Diet & Lifestyle
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Humanities
The Science of Life: Finding & Staying in Balance
As the science of life, Ayurveda addresses every aspect of our lives. It’s aimed at treating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Just as some students choose, over time, to expand their asana practice by embracing a perspective that no longer begins and ends on the mat, Ayurveda teaches that by incorporating daily prescriptions for good health into our routines, we will experience optimal health and well-being.
In practicing an Ayurvedic lifestyle, we become more aware of how to stay in balance day to day, season to season, dosha to dosha.
NATURE PROVIDES FEEDBACK ABOUT OUR DECISIONS
Every day, when we choose a certain food, lifestyle habit, or exercise, nature sends us messages about the soundness of our decision. For example, some individuals experience an acidic reaction in the stomach after eating spicy foods or tomatoes; this is the body’s way of saying that a different food choice would be more suitable. – Kam Thye Chow and Emily Moody
THE EFFECT OF SEASONAL CHANGE
Did you know that your energy may be more easily disturbed during the weeks between the seasons? Detox the buildup of elements from one season before moving into the next. – Kathryn Templeton
WHOLENESS & PERFECT HEALTH
Health in its essence is a higher state of consciousness. For thousands of years the great Vedic seers have proclaimed that the purpose of attending to the body is to support the state of well being known as enlightenment. In this state our eternal reference point shifts from ego to spirit, and we recognize that the knower, the process of knowing, and that which is known are one and the same. The boundaries of time and space become fluid as we remember ourselves as unbounded beings temporarily masquerading as individuals. This state of wholeness is the basis of all healing. This is the state of perfect health. – Deepak Chopra
Lifestyle & Habits
The following are general lifestyle and habit recommendations to balance the doshas:
| VATA | Regular habits, quiet, attention to fluids, decreased sensitivity to stress, ample rest, warmth, steady supply of nourishment, self-massage (abhyanga), stay away from raw, cold foods, warm up with hot drinks, stick to a routine |
| PITTA | Moderation, coolness, attention to leisure, exposure to natural beauty, balance of rest and activity, decreased stimulants, cool down, avoid heat of day, make time to practice |
| KAPHA | Stimulation, regular exercise, weight control, variety of experiences, warmth, dryness, reduced sweetness, switch up diet, get moving, commit to a routine |
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