#4 – Vata Dosha
November 25, 2009
Vata Dosha:
Vata is the Queen of the three doshas (Vata, Pita, and Kapha) because she is main vehicle of transportation of energies. Vata is the manifestation of air and space (of the 5 elements) and is responsible for a wide variety of physiological functions that involve movement.
Symptoms of Vata imbalance:
Constipation, insomnia, varying appetite, gas, bloating
Mental agitation, inability to pay attention, fast thoughts, impaired memory
Light or not restful sleep.
Diet for Vata:
Favor warm, moderately heavy foods and use ghee. Avoid cold and very dry food such as crackers, popcorn and dry cereal.
Good grains are rice, wheat, quinoa
Good vegetables are carrots, asparagus, yams, beets
Good fruits are Bananas, cherries, coconut, dates
In general:
Avoid excessive stimulation from television, alcohol, tea and coffee.
Take a stroll in nature, barefooted if your climate allows it, preferably in the morning as this is grounding for vata.
Maintain a consistent schedule. Don’t stay up too late.
Mantras for Balancing Vata Dosha
“Ram” or “Ram Namaha” - invokes divine protection
“Hoom” or “Hoom Phat Swaha” – wards off negative influences, awakens agni, and opens the nadi channels
“Sham” or “Sham Namaha” – is very good for anxiety or depression. This is an extremely soothing mantra.
You can repeat these mantras either using a mala to count in multiples of 108, or use the clock so you repeat the manta for 10 minutes at a time. Mantras should be repeated easily and you can have eyes open or closed, as you prefer. This is not mental exercise. Relax into your practice and try to be consistent for 3-4 weeks. Don’t over do it! A little bit each day will work wonders.
Aparna Khanolkar is an Ayurvedic lifestyle and culinary coach in Santa Barbara. She travels throughout the LA region as a lifestyle coach and to teach workshops. She offers Vedic cooking classes in Santa Barbara and is always available for phone consultations.
Contact her at 805-698-5630 or aparna@themistressofspice.com
#3 – Dinacharya; the value of routine
November 24, 2009
Dinacharya – Ayurvedic Prescriptions for Daily Routine
“Dina” means day and “acharya” to follow or be close to. Dinacharya is a simple way to enhance your health and well-being. When you practice dinacharya, you will be aligned with cosmic rhythms and experience greater bliss or “ananda.”
Simple tools for your daily routine:
- Wake up before sunrise at vata time. This time has the most saatvik energy. It is also a good time for elimination. Do not suppress urges to eliminate—this includes yawning, sneezing and flatulence etc.
- Washing the body is a way to purify the senses and to purify the soul. After brushing the teeth, scrape the tongue and then swish 2 tbsp of sesame oil in your mouth for 5-8 minutes. Wash your eyes with rose water.
- Exercise or vyayama is an important aspect of your dinacharya. Exercising regularly strength and stamina, and strengthens immune function, improves circulation and reduces fat. Exercise 50% to your capacity. Yoga, swimming and walking are great forms of exercise.
- Then follows a self-abhyanga. Abhyanga is one of the best ways to ground yourself and to enhance your immunity. Take a warm shower or bath afterwards. And wear clean clothes and use essential oils for fragrances.
- Meditation is one of the most important aspects of your dinacharya. Practice some form of meditation for 20 minutes each day. After this, you can have a light breakfast. Fruit is a great way to break your fast.
- After your breakfast, you are ready to practice your dharma. During this time, take time to nurture your relationships and cultivate gratitude.
- Lunch should be the heaviest meal of the day. Eat slowly, consciously, and savor your food. Enjoy the company of people you love.
- Continue on with your dharmic duties till evening. Do your prayers and meditation at sundown. This is a time for reflection and silence. Dinner should be light such as soup and rice. Finish dinner by 7p.m.
- It is best if lights are out by 10p.m. Listen to soft music or read inspiring books after dinner or talk a brief stroll. Massage your feet with warm oil if you are unable sleep.
Remember, great health and bliss comes from a foundation of discipline and self-awareness. Connect to the divine each day and practice your dinacharya and enjoy greater well-being and happiness. Most of all, enjoy your life!
Aparna Khanolkar is an Ayurvedic lifestyle and culinary coach in Santa Barbara. She also travels to the LA region to coach and to teach workshops. She teaches Vedic cooking classes in Santa Barbara and is available for phone consults.
Contact her at 805-698-5630 or aparna@themistressofspice.com
Sudarshana Mantra
November 24, 2009
#2 – Stress Free Eating
November 20, 2009
Tips for Stress-free Eating During the Holidays
Food is an universal part of celebrations. So how do we incorporate more consciousness in our eating during this holiday season?
- Be conscious of why you are eating. Do not eat when you are stressed out, tired or to numb yourself from stressful situations with family or social obligations.
- Do not skip meals during the holidays. Eat at least small portions while you are busy with preparations.
- Continue to maintain your daily routine which includes exercise, meditation and adequate rest.
- Include all six tastes in your meals – sweet, salty, sour, pungent, astringent and bitter. You will be satiated with a meal which includes all six tastes and will have fewer cravings.
- Slow down – whether it is with activities or while eating. Eating slowly ensures that you eat less and digest better. You will also have a more pleasurable dining experience as you purposefully and mindfully savor each bite.
- To have a more enjoyable holiday eating experience, cook your own dishes to contribute to the dinner. Your cooking will be infused with love and good energy even if it is a simple dish.
- Shop at farmer’s market, if available and buy organic.
- Avoid artificial foods and flavors as they desensitize your palate and encourage cravings.
- Remember that you are what you eat. Choose saatvic foods to enhance your state of consciousness.
- Lastly, food is medicine. Bless it, cook with reverence and enjoy and relish it with the knowledge that it is nourishing your body and mind.
Khicidi with steamed vegetables is a great way to regain balance after the holidays.
Ingredients:
¾ cup white Basmati rice
¼ cup moong dal or red lentils
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
For the spice mix:
3 tbsp oil or 3 tbsp ghee
¾ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp turmeric
½ tsp black pepper powder
½ tsp fennel powder
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
½ tsp grated ginger
2 tsp chopped cilantro
Preparation:
Soak the dal for one hour. Wash and drain completely. Wash the rice in three changes of water. Drain completely. Add the measured water and salt and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil, place a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 25 minutes. In the meanwhile, heat the oil or ghee in a small pot and add all the spices. Sauté for about 45 seconds and then add the ginger. Sauté for about a minute and add the spice mix to the cooked rice and dal mix. Mix well and garnish with the chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with one teaspoon of ghee for each bowl of kichidi.
Moong dal is available at your local Indian store. A three to five day kichidi diet with steamed vegetables is useful for giving your digestive system a break. Try it after your Thanksgiving festivities and be sure to drink hot water with lemon each day.
Cook and eat in perfect health!
Food Mantra from Anapurni Ashtakam
by Adi Shankara
OM Anapurne sadapurne, Shankhara prana vallabhe;
Gyana vairagya siddhyartham, biksham dehi cha Parvati;
Mata cha Parvati devi, Pita devo Maheshwara;
Bhandava shiva bhaktashcha, svadesho bhuvana trayam
Apapurni, you are the beloved power, the shakti of Shiva. You are fullness and have manifested yourself as this food. Mother of the universe, nourish us with this gift of food so that we may gain knowledge and spiritual perfection. Parvati is my mother, Shiva is my father, All of God’s devotees are my family.
Aparna Khanolkar is an Ayurvedic lifestyle and culinary coach in Santa Barbara. She also travels to the LA region to coach and to teach workshops. She teaches Vedic cooking classes in Santa Barbara and is available for phone consults.
Contact her at 805-698-5630 or aparna@themistressofspice.com
#1 – An Introduction to Vedic Living
November 7, 2009
Join me and Aparna Khanolkar as we discuss ways to live a vedic lifestyle from the perspective of Ayurveda and the Vedic tradition of Spirituality. Each episode will present insights into the foundations of healthy blissful living as found in the vedic literature. Aparna will present practical Ayurvedic suggestions that are easily and quickly implemented. I will present the vedic perspective on spirituality and each episode will include a vedic mantra and instructions on its use.
In this episode Aparna presents the fundamental concept of the three Ayurvedic dosas; kapha, pitta, and vata. She explains how they need to be properly balanced in order to live a life free from disease, and gives specific suggestions on how to accomplish this.
I present the concept of mantra japa and suggest that a daily routine of reciting the following Ganesha mantra results in a more balanced subtle nervous system.
The mantra is OM GUM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA.
Aparna’s Simple Ways of Balancing the Doshas
Everyone can benefit from a daily meditation practice. Whatever form you choose, do practice each day and will experience the benefits of your practice.
Vata imbalances can be corrected by using warm sesame oil for self-massage. If you can’t massage the whole body, at least apply warm oil on the feet and scalp. Maintaining a regular routine in terms of eating, sleeping and other activities will also help you feel grounded and stable.
Pitta imbalances can be quickly corrected by spending time in nature, and doing less. Because pitta people are goal-oriented, they can benefit from going from a swim or simply enjoying some hours of rest. Drinking rose lassi or using sandalwood or rose oil for aromatherapy is also essential for cooling the heat of pitta.
Kaphas can benefit from a brisk walk or a yoga class. Because a kpaha imbalance can lead to rapid weight gain, eating less and being more active can being kapha back to balance. Using fresh ginger in your meals and avoiding sweets will also help balance kapha.
Be mindful when you feel the symptoms of over-activity, stressor lethargy. Slow down and remember to maintain your connection to the divine. This will give meaning to everything you do.
Ayurveda states that what we do each and every day for our health and well-being is more important than taking some herbs or medicines once in a while. So, pay attention to yourself when you feel overwhelmed, irritated or unmotivated and use these simple tools to bring your body/mind back to balance.
Aparna Khanolkar is an Ayurvedic lifestyle and culinary coach in Santa Barbara. She also travels to the LA region to coach and to teach workshops. She teaches Vedic cooking classes in Santa Barbara and is available for phone consults.
Contact her at 805-698-5630 or aparna@themistressofspice.com
#21 – The Meaning of the Planets
November 7, 2009
In the last few podcasts, Penny and I have looked at the way the Jyotish birth chart represents the heavens at the time of birth, and how the planets are placed in the constellations (signs). Then we explored the concept of planetary strength and weakness, how that is determined, and what that might mean in terms of an individual’s life experience.
In this podcast Penny presents her insights into the intrinsic nature of each planet, what the planet represents, and how those determinations were made on the basis of both inner and outer observation by the ancient vedic rishis.
Penny practices and teaches Jyotisha full-time having been trained primarily under the expert tutelage of Hart deFouw. She is also a teacher and tutor for the American College of Vedic Astrology. Her website is www.vedicchart.com and she can be reached via email at info@vedicchart.com or pennyaf@comcast.net.