You Are Only As Healthy As Your "Agni"
You Are Only As Healthy As Your Agni
Agni is the fire of transformation. It is responsible for the digestion, absorption, assimilation, and transformation of what we take in (food and experiences) into energy. The well-known ayurved Dr. Lad, defines "Agni" as:
Awareness Governing Nutritional Intelligence.
Your agni can be balanced, too low, too high, or irregular.
Ayurvedic Digestive Supplements
You are only as healthy as your digestion!!
What we feed the agni, and as David Frawley says, "Everything in the universe is food", determines how our agni burns. Imbalanced agni can mean weakness, poor digestion, poor elimination, internal coldness, compromised immunity, fatigue, or generally a lack of bright, shiny, vitality. Balanced agni looks like strength, vitality, immunity, clarity of perception and mind, proper digestion and elimination, normal body temperature, and a healthy glow that permeates all parts of your being.
The Ayurvedic Connection Between Agni & Ama
So, what are the things that balance and imbalance Agni?
What balances agni:
- meal times according to the ayurvedic clock
- dosha appropriate foods
- warm, well cooked, well seasoned foods
- fresh, whole, seasonal foods
- warm beverages, digestive teas
- adequate rest
- healthy energetic/emotional expression
- spinal twist asana
- agni sara
What imbalances agni:
- over or undereating
- eating at the wrong time of day
- snacking
- inappropriate food for your dosha
- incompatible food combining
- cold beverages
- toxins, intentional or unintentional (drink, smoke, other)
- seasonal shifts
- sleep not aligned with the ayurvedic clock
- energetic/emotional imbalance
Ayurveda is clear, if you're experiencing the symptoms of imbalanced agni, there are many practices available to you to rekindle and balance your fire. Someone versed in ayurveda can help you determine how to best bring your agni back into balance. Make your choices an offering to your fire, swaha!
About The Author
Kara Aubin was called to the path of yoga in 1998, and has been a dedicated student and practitioner since. A lifelong lover of movement, she was drawn in by the intention and pranic wisdom of yogic movement, and the profound and challenging nature of yogic stillness. As a ParaYoga Certified teacher and NAMA Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor based in Kalamazoo, MI and Albuquerque, NM she weaves the teachings of yoga and Ayurveda into group classes, private sessions, workshops, and retreats. Her mission is to guide students toward their bright inherent potential, as well as their right to radical wellness and balance.
Want an Ayurvedic consultation with Kara Aubin?
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