I am blessed to know this wonderful science of Ayurveda that changed and is changing my approach towards life every moment in a positive way.
I started my education in Ayurvedic science in 1990 and since then this journey is filled with knowledge, especially understanding myself and people around me and enjoying the beauty in everything.
I have been in this profession for more than 17 years now, and have seen people suffering from numerous physical and mental imbalances. All imbalances manifests due to imposed need of responding to surrounding than peeking inside of self to know self needs and maneuvering life accordingly.
To keep the well balanced health, moderation in everything is good strategy. When we exceed the limit it shows up with some symptom in our body and mind. Weather it is endocrinal disease like Diabetes or increased weight.
Weight gain does not happen all of a sudden unless there is underlying pathological cause.
Most people who want to lose weight are continuously thinking of losing weight, which gives good exercise to their mind than body. This mental exercise is a strenuous one which generates more stress and exhausts the mind.
When it comes to losing weight the first attention goes to food that we eat.
Food or eating is such a simple act. Food is to nourish your body and mind. There is hardly any good reason to stress one’s mind and lose the peace of one’s mind in thinking about food.
Ayurveda makes eating simpler. Eat as per your body type. Every person is a unique make up of Vata Pitta and Kapha dosha. The diet which is good for one may not suite another because the body constitution, habits, metabolism, lifestyle, bodily demands are different for each individual, eating as per your body demand maintains all bodily functions.For reducing weight it is important to pay attention on what you eat, when you eat and how you eat.
A Few simple steps to start with:
1. Never go on “Fasting” or “starve “for reducing weight
Fasting or not having food does not help to reduce weight; it might give a temporary effect of losing weight but not for long. Fasting when done for spiritual purpose as mentioned in Yogic Science, is for the mind and body connection. If we fast by not eating anything and think of Pizza and pastry it will have no effect on reducing weight. Changing food habit – in moderation helps to reduce and maintain the weight that is reduced.
2. Timing — honor the biological clock of your body
Breakfast lunch and dinner are three important meals of a day.Breakfast and dinner should be light as compared to lunch. Avoid eating in between meals. Having dinner no later than 7 pm and not eating anything after that until next morning. If hungry 1 cup of warm milk is advised at bed time. One should not eat anything after 10 pm. At least spend two hours between the dinner and bed time that is the time needed for your GI system to digest the food, uninterrupted.
However if you are a personality – I don’t feel hungry for breakfast!!, then wait until you feel hungry (I recommend Ginger tea or just a fruit for breakfast this helps to get the system started and you don’t over eat at lunch) and have a smaller portion of lunch, this helps to improve the metabolism and gets you back to your natural physiology.
3. What to eat
Food items to choose for meals should be as per Dosha type that maintains the function and metabolism which is responsible for optimal function of all organs e.g. Kapha predominant personalities tend to gain weight quick and have a hard time to lose weight , Kapha is a combination of Water and Earth element so trying to avoid the food items that have water and earth element and favoring those items those have fire, air and space element:
(Ayurveda books can be of great help to know the details of such food items)
In general, avoid combining two proteins from different source together e.g Beans and cheese, egg and cheese, milk and fish. Eat at least one meal at home; preferably cook it every day fresh.
4. Fruits and fruit juices
Eat fruits on empty stomach, either for breakfast or after exercise.
Eat fruits alone or leave them alone, try not to eat fruits with any other food item. Fruits give the best when we eat them whole, this gives good exercise to our oral cavity and the fibrous part in fruits helps in colon function.
5. Train your Gut
Our stomach is twice as our hand fist, so imagine how much can it hold?
Eating small portions helps in digesting the food well and keeps the metabolism going. We often over eat and not realize it until we pay attention to how much is needed.
6. Do Less
Switch off Television, Phone and computer while eating, serve half the portion then what you usually eat, this gives time to think weather you need the rest half or you can wait.
Always sit down and eat, never eat when standing.
7. Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before meals
Try not to drink water after meals.
Never drink cold water or ice cold beverages with food.
8. Exercise
Everyday exercise is important, do we eat five days a week? No, the same concept is for exercise, it should be done daily.
What type of exercise differs person to person and how is based on one’s lifestyle.
Be careful before you plan to rely and try these things for reducing weight, honey is heating and can cause increase pitta dosha.
When honey is used in hot water or hot teas it glues to the mucus membrane causing Ama (toxins).
Apple cider vinegar when taken on empty stomach can increase acid reflux. Herbal teas can be misleading too, it is important to know what types of herb are beneficial for your system to detoxify.
10. Mind Power – Mind is everything, mind is limitless!
Along with the proper diet you must “Think Thin”.
Once you apply this technique you will experience the wonders it does to achieve your goal. Giving yourself quiet time daily for 10 minutes will help you to listen to your own self carefully.
11. Herbs
Herbs play an important role in improving the metabolism and reducing the toxin from the body that not only benefits for reducing weight but also helps to improve overall metabolism and should be taken as advised by the physician.
Ayurveda suggests Panchakarma therapies to remove excess doshas and ama (toxins) from mind and body.
These procedures require proper guidance from a highly trained Ayurvedic Physician and should not be done from reading information in books.
Panchakarma helps in deep cleansing the cells and reduce the severity of symptoms from chronic illness. Dietary and lifestyle restrictions are advised during the period of panchakarma for optimal benefits.
Don’t lose your mind while losing weight!
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Ayurvedic Medicine And Wellness Ayurvedic medicine originated in India as an oral tradition, and its theories were recorded more than 5000 years ago in the Vedas.
Ayurvedic medicine is regarded as the world’s oldest healthcare system. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ayurveda” which means “the science of life”. Best described as being completely holistic, Ayurvedic medicine seeks to promote harmony in body, mind and spirit as a means of preventing illness (rather than fighting diseases) and prolonging a healthful life.
Principles Of Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine originated in India as an oral tradition, and its theories were recorded more than 5000 years ago in the Vedas. Medical books, dating as far back as the 8th century BCE, outline the basic principles, theories and practices of Ayurvedic medicine, as well as the history of its evolution.
Ayurvedic theory is based on the belief that all things in the universe are connected, and that illness and disease are the result of any imbalance or discord between the self and the universe. There is also the belief that all areas of life affect wellness, so for this all-encompassing reason the Ayurvedic writings contain instruction on more than just health and healthcare techniques. Its teachings also cover art, astrology, government and politics, human behavior, and spirituality.
Health Benefits Of Ayurvedic Medicine
Hormonal Balance
Ayurveda promotes a natural balance of hormones, increasing the chances of conception, and having a healthy pregnancy. It has also been used for thousands of years to regulate and normalize the menstrual cycle.
Stress And Inflammation
Ayurvedic medicine teaches that stress and inflammation result from poor diet and digestion, insufficient rest or sleep, and low oxygen intake. Emphasis is placed on ways of reducing inflammation to regulate the heart and circulatory system, digestive tract and the elimination of wastes.
Weight Loss And Maintenance
Weight loss is not a primary goal of Ayurvedic medicine, but it can help you to naturally lose weight through a healthy diet and stress reduction.
Nutrient-Dense, Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Ayurvedic medicine encourages a mostly vegetarian diet that includes real, whole foods such as fresh herbs, healthy fats, spices, teas, vegetables and protein.
Recovery From Illness And Injury
Ayurvedic theories on immune-modulation and healing target inflammation as the root of most diseases. There is focus on lowering pain and swelling, improving blood flow and fighting inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Blood Pressure And Cholesterol
Ayurveda diets and relaxation techniques have been shown to lower inflammation and help reduce plaque buildup. They have even been shown to reverse atherosclerosis (thickening of artery walls).
Currently, there is a growing worldwide application of the Ayurvedic principles. In many Western countries Ayurvedic elements such as its cleansing therapies, massage and meditation are employed as complementary and alternative forms of healthcare.
Ayurvedic spa massage treatment Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site
Practitioners of ayurveda have long considered the active ingredient in turmeric--curcumin--to be a potent liver cleansing agent. Data exist to support this claim. In a 2003 study, Dr. A.A. Nanji and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center showed that curcumin prevents alcohol-induced liver disease in rats. Ayurvedic herbalists call turmeric "the king of spices" and there are many ways you can introduce it into your diet. An easy way to use the herb as a liver cleanse is to make tea with it.
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Place 1 cup of milk or water into a small pot and use low heat to slowly bring it to the point just before boiling. Milk will create a richer tasting tea, but it contains more calories than water.
Add 1 tsp. of turmeric powder to the hot liquid and stir it well. Transfer the liquid to a mug and sweeten it as you like with honey or sugar. Keep in mind the more honey or sugar you add, the more calories the tea will have in it.
Drink 2 or 3 cups of this tea every day. You should drink 1 cup just before bed because the liver is very active at night and can more effectively utilize the curcumin at that time.
Don't use tumeric on a long-term basis. You should not consume turmeric if you have heart disease or are pregnant. If you have any chronic illnesses, consult your doctor before using an herbal supplement.
Original article and pictures take www.livestrong.com site
