Our fascination with Ayurveda has only grown as we’ve become more familiar with the holistic fields of nutrition. Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing from India, thought to be the oldest in human existence. As Deepak Chopra describes, “It provides guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses. It reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.” Ayurveda addresses the body not only as a whole unto itself, but also how the body relates to its environment. As the environment changes, we must change how we treat our body. This concept is reflected by how we choose what foods to eat, especially as the season changes. So with winter upon us, we’re learning how to eat in season with Claire Ragozzino.
Claire is a certified yoga instructor and holistic nutrition educator who focuses on Ayurveda. Through her blog, The Vidya Cleanse, and one-on-one consultations, she shares plant-based recipes (like this amazing winter kitchari with ginger cilantro chutney) advice, stories that inspire holistic wellness, her favorite healing herbs, and of course, killer superfood juice recipes. She’s walking us through the basics of Ayurveda, how to use the ancient kitchari recipe for cleansing and healing the body, and how these timeless principles can help guide you through the coldest winter months…
Moving into the new year, you may be feeling the effects of that endless grazing on holiday fare right about now. The combination of rich meals, poor food combining and stress can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body, known as ama. Ama is formed when agni, your digestive fire, is low. Excess ama in the body and mind can be physically felt and seen, leading to weakened digestion and low immune system function. A simple Ayurvedic cleanse can help rekindle a weak digestive fire to gently detoxify and renew balance in the body and mind after the heavy holidays.
Ayurveda & Cleansing
Ayurveda, which translates to the science of life, is the study of our health in relation to the elements and the cyclical rhythms of the earth – think seasons and moon cycles. In Ayurveda, everything in nature, including ourselves, can be categorized by three primal energies, known as doshas, which consist of the five elements. Vata dosha, the element of air and ether, governs fall and early winter, and the nervous and eliminatory system of the body. Pitta dosha, the element of fire and water, governs late spring and summer, and manages the metabolism, digestion and endocrine functions. Kapha dosha, the element of earth and water, governs the late winter and early spring, and regulates the water in the tissues and lymphatic system. We seek inner harmony through balancing these elements within us in accordance to what elements are showing up around us. Through self-study, we begin to apply this science as a way to align with this beautiful cyclical dance of nature.
The core beliefs of Ayurveda recognize that nature heals disease, and the body has the ability to heal itself when assisted properly. Diet and lifestyle stand as the principle medicine of Ayurveda. The practice of purposeful, seasonal cleansing is considered a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, used to restore inner harmony and balance with each season. A deep Ayurvedic cleanse is best conducted in spring to release the accumulation of excess kapha in the body after a long winter of heavy meals and sluggish activity. However, with the new year upon us, it’s a perfect time to get a jumpstart on the process by following these three simple tips to support everyday detox during the winter months.
