The ancient healing modality from India, known as Ayurveda (science of life) has existed for over 5000 years. In modern times, the teachings have made their way around the world and the methods and remedies have been used by millions to promote health and support healing and balance for all sorts of issues and ailments. Ayurveda can be used on its own or to support Western medicine. It’s a lifestyle, meant to sustain you and keep you healthy in every season and every stage of life.
I came to Ayurveda nearly two decades ago when I was in my early 40s. I was easily 50 pounds overweight, tired, stressed out, and at my wit’s end. I had just opened a bookstore and was working 60-70 hour weeks. I needed to do something to feel strong, vibrant, and healthy enough to keep myself and the bookstore alive!
I took a few Ayurveda books off the shelf and dived in. I had been practicing yoga and meditation for years and had heard about Ayurveda, a sister science to the other Eastern modalities.
Ayurveda looks at each individual as a combination of elements, called the doshas, in Sanskrit. My excess weight was Kapha dosha – too much earth and water. The other doshas, Vata, comprised of air and space, and Pitta, a mix of fire and water, were also at play providing movement and transformation. I was struggling with the overwhelming amount of earth and water that was literally weighing me down, mind, body, and soul.
I studied the remedies to find balance, in the form of lifestyle changes, food, and suggestions of body oils and supplements. My journey began with the cleansing treatment called panchakarma. I did a 10-day retreat to remove deep-seated toxins and jumpstart the healing process. Within a short period of time (about 6 months) I’d lost 60 pounds and shaved 80 points off my cholesterol. I was sold! (The bookstore was doing great too.)
I became a practitioner, studying in the US and India, and eventually an author of books on Ayurveda. The weight has stayed off all these years and my health is excellent. While losing weight is great if you feel you need to, Ayurveda is about creating a healthy and sustainable lifestyle based on your unique needs. For me, it was letting go of access weight, which opened the doors to healing all sorts of emotional issues that kept me holding onto the pounds. In the end, through Ayurvedic recommendations, I have been able to help myself, and thousands of clients, readers, and students around the world.
There are many basic Ayurvedic remedies and rituals that you can easily employ regardless of your particular dosha or imbalance. It’s always ideal to work with a local practitioner, but you can begin to adopt these practices into your life at any time. Hopefully, you’ll begin to feel better, motivated, and encouraged to delve deeper into the practices.
As we enter winter in the northern hemisphere, these Ayurvedic recommendations can help you prepare the body for the seasons. Ayurveda is a science of opposites. Winter can be cold, wet with heavy snow, or dry with chilling winds. We look to do the opposite to balance these qualities. Choosing warm, grounding food, eating hearty nourishing meals, wearing layers, and getting enough rest will go a long way in keeping you in perfect health this season.
Lifestyle Choices: I can’t stress enough the importance of good sleep all year round, especially in winter when we are susceptible to respiratory ailments, coughs, and colds. Get to sleep by 9 or 10 p.m. to give your body enough time to rest, detox, and rejuvenate before you wake up at 6 or 7 a.m. For many of us, the sun sets earlier in the winter. Give in to the urge to shut down the computer, turn off the TV, and get ready for bed earlier. When the sun sets, lower the lights in the house, which will kick start the production of melatonin. This “sleepy-time” hormone tells the brain that it’s time to rest and relax, to let go of the day, and allow sleep to take over.
Here are some tips for great sleep, based on Ayurveda”
- Sleep with your head to the east, west, or south, if possible, as this promotes a calm, cool energy for deeper sleep, according to the Indian style of Feng Shui called Vastu Shastra.
- Use Bhringraj oil on the soles of your feet and your scalp to deeply relax the nervous system.
- Keep the bedroom as dark as possible, and remove electronics that emit EMF (electromagnetic frequencies). This includes computers, TVs, cell phones, and tablets. EMFs disturb brain waves.
- Keep a window cracked to let in fresh air. The good bacteria from the atmosphere freshens and enlivens stale, heated indoor air, promoting good respiratory health.
- Sleep in loose-fitting organic cotton to promote airflow around the body, allowing the skin microbiome to thrive.
- Eat your last meal at least 3 hours before bed and make it light. This will help your body more efficiently detoxify everything it took in during the day, by not having a full belly at bedtime. This will also help with heartburn or reflux if that is an issue.
Food Choices: Our digestive fires are actually at their highest in the winter, which is why we crave warm, hearty foods. We need this to fuel the fires and keep us grounded and warm.
Eat until you feel 80% full. That’s typically two handfuls, per meal. This way the digestive fires are stoked and primed to metabolize the food. If you eat too much, like putting too many logs on a fire, you will smother the fire.
Stay away from cold, raw food and drinks (ie smoothies). They are hard to digest in winter. Think warm soup and tea.
Avoid the temptation to overeat by choosing satisfying whole foods like beans, greens, whole grains, sweet potatoes, blue potatoes, squash, salmon, mackerel, sardines, nuts and seeds, and honey.
Use oils like ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil for sautéing your vegetables.
Spices not only enhance the taste of your meals, but they actually contain essential oils that aid in the digestive process, reduce inflammation, and can heal seasonal ailments. Create this spice blend to use throughout the season. You can also take it with you to restaurants to spice up the food and make it more nourishing. Use freshly dried and organic spices when possible.
Winter Season Spice Mix
- 1 tbsp. coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp. fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp. ginger powder
- 1 tbsp. turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp hing (aka asafoetida)
Combine all the spices in a grinder and mix to a fine powder. Spoon the mixture into a clean glass jar or stainless steel container. Do not use plastic as the spice oils will degrade the plastic. Seal with a tight lid. Use within one year. Store in a cool, dry place. Add a shake or more to all your savory foods.
Try it! Ayurveda can boost your immune system and keep you healthy in every season.
