Hanuman is also known as the Monkey God.  He has the body of a man and the face of a monkey.  Hanuman represents discernment.  He is clever.  He uses his wits to accomplish feats that might otherwise seem impossible.  Since Hanuman as mastery over the principles of gravity and matter, he can do anything!  And he is a reminder to us that when we put our minds to it, we can do anything, too.  There is a story that explains how Hanuman even was able to avoid the influence of the planet Saturn.  Saturn came to Hanuman and said: “You may be the mighty Hanuman, but even you must have your time under the rules of Saturn.”  Hanuman greeted Saturn and replied: “Thank you, I accept that you are doing your job.  And since you recognize me as the mighty Hanuman, may I ask you one favor?” Since Hanuman was so polite, Saturn agreed, and Hanuman said: “I wish that you would come back tomorrow, and not start this work today.” So Saturn left.  The next day Saturn came back, and was about to go to work influencing Hanuman with his energy, when Hanuman reminded Saturn of his promise: “You said you would come back tomorrow, not today.” Day after day went by with the same routine until Saturn finally gave up and left Hanuman alone.

A big part of controlling our weight is controlling our cravings.  We have these cravings and we want to eat, and that’s when we often overeat, and then gain weight.  Our cravings can be a factor of an imbalance in our doshas.  When we discover the imbalance, we can work on that, reducing the cravings and feeling better all around.

-The craving for comfort foods indicates a Vata imbalance.  Comfort foods are sweet, creamy, carbohydrate-heavy foods.  This is really a signal that our body wants something warm, nurturing, calming or grounding to balance out an excess of Vata.  We can achieve this with Vata pacifying techniques: drink Tulsi Red Mango tea, use aromatherapy (vanilla, orange), hug a friend, listen to your favorite music.

-The craving for salty foods indicates a Pitta imbalance.  We crave salty foods like chips, pretzels and nuts, when we feel frustrated, angry, excited or annoyed.  To balance out Pitta, drink Tulsi Sweet Rose tea, use aromatherapy (sandalwood, mint), walk in the moonlight, look at beautiful landscaping or artwork.

-The craving for caffeine, or chocolate, indicates a Kapha imbalance.  Kaphas need something stimulating to overcome feelings of lethargy or depression.  Instead of downing coffee, cola or candy bars, implement some Kapha pacifying techniques: drink Tulsi Lemon Ginger tea, use aromatherapy (spicy scents like rosemary and clove), dance around to some lively music.

Tulsi Red Mango, Tulsi Sweet Rose and Tulsi Lemon Ginger teas are all available from Organic India.  They can be made either hot or iced.

Ayurveda explains that there are three aspects to mental function: learning, retaining, and recalling.  When we have problems in any one of these areas, it shows up as a learning problem, which can lead to frustration and low self-esteem.  And then behavior problems can follow.  When learning, retaining and recalling are balanced and operating efficiently, the mind is quick and bright.  So, how can we get our minds sharp so that we can have peak performance at school or the office?  Ayurveda has these simple recommendations:

-Eat fresh foods, preferably organic.  Stay away from foods with additives, or foods that have been frozen or leftover.  The fresher the food, the more intelligence that it has. -Eat a balanced diet.  Make sure you get enough nutrition, with proteins such as soy, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables.  We do need some fat, but not too much. -Eat foods rich in antioxidants.  Look for foods with dark, deep, colors: blueberries, sweet potatoes, and spinach are really good. -Get enough sleep.  Sleep deprivations leads to a diminished mental performance.  Sleep is a basic for mind/body health, just as food is. -De-Stress.  Stress has a negative impact on both mind and body.  Make sure you meditate daily, and take time to relax. -Exercise the brain.  Stay active with reading, puzzles, and learning new things.

Rice is used in India for many different ceremonies.  It is used in offerings, and colored, powdered rice is used to create mandalas.  Rice is a symbol of health and wealth in many countries.  We often toss rice at newlyweds to wish them fertility and prosperity.  There are many different kinds of rice, including brown, wild, jasmine, Arborio and Basmati.  The white rices are considered more easily digestible.  Of all the rices, Ayurveda favors Basmati, because it balances all three of the doshas.  And Ayurveda says that we need to avoid rice that is instant, pre-cooked, or leftover because it has less nutrition and life energy in it.  And here’s a tip: Ayurveda says to only add salt to the rice after it is cooked, because adding the salt to the cooking water can affect the cooking temperature of the rice.  Rice can be used so many ways, and cooked with spices, nuts, vegetables or beans.  When sweetened with milk rice can also be made into a delicious dessert.  I like to mix in coconut milk and sugar and serve the rice warm with fresh mango!  Ayurveda suggests that we eat rice several times during the week, but not everyday.  It is a good idea to alternate the rice in our meals with other grains such as couscous, quinoa, and barley.

Colors can have a powerful effect on our moods.  They can energize, inspire, calm or heal.  Each color vibrates to a different frequency, and we can use this generated energy to our advantage.  Red is hot, dense, and powerful.  Red is stimulating and balancing to Kapha, but it can aggravate both Pitt and Vata.  Blue is cooling, and soothing.  It is much too mellow for Kapha, but it wonderfully balances Pitta.  Yellow, which is warm, but much less intense than red, is great for balancing Vata.  Using ayurvedic color therapy, we can choose clothes to wear to balance our dosha and brighten our mood.  Think about how you’re feeling in the morning before you get dressed, and keep in mind that the colors around you will influence your mood.

-Vata: Favor warm, muted, calming colors (yellows, oranges, greens, deep purple), avoid bright red and black.

-Pitta: Favor cool, soft colors (white, blues, greens, pastels), avoid bright colors and dark colors.

-Kapha:  Favor warm, stimulating, bright and light colors (red, orange, yellow), avoid soft, muted colors like pink, white, blue.

A mandala is a circular design, often very colorful, with representations of the world illustrated within it.  The word mandala comes from Sanskrit and is translated to mean circle, or community.  In many traditions, the mandala is used for meditation.  It is thought that as we gaze upon these sacred symbols, our mind opens.  Mandalas are often found in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.  When I was in India years ago, a group of Buddhist monks came to create a mandala for us out of colored sand.  They spent hours and hours, for days, intently creating this amazing and intricate design.  They were clear that the work itself is as important as the eventual outcome of the mandala.  It turned out to be absolutely beautiful, and yet it lasted for only a few days.  The ritual is to sweep the mandala away, as if it were blown away by the wind, signifying the impermanence of existence.  So, with a little ceremony, the monks swept away this incredible work of art, and then filled up little vials with sand for us to take home and remember this important lesson.

Approximately two-thirds of India’s population depends upon farming for their livelihoods.  In Ayurveda, many of the herbs that are recommended grow only in India, so many of the supplements we take come from plants that are farmed there.  Organic farming is the practice of growing crops without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.  Instead, organic farming uses crop rotation, organic fertilizers, and plant based pesticides and herbicides to maintain productivity.  While this is beneficial for obvious health reasons, it is also of great benefit for the environment.  Farming organically is one way we can reduce the negative effects of global warming.  It also helps to keep harmful chemicals out of our eco-system.  In India, there are farms that have gone totally organic.  Organic India is one company that supports this practice by working with thousands of family farmers who cultivate organic farmland.  They are also going beyond organic, and using biodynamic agriculture, a holistic program that helps to actually restore the balance and health of the eco-system.  We can encourage this industry and contribute to a better world by buying products that have been grown organically, and we reap the health benefits as well!  Organic farming is a win for everyone, as it also helps to support the farmers by bringing a living wage and vital training to thousands of Indian people.

In the northern hemisphere, we’re well into Pitta season.  The sun is hot and the days are long.  The sun gives us energy for our mind and body, and as a source of Vitamin it has some benefits for our skin.  The trick is to protect our skin, without over-protecting it.  Ayurveda has some tips for us.

-Avoid exposure to the sun when angry, hungry or upset.  These factors increase Pitta, which makes the skin more susceptible to sun damage.

-Protect yourself with sunscreen, and also with clothing, hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses during times when you are most sensitive.

-Avoid the mid-day sun.  Early morning sun is more gentle to the skin.

-Cool yourself from the inside by eating cool foods, salads, fresh sweet pears, and raisins.  Avoid hot foods, like peppers and chilies.

-Cool down skin with a mask made of watermelon puree.  Avoid the eye area, and rinse off with lukewarm water after about 15 minutes.

-Rosewater is wonderfully soothing to the skin.  Dab some on with a cotton ball after exposure to the sun.  The healing properties of rose are especially Pitta balancing: cooling, moisturizing, and soothing.

Gotu Kola (also known as “Brahmi”) is a perennial plant native to India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.  The leaves and stems of the plant have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.  It has been called of one of the “miracle elixirs of life” because there is a legend tells of an ancient Chinese herbalist who claimed that he lived for more than 200 years as a result of taking Gotu Kola.  Gotu Kola has been used to treat arthritis, hepatitis, fever, and asthma, but it is best know as a kind of tonic for overall brain health and nervous system support.  It helps to improve memory, and enhance physical, mental, and emotional clarity.  Because of these properties, it has also been used to increase focus and concentration for people with Attention Deficit Disorders. 

Hatha Yoga combines the Sanskrit words ha, meaning sun, and tha, meaning moon.  Together hatha means “force.”The word yoga means union.  So Hatha Yoga is the yoga of force.  It is the practicing of balancing opposing energies of the body: sun and moon, male and female, shiva and shakti, left and right, hot and cold.  Hatha yoga says that we unify these energies with physical postures, or asanas, breathing, or pranayama, and meditation.  The idea is to still the mind and create balance, to purify and activate the energy centers of the body.