by Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

“We invite you to join us and live the wisdom and the beauty of Ayurveda from a practical and contemplative perspective.”

Has the science of life (Ayurveda) resonated with you in some aspect of your life? In support of a unique opportunity for learning and experience, we would like to endorse the Viver Ayurveda Intensive Course, happening in Chapel Hill this April 27th – 30th 2011. Full details and a download of the Workshop flyer are available at:

http://stoneandspa.com/ayurveda.htm


“The [Viver Ayurveda] program presents an intensive immersion on the essential topics for building a better and healthy lifestyle as a life celebration act”

This immersion course brings the founder of TriGuna Institute of Brazil to Chapel Hill for an intimate learning experience.

By Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

Part I How Stress Happens
If you have ever heard the expression, ‘good things (or bad things) come in threes’ it might be of interest that the ancient vedic philosophy, out of which arose the study of Ayurveda also places much emphasis on groupings of three. If you have only learned the basics of Ayurveda you most likely think first about the three doshas. Another important group of three are the three universal qualities, or gunas: rajas, sattva, and tamas represented by activity, balance, and inertia respectively.

Another way to describe each quality is:
Rajas is passion, stimulating, intense
Sattva is healthy, simple, balanced
Tamas is still, dull, calm

Although Sattva is the ideal quality, the trick is in balancing the necessary amounts of rajas and tamas to create the perfect mix. And while we discuss the three primary doshas in regards to a person’s body, mind and spirit, the three gunas are primarily discussed for their influence on the quality of the mind.

This leads us to the subject of stress - why, according to Ayurveda it arises and how to rebalance and combat stress.

The cycle can begin with an imbalance in the mind; too much rajas (stimulation) or too much tamas (inertia.) The body notices an imbalance and subcategories of each dosha work to rebalance the body. In essence, pitta over burns, vata over dries, and/or kapha over lubricates all in an effort to protect the body.

Over time, physiologically this ‘over’ producing by the subdoshas creates an environment ripe for toxins to collect in the internal system, and signals the release of cortisol, or the “stress hormone” secreted by the adrenal glands in order to bring the body back to healthy functioning. Chronic stress in the body/mind can lead to persistently high levels of cortisol, known at times to suppress the immune system, cause sleep disturbances and increase blood pressure and heart rate, as well as an inability to deactivate the sympathetic nervous system (or fight or flight response.)

Part II How to Return to a Healthy Balance

Once stress, or chronic stress is present in the body it may be helpful to first soothe the symptoms and later address the root cause. Excellent and supportive ways to do this are therapeutic touch, meditation, breathing exercises, and a nourishing daily routine.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the benefits of therapeutic touch. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found massage helpful in relieving stress, managing anxiety, pain, and depression, controlling blood pressure and increasing immunity.

Massage can help to reset the nervous system by stimulating the sensory organs and allowing the brain to ‘turn itself off’ temporarily. Flowing strokes that cover larger area of the body can promote circulation in the cardiovascular, lymph and limbic systems, flushing toxins out of the tissues where they might be stuck, and rushing nutrient rich fluids to those tissues and organs.

Ideally, your therapist, as s/he lays hands on you is, centered and connected to the ground with all its supportive, rejuvenating energy. As you receive massage it is also possible to passively receive all the benefits of being grounded, centered and serene through this conduit. Your body/mind consequently has an internal snapshot of what it feels like to be balanced and well. While the effects are never permanent the experience will leave a strong impression nonetheless.

As we head into the holiday season, a most stress-filled time for many of us, remember to prioritize self-care as this is the best and only way you can give loving care to others.

For additional reading on stress and ayurvedic theory, links to two excellent article below:


http://www.yogajournal.com/health/1517
http://www.jiva.org/ayurveda/ayurveda/article-104.asp

by Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

Ayurveda teaches fundamentally that each individual has a unique constitution resulting from a combining, in varied ratios, the five elements of wind, fire, earth, water and ether (space.) This constitution, known as a dosha is present in all living things and exists in our environment as well. In our region, October marks an increase in the Vata elements of air and ether, and a decrease in Pitta, or the fire element. When developing a daily routine, it can be helpful to not only consider your personal constitution, or primary dosha(s) but to also take note of the conditions in your environment.

This month we will take a closer look at signs that Vata may be increasing, and at some ways to adjust your lifestyle and daily routine to correct for imbalances.

Signs that you need to balance Vata
* You feel more worried, anxious, or overwhelmed

* You find it difficult to sit still, can’t stay with one activity for any period of time

* You feel tired but find yourself unable to slow down and relax

* You have increased abdominal gas, bloating, elimination is irregular with constipation

* Your memory is very short-term, and attention span very short

* You have difficulty falling or staying asleep at night

* Your skin is drier than usual, your nail and/or hair is brittle, or cracked/split

* Your lips become chapped easily, throat is dry and hoarse


Ways to adjust Dinacharya (Daily Routine) for Vata (or Vata Season)
* A strict and very regular routine is essential. Going to bed early enough for a minimum of eight hours of sleep, and rising at the same time each morning (generally by 6am) is recommended

* Likewise, mealtimes should be at regular times each day, so that they are predictable. A hearty, nourishing lunch is the largest meal of the day, breakfast and dinner should be warming and fresh, but smaller in quantity

* Ayurvedic massage (Abhyanga) helps to soothe dry skin, promote circulation and calm the nervous system; Can be administered by a licensed therapist on a regular basis, and maintained with self-massage in the mornings before bathing

* Daily elimination conditions the digestive system and keeps ama (partially digested food) from accumulating in the tissues

* Stay warm by dressing in layers, and avoiding prolonged exposure to cool winds

* 20 minutes or more of meditation, or meditative movement (yoga, tai chi) each day can help to reconnect to the body, and ground you; avoid running, jumping and other highly stimulating forms of activity

by Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

As we roll into the last few weeks of summer, many of us might be sending children back to school, shifting out of a flextime work schedule or simply returning from vacation time into a more consistent workweek.

When the seasons outside begin to shift and adjust, so do we. In addition to being an excellent time for detoxification and renewal, the transition into fall also allows time to check-in on our daily routine.

In Ayurveda the Sanskrit name for daily routine is Dinacharya. Din can be translated as 'day' and acharya means 'to follow' or 'close to'. Some say that this simply means “to be close to/or follow the natural rhythms of the sun, moon and universe,” which also includes our own internal rhythms, cycles and desires.

Practicing Dinacharya is an excellent strategy for staying in balance and increasing immunity. Hearing the ayurvedic version of a healthy daily routine is daunting to most of us in the West, who have been so strongly conditioned to follow an external and somewhat arbitrary rhythm of life - motivated by anything but our true body’s and spirit’s needs.

Below are some of the key elements to following an ayurvedically balanced routine:

Waking Up

--Persons of all doshas are recommended to rise before the sun, but generally
Vata: needs plenty of rest - best to rise by 6am
Pitta: more moderate - best to rise by 5:30pm
Kapha: needs to get up and going well before the Kapha hours begin - best to rise by 4:30am

Cleaning and Preparing the Body

--Drinking a room temperature or warm glass of water rather than coffee first thing will serve to stimulate the kidneys, and cleanse the G.I. tract.

--Scraping the entire length of the tongue stimulates the internal organs, helps digestion, and removes dead bacteria. Stainless steel, gold or silver tongue scrapers can be purchased online or in some health food stores.

--Performing a brief self massage - whether with a dry brush or using oil - Abhyanga is a great way to stimulate both the skin and the nervous system prior to bathing in the morning.


Exercises - Mental and Physical

Yoga, and Meditation as part of your morning routine can greatly enhance your outlook all day.

--Yoga
for Vata - gentle and slow movements to ground and center the energy
for Pitta - cooling and calming exercise that focuses on a moderate pace
for Kapha - vigorous warming movements at a rapid pace that open the body and move stuck energy

--Meditation
a brief, but regular sitting practice complements individuals of all natures; try opening your practice by offering gratitude for everything you currently enjoy in life, or by setting a conscious intention for things you’d like to invite in.

We will discuss additional elements of the daily routine in coming months.

Rather than become overwhelmed by introducing massive changes to your already hectic morning routine, in the interest of promoting balance try one or two of these suggestions to begin cultivating your own personalized Dinacharya.

And always listen first to your own internal responses for the most balanced, healthy practice.

By Karie Wik, LMBT, CYT

No doubt about it. Pitta, dosha, derived from Fire element is raging this summer. Pitta season is characterized by the warmest temperatures of the year - coinciding with Summer.

How Pitta dominant your individual nature is (see our webpage, “What is Ayurveda,” if you are still not sure) and also how you cope with the extreme temperature might affect how oppressive the recent heat wave has been to both your bodily comfort and also your mood.

Things that may exacerbate or indicate rising Pitta levels in the body/mind:

+ Eating too much spicy or acidic food, or drinking dehydrating alcoholic beverages.

Remedy: Choose light crisp vegetables and salads, juicy fruits, and cooling, rehydrating drinks instead

+ Burning, drying or irritating skin.

Remedy: Enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, for relaxation but also to soothe the skin - we can use a pitta-friendly oil to rehydrate and protect tender skin this summer.
If you are Pitta dominant and prone to sensitive skin, wearing appropriate cover-up clothing/hats is always wise when enjoying the beach or the pool or your own garden.

+ Getting caught up in projects (personal or work-related) or being sucked in to “road rage” mentality while traveling.

Remedy: Take breaks often to calm potentially escalating intensity. A two to three minute breath-centered meditation can be used throughout the day. Spend time in the water (be it a pool, the ocean or a bath at home) Aromatherapy is often very effective in cooling the mind/temper. Try Rose Oil or Lavender in a bath, lotion or misting spray.

Whether this is your favorite time of year or your least, take some time to enjoy the activities you cherish with the ones you love this summer. Stay Cool and Be Well.