Glossary · A–Z

Terms starting with “B”

81 terms in the conscious-living glossary.

• Baddha KonasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Bound angle pose—seated with soles together opening inner thighs.
• Baddha PadmasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Bound lotus—lotus with arms wrapped grabbing toes.
• BaduanjinTraditional Chinese MedicineEight Pieces of Brocade—a qigong set of gentle movements for health.
• BaduanjinTraditional Chinese MedicineEight Brocades—classic qigong exercises for health.
• Bahir KumbhakaBreathworkExternal breath retention—holding after a full exhale.
• Bahya KumbhakaBreathworkExternal breath retention after exhalation.
• BakasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Crow pose—arm balance building core strength and focus.
• Bakasana (Crow Pose)Yoga Poses (Asanas)An arm balance with knees resting on upper arms—building focus and strength.
• Balasana (Child's Pose)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A resting pose with forehead to floor—calming the mind and gently stretching the back.
• BandhaSubtle Body & AnatomyEnergy locks in the body—muscular contractions that direct prana flow.
• BandhaSanskrit & Sacred LanguageEnergy lock used in yoga practice.
• BardoBuddhist TraditionsIntermediate state—transitions between death and rebirth or between any states.
• Base BuildingTraining ConceptsThe foundation phase of training focused on building aerobic capacity with easy, consistent mileage.
• BastiAyurveda & WellnessMedicated enema therapy—considered the most important panchakarma treatment.
• BastiAyurveda & WellnessTherapeutic enema treatment for vata imbalances.
• Beer YogaYoga StylesPlayful yoga incorporating beer drinking as part of practice.
• Bhagavad GitaYoga PhilosophyThe 700-verse Hindu scripture—a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on dharma and yoga paths.
• Bhagavad GitaYoga PhilosophySacred dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on dharma.
• BhairavaTantraFierce aspect of Shiva in tantric traditions.
• BhairaviTantraFierce goddess embodying transformative feminine power.
• BhajanChanting & DevotionalDevotional songs expressing love and longing for the divine, typically sung in Hindi or Sanskrit.
• BhaktiChanting & DevotionalThe yoga of devotion—a spiritual path centered on love, surrender, and devotion to the divine.
• BhaktiYoga PhilosophyPath of devotional love and surrender to the divine.
• BharadvajasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Sage twist—gentle seated spinal twist named after the sage.
• BhastrikaBreathworkBellows breath—rapid, forceful inhales and exhales to energize and heat the body.
• BhastrikaBreathworkBellows breath—vigorous breathing for energy and detoxification.
• BhramariBreathworkBee breath—humming exhalation calming the nervous system.
• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A gentle backbend lying prone—opening the chest and strengthening the spine.
• BhujapidasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Shoulder pressing pose—compact arm balance with crossed feet.
• Bib TransferRegistration & LogisticsOfficially transferring your race registration to another person. Policies vary by race; some prohibit it.
• Bikram / Hot YogaYoga StylesA 90-minute practice of 26 postures performed in a heated room (105°F/40°C).
• Bilateral BreathingSwimming TermsBreathing on alternating sides (every 3 strokes) to develop a balanced, symmetrical freestyle stroke.
• Binaural BeatsSound HealingAuditory processing where two different frequencies played in each ear create a perceived third tone.
• Binaural BeatsSound HealingAudio technology using two frequencies to entrain brainwaves.
• Binaural BeatsSound HealingAudio technique creating brainwave entrainment through stereo frequencies.
• Binaural BeatsSound HealingAudio technology creating brainwave entrainment through frequency difference.
• BinduSubtle Body & AnatomyPoint of creation—seed of consciousness at back of head.
• BiodanzaMovement & DanceA system integrating music, movement, and emotion to enhance life expression.
• BiodanzaMovement & DanceLife dance system integrating movement, music, and connection.
• Biodynamic BreathworkBreathworkIntegrating breath, movement, sound, and touch for trauma release.
• Biodynamic BreathworkBreathworkCombining breath with movement and touch for trauma release.
• BiofieldEnergy Work & HealingThe field of energy and information surrounding and interpenetrating the human body.
• Biofield TuningEnergy Work & HealingUsing tuning forks to detect and clear disturbances in the body's energy field.
• BiomechanicsSports ScienceThe science of movement mechanics — how joints, muscles, and forces interact during running and sport.
• Black TourmalineCrystals & MineralsA powerful protective stone that absorbs negative energy and grounds.
• Black TourmalineCrystals & MineralsPowerful protection stone absorbing negative energy.
• Blessing WayRitual & CeremonyA ceremony honoring transitions—especially pregnancy, birth, or life passages.
• Blessing WayRitual & CeremonyCelebration and blessing ceremony, especially for expectant mothers.
• Bodhi TreeBuddhismTree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
• BodhicittaBuddhist TraditionsThe awakening mind—the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for all beings.
• BodhisattvaBuddhist TraditionsOne who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings—postponing final liberation to help others.
• BodhisattvaBuddhismEnlightened being postponing nirvana to help others.
• Body CodeEnergy Work & HealingEnergy healing system identifying and releasing imbalances.
• Body ScanMeditationSystematic attention through the body for relaxation and awareness.
• Body Scan MeditationMeditationA practice of systematically moving attention through the body to release tension and develop awareness.
• Body Scan MeditationMeditationSystematic attention through body parts for awareness.
• Body-Mind CenteringMovement & DanceA somatic approach exploring the body's systems through movement and touch.
• Body-Mind CenteringMovement & DanceExperiential study of body systems and developmental movement.
• Bonk (Hitting the Wall)Nutrition & FuelingSudden energy depletion when glycogen stores run out, usually around mile 18–20 of a marathon.
• Box BreathingBreathworkA calming technique: inhale, hold, exhale, hold—each for equal counts.
• Box BreathingBreathworkFour-part breathing (inhale-hold-exhale-hold) for calm focus.
• Box BreathingBreathworkEqual-ratio breathing creating calm and focus.
• BQ (Boston Qualifier)Community & CultureA marathon time that meets the qualifying standard for the Boston Marathon — a lifetime goal for many runners.
• Brahma GranthiSubtle Body & AnatomyFirst knot at root chakra—attachment to physical.
• BrahmacharyaYoga PhilosophyModeration of the senses—traditionally celibacy, modernly interpreted as wise use of sexual energy.
• BrahmacharyaYoga PhilosophyRight use of energy—traditionally celibacy, now often moderation.
• BrahmacharyaSanskrit & Sacred LanguageEnergy management, often translated as celibacy.
• BrahmanYoga PhilosophyThe ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness—the infinite, unchanging source of all existence.
• BrahmariBreathworkBee breath—humming on the exhale to calm the mind and nervous system.
• BrahmiAyurveda & WellnessBrain tonic herb for memory and cognitive function.
• Breath AwarenessMeditationThe foundational practice of simply observing the natural breath without controlling it.
• Breath MeditationMeditationUsing the breath as the primary focus of attention.
• Breath of FireBreathworkA rapid, rhythmic breathing technique from Kundalini yoga that energizes and detoxifies.
• Breath of FireBreathworkKundalini yoga rapid breathing through the nose.
• Breathwork JourneyBreathworkAn extended session of conscious breathing for profound inner exploration.
• Brick WorkoutTriathlon SpecificTraining two disciplines back-to-back (usually bike then run) to simulate race-day fatigue.
• BuddhaBuddhist TraditionsThe "Awakened One"—Siddhartha Gautama who attained enlightenment and founded Buddhism.
• Buddha NatureBuddhismInnate awakened potential within all beings.
• Burpee PenaltyObstacle Course RacingThe standard punishment for failing an obstacle in Spartan Race — 30 burpees before continuing. Love them or hate them, they define OCR.
• ButohMovement & DanceJapanese avant-garde dance exploring darkness, transformation, and the grotesque.
• ButohMovement & DanceJapanese avant-garde dance exploring darkness and transformation.