With the aim of raising awareness about the importance of health care and emotional well-being, for several years, every August 15, is celebrated on “World Relaxation Day”. For this reason, the linguist experts at Babbel, the premium language learning platform, have compiled and analyzed the words and terms related to this practice, which are increasingly important in a post-pandemic world.
The relaxation It is a therapeutic practice that seeks to reduce tension and stress in the body and mind, promoting balance and general well-being, and it can be achieved through various techniques or therapies.
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Origin and meaning of the words around relaxation
Reiki: an energetic and relaxation therapy with roots in the traditional medicines of Asia. The term comes from the Japanese words «king», What does universal mean? «ki», the vital energy that flows through all living beings and that is modulated in therapies such as acupuncture or disciplines such as Tai Chi.
Yoga: The word “yoga” would come from the word “jug”, which means “to unite, connect, relate” in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. Therefore, the objective of yoga is to generate and strengthen the connection between the human being and the universe. And his exercises are an excellent practice of elasticity and relaxation.
Tai Chi: thai It means “great” or “supreme”, although it also refers to the “beginning” or “end” of all things; chi either qi means “energy”, it is an ancient practice that works with the body and mind. Tai Chi is referred to as a “moving meditation” since it usually combines gentle movements with breathing techniques and mental concentration to achieve relaxation.
Eight words that allude to relaxation and that do not exist in Spanish
The following details the different ways in which different languages perceive and define words of relaxation and concepts related to emotions, in order to broaden the recognition of well-being experiences and learn a little more about other cultures:
Mamihlapinatapai (Yagan): The connotation of this word originating from the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego refers to a strong and shared look that connects two speakers in a way that is beyond words. It could be connoted as a moment of non-verbal communication and relaxation in which the minds of two people, in which neither of them takes the first step of an interaction beyond eye contact. The concept reminds us of the phrase in Spanish: “A look is worth a thousand words”.
Upekṣā (Sanskrit): few beings seem to exude as calm as Buddhist monks. Sanskrit is a prominent language within Buddhist hymns and worship songs. upeksa defines a deep state of balance and calm in the mind of Buddhists. Probably the closest translation is “equanimity” and represents one of the four immeasurables of Buddhism on the path to liberation. Unlike what could be considered as keeping calm under pressure, keeping your nerves at bay while making a public presentation or suffering the last minutes of your favorite team’s game, upeksa refers to that kind of tranquility that takes years to achieve: a state in which the mind is not unbalanced by the ups and downs, fortunes or misfortunes of life.
Dwaal (Afrikaans): Just as there are words for enviable tranquility, there are also terms to refer to those less disciplined states of mind that can sometimes unintentionally turn on and off. The expression “to be absent, but with a present body” defines perfectly what it means to be in a dwaal. It is an expression used to describe those moments in which people stare at a fixed point until someone or something brings them back to reality. The word is even used by English speakers in South Africa, who would say that someone distracted or inattentive is in a dwaal.
Litost (Czech): Sadness is a fundamental part of any person’s emotions. And as they say, after the storm comes calm, so it is normal for great sadness to be accompanied by a long and well-deserved period of relaxation. Referring to her, the Czech author Milan Kundera said that he could hardly imagine that someone would understand the human soul without this word. lithost describes a feeling of sadness or regret and it refers to that state of self-contemplation triggered by the sudden clarity about one’s own misfortune.
Kukelure (Norwegian): somewhere between daydreaming and procrastinatingthe norwegians have kukelurea state that takes the reflective elements of a dreamer and the inactivity of a procrastinator, to define moments of deep thought and relaxation in which absolutely nothing else is done.
Seijaku (Japanese): along the centuries, wabi sabi it has become an integral element of the traditional Japanese lifestyle. That is, to recognize the beauty of everyday life in its transience and its imperfections. within the ideals wabi sabi the word is found seijaku, which slows down from day to day to allow people to relax. The specificity of the word says that it is not something that is achieved through a life of strict Buddhist training, nor by escaping the routine by going on a vacation to the beach for two weeks. Rather, it only takes a few short moments each day to calm down and calm downbefore continuing with the activities.
Chouzourévo (Greek): You know that satisfaction of turning off the alarm after realizing that you don’t actually have to get up at all? This Greek term describes the feeling of lie down happily for an indefinite time. chouzourévo it refers to the action of lazing around in bed and that infinite comfort that is achieved with it.
Ayuramat (Inuktitut): “this is life” It can be used as that conciliatory thought that follows a misfortune, without the guarantee of a better outcome in the future. “What done is done” works well to indicate the end point of an action (good or bad). Similarly in philosophy, but in a more positive perspective, ayuramat takes a pragmatic approach to events that cannot be changed, but adds a bit of hope to it. This term evokes that small feeling of comfort when someone is told that there is no point in worrying about things that cannot be controlled.
Since the zen vocabulary is increasingly relevant, mainly for the new generations such as millennials and the Gen-Z, Babbel’s live class platform could not ignore his linguistic contribution. For this reason, hundreds of certified teachers also address topics such as nutrition and health, emotions, personal growth, etc.
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