by Dr Donn Brennan Digestion in Ayurveda is called Agni or the digestive ‘fire’. Agni is considered of utmost importance...If working well, it gives good health. If digestion malfunctions, it gives rise to ‘ama’ or toxins, which cause ill health. Critical to good digestion is to know when to eat, how much to eat and how to eat. How you treat digestion is very important. What you eat is important, [...]
Springtime is for cleansing and reinvigoration The vernal equinox marks the beginning of Spring when daylight strengthens. Equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), and vernal means springtime or youthful and fresh. For your own youthfulness and freshness, you may like to consider a Spring cleansing programme. Internal cleansing is particularly recommended by Ayurveda because Spring is the season when your body’s natural cleansing and rejuvenating mechanisms [...]
My Story “When it comes to health, we each have our own unique story to tell. My personal health journey started at a young age when my parents taught me to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole wheat bread, a truly revolutionary idea in the 1960s, when Wonder Bread was king. I was rarely sick and only remember going to a doctor twice—once for a bad bout of poison ivy and another time when I stepped on barbed wire and needed a tetanus shot.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi AyurVeda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine. Chances are you barely notice your body going about its quiet work of inhaling and exhaling, yet your life depends upon it. The 25,000 breaths you take each day supply life-giving oxygen to your brain, your heart, and every cell in your body. And to perform at their best your respiratory system’s airways - comprised of your nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes, diaphragm, lungs, and capillaries —need to be supple, flexible, and free of obstruction and irritation.
Ayurveda is clear on this: all health - let’s repeat this - ALL good health starts with digestion; with the proper metabolism of food. Accordingly, one of the most important things we can do for our health every day of the year is to eat wisely.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to take stock of your daily habits and routines and see if they’re in line with your goals. Do you have any big-picture plans for the year? If so, are you supporting them with your daily habits and routines?
As the new year beckons with Christmas time providing some days of holiday, consider taking a moment to prepare for the new year.
As the new year beckons with Christmas time providing some days of holiday, consider taking a moment to prepare for the new year. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
New Year's Resolutions are best known for the speed with which they are forgotten. Yet, total health is a lifelong journey - you need to work on your health every day. Here are ten tips from Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, Director of Research and Product Development at Maharishi AyurVeda, on enriching the new year with ayurvedic wisdom. Simple things you can do every day to stay healthy and happy.
Attention is often given to the quality of our food. Ayurveda explains that the strength of our digestive fire ‘agni’ is also very important as it determines how much nourishment we will gain from what we eat and greatly impacts our health.
In this article, we’ll focus on the subdoshas of Pitta. “Pitta dosha itself is all about transformation, heat, and energy,” explains Dinesh Gyawali, PhD, a classically trained Ayurvedic Vaidya (Ayurvedic expert) and Assistant Professor at Maharishi University of Management. “Pitta represents all forms of metabolic activities that generate energy. It’s primarily composed of agni (fire) and jala (water) elements. Pitta represents that ever-changing and evolutionary quality of our physiology which may seem static at times but is going through transformation each and every second.”
Most of us rejoice when the cold of winter gives way to spring. Yet a large percentage of the population cringe when they see flowers start to bloom, as they know they will soon be experiencing spring allergies. Surveys show that allergy rates are increasing worldwide and will affect 30-35% of us at some stage of our lives. These increases, which were initially found in Europe and USA, are now being found in all countries undergoing industrial development.
If you are feeling sluggish, dull or constipated, chances are toxins are building up in your body. According to Maharishi AyurVeda, toxins accumulate when your digestion — and elimination — are out of balance, which can lead to skin breakouts, menstrual cramps, fatigue, feelings of sadness and many other health issues. Good news. Balancing your digestion and elimination is a specialty of Maharishi AyurVeda, and many of our herbal formulas are designed to do just that. Of these, one of the most effective is Organic Triphala Rose, which contains a powerful ayurvedic combination of herbs called Triphala.
Ayurveda distinguishes three kinds of toxins called ama, amavisha & garavish. The most common type is ama, which is the sticky waste product of incomplete digestion that builds up in the digestive tract when your digestion is either weak or overloaded with the wrong foods. If ama is not cleared from the body and continues to build up, after some time it can leave the digestive tract and start circulating throughout the body. Once it settles in an area of the body, it can aggravate the doshas or subdoshas, causing an imbalance in that area of the body.
Ayurvedic Reset - Have you recently noticed your trousers are fitting a little more snugly or a favourite skirt or dress looks a little tighter around the middle? But yes, those Christmas sweets were worth it! Now 2019 has truly started it’s time to take stock and set yourself up for a great year. So read on to see what you can do to ensure 2019 starts well for you. Do you know what Agni is?
The beginning of a new year is a great time to take stock of your daily habits and routines and see if they’re in line with your goals. Do you have any big-picture plans for the year? If so, are you supporting them with your daily habits and routines?
with the transition from summer to autumn, we are entering a gap between seasons (in Ayurveda known as Ritu Sandhi). This is a special time of the year where the body’s natural cleansing systems go up a gear. Now the heat and sour quality that may have accumulated during the unseasonably warm summer is being released into your bloodstream to be cleansed. Isn't our body amazing! As the seasons change you have a window of opportunity for cleansing.
Cultivating the Inner Garden. Returning to the normal routine after a busy Christmas period, filled with biscuits and puddings. Most people will be in the mood to start January afresh and think about renewal to ensure that our health and immunity are in good shape for the challenges of the year ahead. In harmony with nature it always seems easier to make a fresh start now. With this in mind in my last blog I remarked about the pervasive use of use of artificial chemicals in our diet, that harm the inner flora known as the microbiome and give rise to ama in the system.
The Winter solstice on 22nd December is nearly here signalling the start of Winter. Over the next 3-4 weeks nature guides us to be aware of Ritu Sandhi - the cleansing gap between two seasons. Autumn seems to have flown by! With this change of season comes a special opportunity to move with the rhythms of nature in order to enjoy a healthy and happy winter season ahead. Here’s what you can do.
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" min_height="" hover_type="none" link=""][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" class="" id=""] Good article we found on the Refinery29 site on the benefits of Netra Tarpana, a condition than many of us who stare at computer screens experience. And of course, you can get [...]
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="5329" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.maharishi.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Rejuvenation-of-cells-through-Ayurveda-Panchakarma_1200x600.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row] [fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" undefined="" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" [...]
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="5312" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.maharishi.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Ayurveda-Herbs-Illustrations-wiith-text-1200x600.png[/fusion_imageframe] [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row] [fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" [...]
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="5273" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.maharishi.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Spring-Woman-Blowing-dandilions_1200x600.jpg[/fusion_imageframe] [fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" border_size="0" border_color="" [...]
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_youtube id="iAB-28_W_Zo" alignment="" width="1920" height="1080" autoplay="false" api_params="&rel=0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" /] [fusion_text] Peter Brown: So Dr Donn, I recently read an article in a health magazine, which talked about the wide range of benefits from oil pulling. The article also mentioned [...]
In truth, we need more sleep than we think we need. All the research is pointing to a minimum of eight hours sleep that people actually need for the work that the brain needs to do overnight to be accomplished. Less sleep leaves us less capable, even if we don’t know it. Even an hour’s lack of sleep [each night] over a 10-day period leaves us as incompetent and incapable cognitively, as if we had missed a whole night’s sleep for one night. The only difference is we don’t recognise it. We don’t know it.
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" min_height="" hover_type="none" link=""][fusion_text] [/fusion_text] [fusion_text]I first learned about internal cleansing when, as a teenager, I developed an interest in self-development. I picked up a book called Hatha Yoga, in which the author described how in North India, people noticed the strange cleansing habits [...]
[fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" min_height="" hover_type="none" link=""][fusion_text] [/fusion_text] [fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" class="" id=""]I’ve recently been helping an Australian friend in her quest to find a decent café latte up here in the North West of England and it’s not been easy. While Sydney [...]
[fusion_youtube id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NYJEHpe3k" width="1920" height="1080" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class=""][/fusion_youtube] Peter Brown: So John, you recently had Panchakarma – you had a One Day Wonder – how did you get on with that? John Collins: I'd been travelling and working for a few weeks and I was frazzled. I'd stopped enjoying things. So I thought I'd try a One Day Wonder at the Maharishi AyurVeda Health Centre in Skelmersdale. I'm [...]
[fusion_youtube id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzs6PDC1zAk" width="1920" height="1080" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class=""][/fusion_youtube] Peter Brown: So Jean-Louis, you've been having Panchakarma for some years. What is the sort of benefit you've had over the years? Jean-Louis Nancy: Well, when I first started doing PK [Panchakarma] I had a very different kind of life and wasn't that active. I was practising TM [Transcendental Meditation] more, full time almost, and having little activity in between. [...]
[fusion_youtube id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsJ7tjVINO8" width="1920" height="1080" autoplay="false" api_params="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class=""][/fusion_youtube] There are so many detox treatments on the market these days that a question can arise: “How is Panchakarma detoxification treatment different from all these other treatments that promise to remove my toxins”. Below is a transcript of the above video in which Ayurveda practitioner, Dr Donn Brennan, explains how the expert use of specific oils is central to the [...]
From the Ayurvedic viewpoint, interesting things happen within your body as winter gives way to spring and then spring give way to summer. As spring progresses, the cold, slow, heavy and sticky qualities of Kapha Dosha, that build up during late winter, gradually melt away and this often results in the chest colds and runny noses common in March, April and May. Springtime supports the body’s natural elimination [...]
