Shirodhara is a simple yet deeply settling Ayurvedic therapy in which a warm, steady stream of herbal oil is poured across the forehead, especially over the ājñā point. In Ayurveda, this treatment is...
Vedic Medical Astrology
From the Vedic cosmological view, everything in the entire universe is inextricably connected. In this way, the influential pull of the planets and their situation within the zodiac are not seen as separate from oneself. Rather, they are both reflecting a greater...
Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Ayurveda
Understanding Prameha and Kapha Dosha In Āyurveda, type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of several diseases categorized under the term prameha, and it is primarily related to an imbalance of kapha doṣa. Kapha is made up of the earth and water elements, and so it is the...
Nasya ~ Much More than a Nasal/Sinus Treatment
Nasya karma is one of the five traditional treatments or cleansing actions employed during the process of pañcakarma, āyurveda’s detoxification and rejuvenation program, where medicinal substances including herbally infused oils, freshly extracted juices (swarasa), or...
Meditation and Self-Inquiry ~ Comparison and Contrast
The sword of discrimination can be seen as having two sharp edges: one being the path of yoga, culminating in meditative absorption or samādhi, and the other being Ātma-vicāra, self-inquiry into the very nature of one’s intrinsic being. These two approaches have the...
Sattvavajaya Sessions
In a Sattvavajaya session, one is able to share and explore one’s inner world within a space of deep listening and cultivate sattva (wisdom and clarity) in the mind. At times the session can become more directive, attending to altering the direction of the flow of the...
Indian Masala Chai ~ Brewed Not Boiled
There are many opinions on how to make Indian chai (tea) or spiced tea known as Masala chai. Various types of black tea are used to make chai, most commonly Assam tea is used, but other varieties such as Darjeeling, Nilgiri, and even Ceylon varieties are delicious. A...
Perspectives on Classical Ayurveda ~ Its study and practice
Art by Aaron Ananta Staengl: AyurvedaPosters.com As the education and clinical practice of āyurveda continue to grow throughout the world, one may ask: what constitutes the “classical” study of āyurveda? The term classical āyurveda can be understood or interpreted in...
Intermittent Fasting in Ayurveda: A Personalized Path to Digestive and Metabolic Health
Intermittent fasting is a hot topic in modern wellness circles, but it also has deep roots in Ayurveda. Unlike trendy “one-size-fits-all” fasting protocols, in Ayurveda, intermittent fasting is approached in a personalized and holistic manner—not just geared toward...
Things That Arise in Meditation Practice
When we first start a practice of meditation, we can often feel an enthusiasm or excitement. This can be likened to that of a new hobby that we throw ourselves into headlong or the freshness of a new relationship with all its desires and expectations. My teacher Baba...