Ayurveda is a collected wisdom of ages and sages, and is extremely relevant to today’s
woman. Ayurveda is, first and foremost, a science of preventative living through the
application of accrued wisdom. Traditionally, women are the first teachers of preventative
living; often, however, modern women do not care for themselves first, even though they
must—for a healthy self, family and community.
Physically, digestion is the principle focus of health; psychologically, one’s life
philosophy is the primary focus of health; spiritually, meditation and selfless service are the
primary focus of health. Observing these together produces health and happiness for a
woman and beyond.
Transformation through Digestion
“Agni,” (meaning metabolic fire in Sanskrit) implies transformation—the food
transforms into you, the image transforms into a name, the experience transforms into
wisdom. These parallel digestive processes involve heat (tapas), which implies austerity.
Restraint is necessary to choose suitable foods to be eaten at a suitable time. Serve the main
meal at noon and a lighter meal in the evening.
Food science in Ayurveda is based on the “Law of the Six Tastes” rather than on the
relationship between proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, which are isolated
food components. Today’s woman would do well to simplify food fads and to move toward
classical concepts of nourishing herself and her family by considering the taste on the tongue
of foods served daily.
“Shad rasa” (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent) describes the global effects
of substances at all four stages of digestion. While Western science does not yet discuss the
post-digestive effect of foods, Ayurveda talked about sub-atomic assimilation (the emotional
interface of mind and body) thousands of years ago.
The process of eating is meant to both cure and prevent disease. Most disease can be
cured or managed by adjusting the food habits passed down from time immemorial through
mothers and grandmothers, who taught their children good food choices and healthful lifestyle habits to help prevent illness. Herbs to take and observances to remember were
passed down from generation to generation in the kitchen.
An experienced Ayurvedic practitioner can offer advice on specific food choices for
individual women and their family members. Herbal supplements may, from time to time,
be needed for unresponsive symptoms to help maintain balance.
Thoughtful Nourishment
Ayurvedic medical science is based mostly in the Sankhiya philosophy of creation, as
expounded by the great sage Kapila, who taught that the soul is eternal and takes on various
transiting “coverings” (koshas). These soul coverings include the acculturalization body,
which nourishes itself through mental repetition; the respiratory covering, which nourishes
itself from oxygen in the air (prana); and the physical body, which nourishes itself from daily
food intake.
One’s thoughts are generated by a precipitation of qualitative tendencies and repeated
choices, which in turn generate the secretion of a fluid neuro-transmitter. This
communication then enters the general circulation to nourish and form our bodily tissues.
Qualitative mental influences have a greater impact on well-being than food choices, and
therefore are more important in the prevention and healing of disease. It’s best to maintain
one’s focus on emotional balance. A mother is the first guide to restrain the child from -
potentially harmful practices, and she teaches by example. So, once again, a woman must
care for the self first to best care for others.
Resting Meditation
Providing rest to the mind is critical to maintaining mental and emotional equilibrium.
Joy comes from the contentment of everyday satisfactions such as appropriate food,
meaningful work, loving relationships and opportunities to serve in the world.
A woman needs to take time to withdraw from worldly life in order to re-charge and discharge her “batteries,” which can be unduly affected by stress. Taking 20 to 60 minutes daily
in the morning and evening for quiet introspection refreshes the consciousness and restores
creative enthusiasm to the mind. Sit facing east for ease in receptivity to the inner light of
gladness. Sit with the back straight and relax the body deeply, gradually. Focus the attention
in the third eye (located approximately behind and between the eyebrows) and return the focus
there if the mind wanders. Follow the breath until the mind become quiet behind the
root of the eyebrows. Let the mind rest between respiratory phases.
Morning meditation supports the day to unfold with grace and alignment, while evening
meditation supports preparation for deep rest and repair of the body’s cells. If you awaken
early in the early morning, sit in meditation, which will to help provide deeper restoration to
your body than will fitful sleep.
Seva (Selfless Service)
In Ayurveda, the spiritual priorities used to guide difficult decision-making are:
God/Goddess first, family second and community third. “God” (cultivating love) is first by
giving priority to meditation and the remembrance of our divine nature, according to one’s
personal style and beliefs. Secondly, decisions are made in favour of the family’s needs.
Ayurvedic teaching is to put oneself in the first position of family, that is, to put one’s own
self-care first. Next in priority is the spouse’s needs, then the parents’ or children’s,
depending on the ages and stages of need, and then other family members.
If energy or resources such as time or money remain, up to half can be given away to the
community as selfless service. To give hidden donations with no consideration for return is
meritorious and helps ensure enduring spiritual health and strength. If only one-tenth or
one-fortieth can be spared, this is still very effective in cleansing spiritual imbalances such as
fear or judgment while strengthening faith and tolerance. With loving kindness, such as
volunteering or many daily kind acts for the family or community, happiness, freshness and
creativity return to the mind, heart and body.
Once again, it is common for women to take the last place in the priority chain, but
really they need to put themselves first. Only then can excellent care of self and others be
created and sustained.
Women and Public Health
Throughout history, women have upheld family and community health. Nowadays, the
responsibilities of women have further increased and stress has grown as a result. However,
practice of the basic principles of food science, herbology and loving kindness is enough to
sustain individual health even in today’s busy lifestyle. Still, the realization of the importance
of self-care is absolute. Taking time to rest while menstruating, for example, is a single
important gesture to make each month for self-care. The consequences of not observing rest during the flow are costly for society. The consequences of hormonal replacement therapy
for birth control and menopause management are also costly for women and their society, as
are the consequences of imbalance, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Ayurveda is a universal science of everyday living, brought to us through an ancient oral
tradition of living principles of ancient wisdom. Living includes eating, sleeping, thinking,
relating, working and, indeed, all of life. When a woman accepts that her life is of the utmost
importance, the balance and health that results benefits not only her but those she loves as
well.
Jaisri M. Lambert has studied and taught Ayurveda since 1990. See the HANS “Calendar
of Events” at http://www.hans.org for her upcoming lectures, classes and appearances.
Jaisri can be reached at (604) 290-8201 (Canada) or (408) 378-2880 (US).
When it comes to cleansing, I have tried just about everything under the sun…I’ve done the “Master Cleanse” where you take only lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper in water …I’ve tried countless boxed cleanses with herbal laxative formulas that left me running for the washroom…I’ve tried homeopathic formulas, cleansing teas and juice fasts. I’ve tried just about everything that was available in my local health food store, all in the pursuit of the perfect cleanse that would rid my body of toxins and leave me feeling rejuvenated,… Detox Using Yoga and Ayurveda
I became very interested in detoxing after I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) about 12 weeks ago. My IBS suddenly developed after a car accident that left me with neck and back pain. Was it the stress of the accident, damage to spinal nerve flow or the onset of Crohn’s disease? Or perhaps a food allergy, gluten intolerance, infection or possibly an intestinal parasite?,…
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian philosophy of health and wellbeing. It means the art of living wisely. In simple terms, Ayurveda is a holistic system which guides us so that we can live a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. It recognises that we are all unique and focuses on lifestyle, massage, yoga and herbal remedies and of course food.
In this video Anjali Pathak shows how to cook Kitcheri, a one pot dish containing ingredients with many Ayurvedic properties – histone rice, lentils, vegetables and wonderful healing spices. It is fully balanced, nutritious and inexpensive.
When it comes to cleansing, I have tried just about everything under the sun…I’ve done the “Master Cleanse” where you take only lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper in water …I’ve tried countless boxed cleanses with herbal laxative formulas that left me running for the washroom…I’ve tried homeopathic formulas, cleansing teas and juice fasts. I’ve tried just about everything that was available in my local health food store, all in the pursuit of the perfect cleanse that would rid my body of toxins and leave me feeling rejuvenated, healthy and strong.
All these different cleanses worked to some degree, but what I found made the biggest difference was a meal plan full of nourishing fresh whole foods, and some sort of liver support to help me flush out toxins and support my primary detoxification centre. I started creating my own cleansing strategy where I would cut out the junk, eat healthy whole fruits and veggies, rest, do yoga and basically give my body a break…and then I went to India.
In India, I visited an Ayurvedic doctor who suggested I take an herbal formula called triphala for some minor stomach ailments I had been experiencing for the past few months. It turns out that triphala is the most popular Ayurvedic herbal formula that no household in India would go without. It has extremely high nutritional value in the form of high vitamin C content as well as linoleic acid and various other nutrients that prevent the depletion of the body’s reserves while cleansing.
Triphala is actually a formula made up of three fruits: Harada, Amla and Bihara. These three fruits relate to the three sections, or humors, of Ayurvedic medicine, thus it is a completely balanced energetic formula. Some of the benefits of triphala include purifying the blood, removing toxins from the liver, reducing high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol serum, improved circulation and digestion as well as regulation of elimination by gently cleansing and detoxifying the colon.
I recently used a triphala formula while cleansing and it has been incredible in comparison to some of the other herbal formulas I have tried. Not only did my digestion improve, but I felt far more clear and healthy with tremendous amounts of energy by the end of my cleanse. I’m now adding this formula to my regular spring and fall cleanses, and I even take it on the odd occasion where I’m just not feeling 100%. It’s become my “go-to” formula and I invite you to try this ancient ayurvedic remedy the next time you decide to detoxify and energize your system.
Happy Cleansing!
Fall is the perfect time to cleanse! Join Adrienne in October for a guided 21-day Holistic Fall Cleanse
Adrienne Kelly-Durys is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, 500Hr RYT and lover of feeling good in mind and body. She teaches Yoga and wellness classes at Balanced Life Yoga and specializes in detoxing and nourishment. Classes include Power Hour Yoga, Core Yoga and Strength Therapy, Power Hour +Bonus and Holistic Nutritional Consulting.
I became very interested in detoxing after I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) about 12 weeks ago. My IBS suddenly developed after a car accident that left me with neck and back pain. Was it the stress of the accident, damage to spinal nerve flow or the onset of Crohn’s disease? Or perhaps a food allergy, gluten intolerance, infection or possibly an intestinal parasite?
Like many people with a chronic condition, I began to investigate potential causes and remedies, desperate at times to relieve the colon spasms, nausea and my distended abdomen.
Being a yoga therapist, I decide to follow my own advice and use some yoga cleansing techniques to relieve the IBS symptoms. I knew I didn’t want to continue using over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives, antacids or antibiotics.
I turned to yoga and Ayurveda (the natural medical system of India) partly because they are safe, easy and inexpensive. The Ayurvedic view of detoxifying suggests that we detox four times each year at the beginning of each season or minimally two times per year. The core of Ayurveda asserts that general immunity lies in the digestive track. Thus the goal of detoxing thus is to cleanse the entire alimentary canal and maintain open energy flow.
Second, yoga and Ayurveda assert that not only must the physical body be maintained, but also the mental body. They assert that indigestion and toxin accumulation are associated with blocked energy in the chakras or energy centers of the body. These energy centers become blocked due to stress, mental fatigue and negative emotions like fear, anger and frustration. Physical activity and cleansing techniques become crucial to maintain the energy or prana that governs colon health.
Below is a complete detox program based in yoga and Ayurveda. The detox is a shortened, modified version which can be practiced each morning (1+ days) between 5-7 a.m. when the colon is thought to be at maximal functioning. Practice on an empty stomach and always consult your doctor before beginning any nutrition or physical activity program.
Part I: Intestinal Wash and Yoga Postures
Prepare three, 16-oz glasses of warm water with a pinch of salt and a dash of lemon juice for taste. Drink a glass of water and then follow the five yoga postures. Repeat this cycle three times. Once completed go to the restroom.
Yoga Postures: Repeat each posture 8 times each cycle
Upward arm press with heel lift: Start in a standing position, inhale and open the arms above the head, exhale, interlace the fingers and press the palms to the sky, lifting the heels off of the floor
Blown tree: Keeping the arms extended from pose I, exhale and lean to the side. In hale back to the center and repeat to the opposite side
Standing twist: Inhale and twist the body to the left, taking the right hand to the left hip and the left hand to the right hip behind the body. Inhale back to the center and repeat to the opposite side.
Twisting knee pose: Come into low squat bending the knees and dropping the tail bone down (picture 4a). Inhale and release the right knee to the ground. Exhale and twist to the left. Use the right arm as leverage to press the left knee to the midline of the body. Repeat to the opposite side
Twisting cobra: Lie onto the stomach. Inhale and exhale lifting the chest and shoulders away from the ground while twisting. Inhale to the center and exhale, twisting to the opposite side.
Part II: Rest and Eat
Lie down and rest for 45 minutes.
Eat and lubricate the digestive tract with a meal of boiled rice and dhal (split peas) cooking in ghee (clarified butter) for one hour. Repeat this meal six hours later.
Part III: Evening Breathing and Mediation Practice
Alternate nostril breathing: Wait at least two hours after the second meal of rice and dhal. Come into any comfortable sitting position. Align the posture upright. Blocking the right nostril with the thumb, inhale through the left nostril. Close both nostrils at the top of the inhale and keep the left nostril blocked, exhaling through the right nostril. Continue alternating blocking the nostrils side to side as you breathe. Practice 5-20 minutes. This breathing calms the nervous system, brings mental balance and is a perfect aid for better sleep.
Ongoing Daily Detox Tips:
Practice morning water therapy: Drink two glasses of warm water with a pinch of salt and lemon for taste upon rising each morning. Store water in a copper container overnight and drink the water before eating.
Chew food slowly to facilitate full breakdown and release of digestive fire-enzymes, acids and digestive juices for digestion.
Exercise each day for 30 minutes, enough to elevate the core temperature and break a sweat. Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain our body’s natural ability to maintain digestive fire.
Be mindful of emotions as you eat and avoid overeating.
Take a short walk after every meal, at least 100 steps.
Practice breathing and meditation in the morning and before bed to reduce mental tension, the second main cause of poor digestion.
Avoid late meals after 7-8 p.m. and keep evening meals smaller than breakfast and lunch. Allow for a 12-hour fast from the last meal to the next morning meal.
Darryl Olive, MBA, MHA, CSCS, E-RYT, LMT is a 500 hour certified and registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance. He teaches Kansas City yoga classes, practices yoga therapy and leads yoga teacher training, Ayurveda Training, Yoga Therapy training and Thai Massage Certification for KCFitnessLink. For more information, contact Darryl for information about yoga classes, Ayurvedic lifestyle consulting and yoga certification.
He leads yoga teacher training workshops and is the director of programs for KCFitnessLink. For more information, visit http://www.kcfitnesslink.com/yoga_teacher_training.html, e-mail info@kcfitnesslink.com or call 816.256.4443 for information about yoga classes, private yoga instruction and yoga instructor certification.
The Ayurvedic Cleansing Secret
