Ayurveda can give helpful insights into dealing with the common problem of constipation.  It relates constipation to an imbalance in Vata dosha and, more specifically, its sub-dosha, Apana Vata. Apana is downward moving and governs elimination and menses. An imbalance in Apana Vata can cause dryness and a sluggishness of bowel functioning. If you are…

In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday (the last Thursday of November) marks the beginning of six weeks holiday festivities, family feasts and seasonal treats. The ancient Indian health science of Ayurveda offers helpful tips on how to navigate the holiday season without gaining weight or over-eating. Winter cravings The increasingly colder days of fall bring…

November is the time of year when many are beginning to make travel plans, whether it is for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, or simply planning a January escape from snow and cold weather. Traveling during the late fall and winter has its challenges. When we travel at any time of the year, Vata dosha can…

As we progress through the cool days of fall and winter, many people find themselves bothered by Vata disorders such as anxiety, tension, insomnia, constipation and aching joints. Vata dosha becomes aggravated during cold, dry, windy weather because the nature of Vata itself is dry, cold, light and active. To keep Vata in check, try these recommendations:…

Most people who lose weight gain it back within a few years – with many regaining even more than they lost. What they may not know is that there may be a number of factors triggering their weight-gain that are beyond their ability to control. We’ll go over some of these factors and give you…

Chronic Fatigue syndrome is an illness that consists of a constellation of symptoms lasting for many months. These symptoms are fatigue, joint problems, muscle tissue pain, trouble focusing, and trouble concentrating. It is sometimes related to a preexisting viral illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. While there is no established, effective treatment in Western, allopathic…

Light therapy, in and of itself, is not a new approach to healing. It is commonly used in hospitals and clinics around the world as an accepted treatment for many mood and sleep disorders, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and even some skin diseases, According to Richard J. Wurtman, a nutritionist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “…light…

According to Ayurveda, good digestion is the key to good health. When one’s digestion has been compromised, a light diet is often recommended to help to get out digestive “fire” back to strength. Recently someone expressed concern about adopting this light diet. His concern was that he did not want to lose weight or increase…

Driving through your neighborhood you may noticed people preparing their homes and yards for winter. This alertness to the change of seasons also needs to extend to our own physiologies. As we head into the fall season it is very important to start taking measures to pacify Vata dosha. Vata controls all movement in the body and,…

One the top recommendations that is given to guests at The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa is to add daily oil massage to their daily routine when they return home. The effects of daily Ayurveda oil massage (recommended before bathing in the morning) are multifold: Not only will a morning oil massage help pull toxins from…