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Introduction to the Glossary 

When initially compiled as part of a larger work during the summer of 1995, this Glossary was designed with a dual purpose in mind:

On Sanskrit Roots and the Evolution of Terms

In ancient Sanskrit, as in all languages, new words continued to evolve over time. From a few hundred original roots, an increasingly complex grammar and vocabulary were eventually constructed, with each new term expressing its own subtle shades of meaning and contextual nuances. By adding prefixes, suffixes, and additional root words to the original roots, large closely-related word families developed. These word families continued to evolve, eventually branching out into the ever-widening circles of meaning found in the Classical and Medieval Sanskrit that was used to record the original yoga texts, hundreds and even thousands of years ago.

As an example, the three words "Atman," Brahman," and "prana," are common members of the same word family. They share the common root verb, "an," which originally meant both "to breathe" and "to live." Click on each of these words to see how this one root combines with other roots to produce words which have been translated into English as "self, or soul," "God, or the Universe," and "air, breath, spirit, and energy," respectively.

A great many of the technical terms of yoga and the other eastern traditions have changed their meaning and usage over time and distance. The term yoga itself has made many such transitions, from meaning basically "magic" in the early passages of Rig Veda, to a variety of different meanings including "mystical power" and "spiritual practice" in different parts of Bhagavad Gita, to a specific type of "physical exercise" in some modern health spas and fitness centers.

As you study the various Sanskrit yoga terms in this glossary, you will discover some of the subtle ways in which their meanings interweave, as well as some of their particular spiritual nuances. This knowledge, in turn, should provide a greater understanding of both modern usage and the ancient yoga texts. Hopefully, such study will also help lead you to your own personal insights, as you follow your chosen path of Yoga.

Agni

Fire. Fire personified: the god of Fire. Also the internal fires of the body, often referred to as "tapas," meaning sacred heat.

Agni-Sara Dhauti

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 the muscles which support the internal viscera. The heat comes from quickly burning lots of calories in the abdominal area.

Agni Kumbhaka

The Yoga "Fire Breath" technique, as described in the chapter on Pranayama in the main text. This complex breathing technique combines kapalabhati, bastrika, dirgha svasam, rechaka kumbhaka, bandha-triya, and intense pratyahara. In its more advanced forms, it adds sapta bandha, and dharana mudra on specific yantras and mantras associated with each of the major chakra centers.

This technique produces a great deal of tapas, hence the name, "fire breath."

Ajna Chakra

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," or "eye of Shiva." Shiva is almost always depicted with this "third eye" open, showing his Divine Sight.

akasha

space, openness. Often mistranslated during the 19^th Century as "ether."

Anahata Chakra

literally, "wheel of the un-struck(sound)." This chakra is the fourth major energy center; located near the heart

anata (Pali)

Pali equivalent to the Sanskrit term, "anatman," literally "non-atman." The Buddhist doctrine that there is no such permanent, unchanging entity as Atman, or that Atman is not changeless, as in Hindu philosophy.

anata (Sanskrit)

(1) Literally, "endless," being the name of a secondary chakra, associated with the respiratory process and closely linked to anahata chakra at the heart.

(2) Name of the great coiled cobra upon which the god Vishnu reclines while it shades him from the sun with his seven hoods.

antara kumbhaka

Breath retention after inhaling. Same as puraka kumbhaka. See kumbhaka.

asana

literally, "easy pose" or "comfortable position." Stage 3 in Patanjali's analysis of the Yoga systems. The word originally referred only to the various sitting positions for meditation. In Tantra Yoga and Hatha Yoga, it applies to all of the technical physical positions of the body.

"Asana is a steady, comfortable position." ( Yoga Sutras 2:46)

ashram

A yoga school or center. A community of like-minded individuals. Any spiritual community or settlement. The residents of an ashram typically live under either a cooperative economy, or else are supported by donations from the larger community outside the ashram. In many respects, an ashram is like a modern monastic community.

ashrama

Often reduced to "ashram" in modern Indian languages, ashrama refers to any of the four stages in the ideal life of a classical Hindu. Namely: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa.

Not to be confused with a community of like-minded individuals. See ashram, above.

ashtanga

"eight limbs" (ash  + anga ) meaning the eight parts or stages into which the sage Patanjali divided Yoga when he traveled throughout India about 200 B.C.E., studying everything that he could find that went by the name of Yoga. He then wrote a treatise presenting a structural and functional analysis of the techniques he had studied. This treatise is called the " Yoga Sutras," which remains to this day the single most revered work on yoga, and the definitive treatise on raja yoga.

ashtanga yoga

The "eight limbs" of classical raja yoga, as taught by the sage Patanjali and outlined in a treatise he wrote called the Yoga Sutras. This text remains to this day the single most revered work on yoga, and the definitive treatise on raja yoga.

Also a modern form of hatha yoga developed by Patthabhi Jois (a student of Krishnamacharya). This flowing style of yoga is said to be derived from a lost book by Patanjali, which has since decomposed or otherwise disappeared. The original work is undoubtedly pseudepigraphic, which is common in Indian (and other) writing.

aswani mudra

literally, the "seal of a horse," or "gesture of a horse." A rhythmically repeated contraction and release of mula bandha. Used to strengthen the anus sphincter muscle in preparation for holding the bandha.

Aswani mudra is also used as a pump to induce pranic energy (Kundalini) to enter sushumna nadi, rather than take an unwanted (and highly dangerous) path up either ida or pingala.

(If you have ever spent much time around horses, you'll immediately recognize the reference for this technique: it is the method horses use to produce those near-perfect spheroidal feces of theirs. Rabbits probably use the same technique, but since their anus is not at human eye level, it's not nearly so obvious.)

Atman

In the word atman, the initial Sanskrit root is "at," which means "to move," to which is added a second root "an" ("to breathe" or "to live"), creating: "the breath that moves" or the "moving spirit." In other words, a living, breathing, moving being: a "person."

In everyday speech, the word atman  simply means "person" or "self," in pretty much the same sense as those two words would have in everyday English usage.

In the esoteric language of India that is used in yogic, religious, and philosophical writings, however, the word atman  refers to quite a different idea. It means "the Self" in almost the same way we might mean "spirit" or the true essence of a person: Ones True Nature, or Ideal Self.

Neither of our words "spirit" nor "soul" properly conveys the meaning of atman, however, and it has no direct counterpart in the English language.

Atman is the "essence" of each person, or being, as distinguished from its "appearance" ( namarupa , "name and form").

AUM (OM)

The mystical syllable which represents, among other things, all that IS, all that WAS, and all that ever SHALL BE.

Pronounced about like the word, ohm, the sound is said to incorporate the entire range of human utterance, in that the "Ah" sound begins as far back in the throat as we can generate sound; the long "U" sound fills the entire inside of the mouth; and the nasal "M" is a humming sound generated through the nose with the closed lips, being as far forwards as we can generate sound.

Although perhaps not related linguistically , aum shares most of the same meanings with its Semitic counterparts: the Hebrew "amen" and the Arabic "Amin." Not only is the sound similar, but all three terms can also mean "yes," can be used to represent a name of God, and are used to open or close prayers.

Ayurveda

this Vedic science of health or medicine is traditionally classed among the "sacred sciences," and is considered to be a supplement of the Atharva Veda, within which rests most of its textual authority. Yoga and Ayurveda have always been very closely aligned. Yoga has been more concerned with physiology (both gross and subtle); Ayurveda, with pharmacology (both magical and scientific).

Ayurveda is divided into eight specialties:

1.      salya, the "removal" of any substance which has entered the body (as extraction of darts, splinters, etc.);

2.      salakya, the surgical treatment of diseases of the eye, ear etc.;

3.      kaya-cikitsa, the treatment of diseases affecting the whole body;

4.      bhutavidya, treatment of mental diseases supposedly produced by demonic influence;

5.      kaumara-bhritya, pediatrics, or the treatment of children;

6.      agada-tantra, the doctrine of antidotes;

7.      rasayana-tantra, the doctrine of healing drugs, potions, and elixirs.

8.      vajikarana-tantra, the doctrine of aphrodisiacs;

bahya kumbhaka

Breath retention after exhaling. Same as rechaka kumbhaka. See kumbhaka.

bandha

literally, "to bind or tie back." In Yoga the word refers to the various muscular contractions or "locks" used to retain breath, prana or energy within a given area. See also, mudra. The word is cognate with bandanna: "tie-died."

bandha triya

literally, the "Triple Lock," consisting of mula bandha, uddhiyana bandha and jalandhara bandha performed together, so as to seal off the upper and lower ends of the sushumna nadi. forcing the pranas into Manipura Chakra where they are purified and prepared to be sent up sushumna nadi to the crown chakra.

This process is also knows as raising the Kundalini, so that Shakti (the female principle), which resides as the coiled serpent, Kundalini, at the root chakra can perform union with Shiva (the male principle) at the crown chakra, where he rides the great White Swan of the liberated spirit.

This process can be done individually, using the techniques described in this book. Couples can achieve similar results through the Maithuna ritual outlined in the book by Saraswati and Avinasha, listed in the Bibliography.

Brahma

A member of the Hindu trinity, Brahma is the creator god; Vishnu is the preserver; and Shiva is the destroyer (of ignorance, et.al. ). Brahma's major work of creating the universe being now essentially finished, he is not much interested in human affairs, and therefore is neither widely nor devoutly worshiped.

brahmacharya

Literally, a "student of God," but meaning in practice, one who is celibate.
The first ashrama, or stage of life in Classical India: the childhood, and student or apprentice years.

Brahman

In Brahman, the root word "brih," (meaning "to grow, increase, or expand") is added to the root word, "an" (meaning "to breathe" or "to live") to produce: "the Spirit/Breath which expands." In other words the life principle which has expanded to become an entire universe.

The Vedas speak of the "day" and the "night" of Brahman, referring to unfathomably long periods of time during which this universal life principle is either manifest (like now, being the "day of Brahman") or unmanifest (like before the Big Bang, when there was nothing except a singularity- when the entire universe is shrunk down to less than the size of a neutrino, known as the "night of Brahman"). According to the ancient texts, this cycle goes on forever. Modern Astronomers are presently concerned that the universe may not recycle, however, and might instead continue expanding into a frigid future.

Ninety-five percent of the universe is not matter like we see around us [but instead is] matter that can't be seen at all-- matter of a type that still mystifies astronomers and cosmologists...." [Two-thirds of this] is apparently an even more puzzling type of matter known as dark energy.... and is thought to be responsible for our universe's accelerating growth.

-- Max Tegmark (January 2001)
Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
University of Pennsylvania

Brahman is also sometimes used as a variant of Brahmin (see below)

brahmin

a priest, also the priestly caste. Sometimes spelled "brahman."

chakra

a wheel, especially a light-weight spoked wheel. The word is used to signify any of numerous energy centers within and around the body, which clairvoyants perceive as spinning like wheels. The seven major ones run from the base of the spin to the crown of the head.

According to Yoga philosophy, the life force (prana) of the body activates these centers. If any of the chakras are over- or under-energized, vis-a-vis one another, there is to that same degree, some disharmony or disease within the body. One is said to be "out of balance."

One of the principle aims of Hatha, Kundalini, and Tantra Yogas is keep these chakras well-tuned, so that divine energy can manifest through them.

dharana

literally, "the act of holding;" "firmness;" meaning to hold one thought firmly in mind. Concentration. Stage 6 in Patanjali's analysis of the yoga systems.

"Dharana is the binding of the mind on one place, object, or idea." ( Yoga Sutras 3:1)

dhyana,

literally, "meditation," "thought," or "reflection." Meditation proper. Whereas dharana is simply the "holding" of one thought in mind, dhyana allows the mind to expand or reflect on that one thought. Stage 7 in Patanjali's analysis of the yoga systems.

"Dhyana is the continuous flow of thought [towards the object of concentration, or dharana]." ( Yoga Sutras 3:2)

dirgha svasam

literally, "(to go) deep and long (into) oneself."
The Yoga Complete Breath technique.

Gheranda Samhita

"Gheranda's Compendium " was written during the 17^th Century, and is one of three major surviving classical treatises on Hatha Yoga. Like many early writings on yoga, the written text is little more than a set of instructor's lecture notes, covering only the highlights, and leaving the rest to be filled in orally, or by actual demonstration.

A translation of Gheranda Samhita with commentary is currently being developed on the ClassicYoga.Org Website. Gheranda Samhita consists of about 351 verses, divided into seven sections, as follows:

1. Shat kriyas - 6 categories of hygiene and purification are taught, including a number of specific techniques in each category, making a total of about twenty hygienic techniques. See kriya.
2. Asanas - 32 postures are described, with benefits given for each one.
3. Mudras - 20 physical mudras and bandhas are given,
   plus 5 purely mental chakra focusing techniques, called dharana-mudras.
4. Pratyahara - this is a short section on retraining the mind.
5. Pranayama - 8 separate breathing techniques are described in detail, plus instruction in the kumbhakas, chakra focus, and application of the mudras.
6. Dhyanam - 5 meditation techniques are described.
7. Samadhi - 6 variations of mental absorption are outlined.

See also Hatha Yoga Pradipika  and Shiva Samhita .

Gorakhnath (aka: Gorak, Goraksha, Gorakh Nath, Gorakhnatha, etc.)

A disciple of Matsyendranath (Matsyendra), and an early exponent of Hatha Yoga. In fact, Goraksha is credited with founding Laya or Kundalini Yoga, as well as Hatha Yoga. Specifically, he founded an order called the Kanphata Yogis which is based on Hatha Yoga, and which still survives today.

Goraksha and Matsyendra were both famous yogis who lived sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries. However, we know very little about them historically, because soon after their deaths, their accomplishments were quickly blended with myth, folklore, and magic, to the point of their virtual deification. Countless legends of them abound throughout the north and west of India, telling of their fantastic powers and magical feats.

Goraksha seems to have been instrumental in establishing a powerful synthesis between Shaivism, Tantra, and traditional yoga. He was was also familiar with Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism, and features of it appear in his own teachings, as well as in such later writings on Hatha Yoga.

Gorakhnath is known to have authored at least two works:

Goraksha Shataka , a conversation between himself and his teacher Matsyendra. This text survives in translation, but apparently not in the original Sanskrit
and
Hatha Yoga , which is lost except for brief passages included in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika  of Svatmarama. This later work is now the oldest significant surviving manuscript of Hatha Yoga.

grihastha

A "householder." The second ashrama, or stage of life in Classical India:
the years of homemaking, earning a living, and raising a family.

hamsa

literally, "Swan." Shiva rides a White Swan at the crown chakra, symbolizing the divine spirit, or the liberated Self. In India, the White Swan is a symbol very much like the White Dove of Christian thought, which appeared with Jesus at his baptism, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

Hamsa Kumbhaka

The Swan Breath, a gently powerful pranayama used with meditation to guide the Shakti to the swan. One breath can be used for each chakra meditation, progressively up sushumna, until all yantras can be held in mind (dhyana) during the same breath.

hamsa mantra (hamsa japa)

The continuous chanting of "hamsa." If the word "hamsa" is repeated rapidly, it becomes indistinguishable from "so-ham" being chanted rapidly. Together they mean, "I Am the Swan" (liberated spirit). See "so-ham."

hatha

Although the Sanskrit roots do not support this view, it is often said that ha means the sun and tha  means the moon. Actually this is not the case, any more than the Chinese word yin  means the moon or yang  means the sun. Technically ha and yang both represent the masculine or solar principle in all polarities while tha and yin both represent the feminine or lunar principle in all polarities. The term Hatha Yoga therefore, would refer to the integration of (apparent) opposites into a more complete union or whole.

The word hatha can also mean "forceful," and this is probably the original sense in which it was applied to the new form of yoga promoted by the likes of Matsyendra and Goraksha, a full millennium ago.

Hatha Yoga

For a discussion of the literal meaning(s) of Hatha Yoga, see hatha above.

In India during the Middle Ages, Hatha Yoga and Tantra Yoga branched out separately from their common ancient roots, which extend back to the advanced, yet essentially prehistoric, Indus Valley Culture of the Third Millennium, B.C.E.

Hatha Yoga adopted an existential, ascetic approach, believing that integration with the divine could be more quickly (forcefully) obtained by a person living alone, in an ascetic life of celibacy and seclusion.

Most of the yoga postures familiar to Westerners are part of the Hatha Yoga tradition. Technically, the term means approximately, "Self-Integration through the Union of Opposites," and aims to eliminate any false sense of duality between the practitioner and universal spiritual reality (Brahman). The physical postures or asanas, of Hatha Yoga, when performed with mindfulness, specific breathing modifications, and other techniques, help to integrate body, mind, and spirit.

Tantra Yoga developed in sharp contrast to the yoga hermitage and the wandering ascetics common in Hatha Yoga. Tantrikas typically approached the integration of polarities either as householders ie., as couples living together and enjoying all of life's joys, pleasures, and comforts (right-handed tantra), or in other, more exotic, liaisons (left-handed tantra).

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

This 14^th Century text, written by the sage Svatmarama, is the oldest significant surviving manuscript devoted specifically to the exposition of Hatha Yoga. Earlier texts all describe material that predates the foundation of Hatha Yoga, which was not established as a separate form until sometime around 700 - 1000 B.C.E.  One earlier text, written by Gorakhnath himself, and called simply Hatha Yoga , was available in Svatmarama's day, and parts of it are reproduced in his Pradipika ; unfortunately, the earlier text is now lost. For more information, see History of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika consists of about 383 verses, divided into four sections, as follows:

1. asanas - Fifteen asanas are described; five are basic meditational positions, the rest are for spinal flexibility or deep relaxation. A few dietary guidelines are also given.
2. pranayama - Nadi suddhi is introduced to purify the subtle nadis; seven kriyas are given for the physical nadis.
3. mudras - Ten mudras are described in good detail;
4. samadhi - Three additional mudras are introduced (sambhavi and two related techniques), kechari-mudra (already discussed at length in section three) is further elaborated. Emphasis is placed on the various sounds (nada) that arise in sushumna nadi as the prana flows there; these sounds help focus the mind, and provide yogis with feedback on their progress in samadhi.

"As salt being dissolved in water becomes one with it, so when the mind dissolves into the Atman, it is called samadhi." (HYP 4:5)

See also Gheranda Samhita  and Shiva Samhita .

History of Yoga

Elements of the history of yoga are scattered throughout this Revised HTML Edition of the Glossary, especially in the following entries:

Gorakhnath, Gheranda Samhita , hatha, Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga Pradipika , Matsyendranath, Shiva Samhita , tantra, Tantra Yoga, Vedas, etc.

The earliest surviving records of yoga were engraved on small seals some 4500 years ago along the Indus River, in what is now Pakistan. These early images show Shiva, the patron deity of yoga, sitting in an advanced yoga pose; one seal also includes details depicting advanced spiritual practices, as well.

ida

see nadi

jalandhara bandha

literally, the "net-holding lock," like a fisherman would use to hold one end of his net beneath his chin, while casting out the rest of it.

This is the "chin lock" used to prevent the premature upward movement of the prana vayu, and send it back down to Manipura Chakra where it is transmuted and can be redirected up the central, sushumna nadi.

japa

literally, "repetition". Often used as a synonym for mantra.

jiva-mukta

spiritual liberation. Jiva means "life," and mukta means "liberation."
Jiva-mukta therefore, means to be spiritually liberated while still living in a mortal body.

jiva-mukti

one who has found spiritual freedom while still living in the flesh

kalpa

an immense period of time equal to one thousand ages (Yugas), hence, "ageless," or "immortal."

A kalpa is designated as one day of Brahma, said to measure the duration of the world (being one thousand Yugas, or four-thousand-three-hundred-twenty million human years).

karma

literally, "action." See also, "phalam." In the west, karma is misunderstood to mean what happens to us as a result of our actions. This is backwards: phalam (fruit) is what happens to us as a result of our actions. Karma is our actions: it is what we DO, not what we get back.

The Law of Karma is the law of cause and effect. Karma (action) is the cause of resulting effects, or phalam (fruit).

Karmas are of three kinds: actions of the body; actions of speech; and actions of thought. Jesus also taught this concept in Matt. 5:21-22.

kaya kalpa

literally, "ageless body." The term kaya means "body" and kalpa means "ageless," or "immortal."

Kaya Kalpa is a form of Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine developed in South India at about the same time that Hatha Yoga was being developed. Kaya Kalpa has three main objectives:

1.      Slowing the aging process

2.      Maintaining excellent physical health and youthful vitality

3.      Delaying physical death until one achieves jiva-mukta or spiritual liberation (from the effects of karma)

kechari mudra (also spelled khechari mudra)

literally, the "seal, or gesture, of moving in the void," being the more intense form of the "tongue lock." This energy seal requires months of gradually cutting the frenulum linguae, or lower tendon of the tongue, so that the tongue can actually extend back and up into the root of the nasal cavity.


NOTE: Kechari mudra is NOT recommended for householders.
Instead, the nabho mudra is recommended, as it only requires turning the tip of the tongue up and backwards as far as possible. The tongue's capacity to stretch gradually increases with regular practice.

Kechari mudra is sometimes used either with, or instead of, jalandhara bandha (the "chin lock") to reverse the upwards moving prana vayu and send it back downwards to be heated and re-energized at Manipura.

Also, in some texts, the term kechari mudra refers to a combination of the "tongue lock" and the "eye lock" (sambhavi mudra) performed together.

For more information, see sambhavi mudra.

kevala kumbhaka

Spontaneous or intuitional breath retention, without regard to inhalation or exhalation. See kumbhaka.

kriya

literally, "an act, action, undertaking, activity, or process"

In Yoga, kriya usually refers to any one of the six categories of hygiene and purification processes, known collectively as shat-kriya , or the "six cleansing actions." Actually, there are about 20 different kriyas, because there are several specific techniques included under each of the six categories. Each is described in detail in the Gheranda Samhita .

kumbhaka

literally, "like a pot," or "like a chalice." In Yoga, kumbhaka refers to breath retention.

The breath may be held after inhaling (puraka kumbhaka), (when the body may resemble a pot), after exhaling (rechaka kumbhaka), or automatically at any point in between (kevala kumbhaka).

In exoteric breathing, "pot" may be appropriate. However in Yoga breathing where we focus on the sacred breath (prana), we encourage the body to become a sacred "chalice" for this divine fluid..The "Quest for the Holy Grail" represents this aspiration to divine exaltation in Medieval England.

In some Medieval texts (eg. Swami Svatmarama's  Hatha Yoga Pradipika ) the word kumbhaka is also used as a synonym for pranayama.

kumbhaka mudra (also called kumbhaka bandha, hridya mudra, etc.)

Kumbhaka mudra means literally, the "seal of the Chalice," or "gesture of the Chalice;" kumbhaka bandha, "locking the chalice;" and hridya mudra "seal of the heart," "gesture of the heart," or "gesture of gratefulness."

Kumbhaka mudra (or bandha) is one of the advanced " seals" or "locks" used to control the flow of prana energy within the body. It is performed by symmetrically contracting and lifting the muscles of the chest, usually during rechaka kumbhaka, or internal breath retention. In the physical body, this pressurizes the air in the lungs, and promotes internal (cellular) breathing. In the subtle body, it helps direct the prana (Kundalini) upwards, into the heart center, "opening" or energizing this area, before pushing the prana up into the next center.

Caution: Do not perform, or attempt to perform this technique if you have, or might have, any of the following: hypertension, high blood pressure, or a medically diagnosed "heart condition." This mudra may also cause a noticeable "head rush," so do not perform, or attempt to perform this technique if you are prone to dizziness, blackouts, poor balance, etc.

Kundalini

The divine serpent energy resting, dormantly at Muladhara Chakra. This energy is stimulated by Tantra Yoga practices and can be brought to rise upwards, through the major chakras to the Thousand Petaled Lotus at the crown of the head. This is the goal of most physical yogas.

Kundalini Yoga (also called Laya Yoga)

An intense form of Hatha Yoga, that places a great deal of emphasis on very powerful pranayama techniques to heat up the body, which in turn is believed to awaken the sleeping shakti energy (Kundalini) that resides at the base of the spine.

Some say that Gorakhnath founded both Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. This is possible, since the two are so similar to one another, except in the details, which may well have developed over centuries from a common form.

Laya Yoga

Laya means "absorption" or "dissolution" (of the mind).

A variant of Kundalini Yoga, Laya Yoga awakens the latent power of Kundalini, causing it to rise from Muladhara to Ajna (or beyond), thus dissolving the (conscious) mind and giving birth to the supra-conscious state of Samadhi, or Turiya.

Also the "yoga of absorption" into the sound-current (nadam), aka Nada Yoga.

lingam

literally, "phallus." The masculine principle and male symbol. The lingam and the trident are both common symbols of Shiva.

maha mudra

literally, the "Great Seal, or Great Gesture,." The head-to-knee pose (alternate leg stretch) performed with puraka kumbhaka, bandha triya, and yantra meditation.

maha samadhi

literally, the "great samadhi," or "great absorption."
Ideally, this would be a spiritual master's final conscious exit from his body, as when Jesus "yielded up his breath" on the cross, or when Paramahansa Yogananda left this world in 1952. In practice, it means a revered figure has died.

Maithuna

(pronounced "my-tuna") A sacred love-making ritual of Tantra Yoga. that helps couples to raise Kundalini together.

Manipura Chakra

literally, the "wheel of the jeweled city." This chakra is the third major energy center; located near the navel.

mantra

literally, an "instrument of thought." A prayer or song of praise; a mystical verse or magical formula used to invoke a deity or to acquire a divine power. Commonly used to refer to any word, phrase or prayer used for meditation. The Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary are but two examples of a Christian mantra.

marga (also, margha)

literally, "path, way." In yoga terminology, marga is often used to indicate a particular spiritual path, eg., bhakti marga means the "path of devotion." Marga is sometimes used to represent "the Way," in a similar sense as taught by the Rabbi Yeshua (Jesus) or as represented in Chinese by the Tao.

Matsyendranath (aka: Matsyendra, Matsyendra Nath, Matsyendranatha, etc.)

The teacher or guru of Gorakhnath (Gorakhsha), and an early exponent of Hatha Yoga.

Matsyendra and Goraksha were both famous yogis who lived sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries. However, we know very little about them historically, because soon after their deaths, their accomplishments were quickly blended with myth, folklore, and magic, to the point of their virtual deification. Countless legends of them now abound throughout the north and west of India, telling of their fantastic powers and magical feats.

mudra

literally a "seal" or "gesture." In many Indian dance forms, thousands of such mudras- specific gestures of the face, hands, arms, and body- are recognized.

In yoga, mudra is the name given to specific muscular contractions (bandhas), body positions (asanas), and points of concentration (dharanas), that are used either (i) to the fix the location of, or (ii) to control the movement of, pranic energy.

The Gheranda Samhita  lists twenty (20) physical mudras, and five (5) dharana mudras; the latter specifying the means of concentration (dharana) on each of the first five major chakras (ie., on the five centers associated with physical elements).

mula bandha

literally, the "root lock," performed by contracting the muscles of the anus sphincter. It is used to redirect the downwards moving apana vayu and send it back upwards. See also aswani mudra.

Muladhara Chakra

literally, "wheel of the root support." This chakra is the first major energy center; located near the coccyx at the coccygeal plexus, it opens to the rear.

nabho mudra

Turn the underside of the tongue up; press it against the hard palate; extend the tip of the tongue back towards the soft palate; and retain the breath in the lungs.

This "tongue lock" technique should be practiced as a true bandha by pressing the tongue firmly up and back. When performed in this manner, nabho mudra immediately suppresses spurious self-talk, internal dialog, and mind chatter. It is used in place of kechari mudra, as it does not require cutting the frenulum linguae.

For more information, see kechari mudra and sambhavi mudra.

nadi

"flowing water, a river, or current; any tube or pipe, especially a tubular organ (as a vein or artery in the body)"

In yoga, nadi refers to channels in the subtle body through which prana and kundalini flow, as well as to the normal tubes and vessels of the physical body.

The principle nadi is Sushumna, the central nerve channel connecting the chakras, and through which Kundalini Shakti is coaxed to rise. Sushumna is said to reside in the very center of the spinal cord. Wrapped around it are two secondary nadis, ida and pingala (loosely associated with the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems).

In many pranayama techniques, ida and pingala represent the left and right nostrils, respectively. Ida is feminine, yin, lunar, and receptive. Pingala is masculine, yang, solar, and active. Recent studies have shown that left-nostril lunar breathing, called chandra bheda, helps activate the right (more intuitive or synthetical) cerebral hemisphere, while right-nostril solar breathing, called surya bheda, helps activate the left (more logical or analytical) cerebral hemisphere.

There are thousands of nadis extending throughout the subtle body, just as there are thousands of nerves and vessels running throughout the physical body. Shiva Samhita  says there are 350,000 nadis, of which it elaborates on only fourteen; of these fourteen, only ida, pingala and sushumna are considered vitally important to the practice of yoga. Hatha Yoga Pradipika  and other sources claim 72,000 nadis. These numbers are symbolic and based on Indic numerology; their exact significance may have been understood differently by different ancient teachers. All agree on the importance of ida, pingala, and sushumna, with sushumna being paramount.

nama-rupa

Literally, "name & form," being the standard linguistic, visual, and tactile reference points for a living being- or any other object in the universe. Distinguished from sva-bhava, a person's or thing's "own true being," or from Atman, a being's true "Self."

The term namarupa  is used frequently in Buddhist literature and post-Buddhistic yoga literature to represent the exoteric nature of things, as distinguished from their true nature.

niyama

a moral observance; the second of the eight stages in Patanjali's ashtanga yoga system. See yama & niyama.

OM (AUM)

Om is the conventional English misspelling of AUM. There are actually three distinct sounds, or phonemes, to AUM but the spelling "om" works out OK, because the English long "O" is actually the phonetic diphthong, "AU" anyway, rather than the phonetic sound of "O."

OM Mani Padme Hum

literally, "jewel in the lotus," signifying "lingam in the yoni." An ancient and sacred Tantric mantra, relating (among other things) to the Maithuna ritual.

padma

Lotus; lotus flower. Another name for the chakras, because sometimes they are visualized as spinning spoked wheels, and at other times as lotus flowers.

Patanjali

The author of the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali lived sometime between about 200 B.C.E. and 200 C.E., but the exact date is unknown. Patanjali traveled throughout much of India, studying and analyzing what different practitioners and teachers were doing under the name of "yoga." Patanjali probably did not actually contribute any new ideas or practices to yoga, rather he provided a valuable structural analysis of the yoga of his day.

phalam

literally "fruit," the Fruit of Karma. Used in esoteric texts to refer to the results, outcome or consequences of our actions (karmas). This is what Jesus was referring to when he said, "By their fruits you shall know them."

pingala

see nadi

prana

In prana, the root word "pra," meaning "to fill," is added to the root word, "an," ("to breathe" or "to live") creating the new meaning "the life that fills with the breath." In other words the life principle in action. Prana commonly translates as "air," "breath," "spirit," "life," "life force," "energy," "subtle energy," or "the upwards moving energy currents within the body."

pranayama

literally "breath control." any of the hundreds of therapeutic breathing patterns used in any of the forms of Yoga or the martial arts. Stage 4 in Patanjali's analysis of the yoga systems.

"Once asana is acquired, one should control the movements of inhalation and exhalation; this is pranayama." ( Yoga Sutras 2:49)

pratyahara

turning the senses inwards, so as to detect the subtle currents and centers within the body. Stage 5 in Patanjali's analysis of the yoga systems.

"When the senses withdraw and become as one with the substance of the mind, that is pratyahara." ( Yoga Sutras 2:54)

puraka kumbhaka

Breath retention after inhaling. Same as antara kumbhaka. See kumbhaka.

rechaka kumbhaka

Breath retention after exhaling. Same as bahya kumbhaka. See kumbhaka.

Sahasrara Chakra

literally, "wheel of a thousand petals." This "crown chakra" is the seventh major energy center; located just behind the top of the head (where the "soft spot" on a baby is), it opens slightly to the rear.

samadhi

literally, "putting together," "joining or combining with," hence, a state of "oneness."

In yoga, specifically, samadhi may mean any of the following:

·         "absorbed in meditation;"

·         "a state of profound meditation or devotion;"

·         "intense application or fixing the mind [on something];"

·         "attention, intense absorption or a kind of trance;"

·         "concentration of the thoughts;"

·         "profound or abstract meditation;"

·         "intense contemplation of any particular object
(so as to identify the meditator with the object meditated upon."
In other words, in samadhi, the practitioner becomes perceptually
and experientially one with the environment.

This state is the state of "Atman," or "Turiya" (the Forth)

So, samadhi may refer to any of the highest levels of consciousness, in or out of trance. These states may be achieved by Yoga practice or by other means. It is the eighth and last stage of Yoga in Patanjali's  analysis of yoga; most systems of Hatha Yoga likewise view samadhi as the state of ultimate achievement. In Buddhism, samadhi is the fourth and final stage of Dhyana or intense abstract meditation.

There are many levels of samadhi, which are given many different names. The lower forms of this absorption may be called saguna-samadhi (with attributes), savitarka-samadhi (with deliberation), savikalpa-samadhi (with change), savichara-samadhi (with reflection), sabija-samadhi (with seed), etc.

The higher forms of this absorption may be called nirguna-samadhi (without attributes), nirvitarka-samadhi (without deliberation), nirvikalpa-samadhi (without change or differences), nirvichara-samadhi (without reflection), nirbija-samadhi (without seed), etc.

Samadhi is the final of the eight stages given in Patanjali's analysis of the yoga systems.

"Samadhi is that same dhyana, when the object [of meditation] shines by it's own self, as if devoid [of form] or free [of the meditator]. (Yoga Sutras 3:3)

sambhavi mudra (also, shambhavi mudra)

"related to Shiva"  There are several different techniques that go by this name, and English spellings are inconsistent. What is referred to in this text, is the "seal, or gesture, of the eyes," in which one turns the eyes upwards and inwards towards the "third eye," or "eye of Shiva," located at the brow center (Ajna Chakra).

Turning the eyes up-and-left allows the brain to access remembered visual images. Turning them up-and-right allows it to construct new visual images. This technique has the right eye accessing remembered images while the left eye is accessing creative images. This produces at the cognitive level, a third way for the brain to see- creating almost literally a "third eye." It also strengthens the eye muscles.

This dual-modality visual-accessing technique also has the effect of limiting ones ability to engage in internal dialog. Kechari or nabho mudras also help to suppress internal self-talk, by dampening the micro-motor movements of the tongue that are concomitant with internal self-talk and sub-vocalizations, whether conscious or unconscious. These two techniques (the eye lock and the tongue lock) are therefore often practiced together, and are excellent techniques to use while doing yantra and mantra meditations; because together, they help to control both the visual and the auditory processing modes of the brain.

samavritti, (samavritti kumbhaka, samavritti pranayama)

literally "equal movement." The Equal Breathing technique.
This measured breathing technique may be practiced using 2, 3, or 4 equal parts to the breath, ie.  inhale-exhale, inhale-hold-exhale, or inhale-hold-exhale-hold.

samhita

any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses;
also, the name of various works, eg. Shiva Samhita , Gheranda Samhita , etc.

sannyasa

A "renunciate." The fourth ashrama, or stage of life in Classical India:
when one leaves the security of the hermitage and lives as a wandering hermit, owning nothing save the clothes one is wearing and a small wooden bowl for food.