Abhyanga

Oil therapy with a medicated (herbalized) oil   which calms the nervous system, increases circulation, and introduces balancing herbs into the body.

Asana

Seat in Sanskrit. One of the eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.

Ashram

A place of retreat or community life in India.

Ayurveda

Ayur = Life  Veda = Knowledge: Knowledge of life or Science of life. A classical system of holistic medicine founded 5000 years ago and currently practiced to assist the body on its journey back to optimal health.

Basti

A container, created by dough or even the colon, which holds cleansing, soothing, herbalized fluids to nurture an area of the body.

Chakra

Wheel or Circle in Sanskrit. One of seven centers of subtle energy that cycle within the human body.

Dosha

In Ayurvedic medicine, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three qualities that circulate in the body and govern physiological activity.

Kapha

One of three doshas, consists of water and earth.

Marma

Vital point. In Ayurveda there are 107 vital points of six types: Muscle, Bone, Joint, Nerve, Vessel, and Ligament.

Namaste

A Sanskrit salutation meaning: The light in me bows to the light in you.  That we are one.

Pancha Karma

Pancha = five (5) Karma = action in Sanskrit.  Practitioner prescribed series of Ayurvedic treatments based on your body’s needs for health and rejuvenation.

Pitta

One of three doshas, consists of fire and water.

Prakriti / Prakruti

Inherent balance. A person’s natural state or personal constitution. Your unique mixture of the three doshas.

Shanti

Peace in Sanskrit.

Shirodhara

Shiro = Head   Dhara = to pour. A flow of warm dosha balancing oil streams to the forehead allowing deep relaxation.

Svedana

To sweat, fomentation. During bodywork herbalized steam, warm oils, or milk may be used for cleansing or detoxifying.

Vata

One of three doshas, consists of air and ether.

Virkruti

Current balance/unbalanced state. Your current mixture of the three doshas that is always in flux.

Yoga

Yoke, to come together, to become one. The union of body~mind~spirit.