Warm Milk - A Soothing Bedtime Beverage
1 1/2 cups fresh, organic whole milk (or alternative)
2+ tsp. organic ghee
1+ tsp. cinnamon powder
1+ tsp. cardamom powder
1+ tsp. fresh grated ginger root
Ashwagandha, optional. (May be recommended by your yoga therapist to calm vata.)
Heat gently just until boiling, then turn down heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Let cool slightly before drinking.
This is nice to fix for yourself in the middle of the night, too, when you're not sleeping well...
Golden Milk - Great Anti Inflammatory Properties (Non Dairy/Vegetarian)
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (or almond or soymilk)
1 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh turmeric root
2-3 cardamom pods
3-4 black peppercorns
Heat mixture. Bring to a simmer and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
Strain and sweeten with maple syrup to taste (if desired).
From Anti-Inflammatory Golden Milk - Dr. Weil's Healthy Kitchen www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/anti-inflammatory.../anti-inflammatory-golden-milk/
An intro to the practice of Ayurveda ~ The medical arm of yoga...
Have you ever heard the terms Vata, Pitta, and Kapha? Any idea what they mean or how they might apply to you? Well... read on to learn more.
Ayurveda means "The Science of Life". Offering a holistic approach to wellbeing, the practice of Ayurveda helps one consider diet, movement, and breathing practices appropriate for each of us as individuals, and weaves them into an overall lifestyle practice that honors the flow of the natural world around us and its influence in our bodies.
Ayurvedic Doshas are a way of explaining how nature forms into the body. The belief is that all the elements found in nature comprise the human body, too. Each organ or tissue of the body is comprised of one or more of the essential elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether and space is the element found all around them. The degree to which these qualities or characteristics are found in an individual is reflected by one's dosha, or essential nature. Most of us are typically a combination of two of the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Curious? Read on for more information.
More about Dosha:
A dosha defines our separation from the flow of the natural world around us. Each of us has separated a bit from spirit or universal energy as we've come into our bodies... We do this in different ways, and that is reflected in our inherent constitution, or dosha balance. The qualities of dosha are:
Vata - the most subtle dosha is comprised of the elements of air and ether. It is associated with movement (notice your breath, for instance or the flow of fluids in the body). Ayurvedic Physicians tell us that roughly 80% of all disease can be attributed to an imbalance in this dosha.
Pitta - predominantly comprised of the fire element with a bit of air/water mixed in (think blood, heart rate, metabolism), this dosha is associated with our will power, the energy of transformation and intensity. Consider the manner in which you approach life. Does a fire burn comfortably in your belly driving you through activities each day? Or is it raging, or possibly smoldering?
Kapha - from the elements of earth and water, aspects of this dosha are associated with grounding, structure, stability and accumulation (think mucus). The element of love and the act of nourishing oneself and others are influenced by the Kapha (pronounced Ka - Pa) dosha.
Think of it this way: Air and water flow. Air fans the flames of fire, while water puts them out. Earth provides a sense of stability to the flow of both air and water. The doshas are related to the elements found in nature. The elements also comprise the chakras, energetic centers located at various points along the spine in our bodies that are associated with nerve plexi.
Each of us has some of each dosha in us. Our teeth and bones represent kapha; our breath and the impulses of our nervous system - vata; our metabolism and the intelligence of the mind are associated with pitta. When inner harmony and balance are disrupted, bodily systems can fall out of whack. This leads to a sense of dis-ease. Attention to diet, use of appropriate yoga postures and other practices that can inform our daily habits and routines are what can bring the doshas back into balance when things go awry... and we can begin to feel good again.
As a Holistic Stress Management Educator and Yoga Therapist, Sharon has been steeped in practices designed to promote unity and balance on all levels of our being - body, mind, heart and spirit. She serves as a guide to support you in navigating your personal path toward better health. Email her today for more information or to schedule a private session to explore how you can feel better soon! (mountainsmiles@msn.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join us each fall for a three-part lecture series on this complex topic.
Available for groups of four or more: Ayurveda 101 - A Three-Part Series:
Learn about the Science of Life and how it can guide you toward better health
Session I - Getting to know your dosha
Session II - Dosha specific diet and lifestyle choices
Session III - Movement and Breathing practices
Ayurveda means "The Science of Life". Offering a holistic approach to wellbeing, the practice of Ayurveda helps one consider diet, movement, and breathing practices appropriate for each of us as individuals, and weaves them into an overall lifestyle practice that honors the flow of the natural world around us and its influence in our bodies.
Ayurvedic Doshas are a way of explaining how nature forms into the body. The belief is that all the elements found in nature comprise the human body, too. Each organ or tissue of the body is comprised of one or more of the essential elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether and space is the element found all around them. The degree to which these qualities or characteristics are found in an individual is reflected by one's dosha, or essential nature. Most of us are typically a combination of two of the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Curious? Read on for more information.
More about Dosha:
A dosha defines our separation from the flow of the natural world around us. Each of us has separated a bit from spirit or universal energy as we've come into our bodies... We do this in different ways, and that is reflected in our inherent constitution, or dosha balance. The qualities of dosha are:
Vata - the most subtle dosha is comprised of the elements of air and ether. It is associated with movement (notice your breath, for instance or the flow of fluids in the body). Ayurvedic Physicians tell us that roughly 80% of all disease can be attributed to an imbalance in this dosha.
Pitta - predominantly comprised of the fire element with a bit of air/water mixed in (think blood, heart rate, metabolism), this dosha is associated with our will power, the energy of transformation and intensity. Consider the manner in which you approach life. Does a fire burn comfortably in your belly driving you through activities each day? Or is it raging, or possibly smoldering?
Kapha - from the elements of earth and water, aspects of this dosha are associated with grounding, structure, stability and accumulation (think mucus). The element of love and the act of nourishing oneself and others are influenced by the Kapha (pronounced Ka - Pa) dosha.
Think of it this way: Air and water flow. Air fans the flames of fire, while water puts them out. Earth provides a sense of stability to the flow of both air and water. The doshas are related to the elements found in nature. The elements also comprise the chakras, energetic centers located at various points along the spine in our bodies that are associated with nerve plexi.
Each of us has some of each dosha in us. Our teeth and bones represent kapha; our breath and the impulses of our nervous system - vata; our metabolism and the intelligence of the mind are associated with pitta. When inner harmony and balance are disrupted, bodily systems can fall out of whack. This leads to a sense of dis-ease. Attention to diet, use of appropriate yoga postures and other practices that can inform our daily habits and routines are what can bring the doshas back into balance when things go awry... and we can begin to feel good again.
As a Holistic Stress Management Educator and Yoga Therapist, Sharon has been steeped in practices designed to promote unity and balance on all levels of our being - body, mind, heart and spirit. She serves as a guide to support you in navigating your personal path toward better health. Email her today for more information or to schedule a private session to explore how you can feel better soon! (mountainsmiles@msn.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join us each fall for a three-part lecture series on this complex topic.
Available for groups of four or more: Ayurveda 101 - A Three-Part Series:
Learn about the Science of Life and how it can guide you toward better health
Session I - Getting to know your dosha
Session II - Dosha specific diet and lifestyle choices
Session III - Movement and Breathing practices
Know your Dosha?
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"O.K. - I've completed a dosha quiz, now what?" Here are some tips for balancing your actions and activities... Please know that there are up to 10 various combinations of dosha types, so these guidelines might vary for you. Personal practice is the best guide and a class that balances all three is best.
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I am happy to consult with you on any of this. Get in touch if you have questions about dosha and it's application to your yoga practice. Keeping these elements balanced in the body can be done through appropriate diet, daily breathing and cleansing habits, as well as a suitable yoga asana practice. I can guide you toward developing the right approach for you! Yours in health, ~Sharon Alexander, E-RYT500 |