accumulation (disease stage), 26
acid reflux, 144
action(s): right, 107–12, 229–31; taking responsibility for, 162–63
aggravation (disease stage), 26
aging, premature, 67
alcohol, avoidance of, 83–84
alienation, 147
American Heart Association, 50
anger, 116
anorexia, 142
antioxidants, 67
apathy, 147
apologies, 168
aromatherapy, 84
arrogance, 232
arthritis, 142
asthma, 145
astringent (food taste type), 62, 65, 77–78
atheism, 94
awareness, witnessing, 99–101, 107
awe, experiencing, 109
Ayurveda: author’s experience, xvii–xix, 7; as balanced healing approach, xviii, 13, 223; checklist for, 32; daily practice of, 224; defined, 11–13; environment as extended body in, 207–8; food tastes in, 61–66, 64–65; glossary, 243–45; health as defined in, 13–14; humility and, 231–32; inward direction of, 7; mahabhutas (great elements), 14–15; mind-body type in, 8; physician consultations in, 31; problems encountered while practicing, 223–28; reasons for following, 12–13; right action and, 229–31; symptom plans in, 31–32; Vedanta as origin of, 135; Western medicine vs., 28–29; wheel as analogy for, xx, 5–6, 223–24; wholeness principle in, 3–5, 12, 158, 232. See also doshas (mind-body types)
Ayurvedic Mind-Body Type Test, 15–22
Ayurvedic nutrition plan, 57–70, 91–92; dosha-specific diets, 74–79; exercises, 78–79; food tastes in, 61–66, 209; freshly prepared foods, 59–60; 90–10 rule in, 58, 70; organic foods, 60–61, 66–68, 209; sample meals, 66; sattvic (healing) foods, 66–67; unhealthy foods reduced/eliminated in, 67–69; water in, 69–70
Ayurvedic Path Yoga studio, 88, 102, 186
baths, 85–86
bhastrika breath, 144
bitter (food taste type), 62, 65, 77–78
bladder problems, 143
boat pose, 144
body: extended, environment as, 207–8; intuition and sensations in, 96–97; meditation effects upon, 102–3; as sacred, 54; self-love of, 152
boredom, 147
bound angle pose, 143
bow pose, 144
breathing: alternate-nostril, 147; bhastrika breath, 144; for creative/sexual chakra (svadhisthana), 143–44; kapalabati (“skull-shining breath”), 144; ujjayi yogic breathing technique, 146
bridge pose, 146
Buddha, 33
butter, organic, 67–68
caffeine, avoidance of, 83–84
calories, 59
camel pose, 145
cancer: author’s experience, xvii–xix, 139–40; diet and prevention of, 67; US rates of, 1
candles, 216
cardiovascular training, 87–88
car loans, 202
chakras: author’s experience, 139–40; creative/sexual (svadhisthana), 143–44; crown (sahaswara), 147–48; defined, 139; heart (anahata), 144–45; root (muladhara), 142–43; solar plexus (manipura), 144; third-eye (ajna), 146–47; throat ( vishuddha), 145–46; unblocking, 139–42
checklists for health: Ayurveda, 32; dharma (life’s purpose), 48; emotional health, 130; environmental health, 222; financial health, 206; occupational health, 193; the past, 149; physical health, 91–92; relationship health, 180–81; spirituality/spiritual health, 112
chemotherapy, 225
child’s pose, 147, 235–36, 237
choice, conscious: conditioned choice vs., 98–99, 112; of emotions, 120–22; lessons from the past and, 137–38; relationship health and, 176; in right action, 229–31
Chopra, Deepak, xviii, xix, 62, 94
Chopra Center, 102
Cilley, Marla, 216–17
clairvoyance, 146
colds, 146
communication: electronic, 171; about money, 204–5
communication skills: for relationships, 156, 163–65, 169, 170–73, 180; throat chakra as source of, 145
compassion, 145, 155, 170–73, 180, 214–15, 231–32
computers, 208
concentration problems, 147
Confucius, 183
confusion, 147
constipation, 142
constitution types. See doshas (mind-body types)
co-ops, 60–61
Costco Wholesale, 56
cow face pose, 145
Creating a Plan for Transforming Your Current Job or Finding Your Ideal Job (exercise), 192–93
Creating Your Physical Movement Plan (exercise), 90–91
creative/sexual chakra (svadhisthana), 143–44
creativity, 124
crown chakra (sahaswara), 147–48
dairy products, organic, 61
dance, 124
dating, 178–80
Davenport, Rita, 195
delta waves, 107
desires, list of, 44–47
detoxification, Ayurveda and, 12
dharma (life’s purpose), 5; checklist for, 48; defined, 35–39, 188; exercises, 40–41, 47; finding, 33–34, 39–44; importance of, 34–35; in Indian tradition, 36, 42; intentions/desires list for, 44–47; as life category, 153; occupational health and, 186–89
diet: Ayurveda and, 12, 49; fat-free, 7–8, 67–68; flexibility in, 58; Kapha-pacifying, 66–67; Kapha-specific, 78; Pitta-pacifying, 66; Pitta-specific, 77; Vata-pacifying, 66; Vata-specific, 76–77; vegan, 224–25
Discovering Dharma (exercise), 40–41
disease: during Ayurvedic practice, 224–25; chronic, in U.S., 1–2; dharma and, 34–35; food quality and, 51; six stages of, 26–28
disruption (disease stage), 27
dissemination (disease stage), 26–27
distractions, 104, 110, 170, 171
divorce, 157
dolphin pose, 147
doshas (mind-body types): diets tailored to, 74–79; emotional rebalancing specific to, 123–27, 130; environmental health and, 213, 217–19, 222; financial health and, 197; interpreting, 25–27; Kapha (earth principle), 24–25; occupational health and, 189–92; physical exercise routines specific to, 89–91; Pitta (fire principle), 23–24; plan for balancing, 31; relationship health and, 173–76, 181; routines governed by, 81–83; symptom plans for, 31–32; test for determining, 15–22; three principle types, 15; Vata (wind principle), 22–23. See also specific mind-body type
Dunbar, Robin, 109–10
Dyer, Wayne, 214
eagle’s pose, 147
eating, as sacred act, 79–80
eating awareness, guidelines for, 71–74, 82, 91–92, 209
Edelman, Ric, 202–3
ego, 144
eight limbs pose, 236
8 Weeks to Optimum Health (Weil), 208
Einstein, Albert, 207
elements. See mahabhutas (great elements)
emotional health: checklist for, 130; dosha-specific rebalancing for, 123–27, 130; emotional control and, 115–16, 130; exercises, 127–30; financial health and, 196; physical health and, 113–14; tools for establishing, 116–23
Emotional Intelligence (Goleman), 118
emotional toxins, 116–17
emotional triggers, 122–23, 227
emotions: conscious choices regarding, 120–22; control over, 115–16, 130; gender differences, 115; identifying, 120, 172–73; ignoring, 119; taking responsibility for, 118–20, 130
empathy, 145
employment. See jobs; occupational health
endorphins, 110
energy: meditation as connection to, 105–6; money as, 196–97, 199–202
energy work, Ayurveda and, 12
environment: daily, redefining, 215–17; as extended body, 207–8; for meals, 72, 73
environmental health: Ayurvedic background of, 207–8; checklist for, 222; doshas and, 213, 217–19, 222; exercises, 216–17, 221; natural reconnection for, 219–21, 222; sensory input for, 208–15, 222; space-clearing for, 215–17, 222
envy, 143
equestrian sky reaching pose, 235, 238
Erikson, Erik, 140
exercise, physical: Ayurveda and, 49; cardiovascular, 86, 87–88; dosha-specific routines, 89–91; fitness programs, 87–89; flexibility training, 87, 88–89; importance of, 86–87; physical health and, 51; planning for, 57; resistance, 87; routines for, 81–82, 92; in rural areas, 55
exercises: Ayurveda, 32; Ayurvedic nutrition plan, 78–79; dharma, 40–41, 47; emotional health, 127–30; environmental health, 216–17, 221; financial health, 198–99, 201; health, 9; occupational health, 192–93; the past, 133, 134, 148; physical health, 90–91; relationship health, 166–69; spirituality/spiritual health, 101
experimentation, 97–99
eye problems, 147
Facebook, 220
farmers’ markets, 60
fatigue, physical health and, 57
fear, 142
financial health: beliefs about money and, 197–99, 206; checklist for, 206; debt reduction for, 202–3, 206; dosha effects on, 197; education about, 206; emotional health and, 196; exercises, 198–99, 201; generosity for, 199–202, 206; gratitude for, 199, 206; importance of, 195–96; physical health and, 196–97, 206; wealth creation for, 204–6. See also money; occupational health
fish pose, 145
fitness programs, 87–89
flexibility training, 87, 88–89
flour, organic, 68
flow, 36–37
food: Ayurvedic taste types, 61–66; enjoyment of, 73; freshly prepared, 59–60; frozen/canned, 68–69; locally-grown, 60–61, 209; mind-body connection with, 70–74; online sources, 56; organic, 50, 55–56, 60–61, 66, 92, 209; portion control, 72; processed, 51, 66, 71, 91; quality of, and health, 49–52, 71; as sacred, 79–80; smell of, in environment, 210
food co-ops, 60–61
fork, putting down, 72
forward folds, 148
fountains, indoor, 212
fruit, 66–67
frustration, 227–28
fun-money budget, 205–6
future, lessons from the past taken to, 148, 149
gallbladder disease, 51
Gandhi, Mahatma, 223
generosity, 199–202, 206, 214–15
gratitude, 45; for financial health, 199, 206; for food, 74; heart chakra as source of, 145; practicing, for spiritual health, 107–8; in relationships, 165–66, 169
gratitude journal, 108
Gray, John, 162
greed, 142
habits, addictive, 226–27
hallucinations, 147
handstands, 148
Harley, Willard, 161
hatha yoga, 88–89
headaches, 147
headstands, 148
healing: dharma and, 34–35; sattvic (healing) foods, 66–67
healing touch, 213
health: Ayurvedic definition of, 13–14; Ayurvedic medicine and, 7; exercises, 9; personal control over, 2, 3; responsibility shifting for, 2–3; taking back, 6–8; taking responsibility for, 8–9. See also emotional health; environmental health; financial health; occupational health; physical health; relationship health; spirituality/spiritual health
health care, cost of, 2
hearing, sense of, 211–12
hearing problems, 146
heart chakra (anahata), 144–45
hemorrhoids, 142
herbal medicine, 52; Ayurveda and, 12
herbal teas, 84
high-fructose corn syrup, 68, 91
Hippocrates, 49
hip swaying, 143
His Needs, Her Needs (Harley), 161
holistic approach, 223–24
honesty, 45
honey, 66–67
hopelessness, 116
Hugo, Victor, 126
hum (mantra), 146
humility, 231–32
hunger, eating and, 71–72
hypertension, 51
hypoglycemia, 144
immune disorders, 196
inclined plane pose, 144
India, 198
Indian tradition, dharma in, 36, 42
infidelity, 156
inner voice, listening to, 97–99, 200
insecurity, 142
Instagram, 220
intentions, list of, 44–47
interdependence, 155
internal dialogue, listening to, 100–101, 112
Internal-Dialogue Assessment (exercise), 101
International Journal of Neuroscience, 107
interruptions, 165
introversion, 220
jealousy, 143
jobs: as dharma, 186–89; dissatisfaction with, 183–84; ideal, finding (exercise), 192–93; learning to love, 184–85; meaning in, 185–87; moonlighting, 187; new, searching for, 185; physical/emotional health connection and, 113–14; stress related to, 183–84
kama (desire/marriage), 153, 154
kapalabati (“skull-shining breath”), 144
Kapha dosha (earth principle) / Kapha types, 24–25; eating awareness guidelines for, 72; emotional rebalancing specific to, 127; environmental health for, 218–19; financial health and, 197; imbalances in, 75, 126–27, 155, 176; occupational health for, 191–92; physical exercise routines specific to, 90; relationship health and, 175–76; symptom plans for, 31
Kapha-pacifying diet, 66–67
Kapha-specific diet, 78
Kapha times, 81–83
karma, 229–31
kidney problems, 143
kindness: healing and, 231–32; internal dialogue and, 101; to oneself, 152; random acts of, 111; speech and, 165
kissing, 167
knee problems, 142
knee-to-chest pose, 143
knee-to-ear pose, 146
Kraft Foods, 50
lam (mantra), 143
laziness, physical health and, 55–56
letter writing, 124
lifestyle: Ayurveda and, 12; “box,” 109, 220–21; as illness cause, 2, 51
List of Intentions and Desires (exercise), 47
lizard pose, 143
localization (disease stage), 27
love, 45, 112, 145, 155, 159–60, 167. See also self-love
lovemaking, 167
lung disease, 145
macrobiotic diet, 224–25
Magical Mind, Magical Body (Chopra), 62
mahabhutas (great elements), 14–15
malpractice insurance, 29
manifestation (disease stage), 27
mantras, 102, 105; for root chakra (muladhara), 143
Mars and Venus Together Forever (Gray), 162
Maslow, Abraham, 37
massage therapy, 12
mates, searching for, 157–59, 178–80, 181
Matthew, Gospel of, 126
meditation: Ayurveda and, 12; benefits of, 102–3, 106; for chakra opening, 147; daily practice of, 224; emotional health and, 117–18; healing from the past and, 138; how it works, 106–7; mantra-based, 102, 105; physical health and, 51; relationship health and, 180; routines for, 81, 83, 112; thought process and, 102, 103–5; universal energy and, 105–6
memory problems, 147
men: communication style of, 171–72; emotions of, 115; relationship health and, 155; relationship needs of, 161–62
metabolic disorders, 144
mind-body connection: with food, 70–74, 209; physical and emotional health, 113–14
mind-body types. See doshas (mind-body types)
moksha (liberation), 153
money: beliefs about, 197–99, 206; as energy, 196–97, 199–202; fun-money budget, 205–6; for physical health, 53–54; physical health and, 196–97; talking about, 204–5, 206
Montessori, Maria, 37
moonlighting, 187
Mumbai (India), 198
nadi shodhana (alternate-nostril breathing), 147
Namasté Days, 108
National Public Radio (NPR), 35
Natural by Nature, 61
nature: disconnection from, 80, 109; emotional rebalancing in, 125–26; immersion in, for spiritual health, 109; reconnection to, 219–21, 222; sounds of, in environment, 211–12
navasana (boat pose), 144
neck rolls/circles, 146
neuroassociations, 210
nightmares, 147
9 Steps to Financial Freedom, The (Orman), 200
Nonviolent Communication (Rosenberg), 122, 172–73
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 107
Nyad, Diana, 35
occupational health: checklist for, 193; dharma and, 186–89; doshas and, 189–92; exercises, 192–93; job dissatisfaction and, 183–84; meaning and, 185–87; perspective shifting for, 184–85. See also financial health; jobs
occupational stress, 183–84
oils, Vata-specific, 85–86
online dating, 179
online food sources, 56
Organic Valley, 61
osteoarthritis, 51
overachievement, 38–39
overeating, 227
overweight, 1
Oxford University, 109–10
padmasana (lotus flexion), 143
painting, 124
past, the: chakras as healing from, 139–48, 149; checklist for, 149; exercises, 133, 134, 148; imagery from, 213–14; learning lessons from, 137–38, 148, 149; reasons behind, 134–37; relationship failures in, 158; remaining stuck in, 131; stories from, 131–34, 149; taking responsibility for, 136–37
peak experiences, 37
pelvic rocks, 143
Perfect Health (Chopra), xviii
pessimism, 143
physical health: Ayurvedic nutrition plan, 57–70; checklist for health, 91–92; daily routines for, 80–86, 92; emotional health and, 113–14; exercises, 90–91; fatigue and, 57; financial situation and, 196–97, 206; food quality and, 49–52, 71; laziness and, 55–56; money for, 53–54; physical exercise for, 86–91, 92; in rural areas, 55–56; significant others and, 54–55; taking responsibility for, 51–57; time for, 52–53. See also Ayurvedic nutrition plan
physician-patient relationship: author’s experience, 29, 30–31; modern Western, 29–30
phytonutrients, 67
Pitta dosha (fire principle) / Pitta types, 23–24; eating awareness guidelines for, 72; emotional rebalancing specific to, 125–26; environmental health for, 218; financial health and, 197; imbalances in, 75, 115–16, 124–25, 175; occupational health for, 190–91; physical exercise routines specific to, 89–90; relationship health and, 174–75; symptom plans for, 31
Pitta-pacifying diet, 66
Pitta-specific diet, 77
Pitta times, 81–83
plank pose, 144
plants, 216
plow pose, 146
portion control, 72
poverty consciousness, 197–98, 200
prakruti (true nature): occupational health and, 189; test for determining, 15–22; as unchangeable, 25–26. See also doshas (mind-body types) prana (life force/vitality), 68–69, 79–80, 139
pranayama (yogic breathing techniques), 142
prescription medications, 225
present moment, living in, 110, 156–58
preventive medicine, 12–13
Primordial Sound Meditation, 102
produce, organic, 60–61
pungent (food taste type), 62, 65, 77–78
radiation therapy, 225
rage, 116
ram (mantra), 144
reclining butterfly pose, 143
relationship health: balance and, 155–59; characteristics of, 159–66, 180; checklist for, 180–81; communication skills for, 156, 163–65, 169, 170–73, 180; desirable relationship creation, 176–78; doshas and, 173–76, 181; emotional responsibility and, 118; exercises, 166–69; financial debt and, 196, 203; intimate, finding, 178–80, 181; self-love as foundation of, 151–54, 156, 180
relationships: abusive, 138; acceptance in, 160, 167; acceptance of current state, 156–58; authentic expression in, 163–65, 169; balance through, 155–59; blame assignment in, 162–63, 168; compassionate communication in, 170–73, 180; desirable, creating, 176–78; dosha effects on, 173–76, 181; gender-differing needs in, 161–62, 168; gratitude in, 165–66, 169; growth in, 163, 169; intimate, 154, 157–59, 178–80, 181; laughter in, 162, 168; learning lessons from, 157; love as dynamic exchange in, 153; love as unconditional in, 159–60, 167; memory creation in, 161, 167–68; nitpicking in, 160, 167; searching for, 157–59; touch in, 160–61, 167; unnourishing, letting go of, 176; vulnerability in, 164
Religions, Values, and Peak-Experiences (Maslow), 37
resistance training, 87
retirement funds, 204
rishis (sages), 14
root chakra (muladhara), 142–43
Rosenberg, Marshall, 122, 172–73
routine: Ayurveda and, 12, 49; newness in, for environmental health, 219–21; for physical health, 80–86, 92
rural areas, health food stores in, 55–56
sadness, 116
salty (food taste type), 62, 64, 77–78
Sanskrit terms, glossary of, 243–45
satiation, eating and, 72–73 sattvic (healing) foods, 66–67
sciatica, 142
Screen-Free Week, 220
self, 144
self-awareness, 138
self-expression, 145
self-healing, 145
self-love, 145, 151–54, 156, 180
self-sufficiency, 153–55
sensory input, for environment, 222; smells, 210–11; sounds, 211–12; tactile, 212–13; tastes, 209; unnecessary, minimization of, 208–9, 211, 212; visual imagery, 213–15
sexual chakra (svadhisthana), 143–44
sexual dysfunction, 143
Shakespeare, William, 185, 186
sham (mantra), 147
shoulder stands, 146
showers, 85–86
sight, sense of, 213–15
significant others, physical health and, 54–55
Simmons, Richard, xvii
Simon, David, 70, 100, 165, 173
singles groups, 179
sivasana, 143
sky reaching in equestrian pose, 235, 238
sky-reaching pose, 234, 238, 239
sleep: meditation and, 102, 107; routines for, 82–86, 209; space for, 83
smells, in environment, 210–11
smiling, 110
smoking, 226–27
snacks, 84
social conditioning, 41, 44–45, 97–99
social media, 220
solar plexus chakra (manipura), 144
sore throat, 146
sound, 145; in environment, 211–12
sour (food taste type), 62, 64, 77–78
space (akasha), 15, 76, 146, 215–16, 222
space, for sleep, 83
Space-Clearing Commitment (exercise), 216–17
spirituality/spiritual health: checklist for, 112; defined, 93–95, 112; exercises, 101; internal dialogue and, 100–101, 112; intuition and, 96–97, 107, 112; meditation for, 102–7, 112; religion vs., 93, 94; as right action, 107–12; self-love and, 152; social/cultural conditioning and, 97–99; third-eye chakra as source of, 146; witnessing awareness and, 99–101, 107
spiritual self, finding, 95–97
spiritual superiority, 147
standing bow pose, 145
stiff neck, 146
Stories from Your Past, The (exercise), 133
stress: environment and, 214; financial health and, 196; occupational, 183–84
stroke, 1
success, in Western society, 38–39
surgery, 225; Ayurveda and, 12
sweet (food taste type), 62, 64, 77–78
sweeteners, artificial, 68
Sydney University (Australia), 107
symptom plans, 31–32
Taittiriya Samhita, 232
Taking Inventory of Your Relationship Using the Twelve Traits (exercise), 166–69
Taking Stock of Your Beliefs about Money (exercise), 198–99
Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre, 93, 94
television, 208, 209, 212, 220, 227
Teresa, Mother, 151
texting, 171
third-eye chakra (ajna), 146–47
thought(s): control over, 115; meditation and, 102, 103–5; observing, 99–101, 107, 165
thousand-petal lotus chakra (sahaswara), 147–48
throat chakra (vishuddha), 145–46
thyroid problems, 146
time, for physical health, 52–53
tithing, 201
touch, 110–11, 160–61, 167, 212–13
touch therapy, 12
toxins: emotional, 116–17; past impressions as, 139
Transcendental Meditation, 102, 107
travel, 219
triggers, emotional, 122–23, 227
trust, 45
Tumblr, 220
TV Turn-Off Week, 220
Twitter, 220
ujjayi yogic breathing technique, 146
United States: calorie focus in, 59; debt in, 196, 202; disconnection from nature in, 80; goal orientation in, 44–45; physical exercise needed in, 87; poverty consciousness in, 197–98, 200–201; preventable disease rates in, 1; work hours in, 183
University College London, 183
uterine problems, 143
vam (mantra), 143
Vata dosha (wind principle)/Vata types, 22–23; eating awareness guidelines for, 71–72; emotional rebalancing specific to, 123–24; environmental health for, 213, 217–18; financial health and, 197; imbalances in, 74–75, 115, 116, 123, 174; occupational health for, 189–90; physical exercise routines specific to, 89; relationship health and, 174; symptom plans for, 31
Vata-pacifying diet, 66
Vata-specific diet, 76–77
Vata-specific oils, 85–86
Vata tea, 86
Vata times, 81–83
vegan diet, 224–25
vegetables, 67
vibration, 145
victim consciousness, 135–36
vikruti (current state), 26
violence, 142
visual imagery, 213–15
visualization, 47, 142, 147, 179
Vital Farms, 61
voicemail, 171
volunteering, 221
vulnerability, 164
water, in Ayurvedic nutrition plan, 69–70, 73, 84
Ways You Can Live Outside Your Boxes (exercise), 221
Weil, Andrew, 208
wellness: personal control over, 2, 3; responsibility shifting for, 2–3. See also physical health
Western medicine: author’s experience, 29–31; Ayurveda vs., 28–29; goal orientation in, 44–45; physical health and, 52
Western society: self-sufficiency concept in, 153–55; success as defined in, 38–39
white-noise machines, 212
wholeness, principle of, 3–5, 12, 158, 232
Wisnecki, Leonard, 30–31
women: communication style of, 171–72; emotions of, 115; job-related stress in, 183; relationship health and, 155; relationship needs of, 161–62; working, 195
wonder, experiencing, 109
Yajur Veda, 232
yoga: Ayurveda and, 12; chakras and, 142; for creative/sexual chakra (svadhisthana), 143–44; for crown chakra (sahaswara), 147–48; hatha, 88–89; for heart chakra (anahata), 145; hot, 89–90; for root chakra (muladhara), 143; routines for, 81, 88–89; for solar plexus chakra (manipura), 144; Sun Salutations, 233–39; for third-eye chakra (ajna), 147; for throat chakra (vishuddha), 146
Your Commitment to Yourself (exercise), 9
Your Dosha-Specific Eating Plan (exercise), 78–79
Your Emotional Healing Plan (exercise), 127–30
Your New Reality (exercise), 134
Your Three Lessons to Take to Your Fulfilling Future (exercise), 148
YouTube, 220
yum (mantra), 145