Ayurveda and its principles help men and women tackle their physical, mental-emotional and spiritual selves that have been hidden with debris for most of their grown-up lives.
If your body is out of balance and full of Ama – the harmful substance that results from incomplete digestion – viruses and harmful bacteria will find fertile soil for their growth. If digestion is strong, a substance called Ojas – the product of complete and balanced digestion – will predominate in our body. Unlike Ama, Ojas strengthens your immune system, and when it dominates, the seeds of infection find it hard to take hold.
Ayurveda, a health and spiritual science (and the sister science to yoga), has a two-prong focus: health promotion and disease prevention. This science guides us that health is our birth right — and that health will manifest when we live in harmony with nature.
Here are some tips on how Ayurveda can be your guide to building your immunity:
-
- Start your day well.
After you wake up, drink warm water with fresh ginger tea with a squeeze of lemon. This drink moisturises and revitalises the digestive system, stimulating ‘agni’ (digestive fire) while expelling ‘ama’ (the build-up of toxins that can imbalance the Dosha and give rise to diseases).
Incorporating certain deep breathing techniques into the morning practice can also promote healthy heat in the body and improve heart and lung function. If you have the time, try Kapalabhati or Bhastrika breathing exercises.
Not to mention water, throughout the day.
-
- You are what you eat
The age-old saying ‘you are what you eat’ came from Ayurveda. Indeed, what you eat is one of Ayurveda’s most essential aspects
All nuts are quite helpful at nourishing Ojas, but the ones listed below are the most beneficial. Soak tiny handfuls in water overnight, remove shells, and eat on an empty stomach the next day.
-
- Almonds aid in the stimulation of Ojas and the elimination of excess heat from the body.
-
- Walnuts can aid with nervous system imbalances.
-
- Cashews aid in metabolism, digestion, and the elimination of pollutants.
-
- Pistachios enhance your immune and intestinal systems.
- Raisins aid in the removal of excess heat or inflammation from the body.
Ayurveda also encourages the consumption of warm foods to help boost circulation and eliminate toxins. (Therefore, cold foods – dairy, meat or fish – are all ideally avoided). ‘Khichadi’ is a perfect protein- and carbohydrate-rich preparation, with its healthy and easily digestible mix of yellow moong dal, rice, spices and ghee. Yes, if food is easily digested, no toxins form; immunity is boosted, and the body can fight back better.
-
- Mindful meals are an investment.
Ayurveda suggests that if food is medicine, then how we eat is the process of how we heal. Not chewing correctly gives rise to indigestion, so relax at mealtimes, eat slowly, and enjoy food and the experience of consuming it.
-
- Don’t forget your pre -sleep preparation.
Preparing your final meal at least 2-3 hours before bed gives your body enough time to digest meals. Take two Triphala capsules around 9 p.m. to improve intestinal digestion and toxin removal.
-
- How the head helps
Of course, Ojas is fed by more than just physical acts. Immunity cannot achieve its full potential unless it is also emotionally nurtured:
Make time for yourself every day by going for a walk-in nature, whether in a park or in your own backyard. Just 15 minutes of fresh air per day can make a significant difference.
Massage is one of the best techniques to activate Ojas. Value what your body provides you and show it love. Please take a look at the marma point massage and aim to incorporate it into your pre-shower routine.
What do we have for you?
Between taking care of your home, family, and job, it becomes hard to take care of yourself. With Ayurveda, more and more women are coming forward and asking for help – from a position of strength and introspection that has been a long time coming and a long time neglected. They no longer want to “just keep pushing” or “have it all.”
As a course facilitator and practitioner at Ayurveda Awareness Centre, Neerja has acquired a deep understanding of human psychology and how emotional and mental hygiene helps to reverse the disease process and improve the quality of life. Students, including women from 135 countries, have taken up her online courses.
In addition to doing the things that bring us joy, we can aim to incorporate some key practices for women. If you want to connect with AAC, you can start small and keep it simple, adding more when you are ready.
Therefore, we wanted to extend a helping hand to help you put your health first and keep yourself hearty, healthy, and happy. And to always remember that all of us are in this together- why not call us today?
