News — ayurveda

In the Western world, we don’t usually dwell on the distinctions between our reactions to stress . . . we tend to focus on the stressful situations we find ourselves in, such as looming work deadlines or a missed train. And the general stress coping solutions are applicable to most everyone . . . such as a hot bath or long walk. But in the 5,000 year old science of Ayurveda, stress reduction hinges on a complex understanding of each person. Take this scenario for example: It’s Monday morning. John, Jane, and Jack walk into their respective workplaces. They each have an...

Winter is characterized by shorter days and lower energy. Nature slows down, plants go dormant and animals go into hibernation. This is the time of year when the natural world begins to retreat . . . and as per the teachings of Ayurveda, we should do the same. After all, we are a reflection of the outside world, right? The cold, dark days of winter represent a time for a much needed restoration. During the holiday season and into the new year, we're more likely to indulge in sweet treats, heavy, warming stews, and nourishing fats. The extra 5 pounds...

  Happy Holidays! Another year has passed and here we are amidst the joy and chaos that this time of year always brings around. The holiday season usually symbolizes warmth, happiness and a true infectious spirit of giving and of gratitude...and lots of emotions. There's excitement about the holidays and new beginnings of the new year. But there is also this darker emotion, of anxiety over fears for the future as the year comes to an end. From an Ayurvedic perspective, if fear is present, it can increase the weightiness of our earthy Kapha and anxiety or any frustration with...

Triphala has recently been making the news, with more and more Western doctors catching on to the potency of this ancient herb. And according to Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, Ayurvedic expert and neurologist, from her appearance on the Dr. Oz Show, "Triphala is the herb that every American should be on." Fact: 70,000,000 people everyday suffer from some form of digestive issues (according to the American Nutrition Association). Thousands of years ago, an herbal formula, triphala, was widely used. . . and people did not suffer from the modern ailments many of us have today such as: diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood...

Ayurveda is based on individualization and not a generalization. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Factors like your inborn constitution, the current state of health and digestion, seasons and emotional state need to be taken into account before having a major dietary change. Juicing is one such major dietary change. Whether you are planning on a 30-day juice fast and cleanse or just planning to include juice every day, some factors need to be considered. The benefits of juicing have been explained and documented so much so, that is has become a food fad now....