Glossary · A–Z

Terms starting with “A”

91 terms in the conscious-living glossary.

• AartiChanting & DevotionalEvening worship ceremony with lamps, incense, and devotional singing.
• AbhangChanting & DevotionalDevotional poetry set to music from the Maharashtrian Bhakti tradition.
• AbhiniveshaYoga PhilosophyFear of death—clinging to life and bodily existence.
• AbhyangaAyurveda & WellnessAyurvedic self-massage with warm oil, performed daily to nourish tissues and calm the nervous system.
• AbhyangaAyurveda & WellnessWarm oil self-massage for nourishment and grounding.
• AcroYogaYoga StylesPartner practice combining yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage.
• AcroYogaYoga StylesPartner practice combining acrobatics, yoga, and Thai massage.
• Active RecoveryRecovery & InjuryLow-intensity movement (walking, easy swim, yoga) on rest days to promote blood flow and healing.
• AcupressureTraditional Chinese MedicineApplying pressure to acupuncture points without needles—accessible self-healing technique.
• AcupressureTraditional Chinese MedicineApplying pressure to acupoints without needles.
• AcupunctureTraditional Chinese MedicineAncient Chinese therapy inserting thin needles at specific points to balance qi flow.
• AcupunctureTraditional Chinese MedicineInserting needles at specific points to balance qi.
• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog)Yoga Poses (Asanas)An inverted V-shape pose stretching the entire back body while building strength.
• Adho Mukha VrksasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Handstand—full inversion on hands requiring strength and balance.
• Advaita VedantaYoga PhilosophyNon-dual philosophy teaching oneness of self and reality.
• Aerial YogaYoga StylesYoga practiced in a fabric hammock—allowing supported inversions and deep stretches.
• Aerial YogaYoga StylesYoga poses performed in a hammock suspended from the ceiling.
• Aero BarsCycling TermsHandlebar extensions that position riders in a tucked, aerodynamic posture — standard on triathlon and time trial bikes.
• Aerobic SystemSports ScienceEnergy system using oxygen to burn fat and carbohydrates. Powers all endurance efforts beyond 2–3 minutes.
• AgniAyurveda & WellnessDigestive fire—the metabolic energy that transforms food into nourishment.
• AgniAyurveda & WellnessDigestive fire—the key to health in Ayurvedic medicine.
• AhimsaYoga PhilosophyNon-violence or non-harming—the first and most important yama in yoga philosophy.
• AhimsaYoga PhilosophyNon-violence—the first and foundational yama in yoga ethics.
• Aid StationRace Day TermsOn-course stops offering water, sports drinks, gels, and sometimes medical support.
• Ajapa JapaMeditationSpontaneous repetition—mantra meditation that becomes automatic and effortless.
• Ajapa JapaMeditationSpontaneous mantra repetition synchronized with breath.
• Ajna (Third Eye)Subtle Body & AnatomyThe sixth chakra between the eyebrows—governs intuition, insight, and wisdom.
• Ajna ChakraSubtle Body & AnatomyThird eye chakra for intuition and insight.
• Alexander TechniqueMovement & DanceA method for improving posture and movement by releasing unconscious habits.
• Alexander TechniqueMovement & DanceRe-education of habitual movement patterns and posture.
• AltarRitual & CeremonyA sacred space created with meaningful objects for devotion, meditation, or ritual.
• AmaAyurveda & WellnessToxic residue from incomplete digestion—accumulates and causes disease.
• AmaAyurveda & WellnessToxic residue from incomplete digestion causing disease.
• AmethystCrystals & MineralsA purple stone for spiritual protection, intuition, and calming the mind.
• AmethystCrystals & MineralsPurple crystal for spiritual protection and intuition.
• Anahata (Heart Chakra)Subtle Body & AnatomyThe fourth chakra at the heart center—governs love, compassion, and connection.
• Anahata ChakraSubtle Body & AnatomyHeart chakra for love and compassion.
• AnandaSanskrit & Sacred LanguageBliss—the state of supreme joy that is our true nature.
• Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A playful supine pose holding the feet—releasing the lower back and hips.
• Anandamaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyThe bliss body or "joy sheath"—the innermost layer closest to the true self.
• Anandamaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyBliss body—deepest sheath closest to the Self.
• AnapanasatiMeditationMindfulness of breathing—the Buddha's foundational meditation instruction.
• AnapanasatiBuddhismMindfulness of breathing meditation practice.
• AnattaBuddhist TraditionsNon-self—the teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
• AnattaBuddhist TraditionsNon-self—the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul.
• Ancestor WorkShamanismHealing practices connecting with ancestral spirits.
• AniccaBuddhist TraditionsImpermanence—the Buddhist teaching that all conditioned phenomena are constantly changing.
• AniccaBuddhist TraditionsImpermanence—the truth that all conditioned phenomena arise and pass away.
• Anjali MudraSanskrit & Sacred LanguagePrayer position with palms together at the heart—a gesture of honor and gratitude.
• Annamaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyThe physical body or "food sheath"—the outermost layer of being.
• Annamaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyPhysical body sheath made of food.
• Antar KumbhakaBreathworkInternal breath retention—holding after a full inhale.
• Antar MounaMeditationInner silence—a systematic technique for developing witness awareness.
• Antar MounaMeditationInner silence practice from the Satyananda yoga tradition.
• Antara KumbhakaBreathworkInternal breath retention after inhalation.
• Anti-Chafe BalmGear & EquipmentLubricant applied to skin before long runs and races to prevent painful friction blisters and chafing. Body Glide and Squirrel's Nut Butter are cult favorites.
• Anusara YogaYoga StylesA heart-centered practice emphasizing alignment principles and positive philosophy.
• Anusara YogaYoga StylesHeart-centered practice emphasizing alignment principles and positive philosophy.
• Anusara YogaYoga StylesHeart-centered practice emphasizing alignment and attitude.
• Apana VayuSubtle Body & AnatomyDownward-moving vital air governing elimination.
• AparigrahaYoga PhilosophyNon-possessiveness—the fifth yama, teaching non-attachment to material things.
• AparigrahaYoga PhilosophyNon-possessiveness—releasing attachment to material things.
• AquamarineCrystals & MineralsA calming throat chakra stone for clear communication and emotional healing.
• AquamarineCrystals & MineralsBlue stone for calm communication and courage.
• AratiChanting & DevotionalA Hindu ritual of light—waving flames before a deity while singing devotional songs.
• AratiChanting & DevotionalA Hindu ritual of worship using fire, typically performed with lamps and devotional songs.
• Ardha ChandrasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Half moon pose—balance, strength, and opening through standing.
• Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A challenging balance pose with body forming a half-moon shape—building strength and focus.
• Ardha MatsyendrasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Half lord of fishes—deep seated spinal twist.
• Ardha Matsyendrasana (Seated Twist)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A deep seated spinal twist—promoting digestion and spinal mobility.
• Ardha NavasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Half boat pose—lower back on floor engaging deep core.
• AsanaYoga StylesPhysical yoga postures—the third limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed path.
• AsanaSanskrit & Sacred LanguageYoga posture or seat for meditation.
• AshtangaYoga StylesA rigorous, athletic style following a set sequence of postures, synchronized with breath.
• AshwagandhaAyurveda & WellnessAn adaptogenic herb for stress, energy, and immune support—"strength of a horse."
• AshwagandhaAyurveda & WellnessAdaptogenic herb for stress, energy, and vitality.
• AsmitaYoga PhilosophyEgo or false identification—mistaking the self for the personality.
• AstavakrasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Eight-angle pose—arm balance named after sage Astavakra.
• AsteyaYoga PhilosophyNon-stealing—the third yama, extending beyond material theft to not taking what is not freely given.
• AsteyaYoga PhilosophyNon-stealing—not taking what is not freely given.
• AtmanYoga PhilosophyThe eternal self or soul—the unchanging essence within each being.
• AuraEnergy Work & HealingThe electromagnetic energy field surrounding living beings—often perceived as colors.
• Aura CleansingEnergy Work & HealingPractices to clear and purify the aura of negative or stagnant energy.
• Aura CleansingEnergy Work & HealingClearing negative energy from the auric field.
• Aura ReadingEnergy Work & HealingPerceiving and interpreting the energy field around the body.
• Authentic MovementMovement & DanceA practice of moving from inner impulses while being witnessed—exploring the unconscious through movement.
• Authentic MovementMovement & DanceEyes-closed movement practice witnessing inner impulses.
• AvidyaYoga PhilosophySpiritual ignorance—the root cause of all suffering in yoga philosophy.
• AyahuascaShamanism & Plant MedicineA sacred brew from the Amazon used in ceremony for healing, visions, and spiritual insight.
• AyahuascaShamanismAmazonian plant medicine brew for healing visions.
• AyurvedaAyurveda & WellnessThe ancient Indian science of life—a holistic healing system addressing body, mind, and spirit.