Abhyanga Ayurvedic Daily Massage-Be Your Own Massage Therapist

Massage is really important as it opens all the channels of the body – making it clear and free from toxins.

Here’s a great read from Maharishi Ayurveda -

If getting on a massage table once a week is out of the question, you can practice the art of abhyanga, Ayurveda’s daily oil massage, on your own. It’s just a matter of taking however many minutes you can spare- from two to 20- to give your skin some love. It’s a powerful tool before or after a shower and has healing qualities. This gentle massage will increase circulation, loosen toxins, and stimulate nerve endings resulting in a sense of calm you can carry with you. Follow these how-to instructions the first time, and soon you’ll be a pro.

Place a small amount of Rejuvenation Massage Oil for Women or Rejuvenation Massage Oil for Men, from the Maharishi Ayurveda Products in the palm of your hand for each point listed below. Massage in a circular direction over joints and in a back-and-forth motion over long bones.

-Massage the face and outer part of the ears.

-Massage both the front and back of the neck and the upper part of the spine.

-Massage the arms, using a back-and-forth motion over the long bones and circular motion over the joints.

-Use a circular motion to massage over the heart and a clockwise motion over the abdomen.

-Massage the legs, using the same long motion over the leg bones and a circular motion over the joints.

-Last but not least, massage the feet. Use the open part of your hand to massage vigorously back-and-forth over the soles.

Rejuvenation Massage Oil for Women and Rejuvenation Massage Oil for Men is a precise blend of ayurvedic herbs and pure essential oils that penetrate quickly into the skin. A good time to do the above massage is right after showering. Using small amounts will help you avoid feeling too oily. After abhyanga you can use a natural bristle body brush with a vigorous motion upward toward your heart on the front and back of your feet, legs, arms, back and tummy. This is really easy and takes less than 5 minutes in the morning. It can be done before going to bed as well. A good time to do the above massage is either before or after showering.

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Strong Digestion & Constipation

Creating a strong digestion is very important for the system especially when you're constipated.
Foods that are not properly digested create toxins and impurities that get absorbed and localize in tissues and disrupt their true nature of functioning.

Here's what you can do to strengthen your digestive system so constipation won't occur -

• herbal preparations 
• favor foods that enhance digestion
• use of proper spices
• knowing what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• exercise, yoga and breathing techniques 
• proper food combinations
• lifestyle and daily routine
• stress management
• balancing the nervous system
• herbalized oil massage 

Dosha Sleep Recommendations

For those with a vata sleeping disorder  -

• favor more sweet, sour and salty foods
• eat three warm cooked meals at the same time every day
• bed time should be before 10 pm and rise by 6 am
• take your time with day to day activities - do not rush

For those with a pitta sleeping disorder - 

• avoid spicy foods in the night
• favor more sweet, bitter and astringent tastes
• avoid skipping meals
• eat enough dinner so you won't feel hungry
• if you feel lots of heat in the head during the night time, mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with 5 drops of lavender oil and massage it on the crown of your head

For those with a kapha sleeping disorder - 

• rise before 6 am
• favor to do self massages in the mornings before shower
• exercise everyday
• avoid eating heavy, sweet, sour, salty foods
• favor a light and warm dinner 

Menstruation Guidelines

In today's world, women curse to the knowledge of having their period.  But according to Ayurveda, having your period is a blessing and not a curse.  Apart from preparing the body for conception and pregnancy, the body is being cleared of all toxins.  Every month we get to clean out our system and we don't even have to do anything!  Nature does it for us!  Our bodies are being renewed.  We are born again!  What a beautiful support from the laws of nature.

Constipation, diarrhea, irritability, mood swings, bloating, upset stomach, cravings, fatigue, breast tenderness, breakouts, sadness, anger, sensitivity - just to mention the very few variety of symptoms we might experience.

Here are some guidelines that will help during our menstruation -

• the body needs to be free of ama - this means no fast food, junk food, leftovers, alcohol and drugs.  Best to favor vegetables, grains, fruits, milk.  These fresh foods will keep your body clean and be easy on your digestive system.
• favor light and warm foods - the ones that will pacify your Vata.
• take it easy!  Don't engage in certain activities or people that will get you moody.  Best to be more inwards.
• light to moderate exercise is recommended; walks in particular
• avoid daily massages during menstruation 
• definitely follow a routine when menstruating as this will help in regulating your menstruation 
• use the following spice mix when cooking to help balance your cycle - 
• 6 parts fennel
• 1 part black cumin
• 1 part cumin
• 6 parts coriander 
• 1 part turmeric 
• 1 part black pepper 
• sauté this mix in ghee and add to your meals 

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! 

Pitta & Coconut Oil

Greetings.

It's almost the month of October and the summer is coming to an end.
I hope you all had a great summer.

Since the weather is transitioning to be a little cooler than the earlier months of summer, we all can still benefit from adapting to our routine to the seasons and following specific guidelines that will help us balance our bodies.

Pitta season is the summer season July - October.  And a lot of us can become aggravated, in the body and or the mind because of the fire and heat from the universe.  Pitta type physical imbalances can occur such as inflammation, skin irritations, heat rashes, diarrhea, etc.  I noticed a rash on my right arm.  It first started out as a minor itch, which later escalated to tiny white bumps and with all the scratching I was doing made it red in color, which in turn aggravated my Pitta.  And since it's the summer time and I needed to cool the Pitta in me, I started to apply coconut oil.  Coconut oil has a cooling effect and improves many skin disorders such as - eczema, fungal infections, heat rashes and acne to name a few.  I'm getting great relief with minor itching and the redness is gong down.  So the next time you have an itch or irritation on the skin, apply some coconut oil and massage for about 10 minutes and let the oil just soak in your skin.  It will definitely cool you down.

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.