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Agni: The Fire of Digestion
Agni: The Fire of Digestion In Ayurveda we place a strong emphasis on digestion. In fact, when treating illness, correcting the digestion is almost always the first line of treatment. Digestion is said to be the work of fire element in the body (called agni in Sanskrit). It is this fire that digests our food, provides us with warmth and produces the glow of good health. A properly nourished body with a balanced digestive fire aligns itself with nature and self-adjusts to weather the small shifts and ups and downs of daily life. In fact, sometimes just by improving digestion we can clear up stubborn health problems without any further treatment. On a bigger scale though, agni is the agent of all transformation. Agni provides our actual capacity to transform the food—and situations, thoughts...
Kapha ~ Basic Management
THE BASICS FOR MANAGING KAPHA TYPES: When we think of kapha types we often think of loyal and compassionate individuals with a stable quality about them. This unique stability of kapha arises from the predominant elements of both water and earth which can also make kapha types vulnerable to cold, moist, slow and heavy characteristics. Therefore, management for kapha types is centered around: Warming Drying Lightening TASTES TO PACIFY KAPHA: Ayurveda describes an interesting relationship of taste and its influence upon the body. According to this philosophy, kapha types often are most balanced by pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes as these tastes are considered to be drying and lightening in nature with catabolic actions. KAPHA IN A NUTSHELL: slow digestion, weight gain, congestion, ede...
The Fundamental Question ~ What is Ayurveda?
THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION ~ WHAT IS AYURVEDA? Today we explore the fundamental question, what is Ayurveda? Perhaps many people would initially respond by saying Ayurveda is an ancient science of life. Others may stress the importance that Ayurveda is an eloquent way of explaining the natural qualities of nature and because these qualities of nature naturally do not change, the science of Ayurveda then is a science of antiquity; timeless. This post is designed simply to introduce the concept of Ayurveda to the general public. Many of us have never heard about Ayurveda and if so, may have only just recently heard of it. I open this discussion so that leading experts in the field of Ayurveda can expand and inform us of the importance and necessity for imbibing the wisdom of Ayurveda. INQUIRY: ...
Pitta ~ Basic Management
THE BASICS FOR MANAGING PITTA TYPES: The very first thing which should come to mind when thinking of pitta is the brilliant blaze of fire. Pitta types are hot, fiery, oily, and intense. Therefore, management for pitta types is centered around: Cooling Calming and Moderation HEALTHY DOSE OF LOVING COMPASSION: Since pitta types also have an inflammatory component, which is inherent to the element of fire, make sure to address pitta types with an extra dose of loving compassion. TASTES TO PACIFY PITTA: Ayurveda describes an interesting relationship of taste and its influence upon the body. According to this philosophy, pitta types often are most balanced by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes as these are considered to be cooling and pacifying. PITTA IN A NUTSHELL: intense, acidity, irritabil...
VATA ~ Basic Management
THE BASICS FOR MANAGING VATA TYPES: The management of vata types can be explained in just one word, “relax”. Vata individuals are made primarily of the air element and therefore, just like the wind, are always moving. Due to the ‘air’ element, vata types often experience cold, dry, light, and mobile qualities. Therefore, from a simple perspective, management for vata types is centered around principles of: – Warming – Moistening and – Weight promoting Ayurveda describes an interesting relationship of taste and its influence upon the body. According to this philosophy, vata types often are most balanced by sweet, sour and salty tastes. Interestingly, these tastes [sweet, sour and salty] are considered to be moistening and nutritive in action; the very management goals for ...