TERMS & CONCEPTS A-H
aromatherapy
the intentional use of essential oils for emotional recalibration and therapeutic effect. essential oils are considered powerful mood modulators. human beings have distilled the essences of fruits, flowers, and resins, and used them to evoke states of calm and centering in prayer and meditation for centuries. learn how to use aroma with intention in your practice and at home here.
artificial intelligence
a machine's ability to process information in ways that mimics the cognitive skills of human beings. since AI can compute at an exponentially faster rate than any human, it holds great promise for humanity but also enormous peril. learning to harness this technology, and to thrive alongside it, is vital to the goals of human sustainability. mindful practice that emphasize awareness and embodiment can inform and enhance our interface with this technology.
attention
the ability to focus with intention on a single object or idea. attention allows us to accomplish with the most efficiency that which is of the greatest benefit to us in an evolutionary sense. the quality of our attention can be enhanced through mindfulness and meditation practices such as dharana meditation or breathwork.
awareness
awareness is our intuitive and expansive sense of ourself as beings, within and inseparable from, our sense of space and time. the perceptive state can be accessed through mindful practices which allow us to gain deeper insight into the nature of reality.
beginner's mind
a mindset that is open, curious, and non-judging, and which allows us to experience each moment as if for the first time. the capacity for wonder and discernment that characterizes this mindset has been linked to greater happiness and calm. learn how something as simple as eating mindfully can help you cultivate a beginner's mindset here.
bodymind
from the sanskrit word munn which can stand in for desire intention heart and the mind. it represents awareness that does not prioritize our brain's intellect over knowledge that resides in our corporeal bodies. it may be accessed through mindful practices such as yoga, meditation or somatic foam rolling.
body scan meditation
a practice in which attention is brought to each body part in turn without assigning judgement to its state. in this way acceptance is gained of ourselves as we are in the moment and not as we may like to be. access a simple body scan meditation here.
breathwork
an articulated and practiced form of breathing to offset anxiety and stress. the box breath method and cyclic sighing are two scientifically proven methods to de-stress in the moment. yogic breathing variations such as ujjayi ocean breath also promotes a return to calm. access breathing practices here.
buddhism
more than a religion buddhism is a way of life. the dharma or rules of engagement encourage cultivating insight and compassion and following the middle path (neither asceticism nor hedonism). we can all become enlightened buddhas if we cease our struggle to avoid suffering and make peace with change and loss as the only way forward. find three buddhist meditation to practice here.
circadian rhythm
our internal body clock and regulating mechanism determined by natural cycles of light and dark during the course of 24 hours. disturbances caused by technological advances and screens in particular can disrupt this cycle which is essential to sleep and our general wellbeing. find ways to reset your circadian rhythm here.
compassion
from the latin root word com-pati which means to share or suffer with someone, their pain or burden. while empathy implies a sharing of the emotional experience of others, compassion adds to it the desire to alleviate the person's suffering. harness your ability to cultivate compassion here
default mode network
the default mode network in the brain is concerned mainly with evaluating and cataloguing our past decisions to benefit our survival in the future. in doing so it takes our focus away from the present moment where the possibility of pleasure and constructive action reside. spending too much time at this setting can lead to rumination, anxiety, and inaction. learn how to offset the negative effects of the default mode network with supine practices.
dharana
dharana practice promotes concentration and attention by eliminating distractions from both internal and external sources. by focusing our attention on a single point or drishti such as a candle flame, the practice quietens the mind. the mantra candle may be used for this practice at home.
drishti
a point of focus and concentration which allows for a more powerful physical practice of yoga. the drishti also alludes to the inner gaze of introspection and meditation known as the third eye which is associated with clarity of perception without interference from the ego. the mantra candle may be used as a drishti during your practice.
embodiment
a relaxed state of cognition which promotes situational awareness and regulates our emotions. practices that awaken our sensorial and animalistic underpinning and are inherently grounding, can help us access this state of knowing-being. they can allow us to inhabit our bodies with more ease and be in tune with its directives. learn more about practice that promote embodiment here.
fight or flight
is our survival mode. it is our most primitive mode of brain function concerned primarily with self-preservation even at the expense of our own happiness or fulfillment. modern hyper-connectivity and information overload can trigger this response needlessly and lead to episodes of panic, anxiety, and fear. learn how to harness the fight or flight response with breathwork here.
flow state
spending time in flow enhances our cognition and opens doorways to creativity by deactivating the default mode network in the brain. time seems to stand still and all though and effort flow towards the task at hand. the state allows us to suspend our judging tendencies and fear of failure. flow is critical to our wellbeing but is increasingly hard to access due to our interface with technology. mindful and creative activities can help you access the flow state.
gratitude practice
by focusing our attention on what we already have rather than what we lack, gratitude practice allows us to have a shared experience of want and having. the practice leads to have more compassion for ourselves and understanding for others. it can be practiced anytime of day, or with intention in a daily journal. find more about journaling here.
grounding
grounding in yoga involves harnessing the stability of the ground beneath our feet for emotional recalibration. powerful asanas that root to rise promote calm and focus and help build our confidence and trust in our own abilities. walking meditations can also be extremely grounding. access a grounding yoga practice here.
hinduism
an ancient indian religion with a complex system of rituals and expectations with a supreme deity at its center. its social contract is dictated by the idea of karma and reincarnation. the idea that we are rewarded for good action and kindness to others in our next life. the practice of yoga emerged from hinduism and its sacred texts.
homo techologicus
a term for human beings as they relate to tools and more recently, technology. based on the idea that human beings design tools to further their evolution as a species, and are in turn, inspired by their tools to go further. the synergies between human beings and their tools, lie at the heart of our offerings at calmdojo. find out more here.
