Where to Start With Ayurveda

While waiting for those new fancy books on Ayurveda and going through some courses, it would be nice to have a practical and easy post written, especially taking into account the resonance of the new year. There are so many choices so much info right?

So where to start with re-balancing your life or simple to-do's of the year 2021, maybe we can advise you to just take your own personal freedom to take up a few new habits this year Just try them out!

Tongue scraping - tongue scraper is a quite inexpensive tool for cleansing your tongue. It is U-shaped piece of copper or stainless steel to use at least one time a day (prefer to use it in the mornings as toxins, ama, are in the highest concentration on tongue during that time).
Dry brushing - dry brushing 1-2 times a day 3-5 minutes is the easiest way to get that lymph going, it causes local vasodilatation of the microvessels in the skin and improves skin health. In general it is the most beneficial to remove excess Kapha.
Using the neti pot - this is a small tool for clearing your nasal passages. Using it once a day or couple of times throughout the week keeps the sinuses clear. You should add a bit of salt to warm water. It is also thought to be beneficial in allergic rhinitis, but there is no scientific evidence to that.
Nasya oil - nasya oil is a special oil with infused herbs you can get from most Ayurvedic stores (I had troubles to find a recipe for that). Adding some oil inside your nostrils should improve nasal health as well as senses. It should work good for migraines, other head and neck pains, emotional stress and mood instability as well as adding that tridoshic balance in, especially Vata.
Oiling your body - choose warmer oils for Vata (sesame oil - based) and cooling oils for Pitta (coconut oil). Apply oil daily (or x times a week) throughout the body while being in a wamr cozy room with nice music.

Oil should be warm and it takes about 1/2-1/4 cup of ol for a single procedure. The application starts with feet and ends with face and head. After the procedure, lay in warm for 15-20 minutes before shower. This is a practice of oleation, snehana ("sneha" - love in Sanskrit) so perform this practice with selflove. You can also perform a self-massage during the oleation - Abhyanga.

This is a tri-doschic practice, depending also on the types of oils you use. It allows the proper movement of the doshas towards balance and removes toxins. It creates better stamina and vitality.

Start with small and then build it up from here. Hope you have an easy, graceful year!

Used Literature

1. The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook: A seasonal Guide to Eating and Living Well by Kate O'Donnell, 2016

2. Practical Ayurveda: Find Out Who You Are and What You Need to Bring Balance to Your Life Author: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2018