Welcome to the new “free to view” YogaYak.com. Frequent visitors will notice that passwords are now unnecessary. Downloads in many formats and DVD’s are also available.

This new free approach will permit us to update the site often as wonderful classes are to be found on the net. We are so happy about this, the landscape has changed so much in our nearly 6 years of existence.

We will still produce exclusive “for YogaYak classes” like these new HD classes shot in Costa Rica:

Morning Hearth Expanding Class

Grounding Afternoon Class

Here are the 2 first classes from “partner” sites:

Yoga & the Art of Aging (61 minutes)
Yoga Class Session – Classes of 20 Yoga posture

Sciatica is a painful condition characterized by symptoms ranging from sharp pain through the lower spine, a stabbing sensation in the buttock, to knee or ankle pain, or even numbness or burning in the leg. Sciatic pain is common in individuals with lower back problems, the obese, pregnant women, and the elderly. Yoga can, however, provide relief from this condition which causes temporary but acute pain in nearly every adult at some point in their lives; sciatica can however cause debilitating pain if left untreated. Many of us spend too much time sitting in chairs and this adds to the compression of the nerves in the lower spine, sciatica can stop us from doing basics tasks we enjoy and contributes to lost days of work and decreased employee productivity. Individuals who have sciatica are often crippled by it, and are driven to seek relief from conventional medical treatment, alternative therapies, and “miracle” cures. A basic program of yoga, moderate physical exercise and stretching throughout the day go a long way to preventing recurring sciatic pain.

Before starting a yoga program to treat your sciatica, it is important to have an understanding of the cause of your pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica is a symptom of a problem at some point along the sciatic nerve rather than an ailment in and of itself. Seated forward bends, reclined & supported back bends, spine lengthening asanas and twists are the Rx for sciatic pain at YogaYak.com.

A herniated disc in the back can cause sciatica ; also, spinal stenosis and Piriformis Syndrome. For those with recurring sciatic pain, finding the specific action(s) that cause the pain can be mysterious and elusive. As always, a consistent program of moderate exercise to keep the body fit is the most effective tool against sciatica . The most common cause is a lumbar spine disorder, such as a herniated (slipped) disc in the lower back, or degenerative disc issues: These disorders not only cause lower back pain and stiffness, but compress the sciatic nerve. Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging but need not stop elderly yogis from practicing. Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar is still teaching in his 70’s though as a child he was prone to frequent illness; his practice of yoga has fortified his body so much that he is more supple and flexible than many young adults!

Another cause of sciatic pain is Piriformis Syndrome, which is a compression of the piriformis muscle located deep in the muscles of the buttocks under the Gluteus Maximus. When the piriformis becomes tight, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve as it passes through the buttock. We often experience pain in the piriformis muscle when we have overdone exercise or heavy lifting (e.g., helping your friends move house – great karma yoga but not so good for the Piriformis!) This cause of sciatic pain often causes a sharp pain in the buttock, which is worsened with activities such as squatting and walking.

When seeking medical treatment for lumbar spine disorders, many patients are told to lie on a firm surface to sleep (such as the floor or a very firm mattress) or are prescribed a back brace to restrict movement in the lower back. These can provide relief, but do not treat the cause of the problem. In extreme cases, doctors may recommend surgery. While surgery can provide relief of pain, it puts restrictions on your future activity level and lifestyle. There is no guarantee that surgery will provide relief from your back and sciatic pain – it may give you relief initially, but many patients find that over time, their pain returns, often worse than before.

Consultation with both your doctor and your yoga instructor will help you determine the cause of your pain and the course of action required. It is important that you take an active role in your pain maintenance program; you know best what works well for your body. Once you know the cause, you will know which yoga postures can help and you will reduce the need to take any kind of pharmaceutical remedy; however, if your pain remains acute for more than 1-2 days or is so severe that it restricts normal every day activities, consult your doctor or chiropractor.

If your pain is caused by a lumbar spine disorder, asanas to lengthen and straighten the spine should be used (mountain, puppy dog, bound angle). Back bends (bridge, camel, cobra and fish) can also be helpful – if these are difficult for you to perform unaided, modify the poses and use supportive props wherever necessary.

Strengthening your core abdominal muscles is also essential to providing support for your spine and improving your posture – proper alignment will go a long way to avoiding a recurrence of the problem (boat, half boat, twists, reclined Cobblers Pose).

In cases caused by a tight Piriformis muscle, it is necessary to stretch the muscle to relieve the tightness so that it will no longer put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Yoga asanas to treat this type of sciatic pain should include those that will align the spine as outlined above, and those that will stretch the muscles in the hips and buttocks (knee down twist, prayer twist, pigeon, child pose, downward dog).

A combination of yoga asanas and meditation can provide partial to complete relief of sciatic pain. Deep yogic breathing helps to relax the tight muscles and reduce inflammation. On an psychological level we subconsciously tense up in anticipation of pain, deep breathing reminds us to stop and be in the moment, sending healing prana to the parts of our body that are in distress. Much of Allopathic (Western) Medicine teaches us that we do not have the knowledge to heal our bodies; a combination of Western Medicine and holistic practice can be very effective way to treat the whole person, not merely the condition itself. For many people, a feeling of involvement and control over their healing and health is both inspiring and elevating for the spirit.

Always start out slow, and listen to your body. Do not hold the poses too long if you are experiencing pain and remember that there is no competition in yoga, beginning with yourself. Use props such as a strap and bolster if you need the extra support; you can use a scarf or belt as a strap and a stack of blankets or towels will do as a bolster if you do not have these props. Over time, you can go deeper into the pose, but never, never force yourself, you can make your pain worse by ignoring your body signals. There is no pain in yoga, and in terms of sciatic pain release of the pressure along the nerve is far more important than achieving a more advanced level of any yoga posture.

In addition to your yoga practice, do not sit for long periods, and avoid activities that worsen your pain. If your pain is acute, it is recommended to rest for 1-2 days before beginning your yoga practice and avoid forward bending poses, as these can worsen the pain, and approach side bending poses with caution.

We recommend Easy Groundwork With Diane as a place to begin; this is a mat based flow that gently opens the hips and features gentle twists that are soothing to the spine and bring calm warmth to the body and mind.

Yoga practice can enrich your life in many ways; keeping a supple spine, limber hamstrings and an open pelvis are part of any program to relieve the compression and tension of sciatica. Relax, listen to your body, and enjoy relief from your sciatic pain.

Namaste.

Karma. Most people have at least heard the term, whether or not they actually understand it. What is Karma? Simply put, karma is the law of cause and effect; the rule of consequence. It is the Universe’s way of keeping track of what you still need to learn.

Karma arises not so much as a result of an action. Rather, it is the result of the INTENTION behind an action. And karma actually comes in two forms: ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Here’s an example: My child comes to me and asks for $10,000 to go to university. My action is to give him/her the $10,000. My intention behind giving the $10,000 is what really matters. If I gave my child the money in order to be good to them, I would gain ‘Good’ karma. If I gave the money in order to have my child feel indebted to me however, I would gain ‘Bad’ karma. Same action, different Universal consequence. But here’s the real kicker… at the end of the day, you don’t actually want to gain any karma. Confused? I’ll explain.

Yoga explains the universe and the way it works this way: If the universe is shaped like a human being, our ’soul’ would be like a hot-air balloon that hovers somewhere in the middle (around the belly). The lower portion of the universe (below the belly) represents more and more difficult circumstances or existences. The upper portion (above the belly) represents more pleasant circumstances or existences. The crown of the head represents Nirvana or liberation/enlightenment. That’s where the soul wants to get to. But here’s the thing, the soul (the hot-air balloon) is kept down by sandbags. These sandbags are made of karma.

At the end of a life, if one has gained mostly ‘good’ karma, one reincarnates back into possibly more pleasant circumstances (above the belly). If one has gain mostly ‘bad’ karma however, one still reincarnates, but into possibly less pleasant circumstances (below the belly). (A quick note to be made here is that reincarnation, whether into more or less pleasant circumstances is NOT a punishment. It is simply the Universe’s way of placing you into circumstances best suited to your chances of learning and progressing spiritually). So, it may sound great to gain lots of good karma and thus keep coming back into perhaps more pleasant circumstances. But here’s the catch… You keep coming back. So long as these karmic sandbags are attached to the soul, it is impossible to break the worldly cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. It is impossible to get to Nirvana… to freedom and enlightenment.

So herein lies the real question… How does one get to Nirvana? Well, it’s all about the karma. First, one must stop gaining karma. Second, one must get rid of the karmic sandbags that one has already gained throughout one’s lifetimes. How do we do both? Find out in part Understanding Karma Part 2.

The world is energy, and energy affects energy. This very principal is why yogis pay special attention to their diet. Yogis break food down into three categories: rajasic, tamasic, and satvic. The categories describe the effect that that particular food has upon the mind and body when ingested. As a result, according to the yogi, one can tell a lot about the temperament of a person based upon the foods that they prefer.

Rajasic foods make the mind overactive. They create sensuality, sexuality, greed, jealousy, anger, delusion, fantasies, egotism and irreligious feelings. They tend to be bitter, sour, salty, pungent, hot and dry. A rajasic person tends to desire a variety of foods to satisfy his/her palate. Examples of rajasic foods are pungent condiments, meat, fish, eggs, sweets, fried bread, curd, egg plant, carrots, onions, garlic, lemon, tea, coffee, and tobacco.

Tamasic foods on the other hand make the mind sluggish, they rob the mind and body of energy. They increase pessimism, ignorance, lack of common sense, greed, laziness, criminal tendencies and doubt. Tamasic foods tend to be stale, dry, bad smelling, distasteful or unpalatable, overripe, or rotting. The tamasic person will eat food which has been cooked a day and a half ago and also will like the food which is half-cooked or burnt. Examples of tamasic foods are foods that have been processed, canned or frozen. Wine and cheeses are also tamasic. Swiss cheese is an especially good example of a tamasic food. High-smelling, swiss cheese is made by allowing bacteria to decay or rot the food creating the trademark holes.

Satvic foods keep the mind balanced. They increase the energy of the mind and produce cheerfulness, serenity and mental clarity. They are highly conducive to good health. Satvic foods are fresh, juicy, light, oily, nourishing, sweet and tasty. A satvic person relishes juicy food and other foods which are attractive in form, soft to touch and pleasant to taste, which are small in bulk but great in nourishment. Milk (from well-treated animals), butter, ghee (clarified butter), fresh ripe fruits, almonds, dates, sprouts, barley, wheat, cereals, tomatoes, plantains etc., are satvic foods.

The traditional yogic diet is based upon satvic foods: quality foods, not overly spiced or overly processed. The traditional yogic diet is also strictly vegetarian to follow the rule of Ahimsa or nonviolence. Again, the world is energy, and energy affects energy. No animal gives it’s life willingly. While being slaughtered, it will fight against you. It’s body and energy registers this struggle.

From a physical point of view, the adrenaline, cortisol, and other toxins released into the animal’s flesh during fight or flight remain in the flesh as death brings a shut down of the body’s circulatory and detoxification processes. That is what we then ingest when we eat their flesh. That is the state that we then induce upon ourselves. As a result, the traditional yogic diet consists of as many plant foods as possible that can be taken without killing the plants themselves. This then means living in greater harmony with the world’s ecology, living off of an essentially renewable resource. And in a world quickly depleting it’s resources, this makes more than just yogic sense.

Kavita Maharaj is the owner and operator of Red Door Yoga. She can be reached at 604-751-1458 or go to www.reddooryogacanada.com for questions.

Online learning has exploded over the last 5 years and is now a widely recognized and accredited way to learn just about anything – from woodwork, to car repair, to massage and yoga is no exception. Recent video technology makes it simple for anyone with a computer and a camera to put their teachings on the worldwide web.

Online learning offers students an opportunity to learn at their own pace and at the times of day that are most convenient to them. For instance, a working mother of three children may only be able to do yoga after the kids go to bed, and there aren’t many studios offering late-night classes, so using an online yoga studio is a great, convenient option.

Online yoga offers many benefits to people who want to maintain a consistent yoga practice but may lack money for a monthly studio membership and are bored with their yoga DVD collection, or may have moved beyond it. Let’s face it – in many communities, yoga studios are too expensive for the yogi on a budget so online yoga is perfect – the cost of a membership is less than the cost of a single drop-in class at many studios, and there are no transportation costs.

Online learning has benefits that live learning simply cannot offer due to time and location constraints. Online yoga communities offer free forums where yogis can chat with their peers and instructors and gain learning from a wider variety of sources and disciplines. And because the Internet never closes, you can take as much time as you like asking or answering questions.

Online yoga websites are convenient and offer a wide variety of practices to chose from; there aren’t many online yoga learning sites, but these online communities are an excellent place to learn yoga, communicate with other yogis, and instructors of all yogic disciplines.

Yoga classes online are also a great way to keep your practice with you when you are not near a computer – most yoga community sites have downloadable audio and video practices suitable for any portable media device, such as Ipod, or any mp3 player (many of them are free too!). So take your practice to the park, to the seaside, to the mountaintop, or just to a friend’s house.

There is no question that live yoga instruction is the best way to ensure proper posture and alignment, but online yoga classes offer a complementary way to continue your practice at home, or on the road, or any time you cannot get to your regular yoga class.  Try it for yourself and see!

In yoga,

Jenn

Sciatica is a painful condition characterized by symptoms ranging from sharp pain through the lower spine, a stabbing sensation in the buttock, to knee or ankle pain, or even numbness or burning in the leg. Sciatic pain is common in individuals with lower back problems, the obese, pregnant women, and the elderly. Yoga can, however, provide relief from this condition which causes temporary but acute pain in nearly every adult at some point in their lives; sciatica can however cause debilitating pain if left untreated. Many of us spend too much time sitting in chairs and this adds to the compression of the nerves in the lower spine, sciatica can stop us from doing basics tasks we enjoy and contributes to lost days of work and decreased employee productivity. Individuals who have sciatica are often crippled by it, and are driven to seek relief from conventional medical treatment, alternative therapies, and “miracle” cures. A basic program of yoga, moderate physical exercise and stretching throughout the day go a long way to preventing recurring sciatic pain.

Before starting a yoga program to treat your sciatica, it is important to have an understanding of the cause of your pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica is a symptom of a problem at some point along the sciatic nerve rather than an ailment in and of itself. Seated forward bends, reclined & supported back bends, spine lengthening asanas and twists are the Rx for sciatic pain at YogaYak.com.

A herniated disc in the back can cause sciatica ; also, spinal stenosis and Piriformis Syndrome. For those with recurring sciatic pain, finding the specific action(s) that cause the pain can be mysterious and elusive. As always, a consistent program of moderate exercise to keep the body fit is the most effective tool against sciatica . The most common cause is a lumbar spine disorder, such as a herniated (slipped) disc in the lower back, or degenerative disc issues: These disorders not only cause lower back pain and stiffness, but compress the sciatic nerve. Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging but need not stop elderly yogis from practicing. Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar is still teaching in his 70’s though as a child he was prone to frequent illness; his practice of yoga has fortified his body so much that he is more supple and flexible than many young adults!

Another cause of sciatic pain is Piriformis Syndrome, which is a compression of the piriformis muscle located deep in the muscles of the buttocks under the Gluteus Maximus. When the piriformis becomes tight, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve as it passes through the buttock. We often experience pain in the piriformis muscle when we have overdone exercise or heavy lifting (e.g., helping your friends move house – great karma yoga but not so good for the Piriformis!) This cause of sciatic pain often causes a sharp pain in the buttock, which is worsened with activities such as squatting and walking.

When seeking medical treatment for lumbar spine disorders, many patients are told to lie on a firm surface to sleep (such as the floor or a very firm mattress) or are prescribed a back brace to restrict movement in the lower back. These can provide relief, but do not treat the cause of the problem. In extreme cases, doctors may recommend surgery. While surgery can provide relief of pain, it puts restrictions on your future activity level and lifestyle. There is no guarantee that surgery will provide relief from your back and sciatic pain – it may give you relief initially, but many patients find that over time, their pain returns, often worse than before.

Consultation with both your doctor and your yoga instructor will help you determine the cause of your pain and the course of action required. It is important that you take an active role in your pain maintenance program; you know best what works well for your body. Once you know the cause, you will know which yoga postures can help and you will reduce the need to take any kind of pharmaceutical remedy; however, if your pain remains acute for more than 1-2 days or is so severe that it restricts normal every day activities, consult your doctor or chiropractor.

If your pain is caused by a lumbar spine disorder, asanas to lengthen and straighten the spine should be used (mountain, puppy dog, bound angle). Back bends (bridge, camel, cobra and fish) can also be helpful – if these are difficult for you to perform unaided, modify the poses and use supportive props wherever necessary.

Strengthening your core abdominal muscles is also essential to providing support for your spine and improving your posture – proper alignment will go a long way to avoiding a recurrence of the problem (boat, half boat, twists, reclined Cobblers Pose).

In cases caused by a tight Piriformis muscle, it is necessary to stretch the muscle to relieve the tightness so that it will no longer put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Yoga asanas to treat this type of sciatic pain should include those that will align the spine as outlined above, and those that will stretch the muscles in the hips and buttocks (knee down twist, prayer twist, pigeon, child pose, downward dog).

A combination of yoga asanas and meditation can provide partial to complete relief of sciatic pain. Deep yogic breathing helps to relax the tight muscles and reduce inflammation. On an psychological level we subconsciously tense up in anticipation of pain, deep breathing reminds us to stop and be in the moment, sending healing prana to the parts of our body that are in distress. Much of Allopathic (Western) Medicine teaches us that we do not have the knowledge to heal our bodies; a combination of Western Medicine and holistic practice can be very effective way to treat the whole person, not merely the condition itself. For many people, a feeling of involvement and control over their healing and health is both inspiring and elevating for the spirit.

Always start out slow, and listen to your body. Do not hold the poses too long if you are experiencing pain and remember that there is no competition in yoga, beginning with yourself. Use props such as a strap and bolster if you need the extra support; you can use a scarf or belt as a strap and a stack of blankets or towels will do as a bolster if you do not have these props. Over time, you can go deeper into the pose, but never, never force yourself, you can make your pain worse by ignoring your body signals. There is no pain in yoga, and in terms of sciatic pain release of the pressure along the nerve is far more important than achieving a more advanced level of any yoga posture.

In addition to your yoga practice, do not sit for long periods, and avoid activities that worsen your pain. If your pain is acute, it is recommended to rest for 1-2 days before beginning your yoga practice and avoid forward bending poses, as these can worsen the pain, and approach side bending poses with caution.

We recommend Easy Groundwork With Diane as a place to begin; this is a mat based flow that gently opens the hips and features gentle twists that are soothing to the spine and bring calm warmth to the body and mind.

Yoga practice can enrich your life in many ways; keeping a supple spine, limber hamstrings and an open pelvis are part of any program to relieve the compression and tension of sciatica. Relax, listen to your body, and enjoy relief from your sciatic pain.

Namaste.

The practice of yoga as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali encompasses exercise, meditation and ritual for the whole body and spirit. The eight limbs of Classical Yoga address our relationships with others, with ourselves and with the Divine. The eight stages of the limbs of Classical Yoga are known as Ashtanga Yoga (ashta = eight and anga = limb) beginning with ethical conduct and progressing through asanas, breathing exercises; and finally meditation practices that lead to spiritual ecstasy and consciousness through self-realization and union with the divine. The eight limbs are described below:

Yamas

These five virtues govern our relationships with others and with our environment:

Ahimsa – non-injury or non-harming

Satay – truthfulness

Asteya – nonstealing

Brahmacharya – Godlike conduct

Aparigraha – non-clinging/non-attachment

Niyamas

These five practices address our own appearance, deeds and thoughts, and govern our relationship with ourselves:

Shauca – cleanliness, purity, hygiene, grooming

Santosha- happiness, contentment

Tapas – yearning for reunion with God

Svadyaya- introspection, self-examination

Isvara Pranidhana- surrender and devotion to the Divine

Coupled with the Yamas and Niyamas are the following practices for the mind, body and spirit:

Asana

The practice of postures is the most widely recognized form of yoga in the Western World. In the East, asana is a smaller part of the complete yoga practice. The series of postures firms the body, focuses the mind and cools the spirit in preparation for meditation.

Pranayama

This practice of breathing exercises steadies the mind and cools the body in order for the yogi to master prana (life energy).

Pratyahara

The practice of Pratyahara engages the yogi in a meditation practice wherein the yogi withdraws their thoughts and senses from the outside world and focuses their gaze inward to the Self.

Dharana

The practice of Dharana exercises the mind in focused concentration; asanas quiet the body and pranayama quiets the breath and mind to bring the yogi through pratyahara to the practice of dharana.

Dhyana

Meditation. The yogi withdraws their consciousness from the outside world; the consciousness enters the soul.

Samadhi

Samadhi is englightment, self-realization combined with union with the Divine. The yogi experiences ecstasy, joy, complete openness and consciousness. The experience of Samadhi is outside the mind.

Namaste

When you need a high energy fix, do you reach for a power bar or power shake? Or do you resort to caffeine, chocolate, or high-sugar snacks when you feel that end of the day sag?

It may surprise you, but according to Ayurveda, the real energy-boosters are fresh fruits, vegetables, species, and whole grains. These are the foods that are rich in chetna, the healing and nurturing influence of nature. They are so alive with nature’s intelligence that fatigue-causing toxins cannot accumulate in the body when you eat them.

Grains for Power

Athletes have long relied on carbohydrates in grains for long-term endurance and energy. Yet not all carbohydrates are created alike. A croissant, for instance, is high in fat and low in nutrition. The most nutritious carbohydrates are whole grains, which have been found to lower cholesterol inhibits cancer causing activity and harmful bacteria in the intestines, and lower blood glucose level. And these whole grains, ayurveda considers rye, quinoa, amaranth and millet as the most nutritious, because they are especially high in protein and mineral. They are also high in fibre, and thus have a detoxifying value. These are the same auspicious grains that re-described in the Vedic texts and are used for Vedic ceremonies.

One-half cup of Dalia (measured dry), for instance, contains 14g. protein, 8mg. iron, and also magnesium and zine.The same amount of Rava contains 13g. of protein, 9.mg of iron and 3 mg. of zinc. Rye is also high in protein .with one-half cup yielding 15 grams of protein and 4mg. of zine. Millet is a good source of B vitamins

All of these grains contain copper, which is an essential trace mineral that improves energy and immunity, and their zinc content also boosts ojas, the finest product of digestion that creates lightness, inner energy, immunity and bliss.

To prepare power grains, place two cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add a teaspoon a Ghee and 1/2 cup of grain. Boil for then lower to a simmer. Cook is important because otherwise grains create internal dryness.

Energizing Vegetables and Fruits

Other high-energy foods include fresh vegetables, which should constitute forty percent of the meal. Green, leafy vegetables are especially high in mineral and fibre, so should be eaten often.

Ayurveda

Fruits are also a source of energy. You can start the day with a stewed apple, and if you feel hungry in between meals, try snacking on a juicy pear. If you are feeling heavy and bloated after lunch, eat a fresh papaya, it contain enzymes aiding digestion. If you have a strong digestion and more Pitta in your constitution, mangoes are a rich ojas-producing food, and half a mango contains 2 mg beta-carotene and is a rich source of Vitamin C. According to Ayurveda, Raisins are among the best of fruits because they enhance sattva (purity), pacify the mind and heart and increase the coordination between them.

They are also a rich source of iron and Vitamin B6, and provide magnesium, calcium, zinc and potassium. Raisins aid digestion and elimination when they are soaked in water overnight. One handful per person is a good amount. A Date-Milk Energy Shake is a nourishing way to end the day. Because it promotes sleep and calm both Pitta and Vata sleep imbalances.

Date-Milk Energy Shake

4-5 whole dates (Medjool dates are ideal)
1 cup whole organic milk (unhomogenized if possible)
1 pinch cinnamon powder

The important thing is to eat foods every day that boost your energy, rather than relying on artificial boosters when you feel your energy sag.

Boil the milk until creates foam. Turn off the heat and cool until the temperature is comfortable for drinking. Combine the milk with the other ingredients and blend until the dates are ground up. Drink it warm in winter and at room temperature is summer.

Beware of Energy- Draining Foods

Just as there is food to boost energy, other foods drain it. Any fast food , canned, frozen, packaged, leftover or old foods or foods laced with preservatives, chemicals, and additives- are difficult to digest and contain little nutritional content. If you do eat some of these foods, and you feel heavy after eating, Ayurveda advices drinking half a glass of water with 1/4 of a fresh lime squeezed into it.

But if you are feeling dull, sluggish, and drained of energy every day, it probably means that your diet contains too many energy-draining foods, which have clogged your micro channels with toxins. This mean that you need to overhaul your diet to include foods that create ojas and energy.

The important thing is to eat food every day that boosts your energy, rather then relying on a artificial boosters when you feel your energy sag, because there will always be a negative side-effect.

~Courtesy of www.experiencefestival.com

Summary

links

Ayurveda (pronounced Aa-yer-vay-da), the science of life, prevention and longevity is believed to be the oldest and most holistic or comprehensive medical system available. It was placed in written form over 2,000 years ago in India, and said to be a “world medicine”. Before the advent of writing, the ancient wisdom of healing, prevention and longevity was a part of the spiritual tradition of a universal religion.

Medical knowledge from all areas of the world was said to have gathered in India, and the famous sage Veda Vyasa dictated this wisdom to Lord Ganesh, who put into writing the complete knowledge of Ayurveda, along with the more directly spiritual insights of ethics, virtue and Self-Realization.

What is fascinating how this knowledge of the uses of herbs, foods, aromas, gems, colors, Yoga, mantras, lifestyle and surgery was obtained. The sage-physician/surgeons of the time were the same sages or seers, deeply devoted holy people, who saw health as an integral part of spiritual life. It is said that they received their training of Ayurveda through direct cognition during meditation.

In other words, the knowledge of the use of the various methods of healing, prevention, longevity and surgery came through Divine revelation; there was no guessing or testing or harming of animals. These revelations were transcribed from the oral tradition into book form, interspersed with the other aspects of life and spirituality.

There were originally four main books of spirituality, which included, among other topics, health, astrology, spiritual business, government, army, poetry and ethical living.

These books are known as the Vedas; Rik, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Ayurveda was used in conjunction with Vedic astrology (Jyotish-inner light). At later dates, Ayurveda was organized into its own compact system of health and considered an auxiliary branch of the Vedas, called an Upaveda (limb of the Veda), because it dealt with the healing aspects of spirituality, and not directly discussing spiritual development). These authors took the passages related to Ayurveda from the various Vedas and made separate books, dealing only with Ayurveda.

Among the Rik Veda’s 10,572 hymns, are found discussions of the three doshas, Vayu, Pitta and Kapha; organ transplants, and artificial limbs, the use of herbs to heal the diseases of the mind and body and to foster longevity. Within the Atharva Veda’s 5,977 hymns, are discussions of anatomy, physiology and surgery. This information is nearly identical with modern beliefs.

Around 1500 B.C., Ayurveda was delineated into eight specific branches of medicine. There were two main schools of Ayurveda at that time, Atreya- the school of physicians; and Dhanvantari- the school of surgeons. These two schools made Ayurveda a more scientifically verifiable and classifiable medical system. Through research and testing, they dispelled the doubts of the more practical and scientific minded, removing the aura of mystery that surrounded the concept of Divine revelation. Consequently

Ayurveda grew into a respected and widely used system of healing in India. People from numerous countries came to Indian Ayurvedic schools to learn about this world medicine- in its completeness. Chinese, Tibetans, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Afghanistanis, Persians, and more traveled to learn the complete wisdom and bring it back to their own countries.

There are two main reorganizers of Ayurveda whose works are still existing in tact today- Charak and Sushrut. The third major treatise is called the Ashtanga Hridaya which is a concise version of the works of Charak and Sushrut. Thus the three main ancient Ayurvedic texts that are still used today are, the Charak Samhita (compilation), Sushrut Samhita and the Ashtanga hridaya Samhita. These books are believed to be over 1,200 years old.

It is because these texts still contain the original and complete knowledge of this Ayurvedic world medicine, that Ayurveda is known today as the only complete medical system still in existence. Other forms of medicine from various cultures, although parallel, are missing parts of the original information.

Charak represented the Atreya school of physicians, discussing physiology, anatomy, etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms and signs of disease; methodology of diagnosis, treatment and prescription of patients; prevention and longevity. Included were internal and external causes of illness. Charak states that the first cause of illness is the loss of faith in the Divine.

In other words, when a person does not have the experience that God is inside us, and, outside- in all things, this separation of vision creates a gap in which longing or suffering for oneness of vision occurs. This suffering is the beginning of spiritual, mental and physical disease. External causes of health included time of day, seasons, diet and lifestyle. There is a whole section discussing the medicinal aspects of herbs, diet, and reversing of the aging process.

For modern skeptics who wonder if this ancient wisdom can be believed, they only need to read Charak’s month-by-month description of the development of the fetus in the womb to see its exact parallels to what we know today from using modern technical machinery.

Sushrut comes from the Dhanvantari school of surgeons. In America, there is a society of surgeons who named themselves the Sushrut Society, after this great medical author. In this text, there are detailed and sophisticated discussions of surgical equipment; the classification of abscesses, burns, fractures, wounds, amputation, plastic surgery, anal/rectal surgery, which are validated by modern medicines technical equipment and research.

There is a complete discussion of the human anatomy; the bones, joints, nerves, heart, blood vessels, circulatory system etc.., again, corroborated by todays methods of mechanical investigation. From the Sushrut Samhita, we learn of the first science of massage, using marma points or vital body points, which parallel Chinese acupuncture. Even the popular Polarity Massage Therapy in America, was developed by a man after studying massage in India.

Eight Branches of Ayurveda

It is astounding and inspiring to discover just how complete the Ayurvedic system was. Further, we see how it has continued in pieces, to develop into today’s methods of medicine. There were eight branches of medicine that one could major in ancient Indian times.

1. Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa) This is related to the soul, mind and body. It was recognized that there was a psychosomatic relationship, and that sometimes the mind caused illness in the body and vice versa.

The seven body constitutions and seven mental constitutions (discussed in article one) were delineated here- Vayu (air), Pitta (fire), Kapha (water), Vayu/Pitta, Vayu/Kapha, Pitta/Kapha. The idea of finding the cause of an illness is still a mystery to modern science, but it was the main goal of Ayurveda. Six stages of the development of disease were known then (aggravation, accumulation, overflow, relocation, build up in a new site, and manifestation into a recognizable disease).

It is fascinating to note that modern technical equipment and diagnosis can only detect a disease during the fifth and sixth stages of illness. Ayurvedic physicians can nip an illness in the bud by using the more insightful methods of diagnosis. Health is seen as a balance of the biological humors, whereas disease is an imbalance of the humors. Ayurveda brings balance through supplying the deficient humors and reducing the excess ones. Only as a last resort do they rely on surgery.

Modern medicine is just beginning to realize the need to supply rather than remove; but they still do not know how or what to supply. Additionally, there are over 2,000 medicinal plants classified in India’s materia medica; plus a unique method of completely removing toxins from the body, known as pancha karma (five actions). This is a method of reversing the disease path from its manifestation stage, back into the blood stream and eventually into the gastrointestinal tract. This is achieved through special diets, oil massage and steam therapy. From here, they are removed from their sites of original development through special forms of emesis, purgation and enema. Lastly, another unique aspect of Ayurveda is rejuvenation. Rebuilding the body’s cells and tissues after the toxins are removed.

2. Ears Nose and Throat (Shalakya tantra) Approximately 72 diseases of the eye are discussed by Sushrut, including surgical procedures for cataracts, pterygium and for diseases of the ears, nose and throat.

3. Toxicology (Agada Tantra) Discussed here is air and water pollution, toxins in animals, minerals and vegetables, epidemics, etc..

4. Pediatrics (Kaumarabhritya) Here, prenatal and postnatal care of the baby and mother is addressed. Topics include, how to conceive, how to choose the child’s gender, their intelligence and constitution; childhood diseases, and midwifery.

5. Surgery (Shalyatantra) Over 2,000 years ago, sophisticated methods of surgery were known. This information spread to Egypt, Greece, Rome, and eventually throughout the world. Although China maintained this wisdom, the dark ages of the Western world lost this information. Topics of intestinal obstructions, bladder stones, and the use of dead bodies for dissection and learning were taught and practiced.

6. Psychiatry (Bhuta Vidya) There is a whole branch of Ayurveda which specifically deals with the diseases of the mind. In addition to herbs and diet, yogic therapies (die. meditation, breathing, mantras, etc..) were employed.

7. Aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana) This section deals with two aspects; infertility (for those wanting children) and spiritual development (for those who want to transmute this sexual energy into spiritual energy).

8. Rejuvenation (rasayana) Prevention and longevity are the topics discussed in this branch of Ayurveda. Charak states that the methods of longevity include ethics and virtuous living.
The Decline of Ayurveda

The alert person may now ask why, if Ayurveda is so exceptional, is it not widely practices in India today. This is a valid question, which has an equally valid answer. Ayurveda, like all of Vedic philosophy follows the belief of `Sanatana dharma’, which states, accept everything in its appropriate time and place, and reject nothing. All aspects of medicine are useful at certain times, just use the required treatment when it is called for.

This is why Ayurveda does not reject modern medicine. Like this, the Indian temperament allows for all religions to express themselves freely in India. Consequently, Buddhism, Jainism and other religions grew in India and began to influence people’s thoughts. Then there was a time when all religions lost some degree of their spiritual link and began bickering over which practices were better. Gentle spiritual medicine began to lose ground over the more harmful black magic.

Then came the numerous conquests of the Moslems in India. They razed cities, closed down Ayurvedic colleges and insisted the Indian people practice only their forms of living, which included medicine. Finally the British ruled India and closed down the remaining Ayurvedic universities (although Ayurveda was practiced in secret). Only in 1920 did Ayurveda reemerge, and with the help of the Indian government, began to rebuild the universities.

Now there are over 150 Ayurvedic universities in India, and over 100 Ayurvedic colleges (plans are presently underway to expand Ayurveda even more). However, there are many Ayurvedic pharmacies and herb markets which are unethical, giving people the wrong herbs. People need to know which are the reputable pharmacies in India today. Thus Ayurveda, without resisting or rejecting other systems, is slowly coming back into recognition and re-establishing its true value.

The oldest medicine, Ayurveda, is now the last to be re-discovered. This world medicine may not only help unite healing practices, but also peoples, cultures and religions. The impact of its reawakening is astounding, as we see its effectiveness and demand in the United States grow in leaps and bounds. Among the respected teachers of Ayurveda, many are including the original spiritual integration, re-establishing the ancient Ayurveda in tact, in modern society. Spiritual Ayurveda, the original world medicine will soon find validation and universal acceptance in all areas of society and the world.

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe or heal any health condition. It is not intended to substitute for care from healthcare professionals.

Swami Sadashiva Tirtha, D.Sc., may be contacted through the International Vedic Institute – School of Ayurveda. http://www.ayurvedahc.com/index.htm