by Samantha on January 6, 2011
We know that to change harmful mental conditions we must cultivate the opposite. Ayurvedically, consciousness is grown in the petri dish of the food, impressions and associations around us, as well as our behavior. These daily imprints dye the consciousness until we think we are that color. Being able to begin choosing the opposite of [...]
Tagged as:
balancing desires,
choosing consciousness,
daily habits dye,
original state
by Samantha on December 15, 2010
One of the most profound gifts of Yoga is that it brings the layered connections within and without the body into consciousness. The obvious one is the physical to emotional and psychological. There is also the channel system of mind and prana/ energy. Yoga, Ayurveda, and ancient metaphysicians, consider the body a system of interrelated [...]
Tagged as:
Ayurvedic,
fractal systems,
interrelated channels,
Metaphysical,
subtle body layers,
Yogic layers
by Samantha on December 6, 2010
Ayurvedic Notes: Massage is good for every imbalance and a wonderful centering tool. It tells the body that it is cared for. There are massage oils ehlpful for each Dosha If you know you are Pitta Dosha (tend to be fiery, sharp, type A, ambitious,) use sunflower or sandalwood oils because they have cooling properties. If you are [...]
Tagged as:
massage oils by dosha,
self care
by Samantha on November 1, 2010
Moving into colder territory creates more kapha imbalances. Remember that Kapha Dosha (imbalance) needs greater stimulation, more fire in the belly to prod lethargic tendencies. Do a practice that energizes, warms, and releases toxins. Goddess pose is a great place to start, and Shakti Dance is a wonderful place to end.
Tagged as:
energizing lethargy,
release toxins,
Shakti Dance,
stimulation
by Samantha on October 20, 2010
Ayurvedic Notes: With the wild winds throwing leaves and all else around, Vata Dosha rules at this time. Agnistanbhasana is a perfect antidote to the swirl. We all need to sit, in some simple pose, to compose, and renew prana/life force. Remember that whatever outer imbalances the body faces, it needs to do, eat, grow [...]
Tagged as:
cool and dry,
unsettled,
Vata imbalances,
wild winds
by Samantha on October 7, 2010
Ayurvedic Notes: As the weather turns colder, Vata energies merge toward Kapha. If you live in temperate climes, (lucky you) most likely you continue dealing with Vata Dosha (imbalances). But for those expecting first snowfalls, begin thinking Kapha Dosha: ramp up the physical Practice, eat leaner, less of those warm, cheesy bits, and if inclined [...]
by Samantha on October 5, 2010
As winter fingers softly touch bodies, it is time to pay attention to staying warm within and without. If you are in California, run an extra mile, if in New England, build cozy fires. What of inner heat? It helps to care enough to love self with simple tenderness. Here are 10 self care notes [...]
Tagged as:
10 simple moments,
balancing the choas,
inner fires,
loving self
by Samantha on September 15, 2010
Vata is primarily an air element as is prana, our vital energy, hence the need for oxygen. Prana arises in space and remains closely connected to it. Wherever we create space we can create energy, even mind or thought. They are links of the air element, which relates to the sense of touch, a subtle [...]
Tagged as:
air element,
fall energies,
Prana,
relating,
space,
touching
by Samantha on September 3, 2010
We are still primarily in Vata’s season of cooling, windy, distracted, dry, change, all of which create imbalances for those who have a primary vata constitution, but also for those who are older, as all carry more Vata Dosha in aging. It helps to practice alternate nostril breathing/Pranayama. Learn from a good Yoga instructor. If [...]
Tagged as:
aging into vata,
bronchitis,
dis-connection,
distractions,
fall winds,
insomnia
by Samantha on August 20, 2010
Vata is composed of air and ether. It’s main qualities are: cool, mobile, dry, light, and subtle, giving vitality to the body through its distribution and direction of the different energy systems: nerves, respiration, elimination and circulation. Because movement is inherent in most of what a Vata type does, there is a great deal of [...]
Tagged as:
air,
artistic,
ether,
movement,
Pakriti,
restless,
Vata
by Samantha on August 20, 2010
Pitta is fire and water, and literally means ‘to cook.’ Its main qualities are: hot, oily, sharp, light, pungent, and liquid, and penetrating. It can smolder like a volcano or come rushing up and out with drive and intensity. Those who are Pitta-dominant tend to be very purposeful, organized, think executive-type, with bold, courageous intentions. [...]
Tagged as:
fire,
Pitta,
water
by Samantha on August 19, 2010
Kapha is composed of water and earth, with cold, heavy, moist, slow, sweet, sticky qualities. In general its role is protection, and it has responsibility for the immune system. It creates tissue, muscle, and bone, and protects metabolic wear. It also lubricates the skin, and joints, often giving a luxurious, smooth skin after adolescence. Like [...]
Tagged as:
Kapha,
metabolism,
Prakriti
by Samantha on August 19, 2010
When Kapha goes out of balance problems manifest physically through: mucus, congestion, oily skin, water retention, diabetes, fat, and ailments of the respiratory system. When out of balance emotionally, they struggle with: depression, laziness or lethargy, possessiveness, greed, and jealousy. If thrown way off center, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart attacks become issues to deal [...]
Tagged as:
bone,
childhood,
cold,
congestion,
constitution,
creates tissue,
diabetes,
earth,
fat,
heavy,
immune system,
Kapha,
laziness,
lubricates,
metabolish,
moist,
muscle,
protection,
respiratory system,
secretive,
sensitive,
slow,
stamina,
steady,
sticky,
sweet,
water,
weight,
winter
by Samantha on August 18, 2010
In the Northern Hemisphere, Vata usually increases during fall, early winter, and late spring when the cool, windy, dry weather aggravates the already cool, dry, airy Vata, emotionally as well as physically. If you have a propensity to carry lots of Vata energy, then self care becomes even more important in fall and late spring, [...]
Tagged as:
air,
changeable,
circulation,
constipation,
cool,
creative,
dry,
dry skin,
fears,
insomnia,
instability,
irregularitiy,
massage,
nerves,
sensitive,
serenity,
spacey,
spring,
Vata,
windy,
worry
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
*Eat warm, cooked and heavier foods, such as stews, preferably with some sweet (squash), salty, and oily properties. *Spice foods with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and cumin. *Reduce dry, light, (popcorn & crackers) cold, bitter, and astringent flavors. *Reduce or eliminate stimulants (coffee, coke, & nicotine). Find soothing teas instead *Reduce intake of most [...]
Tagged as:
beans,
cooked,
dairy,
no fried food,
not raw,
pacing,
regular,
soups,
soy,
stews,
stimulants,
Vata,
warm
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
Generally, for those with a Vata constitution, or during times of Vata imbalance, creating a Yoga Practice that quiets, and warms, is more sustaining. Vata generally deals with lots of movement, and like the wind is dry, light and cool. Vata naturally inceases between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 AM and PM, the shift [...]
Tagged as:
core,
deliberate,
fluididy,
forward bends,
foundations,
quit point,
repetitions,
Savasana,
twists,
Vata,
Vinyasa
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
In hot summer days we enter Pitta territory; time to cool jets, not over-schedule, over-stimulate, stay up late, or push the river. Rather, be in a slow, cool river. Practice slow, deliberate Asana, and Pranayama. Take time for massage, or at least self-massage with cooling coconut oil. Eat meals at regular times, preferably cool, heavy, [...]
Tagged as:
Pitta,
summer,
surrender
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
*Sweet, astringent, and bitter tastes bring balance. Think of fresh cooling foods such as wheat, fruits, squash, most beans, and leafy green, bananas, yams, and other carbohydrates like potatoes, bread and rice. *Barley is the # 1 choice, as it lowers stomach acidity which is prevalent in Pitta. *Enjoy cool spices such as coriander, fennel, [...]
Tagged as:
aggression,
alcohal,
astringent,
barley,
cool spices,
cooling,
meat,
Pitta,
pungent,
salty,
sour,
spicy,
stimulants
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
*Remember, like increases like, so essentially cooling and slowing a strongly hot Pitta system is important. *Be particularly attentive to the exhalation. Make sure you empty out completely. Save nothing. Be mindful of that space between inhale & exhale. *Be aware of self judgment. It blinds and keeps us from taking next steps. *Let the [...]
Tagged as:
chest opening,
competetive,
cool,
emotional,
over-achieving,
Pitta,
self-judgment,
twists,
Yin
by Samantha on August 4, 2010
*Fresh fruits, vegetables, and most beans. The green leafy type are particularly important. *Follow a lighter diet of easily digestible food, using warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, cumin, black pepper. *Reduce nuts, and heavier fruits such as bananas, dates, pineapples, melons, and avocados. *Reduce salt and sugars; therefore chips, ice cream, salted [...]
Tagged as:
astringent,
beans,
bitter,
fasts,
Kapha foods,
leafy vegetables,
light diet,
mucus foods,
nuts,
pungent,
reduce salt,
spices,
sugars,
sweeteners