Ayurveda - Ayurvedic Fundas
by Ambica Gulati
With the rising pollution and processed foods, the health graph takes a nosedive. So, back to nature with the principles of ayurveda, which offer simple tips for everyday use to retain health and vitality
Be natural and live naturalthat's the latest on the lifestyle circuit.
Wear cotton. Shun processed foods. Try ayurveda, a 5000-year-old science.
"Ayurveda comprehends body, mind and spirit in a single view and has specific
methods for working on each," writes Dr David Frawley in the book Ayurveda
and the Mind. It divides people into three humorsvata
(air), pitta (fire) and kapha (water).
Vata is related to air and rules mental mobility.
The major problems connected to it are fear and anxiety.
Pitta, or fire, governs digestion and assimilation on all levels
from food to ideas. Mentally, it governs reason, intelligence and understanding.
Kapha or water governs form and substance and is responsible for
weight, cohesion and stability. It predominates in the stomach, lungs
and head. Mentally, it gives calm and stability. Desire and attachment
are its main emotional imbalances.
Ayurvedic therapies are multifacetedcolors,
gems, aromas
and at a higher level Vedic mantras. What follows are ways to reduce
each of the doshas to restore balance and health.
Vata-reducing impressions
Calming music.
Gentle massage with sesame or almond oil.
Bright colors such as gold, orange, blue, green, white.
Moderate use of spices.
Sweet fragrances of jasmine, rose, sandalwood.
Gentle exercise, tai
chi, swimming, hot tubs.
Support of friends and family, cultivating patience.
Mantras: Ram, Hreem, Shreem.
Meditation
on happy, peaceful deities.
Pitta-reducing impressions
Soft music, preferably flute.
Soft massage of coconut or sunflower oil.
Cool colors such as white, blue and green.
Food with few spices such as coriander, fennel.
Cool and sweet fragrances: champak, gardenia.
Walking,
swimming.
Releasing anger, resentment.
Mantras: Shreem, Sham, Ma.
Practicing non-judgment, listening to others.
Meditation on peaceful forms.
Kapha-reducing impressions
Stimulating music, strong and energizing sounds.
Deep body massage with dry powders or stimulating oils such as
mustard.
Bright and stimulating colors such as yellow, orange, gold and
red.
Light food, liberal use of spices, occasional fasting.
Light, warm, stimulating and penetrating fragrances such as musk,
cedar, myrrh, camphor.
Active strong exercises, jogging, sunbathing, saunas, reducing
sleep.
Mantras: Aum, Kreem, Hum.
Breaking with the past.
Meditation on active forms.
