7 Steps to an Ayurvedic Lifestyle. Step 7 - Balanced Awareness.

The ancient Ayurvedic text, the Sushruta Samhita states “He whose doshas are in balance, whose appetite is good, whose body, mind and spirit are full of bliss, is called a healthy person.”  The opposite holds true for an unhealthy person.  Ayurveda teaches us how to live a happy, healthy, and long life, free of disease.

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Ayurveda believes that disease manifests from imbalance while wellness reflects harmony in all aspects of our lives.  Ayurveda observes our interconnectedness with nature.  All living things including human beings are composed of the five elements that exist in nature:  ether, air, fire, water and earth.  An understanding of these elements forms the basis of our three bodily humors known as doshas.  Vata dosha is composed of ether and air; pitta of fire and water, and kapha of water and earth.  We are all a combination of these doshas; our unique doshic constitution is determined at birth. 

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on balancing the doshas as aggravated doshas are the precursors of disease.  If there is an imbalance in the predominant dosha, this is of greater concern than an imbalance in a lesser dosha.  Therefore, Ayurveda is about wise living; it is about balancing your personal nature with the world around you.

Just as our bodies contain all the elements that exist in nature, our minds have each of the three gunas (qualities or tendencies):  sattva (knowledge, purity); rajas (action, passion), and tamas (inertia, ignorance).  In context, guna is the quality of the mind and the character of a person.  Like the doshas, the three gunas are present in each of us and can fluctuate depending on a number of factors. 

Our goal is to increase the sattvic (knowledge, purity) quality by making choices that are sattvic in nature.  The quality of our food and environment are critical to our mental health.  As our minds and bodies are inextricably linked, exposure to rajasic or tamasic impressions ultimately creates an imbalance in the mind, leading to bodily distress.  Just as mental imbalance can manifest physically in the body, physical illness contributes to mental suffering. 

Ayurveda is based on an understanding of various complimentary cycles and the synergistic properties of everything in nature, everything from body types, the seasons of the year, the time of day to foods and suitable activities, is described in Ayurvedic knowledge. 

Through proper food selection and preparation, you will promote healthy digestion and should reduce residual toxins (known as ama) that buildup in the body as a result of undigested foodstuff. 

Through gradual lifestyle changes, Ayurveda promotes the rejuvenation of internal bodily systems with activities like yoga asanas, which stretch and massage the body and help restore muscle and fascia.  Breathing techniques (known as pranayama) help balance the endrocrine system, which is important to remediating the negative effects of stress. 

Other ways to cultivate balance include getting enough sleep; eating in a quiet atmosphere; conscious living (practicing the art of being present); recognizing and practicing the power of positive thinking; meditating or participating in spiritual practices; and attuning your life to the body’s natural rhythms.  While the causes of imbalance are too numerous to list, some examples include:  continuous stress; an unwholesome diet; the weather; strained relationships.  Like Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda believes that our spiritual health and physical health are inextricably intertwined.  A truly holistic approach, Ayurveda treats the cause, not just the symptoms.  Ayurveda belives that:  “Cause is a concealed effect; effect is a revealed cause.”

In his book, Perfect Health, Deepak Chopra states:

The purpose of Ayurveda tells us how are lives can be influenced, shaped, extended, and ultimately controlled without interference from sickness and old age.  The guiding principle of Ayurveda is that the mind exerts its deepest influence on the body, and freedom from sickness depends on contacting our own awareness, bringing it into balance, and then extending that balance to the body.  This state of balanced awareness, more than any kind of physical immunity, creates a higher state of health. 

Ayurveda is truly a holistic system of healing meaning that it recognizes that perfect health can only be maintained when our mind, body and spirit are in a state of balance.  Thus, the fist step in living a life of balance is CULTIVATING AWARENESS.  This is different than a band-aid or a panacea.  It requires that we listen to our body’s own intelligence so that we can recognize and rectify imbalances as they occur.  Ayurveda gets to the root of the problem, “the root cause” and frequently recommends diet and lifestyle changes to help you move towards balance.  Real change, however, requires earnest commitment.  It is well worth it, however, if you are interested in making profound and enduring changes in your life.

Source:  Perfect Health, Deepak Chopra, 1991, 2000. 

*Song Lyrics, Save the World, Michael Jackson.

Ayurveda. Don't Coddle your Kapha.

Kapha dosha likes its creature comforts.

In Ayurveda, the doshas are protective barriers against disease.  We are a combination of all three doshas:  vata, pitta, and kapha.  If our doshas are aligned with our prakruti (our doshas at birth; our constitution at birth), this is considered perfect health.  If they are misaligned, imbalance results and unless we tip the scales toward balance, disease may manifest.  Ayurveda teaches awareness.  Being aware of the natural order of things will enable us to recognize when things are out of balance.

The kapha dosha is most closely aligned in nature with the water and earth elements.  It is responsible for lubricating the body and giving it  structure and support.  Certain qualities constitute the kapha dosha:  heavy, slow, cool, oily, slimy, dense, soft, liquid and static or dull.  It is most closely associated with the sweet and salty tastes.  If the qualities inherent in kapha are aggravated, then a kapha imbalance may occur.  Some causes may be:  heavy foods, overeating, cold drinks, excessive sleep, lack of exercise, winter and spring seasons, and dairy products.  Emotions such as greed and possessiveness also contribute.

Ayurveda teaches us to first identify and treat the cause.  Treating the cause with its opposite is generally the most effective method of treatment.  For instance, if you eat too much candy, cookies, and ice cream and lead a sedentary life, you may feel sluggish and eventually become overweight.  By opting for lighter whole foods, you will counteract kapha’s heavy quality.  Your energy level will increase and your weight will no longer be a concern.  Ayurveda teaches us to respect our own body’s intelligence.  All we need do is listen.

Ayurveda Lecture, Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 1, Student Manual 2010-2011, The Ayurvedic Press, 2010.

Ayurveda. Don't Push your Pitta.

Pitta dosha is aligned with the fire element.

In Ayurveda, the doshas are protective barriers against disease.  We are a combination of all three doshas:  vata, pitta, and kapha.  If our doshas are aligned with our prakruti (our doshas at birth; our constitution at birth), this is considered perfect health.  If they are misaligned, imbalance results and unless we tip the scales toward balance, disease may manifest.  Ayurveda teaches awareness.  Being aware of the natural order of things enables us to recognize when things are out of balance.

The pitta dosha is most closely aligned in nature with the fire element.  Its primary function in our body is transformation.  Certain qualities constitute the pitta dosha:  oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading, and liquid.  It is most closely associated with the bitter and pungent tastes.  If the qualities inherent in pitta are aggravated, then a pitta imbalance can occur.  Some causes of a pitta imbalance may be:  hot, spicy food; the hot sun; sour citrus fruits; prolonged fasting; aggressiveness; competitiveness; and the summer season.  Emotions such as anger, hate and jealousy also contribute. 

Ayurveda teaches us to first identify and treat the cause.  Treating the cause with its opposite is generally the most effective method of treatment.  For instance, if you eat too much hot, spicy food, you may develop acid-indigestion.  By minimizing the quantity of the hot, spicy foods you consume and opting for more cooling foods and spices such as cilantro and coconut, you will counteract pitta’s hot and sharp qualities.  Your bouts of acid-indigestion should decline or be eliminated entirely.  Ayurveda teaches us to respect our own body’s intelligence.  All we need do is listen.

Ayurveda Lecture, Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 1, Student Manual 2010-2011, The Ayurvedic Press, 2010.

Ayurveda: Don't Vex your Vata.

The vata dosha is aggravated by the wind.

In Ayurveda, the doshas are protective barriers against disease.  We are a combination of the three doshas:  vata, pitta, and kapha.  If our current doshic profile or vikruti is the same as our doshic profile at birth or prakruti, this state is known as health.  If our vikruti is different from our prakruti, however, this is evidence of some imbalance in our body, mind or spirit.  If the cause of the imbalance is prolonged or intense, the imbalanced dosha can affect our bodily tissues and according to Ayurveda, this is the beginning of the disease process.  Being aware of the natural order of things within our body will enable us to recognize when things are out of balance.

The vata dosha is most closely aligned in nature with the air element.  Its primary function in our body is movement.  Certain qualities constitute the vata dosha:  dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, and clear.  If these qualities are aggravated, then an imbalance in the vata dosha occurs.  Some examples of the causes of a vata imbalance include:  bitter, pungent, and astringent foods; dry, uncooked food; insufficient food intake; rapid eating; over-stimulation; suppression of natural urges; late nights; prolonged loud talk; too many activities; overexertion; prolonged grief, fear, worry, or loneliness; excessive sexual activity; the autumn season; dawn and dusk; 5-6 hours after a meal; and excessive exposure to cold or wind.

Ayurveda teaches us to first identify and treat the cause.  Treating the cause with its opposite is generally the most effective method of treatment.  For instance, if you stay up late for too many nights, you may become anxious and worried and develop insomnia, all of which contribute to an imbalance in your vata dosha.  Treating the cause with its opposite, namely, a reasonable bedtime (10:00 pm) and a regular nighttime routine will restore balance.  The turmoil associated with insomnia, excessive worry and anxiety will begin to dissipate.  Ayurveda considers our body to be the greatest source of intelligence.  We just need to listen.

Source:  Ayurveda Lecture, Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 1, Student Manual 2010-2011, The Ayurvedic Press, 2010.

Wrinkles Be Gone! Keep your Forehead Young, Tight and Radiant with Kapalabhati Breathing.

By age 25, many people show the first signs of aging when little wrinkles appear on the forehead.  Regular practice of the kapalabhati breathing technique will keep your forehead young, tight and radiant.  Sanskrit terms, kapala means skull or forehead and bhati means shine or light. Loosely translated, kapalabhati is “skull shining breath”.   It is a vigorous cleansing exercise that bathes the brain in fresh blood and oxygenizes all of the cells in the body. It also cleanses the lungs and respiratory system.  With its emphasis on the exhalation, it enhances the ability of the lungs to expel wastes and toxins.  In most breathing exercises, inhalation is active and exhalation passive.  Kapalabhati reverses this pattern.  A miraculous breathing technique, it was developed by the yogis thousands of years ago for complete fitness.  Proponents believe it cures many diseases including:  (1)  respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, and sinus conditions; (2) diseases of the heart, lungs, and brain; (3) blockages in the arteries and elevated cholesterol; (4) female conditions such as uterine and breast cancer; (5) Parkinson’s disease, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B with devoted practice; (6) snoring and sinusitis; (7) depression and (8) obesity.  Swami Ramdev claims it can used to control cancer when combined with the anuloma viloma (the alternate nostril breathing technique).

An energizing and vigorous breathing technique, it should be learned from an experienced practitioner and it is also advisable to check with your physician before beginning any pranayama (breathing) practice.  High blood pressure and heart conditions are the most common contraindications, but there are others.  Starting with 3-5 minutes a day, you can work up to 5 minutes daily and eventually 15-20 minutes.  Chronic ailments require a minimum of 15 minutes.  Check out this video on YouTube for a demonstration of kapalabhati, a breathing technique for optimum health.

Calming Breath: Alternate Nostril Breathing

One of the most effective breath techniques for an overactive mind, alternate nostril breathing helps to balance our right brain and left brain and results in a greater feeling of calm and mental clarity.  Our nasal cycle (we alternatively breathe through one side of our nose every few hours) is linked to brain function.  By oxygenating our brain, our creative and logical brain functions are at their prime.  Like all forms of breath work (known as pranayama in Sanskrit), it helps direct the flow of prana, the life force, throughout the body.  The yogis believed that many health conditions were due to imbalances between the ida and pingala nadis.  Nadis are energy channels in the body.  The pingala nadi is the right nostril or the sun principle or  body.  The ida nadi is the left nostril or the moon principle or mind.  Alternate nostril breathing balances our physical and mental energies, thus alleviating or preventing many health conditions.  By soothing our nervous system, it contributes to improved sleep; a calmer emotional state; a greater ability to relax; lesser feelings of anxiety or tension; and better management of stress.  It is best to consult with an experienced teacher before starting any advanced breathing technique.  Consulting with a physician may also be advisable to ascertain if such breath work is contraindicated.

In order to practice alternate nostril breathing, sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with your back straight.  Your left hand should be positioned in chin mudra and your right in Vishnu mudra.  Close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through your left nostril.  Close your left nostril with your right ring and little fingers.  Retain your breath.  Releasing your thumb, exhale through your right nostril.  Generally, beginners start without retaining the breath.  Your exhale should be longer than the inhale.  Inhale for a count of 2, retain for 8, and exhale for 4.  When comfortable with this, increase the count to 4, 16, and 8.  For a demonstration, check out this video (without retention) on YouTube.  

The Six Tastes in Ayurveda: Oh, so Sweet!!

Ayurveda recommends getting all six tastes at every meal (not necessarily in equal proportions however).  By eating all six tastes, you will balance your particular dosha (individual constitution) and food cravings will subside.  The western diet is rich in four of the six tastes:  sweet, sour, salty and pungent (spicy), but the other two, bitter and astringent, are lacking.  Ayurveda believes that in balancing your doshas, you are not only preventing disease but taking the ultimate step toward perfect health on all levels:  mind, body, and consciousness,

The sweet taste when consumed in moderation is anabolic meaning that it builds and nourishes all of your bodily tissues.  It contributes to your healthy complexion and lustrous hair.  In excess, however, it can contribute to obesity, diabetes, congestion, heaviness, and creates a prime breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.  Too much sweet can make your blood viscous (thick and sticky), which can lead to high cholesterol, high triglycerides (can contribute to heart disease), and hardening of the arteries. 

Psychologically, the sweet taste can bring you energy and vitality.  For a Vata type constitution, it can bring a much-needed sense of groundedness.  It is associated with the emotions of love and compassion.  On a more subtle level, it promotes the vital essence of OJAS (means the “juice of life”).  In excess, it can create greed, possessiveness, and attachment.  Both complacency and inertia can be exacerbated with the sweet taste.  It is habit forming and therefore can create a proclivity toward addiction.

In Ayurveda, the sweet taste helps to balance your constitution if you are predominantly Vata or Pitta or dual-doshic (with Vata and Pitta being predominant).  It aggravates a Kapha constitution so should be used more moderately by Kapha individuals.  Some more common examples of the sweet taste include sugar (white sugar is not recommended by Ayurveda), jaggery (an unrefined sugar), molasses, maple syrup and carbohydrates.  More subtle examples of the sweet taste include wheat, rice, and milk.  Eating rice after something pungent will make you more aware of its sweetness!

Understanding the six tastes and how they relate to your individual constitution (dosha) can help you make better choices to not only promoting your health but creating perfect health on all levels:  mind, body and consciousness.

Understanding the Doshas in Ayurveda: No Checklist Required.

In Ayurveda, understanding the doshas is the first step in restoring your equilibrium and ultimately good health.  Ayurveda believes that the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) exist in all living things.  Each dosha consists of a different combination of these elements.  The Vata dosha is composed of ether/air; Pitta is fire/water; and Kapha is earth/water.  It is the dominance of any one, two, or three of these doshas that makes up your Prakruti, your individual constitution established at birth and maintained throughout your life. While the three doshas are always present, one is usually dominant.  Sometimes two are equally present; rarely do all three coexist in equal proportions.  Your doshas are cited numerically in relation to each other.  For example, Vata-3, Pitta-3, and Kapha-1 means that you are equally Vata and Pitta and to a lesser extent Kapha. 

If your doshas are not the same as your Prakruti, there is imbalance.  Ayurveda believes that an imbalance in the doshas is a precursor to disease.  Hence, the doshas act as a protective barrier or a warning signal. Any imbalance is called Vikruti.  You must be aware of the imbalance in order to take steps to restore equilibrium.  Adopting an Ayurvedic lifestyle may be the first step in transforming your health and life. 

Right Living with Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word meaning “the science of life.”  It is also referred to as “the mother of all healing,” “knowledge of life,” or “right living.”  It is an ancient art of healing that has been practiced in India for thousands of years.  It includes yoga philosophy and is considered a holistic approach to healing as it integrates the body, mind and consciousness.  Unlike our Western approach to medicine,  Ayurveda teaches us that what is needed to heal our body, mind, and spirit is around us all the time.  It is just a matter of tuning in and paying attention.  According to Ayurveda, disease is caused by an imbalance in the energy of an individual’s body or in the three Doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  The word “Dosha” is like the prefix “dys,” meaning fault, mistake, error.  Many things happen to disturb an individual’s energy balance.  Some examples include:  emotions; diet; weather; work and relationships.  In Ayurveda, the aim is always balance as this is the natural order and is necessary to maintain good health while imbalance is associated with disorder and the development of disease.  Today, we can see the influence of Ayurveda in the West as more and more individuals are looking for alternative approaches to our system of allopathic medicine.  More spas and skin care centers are offering Ayurveda and some are dedicated entirely to Ayurveda.  When seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner, your goal is an individualized treatment that contributes to your physical and emotional balance.  Remember, your well-being keeps you looking and feeling good on the inside and out.