“Guna”is a Sanskrit word that represents the three qualities of nature, or types of energy.  The three qualities are:

Rajas: Comes from the root verb raj, which means “to glow.” It is a state of motion, vibrant, active, where the mind is overactive.

Tamas: Comes from the root verb tam, which means “to perish.”   It is a state of dullness, inertia, dormancy, where the mind is underactive.

Sattva: Comes from the root sat, meaning “being.” This is a state of beingness, where there is nothing to do, no desire, just light and bliss.  Sattva is a balance of rajas and tamas that is purity, harmony and lightness.

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.  Most men are unaware of their prostate until middle age, when prostate health becomes an issue.  But even though the prostate seems to be an older man’s health problem, the imbalances start much earlier in life.  However, simple lifestyle changes can restore balance and most of these issues can be avoided.  Here are some tips:

-Drinks plenty of water throughout the day to prevent the urine from becoming too concentrated.  If you have a prostate problem, avoid fluids after 7 pm as a full bladder can disturb your sleep.

-Always empty the bladder completely.

-Avoid alcohol.

-Avoid caffeine.  Both alcohol and caffeine irritate the bladder.

-It you must sit all day at work, take short stretch and walking breaks.

-In cold weather, keep the body warm.  When body temperature drops, urine is retained, which aggravates the prostate.

-Maintain regularity with fiber and cooked vegetables.

-Abhyanga, or daily self-massage is helpful.

-Get a good night’s sleep.

-Avoid extremes in food: anything too cold, too hot, too spicy, too dry, or too oily.
-Eat sweet, juicy fruits.

Ayurveda has recommendations to help alleviate PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome.  In Vatas, PMS usually shows up as anxiety, insomnia, or lower backache.  In Pitas, PMS manifests as hives, acne, irritability and migraines.  Kapha PMS results in fluid retention and bloating.  By keeping your dosha in balance with your Ayurvedic lifestyle routine, you can help relieve some of these symptoms.  In general, Ayurveda also has these suggestions:

-Avoid salt.

-Avoid saturated fats.

-Avoid caffeine.

-Avoid alcohol.

-Enjoy foods rich in Vitamin A: carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet potato.

-Spend time in the sun to absorb vitamin D.

-Foods rich in vitamin C help to reduce stress broccoli, sprouts, orange juice.

-Vitamin E helps with hormone fluctuations and depression; look for it in olive oil, sunflower oil, apples and blackberries.

-Calcium helps to prevent cramps and pain.  Magnesium helps the body to absorb calcium.  Foods with these minerals include leafy greens, beans, peas, tofu, spinach, and fish.

-Practice yoga stretches, take a morning walk.

-Shatavri is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to help tone and strengthen the body, providing relief from symptoms of PMS and menstrual and menopausal imbalances.

The story of the prince who awakened to become the Buddha is one of the most dramatic and compelling stories of all time.  My mentor, Deepak Chopra, has a new book out today that beautifully lets us experience just what the life of the Buddha was like as he embarked on his spiritual journey.  We can really feel the natural internal conflict that he goes through as he seeks both wisdom and transformation.  Deepak is a gifted writer.  I’m sure you have read many of his non-fiction work; I have a whole “Deepak” bookshelf at my house! “Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment” is a novel, and an inspiring read.  As an added kind of “bonus” to all of us on the path who crave nonfiction, Deepak has included a guide with commentary and teachings on core Buddhist principles.  This book is destined to be a classic.  And I could totally see it being turned into a movie.  Two thumbs up from me!

Ayurvedic Massage typically uses warm sesame oil, or a blend of oils and herbs specifically to balance your particular dosha.  A foot massage can be a self-massage, or you can indulge your partner.  The Ayurvedic massage technique doesn’t involve deep muscle massage, the goal is to stimulate the subtle energies of the marma points and nadis (similar to acupressure points) in the body.  Start with the right foot, then repeat the same steps on the left.

-Start with the point located in the middle of the arch of the foot.  Massage this area with your thumb, it is good for the heart.

-Using the thumb, massage the point located in the middle of the underside of the big toe. This area regulates hormonal activity.

-Starting with the big toe, massage the underside of the base of each toe.  Then massage each toe all around by gently pulling upward from the base to the top.  Each toe corresponds to a major organ: brain, lungs, intestines, kidney, heart.

-Now work on the top of the foot.  Using both thumbs, massage the groove between the base of the big toe and the second toe.  Massage up toward the ankle until you feel the bone.

-Now hold the foot with both hands and massage upward from the toes to the ankle.

According to Ayurveda, swedana, or sweating, helps us to detoxify the body by liquefying ama, or accumulated toxins.  It also helps with the elimination of wastes by activating the sweat glands.  Sweating also stimulates the digestive fire, and relieves coldness, stiffness, and heaviness due to bloating.  Ayurvedic sweat baths can be done using wet heat, such as a steam shower or bath; dry heat, such as saunas or hot stones; or self-generated heat, such as exercise or body wraps.  Try to do the swedana treatment at home once a week to see the most benefits.  If you have a Pitta imbalance, avoid swedana until you get back in balance.  Always finish off swedana with cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

My friend Maryanne introduced me to this amazing practice called “The Five Tibetans.” This is a yogic system of simple, yet very energizing exercises that originated in the Himalayas.  Many years ago a retired British army officer learned them in a Tibetan lamasery, and he brought them to the West.  He claimed that “performing the Five Rites stimulates the circulation of essential life energy throughout the body.”   This series of five exercises takes a minimum of time and effort, yet it can greatly increase physical strength, flexibility, and mental acuity.  The book I have explains everything in detail, and it’s fascinating.  You can get the basics, including illustrations of the exercises to help you get started, at this website: http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

“The Five Tibetans” by Christopher S. Kilham

I absolutely love Chai Tea, but as a Vata, I really can’t have caffeine, so most of the time I end up making it myself rather than using tea bags, and that way I can make it decaf by starting with decaf black tea.  The added benefit of making it at home is that you can add spices that are particularly balancing for your dosha, or you can make a tridoshic blend that is good for everyone!  Herbs that are traditionally in Chai tea include:

-Cardamom: brings clarity to the mind; relieves gas, bloating, heartburn and headache; improves digestion.

-Cinnamon: lowers high blood pressure; reduces pain and fever; helps to regulate blood sugar; alleviates nausea, indigestion, heartburn and gas.

-Cloves: gives energy, generates heat in the body; helps to protect against cold.

-Black Pepper: improves circulation, has antioxidant properties, promotes the health of the joints and respiratory system, enhances digestion and appetite.

-Ginger: improves digestion; fights off colds and flu; relieves congestion, sore throat, body aches, and nausea.

-Fennel: improves digestions, relieves gas.

The Vata Blend: Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon.

The Pitta Blend: Cardamom, cinnamon, fennel.

The Kapha Blend: Ginger, Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper.

Tridoshic Blend: Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger.

Many of us are first introduced to the beautiful, ancient language of Sanskrit in yoga class.  The greeting “Namaste” means “the divine in me honors the divine in you.”   We learn some of the Sanskrit names for the various poses, or “asanas” and some simple chants.  I named our e-course about Ayurveda “ananda” which means bliss.  Sanskrit is wonderful because it is so layered with meaning.  I have been getting Sanskrit audio recordings for years from The American Sanskrit Institute.  Vyaas Houston, the founder of ASI, says: “The chanting of Sanskrit as preparation to meditation is the vehicle. It tunes the body, mind and senses to a finer frequency and then provides the road map, ancient truths concisely state in exacting terms that glide through the mind with a minimum of effort.” They have a great website where you can learn more about Sanskrit.  One day I hope to master the language!

http://www.americansanskrit.com

Many people who follow an ayurvedic diet are vegetarian, and vegetarians need plenty of sources of protein.  Beans and lentils are great because they provide protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins.  We can use the beans and lentils to make a delicious Indian dish called “Dahl” which is easy to digest and balancing for all three of the doshas.  Cooked dahl has the consistency of a chili, and it is just as hearty.  You can make the dahl as spicy or as mild as you like.  Mung beans, split, with the skin removed, is easy to cook into a dahl.  You can usually find them in bulk at the health food store.  Here are some cooking tips:

-Store lentils in a dry, airtight container at room temperature.

-Use lentils within six months.

-Rinse lentils several times before cooking.

-Beans may need to be soaked in water before cooking (check recipe).

-Do not add salt, lemon or tomato until the beans are cooked.

-Make sure beans or lentils are well-cooked for easy digestion.

-Add spices that you like, or that are balancing for your dosha.

http://www.familyeveryday.com/articles/recipe_details.php?record_id=100