Category — Ayurveda

Many of us find that we are not performing our best at certain sports, sports that come easier to others, may present quite a challenge for us.  One thing to make note of here is your dosha.
Dosha refers to three basic metabolic principles connecting the mind, the body and biological humour.  These three doshas are often described as the manifestations of natural forces at work in the body. Each dosha is defined by two of the five natural elements: space, air, fire, water and earth.

• Vata is the space and air principle and is embodied by ether. It resides in the spaces of your body, filling empty airspaces and channels, helping to govern the function of the nervous system.
• Pitta is the fire and water principle and exists within your body mainly as bile and acid, and is most closely associated with the digestive and elimination systems.
• Kapha refers to the water and earth principle, relating to the respiratory system and mucous membranes, governing the majority of our physical composition.

Take the quiz and find out your dosha.  Once you know this key bit of information, start thinking about what type of exercise routine serves you best: [Read more →]

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Dr F. Karsch,M.D. advises: “Rinse the teeth and gums very thoroughly with a tablespoon of Sesame or Sunflower oil . Do it slowly, (but do not swallow), for 15-20 minutes up to three times a day on an empty stomach.”
This simple method can completely heal a wide variety of diseases which would normally be treated by powerful or potent drugs or by an operation, usually with significant side-effects.

The best part of this healing method is its sheer simplicity. It consists of swishing cold-pressed oil in the mouth( Sunflower or Seasme). The healing process is accomplished by the body on its own. In this way, one can potentially heal cells, tissue and all organs simultaneously; the body itself gets rid of toxic waste without disturbing the healthy microflora.

As Dr. Karach puts it, human beings are living only half their life span. We could potentially live healthy to be 140 to 150 years old. Not bad, right…

Read full procedure here

The ayurvedic approach is rising in popularity because it is comprehensive and gentle. Rather than looking for instant cures through prescripition pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda seeks to correct the source of the problem. For those who can commit themselves to the process, Ayurveda offers effective, cumulative health benefits. Believe me, I’m just as skeptical as the next guy, but after suffering with severe ulcers for the past few years and finding no relief from over the counter options, I decided to give Ayurveda a try. All I can say is, “Why did I wait so long?” [Read more →]

Having evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3000-5000 years ago, Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing that is a complete medical system. It recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flow from one Absolute source (Paramatman). Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws. [Read more →]

Summer is in full swing and you’re skin knows it. Before you rush out to sample the joys of summer sun worship, make sure you are following a diet and a routine that will help keep your Pitta dosha in balance.

According to ayurveda, every individual is a unique combination of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is mainly air and space, Pitta fire and water and Kapha water and earth. These doshas govern the seasons of the year, with Pitta, the fire element, ruling the hot summer months. During the summer, even if you do not have a lot of Pitta in your make-up, you may find that you need to take steps [Read more →]

Morning Yoga

Growing up in an East Indian household, I took much of the beauty and the traditions of the Hindu culture for granted. From simple things like my mom’s freshly made naan, to the rich and colorful saris that she wore, to the classic literature of Rabindranath Tagore she enjoyed reading to me as she sipped on her steaming cup of chai — I never fully appreciated all that this rich country had to offer.From practical traditions like using honey instead of constantly seeking out over-the-counter cough relievers to practicing yoga regularly, I didn’t recognize the benefits until I moved away from it all.

Did you know, according to Ayurvedic medicine, honey can be used to improve eyesight, relieve coughs, sore throats, when combined with black pepper powder and ginger juice, it acts to relieve asthma, mixed with garlic – it has been known to reduce high blood pressure, taken with water and lemon juice, it helps to purify the blood and my favorite, [Read more →]

Some foods are considered especially healing in Ayurveda. According to Ayurvedic tradition, a central dietary teaching is to eat in order to provide adequate nutrition for the mind and the body without being too onerous on the digestive system or your body’s ability to fully absorb and utilize those nutrients. There are many easy-to-digest foods that are wholesome and provide multiple health benefits and are prized in Ayurveda. Ayurveda categorizes foods by rasa (taste)…the tastes being sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. The typical North American diet includes plenty of the first three tastes and not enough of the last three, and ideally all six tastes should be included at each main meal. Ayurveda also classifies foods according to their quality–foods are considered dry or unctuous, heavy or light, warm or cool according to their physical nature.

In accordance with Ayurvedic teachings, it is recommended to include more of those tastes and qualities that pacify the dosha(s) you are trying to balance at a given time, and less of others. Vegetables and herbs or spices that contribute the bitter or astringent tastes, whole milk, lassi (a drink made by blending together fresh yogurt and water), cooked fruit, chutneys, whole grains, unleavened fresh breads made with flour that has not been refined, and mung beans are examples of particularly nourishing and healing foods that are recommended in Ayurveda. Foods are also classified as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic according to the quality of the impact they have on the heart, mind and spirit.

Foods that are particularly nourishing for not just physical, but mental, emotional and spiritual health, are called sattvic–foods that impart sattva (purity)–in Ayurveda. Rice, milk, ghee and almonds are examples of sattvic foods. Ghee (clarified butter) is among the best rejuvenating and longevity-promoting foods. It aids digestion and calms the nerves. Ghee’s rate of absorption is high, making it an excellent medium for transporting the nutrients of other foods to the tissues.

Ayurveda means the science of life…which also equates the art of living.

According to Ayurveda, we are composed of body, senses, mind and spirit. Thus Ayurveda considers life a psyco-spiritual as well as a physical phenomenon. It aims at ending all suffering and maintaining health so that every individual can achieve fulfillment in all four goals of life…

What are the goals?

• Honor (Dharma)
• Wealth (Artha)
• Enjoyment (Kama)
• Liberation (Moksha)

Tridoshas are the three humors in Ayurveda: Vata, Kapha and Pita. In Ayurveda, an imbalance in any of these is reflected on the body in the form of one disease or another.