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WHAT
IS AYURVEDA?
EILEEN
PRESS, M.D.
Ayurveda
is the ancient, naturopathic medicine of India.
Ayur means longevity and veda means science.
It is the exact knowledge of how to use diet, beverages, herbs, breath
work and bodywork to maintain supreme balance of the life forces in each unique
individual. When these forces are out of balance there is discomfort in
the body and eventual disease. Ayurveda works to maintain balance, thus
preventing disease, improving vitality and longevity and allowing the natural
feelings of inner harmony and peace to come forth. Ayurveda only uses
natural substances full of Prana or life force in its treatments. Unlike
other forms of medicine, Ayurveda treats life force with life force and does not
believe in using substances that get the desired relief of a symptom, but
decrease the life force in the process.
Ayurvedic Tips for the Fall by Eileen Press
Fall is here and it brings with it an increased coldness, dryness and more
wind. Fall is high in the wind and ether elements. These all aggravate the
Vata Dosha. You may find that you have increased stiffness in your joints, an
inability to get your hands or feet warm, constipation, dryer skin, hair and
eyes, more anxiety, depression, worry or nervousness and maybe even more
hyperactivity. Sometimes this can lead to an increase in irritability, other
times you may feel ungrounded and spacey. If you suffer from muscle or nerve
pain these can also be exacerbated by Fall. Try to stay out of the wind and
to get to sleep by 10 pm.
Fall is an important time to keep warm, get enough rest, drink enough water
and eat cooked, warm fresh whole foods. Stay away from dry foods, such as
breads and crackers and cereals, processed foods, and foods that are cold,
such as ice water and ice cream. Raw foods, such as salads, are very cooling,
so they would not be good at this time of year. Soups, stews, steamed
vegetables, and other cooked foods would be better. This is not a good time to
fast or miss a meal. Drink warm ginger with a little bit of honey. If you
already practice oiling yourself and then taking a hot shower or bath daily,
you could consider doing this twice a day rather than just once. This will
help to remove some of the excess Vata from your body.
If you wear jewelry it is a good time to wear gold rather than silver. Silver
is cooling and gold is heating. Warmer colors such as red, orange, gold and
purple can be helpful.
If you are constipated and are under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner
you could add some Triphala in the evening to make sure you have a bowel
movement first thing in the morning. But do not take Triphala if you are
pregnant. If you are not under the care of an ayurvedic practitioner, this is
a good time to see one first before ever using an Ayurvedic herb. Ashwagandha
is a perfect herb for Fall, but it is also contraindicated if you are
pregnant. If you have taken it before you might want to add it back to your
Ayurvedic regimen. If you have never taken it before, it is better to see an
Ayurvedic practitioner first to make sure that it is right for you. If you
practice oil enemas you may want to do it a bit more frequently.
Yoga should be warming and nurturing with a good focus on the abdomen, pelvis
and legs to make sure Apana Vayu, the downward moving wind of the body is
strong. Breath should be deep and low into the pelvic area. This will help
to release any excess Vata that accumulates during the Fall.
Eileen Press can be reached for consultation at KNormington@MSN.com
RECOMMENDATION:
Focal Point Yoga and Health recommends Ayurvedic
Consultations. Many of our staff and students have had remarkable results from the Ayurvedic herbs and health
plans. The best recommendation is the results we have had - weight
loss, energy gain, increase tone and feeling of health in the body, calm mind,
and a feeling of greater balance. An Ayurvedic Practitioner spends hours
with you, and really gets to know your body, your mental outlook, your diet and
your lifestyle before prescribing herbs and changes to you.
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