Does your ideal bath salt have these five rare and invaluable essential oils as ingredients? And where can you find a bath salt with ALL of them in it? We provide all these answers and more.
Shankarabrings together the ancient science of life from the East – Ayurveda with the western knowledge of actives and anti-oxidants through modern manufacturing methods to create bath salts like Sundarya Mineral Bath Salt, which combines the gifts of these essential oils, we discuss below, in perfect balance uplifting your spirit, nourishing the body, and leaving your skin feeling soft, supple and totally moisturized.
The oil made from the steam distillation of an Asian flower plant variety is an exotic herb that comes with a string of aromatic and therapeutic benefits.
Antidepressant- Studies have shown ylang ylang oil to produce stress relieving hormones that reduce depression. This is one of the reasons; the ylang ylang oil has become popular as an ingredient in aromatherapy.
It is anti-seborrhic, that is it fights infections caused by irregular sebum production are reduced.
It is good for healing cuts and wounds because of its antiseptic character. It calms your nerves, relieves stress and anxiety, supports a stronger and stress free nervous system and has a tranquilizing effect. Ylang ylang is also suited for lowering blood pressure.
The Himalayan mineral salt is one of the purest salt varieties as it is still unaffected by the toxicity present in other sources where salt is made. Some of its benefits include,
Sunflower oil is good for balancing Pitta (fire element) dosha. Rich in vitamin E and an excellent source of antioxidants, sunflower oil improves the quality of your skin and has a regenerative quality, which allows it to protect the skin against the sun and aging.
This is geranium essential oil with the added note of rose fragrance in your EO. Rose-geranium is widely used in aromatherapy for its soothing sedative quality that provides deeper relaxation, and de-stresses the nervous system.
For the skin, it controls the sebum production in the skin and reduces the size of skin pores and has antibacterial function on the skin. It reduces the appearance of cellulite and facial scars and lines, giving a natural brightness to your skin. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, which makes it a strong contender for fighting bacterial infections of the skin which can lead to white patches, redness, itchiness, aberration and irritation. Rose Geranium essential oil is also good for managing ailments related to muscle and bones.
Vetiver has a calm and grounding note which is why it is called the ‘oil of tranquility’. Replete with anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties, it is also a naturally rich antioxidant that enables it to fight inflammations and boosts immunity.
Widely used in aromatherapy, it soothes anxiety, reduces fatigue, improves sleep and enhances focus in an individual. It also, protects the skin and keeps your skin off all signs of aging. The use of this oil aids blood circulation and reduces joint pains and other muscular tension.
]]>Well, the number one way to clear our mental clutter and have a peaceful mind is, you guessed it: meditation. A study in the journal Psychological Science showed that people who meditate are able to focus better in daily tasks and can maintain focus with a clear mind – even during boring tasks. Why is meditation so effective? Meditation literally gives your mind a chance to do what it never gets to do: just relax without being controlled or told “focus, focus!” This completely rejuvenates it and allows the clutter to settle. It also gives the mind time to just be in the present moment. What is it that makes our mind so tired? It is that our mind is almost constantly vacillating during the day, from past to future, future to past. Have you noticed this? In meditation, we get a chance to just be in the present.
Maybe you say, “no way, it just seems too difficult to meditate!” Well, have you every noticed that your breath is intimately linked to your state of mind? Have you noticed that with every emotion that we experience, we have a corresponding rhythm or pattern in our breath? We can use this knowledge to our advantage to effect our mental state. You will find that by practicing a yogic breathing technique once or twice a day - like alternate nostril breathing - your mind becomes automatically calm, centered, and clear. The breath effects the mind and nervous system all at once, for a quick and effective shift in the clarity and calm we experience. Learn a quick one: http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/breathing-techniques/alternate-nostril-breathing-nadi-shodhan
Do you notice that it is not just our own thoughts that are making our mind busy, but often we are processing three people’s thoughts and words, and two people’s actions, all at the same time? This can make for mental overload! Handling one mind is quite enough. J Take some time for yourself. Even if it is just a quiet 10 minutes here and there. Let your time for yourself NOT be on your phone, on email, or on twitter/Facebook. It is still processing other people’s thoughts then! Try taking a 15 minute walk in the fresh air, in nature if possible. There is nothing like the old solution of some time alone.
The thing that makes our mind the most unsettled and constantly chirping, is often when we are complaining internally about something. What is the opposite of that? It is gratitude, or recognizing what we do have in our life. Gratitude brings instant happiness. It allows us to focus on the positive. It is similar to meditation, in that it expands the mind.
When we bring a group together and do something uplifting with everyone, there is no better way to experience a heightened, uplifted mental state. Do you remember the last time you sang with a group of friends? The mind gets so cheerful and clear. How about cooking in a group? The creativity wells up, the mind gets focused, the hands are busy and the heart is full. Try meditating in a group or taking your family to a workshop together? It’s far more powerful in a group and can be wonderful with a trained instructor. Here’s a good place to find short workshops around the country: http://www.artofliving.org/us-en. Most of all, remember that life is so short. All of these things mentioned above, can bring us back to the clarity of what is truly important in our lives. And when we remember what is most important, we don’t let stress get the best of us. Then we focus on what is working and we enjoy that warm, sunny summer day.
]]>The Kansa wand has a smooth rounded top with a relatively large curvature that protrudes cylindrically to give you a good grip. Kansa in the ancient language of Sanskrit translates to bronze and they have been used in the Indian subcontinent ever since people learned to make copper and aluminum alloys by heating metal to very high temperatures. Kansa is considered sacred in many cultures and is also called the bell metal, since bells used in Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples or Churches were made of bronze.
In the ancient healing science of Ayurveda, Kansa has a special place. It is considered to be a healing metal with immense detoxifying properties.
(Also Read: Anxious Times: 5 Calming Body Oils That Helped Me Get Through It)One of the best benefits of the metal is it balances the pH. In the ancient tradition, people often ate in bronze plates and drank from glasses made of the metal to help digest their food better and balance the acidity of the food. When used as a massage wand for your face or skin in general, it balances the pH of the skin, apart from other benefits.
The Kansa wand for the face should not be used without a facial oil or serum. It is important to use the wand with an oil or serum that works for your skin, ideally, oils loaded with minerals, nutrients, and has the essence of natural herbs. We recommend it to be used with Shankara’s Rich Repair Face Oil or Blemish Support Face Oil. You can also use it with Shankara’s Fine Line Treatment Oil that helps fight the appearance of fine lines. This will have dual benefits, one that of the healing metal itself and your skin will absorb the nourishment from the essential oils including neem, witch hazel, tea tree, vitamin e tocopherol, jojoba, aloe vera, camphor, turmeric, kukui nut, among others present in both the facial oils.
Drench the wand in oil and let the excess oil drip out. Then, with the Kansa wand gently massage your face, making long strokes from the chin upwards to the cheeks. You can also make circular motion moving from bottom to the top that is from jaws to the chin. Make sure the bronze part of the wand is grazing over your skin when you massage your face.
Always keep the Kansa wand inside a pouch or bag where it is not exposed to light directly.
]]>It is not just the screen time, but accumulated stress in the body and mind also affects the eye muscles, according to studies. But this can be handled very easily through Sukshma Yoga. An important thing to remember though is, make sure your hands are sufficiently sanitized before doing the exercises and ideally do not do these exercises in the public areas where you may be exposed to the coronavirus or in places where hygiene may have been compromised.
(Also read: 7 Ways To Reduce Fatigue And Aging Of The Eyes)
You can darken your room before doing this exercise. Palming has an incredibly soothing effect on your tensed optic nerve. To practice palming-
into the screens and gently blink your eyes. It regulates the moisture in your eyes, keeps the eye muscles relaxed. Here all that you do is blink your eyelids 10 times. Not too forcefully though. Then relax your eyes for a few seconds before repeating the exercise at least 5 more times.
Shifting involves moving the eyes quickly from one point to another point in the same alignment, like moving the eyes (and NOT your neck) side to side or up and down, or moving them in a circular motion. In reducing eye strain, shifting works on the center of the retina, distributing the focus, and stress from a particular point along the axis of the eye movement. This exercise also helps you to take in more information from an object of vision. A simple shifting exercise can be moving your eyes from one point on an object to another point gently and repeatedly but without using too much force. Here are some shifting exercises for you
Here you simply rotate your eyeballs in circles first clockwise, five times and then anti-clockwise five times.
Open your eyes fully and squeeze them shut. Repeat this at least five times.
In between these exercises, make sure you relax your eyes for a few seconds. While you do that, pay attention to your breath. Take longer breaths if you can. At the end of the exercises, you will find that not just your eyes feel less strained, but your state of mind is calmer and more settled. And you are ready to jump into your assignments for the rest of your day.
Lack of sleep, tiredness, strained eyes and overworked nervous system can show up in the form of eye bags, and dark circles below the eyes. So pick your eye cream well. Pick one that is as free of harmful chemicals as possible since it is your eye region that you are dealing with. Make sure it has regenerative qualities and helps fight the tiredness and rapid aging of the skin cells around the eye region. Very often when the eyes are constantly exposed to screen or the sun outside without sufficient rest and care, they end up looking haggard and the skin around the eyes and over them appears aged and rough. A brand that comes highly recommended for it au-natural eye creams is Shankara’s Anti-age Eye Cream that helps you look younger with a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. The calming cream gently nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes, restoring your youthful appearance. Rich with the goodness of antioxidants and ingredients like Rose distillate, raw shea butter, grapeseed oil, andiroba oil, rosehip seed oil, hazelnut oil, Jojoba oil, microalgae extract, castor oil, aspen bark extract, cucumber extract, squalane (Olive-derived), foraha oil, Carrot seed extract oil, pomegranate seed oil; borage oil, Kukui nut oil, and raspberry seed oil, protein and soy extract among others; nutrients and antioxidants, the cream has been found to be deeply hydrating and moisturizing.
]]>When you move into your REM part of the sleep cycle, the body intelligence gets into the rejuvenation mode, cells in your organs and tissues undergo repair during then, including skin cells. Research states, this rejuvenation boosts collagen production, needed for your skin to appear fresh and young. So moral of this story is-get your beauty sleep every night, come what may, to keep looking eternally young and energized.
(Also Read; 6 Quick Ayurvedic Tips To Sleep Well)Look for moisturizing serums rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E, to give your skin the perfect balance of moisturizing and skin cell regeneration. While vitamin C , an antioxidant, boosts collagen production and balances the collagen present in the skin, Vitamin E supports the penetration of Vitamin C into skin cells. The two combined, keep the internal structure of the skin intact, acting more like natural reinforcements for the skin, which then, on the outside looks younger and timeless.
Shankara’s Anti-Aging Serum, for example, comes with the goodness of Vitamin C ester and Vitamin E tocopherol, along with the richness of exotic herbs and actives like microalgae extract; carbohydrate complex; hydrolyzed milk protein and niacinamide; aspen bark extract; hydrolyzed Algin and chlorella vulgaris extract; Vitamin E Tocopherol; vegetable-derived sugars; rose Absolute EO(essential oil); mandarin EO; golden flax extract; echinacea purpurea extract; sandalwood EO; sodium hyaluronate; hibiscus extract; amla extract; ashwagandha extract; neem extract; hydrogenated lecithin; wheat protein extract; gotu Kkola extract; kelp extract; chamae Rose extract; rosemary extract; aloe barbadensis; fulvic minerals; rose extract; and life everlasting extract!
This 100% active serum combines gotu kola and chamae rose to deeply moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. Fine lines and wrinkles fade away while your skin appears brighter and healthier.
You can also make a raw moisturizer at home by blending avocado, honey and fresh cream. The ingredients retain moisture in the skin and help you get rid of wrinkles. Avocados are rich in anti-tan compounds too. Avocados have plenty of antioxidants in the form of Vitamin E and Vitamin C, to fight off free radical gone rogue and reduce premature aging. The skin needs Vitamin C to make collagen which is responsible for maintaining skin tightness.
Walnuts are full of good fat, that is, they contain just enough of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to reinforce skin rejuvenation. You need walnuts because these fatty acids are not naturally occurring in your body. Omega-3 helps keep up the skin’s supple quality and moisturizes it. Walnuts provide about 6% of your zinc requirement for the skin to stay healthy and plump and heal from scars and wounds faster. It is also rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium.
(Also Read: Add these 3 foods to your meals for a radiant skin)Basil leaves are a storehouse of medicinal and health benefits for skin and your body. Loaded with minerals, phytonutrients, electrolytes and vitamins, basil is known as the queen of herbs in Ayurvedic sciences. Because of the presence of antioxidants, it helps reduce oxidative damage in the skin. Because of its anti-septic, anti-microbial properties, it can cleanse pores, remove dead cells, prevent acne and skin infections, and revive the glow on your skin, along with lightening the skin tone.
Shankara's Blemish Support Serum How do you use it? You can have it in the form of tea or it is also a key ingredient in natural herbal serums like Shankara’s Blemish Support Serum, that is topped, along with basil extract, with the immensely diverse and deepening benefits of about 28 very rare herbs and naturally occurring actives like meadowsweet extract, manuka, neem extract; witch hazel bark extract; witch hazel leaf extract; lemongrass extract; lavender EO; aloe barbadensis; oregano leaf extract, thyme extract, olive leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, lavender flower extract, golden seal root extract; manjista extract; lemon Tea tree EO; comfrey leaf extract; arjun extract; lemon Balm extract; fulvic minerals; lemongrass EO; and calendula extract.
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The presence of toxins or aama in the body can lower your immunity. So it becomes extremely important to make sure these toxins are purged out of your system. Abhyanga is basically the art of self-massage, an extremely popular Ayurveda based therapy that incorporates aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation. It improves blood circulation, works up the lymphatic system, moves the toxins through the lymphatic system to get rid of it and calms the mind and nervous system.
A study carried on 11 young healthy male athletes showed that massages worked on specific muscle cell genes responsible for reducing inflammation and releasing more energy into the body cells.
What You Need For Abhyanga
1. Soft cotton towel
2. Some warm water
3. Paper towel
4. About half a cup of Dosha specific massage oil
For Vata Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Calming Body Oil
For Pitta Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil.
For Kapha Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Energizing Body Oil
For Tri-dosha, you can try Shankara’s Sundarya Body Oil.
Ghee helps the body absorb and use fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K. It has effective antiviral properties too, apart from generally boosting our overall immunity. It improves digestion and eyesight, keeps muscles healthy and detoxes the body. The omega 3 fatty acids present in ghee helps fight dryness in the body, which can become a thriving ground for multiple bacteria and microbes.
Regular practice of various sets of Yogasanas mindfully, can help build better immune system. The practice of yoga strengthens your mind, calms your nervous system and purges the body off anti-immunity toxins by working up the lymph nodes. Some yoga poses you can practice for a stronger immune system include
Shishuasana (Child pose)
Clears the chest and improves immune system
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)
This pose improves blood circulation, provides more energy and resistance.
Halasana (Plow pose)
This improves the working of the WBCs that safeguard the body against infections.
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
Dhanurasana (Bow pose)
Matsyasana (Fish pose)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog) helps to decongest the lungs and protects the respiratory system
In dealing with infections as severe as Coronavirus, stress is your number one enemy. Stress can compromise one’s immune system and make it harder for your body to respond to treatments in dealing with viral and bacterial infections. One of the most effective antidotes to stress continues to be meditation. Here’s everything you need to know about meditation including its benefits and how to do it.
Panchakarma or holistic detoxes are strongly recommended to balance the Doshas in the body and remove the toxins from the deepest body tissues. The detoxes also substantially help in reducing the stagnation of body fluids, better circulation of blood, give you the best digestive detox, and build immunity.
Panchakarma is a set of cleansing processes prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors, based on the Dosha constitution of an individual. These treatments, using natural oils and lepas or masks, are tailor-made targeting the specific imbalances and Aama or toxins in the body.
Studies have shown, environmental factors like industrial and vehicular pollution can also compromise one’s immune system. One of the quieter and heavenly places for finest Panchakarma treatments in the arms of nature that few people know about is the Art of Living Retreat Center, nestled at the top of Blue Ridge Mountains. The center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma retreats, Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda retreat among other wellness retreats-that go into making a relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with some quality soul-time.
]]>More than a third of the American population is not getting enough sleep, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC). Even in our own lives we find, it is hard enough to fall asleep quickly and harder to wake up feeling refreshed enough. As a result we tend to take the lethargy or lack of rest to our workplace and all through the day. In Ayurveda, sleep disorders are associated with a debilitated Vata and stress that causes a barrage of thoughts that unsettle your mind right before you want to fall asleep.
Try going to sleep at the same time and waking up at the same time. Ideal time to go to sleep, according to Ayurveda, is 10 PM. After then, the pitta dosha is activated when the body cells go to work for repair and regeneration. The body’s natural repair mechanism is hampered when you do not sleep at the right time, making it that much harder to give your body proper rest.
The idea of all these simple rituals is to put your mind in a state of relaxation that helps you fall asleep faster. In that regard, nothing helps you better than a warm bath using body oils rich in essential oils like sandalwood, primerose, jasmine or borage. Experts recommend the Shankara Calming Body Oil for its nourishing and relaxing properties. It is filled with essential oils that help soothe heightened emotional states and relax the body, while delivering the benefits of rich nutrients, antioxidants, and moisturizing ingredients. The oil comes with the essential goodness of not one or two but 25 super herbs that aid better sleep and relaxation like sesame oil, macadamia nut oil, almond oil, avocado oil, hempseed oil, vitamin E Tocopherol, evening primrose oil; essential oils of sandalwood, borage, cardamom, vetiver, aniseed, clary sage, cypress (leaves), ginger EO, extracts of haritaki, shatavari, Dashmoola, gotu Kola(root), bala, CO2 extract of helio carrot, shavegrass, rose, calendula and jasmine.
As you get ready to go to sleep, sit comfortably and practice a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing exercise. This regularizes the flow of breath in both the nostrils and balances the prana or life force, brings relaxation and helps you ease off into a sleepy state. It balances Vata dosha too. Here’s how you can do it.
The blue light, one of the seven lights that constitute rays of the sun, is closely associated with our circadian rhythm. During the day, it causes heightened alertness and positive feeling. But here’s the problem. Our gadgets also emit the blue light. Blue light emissions at night obstruct with the functioning of the pineal gland that produces melatonin, a hormone for relaxation and dimming of awareness so you can sleep better.
For patients of Insomnia and other chronic sleep disorders, an effective way to fall asleep is Yoga Nidra or Yogic sleep. It is a structured powernap, a meditative way of giving yourself deeper rest, where you take restful awareness through different parts of the body, relaxing them one by one and eventually on completion of the guided meditation, you feel rested and ready to be lulled into a good sleep.
]]>The common types of headaches include tension headaches, sinus headaches or migraine. Of these, tension headaches can be easily corrected by making a few lifestyle changes.
Tension headaches occur when muscles in the head and neck region contract to give you an intense, mild or moderate pain experience, like someone tied your forehead too hard. You may also feel some tenderness in the neck and scalp areas.
You can make the tension headaches go away by eating better, sleeping better and slowing down in life in general and pacing yourself. Take out time for yourself. Nourish your body, mind and spirit. You can practice certain yogasanas, deep breathing practices and yoga mudras for immediate relief with these headaches. Some of them are even safe for work, if a headache episode ensues in the midst of a busy day.
Headaches can make you hard to be around. They can disrupt your productivity, affect your relationships and usually cause dullness and lack of interest when they have lingered on for some time.
To be fully productive, healthy, dynamic, to be able to give your 100% in what you do and be more available to the world around you, self-care may be a necessary investment. You can go for wellness retreats that specifically target particular medical conditions and craft a wellness experience around it. They provide treatments, healing foods, meditation workshops, herbal spa treatments and creative activities, among other features.
To make tension headaches, permanently go away, seek refuge in the endless gifts of Ayurveda in the form of holistic and deeply rejuvenating and detoxifying cleanses and treatments that are personalized to treat headache symptoms unique to your physiological and mental constitution.
A quiet and heavenly place for the finest Ayurvedic spa and massage treatments that few people know about is the Art of Living Retreat Center, nestled at the top of Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, North Carolina.
The center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma, finger licking delicious fare, Yoga and Ayurvedic Dosha balancing treatments with the idyllic views of the hills-that go into making a perfectly relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with quality soul-time. Here’s where you can check in with your loved ones for some well-deserved self-care.
According to Ayurveda, tension headaches are caused by severe vata and occasionally pitta imbalance in the body. Vata is one of the three Doshas or bio energies in our body that regulate all natural processes in the creation. They function as a combination of the Five Great Elements of Panchamahabhuta in the nature-air, ether, earth, fire and water. Vata combines space and air, and governs bodily movement and the life force.
Vata is responsible for controlling nerve impulses and higher cerebral functions. It controls cell division, the arrangement of cells and formation of different layers of organ formation. Vāta also controls the mind, inhalations, exhalation, blood circulation. It controls feelings and emotions like alertness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain, tremors and spasms.
Vitiated Vata can cause anxiety, irregular appetite, mild weight loss, constipation, interrupted sleep, bloating and headaches.
You may not realize how poorly it affects your health, particularly if you have a history of bad headaches. Skipping meals can increase your vata during the day. When you are working, engaged in activity and skipping meals, it can also cause pitta to get out of hand. All this can cause persistent headaches. So make sure you are eating on time, at frequent intervals every day and ideally on the same time.
Vata is adversely affected by cold conditions. To help balance it, warm, cooked food should be included in your diet. You can have foods like stews, soups. Cold, dry, spicy and light foods should be avoided.
Mix Veggie Salad
Ingredients:
How to prepare:
Suggestions:
Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
How to prepare:
Dehydration is a common cause of fatigue and tension headaches. If you are trying to quit caffeine, you can experience headaches as one of the withdrawal symptoms. Hydration is very important in treating these kind of headaches. Experts recommend drinking a glass of water every hour to two hours to keep tension headaches at bay.
One of the most effective methods to heal Vata imbalance is self abhyanga or warm oil massages. Abhyanga calms the mind and the nervous system that is under attack from the physical stress and psychological or emotional stress we carry into our systems from our work place, relationships or family interactions, all of which distracts you from being a true centered and ever joyful Yogi. Abhyanga helps you eliminate this emotional toxin which is stored in our body in the form of stress and tightness. It leaves you feeling peaceful, clear and light.
You can try self abhyanga with Shankara’s Calming Body Oil, that comes with the incredible goodness and nutrition of Sesame oil; Macadamia nut oil; Almond oil; Avocado oil; Hempseed oil; Vitamin E Tocopherol; Evening Primrose oil; Sandalwood EO; Borage oil; Cardamom EO; Vetiver EO; Haritaki extract; Shatavari extract; Dashmoola extract; Gotu Kola extract; Aniseed EO; Clary Sage EO; Cypress EO (Leaves); Ginger EO (root); Bala extract; CO2 extract of Helio Carrot; Shavegrass extract; Rose extract; Calendula extract; and Jasmine extract.
Self-Abhyanga is the practice of massaging yourself with the help of oil to balance doshas. The three main benefits of Self Abhyanga are-
Nourishes your body and has anti-aging effects.
Stimulates internal organs and better circulation that improves waste removal and detoxification of the digestive system.
Better sleep quality.
Yoga is one of the best non-invasive and preventive solutions for neck and headache pain. Yogic stretches can release the pressures from the various muscles and spine that have been compressed from lack of movement and buildup of stress and tension. A sequence of Sukshma Yoga (light warm up asanas that bring sustainable relief) and other Yogasanas or Yoga postures as prescribed in the ancient Indian Vedic texts can work for a stronger neck and muscles in general.
These Asanas, apart from helping relieve your stiffness, will also relax your mind, freeing you of the stress that has been sitting in your system. But, it is most important that each Yogasana is done while paying attention to the breath and the region or part of the body that is getting stretched in the process of doing the asana.
(Also Read: 13 Tips To Heal Neck Sprain)
When the headache is due to muscular tension, a really effective option is regular oil massages that can help relieve the tension, stress or stiffness from the concerned parts of the body. Shankara Muscle Release Oil is herbal oil known for its ability to relieve muscular tension, that is pain that emanates from neck or shoulder region. For headaches that have their origin in Vata imbalance can get reduced by applying specially formulated calming oils or calming essences, au naturale and deeply relieving.
(Also Read: One Simple Technique To Stop A Pounding Headache Immediately)
]]>For any herb, food or medicine to be effective, according to Ayurveda, it must provide the qualities necessary to restore balance in the body. For example, if you are suffering from too much dryness, Ayurveda recommends a remedy that will deliver moist, lubricating qualities to offset the excess dryness. This is a simple explanation for the therapeutic action that sesame oil and sesame seeds are capable of providing. Sesame oil, specifically, is a tonic.
Abhyanga refers to the practice of massaging warm oil, often sesame oil, into the skin. The recommended duration for abhyanga is 15 minutes, after which the excess oil is rinsed off in a steamy shower. The intention is to absorb as much of the oil as possible. Sesame oil is the only oil that has the power to penetrate all seven layers of the skin, deep into the body’s organs and tissues, ultimately strengthening the bones.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Abhyanga And Its Benefits
Researchers believe that veldt grape helps increase the uptake of calcium. Calcium is one of the key nutrients that increases bone strength. There has also been evidence to suggest that taking veldt grape everyday can reduce a person’s risk of fracturing a bone by up to 40 percent.
Cissus quadrangularis is very high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant nutrient that has been shown to reduce inflammation. Inflammation can cause pain, swelling and numerous other health problems. Many health experts compare the pain-relieving effects of cissus quadrangularis to Aspirin or Ibuprofen.
Amla is extremely rich in vitamin C, having thirty percent more than oranges. It’s packed with many vitamins, minerals, tannins and other helpful nutrients. Amla is good for strong bones, teeth and nails, as it helps the body absorb calcium. Amla also works well for inflammation. It is a good anti-inflammatory for joints especially.
Njavarakizhi is also known as shashtikashali pinda swedam. Njavara stands for the rice(Shashtika Shali in Sanskrit) that grows in 60 days ; Kizhi (Pinda in Sanskrit) stands for bolus. Njavara is indigenous variety of rice grown in Kerala, having medicinal properties. It is a unique treatment procedure practiced by Kerala Ayurveda physicians (Vaidyas). It is a procedure by which the whole body or any specific part is made to perspire , by the application of certain medicinal drugs with Njavara rice puddings externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag.
Procedure:
A generous amount of medicated oil is applied over the head and body. Then the body is massaged with warm muslin bag bolus containing njavara rice puddings cooked in the herbal decoction. The boluses are dipped in the mixture of warm milk and herbal decoctions when they cool down thus inducing sudation. The procedure is done in seven different postures. At the end of the procedure , the rice paste sticking over the body is removed using coconut leaves. A gentle massage is given with warm medicated oil once again. The person is made to rest for 30 minutes.
Duration of the treatment: 90 minutes.
Benefits
Makes the body supple and removes stiffness
Calms the mind and reduces the stress
Promotes sound sleep
Boosts immune system and slows the aging process
Enhances body nourishment and rejuvenates
Improves lustre and texture of the skin
Sharpens the sense organs
Pacifies Vata Dosha
Strengthens and nourishes the nervous system
Stiff joints are bathed in warm medicated oil. This treatment also includes a massage to the affected area. Choose from the following:
*Katti Basti – Lower Back
*Greeva Basti – Neck and Shoulders
*Janu Basti – Knees
(Also Read; 6 benefits of janu basti for severe knee pain)
What is the best place to receive all these treatments?
For the most holistic and rejuvenating Panchakarma experience, head over to The Art of Living International Retreat Center, state-of-the-art wellness center nestled on the lap of Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone, North Carolina that promises an immersive spiritual and physically invigorating journey. For more information on the Panchakarma Retreat this January, go here!
]]>Winter is a time when the Vata or air element and Pitta or fire element is aggravated in nature, a time known as Prakopakala in Ayurvedic sciences. When the pitta is imbalanced, it can quickly translate to digestive issues and pain and stiffness in muscles and joints, a common complaint this time of the year. Abhyanga is a detoxifying warm oil massage.
(Also Read: 16 Indicators You Are A Vata Person)
Here are some of the critical benefits of Abhyanga that are likely to make this practice an indispensable part of your daily routine going forward. In Ayurvedic sciences, Abhyanga is recommended as part of one’s Dinacharya or routine that is aligned with nature, fosters good health, and slows down aging and effects of stress and environmental pollutants on the body.
Here’s the best thing about Abhyanga-it takes not more than 10 minutes. If you have time on hand or want to indulge little extra, you can go up to half an hour over the weekends. You can also check out state of the art panchakarma centers like this one, where you will be treated to the entire package-a quiet and heavenly place for the finest Ayurvedic spa and massage treatments, the center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma, finger licking delicious fare, Yoga and Ayurvedic Dosha balancing treatments with the idyllic views of the hills-that go into making a perfectly relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with quality soul-time.
What You Need For Abhyanga
For Vata Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Calming Body Oil
For Pitta Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil.
For Kapha Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Energizing Body Oil
For Tri-dosha, you can try Shankara’s Sundarya Body Oil.
Here’s your step by step guide on how to Abhyanga your way to bliss every morning:
Research shows we are more likely to do better in tasks that require sustained attention during summer but the performance is reduced during winter. But tasks that involve the use of memory can be usually done better during autumn and winter months versus summer. Here’s where spiritual practices come into play. With regular practices of yoga and pranayama and meditation, brain performance can be sustained at a high level all around the year.
Here’s why you need to practice yogasanas during winter
Calms your mind
Gets the happy hormones like serotonin flowing, which get imbalanced during winter
Strengthens your immunity which is often compromised during winter
Improves your mood
Heats up the body engine
Some yogasanas you can practice during winter
Headstand
Boat pose
Plank pose
Bridge pose
Twisted chair pose
All these yogasanas remove the stiffness from your joints, get you moving, and improve cognitive brain functions as you practice focusing on the breath while practicing the asanas. The practice leaves you feeling more energized, happy, productive and ‘in the zone’.
Practicing deep breathing techniques or pranayamas infuse your system with more oxygen, and more prana or life force, that helps to keep you energized from within even when the external circumstances are not very compelling. A few warming pranayamas you can practice during winter include
Lion’s breath
Kapalbhati or skull shining technique
Ujjayi breath (victory breath)
The SKY or Sudarshan Kriya Yoga meditation is one of the most powerful rhythmic breathing techniques to get you past the dreariness of the winter. The technique is practiced by over 450 million people all over the world. Irrespective of what your state of mind is, how lethargic you are feeling right now, just 10 minutes of SKY helps you move through lethargy to a state of wakeful rest, energy and poise.
It involves deep breathing practices like Ujjai breath (or the victory breath), pranayamas followed by a cyclical breathing technique cognized by global spiritual master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The practice removes stress and emotional toxins seated accumulated in each cell of the body.
Benefits of SKY
Regular practice of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga activates the vagus nerve, the key to depression treatment.
It activates the Parasympathetic Nervous system, responsible for rest in the body.
this powerful breathing technique can improve Prolactin (well-being hormone) secretion by 50%,
has alleviated many around the world of depression, anxiety and stress.
EEG Alpha waves increase with practice of the technique showing relaxed state of mind.
SKY training has been seen as a powerful non-steroidal intervention to counter cardiovascular risk in patients with anxiety/depression disorders.
a) Don’t get tricked into stuffing yourself with carbs
As winter peaks, we tend to crave more carbs. The sweet servings trick our brain into releasing serotonin that makes us feel happy. You can instead go for a protein rich breakfast to compensate for the lack of energy. You can practice SKY or meditate to manage the serotonin levels in the body and stay off carbs. This is because you are likely to kill less calories during winter than other seasons.
b) Have foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids
These foods are anti-inflammatory and yet a healthy sources of fat. Have roasted pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, ground nuts rich in essential amino acids and omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D3. They lubricate the joints, reduce rheumatoid risks, improve bone health and is a good source of good cholesterol or hdl.
C) Spices
Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, turmeric or cloves help your body stay warm, clears up sore throats and helps digestion.
D) Avoid raw salads
According to Ayurveda, raw salads should be preferably avoided during winters when you are prone to Vata afflictions.
E) Have more fiber
If you have seniors at home, make sure their diet is rich in fiber during the winters to take care of their immunity and digestion. Fibrous foods like oats, nuts and apples are sources.
Self-Abhyanga is the practice of giving yourself a deep detoxifying massage using herbal oils that have been formulated to balance doshas. Vata and Kapha dosha tend to get imbalanced with the onset of winter. An essential Ayurvedic practice in Ayurvedic teachings and can help you get through seasons that have depressive overtones. It helps put your mind and body at ease, it is also an energizing and stimulating practice that gets your body prepared to perform at its absolute best.
Shankara’s Sundarya Oil is a winter special body oil that brings with it the vast benefits of winter oleation, exclusively prepared from the richness of sesame oil, sunflower oleic oil, hempseed oil, aloe vera oil, essential oils made from Rose-Geranium leaf, vetiver, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine and vanilla.
The body oil has a nurturing effect on the body
Luxurious floral essential oils to awaken your inner and outer beauty Sensuous and uplifting, leaves skin feeling supple-just what you need to get you through the winter
Can be used as moisturizer, massage oil and bath oil
Rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Strengthens and lubricates the joints and muscles.
They can cause more fatigue and lethargy. Only if you are ill or elderly, they you can do yoga nidra or yogic sleep (a meditative practice where you take your awareness through various parts of the body and relax them one by one).
]]>Some common symptoms of water retention are:
Some of the major reasons for water retention involves
Here’s what you can do, according to Ayurveda, to reduce retention of water in body tissues.
Your body needs to have a good balance of potassium and sodium to maintain water level in the body. Potassium maintains the water content and reduces sodium concentration. It also reduces the fluid excess by causing frequent urination.
You can have potassium rich fruits like oranges, watermelons, pomegranate, apricots, berries and papaya.
This is one vitamin with amazing diuretic qualities. Women need it during menstrual cycle as water retention tends to rise during then. With more urination, the water retention can be taken care of.
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, walnuts, chickpeas, avocado and potatoes.
Have herb infused water to cure water retention. You can begin your morning with apple cider vinegar, or water infused with fennel , cinnamon or coriander seed. Apart from flushing out toxins from your body, they are rich sources of potassium and other minerals required to regulate water content in the body.
Ironically, when you are dehydrated often, your body responds by storing water in different parts of the body, a defense against a potential dry period. Staying sufficiently hydrated can reduce this effect, cause urination which removes the excess salts from the body, responsible for water retention. The wisdom about drinking 8 glasses of water each day still holds.
The ancient science of Ayurveda, advocates the use of the body oil massage or self Abhyanga to reduce water retention; remove toxins especially during the winters and boost body’s immunity.
You can try self abhyanga with Shankara’s Calming Body Oil.
Self-Abhyanga is the practice of massaging yourself with the help of oil to balance doshas. An essential Ayurvedic practice, it can also help you move through harsh winters without stress and constipation, which tends to increase during winters.
The three main benefits of Self Abhyanga are-
Nourishes your body and has anti-aging effects.
Stimulates internal organs and better circulation that improves waste removal and detoxification of the digestive system.
Better sleep quality.
Natural diuretics generally help your body get rid of excess sodium and water. They stimulate kidneys to produce more urine and by way of that, release toxins and excess salts. Natural diuretics may include herbal tea, veggies like beetroot, pumpkin, garlic, asparagus and spinach.
Yogurt comes with the goodness of protein and potassium, just the nutrition you need for dealing with water retention. Loss of protein can be an important cause of higher water retention. So yogurt can help manage this imbalance by supplying enough protein for your body.
8. Have more fiber in to your diet
Fibrous foods can absorb the excess water in your body when they move through the digestive system. Foods like broccoli, berries, whole wheat grains, oatmeal, seeds like chia and flaxseeds, and beans are rich sources of fibre that can help you relieve symptoms of water retention.
The other ways to cure water retention include:
Stay physically active,
Have a balanced diet,
Avoid alcohol
Avoid beverages that dehydrate the body like caffeine or tea.
]]>Agni, or digestive fire, varies in intensity in different seasons. It peaks during winters. Improper functioning of Agni can lead to various gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, according to Ayurveda.
Before we get into how agni works, it is relevant to understand the concept of Doshas mentioned in Ayurveda. An individual’s prakruti or unique physical and mental constitution is the ratio of three dynamic bioenergies in the body. Also known as doshas, these energies are: vata, pitta, kapha . Each of these doshas have specific traits. The pitta dosha is the fire element and is responsible for digestion. The vata dosha is the air element and is responsible for all movement in the body. The kapha dosha is the earth element and provides moisture to the skin and lubrication to joints. Mostly, two of three doshas dominate in an individual. Pulse diagnosis or nadi pariksha can help diagnose how these doshas are balanced in your body. Going by Ayurveda, a severe aggravation of Doshas eventually leads to manifestation of illnesses in the body. A major advantage that Ayurveda has over other forms of medicine is its preemptive value. Nadi Pariksha examination can effectively tell you about the diseases or doshic imbalances you are predisposed to. This is why pulse diagnosis from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner has a lot of preemptive value when it comes to having a total health assessment.
An important element of digestion and metabolism in our body is described as Agni in Ayurveda. Ingested food is digested, absorbed and assimilated, a critical function for the maintenance of life, and this is performed with the help of Agni. In Ayurveda, the term ‘Agni’ is used to describe the energy that makes digestion of food and metabolic products possible. Therefore, Ayurveda considers that Dehagni is the cause of life, complexion, strength, health, nourishment, lusture, ojas (vitality), tejas (energy) and prana (life energy).
Low digestive fire causes vitiation of doshas, primarily the Vata Dosha followed by Pitta and Kapha causing various ailments in the body.
A healthy diet complemented by a conducive lifestyle is the key to good health
For the most holistic and rejuvenating Panchakarma experience, head over to The Art of Living International Retreat Center, state-of-the-art wellness center nestled on the lap of Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone, North Carolina that promises an immersive spiritual and physically invigorating journey. For more information on the Panchakarma Retreat this December, go here!
Shankara’s Sundarya Oil is a winter special body oil that brings with it the vast benefits of winter oleation, exclusively prepared from the richness of sesame oil, sunflower oleic oil, hempseed oil, aloe vera oil, essential oils made from Rose-Geranium leaf, vetiver, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine and vanilla.
We cannot emphasize this enough. No matter what foot masks and foot scrubs you use, if you do not moisturize them at the end of the foot treatment with a recommended natural foot oil, the dryness is likely to come back. The fresher layers of the skin that have been exposed to the environment after scrubbing off the dead skin needs to be sufficiently moisturized.
Shankara’s Nourishing Foot Oil
comes with the goodness of rich nutrients and antioxidants found in 22 herbs, actives and essential oils like sunflower oleic oil; sesame oil; kukui nut oil; jojoba oil; grapeseed oil; vitamin E Tocopherol; lemon basil EO; peppermint EO; butcher’s broom extract; dashmoola extract; neem extract; cardamom EO; cassia EO; camphor EO; lemongrass EO; tea Tree EO; manjista extract; lavender extract; clove EO; ginger EO (root); olive leaves extract; ashwagandha extract, that are deeply moisturizing and refreshing. They stimulate and energize your feet and helps to keep your feet clean.
After all the scrubbing and sloughing, when you moisturize your feet with the oil, the oil action is soft on your skin and the moisturizing helps to heal cracked heels, does away with the risk of infections from overuse of socks and shoes during the winters, while keeping away the dryness.
Senior Ayurveda physicians given the following dietary tips to stay healthy this winter-
If you pass fewer than 3 stools a week, then it amounts to constipation. This is no joke. Some resort to popping pills for a smoother morning ritual and then there are others who go for treatments like enema for relief from tummy woes. Here is the good news. With simple yogasanas, dietary changes and Ayurveda, you can fix your bowel system without having to live through the side effects of pill popping.
You can improve bowel movements on two fronts- physical and dietary.
On the physical and structural level we can practice a few simple Asanas that facilitate the bowel movement. Here are a few asanas you can practice for a better bowel movement.
1)Katichakrasana or standing spinal twist
2)Ardha Matsyendrasana or sitting half spinal twist
3)Shishu Asana or child pose
4)Malasana or garland pose
5)Pawan Muktasana or wind relieving pose
6)Yog mudras, are known to be healing modalities in the science of Ayurveda. A mudra could involve a hand gesture or the whole body. When these gestures are combined with deep breathing practices, they energize the whole body and increase the flow of prana or life force. Some examples of Yog Mudras are Chin Mudra, Chinmayi Mudra, adi Mudra among others.
7. Self abhyanga
Make gentle downward strokes on the stomach and abdomen right before passing bowel.
You can try self abhyanga with Shankara’s Calming Body Oil.
Self-Abhyanga is the practice of massaging yourself with the help of oil to balance doshas. An essential Ayurvedic practice, it can also help you move through harsh winters without stress and constipation, which tends to increase during winters.
The three main benefits of Self Abhyanga are-
· Nourishes your body and has anti-aging effects.
· Stimulates internal organs and better circulation that improves waste removal and detoxification of the digestive system.
· Better sleep quality.
8. You can also practice the following Pranayamas or breathing exercises for a smooth excretion-
-Agnisar pranayama (This should be learned from a Yoga expert)
-Diaphragmatic breathing
-Abdominal breathing
-Apaan Mudra- Helps the proper functioning of Samana Vayu (one of the Pranas or life forces responsible for digestion) and Apaana Vayu (responsible for excretion)
After your stomach breaks down what you consume, your small intestine absorbs most of the nutrients into your bloodstream. The rest passes undigested to your large intestine and eventually out of your body as waste. The ease with which your large intestine, or colon, releases this waste largely depend on what you eat and drink. The best foods to eat for healthy bowel movements are those that are high in fiber. The presence of fiber can speed up transit time and draw water into your colon, resulting in soft, fluffy stools that are easy to pass.
1)Fruits and vegetables like papaya, orange, beans, and asparagus are good and ease the movement in the bowel.
2)Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water in the morning useful in cleansing the bowel better.
3)Develop a regular eating habit and chew the food before swallowing. Good old advice about eating plenty of leafy vegetables and salads still hold.
4)Use spices like carom seeds, cumin, black pepper, cardamom not only adds on to the taste but facilitates the body for proper assimilation and excretion.
5)Consumption of fried foods and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, nuts like cashews and dried foods should be avoided.
6)Avoid smoking, coffee and alcohol.
7)Don’t take excess stress or tension.
1)Have a mix of 10 gm of ajamoda powder+dry ginger+butter milk
2)Eat ripened mangoes at night after meals
3)Drink a glass of milk after having ripened mangoes at night
4)Have soaked fenugreek seeds or soaked green grams every morning
“You overwork your liver, stomach and pancreas so much," says the global spiritual master and humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who founded The International Association for Human Values, "If there was a labor court for the body, all these organs would have complained against you in that court. We don’t allow them to rest at all! We drink and eat the whole day until night, and we overwork our system. They do need some rest and for that you need to fast.”
It calls for fasting for 14-16 hours. You then have your meals within an 8-10 hour window. It comes from Ayurvedic understanding of Dwikal bhojanam or eating twice-once after the sun rise and once before sun set. These are the times the body is said to have better digestibility when the Pitta dosha is active.
Intermittent fasting relies on the concept of autophagy or the idea of starving cells until they start burning fat and cleanse the worn out cells and speed up cellular metabolism.
Why should you fast?
1. A natural remedy for treating various elements.
2. Purges toxins or ama
3. Strengthens digestive system
4. boosts jatharagini or digestive fire.
5. Weight loss
6. Light and clear mind and more awareness
7. Less bloated
8. Reduces insulin resistance
9. Boosts brain function and fights neurodegenerative disorders
10. Controls blood pressure
11. Reduces inflammations in the body
12. Brings a glow on the skin
Here are quick fasting tips for the best results!
1. Check your prakruti
Before you get down with intermittent fasting, do check with your Ayurveda expert if intermittent fasting is good for you based on your prakruti or unique physiological constitution and how should you do it and for how long.
2. During fast, have lemon or ginger water. You can also have tea or coffee without sugar or milk during the day.
3. Do not have your dinner post 8 PM.
4. Dinner should be very light and low on carbohydrates.
5. Avoid fried or heavy meals when you break your fast. Having high carb food can actually impair the progress you make on your weight management.
6. When you break the fast, start with having dates, salads or fruits. Avoid sweet fruits though.
7. While fasting monitor sugar and salt intake as this can cause water to get retained in your body.
8. Ideally fast for at least two to three days for the body to get adjusted to the fasting cycle and for total detoxification to happen.
9. Do not skip rest or sleep during fasting periods. It can cause pitta aggravation.
(Also Read: Intense, Energetic, Have Redness of Skin: 15 Signs You Are A Pitta Person)
10. What can aid and complement the detoxification process you undergo during intermittent fasting is taking a Panchakarma treatment based on consultation with an Ayurveda expert.
11. Massage therapy during fast can help you relax better and ease the stiffness too.
12. In fact, Ayurveda recommends an oil massage before fasting.
Abhyanga is one of the most popular and commonly recommended therapies in Ayurveda that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation. It improves blood circulation, tones and moisturizes skin, works up the lymph system, and calms the mind and nervous system.
Shankara's Soothing Body OilShankara’s Soothing Body Oil is one such offering. It is a soothing blend of essential oils that are known for their relaxing and de-stressing qualities. Made from essential oils of almond, grapeseed, sunflower, borage, evening primerose, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile, this nutrient rich body oil also helps address worries of the mind, over critical thinking, irritability and anger! An oil for hypertension and stress release is also an oil for a perfectly calm and relaxed mind!
]]>Aromatherapy uses the rich aromatic effects of essential oils to work on our body and mind. The essence of selective herbs inhaled through the nose directly affects our olfactory lobes in the brain that have to do with sense of smell. On receiving these signals, the brain signals release of hormones and neuro-chemicals that bring about a sense of wellbeing, calm and healing.
The three category of oils used in Aromatherapy include ones that invigorate and rejuvenate, the second one that balances and tones the body including healing our bodily functions and regulating them and the third one that calms the nervous system.
The aroma is administered in the form of diffusers, aromatic spritzers, bathing salts, creams and lotions, steamers, hot or cold compresses, inhalers and body oils.
For example, lavender is the most commonly used oil in aromatherapy with host of physiological and psychological benefits including:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Anti-depressant
Stress reduction
Disinfectant
Anit-microbial properties
Eases heart rate
Improves sleep in patients of Insomnia
Reduces blood pressure
Analgesic or pain relief
Betters temperament by reducing impatience, anxiety, irritability and hysteria
In fact, Gatefosse started studying and researching the healing potential of plant oils after his burnt hand accidentally got cured by the use of lavender oil.
Essential oils are packed with antioxidants and when the right oil is used, can really elevate the atmosphere and provide positive results. Oils like peppermint, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, orange, lemongrass and geranium are all powerful antibacterial oils and when diffused, they cleanse the atmosphere around and provide a beautiful aroma as well.
Shankara’s unique collection of Ayurveda inspired aromatherapy oils that balance the mind and emotions, calm the senses and invigorate it in equal measure throughout daily activities, also uses the eucalyptus essential oil which is also known for its great blending quality.
Shankara's Aromatherapy CollectionShankara’s Aromatherapy collection brings together the following formulations:
Calming Essence: Grounding and Centering (Vata Pacifying): Cardamom EO, Sandalwood EO, Vetiver EOSoothing Essence: Cooling and Soothing (Pitta Pacifying): Sandalwood EO, Lavender EO, Geranium EOEnergizing Essence: Stimulating and Invigorating (Kapha Pacifying): Lemon EO, Bergamot EO, Cypress EO, Grapefruit EO and Eucalyptus EO.
(Also Read: 11 Less Known Health Benefits Of Eucalyptus Oil)
According to research, over 2000 therapists in the US recommend aromatherapy for treating various ailments including skin disorders, hypertension, stress related conditions, stomach illnesses, allergies and respiratory problems. Some of its benefits include:
Pain management
Better sleep
Reduction in stress, anxiety and peace of mind
Reduces soreness in joints
Alleviates headaches and migraines
Soothes side effects of chemotherapy
Better digestion
Anti-viral, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties to deal with deadly fungi and bacteria
Hygiene keeping
Improves immunity
Aromatherapy uses oils extracted from between the cells of any or all parts of a plant including grass, herbs, peels, flowers or bark, leaves, fruits and roots. Due to the extreme care and labor that the process consumes, these oils are hard to find and expensive.
One man’s medicine is another man’s poison-totally applies to aromatherapy. Unless its usage is mentioned in a generally applicable product, essential oil in its purest form can be unstable and sharp for use. For example, the type of oil one will need to fight issues related to acidity or over heat in the body will be different from the warmth in oils required for treating sleep disorders. To determine which oil can really benefit your body type, you can get your pulse diagnosis done with an Ayurveda expert to know your dosha constitution and imbalances.
Japanese firms are even using aromatic oils to increase productivity and employee performance by using them as diffusers in air cooling systems. Lemon and rosemary are some of the popular essences.
]]>Central, obstructive and complex are three types of sleep apnea reported world over, with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common.
In central sleep apnea, the transmission of message between brain and the muscles enabling the movement of windpipe is broken, that causes shallow breathing or the breathing to pause for a few seconds.
In obstructive sleep apnea, the windpipes collapse during sleep, obstructing air passage from 10 seconds to minutes in some cases. Obstructive sleep apnea is closely related to obesity. Some of the other factors that are known to be causative for obstructive apnea include age factor, presence of fat deposition and soft tissues around the windpipe, inflamed tonsils, and sinus issues due to a deviated septum, among others.
According to Ayurveda, sleep apnea could be caused by impaired agni or digestive fire, high Tamas, aggravated kapha and vata. Some of its symptoms include
1. Herbs
Herbs like ashwagandha, jatamansi, shankhpushpi and sarpagandha can help improve cognitive functions which are affected in apnea patients. Intake of these herbs reduces anxiety and stress-conditions associated with obstructive apnea. These herbs have restorative qualities and help induce sleep, calm the brain and nervous system. Sarpagandha is effective in treating sleep-related disorders and it also lowers blood pressure.
2. Shirodhara
A unique gift from the ancient healing system of Ayurveda is a very special treatment called Shirodhara, one of the most calming relaxation therapies for modern living. It comes from a combination of two Sanskrit words- Shir or ‘head’ and Dhara or ‘stream’. In this deeply soothing process, the scalp and forehead receive a steady and gentle stream of lukewarm medicated herbal oil poured in an ancient pattern stimulating points covering the whole of the forehead. Shirodhara rejuvenates and enlivens the central nervous system (which is affected in case of central sleep apnea) that gets clogged with residual stress, worries, erroneous eating and lifestyle habits, and work pressure. It treats various conditions related to the nervous system, and/or conditions rising from a vitiated Vata Dosha, like sleep apnea.
(Also read: 8 Unavoidable Reasons To Experience Shirodhara)
3. Nasya
Since conditions like sleep apnea are a result of vitiated kapha and vata doshas, oil massages are a great option to help balance the Vata dosha and reduce kapha aggravation. The nose is the door to consciousness. Nasal Therapy helps to clear and lubricate the sinus passageways, relieving acute and chronic sinus problems such as allergies, mucous congestion, dry nasal passages, and snoring. The process of administering herb-infused oils into the nasal cavity also helps to relieve headaches, sinus related migraines, reduces anxiety, clears and strengthens the mind, and stimulates the nervous system. You do not sleep or lay down immediately after this treatment.
It is important that you take the nasal therapy under the supervision of an expert Ayurveda therapist. It also matters, what kind of nasya oils are used, how it is administered, what kind of precautionary information is provided to you and how you are helped through the entire treatment.
(Also read: 9 Natural Ways To Fight Sinus Symptoms)
To treat the symptoms ofsleep apnea like severe anxiety, fatigue, disoriented nervous system and stress, Abhyanga is one of the most popular and commonly recommended therapies in Ayurveda that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation. It improves blood circulation, tones and moisturizes skin, works up the lymph system, and calms the mind and nervous system. Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil is one such offering. It is a soothing blend of essential oils that are known for their relaxing and de-stressing qualities. Made from essential oils of almond, grapeseed, sunflower, borage, evening primerose, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile, this nutrient rich body oil also helps address worries of the mind, over critical thinking, irritability and anger! An oil for hypertension and stress release is also an oil for a perfectly calm and relaxed mind!
5. Karna Purna
In treating sleep apnea, a lot is to do with calming down the nervous system and to do that, Vata dosha needs to be brought into balance in the body. Karna Purna is a treatment designed to calm your nervous system and create a deep stillness. Warm oil is gently, slowly poured into the ears, lubricating the ear canal, calming the mind, and soothing the nervous system. When the ears are bathed in oil, the mind and body automatically calms, creating a state of deep relaxation. It also importantly, balances vata dosha.
Where can you find best therapists for treatments like Nasya, Karna Purna and Shirodhara?
Nestled atop the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, is the award winning Shankara Ayurveda Spa, within The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone. Lose yourself to the hypnotic beauty of a natural life replete with soul gratifying, rejuvenating Ayurvedic treatments tailor-made to your body constitution and needs, healthy, nutritious meals and lessons in easy-to-do yet deeply calming meditative techniques and Yoga. There could not have been a better way to let go of the stresses and knots of tension that we carry in our system from work, life situations or personal relationships on a day to day basis.
Disclaimer: The conditions and illnesses could also be due to a mix of Dosha imbalances. Please do not try to self-diagnose. This article is purely for informational purpose. We strongly recommend you consult a Sri Sri Ayurveda physician for a thorough examination of your constitution and its balances/imbalances.
]]>Pulse diagnosis is an ancient science of reading an individual’s state of body, mind and spirit. It is a total diagnosis of an individual’s Doshic constitution.
The most crucial tool in the hands of an Ayurveda expert to diagnose your health holistically including your tendencies and predispositions is your Nadi. Nadi or pulse is the vital life force that courses through your entire body and subtle energy channels, studied by the Ayurvedic expert or Vaidya. The expert examines the flow of this life force at specific locations in the body to tell you about possible imbalances in your body.
As a rule, pulse diagnosis is done on an empty stomach. It should not be done immediately after a bath or an oil massage or when patient is too hungry or too thirsty.
It is a body of knowledge passed down the generations in the Gurukul or teacher-student tradition. That is the reason this ancient system of preliminary examination is not widely known yet.
Strengthening the western method of recording the rate of pulse, pulse Ayurvedic method of pulse diagnosis involves touching, feeling, observing and experiencing not just the pulse rate, rhythm and volume but also the flow, amplitude, force and consistency. The beauty of this is Nadi Pariksha is based on the principle that the symptoms of disease manifest in the pulse long before they do in the body.
For example, when a chemical imbalance occurs in the blood it produces an aggregate effect much earlier detectable in blood than symptoms in the body. The characteristics and the movement of the pulse are symptoms of the functioning of the body.
Pulse diagnosis includes three tools- darshana or observation, sparshana or touch and prashna or inquiry.
Ayurveda is a science that aims at the unity of mind, body, spirit, i.e, mental, emotional, physical aspects of physiology. Learning something about one facet gives a glimpse of all the other three aspects. Our pulse yields this insight about the total person.
On a basic level of pulse diagnosis, the expert can tell you about the current state of one’s physical and mental being of the patient on pulse diagnosis. For example, if a particular emotion is strong, or if digestion is weak or if liver function is poor etc.
A step above this basic assessment, is a far deeper assessment of the past stress and information from birth of a person’s unique constitution or Prakruti that makes each person unique on this planet.
Constitutional (prakruti) assessment is extremely important because this information gives understanding which diet, activities, herbs, emotions, etc. can have either a favorable or negative effect upon a given individual. It helps predict what kind of imbalances or diseases that person is most susceptible to. It also gives clues about whether or not one expresses the natural attributes of one’s own prakruti.
Further, it describes the innate balance of the doshic principles within an individual. Just as knowing something about one point in time promotes knowledge of all points in time--past, present, future, assessing an individual’s mental constitution yields a picture of the way one is likely to think and act spontaneously when in balanced physiology or good health.
Another reason for having a pulse assessment is to find out etiology -the cause-imbalance of one or more of the three interacting principles--vata, pitta, kapha. Assessing the doshic imbalance can enable the doctor to go to the root of a disease and suggest remedies rather than just treat symptoms. There are many predisposing factors such as genes, congenital factors, trauma, but what brings about the manifestation is a dosha imbalance.
An expert can feel which organs, systems, or tissues are working under stress and which dosha imbalance is causing the problem. Once one knows which organs and tissues are involved then the pathogenesis (origin, path, and extent of imbalance or disease) is clear.
Ayurveda recognizes six stages of pathogenesis-the first four of which are not found in the modern allopathic methodology. Ayurveda identifies imbalance or disease before it manifests with signs and symptoms. Remedial interventions at these stages are easier, less costly, and quicker to produce results.
What if we reveal a hideout! A quiet and heavenly place for you, where you can have your pulse diagnosis done by most competent and seasoned Ayurvedic experts is the Art of Living Retreat Center, nestled at the top of lush Blue Ridge mountains in Boone, North Carolina that also offer the finest Ayurvedic spa and massage treatments, based on your pulse assessment for restoring your Doshic imbalance.
The center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma, finger licking delicious fare, Yoga and Ayurvedic Dosha balancing treatments with the idyllic views of the hills-that go into making a perfectly relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with quality soul-time.
]]>A lot of people believe the best way for the skin to hydrate is by drinking endless glasses of water and running back and forth to the washroom. According to the ancient system of healing and wellness, it is important to boil the water for five minutes with Dosha specific herbs. Those who have Vata skin, can have the water warm, those with Pitta skin should cool it down to room temperature and Kapha skin people can have it slightly above room temperature.
According to one of the oldest non-invasive systems of healing and wellness, Ayurveda, the type of skin you have will depend on your Dosha constitution. For example, those with Vata skin type tend to have dry and flaky skin, where as those with Pitta skin tend to have warm and sensitive skin. Kapha skin tends to be oily and congested but ages slowly. Wish to find out about your Doshas? Take this quiz to find out!
When cleansing your face, use a non-drying, gentle cleanser. Your skin tends to absorb water from the gentle rinsing action too. Use lukewarm water if your skin is Vata, room temperature or slightly cool (not cold) water if your skin is Pitta, and water slightly above room temperature for Kapha skin.
For dry (or Vata) skin
Vata skin is characterized by overall dryness (no combination pattern here) and will not show signs of redness or be sensitive. When out of balance that skin type will look dull and greyish. Vata skin show signs of aging faster because the skin is thin and dry to start with.
Shankara's Deep CleanserIf you have a dry skin that tends to get flaky and hard or if you develop a flaky skin during winter, you can try a cream based facial cleanser that protects the essential oil in your skin. An ideal choice of cleanser for such a skin type can be the Deep Cleanser.
For oily (or Kapha) skin
Kapha skin has more oil but again, everywhere equally (not in a combination pattern) and will not show signs of redness or be sensitive. When out of balance they can look pale or puffy. Sluggishness is an issue in that skin type with water retention etc. As you said, they age slowly and that is because their skin is thicker and more oily to start with.
Shankara's Purifying CleanserIf you tend to have an oily skin, you should preferably use a non-oil based and light facial cleanser or an herbal cleanser that is made from herbs which are Pitta and Kapha pacifying like the Purifying Cleanser.
For combination skin,
For many people, certain areas of the skin, also called the T zone, tend to be oily, like the forehead region or chin or cheeks while other parts of the skin remain dry. In that case, you must use a cleanser which does not absorb away too much sebum from the skin, which may cause dryness, nor should it be too mild. In other words, you will need a cleanser that balances the lipids and dryness.
For sensitive (or Pitta) skin
Any signs of redness or even just a slight pink undertone to the cheeks means it is a Pitta skin
It holds true for generally all skin types but especially for people with sensitive skin, you should use facial cleansers made from naturally calming herbs and minerals like egyptian rose, aloe vera, sandalwood. The Hydrating Cleanser, Purifying Cleanser or Deep Cleanser from Shankara are well suited for normal to oily to acneic skin.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and gets the skin ready for moisturizer. If you don’t remove dead skin cells, your moisturizer won’t be able to soak into your skin and do its job. People with oily skin or prone to oily skin need to make sure you exfoliate regularly to avoid accumulation of toxic pollutants, dirt, dead cells. This accumulation along with excess sebum can quickly cause blocked skin pores and eventually acne. Be not harsh on your beautiful skin even if it is slightly oily. Vigorous exfoliation can cause excessive drying which can become another problem to deal with.
A good pick is Shankara’s gentle Microcrystal Exfoliator. Uncover beautiful, radiant skin with this exceptional exfoliation treatment. Ultra-fine silica crystals combine with aloe gel and five algae extracts to gently sluff away dry, dead cells revealing a healthy, youthful glow that is tangibly soft.
After you exfoliate, apply a moisturizer. You need moisturizers even if you have an oily skin and this is because too much face washing and overexposure to air conditioned rooms can make your skin dry, which may trigger sebaceous glands to produce even more sebum. A good moisturizer will have the right balance of humectants to draw moisture both from the atmosphere as well as from the depths of the skin.
Shankara's Rich repair MoisturizerTake for example, Shankara’s Rich Repair Moisturizer. Science and nature blend beautifully in this lavish, silky moisturizer. Chock full of antioxidants, this cream deeply nourishes and moisturizes dry, flaky skin with noticeable results. It comes with the astonishing goodness of exotic herbs and plants like Aspen bark extract; sunflower seed extract; almond oil; avocado oil; sesame oil; foraha oil; kokam butter; mango seed butter; hempseed oil; jojoba oil; Vitamin E Tocopherol; microalgae extract; rose absolute EO; evening primrose oil; borage oil; arjun extract; extract of helio carrot; shatavari extract; extracts of Calendula, haritaki, wheat germ, ginger, dashmoola, bala, kola and rice protein; Life Everlasting extract; Haritaki extract; Wheat germ extract; Ginger extract; Rice protein extract;
For the body, the ayurvedic full-body oil massage (abhyanga) is excellent for rehydrating the skin. When you let the oil sit for a few minutes after the massage, it percolates into the body tissues, lubricating the internal organs, muscles and joints apart from toning up the skin, nourishing and moisturizing it. You can thank Abhyanga for keeping your skin soft and supple as a baby’s even in the harshest of weathers. The best way to fight the scaly dry skin problems to take refuge in the bliss of Ayurvedic oil massages or Abhyanga, suited to your Dosha constitution. Oil is widely recommended as a healing, detoxifying, hydrating and re-balancing agent in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic massage as part of the Panchakarma treatment helps the oil penetrate the skin, presses into tissues and releases toxins like lactic acid and trapped oils and chemicals that may have seeped in.
]]>Vitamin E is a super power of an antioxidant that effectively keeps off the free radicals from winning the race against time for your skin. Free radicals are a direct outcome of exposure to the sun, pollutants, stress from the external environment that can take away the health and glow of your skin and make you look far older. Here are a few other reasons why you need Vitamin E for your skin.
Vitamin E is found in the sebum, a secretion from the skin’s oil glands, responsible to fight off rogue free radicals. It occurs in some foods and it is also used as an ingredient in high quality skin care products.
Daily exposure to pollutants can lead to release of free radicals that destroy the skin’s collagen, fibres that are responsible to maintain skin’s tightness. This can make the skin age faster and show up as dark spots and wrinkles. Vitamin E is a rich antioxidant that mitigates this oxidation.
Your skin needs additional doses of vitamin E because the naturally occurring Vitamin E diminishes quickly in the process of keeping off the free radicals from damaging your skin.
Vitamin E absorbs the damaging ultra violet blue light of the sun that causes premature skin aging. So if you do not use a sun screen, Vitamin E along with vitamin C may still hold up against the burning rays.
Vitamin E is found in the membranes around skin cells that act as a barrier and nourishing agency for the skin cells. It is responsible for holding in moisture and keep the cells within hydrated.
Not many know that Vitamin E Tocopherol also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is found to be effective in treating conditions like atopic dermatitis, redness of skin or irritation.
The foods that contain vitamin E include nuts, spinach, Swiss chard, red bell peppers and broccoli. Foods carrying a combination of Vitamin E and Vitamin C are highly nutritious for your skin.
Vitamin E speeds up the recovery of the skin from drying wounds, scars or black spots by fighting off free radicals that do the opposite, that is, they resist healing of the skin from damage, scars and spots.
It is very important to pick the right products like serums, sunscreens or moisturizers with the right dosage of vitamin E tocopherol. Pick products with Vitamin E tocopherol that absorb easily into the skin for full benefit. It is even better if you could find herbal products that combine ingredients like Vitamin E and sources of Vitamin C for holistic nourishment of your skin. For Example, Shankara’s range of beauty care including Shankara’s Hydrating Body Silk, and Anti-Age Serum come replete with more than 20 nourishing and rejuvenative ingredients including Vitamin E tocopherol, Vitamin C ester, microalgae extract, Carbohydrate complex, aspen bark, vegetable-derived sugars,; rose absolute essential oil, mandarin essential oil, golden flax extract, sandalwood essential oil, hibiscus, gotu kola and amla among others.
]]>Did you know Eucalyptus oil is used in Brazilian folk medicine for treating lungs related conditions like cold, flu, and bronchial infection. An Australian native plant, the tree is now grown in various parts of South Africa, Asia, and Europe for its umpteen potencies like being an effective pain reliever, muscle relaxant, antispasmodic, decongestant, antimicrobial, fragrant and anti-inflammatory. Here we share some of the research backed benefits of this Australian green.
It works on reducing build-up of phlegm in the lungs. Research suggests, it inhibits bacterial growth of strains of S. pneumonia, H. influenza, and parainfluenza. It promotes the secretion of sputum which helps decongest and breathe without wheezing. This is the reason Eucalyptus finds its rightful place as one of the key ingredients in cold medicines.
You can add it to the diffuser and take in the vapor if you are struggling to sleep with a congested chest.
Eucalyptus oil is a popular stimulant that removes mental stress and has a rejuvenating quality to it. Inhaling vapor of the eucalyptus oil improves circulation of blood to the brain organ.
Shankara’s unique collection of Ayurveda inspired aromatherapy oils that balance the mind and emotions, calm the senses and invigorate it in equal measure throughout daily activities, also uses the eucalyptus essential oil which is also known for its great blending quality.
Shankara's Aromatherapy collection brings together the following formulations:
Known for its anti-repellant and pesticide property, Eucalyptus oil lends itself as a potent medicine against hair lice. A 2017 study found it to be effective and safe in removing head lice.
Few people know that eucalyptus oil is also useful for effective haircare because of its anti-fungal property. It removes the build-up of scalp fungi that lead to itchiness, weak scalp and hair fall.
The presence of cineole in Eucalyptus oil reduces asthmatic symptoms.
The essential oil increases mental alertness. It improves the flow of blood to the brain, making it function better. There is evidence that schools have started using eucalyptus oil based aromas in classes to improve students’ alertness and performance.
According to a research carried out by Neurological Clinic, University of Kiel, Germany, the combination of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and ethanol increased cognitive performance and had a muscle-relaxing and mentally relaxing effect.
Eucalyptus oil is a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory oil occurring in nature. The study carried out by a Brazilian University in 2003 stated that eucalyptus oil ‘possess central and peripheral analgesic effects as well as neutrophil-dependent and independent anti-inflammatory activities. These initial observations provide support for the reported use of the eucalyptus plant in Brazilian folk medicine.’
(Also Read: Five Natural Relaxants For Muscle Pain)
A study suggests that use of eucalyptus vapor reduced pain and inflammation in patients of knee replacement surgery. It is also administered along with a carrier oil for muscle stiffness, fibromyalgia, nervous inflammation, ligament sprains and rheumatism.
(Also Read: Four Natural Non-invasive Treatments For Arthritic Pain)
Its anti-microbial gifts make it effective in working against cavities and plaque and bad breath (because of its aromatic value). It is often found in mouthwashes and tooth pastes.
Eucalyptus oil is also a positive in treating sinus and nasal congestion. It works on the receptors of mucous membranes to reduce the congestion. Medical experts suggest, eucalyptus oil must be administered by trained professionals alone or strictly under the recommended dosage.
But there is one science that promises to compliment and strengthen upper body strength enough to enable women to do pull-ups successfully. That is the science of yoga. With Yoga along with some help from Ayurveda, women can increase their upper body strength sustainably to be able to do pull-ups without being held back by the physiological differences between genders.
A pull-up requires you to place your hands on a raised bar using a grip overhand. Your arms are fully extended and feet off the floor.
Why do pull-ups?
Sustained practice of Yoga postures with co-ordinated breathing can help you rise above the bar irrespective of whether or not you are a man or woman but especially if you are a woman!
This posture strengthens the arms and shoulders, tones muscle and rejuvenates the body.
It builds strength in wrists, arms, shoulders, back and spine while stretching the abdominal organs. It prepares you for pull-ups by removing discomfort of any sort.
This works on your shoulder strength, tones your abdominal muscles and strengthens your back. It makes upper and lower back more flexible.
This posture works wonders on your wrist and shoulder strength, tones abdomen and prepares you mentally to take on your Pull-up goals.
Now when you start off with pull-up practices, it is possible you may end up with soreness in your muscles. Do not let it hold you back if you find it has not emanated from a serious muscle injury. This is what you can do instead.
Shankara's Muscle Release OilAyurveda recommends daily oil massage to keep the bones lubricated, increase stamina and remove muscles fatigue. An oil massage regulates Vata, increases blood circulation and supports the detoxification in the body. But one of its most important applications is in healing the muscles when muscles undergo microscopic breakage due to a new workout regime or exertion of muscles beyond what they are sued to. The human body’s immune system takes over at such times and heals the breakage internally. At such times, oil massage with natural oils prepared for the specific purpose like Shankara’s Muscle Release Oil can go a long way in releasing the pain and soreness from the muscles. The oil, a unique blend of eastern herbal essences and actives from the west like sunflower, almond, sesame, aloe vera, castor, jojoba, sweet birch, lavender, cedarwood, frankincense, devils claw, boswellia among others, is widely being used by those who are into sports, Yoga or some form of workout that works up the muscle tissues of the body.
Disclaimer: This article is only for informational purposes. It is strongly recommended that you learn and practice these Asanas under the guidance and supervision of a trained and certified Sri Sri Yoga faculty.
Just practicing Asanas does not make one a true yogi. Global spiritual master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of The International Association For Human Values defines a Yogi as such-
“If you claim that you are a Yogi, then you should have an undying smile on your face. I would say, that is the sign of a Yogi. Yoga makes your emotions softer and more peaceful, and you blossom in your emotions. It brings freedom in your expression and your thought patterns. These are the real signs of Yoga. It is not just to do with the flexibility of the body. Of course, that too is a part of Yoga. The body becomes flexible, and the mind grows in faith and conviction. If all this happens, know that it is the gift of Yoga, and consider yourself as a Yogi.”
Here are the three practices that every Yogi needs to include in their yoga journey and they obviously come with their share of benefits for the body, mind and soul.
As hard as it may seem for many people, there is good scientific evidence in favor of waking up that early. From performing well in studies to better sticking to new fitness regimes or diet, early risers have an advantage over those who don’t. Studies suggest, early risers do well in keeping themselves hydrated and oxygenating themselves, while late risers are likely to go through the day, playing catch up. Early risers fill up on the alertness, calm and high Prana that gives a big boost to day's productivity.
What aids and enhances the journey of a yogi is following the proper dinacharya or daily routine as inscribed in classical Ayurvedic texts
Abhyanga is one of the most popular and commonly recommended therapies in Ayurveda that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation. It improves blood circulation, tones and moisturizes skin, works up the lymph system, and calms the mind and nervous system.
Shankara's Soothing Body OilShankara’s Soothing Body Oil is one such offering. It is a soothing blend of essential oils that are known for their relaxing and de-stressing qualities. Made from essential oils of almond, grapeseed, sunflower, borage, evening primerose, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile, this nutrient rich body oil also helps address worries of the mind, over critical thinking, irritability and anger! An oil for hypertension and stress release is also an oil for a perfectly calm and relaxed mind!
Abhyanga calms the mind and the nervous system that is under attack from the physical stress and psychological or emotional stress we carry into our systems from our work place, relationships or family interactions, all of which distracts you from being a true centered and ever joyful Yogi. Abhyanga helps you eliminate this emotional toxin which is stored in our body in the form of stress and tightness. It leaves you feeling peaceful, clear and light.
A balanced nervous system leads to more awareness, alertness and clarity to dawn in your mind. With Abhyanga, you also feel more energized after the massage.
Ayurvedic massage as part of the Panchakarma treatment helps the oil penetrate the skin, presses into tissues, lubricates internal organs, muscles, joints and releases toxins like lactic acid and trapped oils and chemicals that may have seeped in, apart from toning up the skin, nourishing and moisturizing it. An oil massage regulates Vata, increases blood circulation and supports the detoxification in the body.
The massaging action in Abhyanga also boosts your body’s metabolism, so you can eat more and digest faster, even as the metabolism tends to slow in the season. It also improves the body’s waste elimination process. So Aama (toxins) does not get produced in the body.
]]>Dermatologists explain that letting sweat and perspiration sit on your skin and dry post workout can cause an acne outbreak, irritation, redness and pore clogging. This is because the bacteria, dead cells and dirt coalesce to clog your skin pores, leading to host of other skin problems including acne. This is further damaged by another practice- working out without removing make up.
American Academy of Dermatology offers surprisingly effective tips to manage your skin post and pre workout.
(Also Read: 9 Reasons why you need a post workout massage)
You must wash your face and remove the make up with a light cleanser like Shankara’s Purifying Cleanser before you get down to the mat. This is because you do not want the sweat and moisture from your body to drill the chemicals from the makeup deeper into your skin pores. Also, it helps to get rid of the dead cells before sweat meets your face.
Shankara's Purifying CleanserShankara’s Purifying Cleanser helps remove makeup, dirt, and oil before it becomes a problem. Your skin will benefit from the gentle cleansing power of witch hazel and olive leaf. Add to that the purifying properties of manjistha along with calming, soothing lavender and you have a skin beautifying experience.
Dawn freshly washed clothes before you begin working out. “Dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils on unwashed clothes can clog your pores, leading to acne,” say American Academy of Dermatology experts.
Use a washed and clean towel
This is important because your towel comes in contact with your skin while you perspire. A clean towel should absorb and clean the bacteria along with the sweat, instead of mixing with what already exists.
Pat. Don’t Rub
“When you remove sweat from your skin, gently pat it off,” AAD experts say, “Rubbing your skin can cause acne to flare.”
Experts also suggest, do not dry the skin completely. Pat dry about 90% of it and rest of it, let the skin dry on its own.
Sometimes sharing is NOT caring
AAD also suggests against sharing equipment like a helmet or shoulder pad with others in the gym or workout place. “These can be full of acne-causing bacteria and oil, which may cause you to breakout.”
Obviously, do your bit and wipe the equipment before you leave
It is equally important to wipe off equipment with sanitizing wipes since shared devices can contain acne-causing bacteria and oil. “If you use the equipment and then wipe your forehead or other acne-prone skin, you can spread acne-causing bacteria and oil from the equipment to your skin.” Says AAD.
Shower
It is ideal if you could check in for a quick shower after getting done with a workout. This will rinse away acne causing bacteria.
Mild cleansers
Post work out, you need to wash your face with a cleanser to wash off the dirt off the skin that may have been trapped in the skin pore along with sweat.
Based on your skin type, you can pick a cleanser that does not increase your skin’s dryness not should it over moisturize.
(Also Read: Dry or sensitive skin?10 Tips to pick the right cleanser for your skin)
For dry (or Vata) skin
Vata skin is characterized by overall dryness (no combination pattern here) and will not show signs of redness or be sensitive. When out of balance that skin type will look dull and greyish. Vata skin show signs of aging faster because the skin is thin and dry to start with.
Shankara's Deep CleanserIf you have a dry skin that tends to get flaky and hard or if you develop a flaky skin during winter, you can try a cream based facial cleanser that protects the essential oil in your skin. An ideal choice of cleanser for such a skin type can be Shankara’s Deep Cleanser.
For oily (or Kapha) skin
(Also Read: Control excess oil in the skin in these 6 ways)
Kapha skin has more oil but again, everywhere equally (not in a combination pattern) and will not show signs of redness or be sensitive. When out of balance they can look pale or puffy. Sluggishness is an issue in that skin type with water retention etc. As you said, they age slowly and that is because their skin is thicker and more oily to start with.
If you tend to have an oily skin, you should preferably use a non-oil based and light facial cleanser or an herbal cleanser that is made from herbs which are Pitta and Kapha pacifying like the Purifying Cleanser.
For combination skin
For many people, certain areas of the skin, also called the T zone, tend to be oily, like the forehead region or chin or cheeks while other parts of the skin remain dry. In that case, you must use a cleanser which does not absorb away too much sebum from the skin, which may cause dryness, nor should it be too mild. In other words, you will need a cleanser that balances the lipids and dryness.
For sensitive (or Pitta) skin
Any signs of redness or even just a slight pink undertone to the cheeks means it is a Pitta skin.
It holds true for generally all skin types but especially for people with sensitive skin, you should use facial cleansers made from naturally calming herbs and minerals like egyptian rose, aloe vera, sandalwood. The Hydrating Cleanser, Purifying Cleanser or Deep Cleanser from Shankara are well suited for normal to oily to acneic skin.
For normal skin
For those gifted with normal skin that is not too dry nor too oily, you can stick to a mild cleanser that balances between maintaining the sebum levels and takes out the dirt and dead cells too.
AAD suggests, “When washing skin with acne, be very gentle. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips and gently rinse it off with warm water. Rubbing, hot water, or anything else that irritates your skin can cause acne to flare.”
Finish it off with a few splashes of cool water.
You can spray a moisturizing face mist to cool down your skin after the temperatures soar post workout. Repairing daily damage to the skin has never been easier than with a moisturizing body spray like Shankara’s Daily Repair Body Mist, that contains the goodness of 27 herbal essential oils and actives(no less) designed to naturally renew, calm, nourish, hydrate, and protect. The nutrient-rich spray is full of antioxidants and is designed to naturally support skin renewal and rejuvenation.
Some of the herbal essential oils and actives used in making the mist include glycerin (veg.); aspen bark extract; vegetable-derived sugars; hydrolyzed algin and chlorella vulgaris extract; fir needle EO; geranium EO (leaf); lavender EO; melissa EO; green tea extract; aloe barbadensis; gotu kola extract; fulvic minerals; rose extract; chamomile extract; lavender extract; dashmoola extract; lemon balm extract; calendula extract; amla extract; ashwagandha extract; neem extract; kelp extract; jasmine extract; chamae rose extract; and life everlasting extract (Phew!).
But based on the Dosha (referred to as humors in alternative healing) type, Ayurveda also offers plenty of healthy, natural and nourishing solutions to not just pause premature graying but actually reverse it, WITHOUT relying on hazardous chemicals present in dyes and lotions.
Ayurvedic Understanding of premature graying
Ayurveda terms it as Palitya or Akala Palitya and it is believed to be caused purely due to imbalance in Pitta Dosha(bio elements related to fire and water). So if your prakruti or bodily constitution is Pitta, chances of your hair graying prematurely are higher than in other body types.
Here are some of the signs of a Pitta person and what you can do about an imbalanced Pitta dosha.
According to ancient Ayurvedic scholar Sage Vagbhata, the three Doshas, when in balance and when out of balance, give specific qualities to your hair, and knowing the nature of these qualities helps you to work on the strength and manage the weaknesses imparted by the influence of the Doshas.
People with dominance of Vata Dosha will tend to commonly have dry texture and split ends. Color is shiny and more transparent.
People with dominance of Pitta Dosha- Burnt scalp, yellow colored hair
People with dominance of Kapha Dosha are likely to have thick hair.
Symptoms of premature graying
Check out for these signs of premature graying
Frequent hair loss. (more than the average loss of 100 strands a day)
Discoloration
Dryness
Brittle hair
Intolerance to heat
Redness of skin
Signs of Pitta imbalance as mentioned above
Medication that increases Pitta imbalance
So what can you do to bring back your shiny, dark colored locks without spending through your nose on synthetic hair solutions and treatments?
Known as one of the best herbs for hair treatments in general and specifically for graying hair, bhringraj is the king of solutions you are looking for. This is yet another power medicine used most widely in Ayurveda for addressing hair problems. Bhringraj is rejuvenating for the hair and pitta calming. You can feel the calmness dawn in you as the oil trickles into your scalp. The herb also improves blood circulation there by supporting hair growth and preventing premature greying. Indirectly, it is also good for your liver and kidneys, which have a say in the health of your hair, their color, texture and overall strength.
is one of the more recently popularized exotic herb with its Egyptian roots in terms of usage. The leaves and flowers of the plant are steam distilled and diluted for use, given their high potency. Clary sage promotes the health of your scalp which is the first base for stronger hair that break less frequently. The oil stimulates hair follicles and ensures more effective blood circulation through the skin cells in the scalp. It adds a clear luminosity to the hair, strengthens the strands, at the same time balancing hormones that cause hair loss. It has anti-fungal properties and a pleasant fragrance that you don’t mind staying in your hair after a wash.
Used by the Egyptians in their medical formulations, for hormone regulating properties, ability to treat vision disorder and as a flavor of wine, clary sage has come to become an exotic herbal essence used in various premium herbal personal care products today for its aroma, flavor and therapeutic values. Studies on women undergoing postmenopausal syndrome showed, inhalation of the diluted clary sage oil produced calming and anti-stress effect (reduction in stress hormones like cortisol) and mood alleviation. Known for its excellent analgesic properties, it is known to help women manage menstrual pain, when combined with essences of marjoram and juniperberries. It has linalyl acetate which is anti-inflammatory.
A time tested solution to hair dryness is massaging hair with half table spoon to one table spoon of coconut oil. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for your hair and it contains lauric acid to stave off infections of the scalp that can potentially lead to hair breakage.
Massage the coconut oil covering all of the scalp and running your fingers in a quick a motion from scalp to shafts.
Leave the coconut oil in the hair overnight. Wash it off with a natural shampoo next morning.
You can also apply essential oils like castor oil mixed with olive oil or coconut oil (always use castor oil along with a carrier oil when applying to your scalp).Castor oil contains a good fatty acid like ricinoleic acid that aids blood circulation, that is needed for hair follicles to thrive.
Not just a super herb to improve brain functions, Gotu Kola or Indian pennywort is a popular Asian medicinal variety used in hair care. Studies have shown that use of gotu kola significantly helps resolve hair loss, increases length and volume of your hair. Hair oil infused with its extract nourishes the hair follicles and improves blood circulation.
Applying curry leaves heated in coconut oil can be really nourishing for your hair fi your hair has been graying due to insufficient nutrients present to support healthy growth of hair.
Combined with the penetrative qualities of coconut oil which makes it a great carrier oil, curry leaves provide important micronutrients like vitamin B complex (needed for strong hair growth), zinc, and iron that reduce discoloration and pigmentation of hair.
Applying a mixture of buttermilk with curry leaves blended in it can go a long way to ensure your hair do not gray quickly. Curry leaves stop and reverse pigmentation and buttermilk nourishes, conditions and smoothens your hair.
Yes, you read it right. Onion has generous amount of natural sulfur in it. Apply the onion juice to your scalp, moving downward from scalp to ends of hair strand. You can also add it to carrier oil like olive or coconut oil.
Now the question arises, where can you find the goodness of all these exotic ingredients in a perfect blend curated to compound the individual benefits of all of the above?
Deep oil massage twice to thrice a week with Shankara’s Hair and Scalp Oil made from the richness of sesame oil, avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E Tocopherol, gooseberries extract, sandalwood essential oil, bringraj extract, lavender essence, clary sage and rosemary, is specifically designed to fight premature discoloration, moisturize dry and damaged hair for more luminous, healthier, and voluminous locks. The oil is safe to use on colored hair. It deeply penetrates the hair shaft and conditions hair from the roots.
When you massage the scalp and hair, the oil nourishes the cells in the scalp, stimulates blood circulation in the head region, detoxifies the scalp and additionally causes the secretion of happy hormones like serotonin in the body giving you a relaxing and calming sensation. Oiling is a great way to have the rich nutrients and antioxidants present in the oil seep into the tissues for complete nourishment. But you must know your hair oil well and if it is suited for your hair and scalp type which could be weighing on the drier side or it could be sticky.
The health of your scalp, quality and pigmentation controls of your follicles are directly linked to the health of your tissue systems. So if these deep tissues remain undernourished, it is likely to reflect in the quality of your hair and scalp. Abhyanga is one of the most popular and recommended therapies in Ayurveda that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation.
Take Ayurvedic Deep Tissue massages like Shankara’s Shiro Abhyanga Warm Oil Scalp Massage to make sure they are sufficiently oleated and nurtured.
]]>Hair fall is the hair you lose due to weakening of the root or hair follicle. Some of it occurs naturally as part of the cycle of hair growth, shedding, resting and regrowth. Experts say, an average person loses 100 strands of hair due to this. Hair fall can be a cause of concern when you are losing more hair than that and bald patches have begun to surface on the scalp. Hair breakage is really the problem of your hair shafts weakening and breaking off. Hair breakage is due to excessive hair dryness and hair damage, caused by many factors including poor diet, stress, overusing heat styling products, over washing, not enough hydration and other genetic reasons. Washing hair with hard water can also lead to hair dryness, resulting in hair breakage.
CHECK YOUR DIET. Does your food have enough vitamins (A,D3 and biotin), zinc, folic acid and iron, protein and antioxidants that support hair growth and maintain the health of hair follicles? Vitamin A not only supports good hair growth, it also aid the skin glands in producing sebum that maintains the moisture in the scalp. Vitamin C helps produce collagen that helps in making the scalp healthy. Biotin is non-negotiable for robust hair follicles. Studies have found, lack of it can lead to significant hair fall. Research also showed, people reported significant hair growth after they started having Vitamin E for about a year, naturally found in sunflower seeds, avocado and almonds among other foods.
Telogen Effluvium is the condition where one undergoes spurts of excessive hair fall due to a highly stressful or traumatic shock. In the natural cycle, hair grows, sheds, then, there is a resting period called telogen before the hair shafts regrow. But certain shock or trauma sends the hair follicles in the resting phase prematurely, that results in unnatural volume of hair fall, unlike the hair fall that naturally occurs as part of the cycle of hair growth.
Here’s what you can do for a healthy thriving physical body and a stress-free mind.
Excessively dry scalp and hair is followed by hair breakage as the hair shafts become weak, dry and brittle. Anything you do to reduce the dryness of hair and hydrate it sufficiently will help you contain hair breakage, when it is caused by drying factors like overusing heating styling products, zero moisturizing and conditioning of the scalp, dry weather among other things.
Rubbing your hair violently with a towel immediately after a shower could feel refreshing but can actually lead to hair damage. This is because wet hair is more prone to breakage. So lightly tying a wet towel around the hair to absorb the water can help.
Though it keeps your hair from descending on all over your face and it looks neat, people who use elastic hair ties must be careful about the type of hair tie they use. This seemingly innocuous activity is one of the major reasons for higher hair breakage in the US as it pulls at the scalp and weakens the hair cuticle.
A time tested solution to hair dryness is massaging hair with half table spoon to one table spoon of coconut oil. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for your hair and it contains lauric acid to stave off infections of the scalp that can potentially lead to hair breakage.
You can also apply essential oils like castor oil mixed with olive oil or coconut oil (always use castor oil along with a carrier oil when applying to your scalp).Castor oil contains a good fatty acid like ricinoleic acid that aids blood circulation, that is needed for hair follicles to thrive.
C) Almond oilYou can replace castor oil with almond oil in the above preparation if you like. Almond oil is a storehouse of vitamin E, magnesium and healthy fatty acids that support hair growth, nourish it and protect it from breakage.
It can be arduous to blend more essential oils. How can we have the benefits of all these essential oils within an ideal blend? How much should the quantities be? Should we blend two of them or three of them and what is the procedure to extract them? RELAX!
Leave it to the professionals at Shankara to craft the perfect and most harmonic EO blends for your hair and scalp that use extracts from all the above essential oils and more, bringing the best of Ayurvedic wisdom from the east and the knowledge of natural actives in the west. Made into perfection, so when the oil drips on your scalp, and you rub it evenly, gradually and lovingly, you can feel the goodness of all these essences seep into your cuticles, making you relaxed, hydrated as the aromatic richness wafts through the space you walk in. Feel the stress dissolve away!
D. Deep oil massages
Shankara's Hair And Scalp OilDeep oil massage twice to thrice a week with Shankara’s Hair and Scalp Oil made from the richness of sesame oil, avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E Tocopherol, gooseberries extract, sandalwood essential oil, bringraj extract, lavender essence, clary sage and rosemary, is specifically designed to moisturize dry and damaged hair for more luminous, healthier, and voluminous locks. The oil is safe to use on colored hair. It deeply penetrates the hair shaft and conditions hair from the roots. It can be used for colored hair too!
Why are we doing this?When you massage the scalp and hair, the oil nourishes the cells in the scalp, stimulates blood circulation in the head region, detoxifies the scalp and additionally causes the secretion of happy hormones like serotonin in the body giving you a relaxing and calming sensation. Oiling is a great way to have the rich nutrients and antioxidants present in the oil seep into the tissues for complete nourishment. But you must know your hair oil well and if it is suited for your hair and scalp type which could be weighing on the drier side or it could be sticky.
E. Shiro AbhyangaTake Ayurvedic Deep Tissue massages like Shankara’s Shiro Abhyanga Warm Oil Scalp Massage to make sure they are sufficiently oleated and nurtured.
Why are we doing this?The health of your scalp is directly linked to the health of your tissue systems. So if these deep tissues remain undernourished, it is likely to reflect in the quality of your hair and scalp. Abhyanga is one of the most popular and recommended therapies in Ayurveda that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation.
F. Air drying
At least a couple of times a week let your hair naturally air dry instead of using heating products. Daily use of heating tools can weaken the hair follicles and the rest of the layers that hold the hair strands in place.
]]>Ayurveda recommends daily oil massage to keep the bones lubricated, increase stamina and remove muscles fatigue. An oil massage regulates Vata, increases blood circulation and supports the detoxification in the body. But one of its most important applications is in healing the muscles when muscles undergo microscopic breakage due to a new workout regime or exertion of muscles beyond what they are sued to. The human body’s immune system takes over at such times and heals the breakage internally. At such times, oil massage with natural oils prepared for the specific purpose like Shankara’s Muscle Release Oil can go a long way in releasing the pain and soreness from the muscles. The oil, a unique blend of eastern herbal essences and actives from the west like sunflower, almond, sesame, aloe vera, castor, jojoba, sweet birch, lavender, cedarwood, frankincense, devils claw, boswellia among others, is widely being used by those who are into sports, Yoga or some form of workout that works up the muscle tissues of the body.
Here are some of the benefits of a giving your body a nice full body Abhyanga massage after a workout
After a workout, your body produces lactic acid in the muscle fibers that potentially slows down recovery. A good Abhyanga massage helps to flush out the lactic acid and other toxins that get built up in the muscles after a good workout.
Experts also suggest, a pre workout message is good to warm up your body if you are competing.
If you have a tendency to tense up during the workout, you can go for a post work out abhyanga to loosen up your back muscles.
Not knowing any better, you suddenly woke up one day and decided to run 2k or when you are starting out with a new workout routine, or even generally in trying to get back in shape after a long gap, you may experience soreness and pain from muscle stiffness for hours to weeks after the very first session, which is called delayed onset muscle soreness. It is quite common among the first timers at the gym. Clinical trials in this regard suggest, a post workout massage could reduce the excruciating pain from DOMS.
Studies also found out that among competitive runners, a post run massage worked better in pain reduction than other methods like icing, and stretching. But jury is still out on what kind of massage is best after running and if it is better to get a massage after or before a run.
Ohio State University researchers found that certain type of massages could actually improve the time taken by muscles to recover. They also found out that the muscles that had been massaged were less damaged than ones that did not receive a massage. The massaged muscles also showed less signs of inflammations. Experts say, ice bathing and anti-inflammatory medication can also help manage inflammations but they may hinder the natural process of muscle repair, while massages promote the muscle repair and growth.
Massages also reduced muscle heaviness as the massaged set weighed 8% less than the non-massaged set of muscles.
Researchers have also found out the strength recovery was 60% in massaged muscles versus 15% in those that did not get a massage, showing evidence of faster and more effective recovery of muscles after a massage.
The study mentioned right at the beginning of the article was carried out on 11 young healthy and athletic males, who were given a 10 minute massage after a very rigorous work out session. Researchers found that the massages worked on types of muscle cell genes. Given that nature has its own intelligence that helps the recovery of the body after injury or minor muscle tear which is indispensible when you are working out, one gene was responsible for reducing inflammation after working out.
The other gene was responsible for increasing the production of mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of cells where energy is produced. In the natural course of putting your body through some sort of exercise, once the muscles get used to it, the production of mitochondria increases to meet the increased requirement of energy. A massage supports this natural process.
]]>If your skin rallies between being too oily sometimes to being too dry and sensitive, your skin type is likely to be Pitta. How can you manage Pitta skin, you ask?
The three doshas, Pitta, Vata and Kapha, that derive their character from the five elements, air, water, ether, fire and earth, combine in differing proportions to make up an individual’s constitution orprakriti. This includes all factors-- physically, mentally and emotionally-- that express an individual’s uniqueness. While everyone has all three doshas, the relative dominance varies. Everything may be categorized according to its proportion of the Doshas. This would include: seasons of the year, times of the day, emotions, dreams, food, animals, colors, textures, sounds, aromas, herbs - if it exists, it can be determined if it is Vata, Pitta, or Kapha.
Pitta dosha is a combination of the fire and water element in the body and governs the metabolism function. And so it follows, if your skin type is Pitta, it will have the quality of heat and sensitivity. Such a skin type is warmer, sometimes drier and more sensitive that other skin types. It will have normal thickness, feel warm to touch and sensitive.
Pitta is the cause for what we call the combination skin where the nature and qualities of fire and water can also bring contradiction in the skin with certain areas of the skin, also called the T zone, being oily, like the forehead region or chin or cheeks while other parts of the skin remain dry.
this skin can be oversensitive, and you could have more frequent flareups.
have a tendency towards redness, inflammation, and in extreme cases rosacea.
If fire element is too high the skin may feel partially dehydrated and sensitive and
if water is too high the skin may be partially oily.
Since the skin type is sensitive, it is prone to damage from exposure to ultraviolet rays and will show signs of aging and wrinkling faster than other skin types.
You must go for products that are cooling, soothing and sufficiently moisturizing in nature to tame in the fiery Pitta. The ingredients should be anti-inflammatory to calm down the redness and sensitivity. They should be moisturizing and balance sebum production. For example, Shankara’s specially curated range of products to manage Pitta skin are known to have worked wonders for high Pitta sensitive, dry and excess sebum producing skin. This includes
Shankara's Hydrating CleanserHydrating Cleanser or Deep Cleanse Treatment
Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment
Daily Repair Serum - Fine-Line (rose)
Fine Line Treatment Oil and/or Fine Line Moisturizer
If Pitta skin is too sensitive
Blend Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment with a little water or cleanser to adjust to your skin’s needs. If skin is extremely sensitive, skip exfoliation or use Deep Cleanse Treatment instead
If you have a Combination Skin
To address an oily T-Zone, use the Daily Repair Serum-Balance (meadowsweet) instead of the Daily Repair Serum – Fine-Line (rose). You may also use the Purifying Cleanser.
]]>It is common for runners to complain about injuries in the hip or limbs. This could be due to cramps, poor stretching or not enough warm up. To stay away from injuries as a runner, just stretching is not enough. You need to learn and practice Yoga to know about the postures that will make your body more flexible, less prone to injuries, more alert and give your workout experience more depth. Simply put, yoga compliments and amplifies the benefits of running for you. And what do you know? Next time, you may find yourself covering more distance with much ease!
Some asanas that runners can practice include
www.artofliving.orgSit in Sukhasana with legs crossed comfortably. Now for Butterfly pose,
For this asana,
In this asana,
As we breathe out, we try and lower our upper body to bring the knees closer to the chest region. We don’t over exert ourselves in this posture. We do only as much as we can comfortably do without a quivering breath.
We stay in this pose for 2-3 rounds of breaths and then slowly come up in Tadasana or palm tree pose.
This is ideal pose for letting go of the stress in your shoulders and arms. It helps build body balance and stamina while toning the arms, legs and the lower back.
Do not do this pose if you have spine injuries or high blood pressure. If you have a knee issue, you can use the support of a wall.
Lie on your back.
Once you finish with your Yoga session or for that matter any other work out, it is a good idea to give yourself a full body massage using herbal muscle release oil that seeps into your muscular tissues, lubricating and rejuvenating each muscle fiber in your body. It also releases the psychosomatic stress stored in your body. For example, the Shankara Muscle Release Oil, a unique blend of eastern herbal essences and actives from the west like sunflower, almond, sesame, aloe vera, castor, jojoba, sweet birch, lavender, cedarwood, frankincense, devils claw, boswellia among others, is widely being used by those who are into sports, Yoga or some form of workout that works up the muscle tissues of the body.
It is important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained Sri Sri Yoga teacher.
]]>Experimenting with a range of beauty samples is a great way to find what works best for your particular skin type - once you've refined your shortlist, using ingredients straight from your kitchen is a cheap and effective addition to any natural beauty routine. Raw honey is one multipurpose item that can have huge benefits for your skin. Honey can be used on its own as a cleanser or mask to prevent breakouts, moisturize dry skin and encourage healing. Avocado contains vitamins E, D and A, all essential for healthy skin. It can increase collagen production, and reduce inflammation. These two kitchen essentials, among many others, can help to maintain healthy skin.
Specific skin problems such as acne, or particularly oily or dry skin require more specific care and can also be helped along with the topical application of items from your kitchen. Apple cider vinegar can fight the bacteria and viruses that cause acne. This product contains natural acids which fight inflammation and scarring associated with acne. A combination of honey and cinnamon can also help to fight bacteria, and contains antioxidants that may reduce acne. Olive oil is a good cleanser alternative for chronically dry skin, as it can be used to clean the skin without removing naturally occurring oils, while also acting as a moisturizer. An avocado and olive oil mask can be applied for a deeply penetrating moisturizer for dry skin, as well as using coconut oil as a regular alternative to chemical filled nighttime moisturizers.
A beauty routine is an important part of the day for many women and men. Making homemade skincare products from healthy, whole ingredients allows you to fully control what your skin absorbs, and avoid harmful chemicals, while providing results that rival expensive store bought products.
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