Ayurveda, ancient wisdom of life and longevity, defines a healthy being as one whose bioenergetic constitution, bodily tissues and digestive fire are in a balanced state, whose excretory systems (sweat, urinary, bowel) are working efficiently and whose senses, mind and spirit are in a clear, equanimous and tranquil state.
Ayurveda places utmost importance on maintaining optimal digestive fire (Agni) for proper digestion, assimilation, nourishment and subsequently deriving vitality, clarity and strength for one to function in the world.
When the Agni is weakened or dysfunctional due to unwholesome diet and erratic lifestyle, it is neither able to properly digest the food we eat nor mentally process the many impressions that we take in through our senses. This causes a build up of metabolic residue/toxin called Ama in our bodily systems.
Ama, which has the qualities of stickiness and heaviness, clogs the circulatory channels hindering proper functioning of the body systems, tissue nourishment, natural detoxification and immune responses. Ultimately this leads to diseases, chronic fatigue, mental fogginess and diminished intellectual discernment.
Ayurveda describes immunity as the ability of the body and mind to withstand the various stressors that one experiences in their daily life (e.g work, relationships, lifestyle, environmental, seasonal changes, flu viruses etc) and the capacity to re-establish a natural healthy state.
When our Agni and metabolic processes are functioning optimally we have better immunity and experience more vitality and equanimity.
Ayurveda offers various approaches towards restoring equilibrium, enhancing vitality, preserving immunity and to inducing peace and clarity of the mind:
Diet, Lifestyle and Spirituality:
Food as medicine: choose wholesome foods and a dietary plan suited for one’s constitution and requisite nourishment on a daily basis. This means avoiding dietary fads as one size does not fit all.
Eating with full awareness and eating only when hungry to ensure Agni is optimum for proper digestion, elimination and preventing the buildup of Ama.
Eating fresh, warm, easy to digest nourishing foods cooked with healthy oils and digestive spices, particularly if you are prone to the effects of coldness, dryness, bloating, constipation, insomnia, anxiety, flu, colds and respiratory illnesses.
Avoid suppression of natural urges (urinary, bowel, thirst, hunger, sleep, emotional expressions etc)
Find your rhythm: establish a regular eating, sleeping and waking up routine.
Choose the correct exercise regime, yoga asana and pranayama practices as per your body-mind constitutional needs , lifestyle, physical capacity, mental state and energy level.
Allow time for relaxation and self-care rituals.
Spend as much time in nature as possible to ground and pacify your nervous system.
Nurture the mind and intellect through personalized spiritual or contemplative practices fostering mental tolerance, emotional resilience, intellectual discernment to promote harmony in all aspects of your life.
Role of spices and herbs - Kitchen pharmacy
Culinary spices and herbs have been used in many cultures to not only improve the flavour of foods but also to enhance digestion and metabolism, effectively preventing and managing diseases.
Here are a couple of simple home remedies to aid in kindling a weak Agni (digestive juices), improve digestion, nourishment and elimination:
Take 1 tsp grated ginger mixed with pinch of rock salt and a little bit of lemon juice, 15 mins before lunch and dinner
Start your day with a glass of warm water (150-200ml). Add 1 tsp each of honey, lemon juice and freshly grated ginger, adjusted as per your body's requirement.
To strengthen the nervous system and prevent fatigue during the day:
Soak 1 walnut, 1 pod cardamon, 1/2 inch cinnamon stick overnight. Eat all together next morning before breakfast
Soak 2 almonds, 2 black peppercorns in warm water overnight. Peel the almonds and chew together with the peppercorns before breakfast
Ayurvedic body therapies - Abhyanga
From an Ayurvedic physiological perspective, the skin is an organ of assimilation and elimination that has a continuous relationship with the gastro-intestinal tract, internal organs and the nervous system.
Abhyanga is the external application of therapeutic and rejuvenating oils with specific movements to lubricate and soften the body tissues, release blockages and toxins, improve lymphatic and cardiac circulation, improve complexion, soothe the nervous system, relax the senses and mind thereby promoting a general sense of acceptance, love and gratitude.
It is also useful in relieving muscle stiffness, sciatica, chronic fatigue, dry skin, constipation/bloating, diseases of the nervous system, tremors, Reynaud’s syndrome, osteoarthritis and various neuromuscular conditions.
Maintaining wellbeing and keeping seasonal and lifestyle disorders at bay is dependent on diet, dietary and lifestyle habits, environment, relationships, thought patterns and emotions.
In order to remain in a balanced state and live a harmonious life, one needs to have the knowledge of one’s unique constitution, which elements and bioenergetic components are out of balance, thereby designing the most suitable diet, daily-seasonal routine and herbal protocol to implement.
Explore Ayurveda with these special offerings:
Complimentary 15 mins Meet and Greet, virtual or in person.
Traditional homestyle digestive and rejuvenating chai and cooking spices, especially blended for Fall, Winter and Spring.
To help adjust to seasonal changes, manage lifestyle stressors and diseases, purchase chai or cooking masalas, or to learn more about Ayurvedic-Yogic approaches to health and wellbeing, please contact Mamta at:
647 960 1174
Resources:
https://theyogainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/21-Ways-Immunity_6_4_20.pdf
https://theyogainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Womens-Health-Yoga.pdf