You know the old saying.. you tell two friends and they tell two friends? Well I am "re-sharing" a very nice article from a friends Blog. But she shared it first.. Good advice from an Ayurvedic Colleague.
Keep Calm And Relax
By Asrael, www.ayurvedicbliss.com
January 29th, 2015
Reprinted here for STACK vol 1 #4 (if not already subscribed click here)
I am so excited to share with you this guest blog by Samsara Mind and Body of London.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system, still widely practiced today. It teaches that illness arises when the body is in a state of imbalance and, in order to maintain good health, we must ensure our energy systems are in sync with each other. These energy systems are known as the three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The way in which the Doshas interact directly affects your physical, mental and emotional health.
In the modern would, we’re more prone to illnesses caused by stress and anxiety. The key to overcoming and preventing such issues lies within our ability to cope with the demands of everyday life. Here are some of the top tips, taken from the Ayurveda approach to health, to help you keep calm and relax:
Make Time Each Day to Unwind and Relax
Relaxation and meditation are both key to good health. In order to ensure balance between the three Doshas, we must take time out of each day to unwind.
Not only does the time out enable you to relax, but it can also help you gain mental clarity and gain an improved self-understanding. The benefits of meditation are far reaching, and have also been linked to the prevention of physical ailments (e.g. hypertension).
Indulge in Ayurvedic Treatments
A wide range of Ayurvedic treatments are available to help accelerate the process of achieving a balanced state and improve your ability to relax and unwind. Many of the treatments have been designed with relaxation in mind, and use a variety of techniques (e.g. the application of medicated oils and massage) to address your individual requirements.
To get the most from your Ayurvedic treatments, it’s important to think about what you want to achieve. This will enable you to choose the treatment package most suited to your needs. Many therapists will offer a special de-stress package to address problems related to stress and anxiety, helping you unwind and relax. For example, Samsara Mind and Body offer a package to include a whole body massage (Abhyanga), a foot massage (Pada Abhyanga) and forehead oil flow treatment (Shirodhara). If you are in London, you can visit Samsara Ayurveda. If you are in British Columbia, visit Asrael at Ananda Ayurveda for these luxurious and nourishing treatments.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
Central to Ayurveda is the principle that most ailments can be avoided with good nutrition. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, you should eat according to your body type, which is characterized according to the most dominant Dosha within your body.
If you have an imbalance led by Vata, you may experience symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and dehydration. If you eat large amounts of bitter or spicy foods, you’re likely to make the problem worse. Instead, you should focus on sweet, sour and easily digestible foods, such as fruit, cooked vegetables, and warm milk.
Listen to Your Body
It is important to listen to your body, and assess any signs of imbalance. If it feels like something is wrong, it’s an indication there’s an imbalance between your Doshas. Correctly assessing the symptoms can help you attribute the problems to dominance within one Dosha, enabling you to recover and restore balance.
To assess the symptoms, you need to take time each day to think about how you’re feeling, and recognize any difficulties you have experienced during the day.
Monitor and Disengage from Negative Thoughts
Negative thinking is one of the leading causes of stress and illness in the modern world. In order to live a peaceful, relaxed life, you must learn to disengage from the negative thoughts. To do this, you should actively monitor your thoughts, and learn to recognize when a negative thought enters your mind. Once you’ve identified a negative thought, it’s important to accept it, without allowing any further negative energy. Take control of the situation, whilst understanding why the negative thought has entered your mind. You should counter the negative thought with positive thoughts and actions.
Info On Samsara Mind And Body: Samsara is London’s leading Ayurveda center. We offer a range of Ayurveda treatments that include Shirodhara, Mukhabhyanga and Akshi Tarpana. All our treatments begin with a full consultation and our team have many years expertise. We’re located in Wandsworth South London.
Info on Ananda Ayurveda: Ananda Ayurveda is located in beautiful Cowichan Bay, British Columbia. A serene and peaceful seaside village, that is infused with healing energy. Asrael offers bodywork, counselling, consultations, yoga, and Jyotish Astrology.