Yoga and Ayurveda are complimentary sciences to inform and direct a therapeutic practice.
Ayurveda translates as ‘the science of life’, and provides a focus for physical, mental and spiritual fitness through diet and lifestyle. Yoga is a technology to help your body detox, it provides a technique to stabilize energy and mind, and it offers a glimpse into the subtle and spiritual realm of experience. Any type of yoga you practice will help you feel better, but in order to develop a self-guided personal practice, you must first understand the basic principles of yoga practice and healthy lifestyle.
This blog will focus on three subtle essences that influence our wellbeing called Prana, Tejas, and Ojas.
Prana – the vitality as represented by breath, movement and energy, the guiding force of life. Higher Awareness at the universal and cellular level. Prana provides the ability to fully and completely express yourself in the world. Balanced Prana provides enthusiasm, and adaptability. It is the vital Higher Intelligence.
Tejas – the courage, strength, and willpower to stand strong in the face of change. Balanced Tejas is evident in the bright glow of healthy skin, personal magnetism, a strong metabolism, good memory, inspiration, and ability to assimilate information and see clearly. Tejas is the ability to deal with paradoxes and move positively to digest the mind’s limitations. It is the vital Fire.
Ojas – the support of a healthy immune system and well nourished tissues. Ojas is the foundation for patience, stability, and the essence of nurturance. It is the nourishment from good foods, ability to give and receive love, positive bonding, kindness, devotion, and prayer. It is the vital reserve.
Each of these can subtle essences can be diminished, or imbalanced, due to the stressors of life.
Prana is depleted by poor food choices, over-stimulation of the 5 senses, lack of breath training / pranayama, multi-tasking, time spent on the computer, being too talkative, expending too much energy.
Tejas is depleted by poor food choices, improper living habits, overuse of drugs. When Tejas is too high, it can burn ojas, reducing immunity, and overstimulate prana, causing tissue disorders in the brain and body.
Ojas is a result of proper diet, self care, relaxation, rest, sleep, love, and can be impacted if these practices are not followed. Too little ojas leads to lack of concentration, fear, general weakness, loss of sensation in one of more of the five senses, and eventually death. Ojas can be depleted or disturbed by a stagnant lifestyle, lack of spiritual practice, poor foods, too much sex or masturbation, negative thinking and acting.
In order to bring Prana to a clear, stable, sufficient level to power your life and activity, you can practice:
Pranayama – consider alternate nostril breathing daily
Ripe, fresh, local fruits and vegetables cooked well, avoid leftovers
Yoga Asana, particularly backbends and laterals
Certain herbs and teas such as Tulsi / Holy Basil, or the herbal jam Chywanprash
Chanting mantra
In order to build Tejas that burns bright, clear, stable, and strong, you can practice:
Tending to your digestion with foods that support digestion such as ginger, cinnamon, clove, black pepper.
Avoiding grazing throughout the day, consider routine meal and snack times
Meditation on Light or Fire
Chanting mantra
Yoga Asana, particularly Twists and Belly-Down Backbends
In order to maintain healthy Ojas that is clear, smooth, flowing, and sufficient to fight infection and toxins, you can practice:
Improved eating habits that include fresh, seasonal, foods, whole grains, healthy oils, and food cooked with ghee
Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Guided Relaxation to promote deeper sleep and rest that allows your deep tissues and organs to heal
Self-oil massage, and other forms of self-care; this is the message of self-love, which is necessary for a happy and long life
Positive thinking, prayer, meditation
Laughter, love, and kindness; spending time with loved ones
Considering all three of these influences in our daily choices can help us refine our choices and our practice to live a more adaptable, powerful, and peaceful life.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti - Peace Peace Peace
For Lydia - thanks for asking
Photo by Yayan Sopian on Unsplash