Hand reflexology : Form of reflexology whose focus is the hand. It is one of the two basic modes of zone therapy.  

Hatha yoga: One of the major Hindu disciplines. Akin to kundalini yoga, hatha yoga involves Pranayam and the adoption of various bodily postures (asanas). The word "hatha" combines two Sanskrit words: ha, which means "the breath of the sun" (Prana), and tha, "the breath of the moon" (apana).  

Heart: Hollow muscular organ that pumps blood through the body. The heart, blood, and blood vessels make up the circulatory system which is responsible for distributing oxygen and nutrients to the body and carrying away carbon dioxide and other waste products. The heart is the circulatory system's power supply. It must beat ceaselessly because the body's tissues —  especially the brain and the heart itself — depend on a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered by the flowing blood. If the heart stops pumping blood for more than a few minutes, death will result.

The human heart is shaped like an upside-down pear and is located slightly to the left of center inside the chest cavity. About the size of a closed fist, the heart is made primarily of muscle tissue that contract rhythmically.  

Hara: The vital energy center of the human body. It is located at the second chakra, (2 fingers below the navel) internally.  

Healing Crisis: As you move toward better health with any natural healing system or better nutrition, a part of the healing process is that the body will begin to discard toxic residues that have built up in your body over the years. The healing process usually does not occur without repercussions. During the initial phase of healing, as your body begins to clean house, (detoxify) and your vital energy begins to repair and rebuild internal organs, you may experience headache, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, fatigue or other symptoms .  

Higher Self: Non-physical, true self. The enlightened, "actual" persona of the individual as opposed to what the person seems to be or thinks they are. 

Hieroglyph: A pictographic character in the ancient Egyptian writing system, invented before 3000 BC. Today almost any pictographic character.  

Hinduism: The major world religion that originated from the ancient religions of India. The ancient gods (especially the triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) are commonly interpreted as representations of the various aspects of the divine (Brahman). Human beings progress to the ultimate realization of their oneness with Brahman (often called Nirvana) through Reincarnation according to the law of Karma.  

Holistic Healing: A view of health care focusing on the "whole self" (body, mind and spirit) and natural or spiritual cures. The system embraces both traditional and New Age therapy. 

Holistic medicine : 1. Alternative medicine. 2. Form of alternative medicine that focuses on (a) personal accountability for one's health; (b) the human body's ability to heal itself; and (c) balancing the body, mind, and "spirit" with the environment. Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture, biofeedback, faith healing, folk medicine, meditation, megavitamin therapy, yoga and many more. 

Homeopath: A physician who treats disease using minute doses of natural substances that would, in a healthy person, elicit the symptoms of the disease being treated.

Hormone: Chemical messengers produced by the adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, ovaries, testes and other glands that have far-reaching effects throughout the body. Hormones regulate everything from growth and tissue repair to metabolism, reproduction and blood pressure. 

Horoscope: A chart drawn up through the art of astrology. See Astrology.  

Hydromancy: Divination by liquid, especially water.

Hypothalamus: A region in the brain beneath the thalamus; consists of many aggregations of nerve cells and controls a verity of autonomic functions aimed at maintaining homeostasis.  

I 

I Ching (The Book of Changes): Traditional Chinese divination method that involves tossing three identical coins or objects six times and using the patterns they form to receive answers to personal questions from the I Ching. 

Immortality: Life without death anytime in the future. Not exactly the same as eternal. Eternal means without being or end, immortal allows for a beginning.  

Initiation: 1. An event, or doorway, that acts as an expansion or transformation of a person's consciousness. An initiate's consciousness has to some degree been transformed so that he now perceives reality from a higher perspective. There are many types of initiation, either of spiritual or social nature. 2. a ritual that elevates an individual to a higher office in a social or religious organization.
In the case of Reiki also used as a name for the Reiki Attunements. 

Inner Self: Refers to the inner divinity from which the being and personality evolve. The Unconscious, the Subconscious and the Higher Self.  

Inner Smile (Inner Smile Meditation, "inner smile" technique): A fundamental component of the Healing Tao System. Inner Smile is a relaxation technique that allegedly increases the flow of chi. Practitioners "smile inwardly" at organs and glands.  

Intention: In magic and affirmation, the focus of the mind, the sense of purpose that leads to action.  

Intestine: Also called bowels, the portion of the digestive tract between the stomach and anus. In humans the intestine is divided into two major sections: the small intestine, which is about 6 m long, where the most extensive part of digestion occurs and where most food products are absorbed; and the large intestine, which has a larger diameter and is about 1.5 m long, where water is absorbed and from which solid waste material is excreted. Food and waste material are moved along the length of the intestine by rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles; these contractions are called peristaltic movements.  

Invocation: The bringing of a divine power from the exterior into a ritual or magical working through chant or prayer. An invocation is generally an acknowledgment of the deity and a request that they be present for the working.  

Inward Silence: The silencing of the emotions and thoughts that disturb the effectiveness of a ritual.  

Iridology (eye analysis, iridiagnosis, irido-diagnosis, iris diagnosis): Diagnostic system that states that every bodily organ corresponds to a location on the iris (the colored portion of the eye surrounding the pupil). According to iridology theory, the iris serves as a map of the body and gives warning signs of physical, mental, and spiritual problems.  

Islam: A world religion based on the teachings and life of Mohammed (570-632 AD) in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia (then Persia). Islam is the second largest world religion, and has recently become the third largest religious body in America. Islam is composed of two major divisions — the mainstream Sunni (the largest) and the more radical Shi'ites. The mystical tradition of sufism includes many Sunnis and some Shi'ites . The Arabic word Islam means "submission to the will of God" and a person who submits is called a Muslim. The Quran (or, Koran), the Torah, the Psalms of the Old Testament, and the Gospel of the New Testament are regarded as holy books. However, only the Quran is considered uncorrupted 

J 

Jehovah: Incorrect reading of the proper name of Israel's deity, joining the consonants of YHWH to the vowels of Adonai. A medieval Christian invention, Jehovah became popular in some traditional English translations of the Bible.  

K 

Kahuna healing : The medical phase of Huna, which is a religion or esoteric magical tradition native to the Hawaiian Islands. The word huna literally means "secret" or "that which is hidden, or not obvious." Kahuna literally means "keeper of the secret." Kahunas are Hawaiian witch doctors. Kahuna healing encompasses "colon cleansing," "energy field manipulation," Ho'oponopono (spiritual counseling), lomi-lomi, and the use of amulets. Its theory posits an "etheric body" (aka), a godhead (Kumulipo), and mana. Some proponents use the expressions "kahuna healing," "Huna," and "Hawaiian Huna" interchangeably.  

Karma: Sanskrit word meaning deed, action, ritual or result. A concept that binds its followers to an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and, according to one's deeds in life, determines the condition of one's rebirth. This is a central Indian term with various meanings:  

• 1. Any mental, verbal, or physical action or intention, especially a morally correct or textually prescribed activity.  
• 2. The results or consequences of actions or intentions.  
• 3. The Hindu principle of cause and effect that determines one's past, current, and future existences. Everything we do produces some effect, now or later, on the physical or astral planes. Representing neither good nor evil, all actions and events cause corresponding actions and events in the past or future (including past and future lives.  
• 4. Ritual activity, particularly the ancient Indian rites propitiating a pantheon of gods as prescribed in the Vedic texts. Ritual performance might be done to meet religious obligations, such as initiation into the community, to honor one's ancestors, or to fulfill individual desires such as wealth, progeny, or immortality.  

Karuna Reiki ™: Form of Reiki named and taught by Reiki Master William Lee Rand, author of Reiki, The Healing Touch. It encompasses "guided meditation" and "healing shadow self-meditation." The Sanskrit word "karuna" is translatable as "compassionate action." It supposedly conduces to working closely with all "enlightened beings," including those present "in spirit".