Japa - loud chanting or soft utterance of the holy names of Krsna to oneself; usually referring to the practice of chanting hari-nama on tulasi beads.

The word japa comes from the verbal root jap which means to utter or whisper repeatedly (especially prayers or incantations). In the Sabda-kalpa-druma, japa has been defined as the utterance of mantras either within the heart or verbally. In Haribhakti- vilasa (17.155-159) Srila Sanatana Gosvami describes japa in the following words: "In the Nrsimha-Purana it is said that japa-yajna is of three kinds:

(1) vacika (verbal) ,

(2) upamsu (in a whisper) , and

(3) manasika (within the mind).

When a mantra is pronounced very distinctly either in a high, low, or resonant voice it is known as vacika-japa. When a mantra is uttered slowly with slight movement of the lips and can be heard only by one’s own ears it is known as upamsu-japa. When one meditates on the meaning of the mantra by application of the intelligence going repeatedly from one syllable to the next and from one word to the next it is known as manasika-japa.”

(See also: Japa , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

-vasis

Residents.

(See also: #NAMN? , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Nirvana - extinction, disappearance, dissolution; final emancipation from matter and re-union with the Supreme Spirit; Mayavada conception - absolute extinction or annihilation of individual existence.

(See also: Nirvana , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

astrologic medicine (astral healing, astrological healing, astromedicine, medical astrology, medicinal astrology): System based on cosmobiology,a science whose principle is that specific mental and physical conditions correspond to the relative positions of celestial bodies. Astrologic medicine involves horoscopic astrology and the zodiacal man doctrine. The principle of horoscopic astrology--also called genethliacal astrology, horoscopy, natal astrology, popular astrology, and sun sign astrology--is that the relationship between the positions of planets and stars and the moment of one's birth determines lifelong personality. According to the zodiacal man doctrine, each of the twelve signs (houses) of the zodiac--constellations named Aries, Taurus, etc.--governs a different part of the human body. Proponents associate these zodiacal signs (sun signs) with bodily parts (e.g., organs) and systems and with predisposition to disease in different bodily parts. Certain planetary configurations can trigger disease in susceptible persons. Some proponents further posit a correlation of (a) sun signs and particular herbs, and (b) sun signs and the twelve cell salts of the Schuessler biochemic system of medicine. Astrologic medicine includes astrodiagnosis (see astrological diagnosis), prognosis, selection and timing of treatments (especially homeopathic remedies), and preventive medicine.

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

See also these related archives:

Cross-Over exercise, Crude herb moxibustion, Cruise Ship Spa, Cryotherapy, Crystal Healing, Crystal healing, Crystal Therapeutics, Crystal Therapy, Crystledyne Therapy, Cupping, Curanderismo, Curative eurhythmy, Cuy ritual, Cybex, Cymatic therapy, Cymatics, Dance & Movement Therapy, Dancercise, Daniel's Diet, Daoyin, Day Spa, Dayan Qigong, De la Warr system, Dead Sea Mud Treatment, Deep Emotional Breathwork, Deep Emotional Release Bodywork, Deep Memory Process, Deep Muscle Massage, Deep Muscle Massage / Primmer Deep Muscle Therapy, Deep Tissue Bodywork, Deep Tissue Massage, Degriefing, DeHypnotherapy, Depossession, Descending Sun, Destination Spa, Detoxification, Detoxification Therapy, Developmental Manual Therapy, Dhatus, Diagnosis, Diagnosis Process, Diagnostic acupressure, Diamond Approach, Diamond method, Dian xue, Dianetics, Diathermy, Didgeridoo vibrational healing, Diet #7, Diet Planning, Dietics, Dimensional clearing, Dinacharya, Direct Bi-Digital O-Ring Test Method, Direct Command, Direct healing, Direct image substitution, Direct moxabustion, Directed Esoteric Toning, Distant Healing, Distant pranic healing, Distant pulse diagnosis, Divine Healing from Japan, Divine therapy, Divine will healing, Dna Activation And Healing, Dna Repatterning, Do-in, Do-In, Dolphin Therapy, Dolphin-assisted therapy, Dong gong, Doshas, Doshic Imbalances, Double Circle, Double Dosha Body Types, Dowsing, Dph, Dr Lynch's Holistic Self-Health Program, Dragon Style, Drama, Dream Changing, Dream counseling, Dream Learning, Dreamwork, Drisana, Drown radio therapy, Dulse Scrub, Dynamic Self Inquiry, Dynamic Spinal Therapy

Ananya - having no other object; undistracted; devoted to only one worhipable Lord, no one else.

(See also: Ananya , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Alankara - ornaments, embellishments etc.

(See also: Alankara , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhajana -

(1) the word bhajana is derived from the verbal root ‘bhaj’ which is defined in the Garusa Purana (Purva-khansa 231.3): bhaj ity esa vai dhatu sevayam parikirtitah tasmat seva budhaih prokta bhakti sadhana-bhuyasi  - "The verbal root bhaj is used specifically in the sense of seva, or service. Therefore, when sadhana is performed with the consciousness of being a servant, it is called bhakti.” According to this sloka, krsna-seva, or loving devotional service to Krsna is called bhakti. Such service is the intrinsic attribute of bhakti or bhajana. Therefore whatever services are performed in this consciousness may be referred to as bhajana.

(2) in the general sense bhajana refers to spiritual practices; especially hearing, chanting, and meditating upon the holy name, form, qualities, and pastimes of Sri Krsna.

(See also: Bhajana , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Antarmukha - the inward tendency. Having one’s attention focused inwards towards the soul and spiritual enlightenment.

(See also: Antarmukha , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

The Bow yoga position (Dhanurasana) works all parts of your back simultaneously. In this asana, your head, chest, and legs are lifted, while your body rests on your abdomen. The pose is so named because as you hold it, your body is bent back like a bow and your arms are held straight and taut like a bowstring.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The Bow Pose - Yoga Poses

Anadi-bahirmukha - the condition of the jivas in material existence of being diverted from Krsna from a time without beginning.

(See also: Anadi-bahirmukha , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Jnana -

(1) knowledge,

(2) knowledge which leads to impersonal liberation: this concerns the atma’s distinction from matter and its identity with brahma.

(See also: Jnana , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

adi-guru

The first spiritual master of a disciplic succession.

(See also: adi-guru , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Asubha-karma - activities producing inauspicious results.

(See also: Asubha-karma , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

During the Spiral Twists yoga position (Ardha Matsyendrasana) your vertebrae are mobilized; the exercises also allow more nourishment to reach the roots of the spinal nerves and the sympathetic nevous system.

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: Spinal Twisting - Yoga Position

There are many different asana s (postures) in yoga, which you can practise at any time of the day with excellent benefits. However, best results can be obtained only by doing yoga under expert guidance. Here's a listing of the commonly practised asanas with both the name of the asana in sanskrit and in english.

Read more here: » Yoga: Major Types of Asanas - Yoga Positions

This is another relaxation yoga pose, and is practised before the Headstand and some other asanas.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The Child's Pose - Yoga Pose

O Divine Mother Kundalini, the Divine Cosmic Energy that is hidden in men! Thou art Kali, Durga, Adisakti, Rajarajeswari, Tripurasundari, Maha-Lakshmi, Maha-Sarasvati! Thou hast put on all these names and forms. Thou hast manifested as Prana, electricity, force, magnetism, cohesion, gravitation in this universe. This whole universe rests in Thy bosom. Crores of salutations unto thee. O Mother of this world! Lead me on to open the Sushumna Nadi and take Thee along the Chakras to Sahasrara Chakra and to merge myself in Thee and Thy consort, Lord Siva.

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Preface to Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda

Tantra: Why sexuality?

In the act of lovemaking the couple embodies the dyadic wholeness of the Supreme. TANTRIC sexual union resonates with the very foundational energies of the Universe: it captures, magnifies and re-directs the essential Cosmic Power of Life. It is therefore not by chance that sexual intercourse brings the most intense emotional experience that the human being can have while in the flesh. Therefore TANTRA uses it predominantly to create that overwhelming unifying energy. The erotic impulse stirs up the KUNDALINI energy so that it can rise, through the subtle duct of power along the spine, to the highest center of power above the head. This process renders the adept immortal:

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: Why sexuality?

To attain jitendriyata is to achieve full control over ones senses. This leads to what is called God-realisation. In this controlled state all pain and suffering cease permanently.

There are different paths to achieve this height: Gyan yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, raja yoga, hatha yoga, swara yoga, nada yoga, astanga yoga; all of these lead to the same goal of achieving communion with God. The shortest and most suitable path ordained in this Kali Yuga is bhakti yoga.

Read more here: » Bhakti Yoga: Lasting Happiness Through Bhakti Yoga

The four main spiritual paths for God-realisation are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is suitable for a man of active temperament, Bhakti Yoga for a man of devotional temperament, Raja Yoga for a man of mystic temperament, and Jnana Yoga for a man of rational and philosophical temperament, or a man of enquiry.

Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga or Kundalini Yoga, Lambika Yoga and Hatha Yoga, are other Yogas. Yoga, really, means union with God. The practice of Yoga leads to communion with the Lord. Whatever may be the starting point, the end reached is the same.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths of Hindu Yoga

The Forward Bend yoga position (Paschimothanasana) looks, and is, simple - provided you relax into the position, rather than forcing yourself into it. The pose is one of the most powerful and important Asanas, helping to ease the spinal compression caused by standig upright.

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: Forward Bend - Yoga Position