One of the daily activities to balance your mind & body

The Benefits of Massage

A daily self-massage (known as an Abhyanga) with herbalized massage oil is one of the most important tools to activate your inner pharmacy and slow the aging process. Demonstrated to increase circulation, support immune function, and improve muscle tone, a daily self Abhyanga is recommended to achieve perfect health and balance.
How to perform a self-Abhyanga

1. Start by pouring a small amount of oil into the palms of your hands.
2. Using your fingertips, vigorously massage your head and scalp.
3. Using an open hand to create friction, massage both the front and back of the neck.
4. When massaging the arms and legs, use a back-and-forth motion over your long bones and a circular motion over your joints. Be sure to massage your fingers and toes.
5. When massaging your chest and stomach, use a gentle circular motion.
6. After massaging your legs, spend extra time on your feet. Using the open part of your hand, massage vigorously back and forth over the soles of the feet.
7. Wash with warm, not hot water using Adara Hair & Body Wash.

This Article was excerpted from The Chopra Center for Wellness website: http://www.Chopracenter.com The products recommended here are available for purchase at The Chopra Center Store 

Ayurvedic Wisdom for Fall /Autumn

With the coming of September, thoughts turn to the changing seasons and Fall. To keep our bodies healthy I wanted to bring this Ayurvedic wisdon to you!


Ayurveda Seasonal Information: Fall

Fall is cool, light, dry, and windy, just like Vata dosha. Vata types must, therefore, take extra care in keeping balanced this time of year. As the weather becomes colder in late Fall, it’s beneficial for all types to favor warmer food and drinks. Plenty of rest and relaxation are also advisable, since Fall is an active time in which all of nature prepares for the upcoming Winter.

General Guidelines for Fall:

Favor warm food and drinks. Include more heavy and oily foods in your diet.
Include warm oil massage in your morning routine.
Cover your head on windy days.
Avoid sleeping in cold drafts.
Avoid fasting.
Keep well-hydrated.

Fall Recipe: Vata Tea

1 TEASPOON fennel seeds
1 TEASPOON cumin seeds
1/2 TEASPOON coriander seeds
1/2 TEASPOON fresh grated ginger
SQUEEZE lemon juice

(TO TASTE) raw organic sugar, such as Sucanat)

Content on this page taken from the award-winning book: Eat-Taste-Heal: An Ayurvedic Guidebook and Cookbook for Modern Living (Five Elements Press 2006). For more info on Ayurveda, please visit www.eattasteheal.com.