Posted by Gaura Dasa on December 11, 2009 at 9:28am
Dear Devotees,Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada !As many of you may know, ayur comes from the sanskrit word ayus which means longevity or immortality and veda means science or knowledge. Srila Prabhupada mentions the word "ayurveda" 40 times in his writings, and the word "ayurvedic" 154 times. Srila Prabhupada gave us the ayurvedic lifestyle to follow without going too much into the details so that we would not become too distracted from the acitvities of pure devotional service. At the same time, he encouraged us to take care of our health, otherwise it becomes more difficult to serve Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in our conditioned state.I am open to your suggestions, but so far I am thinking that each issue will consist of :1. A quote from Srila Prabhupada on Ayurveda2. Tips on seasonal health care - Ritucharya3. Cooking - A seasonal recipe4. Questions and Answers if they are submitted5. Any other suggestions you may haveSrila Prabhupada on AyurvedaAfter Baby Krishna killed the Putana witch, the gopis of Vraja began chanting mantra for the protection of KrishnaWhile decorating the body with tilaka, we give protection to the body by chanting twelve names of Visnu. Although Govinda, or Lord Visnu, is one, He has different names and forms with which to act differently. But if one cannot remember all the names at one time, one may simply chant, "Lord Visnu, Lord Visnu, Lord Visnu," and always think of Lord Visnu. Visnor aradhanam param: this is the highest form of worship. If one remembers Visnu always, even though one is disturbed by many bad elements, one can be protected without a doubt. The Ayurveda-sastra recommends, ausadhi cintayet visnum: even while taking medicine, one should remember Visnu, because the medicine is not all and all and Lord Visnu is the real protector. The material world is full of danger (padam padam yad vipadam [SB 10.14.58]). Therefore one must become a Vaisnava and think of Visnu constantly. This is made easier by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended, kirtaniyah sada harih [Cc. Adi 17.31] param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam, and kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet. SB 10.6.27, SB 10.6.28, SB 10.6.29, SB 10.6.27-29Ritucharya - Seasonal RegimeRitu means Season and Charya means moving or following. Ritucharya is the observance of diet and regimen according to the seasonal changes. In Ayurveda, a year is divided into 2 kaala or periods based on the apparent position of the sun in the north and southern directions. They are1.Uttaraayana - north and2.Dakshinaayana - southAyana means journeying. Uttaraayana is also called Aadaana kaala or the taking away period. The sun and wind are powerful during this period. The sun takes away the energy of the people. Due to the heat, air becomes hot and drains the cooling effect of earth. Due to this, people get dehydrated and weakened and the atmosphere becomes hot and dry.Dakshinaayana is also called Visarga kaala or the giving away period. The moon becomes powerful during this period. The sun releases its energy to the people, the earth cools down due to cold winds and rain. People regain their strength and nourishment that was lost in the Aadaana kaala. Each year consists of six Ritus or seasons. Each Ritu comprises two Maasas or months and three such ritus constitute one kaala. Hence Aadaana and Visarga kaalas each consist of six months and three ritus.We are presently in the Visarga Kala or Dakshinaayana, the Southern Solastice. This Ritu or season is known as Hemanta. It is the month of Margshirsha and Pausha ,mid November to mid January, or and the characteristic of this season is Winter. For each season there are tastes which are more powerful and hence can be included in the diet in each of the six seasons, depending on one's state of imblance or Vikruti. For Hemanta or Winter season, Madhura or sweet is most prominent.The Dosha - Ritu ConnectionOur diet, activities and routine have a direct impact on our health. The environment we live in and the changing seasons also affect our health. The doshas keep changing according to the season. Hence it is important to make some changes in our diet and regimen according to the season. Following the respective Ritucharya builds body's immunity and checks the adverse impact of seasonal changes on body. There is specific dosha activity for each season. The nature of the Hemanta season or Winter is "seeta", or cold, snigdha / unctuous / oily and agneya or increased digestive activity.Hemanta RitucharyaIn this season the digestive activity becomes more powerful. Vayu is accentuated and needs to be satisfied by a heavy diet.Hemanta Ritu (Winter Season)DietIntake of sweet,sour and salt taste food helps reducing the vataWheat/gramflour products, milk products, sugarcane products and edible oils such as flax and hemp can be takenCarrots, tomatoes, figs, dates, cane sugar, nutsWarm water should be taken as it aids digestion and also increases life span.Bitter, astringent and pungent food must be avoidedLifestyleMassage with oil followed by steambathUdvartana with fine paste/powder of kumkum (kesar).Exercise (vyaayaama).Clothing- silk and wool.Exposure to sunlight and fire to keep yourself warm.Be under the Sun for sometime - Sunlight is rich in Vitamin D - lest you be affected by the Seasonal AffectionalDisorder ( lack of Sunlight )Recipe of the WeekAs the seasons changes, our bodies require different types of food and lifestyle factors to stay balanced. Much of this is also common sense, such as eating warm food as the temperature falls.If you get in tune with your body and mind you will find you naturally want to eat the right foods for each season.The Winter in the west is predominantly a cold, wet and damp season . These conditions can affect both Vata and Kapha dominant people, leading to coughs & colds. Pitta dominant individuals (fire element) are less prone to problems in Winter (they are more vulnerable in Summer and Autumn).The digestive fire is much higher in Winter due to the cold, so heavier foods are more digestible and we are meant to eat more and put on a little weight. This may appear contradictory but in cold weather the body retains heat around the core, where the digestive system lies. Eating seasonally makes good sense as you will be eating more root vegetables in soups and stews, rather than Vata aggravating food such as salads and raw food (dominant in air/ ether elements).If too little food is eaten to keep the fires adequately stoked, there is a danger of the body’s digestive fire beginning to burn up the body’s plasma and lymph tissues. This is turn vitiates Vata dosha. So, although its good to eat more in Winter, it must be the right foods to nurture the digestive system and minimise heaviness and congestion.Warming Winter Chai:Boil 4 cups of water with 4 cloves, 2 pinches of ground nutmeg/ cinnamon/ cardamom, ½ inch piece of fresh ginger for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon rooboish and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of organic milk and heat until hot. Add 2 teaspoons of sweetener of choice and serve. NB: Honey is best at room temperature as ferments in hot drinks and baking, creating toxins, blocking the body’s channels.A Holistic Approach to Winter Skin CareWinter is the season when Vata rides higher than usual in most people's physiologies. Increased Vata can result in dry flaky skin, chapped lips and dry, brittle hair. Here are some ways to keep Vata dosha in balance and prevent Vata-associated skin problems:* Avoid exposing skin to harsh winter elements such as freezing temperatures and drying cold winds. Dress warmly, in layers, and wear a hat, scarf and gloves when you go out in cold weather. Wear a natural lip balm to protect your lips. A light layer of ghee (clarified butter) can also work as natural lip protection.* Protect facial skin from both cold winds and drying air from heaters with a rich natural moisturizer. Apply the moisturizer at least twice a day, once after your cleansing routine in the morning and again before you go to bed. Always apply moisturizer on clean skin, preferably after you apply a natural water-based toner. Your hands can also benefit from the application of a rich moisturizer in winter.* Three or four times a week, offer dry facial and body skin additional lipid support with a replenishing oil. Choose a nourishing base oil such as almond or sesame. Add six-eight drops of a Vata-pacifying pure essential oil such as lavender or neroli to two ounces of the base oil, and mix well. Apply to skin damp from the bath or shower to seal in hydration. Test first to make sure you are not sensitive to the essential oil you choose before you apply it on a regular basis.* The pre-bath warm oil ayurvedic self-massage, called abhyanga, is a must-do in winter. The massage not only keeps your skin silky-smooth, it also tones the muscles, calms the nerves and aids circulation. Pat excess oil off with a paper towel before you step into the bath or shower, and exercise care because oil can be slippery. Choose a nourishing oil such as almond or sesame oil for the massage.* The skin on your feet tends to dry and crack more in winter. Treat your feet to a relaxing soak at night, three times a week. A quick foot bath can be made in a large, wide-mouthed bowl with warm water, sea salts, Epsom salt and two or three drops of your favorite aroma oil. After thesoak, rub in an herbal lotion or some shea butter or some almond oil on your feet. The foot soaking and massage rituals will not only keep your feet looking good; they will also help you ease into sleep faster.* Do not bathe or shower in very hot water. Comfortably warm water is much gentler on your skin. Do not bathe more than once a day if your skin is very dry.* Do not use harsh soaps to cleanse, as they will strip your skin of precious lipids. Use a non-soap cleanser or very mild soap to cleanse. Ayurvedic dermatologist Rama Kant Mishra has put together non-soap herbal cleanser recipes for different types of skin. Try the cleanser for space or air predominant skin if your skin is dry.* Give your skin lipid support from within by including soaked and blanched almonds, soaked walnuts, whole milk, fresh cheese such as paneer, and ghee (clarified butter) in your daily diet. Drink a cup of warm milk laced with 1/4 teaspoon ghee at bedtime for a daily boost of lipid support from within.* Eat fruits and vegetables high in water content at every meal. Zucchini, lauki squash, tender asparagus, tender greens, and carrots make excellent vegetable choices. Sweet juicy berries, cooked apples and sweet grapes are good fruit choices. Drink lots of warm water through the day.* Ayurvedic herbs such as Amla provide concentrated nourishment to the deeper layers of the skin. Amla is the richest known natural source of vitamin C and offers potent antioxidant support. Take the Amalaki Rasayana on a regular basis to replenish skin from within.Remember that a holistic approach yields the best results and the longest-lasting results. Try and incorporate as many of the above suggestions as you can to keep Vata dosha in balance and your skin looking smooth, soft and beautiful through the dry winter months.Overexposure to dry, cold wind damages the skin. In addition to their dehydrating effects, cold and wind put pressure on the epidermis – the protective top layer of skin, which is composed of dead cells. When the cold and pressure are extreme, the dead cells burst- leaving the living, young cells of the dermis layer exposed prematurely to the elements.The unprotected cells become inflamed, causing a tingling sensation on the skin, a problem that is particularly common in the cold season. The best protection against this effect is not face creams, but essential oils in a matrix of warming sesame oil. for the face during the cold season.Take fewer baths and showers in cold season to avoid dryness. When you do bathe, add a few drops of essential oil to the water to provide lubrication. One can also massage with the BINDI BODY OILS or the BINDI BATH OILS before and after showering or bathing.Keep the temperature of your home as low as you comfortably can and use a humidifier or keep a bowl of water on your radiators to add moisture to the air.Take an occasional steam bath, but avoid saunas, which are dehydrating. If you take a sauna, oil your skin with a warming oil like sesame or mustard first, then use the sauna to let it penetrate more, keeping a wet cold towel on your head
Comments