Parenting is an application of love in our daily lives. Our children give us the opportunity to experience, and express love every day. As parents, we have a very unique relationship with each of our children. We interact with them on so many different levels at the same time. We can be a parent, teacher, friend, chauffeur, psychologist, advisor, disciplinarian, coach, referee, or whatever! When you know your child’s dominant dosha, you are better able to handle the myriad of things that come up at any given moment. You are better able to parent from a place of love rather than expectation. You know, for example, that your Vata child may have some anxiety about a friend’s sleepover. Or that our Kapha child may need two different alarm clocks to get up in the morning.

It doesn’t matter how many children you have, as a parent you soon learn that you can’t parent any two kids the same way. When we look at all the factors involved in a child’s individuality and the different ages and stages they all go through, there is no question that parenting is the most difficult job there is! Ayurveda gives us tools to help us relate to our children, and to help our children relate to each other.

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Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

“Satsang,” in Sanskrit means “Truth.”  A Satsang is a gathering of people experiencing, or sharing Truth.  A Satsang could be a lecture, or a discussion group.  It could include music or food.  A Satsang is good for our souls because it brings us together with like-minded people.  Anytime we can come together in wisdom is good, especially in group meditations.  And it is also our responsibility to provide opportunities for Satsangs for others, since we recognize the value for everyone.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

In Hindu lore, Radha and Krishna are known as the divine couple.  They are the ultimate representation of love and romance.  Their union symbolizes devotion.  As we approach Valentine’s Day, one way to bring love into our lives, or to deepen the relationship we already have, is to invite this divine couple into the bedroom.  We can place figurines of Radha and Krishna on an altar (a shelf or dresser can be set aside as an altar space) or have pictures of Radha and Krishna on a bedside table, or hanging somewhere in the room.  This serves as a reminder to us that love reigns supreme.  B.G. Sharma is an internationally renown artist who has done some of the most famous paintings of the Indian gods and goddesses.  I found some wonderful artwork, suitable for framing, in his book “Form of Beauty.”

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

Someone once said that “music soothes the savage beast.” I have also heard that the quote is actually supposed to be “savage breast” meaning that it can bring a state of calm.  Certainly music can be very healing, and music is used at various times of day to help balance the doshas.  Music can be used to help with concentration, and it can be used in meditation.  There are some beautiful instruments that are used in Vedic Music that actually feel like they are resonating with different parts of the body.  Music therapy is a relatively new science here in the west, but in India it dates back to the origin of Ayurveda.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

When our immune system is strong, we’re less likely to get sick. Ayurveda has some recommendations we can follow to boost our immune system anytime of year, and especially now when colds and flus are “going around.” Take a warm bath every day. This helps to warm the body and regulate the body’s internal thermostat. It also opens up the pores of the skin, helping to eliminate toxins. Make sure you get enough rest. Especially during Vata season, when there is so much movement, sleep is important to keep the immune system functioning properly. Remember to exercise. Walks and yoga poses are good for all the doshas, and exercise according to the recommendations for your dosha. Eat warm, nourishing foods. Avoid heavy foods that are difficult to digest. Start the day with a warm breakfast, like a baked apple with cinnamon and cardamom.

Immune Plus is an Ayurvedic formula that nutritionally supports metabolic function and helps to maintain overall good health. It is often referred to as “Nature’s Antibiotic.”

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

The travel experience varies greatly with the doshas.  Kaphas are strong and sturdy travelers; travel is actually good for them because it is so stimulating.  Pittas thrive on travel, if it’s work related then they are totally in their element, and if it’s a vacation then it’s finally time when they can relax.  But Vatas, oh, Vatas have such a difficult time with travel.  They like being in the new place, but getting there can be pretty miserable for them.  Motion aggravates Vata, and a plane ride obviously involves a lot of motion.  Not only that, but the air is dry, and often cold, and there is a lot of noise, these are all problems for Vata.  What to do?  As a seasoned Vata traveler I think I’ve got it down.  The day of travel, give yourself a sesame oil massage, or abhyanga.  Pack some massage oil with you so that you can do this massage daily on your trip.  Dress in layers, wear cotton clothing next to the skin.  Drink warm herbal tea throughout the flight, ginger or chamomile are good.  To help stay hydrated while balancing Vata, eat some salted almonds.  Meditate.  And to deal with the noise, use ear plugs in those sensitive Vata ears.  I recently treated myself to some noise-canceling headphones and it makes a huge difference.  When you land, it will take awhile to feel grounded, but a good night’s sleep will really help.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

This is the time we all starting thinking about our resolutions for the new year.  Living an ayurvedic lifestyle will help us to be healthier and happier, in so many ways.  Here are a few suggestions for easy ways to incorporate ayurveda into our lives, and get ourselves into good habits this new year!
-Arise with the sun, at about 6 am, and get to sleep around 10 pm.
-Eat the largest meal of the day at lunchtime, between noon and 1 pm, when agni (the digestive fire) is at its peak.
-Meditate twice a day.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

There are many different tools that an Ayurvedic practitioner uses to determine your prakruti (natural state of balance) and vikruti (current state of imbalance).  One is a dosha quiz similar, but much more detailed, to the one that is on our whatsyourdosha.com site.  Ayurvedic practitioners are also trained to take and read the pulse, to evaluate the tongue, lips, eyes, nails and face.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)

Color Therapy can be used to balance the doshas.  Colors can be applied in your home decor, in your clothing, and in light.  Warming and calming, greens and yellows are balancing for Vatas.  Cooling and soothing blues are especially balancing for Pittas.  Energizing and stimulating reds and golds are great for balancing Kapha.

Lissa Coffey’s online newsletters and article content may be reprinted provided the following credit line is included:

Lissa Coffey is an author, media personality, and the founder of CoffeyTalk.com (Reprinted with permission Copyright © Bamboo Entertainment, Inc.)