When I was ten, lonesome at my grandma’s, I discovered America’s Funniest Home Videos. I would HOWL at the baby ones; they would give baby a pickle and we would get to watch poor baby react. Baby would have a visceral reaction, but more one of surprise than distaste. So adorable (I have not done…
Sugar Detox
As a kid, eating dessert every night was a ritual. We made tea from the loose tea leaves that my dad brought back from Sri Lanka, brewed for precisely five minutes; then we’d dig into the cake or pie. After school, watching He-Man take on Skeletor, there was sugary cereal or brownies. At bedtime, there…
Balance Amid Busy
As I’m rushing out to the grocery store at 9 PM on a Monday, my 11 year-old, up in his bed, has big ‘ol tears in his eyes, a rare-ish phenomenon these days. We have barely seen each other for four days (I was working), and he looks so forlorn that I almost sob. I…
Two Doshas, One You
Have you figured out your dominant dosha(s)? Are there two? My constitution is vatta-pitta, and I’m trying to examine that whole thing. My daughter identified me as a kapha, which made me smile. I love being a kapha for her. Plus I’m channeling kapha right now for my 18 month old. Really, how many of…
Kapha, Earth Mother
Loving. Serene. Loyal and kind, kapha types bring the most to the potluck. She always has extra napkins. She will grab up your kids and squeeze ’em and rough ’em around a little in loving delight. He gives practical advice and keeps his vata friends calm. They love animals. She likes sports – and is…
Pittas Get. It. Done.
Intense. Bold. Valiant. People may refer to you as “Our fearless leader”. You are a boss, ambitiously barreling through goal after goal. You like to play by the rules and win fair and square. As a kid, you led the pack. You speak with authority, and people listen to you. You do not suffer fools…
Vatas! Wait Up!
Stardust. Unicorns. Those vatas! So fascinating; so hard to pin down. You want them at every festive occasion because they know how to get this party started. Before long though, they are on to the next thing. Do we all have that one Aunt who takes us on exhilarating adventures? With that infectious laugh? What…
What’s My Type?
Another post about the doshas? Noo… The first thing an Ayurvedic Doctor will want to know is who is my patient? What is their constitution? In Ayurveda, without this knowledge, you cannot treat the individual. It is crucial to know your body type if you would like to “heal thyself”. Once your dominant dosha is…
Food, In Brief
OK, so food is a really big thing in Ayurveda. Huge. I hesitate to start here because – lets not get discouraged. There are plenty of strictly fun ways to pamper yourself using Ayurveda. But the food is fundamental. Planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning – all take up time in our day. Do you have the…
Doshas – Huh? Discovering your Ayurvedic Constitution
A Story of Three Doshas To be able to use auyurveda, we need to know what our “constitution” (or prakruti) is. Our constitution is made up of a unique mixture of three energy types in our body, called doshas. The doshas are this awesome way of categorizing the way the five elements (Ether, Air, Water,…