by Gabrielle Forleo: Ayurvedic terms are spread throughout this website, app, and our community as a whole…
You’ve probably picked up on the meanings of a lot of them, but why struggle when we’ve made this simple guide to understanding common Ayurvedic terms with definitions and examples of how to use in sentences. Enjoy!
Agni: Translates to fire and is commonly referred to in the context of digestion and metabolism
- If you have strong agni, you have strong and balanced health in mind and body.
- His agni is so strong that he can eat almost anything!
- Did you know that certain foods can increase agni while others decrease it?
Ama: A toxin or sludge that’s produced when we don’t fully digest or cleanse regularly
- There are ways to decrease ama easily by making small changes to your daily routine and diet.
- Since I shifted to eating dinner before 7 p.m., I’ve noticed that I feel better in the morning and have less ama.
- Did you know that ginger often increases agni and decreases ama?
Asana: A limb of yoga philosophy that refers to the physical postures or poses
- There are 84 traditional yoga asanas.
- A yoga class is several yoga asanas put together in a sequence.
- There are many different styles of yoga. What’s your favorite style of yoga asana?
Ayurveda: The science of life supported by the integration and vitality of mind, body, and spirit
- Ayurveda is both simple and intuitive.
- I love Ayurvedic principles because it’s not one-size-fits-all wellness.
- Ayurveda understand that each of us are unique and different when it comes to balance and health.
- How do you pronounce Ayurveda? Eye-Yur-Veda.
Bija: Meaning seed or sound most commonly used in reference to mantras
- A bija is a seed of sound that carries a subtle rather than direct meaning with it.
- The bija I use in my meditation is unique to me and carries the resonance of peace.
- Do you know your unique Primordial Sound bija?
Chakra: Wheel of subtle energy
- You have seven main chakra centers that run along the length of your spine, which are a connection point between your physical and energetic body.
- I want to open my heart chakra more and become more loving and compassionate toward myself and others.
- Did you know that each main chakra has a color associated with it?
Dosha: Your Ayurvedic mind-body type or combination of earth elements: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
- By understanding your dosha you can determine your unique lifestyle plan for balance.
- The foods that provide balance to me are different than those beneficial to my spouse as we have different doshas.
- I took the Chopra quiz to determine my dosha. What’s your dosha?
Ghee: A type of butter which is clarified by boiling
- Ghee separates the fat from the milk solids which makes it dairy free.
- I love ghee on my toast!
- I usually buy ghee from the store. Have you ever made ghee before at home?
Kitchari: Means mixture and usually is a combination of two grains that are both easy and nourishing to digest
- Kitchari is the best food to eat when you’re doing a cleanse like panchakarma.
- I love eating traditional kitchari of beans and rice.
- Have you ever tried to make kitchari at home? It’s easier than you may think.
Ojas: The subtle force in your body that provides health, digestion, strength, and vitality
- By following simple Ayurvedic principles each day you can increase your ojas.
- When I’m mindful of what I’m eating, I notice a feeling of vitality or ojas.
- Did you know that eating your largest meal of day at lunch can increase your ojas naturally?
Mantra: Mind tool or vehicle of the mind
- Mantra meditation reminds us that thoughts during meditation are normal and to be expected.
- When I meditate, I don’t try to get rid of my thoughts but instead use a mantra to help me feel peaceful and not get distracted.
- Have you ever participated in a mantra meditation with Deepak on the Chopra App?
Neti: The process of flushing out the nasal channels using a saline fluid
- Using a neti each morning is a simple and effective way to clear congestion.
- My cold was so bad that I was using my neti twice a day just to breathe.
- Did you know that using a neti pot can help with allergies?
Panchakarma: The five actions or ways of cleansing and rejuvenating the body traditional in Ayurveda
- Traditionally, panchakarma is done along with the changing of the seasons for maximum benefit.
- I find panchakarma to not only detox my body but also rejuvenate my mind and spirit.
- Have you ever gone on retreat to do panchakarma?
Prakriti: Your essential nature and unique combination of earth elements or dosha determined at birth
- Your prakriti is your primary nature and doesn’t change.
- I think of my prakriti as my blueprint for balance or me as the most balanced version of myself.
- My prakriti is Vata/Pitta. What’s your primary dosha?
Prana: Our vital life force or breath
- Whether we notice it or not, prana is always flowing within us and all around us.
- I notice the strength of my prana the most after a yoga class.
- Have you ever tried specific breathing exercises to increase your prana?
Srota: The channels of circulation in the body
- Srotas are present throughout your body and are both visible and energetic.
- When I feel nasal congestion, I know the srotas in my nose aren’t open the way they should be.
- Have you ever had an Ayurvedic srota massage?
Vikruti: Translates to “after creation” and reflects the combination of earth elements in your mind and body right now
- Your vikruiti is variable and changes based on the lifestyle choices you’ve made in the last 60–90 days.
- I took a vikruiti quiz and even though I’m Vata, ever since quarantine my Kapha is really out of balance!
- Did you know you should eat based on what your vikruiti scores can be different for your mind and body?
