Tag Archives: Ayurveda

Meditation has become almost a special “science” and “technique” in itself today, but few realize what actual benefits they are having. Many talk about states of consciousness, however, traditionally speaking, to attain them takes lifetimes of intense study, austerities and practice as also development of sattvas or purity. First one …

All healing traditions recognize the crucial role of the heart in sustaining life and energizing the body. We cannot survive long without a properly functioning heart. Cardiovascular health is a key area contributing to overall vitality in many ways. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and …

Frigid temperatures are here in the Northern hemisphere. In early January we are in deep winter, well before the transition to spring. The gunas of winter are the dominant qualities of my environment. The gunas of this time of year come from vata dosha: light, cold, dry rough, hard, mobile, …

A big part of weight control is learning how to control food cravings. Whether you have sugar cravings or salt cravings, all kinds of food cravings signify an imbalance of doshas.  We have these cravings when we want to eat the unhealthiest, tastiest of foods, and that’s when we often …

With thanks to contributions by Dr. Yashashree Mannur, BAMS ‘Tis the season to think about dieting. Or is it? Many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions that revolve around weight. Thinness is the Holy Grail of our time and there is immense pressure from the medical community, media …

“On the completion of his training, the psyche of Brahma or the Sages enter into him (The Vaidya or Ayurvedic Physician) according to knowledge” – Charaka Samhita Chikitsasthana, I.4.53 “Whatever offense we might have given to the divine beings or whatever moral code we in our ignorance might have transgressed, …

Constipation is often considered the result of low roughage in food. In some individuals, less waste is produced after digestion. This can be increased by consuming sufficient roughage. To counter this issue, consumption of green leafy vegetables is advised by many. However, according to Ayurveda, these vegetables are not Vata-friendly …

Like layers, warm sweaters, mittens and simmering stews, a warm mug of hot chocolate is a cozy treat in the dark, cold winter months! Cacao is warming and stimulates energy while also elevating mood. This vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free treat is delicious and comforting in the cold winter months! In small …

A new study has found that decreased levels of nicotinamide, a form of the B vitamin niacin, during pregnancy may increase the risk of atopic eczema at 12 months of age. A University of Southampton study, published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy, found that women with ‘higher concentrations of nicotinamide …

My training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga emphasized that forming a relationship based on authenticity and safety is paramount. Recovery only takes place in the context of safe relationship. How, then, do we offer empowerment and create connection with those who are on a path to recovery from trauma? When I …

The ancient Indian science of Ayurveda classifies the seasons according to their predominant dosha: Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Vata season is fall. Pitta season is late spring and summer. Kapha season is winter and early spring. As it’s winter for the Northern hemisphere, there are Ayurvedic winter remedies which can …

It is very narrowing to associate Menopause only to the end of menstruation or to a simple physical evolution. Too many women are buried (often even before being at this stage of their lives) under the weight of this occidental vision that associates it to a burden…including aging, wrinkles, decay, …

Many people today taking Ayurvedic constitutional quizzes in books or online and feel that these give an “accurate” model of their so-called “dosha type” and sometimes get confused when going to a Practitioner and it differs. Some practitioners place too much emphasis on temporal rather than life-long traits or on …

In a world where women are so often objectified, whether in the workplace, media, on the school bus, or the world wide web, one of the most powerful lessons from the ancient science of Ayurveda for me has been to see my body as my temple. Ayurveda is the sister …

A truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with excellency of heart. – Henry Fielding Our food brings us the intelligence of the sun through the six rays of taste. Nature’s evolutionary, self-regulating, nourishing, harmonizing intelligence is conveyed to us through her foods. Each flavor of nature’s bounty expresses a different …

Sitting for 8 hours a day can take a toll on your overall health. “Sitting Disease” is a term coined by the scientific community and commonly used when referring to the chronic health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The best way to prevent sitting disease is well, standing, but …

Republished with permission from Elephant Journal. ‘Live in harmony with nature.’ We hear this expression all the time in the world of health and wellness. But, what does this expression really mean, and importantly, how can we actually start to do it on a daily basis? Ayurveda, the sister science …

In the Ancient Tradition of Ayurveda, it is said that “the Primordial Cause of Disease is Forgetting your True Nature as Spirit”. Over my years of practice and self-discovering, this complicated term has become my teaching mantra. I have begun to see vast transformations in both my own life and …

The Low-Fat Diet is the mother of all fad diets. In many ways, other diets have emerged out of necessity, as a response to the epic failure of the Low-Fat approach. But it has also been the most societally-pervasive dietary tenet of all time. The tenuous link between dietary fat, …

Agni is an Ayurvedic term meaning “digestive fire.” When Agni is in good supply, you feel well and your digestion is strong. For improved digestion and to increase Agni, it is best to eat meals at the same time every day. Breakfast should be light, lunch fairly substantial, and dinner …

I would like to present a case of a patient with this condition to illustrate my approach. Rhonda was a fifty-four-year-old female who was struggling with obesity, fatigue, and a sluggish thyroid. Her TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) had been hovering just outside the optimal range for many years, and she …

Lack of sleep can slow down your daily functioning and can result in a deficit of concentration, which in turn, makes you prone to making mistakes. Luckily, Ayurveda prescribes several remedies for tackling insomnia and getting a good night’s sleep.  Sleeping well is a sign of good health by itself, …

Pitta, a combination of the fire and water elements has the qualities of being hot, sharp, penetrating, oily, light, spreading, and liquid. Let’s take a look at ways to fight Pitta inflammation. The functions of Pitta include: Digestion, absorption, and assimilation Metabolism Maintenance of body temperature Appetite and thirst Coloration …