For the past year I have been training to be an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor. I started the training because I specifically wanted a way to help my clients navigate the murky waters of eating in way that accounted for each person's individual nature. I received all that and so much more. As I wrap up my training, I want to share a few of the powerful pieces I've learned.

This month I'll provide a glimpse into the amazing world of Ayurveda. You'll receive a sampling of information and tools in this eZine but also take note of the two classes on Ayurvedic eating I'll be offering to give you additional information.

I am here to serve you and welcome any comments, questions or feedback!
Jamie

P.S.
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• Ayurveda & The Three Doshas



• Small Ayurvedic Diet Changes



• Supporting Seasonal Shifts



• March Events



• About the BodyMind Coach

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• VATA - is made of the elements of air and ether and is like the wind: dry, cool, light, changing. It is the force that moves things in the body.
• PITTA - is made of the elements of fire and water and means bile because it is what digests things, both food and ideas. It is hot, slightly damp, and light in quality.
• KAPHA - is made of the elements of earth and water and is cool, damp, heavy, and dulling. It is phlegm, that which binds or holds things together and lubricates.

The key to health is keeping the Doshas in balance. This means not only being aware of your own Prakriti or Constitutional Dosha or bodytype - because although you have all three Doshas they are a different ratio in each person - but also knowing how the external factors such as food affect that balance.

The basic idea is that if you have too much of a Dosha you use substances that have the opposite quality to treat the imbalance. For instance, if you have too much Kapha in your body, which is heavy, cold, and damp, you would eat foods and use activities that are light, warm/hot and dry. This means using more spices which are hot, light and dry; avoiding cold and doing more heat oriented things like dry saunas; and using herbs that have these other qualities.

Step one is to find your is to find your Constitutional Dosha. Take this simple questionnaire and find out which Constitutional Dosha you are.

One's diet is the most basic form of self care as food builds and feeds the body daily. Food is the most constant form of input we give the physical body and as such is a critical component in maintaining health as well as healing from illness and disease. I don't have time in this short eZine to go into all the eating and food principles, but I will be detailing that information in a Ayurvedic food class and teleclass later this month.

Often changing an item or two in a permanent way has better results than attempting large-scale, radical changes. This is because although your current diet may not ideally serve you, your body and mind are habituated to it. Rather than attempting to change diets too quickly or radically, which can literally shock the system, it is better to make small changes and allow the body to adapt in increments. Each Dosha is going to have particular dietary needs, but the adaptations I'm highlighting here are suitable for all of the Doshas.

Diet Adaptation #1:

Use Ghee more often or as your primariy oil

Oils are necessary for maintaining fat tissue, marrow and nerve tissue and allow for ease of secretions and discharges with their lubricating effects. Ghee, which is clarified butter, is the best form of fat for the body and the best oil for Pitta and the liver. Using ghee for cooking is helpful because it doesn't burn like butter. Although you can buy ghee, it is simple to make and tastes so much better.

Ghee

Directions:
Simmer one pound Organic unsalted, sweet butter for 10 minutes over medium heat. Let cool for a few minutes then remove all the white foam from the top. Clear yellow ghee will remain. Pour this through a cheesecloth into a container, not allowing any white sediment at the bottom of the pan to slide in.  Once cooled, close the lid and store on the counter.  It does not require refrigeration but make sure to always use a clean utensil to get the ghee out so as not to pollute the ghee in the jar.

Diet Adaptation #2:

Modify your sugar use

You need a certain amount of sweet taste to maintain your tissues since sweet is the basic taste of the body. However, pure sugars, especially the highly refined types such as white sugar, increase allergies, immune system disorders, toxicity and in excess disturb all the Doshas.

Honey is the best general sweetener being energetically pure and balancing to all Doshas. It is best uncooked and unheated. Raw honey is better for Pitta. Even though it is a better sugar, remember that is it still strong and with excess will create imbalance.

 

See the tip below on using fennel seeds to curb your sweet tooth.

Diet Adaptation #3:

Use your spices

Spices not only add flavor to your food but they also help regulate the appetite, strengthen your digestive fires, counteract the heaviness of certain foods, decrease intestinal gas and ease digestion. In general, Kapha and Vata Doshas do well with lots of spice but Pitta Doshas need to be careful about not eating too much spices, especially the hot spices like ginger, cayenne, chili, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, etc.

Fennel is the most balanced of all spices and is neutral and balancing for all the Doshas. It acts as a stimulant for the digestion, a diuretic, decreases gas, and calms spasms. If you are someone who wants or needs a bit of sweet after meals, take a small pinch of fennel seeds. Not only will their sweet taste take the edge off your craving, but it will also help your digestion versus dampening it which is what desserts at the end of the meal do.

Digestive Spice Tea

To drink throughout the day to ease gas and aid digestion.
Boil 2 cups of water, add 1-2 TBS of seeds (equal parts cumin, coriander and fennel seeds) and simmer 10-15 min. Strain and drink.

Seasons, like foods, have different Doshas. Although there are general dates for each season in North America, different regions will vary. Here in the upper Midwest, spring comes late and Vata often stays past February 1st. Use the attributes of each Dosha as a better guideline than the dates.

• Vata relates to the seasons of bitter cold, dry, and declining energies such as late autumn and early winter. In general this is from October 1-February 1 in North America.
• Pitta relates to the seasons when it is hot, slightly damp and light. This is usually in the summer and early fall from June 1-October 1
• Kapha is cold, heavy and damp which connects to spring from February 1-June 1.

As we bring winter and the Vata season to a close and prepare to welcome in the spring and Kapha season, you are going to want to begin to bring in more of the drying qualities in lifestyle aspects such as dry food, spicy herbs and saunas.  If you are a Vata, however, be careful about increasing drying activities too much or it will affect your already dry nature.  Use in moderation and see how you feel.

Spring is also the optimal time to do a cleanse as you literally spring clean the physical house of your body. We're not quite there yet, but in late April I will offering a Spring Cleansing Special so watch for details next month. In the meantime, you can start to gently assist your body in switching seasons with these mildly cleansing Kitcharee Recipes. No, you don't have to eat this all month! But having it once or twice a week will ease your transition.

Click on the event name for more information and registration details

Train your Mind and Transform your Habits with Ease

When: THIS WEEK! Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:15-7:15 pm
Where: Salus Wellness, 2301 Sun Valley Dr. Suite 102, Delafield, WI
Investment: $25
Pre-registration required by Monday 3/1 at noon: through Salus. Call 262-646-3993 or email info@answertowellness.com

Meditation and yogic mind control techniques have become the hot new topic for stress relief and health. A hidden gem to this technique is its ability to train your mind, your habits and your patterns without getting caught in the ego mind. You will learn why your mind is your most powerful tool and experience techniques to maintain a higher level of total health and the ability to transform your habits with less effort. Instead of being a slave to your mind and your habits, learn how to become the master.

Uncover the Hidden Messages in your Symptoms

When: Monday, March 15th, 6:15-7:15 pm
Where: Salus Wellness, 2301 Sun Valley Dr. Suite 102, Delafield, WI
Investment: $25
Pre-registration: through Salus required. Call 262-646-3993 or email info@answertowellness.com

Your Total Self (body, mind, spirit) is trying to guide you towards health. It does this through messages which you usually perceive as negative symptoms in the body or a sense of unhappiness, anxiety, or discomfort. And as such, your first impulse is to get rid of those uncomfortable symptoms. However, when you learn to understand the language of the Total Self, you can correct the underlying imbalances, get to the root of the issue, and enjoy more lasting health and happiness.

Learn What Foods Keep YOU in Balance

When: Saturday, March 20th, 9:30-10:45 am
Where: Jensen Health & Energy, 500 Elm Grove Road, Suite 325, Elm Grove
Investment: $25
Pre-registration required by Friday, March 19 at noon. Call 262-782-1616

Now's the chance to to finally learn a system for food that makes sense for YOUR body! You will take some of the information you learned from this eZine on Ayurveda and explore the world of food. You will finally learn how to balance your innate needs with the ever changing external factors in life. If you have ever felt confused about knowing what to eat to keep you healthy and in balance, you don't want to miss this class.

TELECLASS OPTION Learn What Foods Keep YOU in Balance

When: Saturday, March 13th, 9:00 - 10:15 am
Where: wherever you want to be via telephone, toll charges may apply depending on your phone plan
Investment: $25

Same great class with a flexible geographical option for those of you who either are not local to my area or simply can't make the day/time of the other class.

Jamie Durner, NCMT, ACC, RYT is a credentialed life coach, yoga teacher, bodyworker, speaker and author for individuals who are ready to embrace healing and harmony with an empowered approach. Her areas of expertise include health and balance on all levels of body, mind and spirit; personal development, Kundalini Yoga, and spiritual living.

Through individual coaching, workshops & presentations, and products, Jamie's mission is to inspire and teach individuals how to develop the awareness, resources and confidence to manage their health and life to suit their goals.

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