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Dear Friends,
As I sit down to write this the sun is shining brightly through the crystal clear air of Northern New Mexico. There is a crispness in the air that hints that Fall will soon be upon us. It's transition time. We are transitioning from Summer to Fall and in Ayurvedic terms from Pitta to Vata.
Now, as the days become cooler and the air dryer, our Pitta dosha will start to relax while our Vata dosha will start to scurry around making us feel less grounded and unsure of ourselves. We may still have some hot afternoons but for the most part the dog days of summer are over.
So how can we prepare for this change of seasons and doshas? How can we prepare ourselves for the season to come so our health both physically and emotionally will stay on track? In this edition of Live Well-Live Ayurveda we'll explore ways to use food, aromatherapy, nature, yoga and massage to help us through this time of transition. Please join me on this journey from Summer to Fall and Pitta to Vata.
To your health,
Karen
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Healing Quest:
David Simon on Ayurvedic Principles
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Touch is Fundamental to Health and Wellbeing
When stimulated through therapeutic touch or massage, the skin releases a pharmacy of healing chemicals that have health-promoting effects on the physiology. In addition to feeling good, regular massage and loving touch detoxifies the body's tissues, increases circulation, calms the mind, and enhances immune function.
Giving yourself a daily self-massage with aromatherapy massage oils is a deeply healing and deeply enjoyable ayurvedic practice that activates the body's inner pharmacy and slows the aging process. At this time of year a gentle self-massage with sesame oil will relax and ground Vata Dosha.
This massage can be performed before your bath or shower in the morning or evening. Remember to take special care when stepping into the bath or shower as the oil will make your feet slippery. You can use towels on the floor to catch any oil that may spill.
Step by Step: - Begin by running some hot water over the bottle to gently warm the oil.
- Pour a tablespoon of warm oil onto your scalp and vigorously work in the oil.
- Using your fingertips, vigorously massage your head and scalp with small circular strokes, as if you are shampooing.
- Move to your face and ears, massaging more gently.
- Using an open hand to create friction, massage both the front and back of the neck.
- Gently massage your arms, using a circular motion at the shoulders and elbows, and back-and-forth motions on the upper arms and forearms.
- When massaging your chest and stomach, use a gentle circular motion and a straight up-and-down motion over the breastbone.
- After applying a bit of oil to both hands, gently reach around to the back and spine and massage them as well as you can without straining.
- Gently massage your legs as you did your arms, using circular motions at the ankles and knees, back-and-forth motions on the long parts.
- After massaging your legs, spend extra time on your feet. Using the open part of your hand, massage vigorously back and forth over the soles of the feet.
- Keeping a thin, almost imperceptible film of oil on the body is considered very beneficial for toning the skin and warming the muscles throughout the day.
Learn this and other daily revitalizing ayurvedic practices at the Perfect Health program at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carslbad, California. |
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Contact Information
Ayurvedic Community Center of Santa Fe
2074 Galisteo B-4
Santa Fe, NM 87505
phone: 505.695.1200
karen.wheeler@live-ayurveda.com
www.live-ayurveda.com
Join our mailing list!
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| Healing Aromas for Vata Dosha | |
Our sense of smell connects us powerfully with our emotions, memories and instincts.
The linking of a particular smell to an emotional state is known as neuroassociative conditioning, a technique that can be used to increase our body's healing response and activate our inner pharmacy.
In order to benefit from the healing effects of aromatherapy, identify an aroma that you are especially fond of and deeply inhale the essence whenever you are feeling relaxed, at peace or are having a particularly good day. Gradually your body will associate the pleasurable feelings with the use of the aroma. Before long, just the smell of the essence will evoke a heightened state of well being.
Certain fragrances can be used to pacify imbalances in mind and body. Restlessness, anxiety, cramps, backache, heart palpitations--imbalances of Vata Dosha--may be relieved with floral, fruity, warm, sweet and sour smells, found in basil, orange, vanilla or geranium.
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