NATURALSelf

EastWest Ayurveda and Yoga

Routine • Rejuvenation • Rhythms

A way to live naturally with Ayurveda and Yoga

An Ayurvedic publication that is a way for us to connect by offering information for you to ponder over, reflect in and consider including in your daily life for good health, happiness and well-being.

We have weekly online Zoom forums for you and so much more!

Meet the EastWest Ayurveda team: Dr Sumeet Sharma • Dr Jaspreet Brar • Beatrice Lemm • Lee Zivanovic

Our online forums includes:

• Guided paranayam and meditation

• Open forum discussion

• Q/A session for the panel

• Online booking faciility.

Looking for more information?

A System of Balance

In order to understand more about our body and how it works let us begin with a brief outline of the basic principles of Ayurveda. In brief, there are 4 body systems: Doshas (energies), Dhatus (tissues), Malas (waste) and Agni (digestive fire).

3 Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha are doshic energies that pervade the body and mind, crucial to the healthy functioning of each of the body systems.. Everybody has their own unique combination of the doshas or our individual constitution, in Sanskrit known as Prakuti. Each dosha is made up of two of the 5 elements: air, ether, fire, water and earth which are the building blocks of all universal matter known as the Panchamahabhutas.

Dhatus: There are 7 dhatus or tissues making up our body's structure: blood, plasma, muscle, skin, nerve tissue and bone marrow, fat and reproductive systems. Ojas is often considered to be the 8th dhatus, and it supports prana or your life energy that builds your immunity.

Malas: Urine, stool, and sweat are the 3 malas (waste material)
Removing waste from your body in a timely manner every day is essential for maintaining a healthy body.

Agni: Is your digestive fire. All disease will occur due to poor functioning of your agni. Your digestive fire must be working efficiently in order for correct food digestion and assimilation to occur. Good digestion leads to well-nourished tissues which in turn creates strong immunity or Ojas.

A Daily Routine - Dinacharya

The strength of our doshas will always vary through out the day and night. The dosha 24 hour clock is based on our natural body and mind rhythms and we should aim to build our daily routine around when each dosha is at its strongest.

Kapha: (6.00am - 10.00am) (6.00pm - 10.00pm) Stability, heavy, dull. Calming activities such as yoga or meditation. Agni is the least active during these times.
So breakfast should be skipped if your not feeling hungry or should at least, always be a light, nourishing meal that will give you plenty of energy for the start of the day.

Pitta: (10.00am - 2.00pm) (10.00pm - 2.00am) Transformation, metabolism, digestion. This is the time when agni is most active, the largest meal of the day should be taken between 11.00am and 2.00pm so that your food is properly digested.

Vata: (2.00am - 6.00am) (2.00pm - 6.00pm) Cognitive creativity. Aim to rise before 6.00am to make the most of your energy and prepare for the day ahead by looking after your body with a morning routine. Dinner should be light, cooked and eaten around 6.00pm or before the sun goes down. Heavy meals at night will impair your digestion.

Your Kitchen Herbal Pharmacy with Dr Jaspreet

One of the simplest, yet most profound, aspects of Ayurvedic nutrition is the use of culinary herbs in cooking. Not only do herbs make your food taste fantastic, they also provide some amazing health benefits.

Aside from digestive support, herbs are magic kitchen helpers that assist healthy detoxification, support the immune system, and even freshen the breath.

Let's start with Turmeric - It has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.

Turmeric  is best known for its ability to soothe and support comfortable joint movement. However, it also supports liver detoxification, boosts the immune system, and improves agni. While it has a heating quality, turmeric is also bitter and astringent, which are good for pitta. Turmeric is wonderful in curry mixes for lentils, rice, and potatoes, and it makes your food a lovely golden-yellow colour.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric

Rejuvenating and restorative immunity booster  

• 1 glass of milk (250ml)

• ½ inch grated fresh ginger root

• 1 tsp of black sesame seed 

• 1 tsp of ghee

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• A pinch of Cinnamon, cardamon and cloves (adjust to your taste)

• 1/2 tsp jaggery (alternate option is to use 1-2 medjool dates)

  Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth

  Bring the milk to boil, allow to cool and enjoy.

Establish a morning routine...
"Start the day with a glass of hot water - it will ignite your agni, lubricate the body, and support your daily elimination."

Keeping food simple...take your time...enjoy your meal in good company... eat mindfully in a peaceful relaxed atmosphere.

Eating well is essential for good health vitality and strong immunity. You are not only what you eat but you are what you digest!

Try following some of these Ayurvedic guidelines and principals to ensure that you are getting the most out of your daily food intake

• Consume and enjoy foods that are fresh, local, in season and organic if possible.

• Avoid food s that are overcooked, undercooked, burnt, over-ripe, under-ripe, stale or processed.

• Fresh is best, but if you have left overs, consume within 24 hours. Do not microwave.

• Cold food and drinks slow down the digestive process, increasing ama (toxins) in the body. Avoid!

• Enjoy adding freshly ground herbs and spices to your food. Which spices are best for your body type? Find out by coming to see us for your Dosha analysis)

• Moistening dry foods like legumes first by soaking overnight. This will give the digestive track a better chance to absorb the enzymes without creating excessive gas. Drain the water and replace with fresh water as often as possible before starting the cooking process.

• Listen and observe. Start to become aware of how you feel after consuming foods and drinks. Do you feel sluggish, bloated, energized, tired or are you experiencing abdominal pain? If you don't feel good then consider making some changes. Learn more by attending our online forums or booking a consultation for your full Ayurvedic recommendations and dosha analysis.

Keen to find out more? Make a booking for your personalised Ayurvedic consultation or book in to our Online live health forum

"Daily Routine - Creating Healthy Habits"

• Meditation and breath-work for maintaining wellness and boosting your immunity.

• Learn about establishing your own personal daily routine that will include why...waking, elimination, cleansing the senses, eating well, exercising being out in nature are so important to keep you healthy.

• Q/A session for the panel include an open forum discussion time.

• online booking facility.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon