Tip Of The Day - Natural Breath Freshener

Need a quick breath freshener?
Just chew on a couple of mint leaves or some cilantro.
It leaves your mouth minty fresh and lasts much longer than a tic tac or breath sprays.
AND, IT'S NATURAL!
Another bonus fact - not only does it keep your breath fresh, but it also helps with oral infections, digestion, nausea, relieves intestinal gas and good for cholesterol.

Benefits of Yoga

Now that you've familiarized yourself with yoga from the previous blog, here is some more information about its benefits -  

Scientific research validating the benefits of yoga:

Physical benefits:

• improved physical activity
• fitness
• lung functioning
• athletic performance
• greater physical endurance
• normalization of weight
• important mind and body coordination
• reversal of aging 
• improves heart functioning 
• improves digestion

Mental benefits:

• improves memory
• increased positivism
• restful alertness by increasing alpha brain wave patterns
• improves cognitive performance (thinking, reading, problem solving)
• reduces mental fatigue
• improves mental health
• reduces neuroticism

Prevention of disease:

• lowers blood pressure
• reduced obesity
• lower serum cholesterol level
• relief from constipation and gas
• reduced incidents of common cold
• decreased insomnia
• improved kidney functioning
• improved liver functioning
• decreased backache
• normalization of blood sugar level
• alleviation of asthma 

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Natural Urges

An urge is a natural impulse the body gives to you.  In Ayurveda, this is called Vega vidhran.  It is a process of metabolism controlled by Vata.  To resist an urge or to create an urge forcefully aggravates or creates an imbalance in Vata.  If you suppress the natural urges of your body, you are violating the pathway of Vata and creating imbalance.  The body is put through stress and creates discomfort and physiological changes.

Below is a list of these natural urges according to Ayurveda:

1. urine
2. feces
3. sex
4. vomiting
5. sneezing
6. burping
7. coughing
8. yawning
9. hunger
10. thirst
11. tears
12. sleep
13. breathing
14. gas 

This is the first step to prevent disease - do not suppress any natural urge!  These urges occur because the body is trying to let something out.  So let it out! 

Remedy 2 - Acidity, gas, indigestion

How do you feel after food intake?
Heavy, bloated, acidic, gaseous?
Here's a simple home remedy you can make which can help with any discomfort.

Acidity, gas and indigestion -

1. Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
2. Coriander seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
3. Black salt - 1/2 teaspoon
4. Sugar - small pinch
5. If you're experiencing any pain, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of Ajwain seeds

Mix all the ingredients above, let it boil nicely and drink as a tea.

For full effect, best to have after lunch and dinner.