CHAKRA: literally "wheel". These are astral, not physical (part of the etheric, or 'spiritual' body), vital centres in the subtle body located in positions corresponding to the endocrine glands and along the spine.

It is important to realize that the physical body consists of two parts; the gross physical body and its underlying energy body called by some the etheric double, vital body or pranamaya kosha. The gross physical body is an automaton that merely reflects in physical form the changes that have occurred in its energy body (pranamaya kosha).

The vital body can be changed by thought. Most readers are familiar with the phrase energy follows thought. It is this principle that makes kriya, chi quong, acupuncture, Reiki, pranic healing, etc. effective.

Eventually, when the medical world can measure the energy body, it will revolutionize medicine.

GURU: dispeller of ignorance, teacher. Literally one who assists you to go from darkness 'Gu' to the light 'Ru'. 'Gu' refers to darkness assuming the form of ignorance.

'Ru' refers to radiance in the form of spiritual knowledge. This radiance dispels the darkness of ignorance.

Thus, the guru is one who with his radiance dispels the darkness of ignorance in his disciple.

GYANA MUDRA: a symbol of Wisdom and teaching in Hinduism & Buddhism. Position of the hand with tips of index fingers touching the tip of the thumb, used in meditation practice.

It connects certain sub-chakras, containing your energy. Used in "Couples Golden Sphere Breathing", found in the Advanced Tantric Techniques for Couples, 'Holding the Mind' Mudra, makes a circle with thumb and index finger of right hand while putting the left thumb through this circle to touch the left index finger, while also resting against the right palm, cradling the right hand in the left hand, in your lap.

IDA: the left-hand, female, or 'negative' pole of the three principal nadis (astral channels which correspond to nerves of the body [similar to meridians in Chinese medicine]), running parallel alongside of Sushumna, within the spinal column and opposed to Pingala.

KECHARI MUDRA: posture in which the tongue is curled back into the throat in order to block the openings of the nasal passage, pharynx, and trachea and stimulate the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is called the "master gland" of the body because it controls the secretion of hormones.

These substances have a dramatic and broad range of effects on metabolism, growth and maturation, sexuality and reproduction and other important bodily functions. As we age, we secrete fewer hormones. In the elderly, the human growth hormone is reduced to trace amounts.

Perhaps the yogi's ability to rejuvenate the body and extend longevity lies in their ability to stimulate the pituitary gland through the practice of kechari mudra. Today, many older people are attempting to rejuvenate the body by taking supplements to stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone or are using human growth hormone replacement therapy.

KUNDALINI: cosmic energy that activates the consciousness. Individually, it is defined as your sexual or life-force energy, it is the most powerful energy in the body, and is your most powerful natural resource for accessing higher consciousness states.

Absolute pure energy; the power of the Self that is permeating every visible and invisible reality, including the mind that grasps them. Every meaning, every sound, and every thing manifests out of Kundalini.

LINGAM: the male sexual organ or penis. Literally, "The Wand of Light".

MAITHUNA: sexual union.

MANTRA: a word or phrase used for its vibratory effect, meaning and power to affect a human being.

MUDRA: position taken by fingers or limbs used to activate or connect electrical energy currents in the body. A practice.

PINGALA: the right hand, male, or positive pole of the three principal nadis (astral channels which correspond to nerves of the body [similar to meridians in Chinese medicine]), running parallel alongside of Sushumna, within the spinal column and opposed to Ida.

PRANA: vital energy of the universe absorbed by the body from the air and natural foods. The life force of the human being.

SHAKTI: the feminine aspect of kundalini, kinetic energy. Commonly used to represent the eternal feminine, it is not actually any specific woman or deity, only representing the feminine energy. Pure energy; absolute dynamism; the creative power of the Self that animates the entire universe, seen and unseen.

SHIVA: the masculine aspect of kundalini, static energy. One of the three principle deities in the Hindu religion commonly used to represent the eternal masculine.

SUSHUMNA: central pole of the main nadis, the pole of enlightenment. It corresponds to the spinal cord within the vertebral column, the central channel of the spine.

YANTRA: a visual representation of vibrational frequencies.

YOGA: yoke or union. Oneness. Also, the science that includes numerous techniques or methods to unfold the vision of oneness, or the state of perfection.

Yoga literally means 'to join or add'. Thus, by adding the knowledge of the Self one transforms one's mind and becomes fulfilled.

YONI: the female sex organ or vagina. Literally, "The Sacred Place or Sacred Garden".