Tips For Healthy Hair

Tips for healthy hair -

• include lots of leafy green vegetables and sweet juicy fruits
• coconut is best
• favor fresh yogurt, milk, buttermilk, ghee 
• favor seeds, nuts and grains 
• eat less of processed, canned food - no nutrition is given to body and mind
• cumin, turmeric, black pepper are good for the hair - include these spices in your cooking
• stress is a huge factor for hair loss and graying of hair - practice TM or any other meditation technique
• harsh chemicals in hair products is a big NO - it damages the hair - read the labels
• oil massages to the scalp once or twice a week stimulates the hair follicles, provides nourishment to the scalp, stimulates the mind and clears any impurities on the head
• do not comb or brush your hair when wet - more hair will break and fall
• blow drying hair is a big NO - excessive heat damages the hair, is not good for the mind and gives you split ends
• it's good to brush the hair regularly to stimulate the scalp and keeping the hair looking healthy and lustrous! 

Dinacharya - Daily Routine

If we adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, our doshas will establish a sense of  balance and we will maintain perfect health and happiness.  In Ayurveda, Dinacharya or daily routine is important because it brings the body, mind and consciousness in a state of balance and regulates all functions of the body.

I’m sure we all have a tendency to fall off the track when we’re not supposed to, but I personally feel that is all right to do.  And speaking as an Ayurvedic practitioner, falling off the map or taking the wrong turn or learning from mistakes and even the findings of your own self through sometimes the wrong will help you in gaining the knowledge you need to learn and grow from.

Those that have a typical 9-5 job might be able to adapt to this type of lifestyle because it’s the basic up in the morning, get ready, grab a coffee and you’re out the door.  Those that have a more easy and subdued lifestyle may find it harder as you’re more casual and laid back when performing your activities.  Whatever lifestyle you live by, following certain remedies will benefit you by maintaining that balance in your mind and body. 

Below is a daily routine that we all must try.  I recommend you all to give this a shot and see how aligned your body and mind will become and the sense of balance you will feel. 

Ayurvedic Daily Routine - 

Morning:

• arise early in the morning
• evacuate bowels and bladder
• brush teeth
• scrape tongue
• self body massage with oil to head, body and soles of feet for about 10 minutes
• shave and cut nails
• gargle with sesame oil
• bathe or shower
• drink 2-3, 12-14 oz glasses of room temperature or warm water on an empty stomach
• Transcendental Meditation or any other meditation technique you practice 
• exercise according to individual recommendations
• wear clean and comfortable clothing suitable to season and activity
• light breakfast (optional), depending upon your dosha 
• work or study

Afternoon:

• lunch: a balanced diet according to your dosha 
• brief rest after lunch
• work or study
• Transcendental Meditation or any other meditation technique you practice

Evening:

• dinner: (optional), a balanced diet according to your dosha 
• pleasant, relaxing activity, (for example - an evening walk) or according to your dosha some exercise
• self body massage with oil to head, body and soles of feet for about 10 minutes
• bed time 

In The Moment. In The Air.

LaGuardia Airport.
American Airlines
Flight # 327.
American Airlines
Flight # 5276.
I’m on my way to Fairfield, Iowa.
The land of the Veda (knowledge).
The place where it all started.
The knowledge,
The people,
The smiles,
The love,
The air.
It’s like magic.
I’m going to be visiting Fairfield, Maharishi University of Management and above all, my dear friends.
Friends that I’ve always kept in touch with since graduation.
Friends that I haven’t seen in 10 years.
It’s a 10 year reunion.
I’m very happy.
Excited,
Anxious,
Nervous,
So shy,
Scared,
And proud of myself for leaving New York and coming here.
I meditated on the plane. 
It was such an effortless meditation.
Gosh.
Sounds.
So many.
Such different sounds.
Seat belts buckling.
Babies crying.
Children laughing.
Cell phone talking.
Food eating.
Soda cans popping.
Plane engine riveting.
Turbulence.
Loud, roar like, thundering in your ear.
Bright white and blue sky.
First class view of the world below me.
Meditative.
Tranquil.
Happy.
And Soft. 
So effortless, natural and peaceful.
I’m grateful. 

Here are a few tips to know when flying -
1 - The dry air in the plane can dehydrate your body tissues causing fatigue, constipation and skin irritation.  Definitely drink plenty of warm/hot water before, during and after. 

2 - Best to avoid any alcohol or carbonated beverages as they are diuretic in nature and can increase dehydration in the body. 

3 - Eat light on the plane.  Our bodies change during altitude and movement in the air which makes digestion and food intake a little difficult.  Try to eat 1-2 hours before take off. 

4 - Try to get up and move around every hour.  This will help with stretching of the body and opening up all the channels. 

5 - Before heading to the airport, try to give yourself a light oil massage.  This will help with opening all the channels of circulation and keeping the skin smooth and not irritated. 

5 - Rest and meditate. 

Introducing myself.

Greetings fellow blog readers.
I'd like to welcome myself to the world of blogging.
I always knew of it.
I never did it,
Until now.

Namaste.

My name is Seema Sahani.  I'm 32 years old.  I live in Queens, New York with my beautiful family; my father, mother, older sister, her husband and their twins, younger brother and younger sister.  Full House, I know!

Since this is my first blog entry, I thought an introduction of myself would be appropriate.  I was born and brought up in Queens, New York, the best place ever!  I was studying advertising in Manhattan when one summer my father approached me and said, "look into Ayurveda."  As I was raised in a traditional Indian family, I had always heard of Ayurveda, but still my reaction was, "excuse me?"  So, like any typical traditional Hindu father's girl would do, I did.

I found a college in Fairfield, Iowa called Maharishi University of Management.  My whole family drove me there one summer vacation to check it out.  It was a long drive but the scenery was great.  When we arrived at the campus I was thinking silently, "what have I gotten myself into?  This is the twilight zone."  But the people there were sweet, soft spoken and humble individuals greeting my family and I as if we were royalty.

Even still, my reaction to everything was, "How could I possibly move from New York and go to a University in Fairfield, Iowa, to get a degree in a field I knew almost nothing about?"  To make a long story short, I enrolled for the semester, I fell in love, and graduated with honors with a BA in Maharishi Vedic Medicine.  I loved, cherished, adored and was blessed each day I was there.

Meditation is an integral part of life at Maharishi University of Management.  Transcendental Meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  My initial reaction was one of resistance.  But ten years after graduating I feel I have more knowledge and understanding of my Self because of this.   Now I am at a time in my life where I want to share this knowledge with you because Ayurveda is the science of life.
Of my life.
Of your life.
Your past.
Your present.
Your future.
Your body.
Your mind.
Your soul.
Your inner
And outer Being.
Your craft
Of your Self
To your Self
In your Self
As your Self.