Sarah Kucera, DC, CAP

One doesn’t have to lead off rasayana with a cleanse, but the post-cleansing period should always include rasayana. By Ayurvedic measures, detoxification prepares one to receive, digest, and assimilate medicine, whether it be in the form of food, herbal preparations, lifestyle modifications, or even through behavior.

If we asked a dog how it felt to be in this asana, their answer might be like ours. We feel a stretch through the back of our legs, along our spinal muscles, and around our shoulders. It feels amazing after sitting for long periods of time and is a superb way to prep the body for more movement. 

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) is the antidote to our device operating, chair bound, societal ways. It is a back-bending asana where the majority of the movement comes from the thoracic spine, a place where our culture has become limited in motion. With its expansiveness across the chest, it earns its merit as a “heart opener,” but its name “cobra” comes from its shape, which is reflective of a serpent. 

As you recall from your elementary science classes, our heart and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system. Its primary role is to carry blood full of oxygen and nutrients to our tissues and move waste for disposal to their proper sites for elimination. From an Ayurvedic perspective, there’s a missing layer that your science teacher may not have been privy to. 

Bodywork, such as massage, can be undervalued in our Western society. It is often seen as a luxury or a splurge rather than an essential. Ayurveda has a very different standpoint in this regard. Apart from some conditions, massage is a non-negotiable when it comes to self-care. In some instances, the whole body receives massage, and in other cases, specific regions, such as marma points, are given special attention.

When you first discover Ayurveda, you feel a magnetic pull to learn more. The way the system addresses each person as a unique individual feels a lot like having a friend that really “gets” you. There is some glitz and glam around uncovering your dosha (if you don’t know yours, take the Ayurvedic Profile™ quiz), and staking your claim as a vata, pitta, or kapha is like illuminating a path with your best health as the destination. 

When we bite into something bitter, our first reaction may not be to have more, but despite many of us having an aversion to bitter foods, this taste has plenty of benefits. 

This moringa latte makes a delightful morning drink, and can also be a great midday pick-me-up that won’t leave you with the lingering effects of caffeine.

A sustained amount of stress makes it difficult for the body to maintain efficient function. While it’s still best to take care of the root cause of your stress, adaptogens will have your back until it’s possible. Their support is like an insurance policy for our stress hormones and adrenal glands, making sure they don’t become overworked.

Smoothies have become so synonymous with health and fitness that it’s hard to picture an exercise routine without a morning protein shake in hand. But when we consider what Ayurveda teaches us about digestion, along with what we know about our body’s response to exercise, we might change what we are tossing into the blender. 

The majority of us are overbooked and over-committed, which as a result, has left us feeling stressed, unhealthy, and not quite like ourselves. When we find ourselves deep into this storyline and ready to take action, we often prioritize the what over the when, thinking a cleanse and more yoga should do the trick. But as your parents knew all along, routine is what keeps you on track.

The lunar cycle is twenty-nine and a half days, and its undeniable potency has kept the moon as a keystone of ceremonies, traditions, and practices within cultures around the world. While there is a fair share of mythical stories and legends surrounding the moon, there is an equal amount of research seeking to find a scientific correlation behind the cycles of the moon and cycles of living things.

Finding the delicate balance between what fuels you and what depletes you is essential for sustaining energy, yet this is something that can take a lifetime to learn. Investing time and self-study into better understanding those details is important, and there are some basic principles within Ayurveda that can help. Just as the three Ayurvedic constitutions are often interested in different activities, each dosha also has a varying capacity for sustaining and expressing both physical and mental energy. 

Ayurveda and Yoga are dubbed sister sciences and like sisters can be, they are inseparable. Imbedded in each system are practices to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually when disharmony arises.

Oil is more skilled at cleansing and balancing the hydration of your skin than water, and it is a closer match to your skin’s natural outer layer. It has a soft quality that can help to draw out impurities, making it much easier to unclog pores, leaving clean, soft, hydrated skin.

While there’s no way to live a life completely free of stress and fear, these mindfulness tools are powerful and effective ways to help us manage and digest fearful emotions when they arise.

Do you drink coffee? This blog entry explores the qualities of coffee, as well as when it’s okay for you to indulge and when it’s time for you to take a break.

Our diet is one of our biggest allies in cultivating immune health. Read this article to learn how you can refine your diet to support optimal immune function.

During times of stress, our adrenal glands could use a little help. Enter ashwagandha!

Working from home can feel like a mixed blessing. See how Ayurveda can optimize your work from home routine and help you feel focused, energized, and creative.

A grounding post-workout routine can help us dodge imbalances, keep vata nourished, and allow the body to replenish properly. Here are five tips to get started.

In essence, the intent of a mental cleanse is to settle your restless mind, give clarity to clouded thought, and allow you to better access your creativity.

When it comes to romantic relationships, the doshas play a big role, influencing what you contribute, how you show affection, and how to find harmony with your partner.

There are many reasons for someone to choose veganis, with health and ethics at the top of the list. Explore Ayurveda's perspective on a vegan diet and enjoy a tasty vegan kitchari recipe. 

While understanding your dosha isn’t foolproof in helping you land the right job, it can give you the footing you need to set out in the right direction, and with a little more happiness and ease.

Daily routine is foundational in Ayurveda. Take your routine further with these rejuvenating practices that promote longevity and deeper physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

It’s hard to know if there were dietary trends at the time of Ayurveda’s origin over 5,000 years ago, but it’s safe to say that the traditional Ayurvedic kitchari cleanse has stood the test of time. 

The holidays bring merriment and celebration, but they can also bring stress. Learn how to cope with social anxiousness so you can fill your cup instead of emptying it.