Blog: Banyan Vine

Crackling. Crunching. Popping. Crisp. Hues of red. You may think that I am describing the fall/winter vata weather as the leaves change and fall to the ground. But if instead I am describing the condition of your joints (or those of many of your clients), then you will want to continue reading our discussion on joint health in this issue. 

As nature transitions seasons and exhibits change, Ayurveda recommends cleansing and rejuvenation to help the body adapt. Of particular focus at this time of the year is balancing vata.

When I first heard about how shirodhara can induce maximum relaxation when I was just a budding Ayurvedic student, I skeptically thought to myself, “Who wouldn’t find warm oil slowly being poured onto their forehead relaxing?” But what seemed to me at the time as simply a luxurious pampering has amazed me both in its broadness in application as well as the beauty behind the mechanism of how it works.

Interview with Ayuryoga Therapist, Prana Flow Teacher and Ayurvedic Practitioner Maria Garre

Why is it that the blossoming of spring means freshness and beauty for some but spells misery and allergy nightmares for others? The sneezing, hay fever, coughing, wheezing, red and itchy eyes, and skin rashes, hives and eczema can be enough to drive a person mad, often leaving them feeling imprisoned indoors.

For many, the concept of food combining – the idea that some foods digest well together while others do not – is entirely new, and somewhat foreign. But according to Ayurveda, it is an essential part of understanding how to eat properly. Careful food combining can dramatically improve the quality of digestion, support the body in receiving a deeper level of nourishment, and positively impact our overall health.

The topic of my presentation this morning is Ayurveda: An Alternative or Complementary Medicine? I am not sure, however, that this is the right question to ask. I think we must first ask several other questions before we can answer this one.  

The Wise Earth tradition of Ayurveda seeks to revive sadhana, those long lost, grass-roots practices that restore inner harmony by aligning us with the cosmic rhythms of nature. With these practices, food (annavidya), breath (pranavidya), and sound (mantravidya) become templates through which healing comes. Wise Earth’s vision is informed by the spiritual awakening of Swamini Mayatitananda (formerly Bri. Maya Tiwari) and based in the Vedas.  

Immunity is the body's natural response to protect and maintain homeostasis in the system. It is the ecological relationship between the body-mind and the world in which it lives and interacts. It is a wholistic system interconnected with the psychological-endocrine-neurological systems in the body.

Alakananda Ma's professional insights on menopause. Please note that the information in this article does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views.

Alakananda Ma's professional insights on mood disorders. Please note that the information in this article does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views.

In this article, Alakananda Ma shares Ayurvedic insight on menstruation. Please note that this information does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views. 

In this article, Alakananda Ma discusses the science of pulse reading. Please note that this information does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views. 

Ayurvedic wisdom on vata digestion from practitioner Alakananda Ma. Please note that this information does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views.

Alakananda Ma shares Ayurvedic wisdom on the topic of sugar cravings. Please note that this information does not necessarily reflect Banyan Botanicals' views.