Fear and anxiety often come with the territory of the busy, complicated lives we lead.  They have become a part of our culture.  We worry about money, relationships, career, and potential loss.  We long for security and guarantees, but in life there are none.  So no wonder we are anxious!  We are focusing on factors outside of us that are uncertain and unreliable.  According to Ayurveda, it is this outward seeking that is the cause of our anxiety.  We want control, we want to make things go our way, or to bring about the results we want.  Yet even when we get what we want, we are dissatisfied because it doesn’t live up to our expectations.  We always end up wanting more, and there is no end to it.  What can we do?  Surrender.  Look within.  Remember the truth.  Focus on what is really important in life, what really matters.  Approach life without demand or expectation.  This may be easier said than done given the bad habits that we’ve gotten ourselves into!  But having anxiety is a big clue that our lives have gotten out of balance, that we are out of harmony with nature.  Anxiety shows us how we create discomfort for ourselves.  We can use this as a tool to get back on track, back on the path.  Meditation helps us to cut through the illusions of the mind.

Vedantic Meditation: Lighting the Flame of Awareness, by David Frawley

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When visiting an Ayurvedic Practitioner, he or she will ask you to stick out your tongue.  This isn’t to look at the back of your throat, as a western doctor might do, but to actually look at the tongue itself.  We can learn a lot from the tongue.  This is an organ that serves two purposes – it is the organ of speech, and it also a sensory organ that perceives taste.  From the tongue, a skilled practitioner can get information about the whole body.  A vata tongue is thin, small, and often a little dry.  A pitta tongue is broad at the base and tapered at the apex.  A kapha tongue is large, round, glossy, thick and wet.  If a tongue is pale in color, this indicates anemia.  A yellowish tongue may indicate jaundice, or some type of liver dysfunction.  A green tongue indicates a gallbladder disorder.  A blue or purple tongue is indicative of heart problems.  A central line near the tip of the tongue indicates pain in the upper spine, and two lines shows pain in the upper neck area; both of these are common vata disorders.  A healthy tongue will look clean and pink, with no white coating.  Many people have a slight coating on the back of the tongue, which indicates toxins in the color.  Digestion continues through the night, so it is a good idea to scrape the tongue early in the morning to massage the areas related to the digestive organs.

According to Ayurveda, massage can help us looking and feeling both youthful and healthy.  It gives a beautiful luster to the skin, and tones and relaxes the muscle tissue.  Massage improves circulation and thus increases body heat.  It also helps the body to release toxins and removes stiffness from the joints, improving nerve supply to the organs and all parts of the body.  Massage can improve our concentration, increase our stamina, and make us feel more active and energetic.  Ayurveda recommends we do a self-massage (abhyanga) every day.  And when we can, it is also beneficial for us to have a head and neck massage, too.  Here are some tips to get started:

-Pour warm oil on the point that is on a central hair parting, eight finger widths above the eyebrows.

-Massage the oil down both sides of the scalp towards the ears.

-Pour oil on the central crown point, three finger widths behind the crown chakra point.

-Massage the oil onto the scalp towards the ears.

-Tilt the head forward, pour oil onto the back of the skull at the top of the neck.

-Massage the oil along the sides of the scalp towards the back of the ears.

-Use both fistst to gently tape the head all over.  This stimulates both the circulatory and the nervous system.

-Gently pull some tufts of hair from the roots to relieve muscle tension that keeps the head feeling tight.

-A clockwise motion is recommended for massage as it releases tension.

-Using four fingers, stroke up the back of the neck.  Use the right hand for the left side of the neck and the left hand for the right side of the neck.

-Use down strokes on the front of the neck.  Do not put pressure on the windpipe.

Integrative Ayurvedic Massage DVD

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Ayurveda is the Science of Life.  It explains the nature of everything in the universe.  When it comes to learning, Ayurveda has a lot to say.  The ancient ayurvedic texts describe three aspects of mental ability.  The first is “dhi” which is the power of acquisition, or learning itself.  The second is “dhriti” which is the power of retention, how well we retain what we learn.  The third is “smriti” which is the ability to remember and recall what we have learned.  We need all three of these mental functions to be in balance and work with one another, or learning problems may arise.  Vatas tend to learn quickly, but then forget just as quickly.  Kaphas learn much more slowly, but they have an amazing memory for what they have learned.  Often AD/HD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is an excess of Vata. Gotu kola (also known as the ayurvedic herb brahmi) is prized by students and yogis for its memory-enhancing properties.  Gotu Kola also promotes mental clarity and concentration.  It is an adaptogenic herb, which means that it helps to remove the negative effects of daily stress.

In the west, we understand the concept of “You are what you eat.” Ancient Indian texts explain Aahara, or diet, by using the example of the elephant, the tiger, and the jackal.  The elephant is a vegetarian.  This animal represents the sattvic mind.  With Sattva, we can think clearly, and act appropriately, according to the laws of nature.  The elephant is strong, gentle and intelligent.  The tiger is carnivorous.  He represents the rajassic mind, which is action-oriented.  He kills and eats animals, which makes him fierce and aggressive.  The tiger is restless, always on the prowl.  The jackal represents the tamassic mind.  Tamas is destructive, but this is not necessarily negative.  We need to finish something, complete it, before we can move on to the next.  The jackal survives by eating food left uneaten by other animals.  He is fearful, cunning, and lazy.  Our goal is to acquire the saatvic qualities of the elephant.  One way we can do that is to favor a vegetarian diet, and eating fresh foods, beans, and almonds to to increase calmness, clarity and creativity.

  Sandalwood is known in Sanskrit as chandana, which is also a word meaning “excellence.”  The Sandal tree is highly regarded in the Vedic texts, and the heartwood is considered to be sacred.  It is an evergreen tree that grows only in some areas of India, Indonesia and Australia.  In India, the Sandalwood tree is under the protection and ownership of the Indian government, even when grown on private land.  The oil from sandalwood is used in cosmetics, soaps, candles, medicines and perfumes.  The outer wood is used mostly for making beads, boxes, and small decorative items.  Sandalwood is wonderful at reducing Pitta, as it is cooling and calming for mind and body.  The oil or paste helps to heal skin problems like acne and rashes.  Sandalwood acts as a disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant and sedative.  It balances the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. 

When we get out of balance, it is usually because we have too much of our lead dosha in our system.  If we know what our dosha is, then we can prepare for these times, and use strategies to bring us back into a state of balance and bliss.

-Vata: When out of balance, Vata can have anxiety, and worry.  To avoid this, Vatas need to meditate regularly, get plenty of rest, and do the daily abhyanga.  If imbalance arises anyway, because of stress, or a change in routine, drink some warm, sweet tea.  Keep the hands, feet, and ears warm, and take deep, slow breaths to get grounded.

-Pitta: When out of balance, Pitta can angry.  Keep some rose essential oil nearby, as rose is most balancing for Pitta.  It is important for Pitta to maintain a regular meal schedule, so make sure there is a snack nearby if there is any danger of missing a meal. 

-Kapha: When out of balance, Kapha can get lethargic, depressed or lazy.  Kaphas need to wake up early, and exercise regularly.  They thrive on stimulation.  If Kapha is feeling out of sorts, get them up and moving.  Social activity is also good for invigorating Kapha.

Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle is all about living life in balance.  It is a holistic approach to food, work, sleep and relationships.  The Ayurvedic lifestyle is actually very simple, and practical, and helps us to be our healthiest and happiest.

-Food: Eat foods that are fresh, whole and organic.  Favor foods for your dosha to optimize the digestion, assimilation, and elimination process.  Favor fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.  Foods cooked fresh each day, and with love, produce the most ojas, which are the biochemical equivalent to bliss.

-Work:  Do work that you love, and that also helps others; this is your dharma, or purpose in life.  Balance your work with play.  Keep your work life in perspective; it is a part of your life, it is not who you are.

-Sleep:  Most adults need at least 8 hours of sleep, and children need up to 12 hours of sleep a night.  Lack of sleep can cause anxiety, anger and depression, and can wreak havoc on our relationships.  Follow nature’s rhythms – get to bed by 10 pm and awake by 6 am.

-Relationships: Love and accept people for who they are, not who you think they should be.  Forgive unconditionally.  The mind always tries to set conditions, but follow the heart, which craves love, and unconditional forgiveness.  This is the healthiest thing you can do for any relationship.

Water is essential in our lives, and in Ayurveda it is considered therapeutic.  Water helps with digestion, cools and balances Pitta, supports Kapha, and moisturizes Vata.  It represents soma, the nourishing and cooling quality that is associated with lunar energy.  When water is properly absorbed by the body, it can energize us, prevent constipation, enhance the skin, and help detoxify the body.  If someone has dry skin, and an unquenchable thirst even when drinking lots of water, then water is not being properly absorbed into the physiology.  To help this along, Ayurveda recommends boiling the water for various lengths of time, creating a therapeutic water called “ushnodaka.”  Boiled water is charged with heat and becomes sharper in quality, thus allowing it to penetrate deeper levels of the physiology.  Spices are also sometimes added to further aid in absorption and healing.  Ayurveda recommends sipping plain water during meals, served warm or at room temperature.  Never add ice to water, as that puts out the digestive fire.

Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way: Creating Happiness with Meditation, Yoga, and Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the Science of Life.  It is comprehensive, and applies to all aspects of life, including education.  The Vedic education system that existed in ancient India has many examples that we can learn from and possibly even apply to our schools today.  The teacher’s home was also the school, and a small group of students studied there and stayed there, away from the hectic life of the city so they could concentrate on their work.  This residence was called a “gurukula” or the family of the teacher.  This approach is relationship based, where knowledge flowed freely.  There was not an emphasis on memorization or passing exams.  Vedic education was designed to be individual-oriented, allowing each student to learn in their own way, with their own strengths.  It takes into account each student’s needs, and interests.  The idea is that education should be personal, rather than mechanical.  What is most important is the development of character of the student.  It sees education as holistic, helping students to grow in body, mind and spirit, as individuals who will contribute to family, society and country.

Speed Mathematics Using the Vedic System