JBYF Blog
Spring Cleanse Prep: Ayurvedic Diet & Tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
As your body eases out of winter and embraces the joy of spring, we want to ensure your shift sets you up for a year of health with these Ayurvedic tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Issues Stored in the Tissues: Majja Dhatu
Our focus today is on Majja Dhatu a spinal and cerebral fluid- that is located throughout the nervous system and bone marrow. Its function is to fill the bones and nourishes Shukra dhatu (the reproductive tissue). Its Mala or byproduct is seen as the unctuousness of eyes, skin, and feces…
How to Begin Your Yoga Practice
Sure, many will tell you the foundational key points. I.E. What type of Mat do you need, props, financial considerations, studio or online, the style you may want to explore, if you align with the teacher, what kind of teacher are you looking for, and so much more…
How Doing 1% a Day Will Help You Achieve Your Goals
Back to basics. At the start of every new year, the world makes resolutions, intentions, and goals that very few ever see through to the end. The reason is that there may be a moment when there is a setback, a slip-up, or a quantum shift, that…
Mental Well-Being: Why Taking a "Time Out" is key to Physical Well-Being
There is nothing like the feeling of displacement. This can stem from a vicissitude of experiences, from losing what was once home, to starting over, again and again, maybe it was a series of moving around from place to place and still not feeling…..
Why physical wellness is so important to our overall health and well-being
When we are physically fit, we not only feel and look better, but our entire physiology is working at its optimum. Rest and activity are crucial in sustaining a healthy way of life.
We spoke about sustaining a daily routine a few weeks ago and now we will break down the essentials…
Why Sleep is So Important
I get it, we are busy... We wear it like a badge of honor. Not only are our schedules jammed-packed, but if you are a parent, then you have even more to juggle between the activities and commitments of your kids and everything else. If you are an entrepreneur or working on your professional growth, a student, or all of the above, then you are probably on the verge of burnout. Making time for them, your partner, and even yourSelf seem more like…
Creating a Healthy Daily Routine According to Ayurveda
Once you discover what your Prakriti is, and your physiological makeup, then we can begin examining which routine will work best for you. Knowing if you are Vata, Pitta, Kapha, or a combination of two, or even of the three, will provide more insight on how to curate a routine that fits your lifestyle and your needs.
Ayurveda is a …
The Relationship Between Consciousness and Health through Ayurveda
The cause of all dis-ease, which gives rise to disease is when one is caught up in identifying with the superficial, surface level of the small self, the shadow self, and loses connection to the innate pure Being within. Seeing 10,000 moons on the reflection of the water instead of 1 as the old Buddhist proverb says.
The Whole Journey is the Full Potential
Stepping into the ocean, where feet may fail. Beneath the waves, immersed in a peace that surpasses all understanding, unbounded, limitless- colorless yet vibrant, humble yet regal. Taken deeper without Borders, Spirit leads me wherever called, discovering the eternal truth dwelling within…
From Empty to Full: Embracing God Consciousness through Higher States Part 2 of 2
Mental, emotional, physical, and economic well-being has skyrocketed over the last few years, and recently, it seems the weight of the world is falling on many more shoulders. Some are still stuck within their own mind like a twisted fun house at a carnival without knowing the way out. In the last few days, I have been presented with …
Embracing God Consciousness through Higher States of Consciousness Part 1 of 2
As I see it, if scientists can not even trust their own conclusions or make an effort to explore the depths of consciousness via other areas of investigation to study (i.e. objective or traditional), and test those findings, then it’s like trying to trust someone in a relationship when they don’t even trust themselves and project that insecurities on others to 'believe' without substance….
Attachment is a Function of the Mind, Discovering Liberation through Higher States of Consciousness Part 1
"...we are constantly being funneled toward defining ourselves within the context of what we do and how we do it instead of who we are. Rarely are we taught that it is enough to just be."
I feel our society as a whole is caught up in "defining ourselves" based on being "success-driven" because of the need to have "identity" and "purpose." We are attached to the role, therefore confining ourselves in a cage with the gate wide open. Driving ourselves into silent suffering to remain a representative of what we thought we needed to be and not allowing ourselves to evolve into what we are becoming…
Understanding the Four Levels of Intellect
the beauty of coming to know thy Self, and to be free from the self. Who, what, and how is the circumstance holding you back from evolution? It is not the fault of the circumstance, it is the fault of the ego one attaches to that is known as Pragya Apardh, “ignorance of the intellect.”
In yoga, this is understood as the Avidya tree or coming to face the 5 Kleshas. These are:
Your Truth is Different than My Truth
Imposing YOUR belief on someone doesn't make you right, or wrong, it also doesn’t mean that you are stating the “truth.” As perception is not always the reality. What you see now may become distorted later. No one ever remembers the exact details of any story, and some claim that “I believe in the truth.” What they want to believe is based on their own interpretation of what they experienced.
Paradigms not only create blindness, but they also create rigidity and prevent one from expanding. Not to mention, they destroy relationships, friendships, and create conflict. The interpretation of one’s “truth,” limits the Being and gives strength to the ego. The one which calls another a narcissist is in fact the reflection of the word. They are too caught up in their small self to allow their Being to shine forth. Thus, limiting their potential and remaining on the surface level.
Enchanting India Reveals Yoga and the Creative Self
The practice of yoga, along with its sister science, Ayurveda, and cousin meditation provide the practitioner with methods to tap into harmony and the inner creative silence while functioning on the surface level of life. Maintaining a household, work, kids, school, and any other projects you have going on. The power of these three practices together has the key to establishing success through the conscious intention of caring for one’s self.
The culture and wisdom of Indian ancestors brought these teachings to the states in the 1900s, and have since been evolving into mainstream forms of wellness practices that have provided health professionals the ability to integrate Eastern medicine into their practices.
The Spices of Life 4 Spices for Healthy Living
The 4 spices above are used within the Sattvic diet for many of the recipes you will find in the Free Resource Library. Using these spices in the recommended manner offers the individual a way to balance their doshas, realign with healthy digestion, and re-establish vitality known as Ojas, within themselves. In India, foods such as Marsala tea, chai, curry, lassi, and kitchari, utilize them to enhance the flavors of traditional Ayurvedic Indian recipes as a method of eliminating Rajas and Tamas.
Integrating TM (transcendental meditation) and Yoga asana into your daily routine, stimulate the networks within the body such as the Immune system, parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system,
Spring Ayurveda Cleanse, Out with the Old in with Fresh
Spring cleaning is not just what we do around the house or just for spring, it's what we do for ourSelves throughout the various seasons of the year.
Ama, known as "toxins" accumulate throughout the year due to improper digestion and high levels of stress along with chemicals we breathe, the water we drink, and the foods we eat. According to Maharishi Ayurveda, the toxic build-up can lead to health disorders. As we age, the mechanisms for eliminating impurities are not as efficient as they once were, which is why, as each season approaches, we need to prepare for a seasonal cleanse. We will start with a Spring Cleansing, as tradition has it, spring is the start of purification.
March is the perfect tie to begin a cleanse because, according to MAPI.com, "Biologically, nature supports cleansing of the body in spring." In the early and late winter, the digestive fire is high, and more sweets and heavy foods tend to be consumed. Because they aren't able to assimilate these hard-to-digest foods, ama (the sticky, toxic product of incomplete digestion) starts accumulating.
India’s Festival Celebrations of Light, Love, and Life
In preparation to enjoy the food culture in India, one needs to consider the local spices that are consumed. Mustard Seeds, Turmeric (Haldi) Indian food needs turmeric, Cumin (Jira), Green Cardamom (Cchoti Ilayachi), Coriander, and Cilantro. Garam Masala, Black Cardamom (Kali Ilayachi), and Ginger (Adarek) are just a few of the spices used in the home and street food culture of India. If you are not familiar with these spices…
Cultural and Spiritual India
In preparation to enjoy the food culture in India, one needs to consider the local spices that are consumed. Mustard Seeds, Turmeric (Haldi) Indian food needs turmeric, Cumin (Jira), Green Cardamom (Cchoti Ilayachi), Coriander, Cilantro. Garam Masala, Black Cardamom (Kali Ilayachi), and Ginger (Adarek) are just a few of the spices used in the home and street food culture of India. If you are not familiar with these spices, it may not be wise to eat the street food, as it will be hard to digest. Begin to slowly include Indian spices in your meals, such as various curries, to ignite the digestive fire for the delicious Indian foods you will have the joy to delight in. The foods are extremely savory, unctuous, and decadent, so best to prepare your palette ahead of time. Also bring any mint, basil, and lemongrass to avoid an upset stomach.
To respect the tradition and honor each other and the way of life in India, proper dress is encouraged. Women are best to not wear shorts or any clothes that show cleavage or reflect a provocative appearance. As culturally, women are regarded as deities or goddesses and honored as such. The traditional way of dress is in Sari’s, Punjab with leggings, jeans, and a long sleeve or short sleeve shirts with scarves to cover the chest area. Respect yourself and you will be respected.
India is a country rich in culture, morals, values, art, food, spirituality, ancient traditions, Vedic wisdom, ancient Ayurveda medicinal offerings, and natural resources supporting the enrichment of holistic well-being worldwide. The influence of yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, and achieving higher states of consciousness has flooded the west since 1854.
Although NOT for the faint of heart, …