WATER • NATURE • RITUAL "If my body is made primarily of water and animated by the breath, is it possible to call the water in the body “mine” and the air outside of my lungs “the world”?... I notice that the body can’t be separated from the natural world except in my imagination....I move the body and I’m moving a corner of the world...” ~Michael Stone We need water. As much as 78% of the human body is water. This same water cycles through absorption and evaporation to the air around us, the clouds, and is rained down into the oceans. In this way, our bodies are directly connected the entire world. The following meditation is a invocation of healing for your physical body and the body of Mother Earth. You may be seated or standing. Close your eyes and bring your full awareness to your breath. Inhale fully and exhale completely. Allow the breath to create space in your body and your mind. Inhale and notice the dynamic expansion in your ribcage and lungs. Exhale and let your body release, soften, and settle. Inhale, expand and swell like a great wave of energy. Exhale and allow that wave to pulse back out to the Earth. Only if it feels natural, you may gently constrict your throat and channel your breath, to practice Ujaii pranayama, creating the soothing sound of the ocean with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the rhythmic pulsation—the dance of the breath—as it crests and falls like a sacred tide. Release tension now, and surrender to the oscillation. Feel your whole body begin to respond to the natural flow and sway of the breath. Allow the waves of breath to wash over you. There is mobility at every joint, between your ribs, across your back body and throughout your internal organs. Like water, let your movement patterns follow the path of least resistance. Be absolutely uninhibited in your movements—Absolutely FREE and fluid. Imagine all the water in your body, allowing your the FREEDOM to move, to dance naturally and dynamically with the rhythms of Life’s sacred pulsation. As you move, visualize the color green and picture the water molecules in every cell of your being. Using your breath, silently offer a healing message of love to all the water in your body. Now, imagine yourself as water. Visualize yourself flowing like a river into the ocean, the healing waters of your physical body mix, merge, and mingle with the Earth’s Ocean waves. Using your breath, send a healing message of love to all of the water on the planet. Bring your palms together at your heart to seal your intention. Namaste.
0 Comments
ĀYURVEDA • SLEEP • RITUAL Create an Evening Ritual for a Good Night's Rest |
YOGA + AYURVEDA Workbook
Āyurveda is a system of wellness deeply rooted in nature. It recognizes that humanity is created from, exists within, and eventually returns to the elements. Āyurveda is a Vedic science that has been practiced for thousands of years for the sake of holistic wellness. The system of Āyurveda recognizes that the key to good health is balance at all levels of being. It employs mindful dietary considerations, yoga āsana (postures), prānāyāma (breathing practices), herbs, and meditation for optimal health. It seeks to cleanse the body of toxins and eliminate excess inflammation. Ayurveda views everything as comprised of the pancha mahābhūtas (five basic elements): earth, water, fire, air and space. These are the building blocks for the qualities of your mind, body, and environment. |
ĀYURVEDA • BODY • RITUAL
Do you know your Āyurvedic "Hair Type"?
Here's how to figure it out...and why it matters:
It all begins with the three dosha (disorders):
According to Āyurveda, your entire being (and everything around you) is made up of five elemental forces: earth, water, fire, air, and space.
These five māhābhutas (major elements) combine to form three dosha that effect your overall wellness:
Seriously!
It is pretty darned valuable to know your personal Āyurvedic dosha balance (or imbalance) and how it contributes to your everyday choices and overall well-being. And your hair (or lack of it) can be a tell tale indicator of your unique dosha profile.
Here's how to figure it out...and why it matters:
It all begins with the three dosha (disorders):
According to Āyurveda, your entire being (and everything around you) is made up of five elemental forces: earth, water, fire, air, and space.
These five māhābhutas (major elements) combine to form three dosha that effect your overall wellness:
- vata = space + air
- pitta = fire
- kapha = water + earth
Seriously!
It is pretty darned valuable to know your personal Āyurvedic dosha balance (or imbalance) and how it contributes to your everyday choices and overall well-being. And your hair (or lack of it) can be a tell tale indicator of your unique dosha profile.
The wisdom sages of Āyurvedic medicine recommend a daily ritual of Shiro Abhyanga (head massage). This Self-care regime provides all kinds of benefits to your body and mind. Use the following guidelines to determine your Ayurvedic hair type and the corresponding Shiro Abhyanga protocol:
Vata
The elemental properties of vata dosha include the cool, drying, and moving energies of wind and space. Vata hair type is generally fine, thin, course, dry, and brittle. It may be curly, but it is more often straight; and is prone to split ends and dandruff.
The Ritual: Massage your head and ears with a nourishing oil like almond or sesame. If your scalp is very dry, use castor oil. Massage with oil 3 times each week. On the off weeks, massage your head with warm milk and honey for a rich cleansing and moisturizing treatment. Rinse with warm water.
The Ritual: Massage your head and ears with a nourishing oil like almond or sesame. If your scalp is very dry, use castor oil. Massage with oil 3 times each week. On the off weeks, massage your head with warm milk and honey for a rich cleansing and moisturizing treatment. Rinse with warm water.
Kapha
The elemental properties of kapha dosha include the heavy, dense, fluid, and cool energies of earth and water. Kapha hair type tends to be oily and thick. It can be wavy or straight, but is generally lustrous, shiny, and strong.
The Ritual: Rather than add oil, use dry hands to massage your scalp and distribute your natural oils to the ends of your hair. Then, spritz your hair with apple cider vinegar and massage through your hair shafts before rinsing with warm water to cleanse excess oil from your hair. Apply raw avocado or banana to your hair once a week (before your vinegar rinse) to maintain your lustrous shine.
The Ritual: Rather than add oil, use dry hands to massage your scalp and distribute your natural oils to the ends of your hair. Then, spritz your hair with apple cider vinegar and massage through your hair shafts before rinsing with warm water to cleanse excess oil from your hair. Apply raw avocado or banana to your hair once a week (before your vinegar rinse) to maintain your lustrous shine.
Pitta
The elemental property of fire dominate pitta dosha making it hot, dry, and light. Pitta hair is generally medium thickness and density. It may be red or light blonde. When imbalanced, pitta dosha often leads to hair fall and premature grey. Pitta scalp be greasy and irritated with breakouts.
The Ritual: Massage scalp with a light carrier oil that is balancing and cooling like coconut or jojoba oil. Use an essential oil of peppermint or lavender for calming the scalp. Aloe vera gel or yogurt can be applied to improve hair and scalp health.
The Ritual: Massage scalp with a light carrier oil that is balancing and cooling like coconut or jojoba oil. Use an essential oil of peppermint or lavender for calming the scalp. Aloe vera gel or yogurt can be applied to improve hair and scalp health.
Benefits of Shiro Abhyanga
- improve circulation to the scalp
- moisturize and/or distribute natural oils
- cleanse hair and balance hair ph
- activate the parasympathetic nervous system
- prevent hair loss/improve hair growth
- improve memory and overall brain function
- promote sleep
- delay premature grey
- improve eye function
YOGA + ĀYURVEDA WorkbookĀyurveda is a system of wellness deeply rooted in nature.
It recognizes that humanity is created from, exists within, and eventually returns to the elements. Āyurveda is a Vedic science that has been practiced for thousands of years for the sake of holistic wellness. The system of Āyurveda recognizes that the key to good health is balance at all levels of being. It employs mindful dietary considerations, yoga āsana (postures), prānāyāma (breathing practices), herbs, and meditation for optimal health. It seeks to cleanse the body of toxins and eliminate excess inflammation. Ayurveda views everything as comprised of the pancha mahābhūtas (five basic elements): earth, water, fire, air and space. These are the building blocks for the qualities of your mind, body, and environment. |
The Soul Artist Treasury was founded by R.R. Shakti, PhD in 2020 as a platform for creative study & contemplative practice.
|
© COPYRIGHT 2018-2024 R.R. Shakti | Soul Artist ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.