Many words from Ayurveda and Yoga are written in Sanskrit, the classical language of South Asia belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of Indo-European Languages. To help you understand some of the more common Sanskit words, we have pulled together a short glossary:
Ajara: Literally “without age.” Ageless
Ajna: The third eye or brow chakra
Ayur: Life and Longevity
Anupana: Literally– vehicle. A substance for herbs to be taken with
Apana: Downward flow of energy
Asana: Yogic postures
Ayurveda: The science of life, the oldest system of health and healing
Dharana: Concentration; one of the seven stages of yoga realization
Dosha: The three basic types of biological forces, determines personal constitution
Gunas: The three forces of sattva, rajas, and tamas (creation, change, and destruction) Also refers to the 20 opposite attributes of the doshas
Kapha: Biological force of bodily water. Combined elements of earth and water
Kitchari: a mixture of mung dhal, rice, spices, and ghee
Marma: One of the vital energy points where matter and consciousness converge
Panchakarma: The five actions of nasal cleaning, emesis, purgation, enema, and bloodletting
Paschatkarma: The third stage of shodana; Actions taken after panchakarma
Pitta: The biological force of bodily fire. Combined elements of fire and water.
Prakruti: True nature; Perfect state of balance
Purvakarma: Before action; the first part of shodana; actions before panchakarma
Rajas: State of change– Kinetic energy
Rasayana: The fourth stage of shodana; Rejuvenation therapy
Samadhi: State of pure joy
Sattva: State of creation– Potential creative energy
Shirodhara: Medicated oil treatment on the third eye to calm the nervous system
Shodana: Succession of internal and external cleansing practices to rid the body of toxins
Snehana: Oleation; oiling the body internally and externally
Swedana: Sudation; sweating
Tamas: State of Destruction: potential destructive energy
Udana: Upward flow of energy
Vata: The biological force of bodily air. Combined elements of ether and air.
Vayu: The movement of vata– wind
Veda: Pure Knowledge
Vedas: Volumes of sacred texts over 3000 years oldVikruti: Current state of imbalance
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