" Yoga is not possible for him who eats too much, nor for him who does not eat at all, nor for him who is addicted to too much sleep, nor
for him who is ever wakeful. " The Bhagavad Gita. Ayurveda science is as old as Vedic tradition itself. The root " Ayu" is ancient Sanskrit for " life" while " veda" implies " knowing. " Ayurveda wisdom believes in a progressive approach to total wellbeing, and that adjustments to ones lifestyle create holistic balance. The concept is that all disease begins with an imbalance or stress in the individuals consciousness, emphasizing mind-body-spirit integration that seek to treat the person as a whole. Self nurturing through diet, herbal remedies including aromas, yoga, meditation, sleep, and breathing, is truly the most natural thing in the world. The purity and the progress of this approach influences the consciousness itself. Ayurveda wisdom believes that the qualities of nature fall into three groups sattva, rajas, and tamas, and that everything is made up of these groups in different proportions. You are what you eat. You are what you think. Food nourishes the body and the mind. This preventative way of life is becoming more main stream today. Modern science is confirming that you can enhance health and in some cases prevent problems through this simple wisdom of self discipline, patience, and commitment. GOALS OF THE AYURVEDA LIFESTYLE Clean more than teeth, floss and brush gums and tong. Ease into the day with meditation, connecting to your Higher Power. Have a steady yoga practice, even if that is only five minutes per day. Understand that personal care and hygiene routines restore body and balance mind. Eat slowly and peacefully small amounts of simple lubricating foods to fill half the stomach. Eat the freshest foods possible with little or no cooking. Live in harmony with nature. Be positive and joyful, see the gratitude in everything. Reflect physically and mentally each and every day. Devote time to sleep. THE ELEMENTS OF NATURE The Space Element moves in all directions, no beginning or end, associated with hearing. The Air Element is essential for life on earth, always in motion, associated with touch. The Fire Element represents the energy of the sun, power to transform, associated with sight. The Water Element covers two-thirds of the earth's surface and the human body, associated with taste. The Earth Element is the source of fertile life, associated with smell. The mother of the world, " Mother Earth. " THE THREE DOSHA Svata, space and air, the force that allows for movement within the body. Pitta, fire and water, the force that allows for heat within the body. Kapha, water and earth, the force that allows for cohesion within the body. FOOD FOR OPTIONAL HEALTH Sattva pure and nourishing. All wholesome and nourishing. The quality of lightness and purity. Try to keep diet and everything else about life as sattvic as possible. milk, butter, beans, honey, fresh fruit, fresh vegies, grains, pure water Rajas spicy and stimulating. All stimulate to the nervous system. The quality of overactivity and passion. Try to avoid food, situations, and conditions that are rajasic. coffee, tea, onions, garlic, eggs, chocolate, refined sugar, white flour, alcohol, tobacco, spicy Tamas impure heavy and slow. Over ripe and impure foods. The quality of lethargy, inertia, and laziness. Try to avoid food, situations, and conditions that are tamasic. meat, fish, eggs, mushrooms, vinegar, frozen, canned, over cooked, reheated, drugs, alcohol
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