A mudra (मुद्रा) is a symbolic or ritual gesture or pose in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. In hatha yoga, mudras are used with pranayama (yogic breathing…
Shatkarma (षटकर्म), also known as Shatkriya, is a set of Hatha yoga body purifications to prepare for the main work of yoga towards moksha (liberation). These…
The Goraksha Shataka (गोरक्ष शतक) is an early text on Haṭha yoga text from the 11th-12th century, attributed to the sage Gorakṣa.…
Ethics (नैतिकता) is the philosophical study of moral phenomena. Also called moral philosophy, it investigates normative questions about what people ought to do or…
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (हठ योग प्रदीपिका) is a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on haṭha yoga, written by Swami Swatmarama, who connects the teaching’s lineage to…
Artha (अर्थ) is one of the four goals or objectives of human life in Hindu traditions. It includes career, skills,…
Kama (काम) is the concept of pleasure, enjoyment, and desire in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It can refer to “desire,…
The Anapanasati Sutta (अनापानसति सुत्त) or Anapanasati Sutra (अनापानस्मृति सूत्र), “Breath-Mindfulness Discourse,” Majjhima Nikaya 118, is a discourse that details the Buddha’s instruction…
Anapanasati meditation (अनापानसती ध्यान), meaning “mindfulness of breathing”. Anāpāna refers to inhalation and exhalation), Sati means mindfulness, and meditation means Dhyana, which is paying attention to the…
Maitri (मैत्री) or Metta (मेटा) means benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, goodwill, and active interest in others. It is the first of the four sublime states…