Understand Nature and Why Reset

Ayurveda has prescribed certain rules regarding diet, behavior and medicines, called ritucharya, or seasonal regimen.

Seasonal Effect on the Tridosha - All 5 elements uniquely compiled in each of our bodies.

• The environmental changes in the seasons and our foods are the most powerful factors affecting the doshas - Vata - Space & Air, Pitta - Fire & Water, Kapha - Water & Earth (we all have all three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, at different % that our unique to our own nature.)

• Diet can be voluntarily controlled, the environmental factors act directly on the skin and respiratory tract, and affect the entire body through the circulating blood

General Rule – Rtu Sandhi | Seasonal Junction

• The doshas are provoked during the junctures of the seasons

• This is the period when the regimen of the previous season should be gradually omitted, and the regimen of the forthcoming season should be gradually introduced

Shifting from summer to fall and winter aggravates vata - space and air elements (think dryness, constipation, anxiety)

Shifting from winter to spring aggravates kapha - water and earth elements (think allergies, congestion, sluggishness)

Shifting from spring to summer aggravates pitta - fire and water elements (think rashes, heartburn, irritability)

Seasonal Effect on Vata | Space and Air

Accumulation of Vata: Vata accumulation starts in the summer, since the digestive power is at a low level, and we lose body water through perspiration

Aggravation of Vata: Aggravation of Vata occurs during the late fall and winter, as cold and dry qualities are dominant

The sudden change of temperature from hot to cold results in further accumulation of vata in the body

Alleviation of Vata: Alleviation of vata occurs naturally in the spring and early summer as there is more humidity present in the air, and heat is building

1) Excessive or improper use of the sense organs. The imbalance of the sense organs manifests itself as the imbalance of the doshas.

2) Crimes against wisdom or misuse of the intellect. It means the adoption of a diet or lifestyle that is detrimental to one’s health.

• Verbal – this refers to verbal impropriety: speaking impolitely, crying, abusing others, not speaking truth

• Mental – this refers to mental impropriety: thinking improper thoughts – allowing ego or the cravings of manas (mind) to override buddhi (intellect)

• Physical – this refers to physical impropriety: overworking, suppressing natural urges, doing something or eating something that you know is bad for you

3) The process and movement of time. This includes imbalances of nature due to season, climate, or time of life

• Seasonal Influences on the doshas

• Excessive or extreme climate conditions

• Changes due to specific phases of life

TWO LAWS TO AYURVEDA

There are two laws to Ayurveda that begin to support us in finding balance, ones we will use to help throughout the 5 day reset:

1. Like Increases Like - ex: if you take hot yoga at noon time (the peak of our internal fire), in the middle of summer, you are INCREASING Pitta or the Fire element in the body, therefore creating a possibility for excess heat and more problems in the mind and body.

2. Opposites Create Balance - ex: if you sit in the shade by the water sipping some cucumber water with your feet in the grass, while listening to a yoga nidra meditation track at noon, you are cooling down at the peak heat of the day, therefore restoring or managing the Pitta Dosha and keeping you cool, calm and collected.

The Elements we are Balancing: Air and Fire = Vata & Pitta Dosha

Feels like: Hot, dry, rough, windy, light

Qualities of Foods and Impressions to Introduce: Warming, Grounding, Moist, Rhythm, Routine

Qualities to Reduce: Cold, Mobile (doing too much), Dry, Erratic Lifestyle

Potential Signs and Symptoms of Imbalance: Gas, bloating and constipation, Dry skin and scalp, Anxiety

Tastes to Enjoy = PRIORITIZE Nourishing and Building Tastes: Favor warm, moist, slightly oily and building foods

Favor nutritious, simple, cooked foods

Eat more foods that are Sweet, Sour, Salty / Heavy, Oily, Moist, Hot: Soups, stews, steamed veggies, and more fat and protein

Eat less foods that are Pungent (Spicy), Bitter, Astringent / Light, Cold, Dry: Salads, iced drinks, smoothies, cold foods and beverages, crackers, chips and salsa

What is Ama?

Ama is undigested food and is produced directly related to the power of the digestive fire/agni, and the relative balance between the agni and the quality, quantity and timing of food consumed

The primary location of ama development is in the stomach

Once ama develops, it can migrate through bodily channels, which can cause blockage and eventually deposit in organs of areas of weakness

Signs of Ama

White coating on the tongue, Foul smell, Bad Breath, Sticky Stool; sinking stools, Foggy thinking, mental lethargy, Fatigue, Body aches

How to Reduce Ama

Explore Agni Sara or kapalabhati breath teqniques first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach

Simplify meals: drink warm water, eat clear soups, Fast – skip a meal or eat fruit

Use digesting herbs, such as ginger, black pepper, cumin seeds and garlic

Exercise

Do a hot, dry sauna, Sunbathe or windbathe

How to Prevent Ama

Eat mindfully, calm the mind before eating

Eat warm, freshly cooked food and lighter foods

Make lunch the main meal, and eat a light breakfast and dinner

Avoid overeating and eating heavy foods in large quantities, leftovers, processed and canned foods, foods with many additives and coloring (tamasic foods), fast foods, cold water/drinks and cold food

Avoid incompatible food combinations