Also the internal fires of the body, often referred to as "tapas," meaning sacred heat. |
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| Agni Kumbhaka |
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The Yoga "Fire Breath" technique. This complex breathing technique combines kapalabhati, bastrika, dirgha svasam, rechaka kumbhaka, bandha-triya, and intense pratyahara in its more advanced forms. |
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| Agni-Sara Dhauti |
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Literally, "purging by cascading the fire." One of the six kriyas, agnisara dhauti consists of a rapid series of abdominal lifts or Uddhiyana Bandha. This technique builds great heat (tapas/agni) in the body while it strengthens core muscles. |
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| Ahamkara |
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The individuation principle, or ego, which must be transcended |
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| Ahimsa |
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The single most important moral discipline (yama). Living one's life without violence in thought, word, or deed. |
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| Allopathic medicine |
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The traditional medicine of Western culture, which focuses on a specific disease or problem and treats it. |
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| Amaroli |
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Yogic tantric practice in which urine is used internally and externally for health. |
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| Amenorrhoea |
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Absence or stoppage of the menses. |
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| Amrita |
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A designation of the deathless Spirit (atman, purusha) also the nectar of immortality that oozes from the psychoenergetic center at the crown of the head (see sahasrara-cakra) when it is activated and transforms the body into a "divine body" (divya-deha) |
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| Anahata Chakra |
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Literally, "wheel of the un-struck(sound)." This chakra is the fourth major energy center located near the heart behind the breastbone that is the root of all emotions. |
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| Ananda |
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Bliss. The condition of utter joy. |
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| Anga |
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A fundamental category of the yogic path, such as asana, dharana, dhyana, niyama, pranayama, pratyahara, samadhi, yama. |
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| Anja Chakra |
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Literally, "Wheel of Command." This chakra, being the sixth major energy center. Located in the middle of the brow, it is also known as the "third eye." The seat of intuition. |
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| Apana |
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A type of prana. The vital energy of excretion that flows downward out of the body ridding it of impurites. |
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| Aparigraha |
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One of the yamas non-greed. |
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| Asana |
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Physical yogic posture or position. Designed to help master the body and enhance the body's functions. |
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| Ashtanga yoga |
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Literally refers to the Eight Limbs of Yoga. In Western culture this type of yoga has come to mean a Hatha Yoga practice that includes an intense Vinyasana workout. |
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| Asteya |
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Never taking anything that belongs to another (the second of the 5 yamas). |
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| Atman |
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Conciousness. |
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| Aum |
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A sacred sound (also referred to as om) commonly used as a mantra during meditation representative of the absolute or oneness of the universe an approximation of the sound of the universe's vibration. |
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| Autonomic nervous system |
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Part of the peripheral nervous system governing autonomic internal functions of the body which do not require conscious control such as breath and heartbeat. |
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