Glossary
abhyanga The ancient Ayurvedic practice of massaging the skin with oil to hydrate the body from within. It enhances muscle tone, detoxification, and relaxation.
agni Your internal fire, in charge of digestion, nutrient assimilation, metabolism, and creation of bodily tissues. When agni is healthy, you are able to easily digest both foods and emotions, making you physically and mentally sound. When agni is too much or too little, you begin suffering from digestive, health, and emotional issues.
Ayurveda The world’s oldest health system. It originated in India 5,000 years ago with the goal of achieving mind-body balance. It contains medical, spiritual, psychological, and philosophical components, all focused on promoting lifelong wellness.
chakras The energy centers along your spinal cord, from the top of your head down to the bottom of your tailbone. Each chakra is related to a particular energetic function: root chakra (muladhara), sacral chakra (svadhisthana), solar plexus chakra (manipura), heart chakra (anahata), throat chakra (vishuddha), third eye chakra (agna), and crown chakra (sahasrara).
dhatus The seven bodily tissues: plasma, bones, muscles, fat, nervous system, and reproductive system.
dinacharya Your daily practice, such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, scraping your tongue, oiling your body, meditating, and eating breakfast. The term means “to be close to the day” because balance is found when you work with the rhythms of nature.
Dosha The Ayurvedic term for “energy” used to describe all people, foods, and things. The three Doshas are Vata (air and ether), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). See also Kapha; Pitta; Vata.
dry brushing The Ayurvedic practice of gently scraping the body with a dry loofa brush to remove toxins and dead skin cells and stimulate the lymphatic system.
Kapha The Ayurvedic Dosha comprised of earth and water elements, governing your bone density and all structure within your body. When Kapha is out of balance, you experience heaviness, fatigue, water retention, depression, and other related issues. See also Pitta; Vata.
koshas The five layers surrounding your physical body that comprise your whole being. These five layers are your physical body (annamaya), energy body (pranamaya), mental body (manomaya), intuitive body (vijnanamaya), and blissful body (anandamaya).
nasya The Ayurvedic practice of administering oil up your nose to heal allergies, improve breathing, relieve headaches, and even improve quality of voice.
neti The Ayurvedic practice of rinsing out your nostrils with salt water to treat congestion and improve breathing.
ojas The subtle essence related to health and well-being. It makes you peaceful and patient. See also prana; tejas.
panchakarma An ancient Ayurvedic fivefold detoxification and rejuvenation method involving herbalized oil massages, steam therapies, enemas, a cleansing kitchari diet, and other toxin-purifying practices.
Pitta The Ayurvedic Dosha comprised of fire and water elements, governing your stomach and all transformation within your body. When Pitta is out of balance, you experience heartburn, overheating, anger, impatience, and other related issues. See also Kapha; Vata.
Prakriti The Doshic constitution you were born with, determined at the moment of conception. For example, you may have been born primarily Kapha, secondarily Vata, and lastly Pitta. See also Vikruti.
prana The subtle essence related to vital life force and breath. It makes you flexible and creative. See also ojas; tejas.
rajas The universal quality representing movement, passion, and energy. It fills you with power, but excess can lead to aggression. Stimulants, nonvegetarian foods, and pungent tastes are considered rajasic.
rasa The Ayurvedic term for taste. The six tastes are sweet (madhura), sour (amla), salty (lavana), bitter (tikta), pungent (katu), and astringent (kashaya).
sattva The universal quality representing purity, clarity, and potential energy. It illuminates you with knowledge, wisdom, compassion, and enlightenment. Fresh vegetables, fruit, certain grains, and easily digestible meals are considered sattvic.
self-actualization The achievement of your full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world.
tamas The universal quality representing inertia, inactivity, and lethargy. Tamasic foods include processed and frozen meals, refined sugar and carbs, meat, alcohol, onions, and garlic.
tejas The subtle essence related to radiance and glow. It makes you intelligent and courageous. See also ojas; prana.
Upavedas The secondary Vedic teachings that go into four technical subjects: the arts (Gandharvaveda), warfare (Dhanurveda), health (Ayurveda), and architecture (Sthapartaveda).
Vata The Ayurvedic Dosha comprised of air and ether elements, regulating your nervous system and all movements within your body. When Vata is out of balance, you experience constipation, bloating, anxiety, irregular periods, and other related issues. See also Kapha; Pitta.
Vikruti The Doshic constitution you have today due to your diet, environment, lifestyle, and other factors. For example, you may eat many cold foods and live in a cold place, making your Vikruti Vata. See also Prakriti.