Agni is our digestive fire (metabolism) which is responsible for processing and absorbing the foods we eat. Depending on the strength of our individual agni, each person is capable of digesting certain foods better than others. So rather than, “You are what you eat,” Ayurveda says, “You are what you digest.”
We can eat whatever we want, but if we don’t digest it properly, we will be on the path to getting some sort of disease. Agni is literally a fire in our digestive system and when not fueled properly it can run too hot, or not...
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Kapha: energy of construction
STEADY & NURTURING
Elements water (aap) + earth (prithvi)Qualities wet, cold, heavy, oily, staticSeason springNature moonMain Location stomach + chest
Kapha is the dosha responsible for lubrication and structure of the body. Because of their sturdiness, Kapha people tend to be the healthiest of the three doshas, including mental health. Kapha is our lubrication in the brain, around the joints, reproductive fluids, and is responsible for building most of our tissues. Kapha keeps our bodies from turning into raisins.
Since...
Pitta: energy of transformation
LEADERSHIP & INTELLECT
Elements fire (tejas) + water (aap)Qualities sharp, hot, oily, smooth, mobileSeason late spring thru summerNature sunMain Location small intestines
Pitta is responsible for digestion and transformation. Pitta is the heat that transforms food, thoughts and physical exertion into energy. Pitta is the medium and agni (digestive fire) is the content so the state of your pitta dosha determines whether you are digesting food properly. Ama is caused by undigested food and it is...
Vata: energy of movement
CREATIVE & ENERGETIC
Elements air (vayu) + ether (akash)Qualities dry, light, cold, mobile, roughSeason fall thru mid-winterNature windMain Location colon
Vata is referred to as the ‘king of the doshas’ because it is responsible for every movement in the body. Without vata, pitta and kapha cannot move. Eyes blinking, heart beating, talking with your hands, jumping, circulation, elimination, are all because of vata.
Since vata people are made of air and ether, they don’t have a lot holding them together....
The Ancient Ayurvedic Writings
THE GREAT THREE AUTHORS
CharakaSushrutaVagbhata
THE MINOR THREE AUTHORS
SharngadharaBhavamishraMadhava
The Great Three Classics of AyurvedaCharaka SamhitaThe Charaka Samhita is believed to have arisen around 400-200 BCE. It is felt to be one of the oldest and the most important ancient authoritative writings on Ayurveda. It is not known who this person was or, if indeed, this represents the work of a "school of thought." It could have been from a group of scholars or followers of a man known as Charaka or an original composition from a...
Tongue Analysis
The ancient art of tongue diagnosis also describes quite characteristic patterns that can reveal the functional status of respective internal organs merely by observing the surface of the tongue. The tongue is the mirror of the viscera.A discoloration and /or sensitivity of a particular area of the tongue indicates a disorder in the organ corresponding to that area. A whitish tongue indicates a kapha derangement and mucus accumulation; a red or...
Empty Bowl Meditation (Kevala Kumbhak)
Sit comfortably and quietly with palms up and open, placed on knees, like empty bowls. Open the mouth slightly and touch the tongue to the roof of the mouth, behind the front teeth. Pay attention to the breath. Let the lungs breathe with no effort on your part. Breath is object of awareness. Simply watch the movement of breath. As you are watching the movement of your breath, pay attention to the tip of your nose. Just be aware of the touch of air going into the nose. Cool air going in, warm air coming out. Sit this way, quietly, observing breath,...
The Elements and Attributes of the Three Doshas
Elements of the Three Doshas
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Air + Ether
Fire + Water
Earth + Water
Attributes of the Three Doshas
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
...
Ghee Recipe
1 pound unsalted butter
Put the butter in a heavy, medium-sized pan. Turn the heat on to medium until the butter melts.
Turn down the heat until the butter just boils and continue to cook at this heat. Do not cover the pot. The butter will foam and sputter while it cooks. Whitish curds will begin to form on the bottom of the pot. The butter will begin to smell like popcorn after a while and turn a lovely golden color. Keep a close watch on the ghee, as it can easily burn. After a while it will become a clear, golden color. You will have to...
Friday, 26 July 2013
Khichari Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 cup Basmati Rice
1 cup Mung Dal (split yellow)
6 cups (approx.) Water
1/2 to 1 inch Ginger Root, chopped or grated
a bit of Mineral Salt (1/4 tsp. or so)
2 tsp. Ghee
1/2 tsp. Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp. Cumin Powder
1/2 tsp. Whole Cumin Seeds
1/2 tsp. Mustard Seeds
1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
1 pinch Asafoetida (Hing)
Handful Fresh Cilantro Leaves
1 and 1/2 cups Assorted Vegetables (optional)
PreparationCarefully pick over rice and dal to remove any stones. Wash each separately in at least 2 changes of water. Add the 6 cups of...
Agni Tea Recipe
Ingredients
1 quart Water
1 pinch Cayenne
2 handfuls Minced ginger root
2 Tbs. Sucanat or other sweetener
1 to 2 tsp. Rock salt
Preparation
Bring all of the above ingredients to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes.
Take the pot off the burner and cool for a few minutes
Add the juice of 1/2 lime. Do not boil the lime juice.
Pour into a thermos and enjoy throughout the day!...
The Daily Routine
A daily routine is absolutely necessary to bring radical change in body, mind, and consciousness. Routine helps to establish balance in one's constitution. It also regularizes1. Wake Up Early in the MorningIt is good to wake up before the sun rises, when there are loving (sattvic) qualities in nature that bring peace of mind and freshness to the senses. Sunrise varies according to the seasons, but on average vata people should get up about 6 a.m., pitta people by 5.30 a.m., and kapha by 4.30 a.m. Right after waking, look at your hands for a few...
Sleep Well - says ayurveda
A Good Night’s Sleep Millions of Americans of all ages are affected by sleep problems, many with severe, chronic sleep deprivation. A round-the-clock activity-driven society has meant that many individuals habitually defer sleep to get other things done. "I'll catch up later," is, however, easier said than done. Recent research indicates that pervasive sleep deprivation can lead to more serious health problems than just a dull clouded feeling the next morning—including obesity, high blood pressure and diminished resistance to infections. While...
Joy and Good relations
Creating Blissful Relationships "I can't talk now -- I have a terrible headache." "Leave me alone -- I've had a miserable day and I need my space." "What happened to us? Don't you love me any more?"In some form or another, we have all experienced these statements and what they can do to a relationship. Those who are lucky have encountered them only in books and movies. Others, perhaps the majority, have faced them in their own lives at some point or the other.Observe these statements again. The first one tells of physical stress, the second, mental...
Allergies
ALLERGIES: WHAT YOU CAN DO
Millions of people cringe when they see flowers start blooming in spring each year, because they know they will soon be fighting spring allergies. According to a recent article in the U.S. News & World Report, allergies are assuming epidemic proportions in the United States, with up to 30% of adults and 40% of children now suffering from hay fever symptoms -- nasal congestion and itchy, watering eyes. Allergy now reportedly appears regularly in the top 10 reasons for visits to doctors' offices.
Researchers and...
Ayurveda and weight loss
Weight Management - The Ayurvedic View
Maharishi Ayurveda offers a comprehensive weight management program that can not only help you achieve a balanced weight but results in side benefits such as more stamina, better functioning body and youthful appearance. The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians, suggests that people balance their weight by first determining their ayurvedic mind-body constitutions and existing imbalances.
Here, The Council discusses two weight management systems offered by Maharishi Ayurveda:
Kapha-Related Weight...
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