Neroli Salon & Spa | Aurvedic Lifestyle

Aurvedic Lifestyle

by neroli.admin

Tips for a modern, urban lifestyle

Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old East Indian Healing system for the mind and body. It is an amazing way to live more presently and simplify our busy lives. But you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the entire concept. We are sharing some simple tips to incorporate Ayurveda into your life, in an uncomplicated way.

Food

Cook

The art of cooking in itself is healing for the mind and body. We suggest cooking a little something on most days each week and work up to cooking every day. If you don't enjoy cooking, think of it as a meditative experience using it to fuel your body for optimal health and empowering self-healing. Make your space uniquely yours and create a sanctuary in your home that will help you enjoy the process.

Meal Plan

Not only does meal planning help you stay on track with consuming the foods your body will thank you for, but it also minimizes stress by having groceries already purchased and planned out. Pick 2-3 days during the week where you are making the bulk of your meals to help break up the workload.

Whole Foods

Cooking with more whole foods increases your nutritional intake and removes excess processed ingredients. Where to start? Toss packaged dressings, sauces, white sugar, etc. Replace those items with spice mixes, fresh herbs, coconut oil/ghee, fresh lemon/lime and chutneys/relishes.

Think Simple

ook with less. When you’re cooking, think of how you can minimize the list of ingredients you are adding into each recipe. When simplifying a recipe, you can still cook delicious foods but also feel less stressed and cut your cooking time due to using fewer ingredients.

Cook Seasonally

The idea behind cooking seasonally ayurvedically is by bringing in opposite qualities of what the current season is outside. Let's break this down.

Spring

Eat warming, light, dry foods to combat the heavy, wet, cold qualities outside
Examples: spicy soups, ginger, turmeric, fresh berries, seasonal greens, asparagus

Summer

Eat cooling, light, sweet foods
Examples: cilantro, cucumber, avocado, melon, zucchini, coconut oil

Fall

Eat warming, moist, sweet foods
Examples: olive oil, ghee, dates, sesame seeds, oats, vegetable curry

Winter

Eat heavy, warming, oily foods
Examples: soups, stews, beans, cooked fruits, cinnamon, cumin

Move for your Dosha

What is a dosha? In Ayurveda, one of the fundamental principles is that everything in the universe is comprised of the 5 elements: fire, air, water, earth, and space. According to ancient texts, we are also made up of fragments of these elements. Thus, causing everything within us to be connected as well as everything around us.

From a basic understanding, these elements combine to form a combination within our body, soul, and consciousness to create our dosha. Throughout the universe, beings are said to have one of three of the common doshas based on the elements within them. Those that dive deeper into Ayurveda will come to understand that there are various combinations of doshas that an individual can have based on unique general makeup. However, all beings fall into one of the 3 doshas; Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Once you figure out which dosha you are, you can then MOVE your dosha physically every day. Ayurveda states that through physical exercise, "one gets lightness, a capacity for work, firmness, tolerance of difficulties, elimination of impurities, and stimulation of digestion."

VATA

Opt for grounding exercises like restorative yoga, biking, dancing and walking.

Pitta

Activities like skiing, tennis, and rollerblading are ideal for pittas. Swimming is most beneficial as the cool water calms the pitta. Taking a leisurely walk in nature is also good for pittas as they can just enjoy nature without having anything to compete over.

Kapha

Anything that makes kaphas sweat is going to be best. Because they are prone to congestion, sweating helps to release the toxins that kaphas tend to accumulate. Activities like vinyasa yoga, aerobics, running, and biking are best for kapha types.

Unsure about which dosha is most dominant for you? Take a quiz to discover yours!

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is extremely important in all things ayurveda and it's something that can easily be incorporated into our busy days. A few tips to live more mindfully:

Eat In Peace:

Phone down, no screens, chew your food 20-25 times before swallowing. Take in all the flavors and enjoy!

Abhyanga (oleation massage):

Get your favorite massage oil and spend some time massaging it into your body. Take this time as you are massaging to give gratitude to yourself and those around you. Be grateful you have a healthy, working body that carries you to and from your priorities and responsibilities each day.

Breathing:

Deep breathing has been said to decrease stress, relieve pain, improve digestion, increase energy and more. Deep breathing can be done any time of the day. In the morning, on your lunch break or before bed are great down times in the day to practice. Try alternate nostril breathing for overall well being! We suggest following this education video on alternate nostril breathing byChopra:

Nature:

Be In Nature Everyday. This is an easy task that can be done every day to bring ayurvedic practices into your day to day. You’ll never regret taking a walk each day even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Step outside to clear your head and breathe the fresh air.

Ayurveda can be included in your day to day in many small and large ways . It can be practiced in forms of wellness, meditation, receiving services, and more. There is no wrong way to practice Ayurveda, and you are welcome to start your Ayurvedic journey at any time. Connect to yourself through connecting through the world of Ayurveda.

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