Ayurveda: Ancient and Universal

Written by Keith DeBoer on 14 December 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

For those who want to explore healing alternatives outside of the medical profession, Ayurveda is a tempting path. The "science of life" is considered by many to be the sister practice to yoga, and the oldest science of natural health care, with written records more than 5,000 years old.

Several decades ago, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, of the Transcendental Meditation technique, began working with India's top Ayurvedic experts to purify and revive the tradition of Ayurveda according to the ancient... Read more...

An Ayurvedic fall detox

Written by Keith DeBoer on 06 December 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

The fall season is fast approaching. The night air is cooler and the grassy fields are turning brown. Interestingly, most systems of Ayurveda, including Maharishi Ayurveda, do not recognize fall as a legitimate season. Instead, they recognize only three - one for each dosha:

Vata season - November through February (late fall/winter)
Kapha season - March through June (spring)
Pitta season - July through October (summer/early fall)

According to Maharishi Ayurveda, the fall season is split between the... Read more...

Ayurvedic tips to stay balanced in summer

Written by Keith DeBoer on 20 July 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

The spring season awakens us from the slumber of winter and we naturally feel more energetic and drawn to outdoor activities. But then summer arrives, and we can overdo it with mid-day exercise, alcoholic beverages and spicy foods that leads to an imbalance in the doshas (biological constitutions) and potentially creates health issues for both mind and body.

In summer the weather is hot and humid. This means the physiological operating principle called pitta dosha, which governs heat and water... Read more...

Ayurveda: Breaking down kapha dosha

Written by Keith DeBoer on 08 May 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

Don't let kapha dosha weigh you down.

The qualities of the last of the three ayurvedic doshas are heavy, oily, slow and cold. Kapha dosha governs the structure of the body and its lubrication and stability. Its presence creates a strong, solid physiology, thoughtful speech and an easy-going, compassionate personality. Strength, stamina, loyalty, graceful movements and good long-term memory are some additional signs of balanced kapha.

However, when kapha becomes excessive or imbalanced, it may... Read more...

Ayurveda: Breaking down pitta dosha

Written by Keith DeBoer on 24 April 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

Pitta dosha brings to mind the words hot, sharp, sour and wet.

This dosha controls all forms of metabolism and transformation including the processing of food and sensory experience. Its presence creates a sharp intellect, articulate speech, muscular body, powerful digestion and an ambitious personality.

Pitta is associated with heat and may become excessive during the hot, humid summer months. Signs of excess pitta include stomach acid, heartburn, waking up in the middle of the night, high... Read more...

Ayurveda: Breaking down vata dosha

Written by Keith DeBoer on 27 March 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

Individuals whose physiology is dominated by vata dosha tend to be thin and have a small physical frame. Their joints tend to “crack,” they become cold easily and tend toward dry hair and skin. They can be light sleepers and move, talk, think, learn and forget quickly. This often results in a changeable, yet friendly and enthusiastic, personality.

Vata dosha’s qualities are: quick, light, dry, rough and variable. This dosha controls all movement systems in the body including breathing,... Read more...

The Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Written by Keith DeBoer on 05 March 2012. Posted in Ayurveda

According to Maharishi Ayurveda, good health is the natural by-product of balanced interaction between the mind, emotions, body and environment.

Everything in the universe consists of fluctuations of three fundamental operating principles. In reference to the physical universe, the Sanskrit name for these principles is gunas. There are three of them: satva (growth), rajas (maintenance) and tamas (decay). Though one guna may dominate, it cannot exist in isolation.

The three gunas are present... Read more...