Attention Yogis: Mindful eating for yogis is a hot topic - and for good reason! Yoga philosophy and mindful eating principles go hand-in-hand, so if you're looking for ways to enhance your yogic diet, it's time to start eating mindfully and experience the fuller flavor of every bite.

Mindful Eating for Your Yogi Diet

If you file your yoga practice solely under the category of 'fitness,' you are missing out on the benefits that come from embracing the gamut of a yogic lifestyle. Beyond the mat, the poses, and pranayama, yoga principles can be applied to all life situations, helping you achieve mind-body balance. When it comes to food, how you eat is just as important as what you eat, so consider the following guidelines as you apply mindful eating principles to your yogi diet.

Mindful Eating Practices for Yogis

Many of the values you adhere to on the mat can be brought into your daily meals. These include practices such as:

• Slowing down
• Listening to your body
• Learning to differentiate between your body's wants and needs
• Doing one thing at a time
• Being aware
• Paying attention
• Practicing Patience
• Being grateful

Mindful Eating Questions and Answers

What is mindfulness? In a nutshell, being mindful means focusing on the present moment. Applied to food, eating mindfully means intentionally paying attention to the food you are consuming (its texture, flavor, history, and more) and how you feel while savoring it.

To apply mindful eating basics to your yogic diet, consider the following questions:

• Where was the food produced?
• How has your food been prepared?
• How does your food look, taste, and smell?
• Are you eating out of hunger or for another reason?
• What emotions do you experience before, during, and after your meal?
• How much do you need to eat to feel full?
• How does eating affect your mood?

Yoga and Mindfulness Similarities

If you are a yogi, you are already invested in your personal health and wellness and are taking steps toward a lifestyle that allows you to thrive. Building the habit of mindful eating is another stride in the right direction! It is a simple yet effective way to approach the food you eat every day. Better yet, mindful eating practices are rooted in Buddhist traditions, making them a perfect fit with your current yoga practice.

Here are some more similarities between yoga and mindfulness practices. Both disciplines:

• Require committed practice
• Take time to master
• Require focused attention
• Require slowing down
• Encourage you to pay attention, recognize, and cope with present-moment thoughts, feelings, and sensations
• Provide multiple health benefits
• Promote overall well-being

In summary: Whether or not you practice yoga, and whether or not you are following a yogi diet, there are many great reasons to eat mindfully! You will be more in tune with your body, you will be able to make wiser food choices, you can lose weight more easily, you can reduce your level of daily stress, and most importantly: You will feel better in your mind, body, and soul!

Since antiquity, Ayurveda has been preaching the gospel of dinacharya or a daily routine. Literally meaning "to be close to the day" in the Sanskrit language, Ayurveda's dinacharya practices are designed to maximize your potential by helping you sustain energy levels and balance during the day while you wind down peacefully and restfully for a good night's sleep.

Ayurveda Daily Living Habits for Health

Numerous studies confirm that establishing daily living habits promotes good health. Moreover, some of the world's most successful individuals and geniuses attribute their success to their daily rituals. With the aid of Ayurveda, you can now thoughtfully design personal regimens which maximize your strengths, enhance your lifestyle, and make you feel good.

Dinacharya Morning Routine

Where should you begin? Begin when you awake with a dosha-friendly morning routine! How you start your day affects everything that follows, hence knowing which habits balance your dosha and support your body type is essential. Fortunately, Ayurveda provides easy-to-follow protocols which align with your unique blueprint and which flow with the daily rhythms and cycles of nature.

Ayurveda Morning Routine Benefits

The wisdom of the ages confirms that the first hour of the day is the most important for establishing a set routine. The benefits of a morning dinacharya practice include:

• Activates the body and mind
• Starts the day with awareness
• Regulates mood
• Promotes healthy digestion
• Increases ability to focus
• Promotes greater productivity
• Increases energy levels
• Reduces stress
• Cultivates inner peace

Another bonus: Dinacharya practices actually create time by making you more productive and effective throughout the day.

Dinacharya Guidelines for Sleep

It is a well-known fact that a good night's sleep is essential to good health . Sleep is the body's time to rest, repair, and rejuvenate, allowing your mind, body, and emotions to come into balance.

According to Ayurveda dinacharya protocols, the familiar expression, "Early to bed, Early to rise" will put you in greater harmony with the natural cycles of night and day and allow you to fall asleep and remain asleep more easily. In fact, following Ayurveda sleep guidelines for your dosha may be the cure for insomnia or any other sleep disturbances you are experiencing!

According to the Ayurveda clock, the best timeframe for enjoying a good night's sleep is between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. Equally as important, however, is how you spend your time prior to going to bed between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Engaging in relaxing, pleasurable activities before bedtime helps you wind down and transition successfully from action to rest. The Harvard Business Review article "How to Spend the Last 10 Minutes of Your Day," similarly emphasizes the importance of having meaningful bedtime practices to promote success.

Recommended dinacharya practices for bedtime include:

• Listen to soothing music
• Meditate
• Spend quality time with family or friends
• Go for a walk in nature
• Read an inspirational book
• Light a candle
• Engage in any grounding activities which promote a sense of peace and calm

Ayurveda Tips for Improved Sleep

Additional Ayurveda tips for improved sleep include:

• Turn off your computer, laptop, and TV after 8:00 pm
• Avoid caffeine, sugar and other stimulants prior to bedtime
• Dab some Lavender Essential Oil on your pillow and temples
• Oil and massage your feet with sesame oil
• Drink a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of nutmeg
• Enjoy a cup of Chamomile tea

Dinacharya Practices for Your Dosha

Now that you are starting your day off right with a dosha-friendly morning routine, be sure to explore these additional Ayurvedic lifestyle areas to learn which daily practices are most suited for your body type:

• Nutrition (foods to eat and avoid)
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Yoga Poses
• Breathing techniques
• Herbs and Spices
• Essential Oils

Finally, whether you are a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, be sure to include Abhyanga, the famous Ayurvedic oil massage, into your daily living practices. Approximately 15 minutes prior to your bath or shower, massage some warm sesame oil into your body, working from your extremities to your heart. Enjoy!

Photo by Maks Kuzin (CC)

Weird? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely! Winter’s coming, or maybe it’s already struck near you, and you’re plagued with a cough, cold, and stuffy nose. You’re out of balance, feverish, tired, dazed and feeling very oh-so-sorry for yourself. There are plenty of remedies on the market, some natural others synthetic. Maybe Sudafed works, but it’s weighing you down and making work impossible. Or perhaps you’ve tried burning some eucalyptus, enjoying the 30 minutes of clarity before the candle burns. There’s a great alternative that you may have heard of. It’s called Neti. It looks pretty scary to some, seems weird, unusual at best. It’s not as invasive as a Sudafed, and not as superficial as a cold compress.

Jala Neti (usually called just Ja Neti) is all the rage today, and with good reason. Although it looks and feels quite strange at first, this centuries-old Ayurveda practice of cleansing the nasal passages with salt water might just change your life. Cleansing the nasal passages with warm salt water clears the dirt and mucus buildup caused by viral infection, air pollution, and allergies.

So What’s Neti?

Neti is a whole system of yogic body cleansing techniques used primarily in India. It is mainly focused on cleansing the airways in the head, including the ears, nose, mouth, and lungs. Jala Neti, one technique within the Neti system, has been found to alleviate the symptoms of numerous problems associated with blocked airways, including seasonal allergies, bronchial infections, eye ailments, nose ailments, throat ailments, sinusitis, tonsillitis, adenoid inflammation, headache, and asthma. Neti is also practiced before yoga exercise to clean out the nasal passages of debris and allow for an uninterrupted breathing practice.

Jala Neti Effects

Using Jala Neti results in primary and secondary effects, including:

1. Keeping the nasal cavity clean and free of allergens and flu-causing debris.
2. Stimulation of your olfactory nerves, which are at the very top of your nasal cavity and control your sense of smell.
3. Stimulation of your sensory nerves, which originate in the nose and face and connect to the brain.
4. Improved lung capacity and health.
5. Soothing feeling to the eyes due to stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve, which leads into the eyes and eye muscles
6. A soothing feeling in the whole face due to stimulation of the sensory cortex through the fifth cranial nerve.
7. Use of the Jala Neti stimulates the olfactory nerves, which then influence the autonomic functions of the body.
8. Reduces stress and tension in the face, head, and body.

The mucous membrane, which lines the inside of your nostrils, contains millions of tiny glands that release a sticky mucus (let’s just go ahead and call it “snot”) to trap dirt and dust from the air you inhale. Inside the nose itself, there are also millions of small hairs that further filter and clean the air you breathe in. According to Dr. Swami Shankardevananda, an Australia-based medical doctor and author of several books on yoga and health, Jala Neti not only affects the physical body, but also the pranic body, which, he writes, “is the vital energy which underlies the physical body and maintains life.” Of the physical effects of Jala Neti, he explains:

“The two main nerves in the nose are the olfactory (smell) and the fifth cranial (facial sense perception). These are stimulated by the passage of water during neti and send nerve impulses directly to the brain. This leads to the stimulation of other nerve connections in the brain. Eventually, motor and autonomic nerve fibers are fired at the end of the nerve pathways and different parts of the brain are stimulated. The ramifications are widespread throughout the whole body. If you do neti you can almost feel the impulses inside the brain; one feels the effects immediately. One feels light-headed and 'high' - it is a pleasant sensation… Neti brings about a profound physical stimulation of the whole brain. Soothing of the brain helps to soothe and relax the rest of the body. Neti helps to remove blocks in the flow of nerve impulses and thereby it brings good health.”

The effects of Jala Neti on the pranic body, Dr. Shankardevananda says, are equally beneficial. He explains: “Prana is the vital energy which underlies the physical body and maintains life. It flows through the human framework in multitudes of channels comprising the pranic body. If there is a block or imbalance in the pranic flow then we get sick.” This is where Jala Neti comes in: “Neti helps to induce and maintain this free flow and balance of prana and thereby brings good health. The essence of air is prana. Our body absorbs this subtle prana through the nose during respiration. Therefore thorough cleansing of the nose with neti leads to better health at a pranic level… The flow of breath through the nostrils has a direct influence on the flow of prana. Neti helps to balance the two breath flows, and thereby brings balance into the ida and pingala flows of the subtle pranic body, as well as the autonomic nervous system at a physical level. This leads to an overall balance of one's whole being. This helps to induce good health and peace of mind.”

How to Use Your Neti Pot

A neti pot is a small spot with a long spout, also called a “lota,” which is used to pour water through the nose one nostril at a time. Traditionally neti pots were made of brass, but they are now available in plastic and light-weight ceramic as well. Most neti pots you’ll find at health-food and nutrition shops come with small packets of iodized salt, which you simply deposit into the pot and add filtered lukewarm water.

In order to use your neti pot accurately, tilt your head to one side, keeping your forehead higher than your chin. The key to keeping the fluid from entering your throat is to breathe through your mouth. Once you’ve emptied the contents of the pot into one nostril, you will refill it and insert the spout into your other nostril and repeat.

The passage of water through your nostrils clears nearly all mucus membrane from your nasal cavity. All the sinuses and structures in the nose are given a soothing bath and are thoroughly cleaned. At the same time, the nerves and blood vessels are stimulated.

Other Forms of Neti

Although Jala Neti is the most commonly used form of neti, other neti practices include using alternative liquids in place of lukewarm salt water, like cold salt water, milk, and (eek!) urine. Sutra neti, which includes the use of a string or catheter in a similar process of cleansing of the nostrils, provides similarly positive effects.

Whether you're searching for a good read to take along with you on your yoga retreat or just looking for a meaningful escape from the day-to-day grind, you’ll find that books about yoga are not scarce. An amazon.com book search uncovers more than 42,000 titles, a mix of instructional guides, self-help handbooks, hard-core spiritual treatises, and a handful of novels.

Books that interweave different aspects of yoga into an enticing piece of fiction are less easy to come by, though these can be the best complements and companions for your yoga travels, be it on your subway ride to yoga class, your overnight flight to Rishikesh, or your road trip to teacher training. No matter what, great novels that depict spiritual awakenings, overcoming life’s challenges, and encounters with yoga in its many forms can change your yoga journey, and your life, for the better.

So what makes a great yoga novel? A peek into the life of authors tells us that if a writer has faced suffering head-on, and has the added gift of creativity to express that suffering, the product is sure to inspire our inner-yogi. According to the twentieth-century monk, teacher, and writer Swami Dayananda Saraswati, creative people, in particular fiction writers, embody the suffering-joy equilibrium. It is often said that the greatest artists have suffered the greatest blows. When it comes to living a yogic lifestyle, embracing suffering for the purpose of creating art is directly related to the core value of equalizing pain and joy. Swami Dayananda Saraswati writes:

“Some people are not afraid of pain and suffering. Instead of complaining or escaping, they prefer to dive deep into their suffering. They don't mind it, or rather they feel that without suffering their life is meaningless. Amongst this group of people, we find the creative geniuses, the artists, musicians, poets, writers, and philosophers, and we also find the social reformers and saints. For these people, suffering became an inspiration and it motivated them to express themselves uniquely.”

If we look into the lives of some of the great Western writers of modern times, the connection between a writer’s suffering and the popularity of that writer’s work for meaning-seeking readers becomes clear. Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Virginia Wolf, Sylvia Plath, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Hermann Hesse: all were writers who faced a great deal of psychological and emotional anguish in their lives, some of the details of which appear in their works, other details of which come through their unique characters and settings. It is the beauty they create out of their suffering that draws us in.

Our top 7 recommendations of yoga-related novels

Some are classics, others recent, but all make great yoga travel reads and are certain to inspire.

7
Yoga School Dropout (2005)
By Lucy Edge

While most of the recommended reads listed here are of the older, more hippy-ish variety, here’s an example of a recent book that’s a little lighter on the philosophical rants, and a little heavier on the quirk.

London-based blogger Lucy from The Unlikely Bookworm offers a great summary of this contemporary and relatable tale:

“Lucy Edge’s Yoga School Dropout is no doubt a familiar tale for many converted yogis: a high-flying advertising executive, she grew tired of creating campaigns for margarine brands and took herself to India to find a deeper sense of purpose. Away from London’s all-consuming rat race, Edge travels across India, trying different yoga and meditation ashrams in the hope that she will both develop her practice and discover a sense of inner peace and enlightenment. Through a series of sharp observations, Edge brings India – a land of contradictions – to life. Its mix of ancient traditions and culture mingled with western influence offers her spiritual quest an intriguing backdrop and an element of humor as she navigates her way from one yoga retreat to the next.” (source)

Amazon.com rating: 3.6/5
Goodreads rating: 3.2/5

6
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974)
By Robert Persig

The author of this 1974 classic wore many hats, all of which direct this excellent novel. He held college degrees in chemistry, philosophy, and journalism. He studied Oriental philosophy at Benares Hindu University in India. His deep knowledge of Hinduism and his honest approach to mindfulness come through in this highly accessible novel about a man on a journey across America, from the Dakotas to Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and California. He is initially out to escape from mental illness, but his approach to the life of his mind changes as his trip goes on. On the road trip with his young son, Chris, and a couple named John and Sylvia, the dialogues and narrations in the book are museful and spiritual, full of the kind of philosophical inquiries that we are often faced with in our yoga practices and meditations. A great read for anyone interested in discovering the spiritual workings at play in our everyday thoughts and acts.

Amazon.com rating: 4.1/5
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5

5
Franny and Zoey (1961)
By JD Salinger

Another 1960s classic, Franny and Zoey is written by the famously elusive J.D. Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye. The novel, written in two parts (originally separate short stories in the New Yorker magazine), tells separate but interweaving tales of a brother and sister. The sister, Franny Glass, is the novel’s opening heroine. She’s sensitive, easily disturbed, and on the verge of a mental breakdown. Her thoughts have turned to spirituality but she cannot seem to get a real grasp on life. The second part of the book, titled “Zooey,” is narrated by Franny and Zooey’s older brother, Buddy. The setting is the Glass’s home, where Franny attempts to recover and Zooey engages her in a deep discussion about spirituality, theology, and philosophy. It is this highly reflective discussion which is the crux of what makes Franny and Zooey a great yoga novel and one that is not only relatable but also beneficial to anyone in the midst of a personal struggle with self and spirituality.

Writer Phil Goldberg discusses Salinger’s yoga-inspired writings, including Franny and Zooey, on layoga.com:

“Eastern mysticism – and to some extent the Western variety – become more explicit and more sophisticated with each subsequent Salinger work, beginning with Franny and Zooey… A smart, precariously sensitive college student sinks into an existential crisis, tries to unlock the secrets of an esoteric text and climbs out of her dark night of the soul with the help of Eastern wisdom delivered by a representative of a guru lineage. In this case, the “ashram” is the Manhattan apartment where Franny grew up, and the spiritual guide is her older brother Zooey, who imparts the teachings of the next oldest sibling, Buddy, who in turn is the chief “disciple” of their late brother Seymour, the family sadhguru. Along the way, readers learn about karma, Atman, chakras and various yogic imperatives, such as acting without attachment to the outcome and seeing everything, even the remedial chicken soup of a fussbudget mother, as consecrated.”
(source)

If you’re looking for an East-meets-West situational narrative that is relatable, mindful, and inspirational, Salinger’s Franny and Zooey is a great choice.

Amazon.com rating: 4.2/5
Goodreads rating: 4/5

4
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (2007)
By Elizabeth Gilbert

Gilbert’s novel is a famous example of a story that speaks to our Western inclinations and sensibilities while at the same time enticing our Eastern, spiritual sides. Elizabeth Gilbert, the author, and narrator of Eat, Pray, Love had it all: an American education, a husband, a home in the country, and a great job. But something big was missing, and her unhappiness gave way to anxiety and confusion. She suffered from depression, carried herself through a divorce, attempted love again but failed, and was stuck at the bottom of a well of unanswered questions and deep fears about her life’s path.

While not all of us are brave enough to drop everything we know and go on a journey with the hope of finding ourselves, Gilbert does just that. She gets rid of her material belongings, quits her job, leaves her family, and travels the world for a year, completely alone. She travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia, gaining experiences in each place that would satisfy different parts of herself that she thought might be forever lost. The culmination of her travels teaches her how to construct and maintain a balance between desire and devotion, pleasure and pain, herself and the outside world.

If you’ve ever been struck with the urgent need for change in your life, this is the story for you.

Amazon.com rating: 3.4/5
Goodreads rating: 3.7/5

3
The Dharma Bums
By Jack Kerouac

A classic of bohemian fiction, this adventure story takes you on a journey with Ray Smith, an average guy out to find his spiritual truth, from the inside of San Francisco’s crowded Bohemian scene, to the open air of the high Sierras, to the peaks of Washington state, to Japan and back again. Always out for more, seeking the limits of an ultimately limitless experience of living, Ray travels thousands of miles through all different terrains, meeting all kinds of interesting characters along the way.

According to one goodreads.com reviewer, “The Dharma Bums has wonderful evocations of meditative states that instructive guides rarely contain: they answer the question 'why do this?'… And that idea of 'enlightenment' attached to meditative experiences can lead to more inner struggles with elitist attitudes than just finding the experience enjoyable or interesting. I figured, whilst reading these books recently, that I'm heretically in favor of meditation as an interesting sensory experience which can have useful side effects.”

A second goodreads.com reviewer wrote: “The fractured narrative reminded me of an unusually zen-enlightened kid who wants to try everything and does so by barreling ahead with an innocent desire to get swept up in the art of living life to its fullest. The passing epiphanies get as much attention as they deserve -- simply experiencing such truths rather than committing them to memory seems to be the point here.

The baby boom generation will find much nostalgia in this late sixties adventure tale, while millennials will enjoy the brief escape from high-tech culture into the natural settings and self-seeking tones of this classic.

Amazon.com rating: 4.3/5
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5

2
The Forty Rules of Love (2010)
By Elif Shafak

In this follow-up to Shafak’s novel,The Bastard of Istanbul, acclaimed Turkish novelist Elif Shafak, presents two parallel plots—one modern and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Persian poet and mystic Rumi first met his spiritual mentor, the Shams of Tabriz. The first plot revolves around Ella Rubenstein, an unhappily married forty-year-old who works in the publishing industry. She is swept away by her first work assignment, to read and review a book about Shams Tabrizi, Rumi’s spiritual mentor who helped Rumi transform himself from an unhappy cleric into a devoted mystic and poet. Her life begins to parallel that of Rumi, with her instructional guide not Shams of Tabriz, but rather the author of the book she’s assigned to review.

Whether you’re familiar with Rumi, curious about him, or simply desiring to be swept away, The Forty Rules of Love is for you.

Amazon.com rating: 4.5/5
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5

1
Siddartha (1922)
By Hermann Hesse

Perhaps it’s enough to quote the Indian mystic, guru, and spiritual teacher Osho, whose words about Hermann Hesse capture the very essence of what makes this book perfect for a yoga journey:

“[Hesse] was not an enlightened one, what to say about those who have gone beyond enlightenment. He was a human being, but in a poetic flight, he has written one of the greatest books in the world, Siddartha… It is unbelievable that Hermann Hesse could write it but could not become a Siddha himself. He remained a poor writer.”

The story of Siddartha is by now well-known, not only because of its author but because its message speaks to all yoga-inclined people who wish to break through the mental, emotional, and psychological barriers in order to discover the deeper spiritual center within themselves. The character of Siddartha is each of us, and his travels are full of yogic messages, some of which seem to come straight from the Buddha himself.

Amazon.com rating: 4/5
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5

Illustration by Dongo (CC)

When it comes to spices recommended by Ayurveda, ginger tops the list! In all of its forms (fresh root and dry), ginger has been hailed "the universal medicine," in keeping with its Sanskrit form Vishabhesaj, meaning universally beneficial. Known for its sharp yet sweet aroma and taste, ginger's value goes far beyond the kitchen. It takes front-and-center in Chinese medicine for promoting good digestion, and as an ancient Indian proverb declares: "Everything good is found in ginger."

How Ginger Aids Digestion

A tenet of Ayurveda is that a strong digestive system is fundamental to good health and wellness. Ginger not only stimulates digestion, but it clears blocks and congestion by stimulating digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid, helping transform gross food mass into a finer essence. By breaking down food and unclogging circulatory pathways, ginger makes nutrients more bio-available to targeted body parts.

In addition to stirring up digestive fires and aiding in the transportation and absorption of nutrients, ginger's warm, pungent nature also whets the appetite! For these reasons, Ayurveda texts (sutras) have long recommended eating fresh ginger before meals (except in the case of Pitta elevation, when the use of ginger root is contraindicated).

Healing Effects of Ginger

The therapeutic benefits of ginger, championed by Ayurveda, have now been recognized by modern medicine as well, which confirms and endorses ginger's effectiveness for:

• Improving digestion
• Improving circulation
• Preventing motion sickness and airsickness
• Thwarting nausea and vomiting
• Providing an analgesic effect for joint pain
• A panacea for common colds and coughs
• Treating early stages of rheumatoid arthritis
• Helping eliminate wastes

How to Eat Ginger

Every Ayurvedic medicine chest should include ginger! The following are some ways to consume ginger in its raw (root) and dry forms.

Raw Ginger

• Dip a few slices of ginger in salt and lime juice and consume before mealtime
• Add a few slices of raw ginger to your stew or vegetables while they cook
• Sauté some grated ginger in a tablespoon of ghee; add to desserts or to warm milk

Dry Ginger

Dry ginger is hotter than its fresh counterpart and is often used to heal conditions such as:

• Phlegm and mucus in the lungs
• Coughing, common colds/flu
• Wheezing
• Asthmatic conditions

Ayurveda and Trikatu

If you are sensitive to burning sensations or have a weak digestive system, try Trikatu, the famous Ayurvedic remedy which you can buy in tablet form. It is comprised of a mixture of black pepper, long pepper, and dry ginger.

• Administer Trikatu to children and adults who frequently suffer from colds/the flu, ear infections or bronchitis, or who have a weak digestive system. The pungent qualities of Trikatu's ingredients stimulate digestion, increase nutrient absorption, improve metabolic function, and support the respiratory system.
• You can make Trikatu yourself by grinding fresh ginger in a food processor and by grinding some long and black pepper in a spice or coffee grinder. Mix together an equal part of each of the three spices. Add a spoon of raw honey and enjoy after meals!

Ayurveda and Ginger Tea

The spicy, aromatic ginger root has been used for millennia in making tea. Ginger tea's healing effects, recognized throughout the ages by Ayurveda, are now being verified by modern medical research. Studies at the University of Maryland's Medical Center, for example, cite gingerols and shogaols (pungent phenol compounds and volatile oils) as ginger's strengths, while ginger tea has been found to contain trace elements of multiple nutrients and high levels of amino acids and Vitamin C.

Therapeutic Benefits of Drinking Ginger Tea

Researchers have confirmed the following therapeutic benefits and healing attributes of ginger tea:

• Stimulates the appetite
• Aids in food digestion
• Enhances circulation
• Increases gastric juice production
• Alleviates stomach pain
• Alleviates irritable bowel syndrome
• Reduces joint inflammation
• Reduces arthritic inflammation
• Eases menstrual discomfort
• Reduces stress

Ginger Tea for Your Dosha

If you have a Vata body type, the heating qualities of ginger tea can aid in balancing your dosha as it improves all phases of the digestive cycle: digestion, absorption, elimination. Ginger tea will also warm your typically cold body during cold weather when Ayurveda recommends that you sip ginger tea throughout the day.

If you are a Kapha, Ayurveda recommends drinking ginger tea before each meal or 2-3 cups daily in order to fire-up your normally slow digestion and stimulate your taste buds.

If you are a Pitta, consume ginger tea in moderation as large amounts can cause you to overheat when your dosha is out of balance. Note that a cup of fresh ginger root tea is ideal for warming up cold bodies during the winter and chilled, wet bodies after a summer swim or surf.

How to Make Ginger Tea

To help you maximize the benefits of your Ayurvedic lifestyle, here is a recipe for making fresh root ginger tea:

• Place fresh ginger slices or a spoonful of diced fresh ginger in 12 ounces of water
• Boil
• Steep until cool
• Enjoy!
• Optional: Sweeten with raw honey

The verdict is in: Ayurveda and ginger are a match made in heaven!

Considered one of the oldest healing sciences, Ayurveda is the longest continuously practiced medical system in the world. With its origins in ancient Sanskrit texts and Indian traditions, today Ayurveda is recognized as an advanced system of health care by the World Health Organization and as a modern form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Key Ayurveda Concepts

The name "Ayurveda" comes from the Sanskrit terms "ayus" (life or lifespan) and "veda" (knowledge). Ayurveda is thus often referred to as the Science of Life.

Ayurveda's holistic approach to health and wellness is designed to help you live a balanced life: mind, body, and spirit. Key concepts in Ayurveda include the uniqueness of individuals, the human body as self-correcting, homeostatic balance, mind-body balance, prana (the life force), the three doshas, and more.

Ayurveda Body Types (Doshas)

The doshas are life forces or energies present in all of us that combine in unique ways to form our basic constitution and influence us in multiple ways.

The three doshas, also known as body types, are:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

In most people, one dosha is dominant or the most influential. However additional Ayurvedic concepts include double-dosha and tri-dosha personalities, where two or more doshas exert equal influence. The doshas account for many of our physical attributes, personality traits, temperaments, inherent strengths and weaknesses, and natural tendencies. They are also affected by the environment, the weather (four seasons), and our lifestyle habits. You can discover your dosha by taking our online Dosha Quiz.

Ayurvedic Concept of Balance

According to Ayurveda, a balanced mind-body represents the ultimate state of health. As stated in passages from the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text:

"He (she) whose doshas are in balance, whose appetite is good, whose dhatus are functioning normally, whose malas are in balance and whose Self, mind and senses remain full of bliss, is called a healthy person."

Ayurveda's View of Nutrition

So how can you achieve optimal personal wellness? Ayurveda philosophies point to the foundational roles of:

• Nutrition
• A strong digestive system
• A systematized daily living routine
• A dosha-friendly exercise regimen
• Other factors contributing to a healthy lifestyle

If you are new to Ayurveda, you can determine your body type by taking the online Dosha Quiz. You will subsequently receive a report that will guide you in creating a personalized treatment plan focused on restoring balance to one or more doshas and that includes an individualized diet plan, dosha-friendly ingredients and recipes, meditation guides, Yoga and exercise advice, as well as recommended herbs, essential oils, and massages.

Additional Ayurvedic Terms

Some additional concepts you will come across when learning about the Science of Life include terminologies such as:

• Prakruti: A Sanskrit word meaning "nature" or "first creation." Prakruti refers to the constitution you were born with, which is your base point. This base point, in turn, is comprised of a unique combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Ayurvedic concept of Prakruti explains why no two persons are alike and why two individuals react differently (in subtle or more overt ways) to the same external stimuli or environment. In other words, in Ayurvedic philosophy, you could say that your Prakruti is your one-of-a-kind fingerprint!
• Vikruti: A Sanskrit word referring to your current condition. As your body type (Prakruti) strives to maintain homeostatic balance and balance with the environment, it is continually influenced by life's inevitable changes, The degree to which your Vikruti differs from your Prakruti determines the amount of imbalance present.
• Balance/Imbalance: In a state of balance, your Vakruti (current condition) will match your Prakruti (inborn constitution) as closely as possible. In reality, we are all subject to interactions with each other, with our environment, with the weather, and even with the effects of the time of day and our age. How we react to life's ebb and flow determines our current state of imbalance or illness.
• Ayurvedic Diet: Ayurveda practitioners teach that your health is greatly effected by what you eat and that imbalances can be significantly corrected by means of a 'dosha-friendly' diet, i.e. dosha-friendly ingredients, herbs, and spices.
• Gunas: A key concept in Hindu and Ayurvedic philosophy, the Sanskrit term guṇa has several meanings, including 'a thread' that weaves materials together, 'merit' or 'excellence,' and an 'attribute', 'quality', or 'peculiarity.' The viewpoint states that there are three gunas present in varying proportions in everything and in everyone. These three gunas (or merits/attributes/qualities) are:
  1. Satava, meaning harmonious, good, constructive
  2. Rajas, meaning, active, passionate, confused
  3. Tamas, meaning dark, destructive, chaotic

The particular combination and interactivity of the gunas gives rise to one's character and how one copes with the world around them.

Correcting Imbalances with "The Opposite"

In Ayurveda, dosha imbalances are corrected by inviting in opposing gunas. For example, Pitta doshas are hot and fiery by nature and thus Pitta individuals tend to enjoy warm weather, spicy food, compete in extreme sports, and be constantly on-the-go. However, these same innate tendencies can lead to an excess of Pitta in the body, causing heightened agitation, aggravation, anger, loose bowels, skin rash, inflammation, and mental or physical burnout.

To bring Pitta back into balance, we invite in the opposite, i.e. cooling foods and cooling activities that calm and soothe. For instance, if your body type is Pitta, be sure to include sweet, bitter and astringent tastes in your diet, which are known to decrease Pitta. Additional strategies for reducing excess Pitta include 'moderation' and 'surrender. '

Optimal Health the Ayurvedic Way

As you learn more about Ayurvedic concepts and how to achieve optimal health, you will discover that almost everything has a quality which can be used to your personal advantage. This includes not only foods and tastes but certain types of essential oils and massages, Yoga postures, seasonal changes, colors, gems, and even the daily cycles of time.

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: As you expand your repertoire of Ayurveda terminologies, learn about "balaardh," the practice of using only half your strength or capacity when exercising. Contrary to expectation, over time your strength will consistently increase, you will enjoy exercising more, and you will stick to it longer without burning or dropping out!

Nutrition and taste play a foundational role in the Ayurvedic lifestyle. According to the time-honored Science of Life, what you eat effects not only every organ and cell in your body but your mental and emotional states as well. In accordance with your 'dosha' or basic constitution, Ayurveda prescribes foods and recipes which promote mind-body balance, prevent illness, and boost general well-being.

Ayurveda Six Flavors (Rasas)

Ayurveda assigns particular significance to rasa - taste or flavor - and to the following six tastes specifically:

• Sweet (Madhura)
• Pungent (Katu)
• Astringent (Kashaya)
• Bitter (Tikta)
• Salty (Lavana)
• Sour (Amla)

Understanding the Ayurvedic Concept of Taste

In Ayurveda, far greater importance is assigned to rasa than its Western conceptualization. The word rasa itself is comprised of two parts:

• Ra: To taste, perceive, feel, desire, love, or relish
• Sa: The best part of something or 'to encompass'

Together, they expand the meaning of flavor, giving taste a richness and texture which conveys enthusiasm and enhanced experience. In fact, rasa is thought to embody the essence of life. By better understanding the Ayurvedic six tastes, you can cultivate an appreciation for them and learn to use them as health-promoting aids that balance your doshas and add spice to everyday experiences.

Your Dosha (Ayurvedic Body Type)

To savor what the six tastes have to offer, begin by determining your Ayurvedic body type: Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Simply take the online Dosha Quiz. After answering some basic questions about your physical traits, personality characteristics, and lifestyle, you will be privy to a personalized guide on how to live a healthier and happier lifestyle the Ayurvedic way.

Balancing Your Dosha by Taste

In the ideal Ayurveda diet, an appropriate quantity of each of the six tastes is consumed daily. The goal is to learn which combinations of flavors optimally balance your dosha and which excesses can cause imbalances. Since the Ayurvedic path is highly personalized, the specific 'taste prescription' will vary per individual and in accordance with factors such as age, body type, the environment, and the four seasons.

Using Taste to Correct Dosha Imbalances

To help balance your mind-body via taste, keep in mind the following rules of thumb:

• Reduce excess Vata dosha with sour and salty tastes
• Reduce excess Pitta dosha with astringent and bitter tastes
• Reduce excess Kapha dosha with bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes

Ayurveda Sweet Taste

In a balanced state, sweet-tasting foods are grounding, satisfying, and make you feel loved. Sweet-flavored foods include baked goods, candies, fruits, and ice cream -- but also whole grains and sweet vegetables. The sweet taste is heavy and moist and has a cooling effect on the body. This makes sweet foods ideal for reducing heat and for calming Vata and Pitta doshas, however Kapha doshas should moderate their intake of this rasa.

Additional benefits of the sweet taste include:

• Lowers inflammation
• Reduces gastritis
• Enhances memory
• Increases breast-milk production during pregnancy

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: If you struggle with overweight issues or diabetes, use honey to satisfy your sweet tooth, as it is considered astringent in flavor.

Ayurveda Pungent Taste

The pungent taste is hot and spicy! Examples of pungent-tasting foods include chili peppers, black pepper, onions, garlic, mustard seed, cayenne, and ginger. In balance, pungent-tasting foods are stimulating, increase clarity, stimulate digestion and circulation, and help clear sinuses. Pungent rasas warm the naturally cool quality of Vata dosha. Pungent tastes also benefit Kapha dosha by drying up its naturally moist and stagnant nature. However excess pungent tastes may aggravate Pitta dosha, increasing the potential for intense emotional outbursts or anger.

Additional benefits of the pungent flavor include:

• Increases enzyme activity
• Helps dry up mucus
• Helps eliminate obstructions in the body
• Can be used as a decongestant to relieve colds and asthma

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: If you struggle with slow digestion, try Trikatu, a popular remedy which combines three pungent tastes: ginger, black pepper, and long pepper.

Ayurveda Astringent Taste

Astringent rasa is very dry and helps cool the body and calm emotionally heightened states. It also has a toning and purifying effect. Examples of astringent-tasting foods include crabapples, cranberries, pomegranate, unripe bananas, barely, chickpeas, and alfalfa sprouts. The dryness of the astringent taste makes it ideal for reducing excess moisture and heaviness in Kapha doshas and for drying up excess Pitta heat. Vata doshas, however, should minimize their intake of astringent foods as the dryness can cause digestion complications.

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: Excess astringent rasa can lead to constipation and muscle stiffness.

Ayurveda Salty Taste

While salt-free diets are sometimes recommended, Ayurveda experts believe that a moderate amount of salt not only enhances flavor but aids digestion. Salt heightens the taste of all foods. It also produces enzyme-rich salivation which helps break down what you eat and clear obstructions in the body.

Given its moist, heavy, and slightly warm nature, salt is beneficial for Vata dosha. However, in excess it can cause thirst and water retention and is not recommended for Kapha dosha.

Examples of foods naturally containing salt include:

• Seaweed
• Oysters
• Sea fish
• Celery

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: Rock salt is a particular favorite of Ayurveda experts. Also known as saindhava lavana, it is rich in magnesium and iron, pacifies all three doshas, and causes less water retention than regular salt.

Mined in India, rock salt is also used as an aphrodisiac and heart tonic. Some healers consider it a Sattvic food and use it to help cultivate the spirit. Today, it is a popular ingredient in many recipes and appears as a staple in an increasing number of household kitchens.

Ayurveda Bitter Taste

The most cooling of all six Ayurveda tastes, bitter flavors help balance the digestive system, detoxify the body, dry up excess mucus/secretions, break down fat, and purify the blood. Examples of bitter-tasting foods include dark leafy green vegetables (i.e. kale), rhubarb, coffee, chard, and Turmeric, which also contains important antioxidant properties.

The cooling effect of the bitter taste benefits fiery Pitta dosha and helps lighten and dry Kapha dosha. However Vata doshas, who by nature possess similar properties (dry, light, cool) should moderate their consumption of bitter foods.

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: Bitter foods contain alkaloids and glycosides, making them useful in treating diabetes, fever, jaundice, certain skin conditions, and digestive disorders.

Ayurveda Sour Taste

Sour tastes, which make you salivate immediately, have multiple benefits. They boost digestion, increase mental clarity, induce sweating which helps detoxify the body, and actually stimulate appetite. The sour taste warms and grounds Vata dosha, however may aggravate Kapha and Pitta doshas due to its warm, moist, and heavy nature. However, an excess of sour rasa can lead to skin rashes, jaundice, inflammation, gastritis, and/or muscle weakness. Examples of sour-tasting foods include: lemons, buttermilk, yogurt, pickles, Hawthorn berries, plums.

Bonus Ayurveda Tip: Before they ripen, most fruits are considered sour. This includes gooseberries (rich in ascorbic acid), mangoes, whose flavor is sweet and sour, acidic and sour Tamarind, and Sorrel, the leafy green vegetable used in soups, stews, and salads to add a zesty lemon taste (Note: Use in moderation!)

Experience the Ayurvedic Six Tastes

If you want to add flavor to your life and enrich your daily experiences, learn all about the six Ayurvedic tastes and how they can spice up your current diet, relationships, and lifestyle. Including each of the Ayurveda rasas every day will enrich your palette in every way!

A quotation from the Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text, reads as follows:

"The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age." (Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89).

Abhyanga Self-Oil Massage

The daily practice (dinacharya ) of a self-oil massage, known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga, provides multiple health and well-being benefits. In addition to grounding and relaxing all three of the doshas, regulated Abhyanga reaps the following rewards:

• Dissolves stress
• Dispels toxins
• Relieves fatigue
• Promotes restful sleep
• Improves complexion
• Enhances skin luster
• Lubricates joints
• Improves circulation
• Calms nerves
• Rejuvenates the mind-body

Moreover, the practice of Abhyanga is considered an act of self-love, as the effects of saturating the skin with warm oil from head to toe and the resulting sensations of warmth and stability are likened to the experience of being deeply loved.

Ayurveda Skin Care

Did you know that the skin is your body's largest organ? Moreover, outside of most people's conscious awareness, under the surface the skin proficiently performs multiple diverse functions essential to your health.

According to the Science of Ayurveda, the state of your skin is a reflection of your inner physical and emotional states. In fact, your skin can provide pertinent information about the function of your liver, spleen, stomach and heart, as well as various degrees of tension and anxiety.

Spanning approximately 22 feet or 2 square meters in adults, the human skin is constantly changing, fully regenerating itself every 35 days. Additional functions provided by this extraordinary organ include:

• Protection from extreme temperatures
• Protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays
• Protection from environmental chemicals
• Production of proteins
• Production of essential vitamins
• Moisture preservation

Skin Characteristics by Dosha

Depending on your dominant dosha or Ayurvedic body type, your skin typically bears certain characteristics, such as:

• Vata: Normal to dry skin; no clogged pores; prone to wrinkles and premature fine lines; prone to flakiness; prone to dark circles under the eyes
• Pitta: Sensitive 'combination' skin; normally clear and glowing but easily irritated and sunburned; prone to freckles and moles; at risk for oily skin; prone to congested pores
• Kapha: Normal to oily skin; normally smooth and moist but prone to oily skin and congestion due to large pores; prone to puffy eyes; on occasion, may experience rashes

Ayurveda and Massage

Massages are highly recommended by Ayurveda. Whether administered by a therapist or self-administered, here are some of the benefits associated with Ayurvedic massage practices and Ayurveda oil massages in particular:

• Rejuvenates the skin
• Releases tensions
• Alleviates fatigue
• Improves muscle tone
• Facilitates toxin removal
• Boosts resistance to bacteria
• Pacifies the doshas
• Calms the nervous system
• Soothes the endocrine system

Fittingly, the practice of Abhyanga has been likened to oiling a car engine: if you oil your vehicle's engine regularly, it will operate at peak performance and provide your body with a smooth ride for years to come!

Ayurveda Massage "How-To"

To aid in the release of toxins that accumulate overnight, Ayurvedic massages are ideally performed in the morning, before you shower or bathe. Warm sesame oil is considered ideal, however you can also use coconut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, almond oil, olive oil, or Jojoba oil, which benefits all three doshas. If this is your first time using massage oils, the experts recommend applying a small amount on the inside your forearm to see if there are any signs of irritation (i.e. redness, itching, a rash).

Follow these steps on how to perform an Ayurvedic massage:

1. Warm up your choice of oil; the temperature should comfortable, not hot
2. Apply the oil to the crown of your head, using circular strokes and massaging the entire scalp
3. Using circular strokes, massage oil into your forehead, temples, ear lobes, cheeks and jaw
4. Using long strokes in the direction of your heart, massage oil into your arms and legs
5. Using a large, clockwise, circular motion, massage oil into your chest and abdomen
6. In a circular motion, rub oil into your elbows, knees, and joints
7. Spend several minutes massaging oil into your feet, where critical nerve endings effecting your entire body are located
8. If time allows, sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing oils to penetrate the deepest layers of your body
9. Enjoy a warm bath or shower, gently toweling dry by blotting (not strongly rubbing)

As you enjoy your Abhyanga self-massage (or any other Ayurvedic oil massage), you will simultaneously be nourishing your mind, body, and spirit, setting yourself up for a glorious, successful day!

From the very earliest of times, the ancients have connected colors with healing powers. Each color is said to have different attributes, different energy levels, and different healing (or non-healing) effects on people and the environment. As with all things Ayurveda, each of the three doshas are associated with colors that create balance, while excesses of these hues or incompatible colors invite imbalance. Once you learn the art of Ayurveda color healing, you can wisely chooses shades and tones that are in keeping with your dosha and which boost your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Colors and the Doshas

It has long been known that colors have beneficial healing effects, promoting wellness and peace of mind. In the Science of Ayurveda, all of the doshas are effected by colors in general, while each of the doshas is linked to one or more specific colors and their respective attributes.

The Ayurvedic dosha color-connection is as follows:

• Vata is associated with light blue
• Pitta is associated with fiery red
• Kapha is associated with light and shades of glowing yellow

In general, bright colors stimulate and increase energy levels; however, excesses of bright hues can cause burnout and fatigue. Dark colors are heavier with a cooling effect, while mid-tone red/orange colors are warm and stimulating.

Ayurveda Color Healing Tips

Colors can be used to boost your natural constitution and even to ward off negative influences. Not sure what your dosha or Ayurvedic body type is? Simply take the online Dosha Quiz and discover a wealth of information about your own mind-body, including a range of health-and-wellness tips and daily lifestyle guidelines which will boost your physical, mental, and emotional states and help you achieve your personal goals.

Keeping in mind that balance in Ayurveda is achieved by introducing 'the opposite,' here are some tips on how to choose colors that benefit your dosha:

• To balance the naturally cool Vata and Kapha types, choose warm colors such as pink, coral, and mauve
• To balance hot and aggravated Pitta types, choose more subdued tones of brown, green, or blue
• The cool properties of silver and platinum (associated with the moon and the stars) benefit Pitta dosha
• The warm, sun-like properties of gold (and even gold jewelry!) benefit Vata and Kapha doshas
• To counter-balance Kapha-types' white and cool properties, they should choose enlivening/vitalizing colors
• Certain shades of black are associated with impure or destructive energies (tamasic gunas) and should be avoided by all the doshas
• Excesses of yellow and blue should also be avoided by all the doshas

Soothing Colors for Vata Dosha

If your body type is Vata, follow these Ayurvedic tips on colors that will either balance or aggravate your natural constitution.

• To counterbalance Vata's naturally thin, cold, and often agitated or super-charged state, choose warming reds, oranges and pastels. Add to this some sunny yellow and shades of green. Shy away, however, from vibrant, stimulating hot colors, and minimize your use of darker and cooler blacks, browns, and blues.

Soothing Colors for Pitta Dosha

If your body type is Pitta, follow these Ayurvedic tips on colors that will either create calm or chaos in your mind-body system:

• To counterbalance your naturally fiery personality, stay away from inflaming reds and oranges and minimize your contact with gold and yellow. On the other hand, softer and cooler shades of blue, blue-green, purple, violet, and silver will boost your dosha and promote health and wellness.

Soothing Colors for Kapha Dosha

If your body type is Kapha, follow these Ayurvedic tips on colors that will balance and boost your mind, body, and spirit:

• To counteract your natural tendencies towards lethargy, staying in your comfort zone, and a mind-body heaviness, choose dynamic, energizing, bold colors such red/yellow/orange, as well as majestic gold. On the flip side, shy away from an excess of white, navy blue, and green.

Ayurveda Color Chart

Ayurvedic practitioners have long been aware of the influence colors have on one's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Depending on your dosha or natural constitution, colors can have soothing, beneficial effects or can invite imbalance and a state of disarray.

To help you choose colors that suit your body type, follow this handy Ayurveda Color Chart:

As you master the art of Ayurvedic color therapy, consider learning about Ayurvedic gemstone therapy, massage therapy, Ayurveda-Yoga practices, and the healing properties of essential oils.

Ayurveda, the world's oldest healing system on record, is experiencing a modern-day resurgence, and for good reason. Recognized as a formidable form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Ayurveda's practical and accessible tools for creating mind-body balance yield powerful results.

Operating on the principle that no two individuals are alike, Ayurveda customizes its prescriptions for wellness and illness prevention, teaching people how they can take charge of their health and achieve their personal best.

Learn About the Doshas

In the Science of Ayurveda, the doshas are invisible biological energies which govern many of our physical and mental processes and which account for many of our personality traits.

For example, the doshas account for why some people are more tense and wound-up while others are naturally laid back, why some people are more timid and insecure while others are naturally confident, why some people seek adventure and thrill while others prefer safety and familiarity, why some people are naturally thin while others are prone to being overweight, why some people prefer cold temperatures to hot, and why some people like spicy foods over bland.

Getting to Know the Doshas

The three dominant doshas, also known as body types, are:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

If you have not yet determined your Ayurvedic body type, you can take our free online Dosha Quiz, which will ask you questions about your physical characteristics, personality traits, likes/dislikes, and lifestyle habits. It will then generate a report which identifies your body type and which you can use to learn about the foods and actions Ayurveda recommends for a balanced, harmonious life.

Not only do the doshas respond to your thoughts, feelings and actions, but these dynamic forces also change in accordance with environmental factors such as the four seasons, the weather, and the time of day. If, for example, you learn about the Ayurvedic clock and how to tell time by the doshas, you can masterfully design your days and nights to maximum positive effect.

Balancing the Doshas

In Ayurvedic terms, the doshas exist naturally in a balanced form.
When we nurture our dominant dosha, we are living in harmony with our basic constitution and enjoy vibrant health.

When we make dietary and lifestyle choices that do not flow with our body's natural rhythms, the doshas either increase (become aggravated or in excess) or decrease (become depleted), resulting in imbalances which manifest in discomfort, disease, and various levels of dysfunction.

If you learn about your basic constitution and what makes your particular body type tick, you can restore balance to your system and establish habits and daily practices that support nourishment and growth.

What are Double Doshas?

Most people have one dominant dosha or body type, yielding the familiar connotations of a 'Vata body type', a 'Pitta personality' or a 'Kapha dosha.' For some individuals, however, two or more doshas govern, giving rise to the terms "double dosha" or "tri-dosha."

If you have a dual-doshic makeup, it means that two doshas have a strong influence. The dynamic energies do not blend together but rather one influence or trait presents itself at a time. For example, for Vata-Pitta body types, Vata is primary but strong Pitta characteristics are also evident.

The double-dosha combinations are:

• Vita-Pitta
• Pitta-Vata
• Pitta-Kapha
• Kapha-Pitta
• Kapha-Vata
• Vata-Kapha

Tri-Doshas

The least common dosha combination is tri-doshic and consists of:

• Vata-Pitta-Kapha

In this rare mind-body type, the ratio of the doshas is near even and tri-doshic individuals tend to remain in balance. (In the body type report following the Dosha Quiz, the dosha scores will be evenly distributed or within one point of each other). When imbalances do occur, however, restoring balance takes more effort since there is no governing energy in charge.

The good news from Ayurveda, however, is that the goal is not to fit yourself into one category. Rather, learning about the doshas gives you insight into your intrinsic physiology and nature, allowing you to make decisions that flow with the rhythms of the universe and that lead to success on your life's journey.

When it comes to sleep deprivation, and especially insomnia, Ayurveda offers a wide range of preventative measures and natural remedies to help you get the sleep your body and mind so desperately need.

Health experts have long confirmed that lack of sleep not only makes you tired, but it can give rise to a whole host of problems, including:

• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Hyper-arousal
• Scattered focus
• Rigid thinking
• Hampered decision-making
• Heightened anxiety
• Poor memory
• Imbalanced nervous system
• Digestive difficulties
• Impaired restorative and repair functions
• Impaired brain development
• Decreased ability to learn/retain information
• Poor task performance

Ayurveda Understanding of Insomnia

Clinicians have determined that insomnia manifests in two forms:

• Lack of sleep, or Anidratha
• Broken sleep, or Alpanidratha

In general, Ayurveda views insomnia as an aggravated Vata condition associated with Vata-type characteristics and issues. These factors include nervousness, anxiety, an overactive mind, excessive worry, irregular eating habits, irritated digestion, lack of steady routine, and surplus movement.

This perspective is backed up by modern brain research which shows that people suffering from insomnia have increased levels of cortisol and are in a heightened state of arousal. On the other hand, Ayurveda attributes broken sleep (Alpanidratha) to an impaired Pitta condition.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Insomnia

As per Ayurvedic protocol, system imbalances are corrected by inviting in opposing qualities or energies. In the case of insomnia, balance is restored by adopting lifestyle habits and eating foods that are grounded, warm, still, stable, and heavy.

In addition, Ayurvedic remedies for insomnia include stress management, yoga asanas and breathing techniques, meditation, detoxification programs, essential oils, and herbs. One of the most popular and effective Ayurvedic treatments for insomnia, for example, is massaging the head and feet with sesame oil.

Ayurveda Dietary Recommendations for Insomnia

A healthy diet of dosha-friendly foods goes a long way in getting a good night's sleep, while undigested foods create toxins that disrupt the body's natural metabolism, paving the way for sleep irregularities.

Here are some of the Ayurvedic dietary recommendations for treating and preventing insomnia:

• Eat daily at regular times
• Do not eat a heavy meal within three hours of bedtime
• Take a walk after dinner to aid digestion
• Reduce salty and spicy foods
• Try sleep-inducing foods such as a sliced banana sprinkled with cumin, ghee, butter, or a cup of celery juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey
• Drink warm milk prior to bedtime
• Bonus Ayurveda Tip: Add a pinch of nutmeg to your milk if you are a Vata body type; add a pinch of cardamom if you have a Pitta body type; for Kapha doshas, add a pinch of dried ginger

Ayurveda Lifestyle Habits for Curing Insomnia

If better sleep is what you are seeking, try these tested, tried, and time-honored strategies suggested by Ayurveda:

• Establish a regular morning and nighttime routine
• Eat, sleep, and exercise at regular times (to personalize your exercise regimen, look up dosha-friendly workouts and find out which exercises best match the needs of your constitution)
• Eat a dosha-friendly diet (in accordance with your Vata, Pitta, or Kapha body type)
• Avoid excessive mental, physical, and emotional stresses which create nervous system imbalances and rob your body of its natural rhythms
• Practice stress-reducing techniques
• Practice yoga to create a state of restful wakefulness and restful sleep

Photo by Rima Kruciene / Unsplash

Ayurveda-Yoga Postures for Treating Insomnia

The benefits of a regular yoga practice are well known, including its stimulatory effect on the nervous system, its relaxing effects via postures that relieve tension, stress and fatigue, its aid in eliminating toxins, and its overall mind-body rejuvenation effects.

More specifically, certain yoga asanas increase blood flow to the brain's sleep center, helping to regulate the sleep cycle. Likewise, yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) increase oxygen flow in the body, not only improving sleep quality but enabling you to fall asleep more easily and actually need less sleep.

To create healthy sleep patterns and treat sleep deprivation, here are some of the practices the experts recommend:

• Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation Sequence)
• Paschimottasana (Seated Forward Bend)
• Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
• Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
• Pranayam (Controlled Breathing)
• Brahamari pranayam (Humming Bee Breathing)
• Chanting OM (AUM)

Ayurvedic Herbs for Treating Insomnia

For thousands of years, the ancient practice of Ayurveda has been treating herbs as medicine. Today, Ayurveda continues to be at the forefront of holistic and alternative treatments, while the global use of herbal remedies has increased exponentially. Not only are herbs 100% natural, but they are effective, easy to use, have few side effects, and are cheaper than their pharmaceutical alternatives.

In Ayurveda, specific herbs are prescribed based on a person's body type or dosha, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors and the seasons. In the case of insomnia, the herbs recommended possess properties that are relaxing, revitalizing, tranquilizing, tension-releasing, and other curative qualities.

Here are some of the Ayurvedic herbs recommended for preventing and treating insomnia:

• Brahmi: One of the most widely used herbs to treat insomnia, fatigue, tension, and depression
• Vacha: A mind-calming, sleep-inducing herb which relaxes the nervous system and helps calm emotional stress and tension
• Tagar (Indian Valerian): A strong herb to be mixed with other herbs; clears toxins, relaxes the nervous system, rejuvenates
• Sarpagandha: A tranquilizing, toxin-removing herb used to cure hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity
• Ashwagandha: Recommended for insomnia due to its relaxing and vitalizing effects
• Shankhapushpi: An age-old herb known to improve circulation, remove toxins, decrease mental fatigue, and boost the brain; used to treat depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure

Equipped with your new Ayurveda sleeping aids, we wish you a good night and pleasant dreams!

If you have trouble falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or can't sleep at all, you are not alone! Health experts, including the U.S. Surgeon General, report that the rates of insomnia and insomnia medications are rising. With over $15 billion spent annually on related health care costs, Ayurveda's practical and effective protocols for improving sleep patterns are more essential than ever.

Dating back to ancient Ayurvedic texts, Ayurveda is a popular holistic form of medicine that aims to correct mind-body imbalances. It teaches you about your basic constitution and helps identify the most effectual strategies to improve your personal health.

In the case of sleep disorders, Ayurveda examines your current sleep patterns and preferences (i.e. sleeping too much, having disturbed sleep, or being deprived of sleep altogether), as well as your lifestyle habits, and provides remedy guides to support a return to balance.

Lack of Proper Sleep: The Effects

Both Western and Ayurvedic experts confirm that lack of restful sleep has profound negative consequences on our physical, mental, and emotional states.

Some of the effects of disordered sleep include:

• Impairs the body's natural restorative functions
• Impairs healthy immune system function
• Hampers essential repair activities, i.e. protein synthesis, muscle growth, hormone release, cell rejuvenation, tissue repair, metabolic waste removal
• Diminishes brain's capacity to form new neurological pathways
• Limits sleep's ability to support the emotional centers of the brain
• Decreases mental focus
• Impedes decision-making abilities
• Hampers creativity

Sleep Imbalances by Dosha

Imbalances in one or more of the three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - give rise to three respective types of sleep imbalances.

Vata Sleep Imbalances

The main sleep problems associated with Vata dosha are difficulty falling asleep and restless or light sleep from which you are easily awakened. These sleep imbalances are the result of an overactive, anxious mind that is replaying the events of the day or worrying about the future. Vata-type personalities find it hard to turn off their thoughts and emotions at bedtime and as a result may suffer from insomnia or from feeling tired in the morning.

Pitta Sleep Imbalances

If you have a Pitta-type sleep disorder, falling asleep is not the problem; rather, you wake up in the middle of the night and can't drift off again.

Kapha Sleep Imbalances

If you suffer from a Kapha-type sleep disturbance, you most likely enjoy long and deep sleep. However when imbalances occur, you wake up feeling tired, lethargic, or even exhausted, and this dullness accompanies you over the course of the day.

Ayurvedic Tips on How to Prevent Sleep Disturbances

No matter what type of sleep problem you are experiencing, there are active steps you can take to help get the rest you want and need.

Here are some expert Ayurvedic tips on how to prevent insomnia and other sleep disturbances across the doshas:

• Do not eat a heavy meal within three hours of bedtime
• Do not ingest caffeine within five hours of bedtime
• Avoid cold, raw foods and ice-cold beverages before bed
• Avoid oily, heavy, and spicy foods before bed, which put the digestive system to work and contribute to sleep difficulties
• Drink warm milk with some added nutmeg before bed
• Drink chamomile tea - a popular remedy for insomnia - before bed
• Turn off your T.V. computer, laptop, and electronic devices within two hours before bedtime
• Reduce bright lights and other stimulants which activate the nervous system and prevent sleep
• Keep your bedroom temperature cool; the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60-67 degrees Celsius
• For the most restful sleep, turn off the lights by 10 p.m. and awake by 6 a.m.
• Spend your last hour before bedtime winding down - i.e. taking a walk in nature, listening to soothing music, relaxing with friends or family, reading a good book, journaling, meditating, etc.
• A popular Ayurveda sleep-inducing strategy is rubbing essential oils on your scalp and soles of your feet and gently massaging (try jasmine, sesame, coconut, or brahmi oils - you can also warm the oil before applying)
• To induce relaxation and decrease stress, drink Valerie Root Tea or drops before bedtime
• Establish a regular bedtime ritual

Summary: Ayurveda Solutions for Insomnia

Not only do Ayurveda's timeless solutions work, but they are backed up by the Harvard Business Review article entitled: "How to Spend the Last 10 Minutes of Your Day." The article emphasizes the importance of creating an enjoyable bedtime routine that entices you to wind down and that enables you to transition from activity to rest. And as the article so aptly states: "However you choose to use the time before bed, do your best to keep this time free of negative energy."

Follow these Ayurveda solutions for insomnia and tips for improved sleep - and Sweet Dreams!

It has long been established that a good night's sleep is essential to our health. So say scientists and scores of studies, which confirm that sleep is our body and mind's natural time to rest and rejuvenate. Similarly, sleep is one of the foundations of Ayurveda, considered as important a pillar for maintaining health and balance as diet and nutrition. It is during sleep that the body repairs itself and it is through sleep that emotions and the mind come into balance.

Whether you have trouble falling asleep, suffer from irregular sleep, wake up in the middle of the night, sleep too much, or cannot sleep at all, sleep cycle imbalances can be debilitating. Fortunately, the timeless Science of Living, Ayurveda, offers clear guidelines on how to restore balance, reverse insomnia, and get a good night's sleep.

Sleep Disturbances by Dosha

Sleep disturbances are categorized in Ayurveda by dosha or body type. Your basic constitution - Vata, Pitta, or Kapha - has a distinct influence on your sleep patterns and preferences. In response, Ayurvedic experts have come up with a set of recommended self-help treatments, tailored to meet your system's needs and to put you in the driver's seat of your own health.

Insomnia as a Vata Condition

Many sleep imbalances, and especially insomnia, have characteristics of Vata. Vata dosha tends to be light, dry, cold, unstable, anxious, and constantly moving. Associated in nature with the wind, the most common Vata-type sleep imbalance is waking up during night and being unable to go back to sleep. This phenomenon often takes place during the Vata hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. (You may want to learn more about the Ayurvedic clock, how to tell time by the doshas, and which doshas are dominant during the course of the 24-hour day).

As per Ayurvedic protocol, imbalances are corrected by inviting in the opposite qualities. So in the case of Vata-type sleep problems brought on by stress and anxiety, over-thinking, an over-active mind or imagination, and/or a restless spirit, you can experience the opposite qualities by introducing foods and activities that are warm, grounding, heavy, stable, and still.

Kapha Sleep Disturbances

If your dominant dosha is Kapha, you tend to crave a lot of sleep, sleep very soundly, and have calming dreams. When balanced, this serves you well as deep sleep enables you to function during the day in an alert and effective manner. However, if Kapha energies are elevated, especially during the Kapha hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., imbalances set in and you are likely to experience difficulty waking up, difficulty getting up, a pattern of excessive sleep, and an overall sense of feeling heavy and sluggish.

Pitta Sleep Disturbances

In the case of Pitta dosha, difficulty falling asleep is the most likely sleep disturbance you experience. This is due to an elevation of Pitta in the mind which stimulates drive and ambition but which can override your desire to sleep. In fact, many Pitta types describe themselves as night owls who get their best work done in the middle of the night. However, when Pitta dosha is excessive, imbalances occur, culminating in too little sleep, overheating, disturbing dreams, and being agitated during waking hours. On the Ayurvedic clock, Pitta hours occur between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Ayurveda Sleep Recommendations

Ayurveda physicians advise that all body types establish a regular bedtime and a regular nighttime ritual. 10 p.m. is considered ideal for turning in and turning off the lights, while the preceding hours should be spent winding down, engaging in mind- and body calming activities, meditation, spending quality time with family, going for a walk, or listening to soothing music. The ideal time to wake up is between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., starting your day with either meditation or a dosha-friendly exercise routine that stimulates the mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurveda Tips for Preventing Sleep Disturbances

To prevent sleep imbalances from occurring, here are some of the actions you can take during the day and before going to bed:

1. Rise before 6:00 a.m.; Go to bed by 10:00 p.m.
2. Keep your bedroom temperature cool for sleeping
3. Wear comfortable pajamas (i.e. made from organic cotton)
4. Sleep on comfortable cotton sheets
5. Dim the lights or sleep in the dark
6. Avoid stimulation, overheating, and overexcitement 2-3 hours before bedtime
7. Turn off your computer, laptop, electronic devices, and T.V. two hours before turning in
8. Relax your mind before bed by learning techniques for releasing mental stress and anxiety (i.e. meditation, journaling, lighting a candle/aromatherapy, and more)
9. Relax your body before bed by practicing tension-releasing exercises (i.e. Yoga)
10. Learn about essential oils and massages that pacify the doshas
11. Drink herbal or organic teas before bed that calm the mind and emotions (i.e. chamomile tea)
12. Decrease coffee consumption during the day
13. Eat dosha-friendly foods and follow a dosha-balancing diet
14. Eat your last meal a few hours before going to sleep, allowing time for digestion
15. Learn the art of deep breathing

Summary: Balancing Sleep Cycles

Given how essential sleep is to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, it's comforting and empowering to have such simple and practical tools available as those provided by the Ayurvedic approach to balancing sleep cycles.

Good Night and Sweet Dreams!

Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India dating back thousands of years, is alive and well! Today it is recognized as a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and as an effective system of holistic health care by the World Health Organization.

According to Ayurveda, good health and illness prevention are directly related to the degree of mind-body balance we achieve. Furthermore, we all fall under one of three "body type" categories, or "doshas," which are a conglomeration of various physical, mental, and emotional traits and characteristics. Each body type comes with inherent tendencies, likes, dislikes, and other defining features. By learning more about your body type and about which lifestyle activities and habits promote balance or create imbalance, you can take the reigns in your life, maximize your potential, and achieve optimal health.

Understanding Your Body's Natural Rhythms

In the Ayurvedic Science of Life, everything in the universe is interconnected. Hence what transpires in nature and in the environment influences us - including the weather, the four seasons, the time of day, colors, and more. Therefore in addition to improving common wellness factors such as diet, exercise regimens, sleep patterns, work habits, and more, we want our body's natural cycles or 'circadian rhythms' to flow with the smooth rhythms of nature.

Adapting Your Ayurveda Routines to the Seasons

In the Ayurveda calendar, summer is represented by Pitta. Fall is represented by Vata. Vata continues into the beginning of winter, followed by Kapha in late winter and spring.

Like many people, you are likely unaware that the very changing of the seasons can cause dosha imbalances! Whether your dosha is Kapha, Pitta, or Vata, you can benefit from a set of common corrective strategies.

One general way to adjust your Ayurveda routines to the changing of the seasons is to think 'opposites.' For example, during the hot summer, think 'cool' foods and activities; during the cold and wet winter, think 'grounding,' 'warm,' and 'dry.' In addition, you want to eat seasonally as well, so for optimal balance, think: spring cleansing foods, summer cooling foods, Fall grounding foods, and winter warming foods.

Ayurveda Recommendations for Kapha Season

Kapha season runs from March through June. The weather is typically cold, damp, and wet and it's the season when you are most likely to catch a cold and feel a sense of lethargy. On the other hand, depending on where you live, Kapha season marks the beginning of spring as April showers bring May flowers, and is the time of year when seasonal allergies may occur.

To counterbalance the season's temperament and bring Kapha back into balance, Ayurveda advises:

• Stay warm
• Eat light meals consisting of grounding, easy-to-digest foods
• Add zest to your diet with spices such as cinnamon
• Minimize dairy and sugar
• Start your morning with a natural stimulant such as ginger tea
• Get plenty of regular exercise (learn about Kapha-balancing Yoga practices and other activities)

Ayurveda Recommendations for Vata Season

Vata season runs from November through February. The weather is typically windy, cold, and dry.

To minimize Vata imbalances, here is what the Ayurveda experts recommend:

• Choose warm foods such as soups over cold foods such as salads
• Choose cooked over uncooked foods
• Minimize caffeine
• Drink herbal teas
• Sip warm beverages throughout the day
• Dress warm!
• Take warm baths
• Treat yourself to a sesame oil (Abhyanga) massage

Ayurveda Recommendations for Pitta Season

Pitta season runs from July through October. The weather is hot and the doshas are fiery. Pitta season is when you are most likely to experience indigestion, ulcers, heartburn, irritability, anger, skin rashes, or acne.

To correct imbalances during Pitta season, Ayurveda recommends:

• Think cool
• Keep cool
• Avoid excessive sun
• Wear sunscreen
• Eat cooling foods, i.e. cold salads with leafy greens
• Add cooling spices, i.e. mint, anise, fennel
• Choose ingredients with bitter, sweet, or astringent tastes
• Drink cool but not ice-cold beverages
• Drink plenty of purified water and sweet fruit juices
• Minimize carbonate beverages
• Take walks in the cool evening breeze or under the moonlight
• Engage in water-based activities/sports

Pacifying Your Doshas by the Season

In summary, to balance your doshas according to the seasons, supplement your body's chemistry with the opposite tastes and your behaviors with counter-balancing activities. In this way you will be pacifying Kapha season, Vata season, and Pitta season, and optimizing your health.

Finally, you might also be interested in learning about the Ayurvedic clock and how to keep your body's rhythms in sync with nature's time cycles. Simply learn which doshas are dominant throughout the 24-hour day and how to maximize their effects to your benefit.

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Did you know that you can tell time by your doshas? According to Ayurveda (aka the Science of Life), Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are not only names for the three body types; rather, they are energetic forces within the human mind and body that are connected with the universe and with the ebb and flow of the rhythms of the natural world.

Once you understand these forces that govern all of life, you will be able to make wise, informed decisions about the activities, foods, and lifestyle habits you choose. Keeping your daily rhythms in sync with the Ayurvedic clock and its time cycles will bring you optimal health, mind-body balance, and inner peace.

How To Tell Time by Your Doshas

In Ayurveda, the four seasons, the weather, and even the clock all have attributes of the doshas. To tell time the Ayurvedic way, the key is to learn which energy or dosha is dominant at various times of the day and how you can maximize their effects to your advantage.

Here is how it works: Ayurveda divides time into six 4-hour periods over the 24-hour day during which the doshas and their respective qualities exert their influence. Each dosha is repeated twice, once in the morning and once at night. So according to the dosha clock, there are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha times of day and night.

Your Personal Dosha Clock

Here are Ayurveda's cycles of time:

• Kapha hours: 6 A.M. to 10 A.M./6 P.M. to 10 P.M.
• Pitta hours: 10 A.M. to 2 P.M./10 P.M. to 2 A.M.
• Vata hours: 2 A.M. to 6 A.M./2 P.M. to 6 P.M.

The Ayurvedic clock begins with Kapha. In general, Kapha hours are experienced as slow, grounding, and calm. Pitta hours are active, efficient, and achievement-oriented. Vata hours are connected to the spiritual and to the imagination and are when you are at your creative best. This is why early morning is frequently associated with dreaming, inventiveness, and meditation.

Morning Kapha Hours

To wake up in Ayurvedic style means to rise between 6 A.M. and 8 A.M., or at sunrise, when Vata is still lingering and when your system is relaxed and calm. However, since Kapha energy inherently becomes dense, heavy, and sluggish, it's important to engage in early-morning exercise or activities that rev up your physical and mental engines. Contrary to popular belief, breakfast should be nutritious but light rather than the most important or largest meal of the day.

Evening Kapha Hours

The second Kapha time is in the evening when the sun sets and you are getting ready for bed. While the dull, heavy, and slow attributes of Kapha energy are problematic when you're trying to get up in the morning, these same characteristics will naturally support your process of going to sleep. In fact, if you pay attention, you will notice that your body and your mind naturally prepare you for drifting off as you begin to slow down and feel fatigued.

Kapha evening hours are best spent eating a light dinner, settling down, soothing the body, and relaxing the mind. Ayurveda recommends turning off all technology an hour or two before bedtime, as well as unwinding from the stresses of the day by going for a walk, spending quality time with family, meditating, sipping hot tea, taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, and otherwise preparing your mind and body for rest.

Daytime Pitta Hours

From mid-morning until mid-afternoon (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), it's Pitta time. Daytime Pitta hours, when you are most active, organized, and proficient, are ideal for tackling difficult tasks and for advancing professionally. Your appetite also peaks during these hours, so be sure to eat a hearty meal (comprised of foods that balance your particular body type) or pack a nutritious lunch. Note that Pitta hours are also children's most productive time for learning and hence best for going to school and taking tests.

Pitta is also known as the dosha of heat. Not only are Pitta hours the hottest of the day, but Pitta personalities are typically fiery and brimming with fuel. At the same time, they tend to overheat easily, which can lead to feeling irritable, impatient, and frustrated. Additional manifestations of these imbalances include indigestion, heartburn, and skin or heat rash. Ayurveda experts recommend staying away from direct sunlight and avoiding vigorous, strenuous activities during peak daytime Pitta hours.

Nighttime Pitta Hours

Pitta time also occurs between 10 P.M. and 2:00 A.M. Just as daytime Pitta hours are the most active, so too are nighttime Pitta hours, only now the activity takes place inside of you, while you are tucked in bed and sleeping soundly. Some of the natural processes which occur are: end-of-day digestive mechanisms, rebuilding of tissues and cells, internal cleansing (detoxification), and energy rejuvenation.

If you've ever experienced a sudden burst of energy, appetite, or alertness in the late evening hours, you can attribute this to the nature of Pitta dosha on the Ayurvedic timeline. Also known as 'getting your second wind,' or being a 'late-night owl,' you can avoid midnight frenzies by turning down the lights, closing your electronic devices, and going to bed at around 10 p.m. On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys nightlife social activities, this surge of Pitta energy will serve you well.

Early Morning Vata Hours

Right at dawn, before sunrise and the first appearance of daylight, is Vata time. From 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. on the Ayurvedic clock is when the night brain's impulses are strongest, when active dreaming takes place, and when deep insights from your inner psyche can be gleaned. Moreover, it is said that during Vata hours the curtain between Earth and the universe is lifted, allowing you to connect with spirit, the universal brain, the cosmos, and your highest self.

It is due to this creative Vata energy that many artists stay awake nights or get up to work before dawn, and why early morning is the time globally advocated for prayer, meditation, and chanting.

Afternoon-Evening Vata Hours

Vata dosha time occurs again between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and is manifest energetically as ideal for problem solving, thinking expansively, and pursuing creative endeavors. At the same time, Vata is the most fragile of the doshas and most likely to become unbalanced. To help prevent anxious and agitated Vata states, Ayurveda experts advise working in a calm, peaceful atmosphere where noises and lights are dimmed and where people's creative talents can shine.

Restoring Mind-Body Balance with the Ayurvedic Clock

Lack of balance in life is the basis of many of today's ailments - heart attack, heartburn, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and more. The good news is that by aligning your daily practices with the energies of the doshas and by matching your activities to the Ayurvedic clock, you are taking positive steps to naturally restoring mind-body balance and towards creating your ultimate health.