chew sticks and, 116
oral health and, 128–29
proper digestion and, 127
acacia, 276–78
acharya, defined, xvi
acknowledgements, 255–56
acne, 11
affirmations, 69–71
mantra for, 70
age
dosha aggravation and, 40
massage and, 138
agni (digestive fire), 56, 100, 181–85
characteristics, 182
eating for your agni, 197
flavors/tastes and, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 193
four states of, 181
ghee and, 212
normal variability in, 181
pathological imbalance of, 182–85, 186
seasonal variation in, 181, 183
stimulating with a hot drink, 207
variation in biological age, 182, 186
variation in time of day, 182, 184
air, as element, 34
Ajmera, Ananta Ripa, 30–33
ajna chakra, 79
almond oil, 141
aloe vera, 280
altar, 18
amalaki, 278–79
bathing with, 151
hair care with, 169
antacids, 107
antibacterial cleaning agents
Ayurvedic tooth powder, 119
hair wash, 168–69
neem chew stick, 116
antidepressant (sunlight), 63–64
antimicrobial (neem oil), 112
antiseptic mouthwashes, 121–23
asafoetida, 298
Ashtanga Hridayam, 55, 225, 244
astringent taste (kashaya rasa), 185, 192–93
atiguru (overly heavy foods), 108–9
atiruksha (overly oily foods), 109
atiushna (overly hot foods), 109
atmabodha
meditation (dhyanam), 80–85
Yoga for Atmabodha, 248–51
atosjeeta (overly cold foods), 109
awakening, 17, 53–87. See also waking up
activities after waking up, 65–66, 67–69
activities for early morning, 62–63, 67–69
auspicious encounters upon awakening, 66–67
author’s teenage rebellion about, 85–86
blessing yourself, 67–68
blessings from the sun, 87
in brahma muhurta, 53–54, 55–56, 57, 63, 65–67
dawn, magic of, 54–55
intention to wake up, 65–67
mantras, chanting, 68–74
Nature and, 57–59
other mindfulness practices, 74–80
purification and, 67
sacred morning flow, 67–69
sunlight and, 63–65
as art form, 21
conscious living, 4
fundamental forces in universe, 15–17
fundamental principles, 5–10
as green medicine, 12–13
healing wisdom of, 4–5, 13–14, 28–30
health in, 48–51
positive change through, 4–5
promise of, xi, 10, 13–14, 215
science and spirituality of, 23–51
self-fulfillment and, 4
source literature, xii, 1, 5, 6, 7, 20, 25, 55, 68, 119, 242
variety of wellness strategies, 5
vs. Western medicine, 49
Ayurveda lifestyles, 1–21, 45–47, 49
health and, 48–51
implementing, 49
lifestyle wisdom, 14–15, 45–47
Ayurveda medicinal plants, endangered status, xii, xiv
Baba (Ayodhya Nath), 6, 86, 178
on authentic life, 132
on awakening before dawn, 54–55
on bathing, 145
on breathing practice, 78
chanting Gayatri mantra with, 73, 218–19
dedication to, v
on early morning rituals and mantras, 69
on forgetting, and remembering, 113
on health (swastha), xi, 49–50
on hope, 6
kitchen/foods of, 178–80
on light and darkness, 218–19
on meditation, 81
on natural laws and rhythm (Rta), 23–24, 26
on the neem tree, 111–12
prescription for a stressed man, 90–92
on regeneration/rejuvenation, 7–9
releasing healing intentions into the universe, 253–54
on the rising sun, 60–61
on Sakshi Chaitanyam, 83
on talking to Mother Earth, 71
of doshas, 10–11, 33–34, 38–39, 48, 67
moderation, 251–52
Barrett, Brittany, 1–3
bath scrubs (udvartana/ubtan), 152–55
all-purpose Ayurvedic ubtan, 155
chickpea flour, 152
green gram flour, 152
herbal spring cleanser, 153
recipes, list of, 257
red lentil flour, 152
saffron skin glow-enhancing, 153
sensitive skin all-season, 153
spring season pre-shower, 153
bathing, 145–51
Ayurveda bathing ritual (snanam), 145–51
Ayurvedic soap, 148
Ayurvedic tub bath, 148
bath scrubs, 152–55
benefits of, 147
growing herbs for, 146
post-massage, 143
prayers and chants for, 133
in sacred water, 132–33
after sexual activity, 238
specifics about, 146
water temperature, 147
when not to bathe, 147–48
bathing with botanicals, 148–51
amalaki bath, 151
jasmine bath, 149–50
lotus bath, 149
marigold bath, 150
musk rose bath, 150
rose bath, 149
turmeric bath, 150–51
beans and lentils, 296, 302–10
bedtime, 20
Bhagavad Gita, 6
Bishop’s weed, 298
bitter taste (tikta rasa), 185, 190–92, 275
black pepper, 298
blessing yourself, 67–68
Bodhi tree, 8
body
unity with universe, 14, 27, 33–34
botanicals
adding to the bath, 148–51
hair washing with, 166–69
for oral health, 275–79
storage time, 166
bowel movements. See elimination
Brady, Leeann, 136–38
breathing practices in, 78–80
chanting mantras during, 68–74
drinking water in, 67
intention to wake up in, 65–66
modern science and, 63
other mindfulness practices for, 74–80
significance of, 55–56
brahmacharya (celibacy), 230–31, 329
Brahmanda, 14
breakfast, 18
breath fresheners, 282–83
breathing practice (pranayama), 78–80, 330
humming bee breathing, 79–80
Buddha, 8
calm, moon rays and, 29
cardamom, 298
carom seed, 298
castor oil, 141
effects on doshas, 141
massage with, 135
celibacy (brahmacharya), 230–31
ajna chakra, 79
Charaka, Sage, 242
actions of, 116
how to use, 118
ordering, 117
selecting, 116–17
storing between uses, 118
vs. nylon toothbrush, 117
when to use and not use, 117
chickpea flour (besan), 152, 165
childbirth, massage after, 144
childhood, massage in, 144
choice, power of, 110
chronobiological rhythms, 14
cilantro, 298
clock, lifestyle, 15
coconut oil, 141
cold-water bath, 147
cold water or foods, 67, 100–102, 104, 105, 109, 207
compassion, 62
observer consciousness, 83–84
pure, 45
shift in, 10
constipation, 94–95. See also elimination
breathing practices for, 269
dietary fiber as cause of, 102
symptoms, 99
yoga postures for, 266–69
coriander, 298
corn mint, 281
corpse pose (savasana), 226, 227–28, 331
cosmos, 14
macrocosm and microcosm, 14, 27, 33–34, 48
unity within, 14, 27, 33–34, 48
courage (virya), xiii, 54, 61, 147, 332
cow’s milk face pack, 156, 161
cumin, 301
Cunningham, Tracy, 194–97
bedtime, 20
breakfast, 18
dental hygiene, 17
dinner, 19
elimination, 17
five-minute pauses, 19
five-sense self-care, 18
lunch, 18
meditation/worship, 18
morning refreshing/spiritual practices, 17
nighttime, 29
one hundred steps, 18
personal stories, 2–3
post-breakfast until lunchtime, 18
post-dinner until bedtime, 19
pre-bedtime, 19–20
dakshina, 91
darshan, 63–64
dawn, 54
day, well-lived, 21
death, 10
dental health and hygiene. See oral health and hygiene
depression, sunlight and, 63–64
desha, 65
detox protocol, 323–27
diarrhea
lifestyle corrections for, 107–8
prevention and restoration protocol, 107–10
prevention, food choices and recipes, 108–10, 269–73, 270–71
prevention, yoga postures for, 273
diet resource guide, 285–327
diet. See food(s); meals
dieting, avoiding excessive, 100
digestion
agni (digestive fire), 56, 100, 181–85, 182
dosha aggravation and, 40
rectifying, 127
undigested foods, 128
you are what you can digest, 128
diurnal rhythm, 28–29
aggravation stage, 36, 37, 38–39, 40–43
aggravation stage, lifestyle factors in, 41–43, 44
aggravation stage, natural factors in, 40
balance of, 10–11, 33–34, 48, 67
balance of, correcting, 37–40, 37–39, 44–45
balancing with diet, 198, 285–98, 299–301
balancing with gargling, 122–23
balancing with reetha powder, 168
chew sticks, effects on, 116
daily dosha cycle, 17
daily routine and, 17–20, 17, 55
defined, 330
equilibrium of, 48
flavors/tastes and, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 193–94, 194
functions of, 35
in health and disease, 34–35, 96
health, maintaining, 36–40
imbalance, correcting, 37–40, 37–39
imbalance, stages in, 36, 37–39
imbalance, symptoms of, 40–43
increase and decrease principle, 57
increase or accumulation stage, 36–37, 38–39
inner clock and, 15–17
like increases like, 37, 39, 58, 106
opposites, using to balance, 37, 37–39, 39, 58
pacification or alleviation stage, 36, 38–39, 44–45
physical qualities of, 35
seasonal and unseasonal foods, 101–2, 285–98, 299–301
sexual activity and, 235, 236, 237
spread or dispersion stage, 36
stabilizing, 35–36
stages of imbalance, 36, 37, 38–39
tongue scraping, effects on, 120
water: chilled drinking water and, 104, 106
water: excess, effects of, 106, 109–10
doshas: kapha dosha
accumulation of, 39
aggravation of, factors in, 40, 43, 44
aggravation of, symptoms, 42
arrest and, 34
balancing choices, 45
balancing with diet/foods, 297–98, 299–301
balancing with essential oils, 140
balancing with gargling, 123
bedtime and, 19
bowel characteristics, 97
chew sticks for, 116
cycle of (kapha cycle), 39
defined, 330
drinking water, effects on, 104, 106
elements of (water and earth), 34
functions of, 35
moon and, 33
pacification of, 39
physical qualities of, 35, 106
seat of, 96
sustenance and, 15
doshas: pitta dosha
accumulation of, 38
aggravation of, factors in, 40, 41–43, 42
aggravation of, symptoms, 42
balancing choices, 44–45
balancing with diet/foods, 297, 299–301
balancing with essential oils, 140
balancing with gargling, 122–23
bowel characteristics, 97
chew sticks for, 116
cycle of (pitta cycle), 38
defined, 330
elements of (fire and water), 34
functions of, 35
growth and, 15
increase in, 37
pacification of, 38
physical qualities of, 35, 106
seat of, 96
sun and, 33
transformation and, 34
doshas: vata dosha
accumulation of, 38
aggravation of, factors in, 40, 41
aggravation of, symptoms, 40
awakening in vata time, 55–56
balancing choices, 44
balancing with diet/foods, 297, 299–301
balancing with essential oils, 140
balancing with gargling, 123–24
balancing with massage, 138–39
bowel characteristics, 97
chew sticks for, 116
cycle of (vata cycle), 38
defined, 332
dissolution and, 15
elements of (air and space), 33, 34
functions of, 35
increase in, 37
pacification of, 38
physical qualities of, 35, 106
prana and, 135–36
seat of, 96
sipping warm water, 19
wind and, 33
dry powder massage, 144–45
ear massage, 142
ears
care of, 170–71
massage, 142
medicated warm oils, 170–71
earth, as element, 34
elements, 34
aama and, 97–98
colon and immunity, 96
colon and toxin removal, 96–98
constipation: addressing, not ignoring, 94–95
constipation: yoga postures for, 266–69
constipation prevention, 99–107, 259–66, 259–69
constipation symptoms, 99
diarrhea prevention and restoration protocol, 107–10
in early morning, 56–57, 67, 95
everyday steps, 94–95
fiber in diet, 102–4
healthy, 98–99
importance of, 89–90
as physical purification, 89
practices, 89–90
resource guide, 259–73
timing and regularity of, 96
urge for, do not delay, 67, 89, 95
water (amount, temperature, and when to take), 67, 101–2, 103, 104–7, 104, 105
emptiness (shunya), 45
equilibrium, 48
essential oils, 140. See also oils
exercise, 242–51
benefits of, 242–43
dosha-balancing, 242
features of, 242
foods, drinks, and, 244
hydration during, 106–7
modifying intensity of, 246
seasonal guidelines, 245
vyayama, 242
when not to exercise, 245–46
yoga and yoga postures, 243–44, 247–51
eyes, 171–73
eye salve (anjana), 172
eye saturation (netra tarpanam), 172–73
eye wash (netra prakshalan), 171
massage and, 139
face packs (anulepana), 156–66
chickpea flour, 165
coconut, 161
marigold, 165
milk cleanser, 160
milk exfoliator, 160
recipes, list of, 258
rose cleanser, 159
rose exfoliator, 159
sandalwood, 164
summer skin care, 166
false pepper, 281
fiber in diet, 102–4
fire
agni (digestive fire), 56, 100
as element, 34
five great elements, 34
fluoride, 114
food(s). See also food disciplines; food flavors; meals
agni and, 181–85
Ayurvedic diet resource guide, 285–327
Ayurvedic spices, 298–302
beans and lentils, 302–10
choices, 181
choices for healthy teeth and gums, 128–30
choices to combat diarrhea, 108–10
dietary fiber, 102–4
eating strategically, 128
frozen, microwaveable, 196, 209–10
mealtimes, regularity in, 100, 203
meat-centric diet, 196
mindfulness when consuming, 176
misconceptions about, 2
as one pillar of health, 15
overly cold foods, 109
overly heavy foods, 108–9
overly hot foods, 109
overly oily foods, 109
personal stories, 175–76, 194–97
processed, avoiding, 208–9
pulses, 302–10
qualities, 195, 198–99, 200–202
rajasic, 177
raw foods, 210–11
recovery through Ayurvedic foods (personal story), 194–97
resource guide, 285–327
sattvic, 176–77
seafood, 196
seasonal, 29–30, 180, 198, 285–96
for after engaging in sex, 239–42, 241
shukra-depleting, 239
sleep-inducing, 223–25
snacks, irregularity of, 100
sugar, avoiding, 128
tamasic, 177
temperature of, 100–102
vegetarian, 177–78
food disciplines, 199–214
avoid frozen foods, 209–10
avoid incompatible foods, 110, 209
avoid processed foods, 208–9
cooking with ghee, 212–14
do not skip meals, 206
dress up and eat in a beautiful place, 203
drink only when thirsty, 104–7, 207
drink water consciously, 211–12
eat fresh foods, 199–202
eat only when hungry, 206, 207
emotions when eating, 204
follow regular mealtimes, 203
food preferences matter, 208
limit raw foods, 210–11
pace your eating, 204–5
quantity of food to eat, 205
snack only when agni permits, 206–7
solitude or company, 204
take responsibility for what you eat, 208
take time in food preparation, 202–3
use hot drink to stimulate agni, 207
warm foods are preferable to cold, 207
food flavors, 185–94
doshas and taste potency, 193–94, 194
how to work with, 193–94
quality and taste selection, 195
sleep and, 223
foot massage, 142
forces in universe, 15–17. See also doshas; gunas
forest, mystic, 21
fundamental forces in universe, 15–17
benefits of daily, 126–27
with cool water, 122–23
do not swallow gargling liquid, 125
efficacy of, 126
efficacy of sesame oil, 124
how to make, 281
immune-enhancing effects of, 126
with lukewarm water, 123
new studies on oil pulling, 125–26
oil pooling (gandusha), 124
oil pulling (kavala dhaarna), 124–26
recipes and recommendations, 276–82
with sesame oil, 123–24
techniques of, 124–26
gastric emptying, 102
Gayatri mantra, 72–73, 72, 218–19
genetic changes (from healthy lifestyles), xv
geographic location, 64–65
benefits of, 212–13
cooking with, 212–14
how to make, 322
massage with, 145
sexual tissue (shukra) and, 213, 240
God realization (moksha), 6
gourds, 296
grandfather, author’s. See Baba
gratitude
mantra to Mother Earth, 70–71, 71
great elements, five, 34
green medicine, 12–13
guava, 103–4
gunas, 59–62. See also rajas guna; sattva guna; tamas guna
daily cycle/rhythms and, 61–62
defined, 330
qualities of, 59, 60, 176, 220–21
rajas guna, 60
sattva guna, 60
sleep and, 220–21
tamas guna, 60
time and, 59–60
recipes from, 311–22
habits, 21
hair washing and care, 166–70
amalaki, 169
anti-itching, 168
antibacterial and antiparasitic, 168–69
Ayurvedic hair conditioner, 169–70
dandruff control, 167–68
hibiscus, 169
nourish hair roots, 168
shikakai, 167–68
soap nut, 168–69
stop using commercial shampoos, 167
washing with botanicals, 166–69
head massage, 142
healing, 4–5, 13–14, 28–30, 45–47
time and, 28
healing intentions, 253–54
aspects of, 11
definitions of, 11, 48–49, 331
doshas and, 34–35
geographic location and, 65
holistic perspective of, 11, 49, 108
inner source of, 46–47
maintenance of, 48–49
methodologies of, xi
pillars of, 15
of soul (prasanna), 48–49
wisdom of (swasthya-raksha), xi
your true nature and, 46
health consciousness, 10
health response, xii-xv
healthy lifestyles, xi-xii, 1–21, 45–47, 49
genetic changes and, xv
heavy foods, 108–9
herbal water, 211
herbs
for hair washing, 166–69
Nardostachys jatamansi, xii
storage time, 166
for your bath, 146
Herrera, Beverly, 175–76
hibiscus, 282
hair care with, 169
holistic perspective, 11, 49, 108
holy basil (tulsi), 278
hope, 6
hot foods, 109
hot-water bath, 147
humming bee breathing, 79–80
hyponatremia, 106
immunity
Ayurvedic mouthwashes and gargling for, 126
building, 108
colon and, 96
foods and, 181
inborn, 14
inertia
infancy, massage in, 144
insomnia, 221–30. See also sleep
intentions, 253–54
Kama Sutra, 231
kapha dosha. See doshas: kapha dosha
karmic merit, 93
karmaja (disorders “born from karma”), 94
krimi (pathogens), 115
Lakshmi, 70
Lao Tzu, 20
leaky gut syndrome, 96
dal (soup), 310
licorice, 282
lifestyle adjustments, 51
lifestyle clock, 15
lifestyle factors in dosha aggravation, 41–43, 44–45
lifestyle teachings, 5–10
lifestyle wisdom, 14–15, 45–47
lifestyles, 1–21
healthy, xi-xii, 1–21, 45–47, 49
light
artificial, 59
like increases like, 37, 39, 58, 106, 243
lived knowledge, xii
loka, defined, 330
lotus bath, 149
loving-kindness, 30
lunar rhythm, 29
lunch, timing of, 18
manas, 330
mango, 282
mantras, 68–74
for daily self-affirmation, 70, 70
effects of mantra vibrations, 68–69
Gayatri mantra (sun), 72–73, 72
gratitude to Mother Earth, 70–71, 71
protection of, 68
margarine, 213
marigold, 282
bath, 150
face pack, 165
Maruts, 8
massage, 134–45
areas of focus, 142–43
best time for, 140
dry powder massage, 144–45
extra-gentle massage, 145
important times to receive, 144
oil vs. pressure, 135
with oils, 135
oils, applying, 142–43
oils, choosing and preparing, 140, 141
personal story, 136–38
post-massage bathing, 143
pranas and, 135–36
self-massage (abhayanga), 134–45
self-massage, how to perform, 139–43
strokes: applying the oil, 142–43
when not to use, 143
Matthiesen, Nicole, 221–22
Mattias, Kristin, 47–48
meals, 175–215. See also food disciplines; food flavors; food(s)
agni and, 181–85
approaches to Ayurvedic eating, 197–98
Ayurvedic cooking and recipes, 12, 311–22
Ayurvedic diet resource guide, 285–327
Ayurvedic food disciplines, 199–214
Ayurvedic spices, 298–302
Baba’s healing kitchen, 178–80
eat for the season, 198, 285–327
eat for your agni, 197
eat to balance a dosha, 198
food, mind, and sacred life, 176–78
personal story, 175–76
rajasic foods, 177
recovery through (personal story), 194–97
resource guide, 285–327
sacred food philosophy, 176–78, 214–15
sattvic foods, 176–77
seasonal recommendations, 29–30, 180, 198, 285–327
six flavors/tastes, 185–94, 194
tamasic foods, 177
vegetarian foods, 177–78
meat-centric diet, 196
meditation
affirmations and, 82
atmabodha meditation, 80–85
beneficial effects of, 84–85
initiating thoughts, 82–83
observing thoughts during, 80
starting and building a meditation practice, 81–85
surya dhyanam (sun meditation), 80
witnessing and, 83–84
melatonin, 63
microwaveable meals, 196
milk, 11
cleanser, 160
exfoliator, 160
mind
gunas and, 60
healthy/balanced, 48
mantras, effect on, 68
tranquility of, 13
mindfulness
when awakening, 74–80
when consuming food, 176
for sexual engagement, 237–39
moderation, 251–52
moon
kapha dosha and, 33
lunar rhythm, 29
moon rays, 29
moonlight, healing effect of (jyotsna), 238
Mother Earth, thanking, 70–71, 71
Mother Nature (Prakriti), 27, 28, 300
mukti (self-realization), 6
musk rose bath, 150
mustard oil
effects on doshas, 141
mustard seeds, 302
names, new, 12
naps in daytime, 229–30
Nardostachys jatamansi, xii
Nath, Baba Ayodhya. See Baba
natural way of life, 90
Nature
aligning with, 12–13
awakening and, 57–59
devas and, 8
generosity of, 113
gunas and, 59
Mother Nature (Prakriti), 27, 28, 300
Nature’s clock, 15
phenomena and forms of, 7–9
reverence for, 112
neem chew sticks, 111, 116, 117
neem oil, 112
neem tree, 111–12
neti cleanse, 173–74
night-shift jobs, 63
dosha cycle, 17
drinking water, 212
nose, 173–74
neti cleanse, 173–74
oil cleansing, 173
nutmeg, 302
observer consciousness, 83–84
oil pooling (gandusha), 124
oil pulling (kavala dhaarna), 124–26
oils
medicated warm oils for ears, 170–71
prior to sleep, 223
self-massage with, 17, 29, 134–43
oils for massage
adding essential oils, 140
applying the oil, 142–43
castor oil, 135
choosing and preparing, 140, 141
heating the oil, 140
mustard oil, 135
pranas and, 136
seasonal recommendations, 140
OM, 330
one hundred steps, 18
opposites
opposites decrease each other, 37, 39, 58
using to balance the doshas, 37, 37–39, 39, 58
oral health and hygiene, 111–30. See also chew sticks; gargling; tongue scraping
aama and, 128–29
Ayurveda’s three steps for, 115–27
Ayurveda’s five steps for, 127–30
bitter and pungent tastes and, 275
botanicals for, 275–79
breath fresheners, 282–83
commercial mouthwashes, 121–22, 123
dentists and, 114
digestion of foods and, 127, 128
eating strategically, 128
fluoride and, 114
food choices and diet, 127, 128–30
gingivitis, remedies for, 276, 279–80
homemade preparations for, 113
neem tree, properties and uses, 111–12
order of steps in, 125
plaque, 128
recipes and recommendations, 275–83
resource guide, 275–83
synthetic vs. natural products, 114–15
tongue scraping, 115, 119–21, 120, 127
tooth-polishing agents, 113
tooth powder recipe, 118–19
Ornish, Dean, xv
peace, 13–14
Peepal tree, 8
pepper, 298
perception, organs of, 133–34
personal stories
Ajmera, Ananta Ripa, 30–33
Ayurveda lifestyle wisdom and health, 1–3
Barrett, Brittany, 1–3
Brady, Leeann, 136–38
conscious lifestyle, 30–33
Cunningham, Tracy, 194–97
daily abhayanga (massage), 136–38
feeling like a billion dollars with Ayurveda, 11–12
getting away from overwhelm, 221–22
Herrera, Beverly, 175–76
insomnia, combating, 221–22
Matthiesen, Nicole, 221–22
Mattias, Kristin, 47–48
from powerlessness to power, 30–33
recovery through Ayurvedic foods, 194–97
svadharma, 47–48
perspective, 46
pillars of health, 15
pindanda, 14
pitta dosha. See doshas: pitta dosha
pomegranate, 275–76
prakriti (dosha constitution), 193
Prakriti (Mother Nature), 27, 28, 193, 330
five pranas, 135–36
prasanna, 48–49
processed foods, avoiding, 208–9
pulses, 302–10
pungent taste (katu rasa), 185, 189–90, 275
purification, 132–33
elimination as, 89
at start of day, 67
purity, 89
of foods, 195, 198–99, 200–202
raja yoga, 247
excess of, 65
serotonin and, 63
vata dosha and, 220
rajasic foods, 177
Ramayana, 6
red lentil flour, 152
reetha (soap nut) powder, 168–69
rejuvenation, 7–9
resources
diet resource guide, 285–327
elimination resource guide, 259–73
oral health resource guide, 275–83
restorative methodologies, xi, 107–10, 248, 278
dosha balance, 44–45
elimination, 107–10
rhythms. See also doshas; Rta; seasons
aligning with, 28
chronobiological, 14
diurnal, 28–29
doshas and, 15–17
lunar, 29
respecting, 27–30
Rta, 23–28
solar, 29–30
Rishi Sushruta, 10
Rishi Vashishtha, 8–9
River Sarayu. See Sarayu River
rose
bath, 149
cleanser, 159
exfoliator, 159
Roubos, Dane, 213
Rta, 25–28
concept, 25–27
conversations with Baba, 23–24, 26
defined, 331
respecting, 27–30
sexuality and, 233–35
unity of macrocosm and microcosm, 14, 27, 33–34
sacred food, 176–78
Sakshi Chaitanyam, 83
salty taste (lavan rasa), 185, 188–89
sandalwood face pack, 164
sankalpa, 65
Saraswati, 70
Sarayu River, 7–8, 53–54, 60, 73, 81, 131–32, 253
Ayodhya and, 329
defined, 331
satsangha (teacher-student dialogue), 50
pitta dosha and, 221
savasana (corpse pose), 226, 227–28, 331
Savitri Mantra, 72
scalp, oiling, 142–43
school, traditional. See gurukulam
science of Ayurveda, 23–51
scriptures, Indian, xii, 1, 5, 6, 7, 20, 25, 55, 68, 119, 242
seafood, 196
seasonal affective disorder (SAD), 63
dosha-balancing diet/foods, 198, 285–98, 299–301
exercise and, 245
food/meals and, 29–30, 180, 198, 285–96
massage oils for, 140
Self, the, 45–46
awareness of, 84
health and, 50
remembering, 47–48
self-actualization, 6
self-fulfillment, 4
self-massage, 17, 29, 134–45. See also massage
how to perform, 139–43
self-realization (mukti), 6, 80, 84
self-transformation, 10
sense care, 111–74. See also bathing; massage
bath scrubs, 152–55
ears, 170–71
eyes, 171–73
face packs, 156–66
five-sense rejuvenation, 134
five senses/organs of perception, 133–34
hair, 166–70
massage, 134–45
nose, 173–74
oils, self-massage with, 17, 29, 134–35
serotonin, 63
sesame oil, 141
in Ayurvedic tooth powder, 119
effects on doshas, 141
gargling with, 123–24
activities after sex, 238–39
age, sexuality cycle by, 236, 236
celibacy (brahmacharya), 230–31, 329
choice of partner, 232
cyclical concept of sexuality, 233–35
daily timing of, 19–20
delayed pleasure, 231–32
digestion-related cycle, 236–37, 238
foods to eat after, 239–42, 241
Kama Sutra, 231
massage and, 145
mindful engagement in, 237–39
sexual desire, 231
sexual education, 231
sexual intercourse (sambhoga), 230
sexuality (kama), 231
shukra, presence of, 232–33
sexual tissue (shukra), 232–33
importance of sweet and fat for, 240–42, 241
shukra-depleting foods, 239
shukra-enhancing foods, 239–42, 241
shame, 46
shampoos. See hair washing
Shealy, C. Norman, 122
shikakai, 167–68
shukra. See sexual tissue (shukra)
shunya (emptiness), 45
Singh, R. H., 126
skin care, 134–43
face packs, 156–66
recipes, 257–58
sleep, 15, 217–30. See also awakening
Baba on light and darkness, 218–19
bedroom, 225
best time to wake up, 53–57
dairy foods and, 224
daytime naps, 229–30
doshas, 220–21
early morning sunlight and, 64
excessive, avoiding, 228–29
exercise and, 220
factors for sleep promotion, 222–30
fixed time for, 223
Gayatri mantra, 218–19
Goddess of (Bhutadhatri), 29, 219
gunas and, 220–21
insomnia, dealing with, 221–30
invitation to sleep, 220–21
meditation in bed, 225
mental preparation for, 225–26
oils, application of, 223
personal story, 221–22
rajas guna, 220
sattva guna, 221
savasana (corpse pose), 226, 227–28
sleep-inducing foods, 223–25
smiles. See oral health and hygiene
soap nut (reetha) powder, 168–69
solar rhythm, 29–30
soul, health of (prasanna), 48–49
sour taste (amla rasa), 185, 187–88
space, as element, 34
spirituality, xv-vi, 23–51, 45–47
squashes, 296
stress
massage and, 138
year off prescribed for stressed man, 90–92
suffering, spiritual, 46
sugar, avoiding, 128
sun
blessings from, 87
how to perform sun prayers, 74
light of, 59
pitta dosha and, 33
solar rhythm, 29–30
surya dhyanam (sun meditation), 80
sunlight
as aid to sleep, 64
as best antidepressant, 63–64
geographic location and, 64–65
surya dhyanam (sun meditation), 80
surya namaskar, 74, 75–77, 331
Sushruta, Rishi (Sage), 10, 48, 145, 242, 331
Sushruta Samhita, 119
svadharma, 47–48
conversation with Baba on, 49–50
swasthya-raksha, xi
sweet taste (madhur rasa), 185–87, 223
takra, 95
tamas guna, 59, 60, 220, 221, 331
daily cycle and, 61
excess of, 65
kapha dosha and, 220
tamasic foods, 177
taste, sense of, 185–94, 198–99. See also food flavors
how to work with tastes, 193–94
teacher-student dialogue (satsangha), 50
teacher-student relationship, 6–7
teeth. See oral health and hygiene
temperature
cold liquids and foods, avoiding, 67, 100–102, 104
of foods and drinks, 100–102
of water for bathing, 147
thoughts
creating reality with, 46
thunderbolt pose (vajrasana), 18
tila oil. See sesame oil
time, 28
dosha aggravation and, 40
three gunas and, 59–60
time of day, 28–29
for meals, 203
tongue, analyzing patterns on, 121
tongue scraping, 115, 119–21, 120, 127
toothbrushing, 115–19, 127. See also oral health
Ayurvedic tooth powder recipes, 118–19, 277, 278
touch, sense of, 134
toxins
colon and, 96–98
detox protocol, 323–27
Tripathi, J. S., 126
true nature, 46–47
trust, xii
supreme (antaryami), 68
tulsi (holy basil), 278
bathing with, 150–51
heels and elbows packs, 164
ubtan, 152–55, 257, 332. See also bath scrubs
Ultimate Reality (Brahman), 8, 45
unity
of individual and universe, 58
of macrocosm and microcosm, 14, 27, 33–34, 48
universe
fundamental forces in, 15–17
intelligence of, 27
unity of physical body with, 14, 27
usha-paana, 67
vaidya, 332
Valtin, Heinz, 103
vata dosha. See doshas: vata dosha
Vedanta, 82
Vedas, xii, 6, 7, 8, 32, 68, 332
truth in, 45
Vedic, defined, 332
Vedika Global, xiii, 3, 11, 62
Chef Sanjai, 180
kitchen and food preparation, 180
self-affirmation ritual, 69
Yoga for Atmabodha, 248–51
vegetarian foods, 177–78
vegetarians, heart disease and, 213
vikara prashamana health, xi
vitality (tejas), 181
waking up, 17, 53–87. See also awakening
best time for, 53–56
in brahma muhurta, 53–54, 55–56, 57, 63
exception for staying up late, 56–57
water
amount, temperature, and when to take, 101–2, 103, 104–7, 104, 105
boiled water, 211
cold or chilled, 101–2, 104, 105
drink only when thirsty, 104–7, 207
drinking consciously, 211–12
drinking eight handfuls, 67
as element, 34
freshness of, 212
herbal water, 211
naturalized water, 211
nighttime water, 212
recommended daily amount, 103, 105
sacred, 112–13
sacred, bathing in, 132–33
temperature for drinking, 67
Western medicine, 49
Williams, Vernon, 249
wind, vata dosha and, 33
wisdom
Ayurveda healing wisdom, 4–5, 13–14, 28–30, 45–47
of inner health (swasthya-raksha), xi
lifestyle wisdom, 14–15, 45–47
witnessing, 83–84
World Health Organization (WHO), definition of health, 11
worry, 46
worship, daily timing of, 18
year off, prescription for stress, 90–92
yoga, 247
benefits of daily, 247
postures for constipation prevention, 266–69
postures for diarrhea prevention, 273
postures for sleep, 226, 227–28
savasana (corpse pose), 226, 227–28, 331
slow, spiritual practice, 249–51
subpaths of, 247
surya namaskar, 74, 75–77, 331
Yoga for Atmabodha, 248–51
“yoga of more”, 247–48
yogurt, 196