Ayurveda 101

Kitchari is a dish of mung dal, basmati rice, and spices. Compared to today's diet trends, it might seem unusual, but here's why kitchari is ideal for cleansing.

Nasya, the practice of lubricating the nasal cavities and sinuses with herbal oil, can help ease mental and emotional stress and tension, among other benefits.

We take care of our cars, our homes, our jobs, our children, and the many people we love. Why then can it be so difficult to give ourselves the care and attention we also need and deserve?

Applying oil to the scalp and hair will not only improve the condition of your locks but will also offer other benefits like balancing vata and increasing ojas.

Adaptogenic herbs can help modify the body’s reaction to environmental and internal stress. Learn more about these herbs and how they can support your health.

A morning routine is practically synonymous with Ayurveda, the science of life. Read this article to learn how to develop a morning routine that works for you.

The doshas vata, pitta, and kapha are quite apparent in nature when we look through the lens of Ayurveda. We can define the doshas by their gunas, or qualities.

Almond milk deeply nurtures all the tissues of the body. Making it yourself is surprisingly easy and a great way to harness almond milk’s vitality or prana. 

Wondering how to boost your immune system? Ayurveda’s perspective on immune health might surprise you! Learn more in this video and blog about how Ayurveda can help keep your immune system strong.

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.

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. 

Even when you know the benefits of a daily routine, it can be hard to decide exactly what yours should consist of. Here are a few tricks to help you get started on creating your perfect routine.

Chyavanprash is a tasty herbal jam that can help during times when our immune system needs bolstering. Learn more about this ancient recipe, its many benefits, and ways to enjoy it. 

What happens when vata and kapha are both imbalanced? In this Ask Banyan video, we address what this type of imbalance might look like, and what to focus on to bring both doshas back to balance. 

We harvested the famous adaptogen ashwagandha right here in Southern Oregon. It did exquisitely well in this climate and we were rewarded with an abundant field full of this amazing herb.

Daily routines are a must in Ayurveda, but just how effective are they? Check out this personal account of how an Ayurvedic practitioner's daily routine changed her world for the better.

Not all yoga practices are calming to vata. A vata balancing sequence should incorporate warming, grounding, and slow qualities to counteract the dry, rough, mobile qualities of vata. 

People often wonder why Ayurveda holds oil in such high esteem. In this entry in our Ask Banyan series, we discuss what makes oil the perfect choice for self-massage and self-love. 

Paying attention to your digestion can be a major clue to your health. That's because in Ayurveda strong digestion, or agni, is considered the root of all imbalances or the seed of health.

Vata has superpowers! The first step in harnessing them? Focus on celebrating the positive aspects of this dosha, while also using Ayurvedic wisdom to stay balanced and healthy. 

Excess pitta can become reactive, settle in the tissues, and manifest as an imbalance if it overstays its welcome. Learn how to calm and soothe this dosha for balance.

In addition to listening to that inner voice that tells you when you've had enough, what can you do to make things a little easier on your digestive system? How about incorporating some delicious winter spices that can gently stimulate your appetite, aid the digestive process, and help you avoid the aftermath of overindulgence like gas, bloating, and upset stomach.

The goal is not to give everything of ourselves away to everybody else so that we are left a tired, sloggy, irritated, burnt out mess. Nope. Because then we bring crummy energy, lack of presence, and even resentment to those things that should be full of love and joy! 

When I think of the challenges to meditation, it seems silly. After all, we just have to sit down in a comortable place and be still, quiet our random thoughts, and breathe. OMG! It may seem simple, but in truth it is the hardest thing for most of us to do. Why? Now that is a great question, and within that answer are my top three tips for folks who are new to meditation.