AJNA: sixth chakra; energy centre located between your eyebrows; the “third eye”; the brow chakra
ALVEOLUS (plural: alveoli): microscopic air sacs in your lungs where gaseous exchange takes place
ANAHATA: fourth chakra; energy centre located in the centre of your chest; the heart chakra
APANA: downward/outward-moving manifestation of prana; your cleansing breath
BANDHA: muscular lock applied by yogis during certain breathing and physical exercises
BRONCHIAL TUBES: two branches of the respiratory tube that carry air in and out of each lung
CAPILLARY: the smallest blood vessel in your body, its walls are one cell thick (i.e. microscopic) and porous, thus permitting the exchange of gases and nutrients
CHAKRA: subtle energy centre
DIAPHRAGM: the large muscle that causes you to breathe; separates chest from abdomen
GASEOUS EXCHANGE: when oxygen from the air you inhale passes into a capillary through the thin porous membranes of the alveolus and simultaneously carbon dioxide from your blood moves into the alveolus to be exhaled
HATHA YOGA: path of yoga that begins by working with the physical body, strengthening and purifying it with asana (physical exercises), pranayama (breathing exercises) and kriyas (cleansing exercises). All facilitate purity of mind.
HEMOGLOBIN: protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to your cells
IDA: subtle energy channel, or nadi, located to the left of your spine
INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES: intercostal muscles: the muscles between your ribs; they move your ribs during the breathing process and aid your diaphragm
KRIYA: a yoga cleansing or purification exercise
LARYNX: voice box, located between your pharynx (throat) and trachea (windpipe); the cartridge at the front is referred to as the “Adam’s apple”
MANIPURA: third chakra; energy centre located in your solar plexus region; the solar-plexus chakra yoga exercises to “seal” your subtle energy; hand gestures
MULADHARA: first and lowest chakra; energy centre located at the base of your body; the root chakra
MUDRA: yoga exercises to “seal” your subtle energy; hand gestures
NADI: subtle energy channel; equivalent to a meridian in acupuncture
PHARYNX: throat, the tube at the back of your nose and mouth that divides into the oesophagus (through which food travels) and larynx (through which air travels); it is considered a part of both your digestive and respiratory systems
PINGALA: subtle energy channel, or nadi, located to the right of your spine
PRANA: vital force; life energy; equivalent to the Chinese concept of chi and Japanese ki
PRANAYAMA: control of prana; the yogic science of breath control
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: your body’s breathing mechanism
SAHASRARA: seventh and highest chakra; energy centre located at the crown of your head; the crown chakra digestive/balancing manifestation of prana; your nourishing breath
SAMANA: digestive/balancing manifestation of prana; your nourishing breath
SINUS: facial cavity located behind your cheekbones and forehead
SUSHUMNA: the central nadi; approximates your spine
TRACHEA: the passageway for air between your larynx and bronchial tubes; your windpipe.
UDANA: the muscles between your ribs; they move your ribs during the breathing process and aid your diaphragm
VISUDDHA: fifth chakra; energy centre located at your throat; the throat chakra
VYANA: the manifestation of prana that distributes energy; your expansive breath