Ayurvedic Tips and Reminders
When I call back clients after an Ayurvedic Marma therapy session to ask how they are feeling I often hear they feel a sense of “calm’ in their lives and that “calm” is permeating their daily activities. Amongst other tangible results such as headache relief, digestive complaints disappearing, improved sleep, overall better mood, I sometimes get this question..” I feel very calm.. is that a result?” A valid inquiry.
I want to expand on my response with the following:
Thousands of years before modern medicine proved scientific evidence for the mind/body connection the sages of India developed, Ayurveda which remains one of the world’s most powerful mind/body health systems. Sister science to yoga ,Ayurveda means “science of life” or” knowledge of life”. It offers wisdom to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full potential.
Two main principles of Ayurveda are:
1. Body and mind are intimately connected.
2. Nothing has more power to heal the body than the mind.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, freedom from illness depends upon expanding our awareness to a state of “calm” and extending that balance to the body.
For example, when you meditate your heart rate naturally slows down, it decreases the stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline and increases the production of neurotransmitters such as melatonin, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These good feeling hormones are the body’s natural inner pharmacy. Meditation enhances well being by reducing stress and anxiety. So “calm” in this sense has significant benefits.
As an adjective the word calm means “not showing or feeling nervousness, anger or other emotions”. As a noun it means” free from wind”. As a verb the word calm means “to make someone tranquil and quiet, to soothe”.
How interesting. In the same way a mind free from ‘wind”,from the movement of “vata’ is a calm and balanced mind , such is the body, free flowing and unencumbered.
Ayurveda offers several practices to cultivate this inner state and create vibrant health.
So to respond to your inquiry… yes, there is great “value” in feeling ‘calm”; something so subtle but often missed in our fast paced lives. This subtle energy has powerful healing effects. Enjoy your body’s natural healing abilities…… Soon it will become windy again.
Namaste’
Gedalia
PS. Please join me at tonight’s class ” A Holistic Approach to Grief and Loss”- Explore how the chakras can create renewed energy and perspective.
Atlanta Center for Holistic and Integrative Medicine
1401 Dresden Drive
Atlanta 30319
7pm- $25