In yoga class it sounds so elegant and exotic when the teacher uses the Sanskrit names for the different poses.  A lot of the names end in the word “asana” because asana means “pose.”  Some we can figure out from the Sanskrit we are familiar with.  Mandala means circle, so circle pose is “Mandalasana.” I found a really cool book that translates many of the yoga poses, “The Language of Yoga: A Complete A to Y Guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms and Chants.” It includes illustrations, yoga sequences (vinyasas) for various routines, and a CD with pronunciation and chants.  If you’re interested in learning some Sanskrit, this is a great introduction.  It’s spiral bound so it can lay flat while you’re practicing your yoga and listening to the CD.  Right now I’m learning how to count: eka, dvi, tri, catur, panca, sat, sapta, asta, nava, dasa.

The Language of Yoga

Kundalini is basically energy.  Loosely translated from Sanskrit it means “coiled energy.” Kundalini is often depicted as a snake, coiled up in the base of our spine, at the root chakra, waiting to be awakened.  According to Ayurveda, it is reddish in color, like the root chakra, and as the energy moves up the spine it changes colors with the chakras.  As we grow spiritually, kundalini gradually awakens, we have more clarity of thought, and the body becomes strong and healthy.  To encourage this awakening, it is helpful to live an ayurvedic lifestyle, and to practice yoga and meditation.

Kundalini on amazon

Chai means “tea”. Some stories say it was invented by a royal king in the ancient courts of India and Siam, who protected the recipe as one of his treasures. However, its roots can be traced unmistakably to Ayurveda.  Chai is a traditional Indian drink, spicy and robust in flavor to stimulate the senses and soothe the soul.  Served hot, with milk (I like to add vanilla soy milk) and sweetener, Chai is a wonderful treat for the holidays.  My new favorite Chai is Red Chai Tulsi Tea from Organic India.  It is made with Tulsi (also known as “The Queen of Herbs”), classic chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and clove (all organic, of course!), and African red tea.  This Chai is abundant in antioxidants, and the best part is that it is caffeine free!  For those Chai lovers who prefer a little caffeine, Organic India makes a wonderful Chai Masala Tulsi Tea with black tea.  Close your eyes and the aroma alone will make you feel like you’re in India on a fabulous vacation.

Altars are a beautiful and meaningful addition to any home.  Altars in India originate from the Hindu tradition, and honor the divine in its many forms.  I have come across a really wonderful, whimsical book that helps us to create our own little altar wherever we go.  It’s called “Hindu Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom.”  There are four deities represented in this book: Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga and Ganesh.  Each one has a gorgeous illustration made into a pop-up, a description of the deity that explains some of the symbolism, the yantra, or geometric representation associated with the deity, and the unique, traditional mantra with phonetic pronunciation.  The mantra for Durga (to protect from fears and grant success) for example, is: Om Hrim Dhum Durga Deviya Nama.

The texts of Ayurveda date back 5,000 years.  But Ayurveda was an oral tradition long before that, so the science may be 6,000 or 7,000 years old.  In the Rig-Veda, it is said that giving to charity is a duty, and the best way to give is to expect nothing in return, to give with love and devotion and respect.  It also says that the giving of knowledge is a very good thing.  Knowledge cannot be stolen or destroyed, and with time it grows and continues giving happiness to many people.  I am grateful to the people who are teaching Ayurveda today and passing along this ancient wisdom.  Dr. Vasant Lad is the founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque New Mexico.  You can find out about his program at his website: ayurveda.com.  Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder of the California College of Ayurveda: ayurvedacollege.com.  We are very lucky to have Dr. Halpern as our Ayurveda expert on doshaspace.com.

The lotus flower shows up a lot in Indian artwork.  The lotus is known as the “king of flowers” and it symbolizes goodwill, peace, prosperity and happiness.  Many Hindu gods and goddesses are shown seated upon the lotus.  The lotus grows in mud and water and yet it is considered beautiful and pure, untouched by the mud where it has its roots.  It reaches towards the sun, the light.  This is a quality that is admired, as it shows us that life can be good and pure and beautiful despite any undesirable elements in our beginnings.  We can convert our “mud” into beauty and thrive. 

Ayurveda recommends that we treat ourselves to a scalp massage once a week.  If you have dry hair or dandruff, you may want to do this twice a week.  If you have oily skin or hair, you can do the massage without the oil.  First thing in the morning, or last thing before bed is the best time for this treatment.  Start by warming 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.  Massage this into the scalp for ten minutes.  Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails.  Massage in a circular motion. Then wrap your head in a hot towel and leave on for about 10 minutes more.  Wash hair with a gentle shampoo.  Massage increases circulation to the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.  And it feels great!

In Ayurveda there are three seasons, with the properties of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  How these are labeled depends on where you live, in the northern or southern hemisphere.  The seasons change in approximately the beginning of November, March, and June.  To prepare ourselves for the new season, Ayurveda recommends cleansing, or Panchakarma.  Not all of us have the luxury of going to an Ayurvedic spa for the full Panchakarma program, which includes massage and other de-toxing treatments, every season.  But we can do some cleansing of our own at home with Ayurvedic herbal formulas.  Triphala is a combination of three ayurvedic herbs that work together to transform the digestive system.  It tones and strengthens the muscles in the colon, and increases the absorption of nutrients into the body.  Tulsi acts as a tonic for the nervous, immune, and digestive systems.  It helps to remove toxins from the body and also soothes the nervous system.  Turmeric works to purify the blood, liver and kidneys and also aids in digestion.  Turmeric has powerful antioxidant properties, and can help us to have radiant skin!

The Triple Action Cleansing Set from Organic India includes Triphala, Turmeric and Tulsi for maximum cleansing benefits.

In Ayurveda, our digestive fire is called agni.  When our agni is strong then our appetite is strong.  To maintain healthy digestion, which helps us to digest our food and absorb the nutrients in our food, Ayurveda offers these suggestions:

-Eat only when you are hungry.  And eat before you get so hungry that you are uncomfortable.  
-Stop eating when you feel about 75% full.  Don’t overstuff yourself.  Eating too much food overloads your digestive system and can lead to a build-up of toxins.

-Pay attention to the meal that you are eating.  Really taste the food, smell the food, take in the colors of the food.  This helps to make the experience of eating more pleasant.

-Don’t watch TV or read while you are eating.  This just serves as a distraction to the food and can cause you to overeat.

-Make sure to include all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent) in each meal so that you feel satisfied after you eat.

Having a lot of energy is a sign that we are very healthy.  When we feel a lack of energy, or fatigue, then it is time to look at our diet and lifestyle to make sure that we’re doing out best to stay in balance.  Some foods actually deplete our bodies of energy, or impair its ability to absorb nutrients and are best avoided: refined carbohydrates, white sugar, alcohol, and high fat foods.  Fatty or heavy foods impair absorption by coating the inside of the intestinal walls.  Stimulants, like caffeine, and tobacco, as well as white sugar, affect our blood sugar levels and stress out the endocrine system, and fatigue is the end result.  Instead, choose natural sweeteners, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts.  Make sure you eat at regular times, and in a harmonious environment.

Sleep is also important.  It’s not just the quantity of sleep that we get, but the quality of sleep we get each night.  This is the time for our bodies to recharge.

And of course, exercise, fresh air, and sunshine is important to support the energy in our body and mind.  Our minds can be fatigued by overwork, depression, or boredom.  It’s easy to feel the effects of stress when we’re indoors much of the time.  A good dose of the outdoors does wonders!  Yoga, a morning walk and deep breathing, are also helpful to both release energy blocks and to keep good energy flowing.