Ayurvedic Guidelines for Holistic Living

Ayurveda prescribes three major guidelines for Healthy Living. They are Dinacharya, Ritucharya & Brahmacharya

Dinacharya

One should get up early in morning at 0430 AM , time prescribed for Meditation. After brushing teeth, one should take an oil bath.

Oil, preferably coconut oil, should be put all over body and one should relax for 30-60 minutes for oil to sink in. Oil Bath is known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga. Because of oil bath, you will get proper sleep. The body becomes fresh. The body is fortified and becomes cool. Oil will take care of all diseases of scalp. It will prevent hair loss. The hair becomes blacker and more healthy.

After Abhyanga, one should do exercise. Exercise will increase digestive capacity and obesity will be controlled. After doing exercise ( Yoga exercises are best ), one should massage body mildly. One should not do excess exercise. Excess exercise can result in weakness, thirst, fever and vomiting. Mild massage can destroy phlegm and reduce fat.

Taking oil bath daily increases digestive fire. It will increase sexual capacity. More energy and strength will be imparted by an oil bath. Physical weakness will disappear. One should pour only cold water over head . Hot water bath is ideal for rest of body.

Ritucharya

Western system of Astrology which follows Tropical Zodiac identifies four major seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

From March 21 we have beginning of summer, after Spring Equinox. From June 21 we have autumn, after Summer Solstice. From Sept 22 we have Winter, after Autumnal Equinox and after Dec 22, which is pagan festival of Winter Solstice, we have Spring

The Indian system of Astrology which follows Sidereal Zodiac identifies six major seasons known as Rithus. Two months constitute a Rithu. ( Tau Dwau Rithu ).

They are Sisira ( January & February), Vasantha ( March & April), Greeshma ( May & June ), Varsha ( July & August ), Sharath ( September & October ) & Hemantha ( November & December ).

The Three Humurs of Ayurveda are Wind ( Vata ), Bile ( Pitta ) & Phlegm ( Kapha ). Their equilibrium is Health and their disharmony is ill-health.

During Sharath Rithu, Pitta will be more.

During Hemanta Rithu, Kapha will be more. During Greeshma, Vata will be more.

During Varsha, Vata will be more.

During hot Greeshma Rithu, one should avoid hard labour which gives a tough time for body. The ideal foods during Greeshma are Fruit juices, buttermilk, lime juice and these should be taken extensively. Can have cold water bath. Water Melon, plantains, bananas, cucumber, tomatoes, jackfruit and leafy vegetables can be taken in. Uttarayana ( Northern Progress of Sun ) involve six solar sidereal months from Capricorn to Cancer. During this phase, one should take abundant fruits like pomegranate, water melon, orange, grapes and tender coconut water. This phase is known as Adana Kala because much strength is lost from body due to hot season. Plantains and bananas should also be taken in. Rice, wheat, gooseberry ( which is a rich source of Vitamin C ), pineapple, mangoes, cashew, groundnut, carrot, pumpkin,honey, milk and leafy vegetables should also be consumed.

Dakshinayana ( Southern Progress of Sun ) involve six solar sidereal months from Cancer to Capricorn. This phase is known as Visarga Kala , as this is a period which augments physical strength. Bittergourd, gooseberry, chilli, wheat, honey, rice and vegetables can be taken in during this period.

Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya means to roam in Brahman, Absolute, to embrace none but Him. Lustre and virility are all dependent on seventh Tissue Element, Semen. If there is a weaking of this tissue element, body loses potency. Hence need for preserving this vital Tissue Element through proper celibacy.

Havelock Ellis in his "Psychology of Sex " has demonstrated that preservation of semen can result in increased creativity, high MQ & high IQ. High Emotional Quotient and Spiritual Quotient are also boons of Brahmacharya.

Copyright: Kim Beardsmore If I were asked, “what is most difficult thing many people find to do when they start a weight-loss program?”, I would have to say right near top of list is this – they don’t drink enough water!

Few people realise at first just how essential water is to success of their weight-loss program. In fact, essential place of water in our diet extends to everyone – whether they want to lose weight, gain weight or stay same weight! We all know we can’t live without water, but just why is it so important? Well there are many reasons. Read on and discover why water can help your loss weight and why it is your essential life-force.

Apart from 60-70% of your body being composed of water, water has an extensive range of functions essential to life.

·Assists digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. If you don’t drink enough water you can’t get full benefit of nutrients in food you eat.

·Assists excretion of waste from bowel and kidneys. If you don’t drink enough water you get constipated and put your kidneys under stress.

·Regulates body temperature. If you don’t drink enough water you compromise evaporation process you skin uses to keep you cool.

·Your blood is 92% water. This is your body’s transport system distributing nutrients around body.

·Body secretions and digestive juices are almost entirely water.

Why should you drink water when you want to lose weight?

Water is a natural appetite suppressant . Do NOT underestimate power of this statement. Lack of water can lead to over eating. You brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst. So, when you think you are feeling hungry, your body may in fact be signalling to you that you are thirsty! If you are not consuming enough water each day and you feel hunger pains, chances are, your body really is crying out for water. In many instances people will find what they thought were hunger pangs were in fact, satisfied by water. Try it! You have nothing to lose, except some weight.

How do you know whether you are drinking enough water each day? Well answer is not difficult. The average person needs around 6-8 large glasses every day.

Well then, how should you drink 6-8 glasses per day? The aim is to drink water consistently. If you drink too much all at once or too fast, it will simply pass through you, with little or no benefit to your body.

If you are someone who enjoys ‘taste’ of water, then perhaps you could fill a 1 litre empty soft drink container with water drink through it twice during day. Room temperature or cold water, even warm as some people like - whatever you prefer. Place it on desk at work in front of you as a constant reminder to sip continuously throughout day.

Other people find they need a water ‘diet’ to help them keep on track. So for you, here is a program easily followed to ensure you are well hydrated every single day.

·When you wake up you will often be thirsty because your body loses water while you are sleeping through breathing and perspiration. Drink a large glass of water with a slice of lemon for zing.

·Drink another glass of water with breakfast or a cup of herbal tea before setting off day.