In the system of Ayurveda, there are three doshas or body types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata, the principle of movement, is aggravated by an erratic lifestyle. The more that Vata is out of balance, the more that an individual engages in irregular regimens. So, the cycle perpetuates itself. We must learn strategies for balancing […]
Add some spice to your life!
While Indians do have lower life expectancies than people living in the West, and they suffer from diseases like malnourishment and malaria, it’s a well-documented fact that they don’t suffer from some of the same dis-eases as Americans. They have lower rates of heart disease, cholesterol, and diabetes. One reason that Indians do maintain their […]
Something to smile about!
One oft-neglected regimen in our lives is our mouth and dental hygiene. We take our teeth, lips, saliva, etc. for granted until we have a problem. Then we run to the dentist. When was the last time you saw the dentist? Make an appointment today if it’s been a while since you got checked for […]
New Regimens for a New Year
Today marks the first day of the Indian new year. Yesterday was the festival of Diwali (dee-vaah-lee) or Deepavali (deep-uh-vaah-lee) – the festival of lights. Deepa means dharma (sacred duty) and avali means a continuous line. Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama back home after a 14 year period of exile. The residents of […]
Winter is upon us
It is November and while we’ve been having atypical weather everywhere, the true taste of winter is just around the corner. Speaking in Ayurvedic terms, winter can easily imbalance both Vata and Kapha doshas (body types). Vata is cold, dry, rough, and mobile. Kapha is heavy, static, cool, and dense. While we can consider the doshas […]
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Pause for a moment from reading and whatever else you might be doing at the same time. Look up. Take a deep breath, blink and exhale. Take a good look around. A really close look. You may be intimately familiar with your surroundings, but have you really carefully assessed what is in your possession or […]
Breathing life into our blessings
The breath comes in and the breath goes out, effortlessly. We don’t even notice. Yet, without it, we would cease to exist. It is the marker of our birth and initiation into life and when it leaves us, our journey in this lifetime is surmised as complete. Whether we call it chi, prana, life force, […]