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A lot of modern health concerns today are linked to problems that are a result of little everyday choices and habits that stack up and lead to disease. And most of these problems are preventable. Ayurveda’s time-tested health-promoting wisdom sheds light on why the following habits can actually harm us.   10 Bad Habits You’ve …

(As originally posted as “Featured Today” highlight and in the “Popular Lately” section on Elephant Journal)

“Eat well and get plenty of exercise.”

We hear this blanket statement of ‘health’ all the time in the health and wellness world. Doctors prescribe it, the media promotes it, and so we practice it.

We work out and we feel better. We even come to crave the release of endorphins that accompanies our exercise routines. It makes us feel so good that the more we do of it, the better we will feel, right?

Having fallen (hard) for the endorphin release that comes with a great workout in the past, I can say from hard-earned experience that getting more exercise does not always equal gaining more health. 

Heavenly Saffron Oatmeal Recipe Saffron is one of the most expensive spices known for its color, flavor and medicinal properties. Saffron is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the Saffron crocus. This exotic spice is a native of Southern Europe and also grows in many countries including Spain, Italy, France, Greece, …

This five part series explores a ‘Guided Home Cleanse’ with Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor and Panchakarma Specialist Allison Bransfield Morse. Allison runs The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont just outside of Burlington, and offers traditional Panchakarma (PK) on site as well as at a distance. This series explores what’s involved with a home PK, why the guidance of a practitioner is needed, and what the benefits may be. Enjoy, and feel free to join in on the conversation.

We don’t know what we’re missing in life until we experience that which we are missing, and are reminded. In my own experience it usually takes someone else to point me in the right direction. I’m predominantly Pitta with a Vata imbalance. I can be too mobile, endlessly active, ungrounded and dry, sometimes even harsh when I’m pushed too  much. With this ‘Guided Home Cleanse’ a whole new experience opened up to me. The word ‘balance’ took on a whole new level of meaning because what was lacking in my daily existence actually showed up and stuck around.

By Vedika Global Anchor Teacher Vaidya Mahesh Sabade, M.D. (Ayu)

Nowadays we have many patients, acquaintances, relatives, and friends who are suffering from cancer. The management of cancer usually involves various treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgical treatment, etc., depending upon the condition. These treatments exhibit good efficacy in some cases, even though they are causing tissue depletion elsewhere, leading to general weakening of the body.

Ayurveda, the science of life, is beneficial in the prevention, as well as treatment, of many diseases, including cancer. Ayurveda understands every disease primarily in terms of doshas (fundamental constituents of the body made of the five great elements), dhatus (bodily tissues), and mala (bodily wastes). These Ayurvedic concepts of diagnosis and treatment are usually out of the paradigm of western medicine.

While diagnosing a disease in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the causative factors, along with other details of the disease, are studied and treatment is planned accordingly. The causative factors could be certain dietary or behavioral habits and, in some cases, previous illnesses as well. These causative factors have the potential to influence the homeostasis of the body in either way. Certain unhealthy causative factors can disturb the equilibrium of doshas, dhatus, and mala, leading to various sub-clinical conditions. Such sub-clinical conditions are conditions that do not produce any significant symptoms and therefore are easily ignored from the radar of modern medical investigations. 

Balance Anxiety: 5 Essential Tips Anxiety is a familiar friend of mine. The minute I become conscious each morning, Anxiety comes to visit and starts scanning through every facet of my life, looking for something to fix or worry about. When it finds something it holds on tight and freaks out. My heart starts to …

In Ayurveda, there are 3 doshas or body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Pitta is the energy of digestion, assimilation, and transformation. Pitta is comprised of fire and water. It is hot, sharp, oily, and penetrating. In the summer, Pitta can get overheated and out of balance. There are some common Ayurvedic remedies to help …

Often I hear people say: “I am worried about my immune system being weak.” It is important to be aware that the strength of your immunity is a critical factor in your health. “Worrying” is going to contribute to weakening it. Your energy is being burned up by worrying. There are three primary components that play a role in the strength of your immunity.

Shankari Kate Sadowsky has a Masters in Holistic Health Education and completed over five years of study at Vedika Global, including two years of clinical internship, leading to the title of Vaidya Bhushana (an Ayurveda Clinical Specialist). She practices Ayurveda through her private practice, Bija Ayurveda, and has been working in the field of wellness for twelve years, including bodywork, writing, teaching, and program development.

1. What sparked your interest in Ayurveda?

I had received a very cursory overview of Ayurveda in graduate school. While it was intellectually interesting, without the depth and wisdom of the full science I received through Vedika’s founder, Acharya Shunya Pratichi Mathur, it did not have the power to affect my perception of the world and my place within it. I had always been striving to understand the connections between the macrocosm and microcosm, our daily choices and the resulting actions in our bodies and minds as well as towards the greater cosmos. Ayurveda provided context and meaning for this investigation. 

I know you may be asking, “What’s with this obsession with oil and self-massage in Ayurveda?” Or maybe, “Why do I need to massage myself daily?” Good questions. You may also be asking yourself, “Is self-massage really going to be better than or as good as if someone else gives me a massage?” Let’s get …

Using food to avoid feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, excitement, anger, sadness or self-hatred is a sign of dangerous underlying problems. If your eating is a tool to make yourself instantly feel “better,” addiction is likely to occur in the form of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Do you feel you have no control over when, what and how much you eat? Do you ever find yourself eating and can’t remember making the decision to pick up food? Do you eat because you’re bored or just because everyone else is? These are self-destructive eating patterns, rooted in self-loathing and/or a feeling of no control over your life.

Āyurveda teaches that understanding the components which create human life, allows one to understand what can possibly malfunction and create disease. This allows a healer to distinguish the source of a disorder in a patient and guide them to the most efficient treatments. The components which create life and therefore disease are discussed in Chapter …

Feeling tired on a regular basis is extremely common. I often get this question from my clients. They say they’re always tired. What can they do? This article has an answer for all your worries about common fatigue. Here’s what we’ll discuss. What Is Fatigue? Fatigue And Ayurveda Causes Of Fatigue Signs And Symptoms Of …

Yoga For Ayurvedic Cleansing Excerpt from the new book, The Mindbody Cleanse: A 14 Day Detox and Rejuvenation Program From Ancient Ayurveda by Ronly Blau & Adrian Nowland Stress management and self-care practices are just as important as diet and herbs in supporting a successful Ayurvedic cleansing process. Try to do some stress management and …

By Vedika Global Anchor Teacher Vaidya Abhijit Jinde, B.A.M.S.

Ayurveda believes that all disease and afflictions are caused by an imbalance in an individual’s prakriti, or “physical and mental constitution.” Ayurveda’s approach is to put the client back into balance by recommending changes in diet and lifestyle, and for more advanced cases, herbal formulations and other treatments may be necessary.

This type of approach looks beyond addressing a single symptom and seeks instead to heal the whole person. In this way, Ayurvedic treatment often benefits a client in multiple ways, as observed in the following case study. 

International Yoga Day is June 21, 2016. Show your support for yoga and put the ‘aum’ symbol over your Facebook photo. Why? Yoga is an opportunity to experience inner transformation, peace and lasting happiness. It’s popularity has surged over the past twenty years, and it’s now being practiced all over the world. The sound ‘aum’ …

Pregnancy is not merely a physiological process.  It is a great responsibility given by nature to us.  Both, the father and the mother should be aware of this responsibility; and they should be prepared, physically and psychologically, to carry it.  But, still, as the mother has to carry the baby in her womb, nourish it, and …

Ayurveda tells us to first Protect, then to purify and then use yourself according to your belief.

The digestive process is very important for our health and Ayurveda has many recommendations to improve this function. Many times, people who have an excess of Vata become imbalanced and this manifests in the body as indigestion. An aggravated Vata leads to an irregular fire at the digestive and tissue levels. This could lead to …

No matter what your age is, there are simple steps you can integrate into your daily routines to look younger and feel more balanced and healthier. Your well being and happiness depends on your choices, you hold both in your own hands. Ayurveda teaches us to follow simple intuitive daily ways to gain longevity and …

Do you ever feel like you’ve tried every skin-benefiting lotion and potion known to man, and yet, do not see any benefits to your skin? Are you sick and tired of spending tons of time, money and energy on complicated 10-step skin care regimens that are yielding no results? Ever feel like giving up altogether …

AYURVEDA gave us the positive, amazing message which says that do not fear difficulties and in fact probably you fear difficulties because you don’t know how to use this wonderful instrument called MIND.

Ayurvedic bodyworker Stephanie Rodriguez Krishnan is passionate about doing good by other people. She’s a LMT with a big heart and big ambitions. Stephanie is super busy at her Back Bay treatment room in Boston, MA. Samsaraa Massage Therapy & Ayurveda is located on Boylston Street above Back Bay Yoga, not too far from the …

Optimal health, according to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, can only be achieved when there is a proper balance of the “Three Pillars of Life.” These three “pillars” form a part of the bedrock upon which Ayurveda is built. They are so important that the Caraka Samhita, the most revered of all classical Ayurvedic texts, states …

I was 26 years old… raised on the S.A.D. diet. I was a first year student on the way to becoming an Ayurvedic Practitioner. I had horrible seasonal allergies and recurrent migraines. I elected to do Pancha Karma training as part of my Ayurvedic training. Pancha Karma is the Vedic system of detox and disease …

The knee is a complicated structure made up of joints and cartilage. Knee pain is the most common joint problem for several reasons. The knee is also especially vulnerable to injury which can lead to osteoarthritis. In this article, we’ll get to know all about knee pain, its main causes, knee pain injuries, knee pain …

Do you have a fast-paced schedule? Maybe you do a lot of focused mental work? In a demanding situation, this delicious, minty tea will give you an extra boost. Worry Free Tea helps balance and calm your mind, emotions, brain and nerves. Spice Wise The exotic colours and heady aromas of spices can elevate an ordinary dish …

Ayurvedic hospitals and colleges, especially in India, continue to grow in numbers as this ancient system of medicine regains its popularity and relevance. The Ayurvedic system of medicine known as Ayurveda is the oldest known and documented system of medicine in history. Ayurvedic Practice in India Ayurvedic practice has its roots in India and is …

Just about everyone understands that exercise is good for you. Exercise helps maintain proper weight, eases stress, strengthens bones and muscles, reduces risks of most diseases, improves mental health, and more. Why is it then that less than half of all adults in the U.S. exercise on a regular basis? Maybe we just haven’t figured …

Ashwagandha ghee or Ashwagandha ghrita is a classical Ayurvedic formulation that promotes virility and sexual health in both men and women. The traditional preparation of Ashwagandha ghee is a multi herbal formulation which contains both Ashwagandha, traditionally known for its role in improving fertility and sexual health, and goat meat broth.1 This combination of lipids with …

(As published in the “Popular Lately” section of Elephant Journal)

I recently met an accomplished, Indian-born, western-trained Gastroenterologist at a graduation party I attended for my sister.

After sharing a little about how amazing it has been for me, as an American-born Indian, to not only discover, but have the opportunity to study Ayurveda, she was keenly interested to learn more.

“I work with the GI tract. We have so many complex procedures we take our patients through, but I so often find myself reminiscing back to my childhood days and all the simple, yet powerful solutions my grandmother used to possess to treat so many digestive ailments,” she confided.

Indeed, one of the most incredible discoveries for me from Ayurveda is how many tools it provides us to take our health into our own hands. 

Digestion is very important to our health and Ayurveda has many suggestions for how to improve this very important body function. Many times, people who have an overabundance of Pitta become imbalanced and it shows up as acid indigestion. Pitta types are prone to hyperacidity, and peptic ulcers. Stress, impatience, anger & heat can also …

About a month ago I was thinking about Ayurveda’s presence in the world and what it really needs to move forward. Media exposure as well as validation in the scientific community were the most immediate needs that came to my mind. We are a small group of Ayurveda lovers and many individuals and organizations are …

In countries where there is limited sunshine during the winter people can suffer from Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD). SAD usually starts in the fall and begins to lift as daytime hours begin to lengthen in the spring. This could be about a four to six month period of low energy, lack of motivation and sadness. This is …

Modern Aspect: Modern sciences relate the early onset of osteoporosis to these factors: 1.  Age 2.  Family history/genetics 3.  Female sex 4.  Poor exercise 5.  Low body weight/anorexia 6.  Smoking 7.  Alcohol 8.  Low sun exposure 9.  Estrogen deficiency 10.  Testosterone deficiency 11.  Low calcium/vitamin D intake 12.  Hyperthyroidism 13.  Hyperparathyroidism 14.  Prednisolone use 15. …

Ayurveda has celebrated the benefits of homemade ferments for thousands of years. Fermentation was an essential tool to make perishable items last. The vaidyas of yore noticed that fermented foods enkindle agni, the power of digestion. Dr. Robert Svoboda’s book Aghora tells a story of his guru, Tantric adept Aghori Vimalananda, teaching him about the …

So many times clients miss one of the most important elements of successful and true, deep healing. As long as they are focused on the current experience of symptoms in their body this becomes their reality. However, in order to change their situation, they must take their attention away from thoughts of illness, pain, and …

In Ayurveda, we see the first stages of imbalance or disease in the emotional body and the mind. With time, if the excess of vata, pitta, or kapha (or a combination) isn’t addressed, the imbalance will progress into our physical body. The entry point into the body is the digestive system. This is why we all …

According to Ayurveda, overeating is actually caused by emotional factors.  When we overwork, or are stressed, prana vata stimulates the gastric fire in our stomach.  We then interpreted this feeling as hunger, and so we eat, although we may not necessarily need food at that particular time.  This leads to overeating, and weight gain.  When …

Feeling stressed, frustrated and, or irritable?  This short, cooling Pitta yoga sequence will leave you feeling calm, focused and energized. READ MORE: Watch: 12 Minute Calming Yoga Sequence For Vata Dosha, With Meditation 15 Minute Cooling Pitta Yoga Sequence It is important to incorporate yoga asana (postures), meditation and pranayama (breath work) into daily ritual. …