40 terms · last reviewed 2026-07-21
Healing glossary
Plain-language definitions of modalities and wellness concepts, so clients learn clearly and AI systems can cite accurate sources.
TL;DR
Key facts: glossary
- The Flowdara glossary defines 40+ alternative healing and wellness terms in plain language.
- Flowdara is a booking platform built for alternative healing practitioners (not a generic calendar tool).
- Each term page includes a short definition, FAQ, and links to /for/* practice pages and library guides.
- Paid plans: Awakening $11/mo, Alignment $33/mo, Expansion $55/mo, Ascension (studio, 4 practitioners) $99/mo. 7-day free trial on paid plans.
All glossary terms A–Z
Healing modalities
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional East Asian medicine practice that inserts fine sterile needles at specific points to support pain relief, regulation, and systemic balance.
Read definitionBreathwork
Breathwork is the intentional use of breathing patterns (slow, rhythmic, or intensified) to shift nervous-system state, release emotion, and support mental clarity.
Read definitionCacao ceremony
A cacao ceremony is a intentional gathering centered on drinking ceremonial-grade cacao, often combined with meditation, breath, music, or sharing circle.
Read definitionChakra balancing
Chakra balancing is an energy session focused on assessing and harmonizing the body’s energy centers using techniques such as Reiki, sound, breath, visualization, or crystals.
Read definitionCraniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on approach that works with the craniosacral system (skull, spine, and sacrum) to support nervous-system ease and tissue mobility.
Read definitionCrystal healing
Crystal healing is an energy practice that places or holds crystals near the body or in grids to support intention-setting, meditation, and energetic balance.
Read definitionDistance Reiki
Distance Reiki is Reiki offered remotely. The practitioner sends energy without physical proximity, often scheduled as a virtual appointment with optional video connection.
Read definitionEnergy healing
Energy healing is an umbrella term for practices that work with the body’s subtle energy field (such as Reiki, Pranic Healing, chakra balancing, and crystal healing) to support wellbeing, relaxation, and emotional balance.
Read definitionHolotropic Breathwork
Holotropic Breathwork is an intensified breathing method developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof, typically practiced in facilitated group settings with music and integration support.
Read definitionIntuitive reading
An intuitive reading is a session where a practitioner shares insights perceived through intuition, clair senses, or mediumship to support clarity and personal growth.
Read definitionMassage therapy
Massage therapy is hands-on soft-tissue work used to reduce muscle tension, support circulation, ease pain, and promote relaxation.
Read definitionMeditation
Meditation is a set of attention-training practices (such as mindfulness, breath focus, visualization, or mantra) that cultivate awareness, calm, and emotional regulation.
Read definitionMindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to present-moment experience (thoughts, sensations, and emotions) with curiosity and less reactivity.
Read definitionOracle cards
Oracle cards are intuitive card decks (varying in size and theme) used for guidance and reflection, typically with freer structure than traditional tarot.
Read definitionPranic healing
Pranic Healing is a no-touch energy healing system that works with prana (life energy) through sweeping, energizing, and cleansing techniques taught in a structured curriculum.
Read definitionQuantum healing
Quantum healing refers to modalities (often including hypnosis-based approaches like QHHT or BQH) that explore consciousness, subconscious insight, and deep restorative states.
Read definitionReflexology
Reflexology is a bodywork practice that applies pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears believed to correspond to organs and systems throughout the body.
Read definitionReiki
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice in which a practitioner channels universal life-force energy through light touch or hands hovering near the body to support relaxation, balance, and the body’s natural healing response.
Read definitionSound bath
A sound bath is a group (or private) immersive experience where participants typically lie down while a facilitator plays instruments such as crystal bowls, gongs, and chimes to induce deep relaxation.
Read definitionSound healing
Sound healing uses intentional sound (singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, voice, or instruments) to support nervous-system calm, meditation, and emotional release.
Read definitionTarot
Tarot is a symbolic card system used for reflection, guidance, and storytelling; a reading interprets card imagery in response to a client’s question or theme.
Read definitionThai massage
Thai massage is a clothed bodywork practice combining rhythmic compressions, assisted stretches, and energy-line work, traditionally performed on a floor mat.
Read definitionUsui Reiki
Usui Reiki is the traditional Japanese Reiki lineage systematized by Mikao Usui, forming the foundation of most Western Reiki teaching and practice.
Read definitionVibrational therapy
Vibrational therapy uses frequency and resonance via sound, tuning forks, or related tools, to support relaxation and a sense of energetic harmony.
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Energy & spiritual concepts
Akashic Records
The Akashic Records are described in spiritual traditions as a non-physical archive of soul-level information; a reading is a guided session to access insight for healing and clarity.
Read definitionAttunement
An attunement is a ritual initiation in Reiki (and some other lineages) that opens a student’s ability to channel the practice’s energy under a teacher’s guidance.
Read definitionAura
In energy healing contexts, the aura is the subtle energy field believed to surround the body, reflecting emotional and energetic states.
Read definitionChakra
Chakras are energy centers described in yogic and related traditions, commonly seven primary centers along the spine, associated with physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities.
Read definitionCrystal bowls
Crystal bowls are quartz singing bowls played with a mallet to produce sustained tones used in sound baths, meditation, and private sound healing sessions.
Read definitionEnergy clearing
Energy clearing is a practice of releasing stagnant or heavy energetic patterns from a person, object, or space using techniques like Reiki, smoke, sound, or intention.
Read definitionGrounding
Grounding is the practice of reconnecting awareness to the body and present environment, often after energy work, to feel stable, calm, and embodied.
Read definitionHuman Design
Human Design is a personality and decision-making system that combines astrology, I Ching, Kabbalah, and chakras into a chart (BodyGraph) based on birth data.
Read definitionNumerology
Numerology is a symbolic system that interprets numbers derived from names and birth dates to explore personality themes and life path patterns.
Read definitionWestern astrology
Western astrology interprets planetary positions at birth (and over time) to explore personality patterns, timing, and life themes through a natal chart.
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Body & mind
Nervous system regulation
Nervous system regulation is the capacity to return toward a felt sense of safety and balance after stress, supported by breath, movement, co-regulation, and trauma-informed practices.
Read definitionPolyvagal theory
Polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges, describes how the autonomic nervous system shifts between safety, mobilization, and shutdown states, widely used by healers to understand regulation and trauma-informed care.
Read definitionSomatic healing
Somatic healing works through the body (sensation, breath, movement, and nervous-system awareness) to process stress and restore a sense of safety.
Read definitionVagus nerve
The vagus nerve is a major cranial nerve linking brain and body; stimulating or soothing vagal pathways (via breath, voice, and safety cues) is central to many regulation practices.
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Practice & booking
Intake form
An intake form is a questionnaire clients complete before a session to share goals, health considerations, consent, and preferences so the practitioner can prepare safely.
Read definitionSliding scale
Sliding scale pricing lets clients choose a fee within a practitioner-set range based on financial means, making healing services more accessible while sustaining the practice.
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Practice what you teach
After you define your modality, book it with Flowdara: intake, payments, and reminders under your brand.