Pre menstrual symptoms cover a broad spectrum such as headache, cramping, swollen breasts, craving sweets, and sluggishness, among others. The emotional symptoms may include mood swings, impatience, depression, or anxiety. Although the above are common experiences in our culture today, they are not natural. Ayurveda and Yoga offer not only relief, but prevention from these problems.
This is an enhanced version of the recipe in Freedom in Your Relationship with Food. Enjoy it with meals from Simple Ayurvedic Recipes as well.
Preparation time: soaking dates and 5 minutes
1 cup dates (fresh if available or cover with water and soak dried dates for 4 -8 hours)
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon rock salt or mineral salt
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
water used to soak dates
Disturbed sleep or difficulty going to sleep is most often a result of excess vata. See previous blog posts for more information on what contributes to excess vata and how to calm it down. Here are some suggestions to assist in restoring a healthy sleep pattern. *Be sure you finish eating at least 2 hours before going to bed. *Eliminate television and or computer at least 1 hour before bed.
Here is an idea for a lovely holiday meal: beets or beets and sweet turnips cooked in Sesame oil, water, hijiki, fresh ginger, mineral salt. kale cooked in ghee, black sesame seeds, ajwain(celery seeds), mineral salt, fenugreek seeds, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, cumin seeds, fresh cilantro. pearl barley, ghee, mineral salt. cook it in the rice cooker with a little extra water. split mung beans cooked with ghee, mineral sale, coriander powder, asafoetida, cumin seeds, pinch of turmeric powder, pinch of sweet cinnamon.
The energies present in the hours just before sunrise are sattvic (balanced and harmonious) in nature. Some say the angels are most present at this time. Thus it is an ideal time for meditation and starting the day. It gives support to your practices and promotes feeling well.
Yoga is a state of union, meaning the union of body, mind, and spirit. It is also a set of practices to help you move toward that state of union. The postures, or asana, are just one of the many practices designed to clear the path to experience yourself as eternal spirit. The definition of the word "asana" is "to be and breathe with that which is eternal." In other words, asana practice is meant to bring you into partnership with the source of the universe, or God, within and around you.
Pranayama is one of the most powerful limbs of the eight limbs of classical Ashtanga Yoga as discussed in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Practiced appropriately it will increase your vitality, clarity, and sense of internal peace. There are many physiological benefits as well. Pranayama is designed to manage the five vayus, or vital airs/energies, related to the body. These energies will have you feel grounded and vibrant when balanced, or scattered, fearful, and disillusioned when out of balance.
Living from the inside out is coming from our deepest knowing rather than just our thinking. For those of us who have practiced thinking our way around the world for many years, there are practices to help us learn to connect to our innermost self for living. And it feels so good when it happens. Beyond words. Here is a beautiful writing from my niece, Katie Lewin, 16 years, a budding Yogini.
When Yoga and Ayurveda first appeal to us, it is usually because we are looking for something that helps us feel better, more connected to our Self. A way of feeling more of the richness of life. It may come unexpectedly when a friend introduces us. Or when we are looking for relief from the pain of doing things we know are harmful to us.
Eliminating first thing in the morning and about 20 minutes after each main meal is a healthy guideline. This will vary slightly with a person's constitution. When the body does not naturally eliminate from the bowels first thing upon rising in the morning, constipation is occurring. Toxins(ama) back up in the body and mind leading to diminished health and disease.
