Balance & Bliss Blog
Ayurveda Skin Care
Ayurveda teaches that your skin type is determined by the qualities of your original doshic design. These qualities are uniquely responsive to your stage of life, environmental conditions, dietary habits, skin regimens and the passing of time. According to Ayurveda, it’s best to know your doshic tendencies to determine your optimal skin care regimen…
Ayurveda’s Concept of Perfect Health – Svastha
When we are in our natural state of being and are supporting that original doshic combination (prakriti), we experience true health and wellbeing, which is svastha. Regardless of our current doshic state (vikriti) it is possible to get closer to our prakriti, where we are most harmonious, when following a conscious path to greater health…
The Unified Field of the Body, Mind & Spirit
“Body, Mind and Spirit” is a common phrase used to express the inherent unity between these different aspects of being alive. Ayurveda, the Science of Life, teaches that the body, mind and spirit are intimately unified in a common field of experience and that we…
Ayurveda and Sleep
We all understand that sleep is an important factor for normal biological function. Ayurveda considers the quality and quantity of our sleep to be as essential to our health and well-being as our dietary habits. The right amount of restful sleep affords our bodies and…
Ayurveda and Children
The Ayurvedic concept of prakriti teaches that every child is born with their own individual characteristics, even within the same family. Their distinctive combination of doshas, based on their reason for being here (dharma), determined the physical structure and features, as well as the temperament and natural talents that are needed to fulfill their purpose…
Ayurveda and Your Ideal Weight
The Ayurvedic basis to achieving and maintaining your ideal weight is centered on the recognition of your original combination of the doshas and how they change according to your current circumstances. When you understand your unique physical and mental predispositions, along with the way that you are personally impacted by the rhythms of nature and the details of your day, you can make appropriate decisions that will lead to balanced weight…
Dravyaguna – Ayurveda and Herbs
Dravyaguna gives us extensive classifications concerning the unique properties and use of herbs, based on the herb’s taste and actions. The term Dravyaguna is used in Ayurveda to describe the energetic classification and understanding of herbs, as it is focuses on the expression of consciousness through the herb’s apparent attributes…
Ayurveda and Yoga – Sister Sciences
Ayurveda and Yoga share the same Vedic roots yet offer different paths to the common goal of self-understanding and ultimately merging with pure consciousness. Both Ayurveda and Yoga originated as a means to end all suffering, presenting an approach to life that is in harmony…
Ayurvedic Guidelines for Good Digestion
Ayurveda suggests, not only proper food choices for efficient digestion and quality nutrition, but equally important is proper eating habits. The way that you eat determines if your carefully chosen foods and food combinations will turn into ama (toxins) or ojas (essence of life). Following…
Dincharya
Dinacharya is a Sanskrit term referring to the daily practice or routine founded on Ayurvedic principles. In Sanskrit, ‘din’ means day or daily and ‘charya’ can mean activity, behavior, conduct, practice, performance, custom or routine. In respect to dinacharya, ‘acharya’ refers to following the inherent…
Creating Balance in the Vata Season
According to Ayurveda, the vata season begins in the fall, bringing shorter days and changeable weather, and carries on through the early part of winter. The vata season exposes us to qualities that are light, dry, cold, mobile, subtle and rough. Ayurveda explains that when…
Ayurvedic Physical Activity– A Matter of Balance
The fundamental Ayurvedic principals of like increases like and opposites create balance dictate that you choose the type, intensity and duration of the physical exercise you do, according to your individual Doshic makeup and the current Doshic influences in your life.
Vyayama
Vyayama, or physical exercise, is an essential component of Ayurveda’s system of preventative health care, rejuvenation and longevity. The ancient Ayurvedic texts describe Vyayama as the movements and body postures designed to stabilize and strengthen your body. Ayurveda suggests that a daily routine of proper…
Basic Principles of Ayurvedic Nutrition
The foundation of Ayurvedic nutrition is based on the idea that you are the result of what, when, where, how and why you eat. Ayurveda explains that your food should be eaten mindfully and with gratitude, and that it must be fresh, of the highest…
Aromatherapy for Personal Balance
Aromatherapy is a modern term for an ancient healing practice that is more than 5000 years-old; there are descriptions of the burning of fragrant herbs, flowers, barks and resins, to enhance healing and meditation, in the Vedic texts. The earliest holistic healers made incense, oils,…
Spring has Sprung
“Spring has sprung” is a fun alliteration, but the season didn’t really “spring” up on us. That would imply a clearly defined state of exiting one season and being firmly established in the next. Here in Florida we experience a more subtle transition from summer’s…
Ayurveda and Love
Ayurveda is India’s ancient Science of Life. In developing this science the observers of the known world, the Rishis, categorized every aspect of human health, well being and longevity. Their observations included the elements of happiness and it has long been held that the basis…
Understanding Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the study of natural law. The word Ayurveda means the Science of Life; therefore, the essence of Ayurveda has always existed. Ancient Vedic texts tell us that the Rishis, or Holy Ones of India, acquired the knowledge of Ayurveda through meditation and the…
Beat the Heat of Summer
Relentless heat, major tropical storms, an overbearing sun piercing your eyes, never enough shade… If this is all you can see about summer, you are most likely of a Pitta dosha and you need to be careful in summertime. Ayurveda is an ancient system…
Panchakarma - Balance from the Inside Out
Ayurveda is India’s 5000 year old system of health and longevity. Ayurveda is the Science of Life. Panchakarma is the traditional Ayurvedic cleansing, rejuvenating and balancing program for your mind, body and spirit. Panchakarma means “five actions”. According to the Vedic texts, the formula for optimal…