Ayurveda instead of burnout!

As most 30 something year old moms are in the middle of figuring out the next stage of life, figuring out our bodies changes, life changes or maybe looking at a different face in the mirror now. We often turn to the latest science on fad diets, explore botox, or sign up for gym memberships. We add needless stress to our life, stress that leads to depression, burn out and eventually illness.

I am not here today to sell you on a new trend. In fact quit the opposite. It is time to share with you a proven ancient way of life that improves longevity and quality of life that has not received the recognition it deserves. A form of medicine that birthed the tradition of yoga and many other therapies known today. Ayura "Life" and Vada "Science" comes together to make Ayurveda, or "The science of life". Ayurveda dates back to sancrit writings from the 1200's BC. Ayurveda combines a balance between body, mindset and environment to create coherence.

Through studies of physiology, phycology, genetics and environmental factors following seasonal changes. Ayurveda founders developed a system to define all humans under 3 categories called doshas, which is Kapha, Pitta and Vata. We use lifestyle practices, herbs, and routines to manage these doshas.

I do want to be transparent in the fact that Ayurveda is linked to Hinduism in it's origin. It is believed by Hinduism that the God of medicine, Dhanwantari gifted the knowledge to the writer, or father of, known as Charaka. However over time the tradition and knowledge has been heavily researched and proven scientifically. As I am a Christian woman, I believe that all religion ties back to God the father. Each religions base has a creator of all things, a source of energy that can only be explained as God himself. I do not support Hinduism, I support the evidenced based science and proven history of this form of healing practice made possible by God.

There are many branches of medicine we use today in both the holistic and western medicine worlds that link to Ayurvedic research. Ayurveda calls these "branches" of clinically developed practices,

• Kayla Chikitsa - Medicine

• Shalya Tantra - Surgery

• Shalakya Trantra - ENT and Ophthalmology

• Kaumarbhritya - Pediatrics and obstetrics

• Aged Tantra - Toxicology

• Bhutvidya - Psychiatry

• Rasayan - Rejuvenation therapy and geriatrics

Traditional Ayurveda combines the use of herbs, diet, meditation, yoga, massage, oils and enemas to treat all 8 branches. However the goal of Ayurveda is to prevent by living this positive journey of a balanced lifestyle rather than to play catch up after illness has manifested. Not saying healing from is not possible through a trusted Ayurvedic practitioner. The first step in this prevention is learning your dosha, so lets explore.

The dosha system is based upon genetics, and seasons of conception that together create your physiology and psychology. The seasons of the doshas are Kapha running January through May, Pitta, is June through August, and Vata is September through December. So lets dig deeper to why doshas have seasons.

A kapha dosha's qualities are heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold and soft resembling winter. Physical characteristics of kapha are a strong build with excellent stamina, soft eyes with smooth skin and thick hair, When a kapha is balanced they sleep soundly, have good digestion with regular elimination. However when a Kapha becomes unbalanced you see weight gain, fluid retention, allergies, diabetes and depression. Depression in a Kapha is a strong indicator of an imbalance as Kapha balanced is very loving, calm, thoughtful and carry a passion to enjoy every second of life. A romantic type is a great example of a Kapha as they are ever loyal, patient and supportive. A Kapha will become unbalanced to give and to nourish another. When the imbalance takes hold it is like a light switch, you will see resistance, stubbornness and heavy stress. Inherently Kapha holds the elements of earth and water.

A Pita however carries the elements of fire and water. So naturally heat and humidity of the summer months resemble the Pita dosha. Pita in the body resembles heat, manifesting in metabolism. Characteristics of Pita are powerful intellect with high ambition. A Pita is a born leader, with high energy and strength combined with perfectionism. Pita is always up for a challenge. Genetically Pita will tend to have an athletic build. They always choose cold drinks and love sweets. Because of their fire, a Pita will always have warm hands and feet. Often when Pita goes out of balance you will see anger, high temperature, upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, ulcers, pancreatitis and liver or kidney strain. Avoiding foods like alcohol, white flour, sugar and meat help Pita stay balanced. When Pita is balanced they are full of passion in their relationships. Will always stand up to a good challenge, full of creativity and fun. However when you experience possessiveness, over controlling and combative that is when you know know your Pita person has become unbalanced. A change in diet, atmosphere or response to Pita can easily bring balance and coherence back.

Last is our Vata dosha. Vata characteristics include cold, dry, light and moving. Composed of the air and ether elements. Fall winds and storms to change the season often increase Vata. Vata can easily become imbalanced, more so than Kapha and Pita. However when you are in the presence of a balanced Vata you will experience laughter, imagination, high ambition wanting to chase every dream, joy, extreme orgasm and a sense that they walk in the clouds and everyone is happy. The physical appearance of these light natured beings are light colored eyes, smaller frame, hypermobile joints, fine hair, dry skin and overall delicate features. Physically a Vata will experience cold hands and feet, constipation, restless legs, anxiety, dreams and hyperactivity when out of balance. In a relationship they will be fast, adventurous, never a dull moment and will always want others to experience their wonder of the world. It may seem difficult to rope in a Vata, but once you do, provide them with warmth, grounding foods and stability for one of the most balanced and compatible partners because of their ability to shift easily.

So how do these genetics and attributes pass on to a new being? Well if you have two Kaphas people bear a child in Pita season you will have a predominantly Kapha child with Pita attributes. Yes it is possible to be more than one dosha. However there will always be one dominant dosha. Unless you are a rare tri-doshic type. Tri-doshic types are the most balanced healthiest beings you will ever meet. To become tri-doshic the mother, father and season must all be different at conception. You must have lived a balanced life so that one dosha did not over power the rest. All of this leads us to routine and nutrition.

Let us explore the nutrition. Every dosha's balanced "happy" foods are opposite of the qualities. This is to ensure the qualities do not become over powering and lead to excess causing imbalance. Generally the six tastes - Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour, Pungent and Astringent are the key factors in all doshas. The idea is to balance excess with the opposite. Obviously sweet and sour would uplift so those need to be the least predominant taste for a Vata, because Vata is already up in the clouds. You need to feed this dosha grounding foods with heavy, warm and pungent to draw them down.. Sometimes a veggie could be good for all doshas depending on ether cooked and warm or raw and cold. Also different spices play a role in the nutrition. Disturbances can be eliminated from the body by different spices depending on what area of the body and also what dosha.

Each dosha stores differently in the body. A Kapha will tend to store in the digestive tract including the colon, respiratory system and heart. Pita builds in the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, blood and eyes. While a Vata will accumulate in the large intestine, pelvic area, knees and other joints (because of the air element) skin, ears and hips. So in turn of thinking nutritionally we want the spices and or herbs to carry qualities or benefits for those specific areas to help clear imbalances. So we are combing foods that compliment the dosha with herbs that aid the body. The same goes for irritating foods and herbs, each dosha has "unhappy" foods they need to avoid.

However with our bodies being made up of 70% water, fluid is vital in our nutrition. It does us no good to eat right, spend all the time cooking to just drink a sugary wrong temp drink. Temperatures for the doshas are Kapha - cool (not cold), Pita - room temp and Vata - warm. Temperature is not the only important factor. If our body is lacking vitamins and minerals the water will run straight through. Minerals help push the hydration through our tissues so the whole body can fully absorb. You can ensure good mineral levels by herbs, magnesium baths, supplements and more. One of our favorites is mineralized alkaline water. Alkaline aids in the ph level of the body. Our cells must maintain alkalinity in order to function and stay alive. A ph below 7.2 is sub-optimal creating space for bacteria, virus and candida. Over acidity can lead to kidney damage, joint pain, weight gain and free radical damage. There are many ways to monitor the ph of the body. Home urine tests or visiting your physician. A general rule of thumb is a high acidic body will produce dark urine. Finding a natural spring water with a ph of 7 is the best water to aid optimal nutrition.

So food, herbs and water all in their seasons will help maintain balance or coherence in the body. Now you need to examine routine.

It is a known fact that our bodies response mechanism is flight or fight. In a coherent environment no one wants to fight and no one wants to run away because love is being spread joyfully. But what is the first step to accepting love? Trusting the source! We can run around like cupid sharing love all day long, but if people don't know and trust us they are going to think we are mad! They will react in a fight or flight.. get the heck out of here, right? So we have to build trust with our body to ensure our body recognizes the love in selfcare. Otherwise it might wonder what your doing and just store for the next rainy day (fight response). When we create routine our body knows that your going to feed it properly, that your going to give it rest or healing. I know it can be hard when we have kids, job, house and our partner all relying on us. But if you allow illness to manifest who will your family rely on then? The next of kin? Caring for yourself is just as important as the roof over your families head. So set a schedule for your routine. Sleep is important, so decide what time your responsibilities start in the day. Then back up 30 minutes on the clock and set that as your wake up time. Now you need at least 8 hours sleep. So back up 8 hours and that is the time you should lay down at night. Now you have your parameters for your day. So what is important to include inside those parameters? Well the suggested daily routines are,

• Oil pulling

• Self massage

• Tongue scraping

• Yoga

• Meditation

• Nutrition

I know that sounds like a lot, but lets break it down. Tongue scraping and oil pulling can be done within 10 minutes when you brush your teeth each morning. Your self massage takes 5 minutes before your bath or shower. Yoga stretches can be done in 10 minutes of that 30 minutes we pushed the clock back each morning with a meditation to begin your day. All together these routines take about 30 minutes of your day and not all at once. Making small steps is the the best way to maintain new habits. So just try adding one routine at a time. Each have amazing benefits we will explore in other posts. These routines aid in ways of comfort, nourishment and trust. Once the routines and schedule become a pattern the body and mind will recognize this and begin to ease stress, anxiety and tension. The negative chemical reactions will decrease. The positive love chemicals will increase. You will begin to radiate and glow. Your mindset will shift, forgiveness and compassion will begin to overcome previous trauma. You will reach your goals. They body will live in a coherent harmony of communication properly no longer storing for fight or flight. How beautiful and relieving does this sound? - I can tell you, it is life changing!

This is possible for all who are willing to invest the time into themselves. By doing so you invest in your family. Your new ways of life will become their way of life, and the will gain longevity as well. It is a leaning curve, but we have done the hard work for you. At Heritage Havens you will find resources for the tools you need as well as education. You will also find myself, Alisha Hicks an Ayurvedic Nutritionist versed in the practice along with training in herbalism, mindset, yoga, and medical botany. We have combined these practices so that we can help you become free in your mindset and the environment around you. Our bodies digest more than food, we digest emotions, relationships, pollutants and more. So conscious living is an important as part of your journey. Learn more by following us on social media, joining our app available for download in your app store as Heritage Havens. Or join a personal or group coaching session with us at www.heritagehavens.com under programs.

We look forward to your growth, Namaste -