Six Ayurveda CONCEPTS FOR Vibrant Health

By Kumudha Venkatesan

Thousands of folks following ancient Ayurveda concepts live a long life, always healthy and happy! According to Ayurveda - mind and body are deeply connected. Dr Vasant Lad, Ayurveda legend in North America says," According to the teachings of Ayurveda, every aspect of life contributes to overall health." Deepak Chopra, holistic health expert and popular author says," When mind, body and spirit are in harmony, Happiness is the natural result." And the ancient Ayurveda text proclaims," The utility of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy individual and heal the disease of the sick."

Ayurveda says human beings are formed by the combination of three Doshas (body type). The three Doshas - Vata (Air and space), Pitta (Fire and water ) and Kapha (earth and water). Each person is made up of combination of Doshas, and this is the reason each person is unique according to Ayurveda. Usually one prominent Dosha, and the other two are secondary Doshas. The balance of Doshas keeps a person healthy. When there is an imbalance of Doshas, it gives rise to disease. You can find out your Dosha online by answering a few questions. It is perfectly okay if you are unable to find your Dosha because Dosha changes according to the season and lifestyle. These basic six concepts of Ayurveda will help to keep your three Dosha balanced, and always healthy and blissful.

Dinacharya:

Dinacharya (Daily Self-care) refreshes and tones body and mind for the day. According to Dinacharya - Wake up around sunrise, scrape the tongue to remove the white residue, oil pulling (swishing coconut or sesame oil in mouth for 6 to 7 minutes), drink warm water, bowel elimination, Abyanga (massage body with sesame oil or coconut oil), take shower, exercise, and meditation before working. Dr Vasant Lad says," Regularity in sleeping, waking, eating and elimination brings discipline and helps in good health." I feel so good and rejuvenated after Dinacharya, and I'm brimming with positivity to perform my duties to the best of my abilities. For abyanga and oil-pulling, it is good to use cooling coconut oil in summer and warm sesame oil during winter.

According to an Ayurveda text," Doing Abyanga every day will reduce premature ageing, reduce tiredness, brings clarity to eyes, nourishes body, facilitates sound sleep, and makes one's skin healthy. It is good to apply oil to the whole body, but if it is not possible, one should apply it to face, ears and feet." Many folks do Abyanga on weekends as it can be done leisurely.

Food:

Food, sleep and balanced lifestyle are key pillars for healthy life in Ayurveda. An Ayurveda text says," When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need." Ayurveda endorses seasonal and locally grown, fresh cooked food with lentils, beans, and vegetables. Processed, refined, sugary and oily snacks disrupt digestion - cause for many diseases, from diabetes to heart diseases. "Eat when you are hungry "is an important Ayurveda concept I try to follow every day. I feel energetic and vibrant if I have two meals in a day. I usually have my lunch between 12 to 1 p.m., filled with beans, greens and a little brown rice or quinoa. Drinking warm water throughout the day is extremely rewarding for digestion. It is okay to indulge once in a while, but everyday eating should be more wholesome meals. "Moderation is the key" is another great Ayurveda concept. For folks used to a non-vegetarian diet, eating meat once or twice a week is okay. According to Ayurveda, consuming Dairy with meat (including sea food) or fruits causes everything from bloating to acidity.

Food should be eaten in a calm and pleasant environment. Negative emotions - everything from anger to jealousy creates toxins, called Ama in Ayurveda. Negative emotions are "junk food" to the mind and disrupts digestion. "Listen to your Body" is another gem from Ayurveda. This morning, I had a white coat on my tongue as I indulged in eating three bagels last night.

So, I decided to eat wholesome lunch only when I was extremely hungry. In Ayurveda, Fasting is recommended once a week and fasting plays a pivotal role in curing many diseases.

Herbs and spices are powerhouses of medicinal properties. Fenugreek, a spice in Indian cuisine has robust flavor and can cure diabetes. Fenugreek seeds when sown grows like weeds in summer, and fenugreek herbs taste amazing in soups, pasta, pilaf, and savory items. Sprouted fenugreek can also be used in everyday cooking. When I suffer from indigestion or bloating, drinking warm water infused with cumin gives me relief. Spices such as coriander, cumin, turmeric, and fenugreek are commonly used in Ayurveda. Herbs such as mint, fenugreek and cilantro can be easily grown during summer, and really give amazing flavor to many dishes!

Sleep:

Going to bed around 10 pm is good according to Ayurveda. I love meditating on the vast sky while I'm trying to sleep. I do not get good sleep if I have to make some important decision. Now, I resolve my problems before going to bed, and I am calm before sleeping. Ayurveda says, "Happiness, misery, nourishment, strength, weakness, virility, sterility, knowledge, ignorance, life and deathall these occur depending on proper or improper sleep."

Yoga:

Ayurveda and Yoga go hand in hand. Yoga is more than postures and stretching! Dr Deepak Chopra says," The true purpose of Yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost." Yoga helps in mindful living, and helps to lead a meaningful life. An integral part of Yoga is Yamas (external discipline). Following Yamas (Truthful, kindness, non-stealing, moderation, and generosity) has immensely helped me to be balanced and mentally strong. Along with Yamas, I also try to follow Niyamas (internal discipline), Asanas (Yoga postures), Pranayama (control breathing), Prathyahara (controlling senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (freedom)- 9 limbs of Yoga . An ancient book on Yoga- Yoga Sutras say, “Be happy for those who are happy, have compassion towards the unhappy, and maintain equanimity towards the wicked."

Balanced Lifestyle:

Yoga helps to control my five senses, which in turn helps in "Mindful living.” Years ago, I wanted to eat whenever I saw some chips or chocolate. Now, following Yoga has helped me in "mindful eating." I make sure not to have my lunch until I have completed my 20-minute walk. The Ayurveda text says," The right amount of exercise makes the body light, increase stability, and improves digestion." In Ayurveda, "eating" means what your five senses absorb every day. I love walking, but I make sure not to walk more than half an hour, as I get body ache. I love YouTube, but I make sure not to watch more 20 minutes. I do not go to bed unless I meditate or listen to ancient chanting for 10 minutes. Ayurveda concepts has helped me realize that each person is unique, so now I do not get angry, overwhelmed, or annoyed by others. Avoiding gossip has helped me to be calm and peaceful. Following the ancient saying, "Speak the Truth that is pleasant. Never speak the Truth that is unpleasant." avoids anger, and unpleasant situations. Yoga Sutra says," when improper thoughts trouble you, then think opposite thought". Following this has immensely helped my mind towards positivity and happiness when negative emotions engulf me occasionally. Practicing Yoga (Yamas), forgiving and cultivating endurance greatly helps to reduce stress and anger. Practicing Yoga has immensely helped me to be mentally strong, positive, and calm even in challenging situations. In short, I have become non-judgmental, adjusting, and compassionate to everyone.

In Ayurveda, three modes of Minds – Sattva (Purity), Rajas (Passionate), and Tamasic (Lethargic) is present. When Sattva predominates, the state of mind is always happy, pleasant, flexible, energetic, progressive, flexible and face all kinds of challenges with positivity and calmness. Determination, persistence, tolerance, humbleness, endurance, and noble virtues are due to Sattva. Meditation, balanced life-style, nature, gardening, Yoga, gentle music, greatly helps mind to elevate to Sattva. The mind is devoid of confusions, and negativity when mind is in Sattva. The right decisions are taken when the mind is in Sattvic mode.

Spirituality:

According to Yoga Sutras, " if you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will experience Yoga." Spirituality has been helping mankind for eons to be calm and graceful. My spiritual journey is the most thrilling and spectacular as I observe, and introspect my inner feelings and emotions every day. Spirituality has helped me to explore and discover my "True self". I feel so good as positive emotions embrace me even when I face challenging situations. I feel energized when I'm aligned with spiritual values. Selfless work, and meditation feels like taking vacation! I wholeheartedly agree when Deepak Chopra says, “Spiritual energy is the kind that never runs out." My material desires have greatly reduced going Spiritual! Spirituality has helped me to be positive and see only positivity in everyone and in all circumstances. I am free from anger, fear, sorrow, and anxiety. Meditation, reading ancient scriptures such as Bhagvad Gita and Bible with an open mind will entice folks to explore spirituality.

And finally, an Ayurvedic text declares, “Those who speak the Truth and nothing but the Truth, those who become never angry, those who lead a pure life and those who are always serene, are all considered to be rejuvenated daily!" ❁

By Mary Plaza

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