Introduction to AyurvedaThe Yogic Lifestyle
Pamela Quinn…Who am I?
Founder, Elemental OMAuthor, The Elemental CleanseCreator, The Elemental LifestyleYoga TeacherKundalini TeacherAyurvedic SpecialistSocial EntrepreneurSingle mother of twoReally bad dog owner….
That’s me!
Ayurvedathe Art of Living
The Science of LifeThe Mother of Healing
A diagnostic tool using the
language of nature
Ayu Veda“life”…from conception beyond death
“Knowledge” …that which our human minds can understand
1. Internal Medicine or Kayachikitsa 2. Surgery or Shalyatantra
3. Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat or Shalakya Tantra
4. Pediatrics or Kaumarabhritya 5. Toxicology or Agadatantra
6. Psychology or Bhutavidya7. Rejuvenation or Rasayana
8. Aphrodisiacs or Vajikarana
8 Branches of Ayurvedic Medicine
Ashtanga (8) Ayurveda
The Yogic Lifestyle…The Trinity
Ayurveda.Yoga.TantraPhysical.Spiritual.Psychological
Artha: you need money. Kama: desire is the spark of creationDharma: you have a job to do Moksha: there’s more to life than artha, kama and dharma
Ayurvedic “goals”
Tamasic creates dullness (object of observation)
Inertia, darkness, confustion.
Rajas creates action (kinetic energy of observation)
The principle of movement, change, and excitability
Sattva creates purity (the observer)
The pure essence of light, right action, and spiritual purpose.
THE GUNAS…the pulsation of the cosmos causes Consciousness to break up into 3 universal qualities.
Personality and Gunas
TAMASIC
IgnorantUnintelligentLethargicSelfishUnclean body and mindDepressedFearfulVengefulBelieves blindlyCrimes agains intelligenceApathetic
RAJISTIC
Forces knowledge or willAverage intellectStatus and wealth accumulationselfish, and takes advantage of othersAgitated in body, mind and speechRudeAngryCruelGreedyQuestions GodMust be convinced to follow health adviceOverreacts to pleasure & pain
Adapted from Dr. Frawley’s, “Ayurveda,Nature’s Medicine.”
SATTVIC
Promotes knowledgeVery intelligentNo strong desiresAccepts status in life.Unselfish, givingCultivates purity in body, mind and speechPoliteJoyfulSparklesCalmQuietBelieves in GodHealth consciousReacts to pleasure and pain appropriately
Does this move me to Sattva?
Does this move me away from Sattva?
There are 5 great elements
Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself. ~Henry David Thoreau
• Does not change• Purpose is to “contain”• Cold• Light• Dry
There exists a substance which is the source of all existence. Hindus call it Brahman
Qualities of Space:
Akasha ~ Omnipresent
Water (Jala) is love…cool, smooth, nourishing
Air or VayuDry, brittle and fragile
CoolLight
ErraticUnpredictable
Fresh Energetic
The Fire or Tejas
• HOT• BRIGHT• PUNGENT• FLARES UP QUICKLY• INTENSE• ABRUPTLY SETTLES• POWER, FORCE & ENERGY
The Earth or prithivi
HeavyDenseCool
StrongStableInert
LubricatingPredictable
WHO AM I? Prakriti
What element resonates with my Mind?
What element resonates with my body?
Epigenetics…you are what your mom’s mom eats
Vata/VataVata/PittaVata/KaphaPitta/VataPitta/PittaPitta/KaphaKapha/VataKapha/PittaKapha/KaphaVata/Pitta/Kapha
What????
Possible combinations for mind/body types
Are you the Wind or Vata? (space + air)
Start Easy…Digestion is:
IrregularProne to
constipationHard time gaining
weightIf weight gain,
settles on stomach
Are you the Fire or Pitta?Fire + Water
Start Easy with Digestion:
Strong DigestionNeeds 3 meals at
same time each day or gets grumpyEasily gain/lose
weightWeight settles over
whole bodyProne to hot or loose
digestion
Are you the Earth or Kapha?
(earth + water)
Start easy with digestion…
Has struggled with weight entire
life.Very easily gains
weightStable digestion
Am I in Balance?
Vikriti
If you score 5 – 9…Balanced!
10 – 15…out of Balance
15 and above…Take immediate action!!!
You need The Elemental Cleanse
Vata (The Wind) imbalance• Anguished or anxious• Nervousness• Causeless fear• Fear of the unknown• Insomnia• Tingling• Numbness• Muscle twitching• Nervous twitching• Cold hands and feet• Unclear perception and dizziness• Rigidity in muscles OR flaccidity• Poor coordination• Schizophrenia• Hallucinations (auditory or olfactory)• Hyperactivity• Nightmares• Indecision• insecurity
Functions of VataMovementMaintains lifeCommunicationGoverns the mind, sensory perception, motor functionMovement of thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulsesBreathingHeart FunctionCirculation
IngestionAssimilation and absorptionElimination of waste including menstruationOrgasmCellular divisionHearingTouchClarityCreativityJoy
Balanced…Happiness
JoyCreativityFlexibility
Balanced…knowledge,
comprehension, appreicaition, right
judgment, recognition, total
understanding
The Fire or Pitta Imbalance• Burning hands and feet• Inflammation of the nerves (pain in nerves)• Sciatica• Shingles• Mononucleosis• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome• Epstein Barr• AIDS• Cerebral hemorrage• Hypertension• Stroke• Sickle Cel Anemia• Wrong judgment• Prejudice• Manipulation• Anger• Hate• Envy• Chemical depression and suicidal thoughts
Functions:MetabolismDigestion, absorption, assimilation of foodBody temperatureAppetiteThirstTasteColorLuster of yes, hair, skin, bodySensitivity in bodyIntelligence, understanding, comprehension, knowledge, CourageAmbitionTransformationVision perception
Kapha or The Earth Imbalance
• Respiratory illness• Colds with deep cough• Flu• Asthma• Bronchitis• Swollen glands• Obesity• Diabetes• Depression• Cysts• Arthritis• Cancer• Cateracts
Functions:LubricationNourishmentSupport & StabilityGroundednessGrowthGaseous exchange in lungsGastric secretionsWater electrolyte balanceFat regulationStrength & StaminaEnergySleepRepair and regenerationMemory RetentionContentmentForgivenessCompassionTaste PerceptionSmell
Balance for all doshas…. Ashtangahridaya (500 AD)
Nityam hithahara vihara sevii Sameekshyakaree
vishayeshuasakthaha Datha samassthya paraha kshamava
Napthopaseveecha, bhavatya rogaha
Translation:
Eat good food
Move your body
Be careful of taking unnecessary risks Respect yourself
Give to charity
Love everyone.
Be truthful
Respond, don’t react
Forgive
Surround yourself with like-minded people
Eat FOOD
Basic Yogi Routine for all Doshas
• Arise 1 – 2 hours before the sun.• Scrape tongue• Brush teeth with Neem toothpaste• Swish with ¼ cup of water and 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil• Drink a glass of room temperature water.• Eliminate.• Wash face & oil• Use Nasya Oil for Nose• Meditate 20 – 30 minutes.• Move your body…asana, pranayama, walking• Shower• Oil Massage Post Shower• Walk after each meal• Eat 3 meals each day around the same time each day
and around 2 cups of food total for each meal.• Drink water for your body type and not with meals.• Do not eat within 2 – 3 hours of bedtime• Go to bed around 10 pm
Tamasic Foods…dull & lifeless
LeftoversStale FoodDeep-fried foodMeat & FishMargarineIce CreamFrozen FoodsGarlicMicrowaved foods
Overindulgence of good food
Overcooked foodsOnionsMushroomsProcessed foods
White foodsAlcohol in excessCheese (hard variety)
Destroys AgniThe Immune SystemCreates dullness in
mind
Rajistic Foods…stokes Agni
Fermented foodsVinegarPicklesSour cream
Alcohol in small amountsCoffeeSpicy & CitrusPeppersOnionsGarlicLemonLime
SaltWhite SugarAvocadoEggsChocolate
Too much creates imbalance in body/mind
Sattvic Foods...create Ojas
Overindulgence creates Tamas
MilkHoneyCinnamon, NutmegAlmondsLentils & BeansFruitsVeggiesGrainsNutsSeedsOils
Ojas…the divine
spiritual essence that shines in your eyes.
Yoga & Meditation
• Meditation of 20 – 30 minutes daily.
• Personal Yoga Practice• 1 – 3 class/week• 30 minutes of walking
each day.• 5 – 15 minutes of
pranayama• Daily gratitude,prayer,
or contemplation
• Triphala • Sesame or Coconut or Almond Oil• Ghee • Chyvanprash • Flax Oil• Shilaji• Neem
Pamela Quinnpamela@elementalom.comwww.elementalom.comwww.elementalcleanse.comwww.facebook.com/pameladquinnhttp://www.slideshare.net/pameladquinn