Hi there, I hope everyone is doing great and is healthy.
Nevertheless, there is never a bad time to build up your immune system and prep your body and mind for challenges ahead. What better way to do it than with the wisdom of the sister sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga? The tips below will help you ignite your body’s own healing power.
1 Build up your Agni
Essentially thought of as your “digestive fire,” a strong Agni (pronounced: “ugh-nee”) allows us to transform all that we ingest into something useful. Because your gut is the root of your immune system, a healthy Agni is essential to help burn off waste and toxins. When your digestive fire is strong, your digestive and immune systems works better.
use Ayurveda to build up your Agni
Eat a whole foods, unprocessed diet, cooked so that you can digest it properly. Use herbs that help to boost Agni, like: ginger, black pepper, long pepper, licorice, cumin. Remember, do not overeat!
use Yoga to build up your Agni
Do a physical practice that focuses on building and balancing energy in the core.
Twists, abdominal strengthening postures, and breath of fire (Kapalabhati Pranayama) all help to draw energy to the core.
2 Conserve your Ojas
“Ojas” can be defined several ways. A simple way of thinking about it is as the refined substance that results from great digestion. It is the nectar that connects you to higher states of consciousness and enables good health and joy. Ojas is the subtle essence of all vital fluids, responsible for health, harmony and spiritual growth. It is the essence that gives tissues strength and endurance; it is the force that keeps the tissues healthy
Ojas is responsible for a radiant glow that people can see and feel. In Ayurveda, it is also the substance that is most closely equated to the immune system.
conserve your Ojas with Ayurveda
Eat a diet of pure foods in the right amount, avoid over-doing anything (alcohol, work, sex) and most importantly, keep stress in check. Live well and laugh often!
conserve your Ojas with Yoga
Do not push yourself too hard in your practice. If you come to a point where you’re unable to breathe smoothly and steadily, you are draining your Ojas. This does not mean be lazy, just find the sweet spot where you can remain in ujjai breath! Practicing breath work for example sama vritti, yogic breath or Nadi Shodhana helps to connect with your consciousness. Also meditation is a great Ojas builder.
3 Get enough rest
A restful night’s sleep of at least 7-8 hours is necessary for a healthy immune system. Just as is important is participating in restful activities during waking hours.
get enough rest with Ayurveda
Take a walk in nature; drink in the beauty of the world around you with all of your senses. Take time to actively cultivate a state of gratitude and kindness.
get enough rest with Yoga
Try a Yoga Nidra (Yogic sleep) practice at some point during the day. Taking at least 30 minutes to deeply rest in a Yogic sleep restores your body on a deep cellular level.
I highly recommend the insight app with free guided meditation.
Your health is everything! Take time to integrate these Ayurvedic and Yogic practices into your day and judge the results for yourself!
Let me know how it goes for you,
Love and Light
Celine x