Lifestyle & Wellness - Ananda Wellness — Ananda Wellness

Managing doshic balance during airplane flights

Managing doshic balance during airplane flights

Keeping the doshas balanced during and after long airplane flights can be tricky, as we sit in tightly packed and poorly ventilated, cold and dry spaces for extended periods, moving through space. This can aggravate our Vata dosha made up of the air and space elements that are also cold, dry, rough, mobile and erratic; inviting insomnia, dehydration, constipation, tiredness and jet lag into our lives.

The ayurvedic way can be useful in rebalancing this, making travelling easier on both the mind and body. Here are some travel ideas from a recent trip with a long flight to and from Sri Lanka to Melbourne.

Exploring the Five Koshas (Layers of Being) in Yoga and Ayurveda

Exploring the Five Koshas (Layers of Being) in Yoga and Ayurveda

In the realms of Yoga and Ayurveda, the concept of the five koshas provides a profound framework for understanding human existence and achieving holistic well-being.

Koshas, often described as “sheaths” or “layers” represent different aspects of our existence or ‘being’, from the physical body (densest) to the innermost (subtlest) essence of the self. By understanding and nurturing these koshas, we can achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.

Let’s delve into each kosha and explore practical ways to integrate this wisdom into our daily lives.

Effects Of Meditation On Brain Activity

Effects Of Meditation On Brain Activity

Recently in a group discussion on the subject of mindfulness and meditation, we explored the effects of meditation on brain activity and how that impacts our daily lives, emotional and mental balance as well as overall wellbeing.

There are various ways that the brain is transformed in meditation, each distinct in activity; fluctuating with our actions and feelings. In this thought-piece I like to refer to the ‘path’ to meditation as a stepped process: starting with dharana (focused concentration, mindfulness), then dhyana (meditation, contemplative stillness) leading to samadhi (expansion, absorption). When practiced correctly, this process can transform the frequency and activity of the brain from higher to lower frequencies. This can profoundly impact how we experience life, by aligning individual with universal consciousness.

Exploring Rest - It's more than just sleep!

Exploring Rest - It's more than just sleep!

So many people around the world today feel tired and stressed from busy days and lives. While we might think that getting more sleep is the solution, true rest involves more than just sleep.

Yogic Prayer Before Eating

Yogic Prayer Before Eating

The Yogic prayer before eating, sometimes referred to as "Brahmarpranam” is a practice that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all beings. By expressing gratitude for the food, it helps to mindfully practice the process of eating - and creates an awareness of the energy and effort that has gone towards to bringing sustenance and meals to the table.

3 Day Ayurvedic Cleansing Plan and Menu

3 Day Ayurvedic Cleansing Plan and Menu

Here is a sample menu for a 3 day cleanse, that I usually follow and also recommend to others….

Exploring Abhyangha: Ayurvedic Full Body Massage

Exploring Abhyangha: Ayurvedic Full Body Massage

An Abhyanga Session is a distinct form of bodywork, and it isn't quite the same as a regular massage, even though some might refer to it as an "oil massage." It doesn't focus solely on working out muscle knots but also involves long, smooth, deep strokes along with potent oils to boost energy circulation and help the body regain vitality, easing out soreness, boosting circulation for greater healing. This technique is perfect for athletes, those sore and tired from long desk hours and especially for postpartum mamas.

Purusha and Prakriti | Exploring Masculine and Feminine Energies

Purusha and Prakriti | Exploring Masculine and Feminine Energies

Evolution stems from the union and realisation of purusha and prakriti from a state of primordial stillness

Purusha = Masculine energy; passive awareness, the silent observer, the witness

Prakriti = Feminine Energy; unmanifested seed holding the potential for all of creation, all the attributes of experience.

Prakriti is the innate seed of potential + Purusha for the seed to be opened.

Masculine = doing, seeing. Feminine = innate qualities, all potential lies within.

Many of us today exercise a stronger dominance of the masculine, the doing. When you are stuck in the overactive masculine, your worth then becomes linked to how much you achieve.

To validate this worth we need to keep doing, proving to feel satisfied, enough.

Activation of the feminine is simply remembering your worth is INNATE.

This looks like connecting with your body by listening to it, slowing down, staying receptive to support, connection, love, flow, trusting. It’s open and flowing, non-linear.

Light over Dark, Good over Evil

Light over Dark, Good over Evil

Tiny drops of water, make a mighty ocean. Allow the power within each of us to create the ocean of humanity that is so very needed to heal and save every baby, child, woman, man, the earth, flora and fauna being destroyed as we speak.

Ananda Wellness13 November 2023Ananda Wellness Australiagaza

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) for chronic stress and immunity

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) for chronic stress and immunity

A useful non-invasive therapeutic approach to moderating this cycle is Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) which is a discipline that has evolved in the last 40 years, studying the immune system, the endocrine system, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. It looks at links and interactions between thoughts, cognitions, feelings, emotional states and ability to remain healthy.

It is an excellent treatment modality for managing chronic conditions such as mood disorders, pain, sleep disorders, inflammatory disorders and trauma. It centers on relaxation based therapies such as diaphragmatic breathing and specific guided imagery work to decrease and help manage chronic conditions over time.

Simple & Handy Meditation and Mindfulness Prompts to keep on hand

Simple & Handy Meditation and Mindfulness Prompts to keep on hand

Filling up your cup daily, helps you make sure you have more to give both yourself and your loved ones consistently and with ease. Fitting self care and pauses into the day can be tricky - when / how / what to do becomes all too much and a lot gets put off in overwhelm!

Here’s a handy set of meditation and mindfulness prompts to save and keep on hand for when you can’t do the thinking / can’t make it to a class / only have a few minutes. I’ve broken it into 2 occasions: quick and easy sessions and deeper, slower sessions for when you have TIME.

Managing Comfort Eating

Managing Comfort Eating

Food consumption today goes beyond pure sustenance and nourishment – it has become a vehicle for connection, socialising, activity and significantly – emotional regulation.

Nourishment is one of the first and key ways that humans learn to feel cared for and held. It brings back memories of old times, family, friends, culture, tradition… it gives a sense of belonging, safety, comfort.

However, as we move through the ‘waves’ and cycles of life it is easy to start attaching to food for safety, comfort and often for distraction. This seeking of comfort leads to over attachment, sluggishness, suppression of the real issues. It leads to a low and overburdened agni (digestive fire), causing excessive and then imbalanced kapha dosha (earth, water elements) and beyond this it leads to the formation of ama (toxins) from undigested food and also emotional matter.

Remedial Massage at our Hawthorn Clinic Now Available

Remedial Massage at our Hawthorn Clinic Now Available

We are pleased to announce that we now offer Remedial Massage Services along side our traditional Ayurvedic Massage services.

Introducing to you, the incredibly experienced Eduard Elkin has over a decade of knowledge and successes working as a remedial massage therapist, healing people of all ages and activity levels, including working at the Prahran football club.

Eduard specialises in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain and has a very high success rate. Focusing on manipulating key trigger points, he is able to locate and treat the epicentre of the problem providing immediate pain relief for muscles and joints.

Special offer for Ayurvedic Massage in June and July: Winter Kapha Focused Treatments

Special offer for Ayurvedic Massage in June and July: Winter Kapha Focused Treatments

To help prepare for Winter, we are offering a 10% discount on Ayurvedic consultations and Massage focused on ‘kapha’ balancing - think warming, invigorating, uplifting massage.

The Physiological Sigh

The Physiological Sigh

The physiological sigh – a mindful way of sighing a few times each day to reduce symptoms of stress in a few minutes.

It in involves 2 consecutive inhales and a long steady exhale – this causes these little sacks of air in the lungs (alveoli) to reinflate with air, increasing the surface area of the lungs and removing carbon dioxide from the body more effectively. This brings about the feeling of calm, peace and relaxation.

What is Ayurveda?

What is Ayurveda?

Vata follows the principle of movement and is a by-product of space and air. Similar to air, it is cold, light, dry, rough and mobile. It governs movement, respiration, the heart and nervous system.

Pitta is the by-product of fire and water. Similar to fire it is hot, light, dry, sharp and penetrating. Manages metabolism, our digestive system and emotions.

Kapha is the stabilising force and is a by-product of earth and water. Similar to earth it is heavy, wet, cold, soft and smooth. It manages our bodily immunity, vitality, hydration and strength.

Another element that is key is ‘ama’ or a toxic by-product of undigested physical and energetic matter.

Exploring Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

Keeping the doshas balanced during and after long airplane flights can be tricky, as we sit in tightly packed and poorly ventilated, cold and dry spaces for extended periods, moving through space. This can aggravate our Vata dosha made up of the air and space elements that are also cold, dry, rough, mobile and erratic; inviting insomnia, dehydration, constipation, tiredness and jet lag into our lives.

The ayurvedic way can be useful in rebalancing this, making travelling easier on both the mind and body. Here are some travel ideas from a recent trip with a long flight to and from Sri Lanka to Melbourne.

Pitta balancing asana for morning practice

Pitta balancing asana for morning practice

Combining kriyas with classic hatha asana (posture) and pranayama (breath)

This asana here is Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend) that stretches the muscles in the lower back, hip, hamstrings, and shoulders. It is derived from the Sanskrit words Ardha=half, Baddha=bound, Padma=lotus, Uttana=intense stretch, and asana=pose. This is an intense forward bend pose that is in the combination of Ardha Padmasana and Uttanasana. To build up to it, start to practice half lotus and standing forward bends and then begin to combine them, starting by wrapping the arm around the body before progressing to reaching for the foot. A great way to develop balance, stability and flexibility. It activates the solar plexus chakra, and stimulates the ajna and crown chakras due to the inversion.

Surya Bhedi Pranayama

Surya Bhedi Pranayama

According to the Hatha yoga pradipika, Surya bhedi pranayama or right nostril breathing is one of the most beneficial pranayama (breath work) techniques in activating and energising the body. In Ayurveda too, this pranayama technique is used to dispel a kapha vitiation leading to lethargy, sluggishness, low energy, low motivation and a feeling of dullness.

The focus of this pranayama technique is to activate the surya or ‘sun’ element in your body, via the right nostril and ‘Pingala’ nadi which aligns with the vitality of the sun.

An ayurvedic hair and face mask

An ayurvedic hair and face mask

This past long weekend brought with it a great opportunity to rest, refresh and rejuvenate. I used this time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of my everyday life by nourishing my hair and skin; practicing some much needed self-care using incredible Ayuverdic herbs and simple kitchen ingredients.

Practicing acts of care like this are truly essential to come back to ourselves and honour the temples that are our bodies.

For a scalp treatment I used a blend of amla powder, shatavari powder and gingelly oil.

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