Yogic food – How to start your day?

In the morning after brushing teeth, the first thing everyone should do is drinking water. In winter, People who have high cholesterol, constipation, pain in the joints, arthritis and are overweight should drink warm water in the morning. If you have no problems you can drink water at room temperature rested overnight in a copper vessel or in a glass bottle. Drinking warm water in the morning helps in weight loss. In case you are suffering from acidity then drink room temperature water.

Drinking water according to weather and issues

In winter drink warm water in the morning, it helps to maintain the body temperature and chances of catching a cold become less.

In summer, people with problems like high cholesterol, constipation, joint pains… should drink slightly warm water in the morning and people who have no problems can drink room temperature water. During the day if the temperature is hot then people with problems (cholesterol, constipation, joint pain…) can drink slightly cold water. People with no issues can drink cold water. When I say cold it doesn’t mean freezing cold straight from the fridge!

Yogic food – How to drink water?

I have noticed that people have become so busy with their lives that they don’t even sit down to drink water. The right and the yogic way of drinking water is sitting down in a squatting position, but most of the people can not sit in a squatting position due to different issues. So at least what you can do for your good health is to drink water sitting down on a chair. Yogic science and Ayurveda says in the long term, drinking water in standing gives pain in the knees, and joints and it deforms the dosha Vatta.

What can you drink or have along with water in the morning?

Drinking Aloe vera juice and amla juice, eating neem leaves, tulsi leaves and also a small amount of raw garlic is good in the morning (garlic stimulates digestion and appetite and is also good for high cholesterol). Raw garlic should be taken in a small quantity as a medicine.

In the morning you better take care of your body, it will keep you active the whole day.  30 to 60 minutes practising Hatha yoga in the morning can and will keep you sharp during the day at work, school… and also will give you a satisfied feeling from within.

Yogic food – What to eat at breakfast?

Light and nutritious breakfast. A person should not eat the same breakfast every day, keep changing your breakfast. Let’s put it like this: On Monday eat porridge, Tuesday fruit salad, Wednesday oatmeal, Thursday sprouts and fresh juice, Friday vegetable salad (the more colours of vegetables the more benefits), Saturday khichadi with curd or yoghurt… Once a week eat only one time in the evening and also once in two weeks fasting is recommended.

Some people eat straight away in the morning (*BANG*) without doing any physical activities. I highly recommend not to do this Bang Bang! Don’t do this at all, also don’t start your day burning yourself with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea it doesn’t give you anything good it just makes your way shorter towards your grave!

Yogic food – What to eat at your dinner?

Most of the people must be wondering why I am jumping to dinner and why am I not mentioning lunch…? According to the yogic lifestyle, we eat only twice a day. Till the age of 33, a person can eat thrice a day and after 33 eat only twice.

Cook your food with different oils, don’t use the same oil every day. You can cook with sesame oil, mustard oil, rice bran oil (physically pressed is the best) or cows ghee. I don’t recommend refined oils. If you are making chapatis or you are a bread eater then make your chapatis and bread with different grains.

By eating a variety of grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, oils and milk products you will consume sufficient nutrition. There will be no need for eating extra vitamins and supplements. In case you are a vegan, do not forget to consume enough Vitamin B12.

Yogic food – How to eat?

Very first thing, eat with full awareness, be conscious while eating, chew your food till the time it becomes kind of liquid in the mouth, be happy while eating and show gratitude towards the food. Increase the time of eating (chew for long) and decrease the amount of food you eat. Do not drink water before eating food. Drink water only after one hour of eating. Do not overeat.

Do you want to live Longer and Healthier!?

I guess yes you do. I have a simple mantra for living longer and healthier. The Mantra is – Fill your stomach half with food, a quarter with water (drink an hour after a meal), and leave quarter empty. Also, add 50% of fresh fruits (in the morning before breakfast) and raw vegetables (always before the cooked meals) in your diet. If you eat like this you will feel a drastic change in your body within 3 to 5 months of time. Also walking for 30 minutes after dinner is very healthy.

Yogic food – When and how to consume curd, buttermilk, and milk

Curd in the morning.
Buttermilk in the afternoon.
Milk in the evening or in the night before sleeping.
Practice Hatha Yoga in the morning empty stomach.

Try these yogic tips and say hello to a healthy and prosperous life.

About us

We are a Yoga school and healing centre where we follow a spiritual and healthy lifestyle. Living with a mind frame of simple living and high thinking. If you strive to go deeper into the Yogic and Ayurvedic knowledge then Yog Temple is the place for you.

We offer:

• 100-hour Yoga teacher training courses
• 200-hour Yoga teacher training courses
• Shamanism courses
• Shamanic healing
• One week of yogic lifestyle
• Body balancing work

Feel free to write us for any questions here – info@yogtemple.com

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Saral Bhujangasana (Easy Cobra Pose) helps especially with shoulder pain and stiffness in the upper back. It also strengthens the arms.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) deepens the breathing, which releases tension. It helps with back pain and keeps the spine healthy.

Saral Dhanurasana (Easy Bow Pose) is useful for lower back pain and improves posture. Stiffness is removes, the spine is realigned, and muscles and ligaments are activated.

Ardha shalabahasana (Half Locust Pose) helps with low back pain. It also relaxes the pelvic muscles and tones the buttocks muscles.

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How to use neem leaves for different ailments

Wound healing: Apply a paste made from fresh neemba leaves on your wound a few times a day till it heals. You can also mix neem powder with some water until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

Dandruff: Boil some neemba leaves in water for 15 to 20 minutes or till the water becomes green. Let the water cool down, wash your hair with shampoo and cleanse your hair with neemba water. Within a few weeks, you will see the result. If you can not get fresh neemba leaves you can also use readymade neem shampoo (link). Additionally, you can use neem oil on your dry hair to boost the effect and to moisturize your hair and scalp.

Eye problems, irritation, redness or tiredness: Boil a few neemba leaves in water, let the water cool down and then wash your eyes with this water. Alternatively, you can boil neem powder in water and proceed as described.

Acne and skin problems: Neem is anti-inflammatory and can reduce acne and other skin irritations. Use neem oil to relieve dryness, itchiness, and redness. There are also special neem face washes and creams for problematic skin.

Immunity booster: Grind some neemba leaves or use neem powder, mix it with lukewarm water and drink it. This will help to boost your immunity.

Cancer: Neemba has amazing properties to kill cancerous cells. Researchers from Hyderabad, India discovered a phytochemical named Nimbolide, which is obtained from Neem and fights various types of cancer. Drug companies are now trying to develop Nimbolide-based drugs. More about that you can read here.

To be noted

Neem is a very strong plant, which is also known for its antifertility effects. It can kill sperm cells if it is consumed in high quality. Indian researchers are currently developing a male contraceptive made from neem.

Further neemba should not be taken by pregnant ladies till the fifth month of pregnancy! It causes heat in the body and can lead to miscarriage. It should not be consumed internally for the whole pregnancy. After the fifth month, it can be used externally in form of oil to reduce stretch marks or to treat rashes.

If you don’t have knowledge about Ayurveda then please consult an ayurvedic doctor before consuming this ancient plant.

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Asanas – Yoga poses for neck pain

The easiest and most effective exercises to relieve neck pain are shoulder and neck rotations. All exercises should be done slowly. Do not strain. These exercises are also perfect to do in the office. They are not only extremely helpful for neck pain. They also improve the blood circulation of the brain and thus the concentration.

Skandha Chakra (shoulder rotation)

Sit or stand straight. The left arm is relaxed. Bend the right arm and bring the right hand to the right shoulder. Now rotate your right elbow 10 times clockwise and 10 times anti-clockwise – slowly and in a controlled manner. Inhale in the upward movement and exhale in the downward movement. Repeat this exercise with the left arm while the right arm relaxes. Finally, do the exercise with both arms at the same time. 10 times clockwise and 10 times anti-clockwise.

Greeva Sanchalana (neck movements)

Sit comfortably, your hands rest in your lap or on your knees. Close your eyes.

Stage 1:

Exhale and move your head slowly forward, trying to touch your chin to your chest. Now inhale and bring your head back as far as possible without straining. Feel the stretching of the muscles and the loosening of the neck vertebrae. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Stage 2:

You are still sitting or standing with your eyes closed. Keep your head straight and relax your shoulders. Exhale and move your head to the right side. Bring the right ear as close to the right shoulder as possible. It is not necessary that you touch the shoulder. Exhale and bring your head back to an upright position. Now move your head on the left side while exhaling. Inhale, head upright again. That’s one round. Practice 10 rounds and focus on your breathing. It should be deep and slow.

Stage 3:

Sit or stand straight, the head is upright, and eyes are closed. Exhale and turn your head to the right side. Your chin should be almost in line with your shoulder. Inhale and bring your head back to the center. Slowly exhale and turn your head to the left as far as it is comfortable for you. Inhale and bring the head back to the middle. That’s one round. Perform 10 rounds.

Stage 4:

Sit or stand with eyes closed. Now rotate your head slowly and controlled. First, bring your chin to the chest, then to the right, backward, to the left side and to the front again. Rotate calmly, relaxed and rhythmically in a circular motion. 10 times clockwise and 10 times anti-clockwise. Do not stain. If you feel dizzy, open your eyes and skip this stage exercise for the day. After the practice, keep your head straight and eyes closed. Feel the changes in your head and neck for a few moments.

Relaxation

Our hectic everyday life brings tension and stress with it. These are the two secret ingredients for neck pain. In addition to physical exercises, it is therefore important to recognize stress in your life and free yourself from it. Contrary to popular belief, stress does not come from the outside. A situation can be stressful, whether we absorb this stress or leave it where it is, is entirely up to us. Yoga and Ayurveda provide many possibilities to learn how to not absorb stress and stay completely at ease and in peace – even in hectic situations. Not only would that help yourself, but you people around you. Become a center of peace and calm. Regular asana practice, meditation, and ayurvedic self-massage form the basis for a stress-free and relaxed life.

Daily routine

Another important factor to maintain good health the right lifestyle, which does not disturb your natural rhythm. To help the body heal itself, it is essential that we eat, sleep and move regularly and adequately. Look at your own daily routine. Do you get enough sleep? Do you take your meals daily at approximately the same time? Are you moving sufficiently? Routine is the key to physical and mental health.

Abhyanga – Ayurvedic oil massage

A full-body massage stimulates the blood circulation, relieves tension and deposited toxins. The great thing: You can do it as a self-massage. Therefore, you do not have to find someone who is willing to give you a massage. Self-massage is a wonderful ritual to get to know and love your own body. Enjoy the warm oil and the deep touch of yourself.

Start with the head area and massage in small, circular movements over your face, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. At the long bones you massage with long up and down movements and at the joints in circular movements. The abdomen and chest are massaged in a circular motion, preferably in a clockwise direction. Finally, massage the legs and feet. On the soles of the feet, you can press a little harder, which brings extra relaxation. Use enough oil and let it soak in for 15 minutes. Take a warm shower afterward.

Depending on your constitution type, you can choose different oils. Find out which constitutional type (Dosha) you are. Vata and Kapha should use warming oils like sesame or almond. Pitta should be massaged with a cooling oil such as coconut, which can be mixed with neem oil to reduce heat in the skin.

Warm Pillow

For acute neck pain, a pillow filled with fruit seeds, such as cherry pit or grape seeds, can quickly help. Simply warm the pillow in the oven and then put it in the neck or, you lie down on the pillow. The heat will quickly release the tension. This is a quick fix, but not a long-lasting one. If you often suffer from neck pain, you cannot avoid physical exercises and relaxation exercises.

Herbs

Ointments with Arnica Montana (wolf’s bane, mountain tobacco) are considered a miracle cure for neck pain. Likewise, the devil’s claw (rampion, grapple plant) with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can provide relief. In Ayurveda, we find Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng), which is used for treating pain and swelling.

Leave a comment and tell us what helped you the most.
We wish you a quick recovery!

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Ingredients for two cups:

• 1 / 2l water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cardamom capsules
• 8 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• fresh or dried mint
• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
• juice of half a lemon
• Honey (do not cook!)

Preparation:

Working time: approx. 5 min. / Cooking time: approx. 30 min.

Boil the water with all ingredients (except lemon and honey) for at least 30 minutes. If necessary, add a little more water. Finally, add the lemon juice and a spoon of honey. Honey would lose all its healing properties in hot water. Thus, let the tea cool down a little bit before adding honey.

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What is Ayurvedic diet?

What we eat and how we prepare it has a direct influence on our physical and emotional well-being. There is not one Ayurvedic diet, but different Ayurvedic diets that are adapted to the season, the region, the culture and the constitution type (Dosha). There are three different doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Find out what doshas are and what dosha you are. Human needs differ very much. Type-appropriate diet is the basis of Ayurveda.

Why is Ayurvedic diet awesome?

Individually tailored diet

Ayurvedic diet takes the season and the times of the day into account.

Tasty and delicious meals

Most recipes are time-saving and easy to prepare.

Good for your health: There are suitable cures for rejuvenation and healing process.

The golden rules of the Ayurvedic diet

The Ayurvedic diet is tailored to the constitution type. But some rules apply equally to all doshas:

1. The right amount

Both too much and too little food can disturb the digestion. The stomach should only be filled to 2/3, so that the digestion works well. If we feel “full” that was already too much food.

2. Do not drink along with meals

As liquids quench the digestive fire, you should not drink 1 hour before and after your meal. Exceptions are digestive teas like ginger tea. If you have the feeling that you need something to “swallow” your food, you probably chew too little.

3. Pay attention to your preferences

Our body knows exactly what it needs, so we should pay attention to our preferences and desires. However, the message may be hidden. Cravings on chips can indicate a lack of sodium, vitamin D, vitamin B1 or vitamin B6. Another example is that our body craves chocolate if we have a shortage of zinc.

4. Regular meals without snacks

We should keep four hours without eating between meals. Before the next meal, you should feel hungry. The breakfast should be nutritious but light as the digestion is still sluggish. According to Ayurveda, lunch should be the main meal. At this time the digestive fire is strongest. The dinner should be warm and light and be taken about three hours before going to bed.

5. Eat High Quality

Pure food prepared with love provides the best energy. Make sure that the food is as untreated as possible. Choose your food according to your region and the season.

6. Eat in a pleasant atmosphere

The best organic food becomes poison when swallowed in a stressful situation. Not only what we eat matters, but how we eat it. Take your time and eat consciously and in a quiet environment.

7. The combination matters

In Ayurveda, wrong combinations are considered to be one of the main causes of skin diseases. Milk should never be eaten with salty or sour food (leafy vegetables, meat), milk is very compatible with honey, ghee, ginger, rice or barley. Fresh fruits should not be combined with cooked food. Sour fruits are not compatible with yoghurt or cheese.

8. All flavors

A well-balanced meal should contain all six flavors in the following order: sweet, sour, salty, hot, bitter, astringent. This corresponds with the digestion phases and supports them.

9. Drinking

In the morning you should drink a glass of warm water to stimulate digestion. With a few drops of lemon juice, the water becomes basic.

10. Eat only when you are hungry

On some days when you are not physically active, it can take up to six hours to get hungry after eating. Do not just eat the meal because it’s “time to eat”. You should feel hungry.

Ayurvedic diet adapted to the doshas

The constitution type or dosha controls bodily processes. Our food should therefore be adapted to our Dosha. Click here to read more about doshas and how to find and balance your dosha.

Ayurvedic diet for Vata

In Vata people, the elements of air and space dominate. Mostly Vata are petite to lanky, have dry skin and a very restless mind. They are creative, but also moody.

To balance Vata, the food should be heavy and well cooked. Raw food is not suitable as it would only increase the elements of air and space. Warming spices (cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, cloves) balance Vata.

Ayurvedic diet for Pitta

Pitta is determined by the elements fire and water. Pitta people are athletically built. They have a fast digestion and are ambitious but can also be jealous and dominating.

Pitta, the fire in us, is especially balanced by cooling foods: cucumber, melon, apple, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, amaranth, buttermilk, and warm drinks (body produces heat to warm up cool drinks – increases pitta). Pitta people should avoid acidic foods such as coffee, alcohol, tomatoes, spinach and garlic.

Ayurvedic diet for Kapha

The elements earth and water dominate in Kapha-People. They mostly have a strong and heavy body and thick hair. Kapha are calm and well-balanced people with good stamina.

Kapha is balanced by warm and light food, which should be spicy, bitter and astringent in taste. In general, Kapha people should eat small portions.

More details on how to balance your dosha you can find here.

What do you eat? Would you try the ayurvedic diet?

Leave a comment!

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Yoga

According to ancient Indian traditions (written down in the Vedas), the goal of yoga is to reach higher levels of consciousness, and finally, enlightenment or unity with divine energy. ‘Yoga’, actually, ‘Yog’, means union. Yoga gives us all the tools to develop our mind to raise into higher levels of consciousness and to become one with our source.

Sometimes we might forget that our soul and our spirit reside in our body. Many, who follow the yogic path tend to overlook what important role our body plays on our journey. The body is the vehicle of our soul, which we use to navigate through this world and to communicate with our environment. Consequently, we can not neglect our body, if we want to reach higher consciousness. If we neglect the needs of our body anyway, it will show us its limitations, which we cannot ignore. Therefore, the essential key to spiritual growth is to keep our body healthy. On the one hand, we can achieve that with yogic techniques, such as asanas and kriyas (more about that you find here). On the other hand, Ayurveda helps us to keep our body and mind balanced.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the oldest health system of human kind and was written down for the first time about 5,000 years ago (Vedas). It offers us methods for healing and, more importantly, for maintaining our health. More about Ayurveda you can read here.

In a nutshell: Ayurveda makes our bodies healthy and through yoga we can reach higher levels of consciousness. But what has shamanism to do with all that?

Shamanism

Shamanism is the oldest healing system in the world and was/ is practiced worldwide (also in India). It is the first form of psychotherapy and was recognized as such by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 1980. With the help of shamanic work we can solve problems and topics of our life (relationship problems, traumatic events, chronic diseases …). Only if we solve our problems and strive for growth, we can reach higher levels of consciousness. Even working through our topics increases our consciousness level automatically . Therefore, Shamanism is another helping hand on our way from duality to unity.
You can learn more about shamanism here. Read here why yoga and shamanism work together in such a nice manner.

The interplay between Yoga, Ayurveda and Shamanism

In summary, these three components (Yoga, Ayurveda and Shamanism) form a powerful unit for spiritual growth. Yoga offers us the way to enlightenment. Ayurveda helps us to keep our body healthy for this venture and Shamanism helps us with our daily-life problems, so we can fully concentrate our spiritual growth.

To see the interplay between Yoga, Ayurveda and Shamanism in action, visit our courses, workshops or retreats in Austria and Goa, India.

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The five elements (Pancha Mahabhuta)

Ayurveda assumes that everything in the world consists of five elements. Therefore every stone, every plant and every living being has these five elements:

Earth (Prithivi)

Water (Apha)

Fire (Agni)

Air (Vayu)

Ether / Space (Akasha)

Thus, the human body consists of all five elements as well. These are not present in equal proportions. Depending on which elements dominate, we can count ourselves to one dosha (constitution type, bioenergy). This may be a pure type (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) or a mixed type (Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha, Pitta-Kapha). Furthermore it very rarely happens that all three doshas are balanced. Then we speak of the Vata Pitta Kapha or Tridosha constitution.

Innate and acquired Dosha (constitution)

Ayurveda differentiates between the innate dosha (Prakriti) and the acquired dosha (Vikriti). First of all our Prakriti is determined at our time of birth. Which Dosha it is, depends on the parents, the condition of the mother during the pregnancy and the season and place of our birth. The elements have a very individual balance which leads to our Prakriti (innate dosha). However, our Prakriti can be falsified by longer-term imbalances in our life. The results of this is the Vikriti (currently prevalent Dosha). When you do a self-test, to find out which dosha you are, it is important to note that long-term living conditions can falsify the result. In order to get the clearest possible picture, the dosha should be determined by an ayurvedic consultants and ayurvedic doctor through physical characteristics, pulse perception and interrogation.

In order to maintain good health, you have to know your own dosha and know how to balance it. This especially works with food, habits and different yogic techniques (asanas, pranayama, kriyas…).

Tridosha – the three constitution types

Vata (principle of movement)

Dominant elements: air and ether

Physical characteristics: light bones, skinny, slender, dry skin, fine hair, prone to constipation and flatulence, irregular appetite, brittle fingernails, light sleep, cracking joints

Character: jumpy and restless mind, creative, sociable, fast movements, moody, likes to change his mind, nervous

Physical disorders: too much Vata can lead to dry skin, sleep disorders, nervousness, constipation and musculoskeletal problems.

Balance: An imbalance leads to fear and anxiety. When Vata is balanced, creativity and lightness unfold.

How to balance Vata:

• Regularity / structure: fixed meal times, daily schedule
• Food: no raw food! but sweet, sour and salty, hot, heavy and soft food, which is well cooked. Warming spices: cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, cloves
• Warmth: warm weather, warm drinks
• Grounding: walks in the nature, gardening, walking barefoot
• Yogasanas: grounding and soothing poses. So almost all asanas, but especially Uttanasana (standing forward bend), Dhanurasana (bow pose), Paschimottanasana (sitting forward bend), Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Halasana (plow pose)
• Pranayama: Nadi Shodhana (calms the spirit and is grounding)
• Meditation: Mantra meditation with a Mala (helps to keep the mind calm and steady)

Pitta (principle of conversion)

Dominant elements: fire & water

Physical characteristics: sporty and well-proportioned body, fast digestion, good appetite, soft fingernails, good sleep, sweating, robust metabolism (“can digest stones”)

Character: intelligent, ambitious, good leader, prone to jealousy, dynamic, powerful

Physical disorders: too much pitta can lead to skin diseases, gastritis and migraine.

Balance: Imbalance of the Pitta leads to fiery emotions such as anger, hatred and jealousy. When Pitta is balanced, charisma and courage unfold.

How to balance Pitta:

• Cooling: Cooling foods (cucumber, melon, apple, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, amaranth, buttermilk …), warm drinks (body produces heat to warm up cool drinks), no sunbathing at lunchtime, reduce stress, control ambition
• Food: freshly prepared, slightly oily, sweet, bitter and astringent, not too hot (body temperature). Fixed mealtimes. No acidic foods (e.g. coffee, alcohol, tomatoes, spinach, garlic, citrus fruits)
• Grounding: walks in the nature, gardening, walking barefoot
• Yogasanas: soothing and non-heating poses, especially those that activate the region around the navel and solar plexus: Ustrasana (camel pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Sirshasana (headstand).
• Pranayama: Shitali or Shitkari (cooling effect)
• Meditation: breathing meditation (calms the body and the mind)

Kapha (principle of stability)

Dominant elements: earth & water

Physical characteristics: strong, sometimes overweight body, puts weight on easily, regular digestion, thick hair, strong fingernails, deep sleep, good memory, slow movements

Character: loyal, calm, balanced, gentle, good endurance, tends to lethargy, stable

Physical disorders: too much Kapha can lead to obesity, lack of motivation, congested airways and, later, diabetes and tumors.

Balance: As a result of an imbalance of Kapha envy, greed, and attachment to things and people arise. When Kapha is balanced it brings love, peace and serenity.

How to balance Kapha:

• Exercise: regularly
• Food: warm, dry and light food with a spicy, astringent and bitter taste. Generally little food.
• Action / Activation: not too much sleep (no afternoon nap), activities, active leisure time
• Yogasanas: stimulating and warming poses, especially those that open up the chest: Ustrasana (camel pose) and Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose). In addition Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) is also ideal for Kapha, as it helps for obesity and depression. Sun salutation is very active, produces heat and, most of all, opens the chest area.
• Pranayama: Bhastrika (stimulates the flow of energy)
• Meditation: walking meditation (brings activity and concentration)

Did you find out which Dosha you are? Let us know how you like our tips. Leave a comment or questions for us!

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‘Ayus’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge. Therefore one can translate Ayurveda as the ‘science of life’. In addition to imparting theoretical knowledge, this health system also provides practical everyday rules to bring body, mind and soul into a unity.

Methods of Ayurveda

On the one hand, Ayurveda uses preventative methods to maintain good health. On the other hand, it uses healing (curative) methods for health care. The emphasis is on nutrition, cleansing methods, yoga, massages, meditation and plant medicine. By now scientiest proved the effectiveness of ayurvedic methods by Western standards as well.

Diet

Our food is an elemental value for our physical and mental well-being. The Ayurvedic diet provides guidelines for each type of constitution (Tridosha) to meet individual needs. Furthermore, the food is adapted to the climate, the season and the culture. So there is not THE ayurvedic diet, but many different ayurvedic diets that are tailored to the user. To choose the right ayurvedic diet for you, you need to know which constitutional type (dosha) you belong to. You can find out more about this in our retreats and courses.

Yoga

Yoga is not a part of Ayurveda. It is an independent way of life. Ayurveda uses yoga to promote and maintain health. Read more about yoga and its roots here.

Massages

Ayurvedic massages help to release toxins and improve the energy flow in the body. There are a variety of different massages. The best known is Abhyanga. This is a full body massage with warm oil. Other forms of Ayurvedic massage are:

• Mukabhyanga (facial massage with oil)
• Padabhyanga (foot massage with oil)
• Shiroabhyanga (head massage with oil)
• Udarabhyanga (belly massage with oil)
• Shirodhara (pouring warm oil over the forehead)
• Upahanasveda (back massage with oil + sweating with the help of herbal paste)
• Marma massage (similar to acupressure)
• Udvartana (full-body massage with oil and powder)
• Garshan (full-body massage with raw silk gloves)
• Marma Chikitsa (Treating of Marma points with oils + breathing exercises)
• Pinda Sweda (therapy with hot rice or herbal stamps)
• Swaraabhyanga (self-massage with oil)

Done on a regular basis, the individual treatment rejuvenate and revitalize.

Meditation

Meditation is the spiritual practice par excellence. With the help of meditation we bring our mind to rest and integrate our whole being. Read more about meditation and different forms of meditation here.

Panchakarma (cleansing therapy)

‘Panch’ is Sanskrit and means five. ‘Karma’ means actions. People used these five cleaning methods for thousands of years with great results. It is especially recommendable for chronic, persistent and psychosomatic health problems a Panchkarma retreat (3-12 weeks). The five procedures are: medical vomiting (Vamana), drainage (Virecana), enemas (Basti), nasal and frontal sinus treatment (Nasya) and bloodletting (Rakta Moksa).

Dravyaguna (medical science)

Ayurveda has one of the most sophisticated theories for using medication. It describes the substances (Dravya), their properties (Guna) and their effects (Karma). It covers all areas of the herbal and mineral medicines: identification, use, processing and dosage. The European Union approves Ayurvedic remedies only as dietary supplements.

Ayurveda as a process of consciousness

Ayurveda is not about the cure of illness, but also about the promotion of health. This requires a close examination of the client. Thus, the Ayurvedic doctor or consultant has to consider the physical, mental and spiritual constitutions as well as the family and social and economic contexts. In order to achieve and maintain health, an awareness process must be completed.

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