You are what you eat

Sometime back I had come across an article in a regional magazine where a vaidyan had quoted that, Man was a normal healthy mammal till his tongue got lured by the greed for taste. It was by far the simplest form of explanation I had come across on the harmful effects of our current eating habits. 

Today we have very minimal idea of what we eat. Although the concept of nutrition and dietetics has taken a proud individual stand in the world of medicine, as always, the simple facts are overlooked. Ayurveda has laid down certain rules regarding stuff to eat, by whom it can be eaten, how to eat and what should be done if you eat something wrong. It is now hazily seen in certain cultures as a pattern that has unknowingly become part of their practices. It was simple. This whole concept of food. Now, cooking is not just restricted to a kitchen. It's kingmaker of the business empire. Culinary art is something I love. It is exciting and tempts the senses. It’s always new. Let's accept it. We all are greedy for taste. In that attempt to experience taste, many times health is compromised. We consciously let our tongue lead the mind.

Every human is different. So is his need for nutrition and taste. Knowing the Prakriti and eating accordingly is more than just an ayurvedic fantasy. It's an art, an art of living longer. What we eat extends beyond the alimentary tract and calorific values. It is absorbed and reflected in the body. It is that which sustains us today and prepares the body for an unseen tomorrow. We are what we eat, taste-smell- sight- touch- feel, collection- preparation- serving- eating. Every bit of everything.  It's the truth. 

The simplest ones:
1. Follow your body requirement. Your prakriti &vikriti .
2. Eat fresh produce. As much as possible. 
3. Avoid frozen, tinned, ready to eat food. Absolutely. 
4. Know what you eat - the ingredients. Think what it might do within. 
5. Process your food appropriately. Taste also matters. J
6. Respect food. 
7. Relish as you eat.  Come on, food comes first on the bucket list. 
8. Its not just eating, sight, smell and touch also are part of dining. Experience all dimensions. 
9. Share. 
10. Be thankful. 
Have fun and live life the right way. 

Bathing - not just a chore

Hi We all bathe! We have to bathe, right! So what?
Ayurveda, being the life science advises us regarding bath. That's pretty cool i feel. For a person  who wants to know the best possible way of doing things, coming across the description of such teeny weeny issues was a pleasant surprise. What a simple activity like bath does to you, how to take a bath and the benefits of it might actually surprise you. Well, even brushing and pooping have been described... So, guys, our morning rituals are not just a part of human evolution!
Bath- snana as it is called has been described as a part of dinacharya,the everyday rituals of life. It follows abhyanga (oil massage), udvartana (dry massage) and vyayama ( exercise).
Acharya Charaka says that a bath is purificatory, not just to the body but to the mind and soul too. It rejuvenates you and acts as a tweaker of libido too. It's an aphrodisiac he says. A bath not only removes dirt, but also helps remove tiredness (imagine tiredness just getting washed off!). It also helps to bring back the strength that the body loses everyday.  Acharya vaghbatta further adds to it by saying that it's an appetizer. It helps Kindle the digestive fire and in total helps to correct doshas. Ultimately a bath is called the best booster of ojus-the essence of the body!

>How to take a bath :
#In private or at public places, it's as u like it : but it's said that u must not be naked. So, at least a towel is essential. The social practice during their age encouraged bathing at sacred places and public spots like lakes which might have led to this idea. Once I heard a Muslim friend of mine say that in their culture, it's mandatory to cover ur body with a white cloth during bath. The intention is that, if at all something happens during the bath, I guess she was referring to an earthquake or some mishap which could cause death or something that would require you to run, it would be definitely better to have yourself covered. Well, am not sure of the fact but i felt it's right. Maybe u could have the cloth nearby if not on you while bathing.

#Next is about the timing, a bath is best taken at morning times with the start of the day. After proper oil massage with a medicated ayurvedic preparation like Dhanwantaram tailam or kuzhambu or just plain til oil(sesame oil) the dry powder massage is advised to cleanse away a little bit of the oil and also dirt . Not to be forgotten, there's the exercising... And then bath. So, just washing yourself is not the aim. The abhyanga, udvartana and then exercise will cause the body to become well lubricated and flexible. After all  that, a bath would be 100% relaxing, right... :-)
Well, Has to be!

#contrary to the very popular notion about usage of hot water for regular bath, ayurveda actually suggests that water used should neither be too hot nor too cold. It must be adjusted to our requirement. And we must be sure that hot water is not poured over the head. It would harm your eyes and hair. It's tough to alter the temperature while in a shower, but if the water is lukewarm, then can serve both purposes. Water if too hot can cause the blood pressure levels to drop causing events of fainting. It's pretty easy to guess that fainting while in a bath might even be life threatening . Very cold water (ice cold water baths may benefit  athletes) if used regularly can lead chronic to respiratory ailments. Both can be used therapeutically though. The temperature is therefore not standard, but decided according to the person's Prakriti(constitution) and vikriti (disease / doshic status).
A study on hydrotherapy for those interested!

# washing hair everyday might not be easy but applying oil to the head is  considered a part of dinacharya, so washing must be essential too. The water used for the uttamanga (parts above the shoulder) shouldn't be too cold either as it can a variety of vataja disorders.

So, bath is not just a simple chore neither  a jaccuzi luxury nor a leisure activity, it's a life protecting and soul refreshing ritual, something that your body needs from you. So, next time we take a bath, let's be sure we are doing it the right way.

Vata dosha

VATA DOSHA

 Prana, the life giving force ...
 Force, triggering thoughts...
 Force, causing movement...
 Force, that made man realize GOD
 Force...that made me write
 VATA

        As i feel the raging air inside,

    My tongue fails to listen, my psyche goes white,

Sense are sans sense,

My lips fail to break into a curve...

How i wish i could covet this smile,

The curl of peace, speaking beauty, giving life.

How i wish i could master the force,

The thrust that conjures peace,

VATA- the power that drives the all powerful MIND,

I just wish i could.

VATA dosha , or as all people call it 'vatam' is a delicate darling, to be treated with love and care, just like you would like to treat your 'GOOD FRIEND'
Yes, the qualities of vata will show you that they are hyper,wanting and needing care,attention....

He is the 'sobbing ,vulnerable child' ...
He might scare you when he gets wild., throwing up tantrums, making you look to whats gone awry.
When your mind and body aches, make sure your vata is demanding attention.

The evoked vata element mixes up with whatever that comes its way and disrupts body functions. Highly unstable and obvious in action, it messes up inside out.

The all pervading mind is under the control of vata making it the reason why vata dosha has to be taken seriously. Every act of calming done, yoga, plain silence, or even sleep is done with an idea of controlling the mind via the path of vata control and vice versa.

HEALTH as in AYURVEDA

HOLISTIC HEALTH 

            


   Physical Health                                         Mental Health
                          
      
      Sama Dosha                                                      Prasanna atma
             +                                                                         +
      Sama Dhatu                                                       Prasanna Indriya
             +                                                                         +
        Sama Agni                                                       Prasanna manas


Swasthayam ( Health) is defined as the normal functioning of physical elements ( dosha/ dhatu/ mala ) along with a placid state of mental elements ( atma/indriya/ manas ) . There has to be harmony of body , mind and spirit , thus emphasizing the ability of either of them to initiate disease process. The understanding of its normal qualities and everyday functions helps to understand any alteration  thereby helping us realize signals given out by the system and attend to it at the right time.

The same has been re-instated today.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - WHO 

The ultimate aim is to regard your body as your most prized possession. Because that is where the mind and soul resides. Your health is your instrument and maintaining it is the best thing you can do to yourself.
And I will always say this,

               "Take care of your body now, 
                        And watch your body taking care of you later"