General Health
Endocrine Disruptors – A Reason For Weight Gain?
Endocrine Disruptors – A Reason For Weight Gain? Whether you’re trying to lose a lot weight or just shed a few extra stubborn pounds, do you ever wonder why getting the scale to go down often feels like an uphill battle? “We’re finding that weight management is much more complex than just energy-in versus energy-out,” says professor Jennifer Kuk who is a professor of health science at York University in Toronto. According to a study published in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, the researchers hypothesize that environmental factors, such as our food, chemical-filled personal care products, and increased stress, may play a major role in why we’re heavier now [compared to the 1970’s] when all other factors are the same. “Maintaining a healthy weight is impo...
Open Up & Say “Ahh” – Tongue Diagnosis
Tongue Diagnosis The human body is one the most fascinating and complex systems in all of creation. It’s truly a remarkable system with each part affecting the whole and certain conditions of the whole affecting each part. For example, we can simply observe the quality of our skin and gather valuable information which reflects the health of the entire body. Similarly, the close observation of the tongue also provides clues which reflect the health of the entire body. In fact, “tongue diagnosis” is a vital instrument used in Ayurvedic Medicine not only for assessing a person’s current state of health but for determining one’s physical, mental, and emotional state of health. Tongue diagnosis is both an art and science and for thousands of years, visual inspection of the tongue has bee...
The Role Of The Ayurvedic Professional
The Role Of The Ayurvedic Professional To some degree, we all are in need of healing. Similarly, to some degree – we all suffer. That said, the living and breathing science of Ayurveda acknowledges that the human body has an incredible ability to heal. Of course, there are times when healing is not possible. Of importance, the science of Ayurveda evolved from the contemplative minds of ancient seers for the intention to heal all of humanity. For thousands of years, these teachings were passed down from teacher to disciple. Fortunately, Ayurveda remains alive today and is more relevant now than ever before. Ultimately, Ayurveda helps to facilitate the inborn intelligence of the body so that the body may heal itself and once again become whole; i.e. wholesome & holy. “Be Rea...
Are We More Than Just The Physical Body?
Are We More Than Just The Physical Body? The science of Yoga and Ayurveda are not separate but rather an integrated study – a complete & total science. In fact, the science of Ayurveda was never meant to be fragmented just as ancient physicians were well versed in astrology and various other aspects of alchemy. The understanding of both Yoga and Ayurveda helps to better comprehend that life is made up of [multidimensional] realms. More simply, the mental, emotional, and spiritual realms comprise our human experience. At times, we mistakenly perceive ourselves as merely a physical body and other times we identify ourselves with random thoughts and/or feelings. However, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda reveals that we exist within dimensional realms [of reality] governed by sh...
A Natural Approach To Heartburn & GERD
A Natural Approach To Heartburn & GERD If we were to ask the average individual what is the cause for acid reflux – it’s very likely to get the response “there is too much stomach acid”. However, this may be entirely wrong. In fact, it is. The mainstream approach to treating heartburn and GERD often involves taking acid suppressing drugs such as “zantac”. However, not only do these drugs fail to address the underlying cause of heartburn and GERD, but they may be making the condition worse. The truth is that acid reflux and heart burn is actually not an excess acid problem but rather an issue of an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter [LES]. The LES is located at the bottom of the esophagus where the esophagus meets the entrance of the stomach. A properly functioning sphi...
“Prajnaparadha” – Is Ignorance The Root Cause Of All Disease?
Is Ignorance The Root Cause Of All Disease? Man is a trinity of body, mind, and Soul and life as a whole is designed to promote human happiness, health, and growth. That said, the question naturally arises – what is the root cause of disease? According to Ayurveda, disease is often the end result of a long process and can actually be detected and addressed at the early stage of development; hence prevention being better than a cure. More simply, disease is an imbalance. Ayurveda explains that the disease process begins with disturbances in the balance of the doshas; i.e. bodily humors. “Health results from the natural, balanced state of the doshas. Therefore, the wise try to keep them in their balanced state.” – Charak Samhita “Ignorance Is Not Bliss.” We email. We goog...
The Breath, Poop & Weight Test
The Breath, Poop & Weight Test It’s hard to be sexy when you’re sick. Though our noses are not nearly as sensitive as those of many animals, humans are still wired to sniff out when people are not well… and to avoid them. But the reverse is also true: radiant health is very attractive, to both men and women, and it make sense to cultivate it if for nothing else but to attract a quality partner. There is an aphorism that says: “The root of dharma, prosperity, enjoyment, and freedom is good health. Diseases take this away, as well as goodness and life itself.” This reminder of how important health is not only to love and romance, but practically every area of life comes from the āyurvedic author Charaka. Health stands as an asset and disease is a liability to achieving our goals, ...
Health Is Wholeness – Is Health Really Just The Absence Of Disease?
Is Health Really Just The Absence Of Disease? The concept of health is so familiar that many of us never really give much thought about what it really means. The most common response to such a question is – “the absence of disease”. Is health really just the absence of disease? The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda sees each person as not being a set of parts, but as a whole and for one to be considered healthy – the body, mind, and consciousness must be balanced. More specifically, Sushruta the father of surgery and teacher of Ayurveda explained health as being when the digestive fire [“agni”] is balanced; the bodily humors [vata-pitta-kapha] are in equilibrium; the three waste products [urine, feces, and sweat] are eliminated properly; the senses function normally; and the bo...
Holistic Ways To Improve Your Relationship
Holistic Ways To Improve Your Relationship Relationships can be challenging — there’s no arguing that one. From minor disagreements to seemingly insurmountable differences, keeping a partnership happy, healthy and mutually fulfilling takes commitment and work, but it’s certainly possible. Knowing your partner’s predominant dosha(s) and tendencies can help take much of the mystery (and dare I say frustration?) out of relationship woes. Knowledge allows for insight, and insight for patience and compassion. Vata Vata-dominant types are quick, creative and expressive. They are quick to learn, quick to forget, and may get cold easily. When in balance, they are stimulating company — they have amazing intellects. Out of balance, they can become stressed out, nervous, worried — a...
7 Healthy Habits To Improve Your Life
7 Healthy Habits To Help Improve Your Life One of the factors on how well we age is not determined by our genes but how well we live. Don’t believe this statement? A study published by the British Medical Journal demonstrates that we can reduce the risk of having a stroke by 50% by doing four simple things – being active for 30 minutes/day, eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding excess alcohol and cigarettes. Even further, research consistently reveals that keeping unnatural routines can eventually weaken the body’s immune system and general wellbeing. Therefore, one way to promote health is to bring one’s routine into accordance with nature’s rhythm. Nature is characterized by regular cycles and a large part of being healthy is simply learning how to live in accorda...
How To Reduce Stress & Improve The Sense Of Wellbeing
How To Reduce Stress There is no event in life which is intrinsically stressful. However, stress by which we mean psychological stress may not be any more “real” than any other thought within the mind. Likewise, not all stress is considered equal and not all stress need be harmful. For example, it’s only natural to feel the excitement about an upcoming event [i.e. your wedding] while at the same time feel nervous. Interestingly, this motivated yet stressful state of the mind is sometimes referred to as eustress, or “good stress” which may be beneficial for meaningful and purposeful action. However, if this state of stress or heightened state of arousal goes unchecked – we often can feel stressed out! “Wherever a thought goes, a chemical goes with it.” – Deepak Chopra Tu...
Nature’s Greatest Antioxidant
Nature’s Greatest Antioxidant The continuous production of free radicals in the body is inescapable and living in the modern world is a recipe for free radicals. Free radicals are molecules [i.e. oxygen] that have lost an electron and therefore become very reactive, unstable, and damaging. Being reactive and unstable, free radicals attempt to steal electrons from neighboring cells which can disrupt normal cellular activity. For example, if free radicals attack the cell membrane, enzymes, or even DNA this can produce a chain reaction of cellular destruction. Even worse, if DNA is altered this can lead to cellular dysfunction, mutations, and even cancer. Antioxidants – Your Defense Against Free Radicals According to the NIH [National Institute Of Health], antioxidants are substa...