Ayurveda
wellness hacks, lifestyle tips, and healthy habits
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How to Incorporate Svadhyaya into Your Yoga Practice
I know I said tapas was my favorite niyama within the yoga practice, but svadhyaya is a close second! Svadhyaya is the act of self-study and incorporates all of the yamas and niyamas in its practice. The yamas and niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight limbed path of yoga. These principles are intended for your yoga practice and your daily life. The yamas are moral disciplines, and the niyamas are mental observances. These philosophies combined with the remaining limbs of the eight limbed path, are the foundation of the yoga practice. One of my favorite resources regarding this topic is Deborah Adele’s book, The Yamas and Niyamas, Exploring Yogas Ethical…
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The Yoga Niyamas: How to Practice Santosha, Contentment
Practicing contentment is about as illusive as learning how to clear your mind in meditation. Before you can clear your mind, you have to learn how to focus. This is why most meditation techniques use mantra, breathwork, visualizations and a whole host of modalities to maintain mindfulness. Similarly, there are a few practices you will need to work on before you can cultivate a state of contentment. Santosha, the second niyama, asks us to cultivate contentment in our practice and daily lives. Despite the simple concept, there aren’t many action steps to help you implement the idea of contentment. That’s why I love Deborah Adele’s book, The Yamas and Niyamas, Exploring Yoga’s Ethical…
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The Ayurvedic Constitutions: Kapha Dosha
Kapha dosha is one of three constitutions used in ayurveda. Each dosha is a combination of two of the five ayurvedic elements, air, ether, water, fire, and earth. The doshas are used to categorize a person’s body type in order to create habits and routines that help prevent dis-ease. Earth and water are the two elements that make up kapha dosha. Kapha Dosha in Mind and Body Ayurvedic practitioners can determine your born dosha, or prakriti by looking at your current habits, external features, and energy levels. It is possible to self asses and discover your dosha, however it’s best to consult with an ayurvedic practitioner. A practitioner will have an unbiased perspective…
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The Three Ayurvedic Doshas: Pitta Dosha
The ayurvedic doshas are used to categorize energy and are sorted based on the five elements of water, fire, air, ether, and earth. Doshas are used to determine an individual’s body type which allows practitioners to then find balance in their bodies and minds through diet, lifestyle, and routine. Pitta dosha is comprised of fire and water and has hot, sharp, acidic, and oily qualities. Balancing pitta dosha means inviting more air, ether, and earth elements into your lifestyle. Pitta in Mind and Body While we all have the five elements within our bodies, it is possible to be dominant in certain elements over others. You can observe what elements you’re dominant in…
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The Three Ayurvedic Doshas: Vata Dosha
Vata is one of three ayurvedic doshas or constitutions. A dosha is a categorization of elements within the practice of Ayurveda. Often referred to as the sister science of yoga, Ayurveda utilizes five different elements found in nature to bring balance to your body and mind. These five elements are fire, water, air, ether, and earth. Vata dosha is comprised of the elements air and ether and has rough, cold, dry, and light qualities. In order to balance out Vata, you need to incorporate warming movement practices, hearty, moist food, and routine into your lifestyle. Vata in Body & Mind The doshas are often used to categorize people, foods, seasons, and lifestyle activities.…
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What are the Ayurvedic Doshas?
Ayurveda is referred to as the sister science of yoga and consists of lifestyle, diet, and routine to maintain balance in your physical, mental, and emotional body. Using the elements of earth, fire, water, air, and ether, Ayurveda helps prevent dis-ease within your body and mind. By discovering your personal Prakriti, your Ayurvedic constitution, you can learn how to implement Ayurveda into your daily life. The Three Ayurvedic Doshas Each ayurvedic dosha is comprised of two of the five elements within the ayurvedic system. While each individual holds all five elements within them, people tend to be dominant in certain elements over others. When someone is dominant in specific elements, they then get…
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Benefits of Golden Milk, an Ayurvedic Tonic.
My first experience with Ayurveda was with golden milk. I discovered this sweet and spicy mixture in college and immediately became obsessed! While I initially used it to soothe a cough, I started drinking golden milk regularly. There’s something about a warm cozy drink in the evening with a good book that soothes the soul! Golden Milk and Ayurveda There are numerous benefits to drinking golden milk including, reducing inflammation, combating cold symptoms, and lowering blood sugar levels. Despite its recent popularity, golden milk is an age-old recipe. Juice bars, coffee shops, and even store shelves are filling up with this delicious, golden mixture! Golden Milk Ingredients & Their Properties Golden milk gets…
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Tapas: Stoking the Inner Fire
Tapas is one of the five niyamas of yoga, or moral disciplines that guide yogis in their daily practice. Translated to english, Tapas means to heat or shine. Not to be confused with agni, which is often used to describe the fire of purification created through the yoga practice (and also the name of the Hindu God of fire). Instead, tapas is the act of building the inner fire, it is a process of self discipline that ultimately leads to change. Tapas in the Physical Practice of Yoga Practicing the yoga postures is one of the easiest ways to feel tapas in action. While there are some styles of yoga that are cooling,…
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20 Minute Meal Prep Recipe: Cabbage, Lentil & Sweet Potato Salad
This is my all time favorite meal prep for the week, It’s affordable, adaptable and super easy! Not to mention it’s packed with essential vitamins like vitamin A, K and C, which support your immune system. In this recipe, I use a simple olive oil dressing made with common condiments in my kitchen. However, you can use a store bought dressing, or use one of your favorite home recipes. Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need… One head of red cabbage – mid size Two-three heads of broccoli 1/2 a red onion One large sweet potato or 2-3 mid size ones One cup of cooked lentils Olive oil Ginger Lemon Salt and pepper to taste…
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5 Yoga Myths We Need To Bust
Not flexible enough, not strong enough, and not having a thin, able-body are all reasons why newbies shy away from the practice of yoga. Any yoga teacher will tell you that these factors have nothing to do with the actual practice of though. Today, I’m going to tell you why. Here are five yoga myths that need to be busted! I’m Not Flexible Enough For Yoga I hear this all the time and I can’t help but laugh. Flexibility is a byproduct of the physical practice, not an initial requirement. When I came to yoga I was far more strong than flexible. In fact, when I started my teacher training I couldn’t even…
