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During the summer season, the elements of Fire and Water (and the Pitta dosha) run high. This is the time when we experience the hot, light, liquid, sharp, oily, and mobile qualities of the season and as the heat waves roll through and our air conditioning isn't quite getting the job done we are more likely to feel irritable, frustrated, angry, impatient, jealous, and short-tempered. Learning how to cope with seasonal changes is essential. We may develop heartburn, acne, fever, skin rash, foul smelling sweat, headaches, and acidity during the summer season. But . . . summer is a time for...

According to Ayurveda, dry skin can be cured by limiting exposure to vata's qualities and increase exposure to those substances and experiences that are the opposite of vata. For example, in late fall and early winter, we should nurture ourselves and our skin with foods and sensations that are warm, stable, heavy, smooth, and grounding.  Ayurveda recognizes three basic energies of life: The first is known as vata; the second, pitta; and the third, kapha. Vata also means wind in Sanskrit, and vata's sensory qualities dryness, coolness, mobility, lightness, unsteadiness, and roughness are much like those of the wind. When vata...

Here are some tips to reduce inflammation in the body:   1. Breathe Boost your body's parasympathetic activity. Learn to rest, breathe, and digest. When you identify the fight or flight response, and put it in its place, you give your body the chance to return to safety after an inflammation response. Practice pranayama, establish a regular asana practice, allow for rest. Remind the body that the fire is necessary, but it must know its limit. When we allow it to run wild, it becomes destructive to healthy tissue which can lead to autoimmune disorders. 2. Meditate Meditation is the...

The four fundamental signs of inflammation: pain, swelling, redness, and heat Sound familiar? At some point or another you've probably experienced all of these symptoms. A sprained ankle, a bug bite, some poison ivy. Inflammation is the body's protective mechanism, it is our natural defense system. When it senses foreign invaders, like a splinter or indigestible food, it sets off a cascade of events in attempt to protect you. It is one of our main mechanisms for removing metabolic wastes, debris, damaged cells and foreign agents. It allows our system to ward off bacteria, fungi and viruses. Acute inflammation is...

Here are some crucial brain health guidelines to incorporate into your daily routine. 1. Balance brain patterns through meditation. Through examination of brain wave activity in EEG's, we observe brain waves that are irregularly too high or too low suggest problems with the cerebral cortical functions. During meditation, gamma brain waves, which are associated with high levels of cognitive functioning, peak concentration and feelings of bliss.   2. The nose is the door to the brain. Alternate nostril breathing works on the frontal lobe; it balances the left and right hemispheres, improves capillary circulation and gives an alert and attentive...