MARTYA YOGA

Not to be confused with Abhava, a yoga in which the yogin envisions himself as "non-existence". Martya yoga is a means of inducing self-inflicted death by awakening the "sleeping coiled serpent" in each of us. It is self-taught, but inadvisable to call it forth unless one is prepared to follow through to the end. Once seriously begun, the process cannot easily be reversed (suicice is more easily induced, it is said, by a secret acupuncture point).

So long as we continue to let go of the lower rung in oder to reach for the higher, we can ascend the ladder of evolution. As we give way to fatigue we settle for mere repetition and holding fast. Similarly, the Yoga of Death teaches us to pass through the gates between worlds with courage. Life and Death are but ways of matter which Spirit sometimes uses. In life also we are capable of moving between dimensions, from one world to the next. And if we know how to travel indefinitely from dimension to dimension, it follows that we can ultimately alter exterior Reality by both natural magick and objective magic. Self and World are connected. This does not mean, however, that we have the right to consign whomever we choose of our fellow souls to some unfortunate dimension, without understanding what we are doing. To attempt to remove evil from one sphere is simply to send it to another, perhaps even less appropriate place. Nor may we ourselves blithely move from one dimension to the next, whenever the problems of the world begin to weigh a bit heavily on us. That would be to leave an endless trail of unfinished business and irresponsibility behind ourselves like muddy footprints. The best life, therefore, is the life of sacrifice in the here and now - not sacrifice through dying, but through living.

(See also: MARTYA YOGA, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

TAI CHI

Tai Chi (pronounced tie-chee) emphasizes complete relaxation, and is essentially a form of mediation, or what has been called "meditation in motion." Unlike the hard martial arts, Tai Chi is characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasize force, rather than brute strength. Though it is soft, slow, and flowing, the movements are executed precisely. 

Tai Chi history is not well documented; however, aspects of it date back at least 2000 years B.C. in ancient India. In the 13th century A.D., a Taoist (pronounced DOW-ist) monk, Chang Sang Feng, developed what is known as Tai Chi. Then Tai Chi came to be associated with different families in China, and each family’s name designated a different style of Tai Chi. The Chen family developed the Tai Chi style upon which all other modern styles are based. A man by the name of Yang, who studied with the Chen family, later modified the Chen style, thus developing the Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan. The Yang style is the most common traditional style of Tai Chi Chuan practiced today. The Yang style has three different forms that are practiced: Simplified form, short form, and long form.

Chi is an ancient Chinese concept that designates a form of energy. The term literally means "breath," as does the ancient Greek word from which we get the word "spirit." According to the philosophy of Tai Chi, this energy, which flows throughout every body, can become blocked. Tai Chi philosophy states that illness is due to the flow of the chi through the body becoming blocked. The Chinese recognize several means for freeing up the flow of chi. Two of the more commonly known forms in this country are acupuncture and Tai Chi.

Tai Chi, as also used as form of meditation to develop self-understanding. Learning to control oneself enables one to deal with others. This self-control can come about through two principal notions found in the Tao Te Ching (pronounced DOW tay ching) and I Ching (pronounced EE- ching). These two notions are the fundamental concepts of yin and yang. The philosophy of Taoism (DOW-ism) understands everything in terms of these two opposing principles. Though these two principles are seen as opposites, the one necessarily merges into the other, creating the natural balance of self and world, hence the classic symbol of Tai Chi . The Tai Chi form is meant to enable one to bring the principles of yin and yang back into their fundamental, natural harmony. The ultimate effect of this harmony, according to Taoism and Tai Chi, is one's physical and spiritual well-being.

(See also: TAI CHI, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

AROMATHERAPY: uses essential oils from flowers, trees, roots, herbs, berries and fruits, to treat emotional disorders such as stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments and to promote physical, mental and emotional wellness. Oils are either massaged into the skin in diluted form, inhaled, placed in baths, or applied on and around the body.

Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic and other wholistic healing.

What is aromatherapy?

It is the controlled use of natural essential oils in the process of physical and emotional healing. You may have discovered that in some ways, you've been experiencing aromatherapy most of your life without even knowing it.

We have all experienced memory recall triggered by a particular scent; perhaps the scent of a favorite flower, or the perfume your grandmother used to wear, or an aunt's linen closet. The event can produce positive or negative memories. Certain scents may trigger negative thoughts of a person or place in your past. Whatever the case, the importance of scent in our lives is quite profound and in some ways, unique to each of us. Aromatherapy is a way to enjoy a controlled use of natural oils to enrich and benefit your life.

What are essential oils?

Whole, pure essential oils come from nature; they are the "essence" of plants. They are droplets of water-like fluid contained in the leaves, stems, bark, flowers, roots and/or fruits of different plants, and give the plant its unique scent. Essential oils are volatile, whereas they easily transfer from a liquid to a gaseous state at room temperature or higher. The amount of essential oil found in most plants is 1 to 2%, but can contain amounts from 0.01 to 10%. They can change in composition and location with a particular plant. For example, orange trees produce neroli oil in their blossoms, orange oil in their citrus, and petitgrain oil in their leaves. Essential oils are also very concentrated and extremely potent, and sometimes 75 to 100 times more concentrated than say, the herb it is present in. This is all the more reason to use these oils with thorough knowledge of their potency.

How are essential oils extracted?

There are two common procedures for extracting true essential oils:

1. Steam distillation
2. Expression

 The process of steam distillation has 5 steps:

1. Steam plant material
2. Collect steam carrying aromatic molecules
3. Cool in cold-water bath
4. Produce floral water and essential oil
5. Separate essential oil, then bottle

This process is also the most popular for obtaining the essential oils from plants. The steam is forced into a vat containing the plant material, which ruptures the oil glands and releases the oil. The volatile oils are cooled, separated from the water content, and bottled. It may take hundreds or thousands of pounds of plant material to distill a single pound of the essential oil. Bulgarian Rose oil requires about 4,000 pounds of hand-picked flower petals to make 1 pound of oil, obviously making this one expensive oil!

The second method, extraction, has 4 major steps:

1. Have citrus peels
2. Machine press
3. Obtain essential oils and fruit waxes
4. Separate oils, then bottle

This method is primarily used in the perfume and food industries, and does not produce a 100% pure essential oil. Solvents are used in the process to pull out the soluable molecules; therefore making them incomplete oils. Resins, concretes, absolutes, and pomades result from this method.

How are essential oils taken in?

Essential oils are absorbed into the body two ways; through the skin and through nasal inhalation. Our sense of smell, controlled by the olfactory system, is some 10,000 times greater than any other sense. The olfactory system is directly linked to the limbic system, which is responsible for our emotional state, memory, and certain regulatory function.

Essential oils also penetrate the skin, or the integumentary system. Because essential oils have a low molecular weight and are organic in nature, they are absorbed through the pores and hair follicles of the skin, and unlike synthetic chemicals, they do not accumulate in the body. Absorption can take place anywhere from 15 minutes to 12 hours, and take from 3 to 6 hours to be metabolized in a healthy body. Excessive fat or toughened skin may slow down the rate of absorption; whereas heat, water, exercise, or broken skin may speed it up.

How are essential oils used?

Aromatherapy is used to self-heal and soothe common, everyday health challenges. It is by no means a replacement for the opinion of a licensed physician, and should always be used with respect.

As with all things derived from nature, some essential oils are considered hazardous, and under certain circumstances, should be avoided. Some are phototoxic, neurotoxic, or carcinogenic, and safety precautions should always be considered when working with and administering any essential oil.

Here are common-sense safety points to note:

1. Avoid essential oils deemed as hazardous
2. Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
3. Remember essentail oils are very potent.
4. Do not take orally.
5. Follow dilution guidelines carefully. Never use an oil without first diluting.
6. Use 1% or less dilution during pregnancy.
7. Be aware of others with sensitivities or allergies.
8. Do not use on or near the eyes.
9. Do a skin patch test if prone to sensitivities.
10. Use extra care on broken or damaged skin.
11. Avoid phototoxic essential oils if history of skin cancer.
12. Keep them away from light and heat sources.
13. Use only therapeutic genuine and authentic essential oils.

(See also: Aromatherapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

This is a sitemap for Ayurveda - A . Click on a link and you will find multiple definitions and articles related to the word.

Ayurveda Medicine, Ayurveda India, Ayurveda Siddha, Ayurveda Massage, Ayurveda Schools, Ayurveda Products, Ayurveda Health, Ayurveda Cosmetcis, Ayurveda Herbs, Ayurveda Diet, Ayurveda Wellness, Ayurveda Yoga, Ayurveda Doshas, Ayurveda Tees, Ayurveda Hair Loss, Ayurveda Body Type, Aap, Abhyanga, Acne, Acne in Ayurveda, Agni, Agni in Ayurveda, Ajna chakra, Akasha, Alambusha nadi, Alochaka pitta, Ama, Anaemia, Analgesic, Analgesic in Ayurveda, Anna, Annamaya kosha, Apana vayu, Arishta, Arising in Ayurveda, Aromatic in Ayurveda, Artava, Artavaha srotas, Arthritis in Ayurveda, Asana, Ascites, Ashvini mudra, Asthi, Asthidhara kala, Asthma, Astringent, Astrology and Ayurveda, Atrophy, Attributes in Ayurveda, Autumn in Ayurveda, Avalambaka Kapha, Avasthapaka

5 Elements, Acupressure, Acupuncture Definition, Alexander Technique, Allopathy, Alternative Medicine, Ancient Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Aveda, Ayurveda - Hair Loss, Ayurveda Australia, Ayurveda Body Type, Ayurveda Body Type Test, Ayurveda Body Types, Ayurveda Cleansing, Ayurveda Cosmetics, Ayurveda Definition, Ayurveda Detox, Ayurveda Diet, Ayurveda Doshas, Ayurveda Hair Loss, Ayurveda Health, Ayurveda Herbs, Ayurveda India, Ayurveda Kerala, Ayurveda Massage, Ayurveda Medicine, Ayurveda Products, Ayurveda Recipes, Ayurveda Research, Ayurveda Schools, Ayurveda Siddha, Ayurveda Teeth, Ayurveda Vata, Ayurveda Weight Loss, Ayurveda Wellness, Ayurveda Yoga, Ayurvedic Constitution, Ayurvedic Cooking, Ayurvedic Diet Program, Ayurvedic Health, Ayurvedic Herbs, Ayurvedic Medicine Origin, Ayurvedic Remedies, Ayurvedic School, Ayurvedic Sciences, Ayurvedic Skin Care, Ayurvedic Treatments, Benefits of Ayurveda, Biofeedback, Chakras, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Complementary Alternative Medicine, Cupping, Cure for HIV Aids, Deepak Chopra, Define Homeopathy, Diagram of Pressure Points, Ginger Ayurveda, Herbology, Hindu Culture, History of Ayurveda, History of Indian Head Massage, History of Yoga, Holistic Health, Homeopathic Medicine, Homeopathy, How Does Ayurveda Work, India Food Culture, Indian Ayurveda, Islamic Medicine, Kapha Diet, Kundalini Energy, Magnetic Therapy, Meaning of Ayurveda, Natural Health, Naturopathic Medicine,, Naturopathy, Neem Oil, Osteopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Panchakarma, Pitta Dosha, Qigong, Reiki, Reiki Healing, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Therapeutic Touch, Transcendental Meditation, Unani, Water Balance in Our Bodies, What Does Om Mean, Zinc for Acne,,

More sitemaps here:

Ayurveda Dictionary, Ayurveda,
Ayurveda Dictionary - A, Ayurveda Dictionary - B, Ayurveda Dictionary - C, Ayurveda Dictionary - D, Ayurveda Dictionary - E, Ayurveda Dictionary - F, Ayurveda Dictionary - G, Ayurveda Dictionary - H, Ayurveda Dictionary - I, Ayurveda Dictionary - J, Ayurveda Dictionary - K, Ayurveda Dictionary - L, Ayurveda Dictionary - M, Ayurveda Dictionary - N, Ayurveda Dictionary - O, Ayurveda Dictionary - P, Ayurveda Dictionary - R, Ayurveda Dictionary - S, Ayurveda Dictionary - T, Ayurveda Dictionary - U, Ayurveda Dictionary - V, Ayurveda Dictionary - W, Ayurveda Dictionary - Y, Ayurveda Dictionary - A-Z,

Also see these pages for material related to Ayurveda,:

Sanskrit Sitemap , Hinduism Sitemap , Buddhism Sitemap, Mysticism Sitemap , Spiritual Sitemap, Theosophy Sitemap , Alternative Health Sitemap , Popular Pages, Yoga Sitemap

Read more here: » Ayurveda Sitemap I - A