Introduction to AyurvedaThe Yogic Lifestyle

Pamela Quinn…Who am I?

Founder, Elemental OMAuthor, The Elemental CleanseCreator, The Elemental LifestyleYoga TeacherKundalini TeacherAyurvedic SpecialistSocial EntrepreneurSingle mother of twoReally bad dog owner….

That’s me!

Ayurvedathe Art of Living

The Science of LifeThe Mother of Healing

A diagnostic tool using the

language of nature

Ayu Veda“life”…from conception beyond death

“Knowledge” …that which our human minds can understand

1. Internal Medicine or Kayachikitsa 2. Surgery or Shalyatantra

3. Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat or Shalakya Tantra

4. Pediatrics or Kaumarabhritya 5. Toxicology or Agadatantra

6. Psychology or Bhutavidya7. Rejuvenation or Rasayana

8. Aphrodisiacs or Vajikarana

8 Branches of Ayurvedic Medicine

Ashtanga (8) Ayurveda

The Yogic Lifestyle…The Trinity

Ayurveda.Yoga.TantraPhysical.Spiritual.Psychological

Artha: you need money. Kama: desire is the spark of creationDharma: you have a job to do Moksha: there’s more to life than artha, kama and dharma

Ayurvedic “goals”

Tamasic creates dullness (object of observation)

Inertia, darkness, confustion.

Rajas creates action (kinetic energy of observation)

The principle of movement, change, and excitability

Sattva creates purity (the observer)

The pure essence of light, right action, and spiritual purpose.

THE GUNAS…the pulsation of the cosmos causes Consciousness to break up into 3 universal qualities.

Personality and Gunas

TAMASIC

IgnorantUnintelligentLethargicSelfishUnclean body and mindDepressedFearfulVengefulBelieves blindlyCrimes agains intelligenceApathetic

RAJISTIC

Forces knowledge or willAverage intellectStatus and wealth accumulationselfish, and takes advantage of othersAgitated in body, mind and speechRudeAngryCruelGreedyQuestions GodMust be convinced to follow health adviceOverreacts to pleasure & pain

Adapted from Dr. Frawley’s, “Ayurveda,Nature’s Medicine.”

SATTVIC

Promotes knowledgeVery intelligentNo strong desiresAccepts status in life.Unselfish, givingCultivates purity in body, mind and speechPoliteJoyfulSparklesCalmQuietBelieves in GodHealth consciousReacts to pleasure and pain appropriately

Does this move me to Sattva?

Does this move me away from Sattva?

There are 5 great elements

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself. ~Henry David Thoreau

• Does not change• Purpose is to “contain”• Cold• Light• Dry

There exists a substance which is the source of all existence. Hindus call it Brahman

Qualities of Space:

Akasha ~ Omnipresent

Water (Jala) is love…cool, smooth, nourishing

Air or VayuDry, brittle and fragile

CoolLight

ErraticUnpredictable

Fresh Energetic

The Fire or Tejas

• HOT• BRIGHT• PUNGENT• FLARES UP QUICKLY• INTENSE• ABRUPTLY SETTLES• POWER, FORCE & ENERGY

The Earth or prithivi

HeavyDenseCool

StrongStableInert

LubricatingPredictable

WHO AM I? Prakriti

What element resonates with my Mind?

What element resonates with my body?

Epigenetics…you are what your mom’s mom eats

Vata/VataVata/PittaVata/KaphaPitta/VataPitta/PittaPitta/KaphaKapha/VataKapha/PittaKapha/KaphaVata/Pitta/Kapha

What????

Possible combinations for mind/body types

Are you the Wind or Vata? (space + air)

Start Easy…Digestion is:

IrregularProne to

constipationHard time gaining

weightIf weight gain,

settles on stomach

Are you the Fire or Pitta?Fire + Water

Start Easy with Digestion:

Strong DigestionNeeds 3 meals at

same time each day or gets grumpyEasily gain/lose

weightWeight settles over

whole bodyProne to hot or loose

digestion

Are you the Earth or Kapha?

(earth + water)

Start easy with digestion…

Has struggled with weight entire

life.Very easily gains

weightStable digestion

Am I in Balance?

Vikriti

If you score 5 – 9…Balanced!

10 – 15…out of Balance

15 and above…Take immediate action!!!

You need The Elemental Cleanse

Vata (The Wind) imbalance• Anguished or anxious• Nervousness• Causeless fear• Fear of the unknown• Insomnia• Tingling• Numbness• Muscle twitching• Nervous twitching• Cold hands and feet• Unclear perception and dizziness• Rigidity in muscles OR flaccidity• Poor coordination• Schizophrenia• Hallucinations (auditory or olfactory)• Hyperactivity• Nightmares• Indecision• insecurity

Functions of VataMovementMaintains lifeCommunicationGoverns the mind, sensory perception, motor functionMovement of thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulsesBreathingHeart FunctionCirculation

IngestionAssimilation and absorptionElimination of waste including menstruationOrgasmCellular divisionHearingTouchClarityCreativityJoy

Balanced…Happiness

JoyCreativityFlexibility

Balanced…knowledge,

comprehension, appreicaition, right

judgment, recognition, total

understanding

The Fire or Pitta Imbalance• Burning hands and feet• Inflammation of the nerves (pain in nerves)• Sciatica• Shingles• Mononucleosis• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome• Epstein Barr• AIDS• Cerebral hemorrage• Hypertension• Stroke• Sickle Cel Anemia• Wrong judgment• Prejudice• Manipulation• Anger• Hate• Envy• Chemical depression and suicidal thoughts

Functions:MetabolismDigestion, absorption, assimilation of foodBody temperatureAppetiteThirstTasteColorLuster of yes, hair, skin, bodySensitivity in bodyIntelligence, understanding, comprehension, knowledge, CourageAmbitionTransformationVision perception

Kapha or The Earth Imbalance

• Respiratory illness• Colds with deep cough• Flu• Asthma• Bronchitis• Swollen glands• Obesity• Diabetes• Depression• Cysts• Arthritis• Cancer• Cateracts

Functions:LubricationNourishmentSupport & StabilityGroundednessGrowthGaseous exchange in lungsGastric secretionsWater electrolyte balanceFat regulationStrength & StaminaEnergySleepRepair and regenerationMemory RetentionContentmentForgivenessCompassionTaste PerceptionSmell

Balance for all doshas…. Ashtangahridaya (500 AD)

Nityam hithahara vihara sevii Sameekshyakaree

vishayeshuasakthaha Datha samassthya paraha kshamava

Napthopaseveecha, bhavatya rogaha

Translation:

Eat good food

Move your body

Be careful of taking unnecessary risks Respect yourself

Give to charity

Love everyone.

Be truthful

Respond, don’t react

Forgive

Surround yourself with like-minded people

Eat FOOD

Basic Yogi Routine for all Doshas

• Arise 1 – 2 hours before the sun.• Scrape tongue• Brush teeth with Neem toothpaste• Swish with ¼ cup of water and 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil• Drink a glass of room temperature water.• Eliminate.• Wash face & oil• Use Nasya Oil for Nose• Meditate 20 – 30 minutes.• Move your body…asana, pranayama, walking• Shower• Oil Massage Post Shower• Walk after each meal• Eat 3 meals each day around the same time each day

and around 2 cups of food total for each meal.• Drink water for your body type and not with meals.• Do not eat within 2 – 3 hours of bedtime• Go to bed around 10 pm

Tamasic Foods…dull & lifeless

LeftoversStale FoodDeep-fried foodMeat & FishMargarineIce CreamFrozen FoodsGarlicMicrowaved foods

Overindulgence of good food

Overcooked foodsOnionsMushroomsProcessed foods

White foodsAlcohol in excessCheese (hard variety)

Destroys AgniThe Immune SystemCreates dullness in

mind

Rajistic Foods…stokes Agni

Fermented foodsVinegarPicklesSour cream

Alcohol in small amountsCoffeeSpicy & CitrusPeppersOnionsGarlicLemonLime

SaltWhite SugarAvocadoEggsChocolate

Too much creates imbalance in body/mind

Sattvic Foods...create Ojas

Overindulgence creates Tamas

MilkHoneyCinnamon, NutmegAlmondsLentils & BeansFruitsVeggiesGrainsNutsSeedsOils

Ojas…the divine

spiritual essence that shines in your eyes.

Yoga & Meditation

• Meditation of 20 – 30 minutes daily.

• Personal Yoga Practice• 1 – 3 class/week• 30 minutes of walking

each day.• 5 – 15 minutes of

pranayama• Daily gratitude,prayer,

or contemplation

• Triphala • Sesame or Coconut or Almond Oil• Ghee • Chyvanprash • Flax Oil• Shilaji• Neem

Pamela Quinnpamela@elementalom.comwww.elementalom.comwww.elementalcleanse.comwww.facebook.com/pameladquinnhttp://www.slideshare.net/pameladquinn