Pitta is the force behind
your ability to digest, learn, and grow from your life experiences as well as
the ability to digest your food. Because pitta is a combination of fire and water , especially
in the summer months, be mindful of the excess fire energy
that is already in the environment. Healthy pitta is responsible for clarity of perception and focus in the
mind. It governs intelligence and the ability to understand. Someone with a
lot of pitta in their prakruti will be disciplined, courageous, passionate, and
inspiring when balanced. Scott Blossom describes the pitta dosha constitution in this way:
Pitta types are dominated by the fire element, which makes them
innately strong, intense, and irritable. They tend to have a medium
build and endurance with powerful musculature. They often have
freckled skin that easily reddens in the sun, during exercise, massage,
and when blushing. They are strong willed and good at doing what they think is right. They approach work and play with the same intensity and
competitiveness. They are natural leaders and quick learners whose
ability to easily comprehend and master new skills and concepts can
make them judgmental or impatient toward people they feel are
slower or less focused than themselves.They have strong digestion and intense appetites, both for food
and challenges. If they miss a meal they are likely to become grumpy
and may take a “bite” out of somebody instead. It is common for
them to suf fer from health conditions such as inflammation, rashes,
acne, and loose stool. For balance, pittas need to manage their “fiery”
tendencies, channeling them in productive ways and learning to
recognize their destructive power . [*3]
During your second trimester you may experience more of the qualities
that come with an excess of pitta dosha, though a pitta imbalance can show
up any time during pregnancy . The changes in metabolism and increased
bodily heat due to pitta (hot, sharp, light, penetrating, or oily qualities) may
also lead to irritability , anemia, morning sickness, nausea, heartburn,
indigestion, bleeding tendencies, or trouble falling asleep. Watch for the following cues that your pitta is out of balance:
PHYSICAL  SIGNS
Inflammation (any “-itis”)
Skin rashes, hives, acne, sunburn, poison ivy that spreads, bug bites
that become inflamed
Heartburn, sour burps, acid indigestion
Loose stools
Ulcers
Hemorrhoids
Burning, irritated, itchy , bloodshot eyes
MENT AL AND EMOTIONAL  SIGNS
Anger , frustration, irritation, agitation, impatience
Overcompetitiveness
Tendency to be overly critical, judgmentalPropensity toward being manipulative and controlling of others
CAUSES OF PITTA IMBALANCE
Excess pitta can result from a diet that includes eating excessively oily ,
spicy , and penetrating foods; eating while angry; or drinking cof fee, black
tea, or alcohol. Lifestyle-associated reasons for pitta imbalance include
living in a hot climate or being in the heat of summer months; being in the
active middle years of adulthood; being overscheduled (in professional or
personal life); having exposure to loud, aggressive sensory input (like
violence on TV); or engaging in highly intense interactions including
arguing, gossiping, manipulating, or debating. The pitta dosha also goes out
of balance because of exercising in a way that is intense, aggressive, or
overly competitive; practicing fitness activities in hot, humid environments;
or exercising during the hottest time of day . BRINGING PITTA INTO BALANCE
The key words to keep in mind for bringing pitta into balance are cooling,
calming , and content. In your diet, these qualities can be achieved in the
following way:
Favor nourishing, cooling, simple yet filling foods (summer harvest
foods or foods that are sweet, bitter , or astringent). Avoid caf feine, alcohol, spicy foods, fried foods. Eat in a peaceful environment. You can also try the following activities and lifestyle adaptations to
bring pitta back into balance:
Volunteer or perform acts of generosity (this helps you get out of
self-centeredness).Meditate daily . Avoid overbooking your social or professional schedule. Listen to calming music. Take time to rest every day . Laugh and smile more. Find ways to cool down: do self-massage with coconut oil; enjoy a
cool foot bath; take a cool shower; walk on the cool grass. Do intermediate or gentle yoga (during the cooler time of day). Do exercises such as belly breathing, long exhalations, alternate-
nostril breathing (see this page ), or the cooling breath (see below). Go swimming, spend time in nature, relax in the shade. Cooling Breath ( Sitali )
“Cooling breath” (Sanskrit: sitali) is a pranayama that can be
practiced on an empty stomach while in a comfortable seated
position. Stick your tongue out and roll the lateral edges upward to
form a tube. Inhale through the curled tongue, and exhale normally
through the mouth. KAPHA DOSHA: EARTH + WATER
Earth and water are the elements with the most density . When you think of
these elements, you may think of the qualities of heavy , slow , cool, oily ,
dull, smooth, cloudy , soft, and stable. The common translation of kapha  is
“that which binds things” or “that which holds things together .” Kapha is
the lubricating factor in the body , which brings the necessary moisture to
the brain, gastrointestinal tract, sense or gans, joints, and skin. It is
associated with the mucosal lining, or the myelin sheath, that protects thenervous system and is responsible for carrying hormones throughout the
body . It is responsible for all nourishment in general. When kapha is balanced according to your prakruti, you will experience
contentment, thoughtfulness, and generosity as well as the feeling of being
nourished, stable in your body and mind, and safe. Kapha dosha supports
memory , emotional calm, mental and physical endurance, and it allows you
to feel deeply , to empathize, and to be patient and compassionate. Scott Blossom summarizes the kapha constitution this way:
Kapha types have strong frames and are naturally athletic as long as
they are exercising regularly to manage their tendency to gain weight. The influence of the earth and water elements makes them innately
stable, compassionate, and loyal. They appreciate doing things in a
methodical, step-by-step manner , and prefer a regular routine in their
personal and professional lives. When imbalanced they can become unmotivated, stubborn, and
complacent even when change is necessary . Their metabolism tends
to be slow and their appetite for both food and stimulation is less
intense than vata or pitta types. They benefit from exposing
themselves to new environments, people, and occasionally fasting. [*4]
During pregnancy , a pregnant mama’ s increase in bulk—especially later
in pregnancy—is due to (and can lead to) excess kapha: slow , heavy , dull,
sluggish, cloudy , cool, and oily qualities. This may contribute to excess
weight gain, fluid retention, excess congestion, yeast infections, or excess
sleep. Kapha imbalance is most noticeable during the third trimester , when
baby is accumulating their fatty tissues and you, mama, may start to feel
like a little whale yourself! It is not uncommon to feel more cloudy , tired,
and inwardly focused in the last few weeks of a pregnancy . Watch for the following cues that kapha is out of balance:
PHYSICAL  SIGNS
Cold, cough, congestion; excess mucus and phlegmSpringtime seasonal allergies
A heavy feeling in the stomach, sluggish digestion, lack of appetite
Obesity and weight gain
Water retention, swelling, puf finess
Excessive sleeping
Yeast conditions
Lymphatic disorders
MENT AL AND EMOTIONAL  SIGNS
Lethargy , depression, lack of motivation (feeling stuck, hopeless, or
having heavy emotions)
Feelings of attachment or greed, hoarding
Stubbornness
Having a hard time saying no; being overly passive
CAUSES OF KAPHA IMBALANCE
Excess kapha can be traced to a diet of heavy , dense, thick, oily , sticky , or
cold foods; to overeating; or to a habit of eating to of fset emotions (like
indulging in sweets when depressed). Kapha also becomes imbalanced by
living in cool and wet climates and during the cool and damp of spring
months. A person’ s kapha time of life is considered to be the early or
childhood years. Excess kapha also results from a lifestyle that is sedentary ,
lacks variety , or does not have enough physical or mental stimulation. Along the same lines, too little exercise and movement, exercise that is too
slow, and exercise that does not have enough heat and circulation can
contribute to an imbalance of kapha.BRINGING KAPHA INTO BALANCE
The key words to keep in mind for bringing kapha into balance are drying,
stimulating , and expressing. In your diet, these qualities can be achieved in
the following way:
Favor light, simple, cooked foods (spring harvest foods; foods that
are bitter , astringent, or pungent; steamed or grilled veggies; dry
grains such as millet, barley , and quinoa; and spices such as black
pepper , ginger , and cayenne). Eat in a loving environment. Include some caf feine in your diet if you wish (black tea, black
coffee). Avoid heavy foods including meat, wheat, sugar , and dairy . Eat at regular mealtimes without snacking. You can also increase the qualities of drying, stimulating, and expressing in
your life through adjustments to daily behavior including self-care and
exercise. Try the following activities and lifestyle adaptations to bring
kapha into balance:
Go to bed early and get up before sunrise; don’t take daytime naps. Add variety! Seek out mental and physical stimulation. Focus on nonattachment in daily life. Listen to enlivening music. Do intermediate to vigorous yoga (incorporating movement that is
heating and circulating; vinyasa , twists, arm balances). Engage in warming activities such as walking, hiking, dancing, or
jogging. Treat yourself to dry , brisk, exfoliating massage.Take cold showers. Receive fast and deep massage with sesame oil. SKIP N OTES
*1 https://www .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515351/ . *2 Scott Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda: Understanding the Three Doshas,” Yoga
Journal , January 21, 2021, https://www .yogajournal.com/lifestyle/health/intro-
ayurveda/ . *3 Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda.”
*4 Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda.”
OceanofPDF .comConscious Conception 2 
The Ayurvedic ideal goes far beyond mer ely conceiving. Instead, the
emphasis is on cr eating a child who is mentally , physically ,
emotionally , and spiritually healthy—a wise and well-r ounded child
who will contribute to society and become an enlightened citizen. —Maharishi Ayurveda
Ayurveda teaches that the presence of life is what allows the embryo to
grow and transform into a fetus, and then a child. Without life, matter is in a
state of dormancy . When consciousness enters matter , you can see all the
symptoms of life: birth, growth, maintenance, the ability to procreate,
disease (or dwindling), and eventually death. Ayurveda teaches that at the
moment of conception the soul enters into mama’ s womb, and that the
physical, mental, and emotional body of the baby begins to form. Thus,
Ayurveda emphasizes the value of preparation before conception, as well as
intention during conception to call in a soul who will bring more light and
goodness into the world by welcoming them with that same ener gy. The physical strength of the parents three or four months before and at
the moment of conception determines a lar ge part of the foundation of
health or dis-ease for the baby . The parents’  mental state is a foundation for
the baby’ s overall state of mind. And the parents’  spiritual connection (or
disconnection) determines the soul who will come in, depending on where
the soul is on their own spiritual journey . From an Ayurvedic standpoint, the process of a woman bringing a life
into the world with intention is one of treating herself like a plant in a
garden, with four aspects to consider in preparation for conception: the
field, the seed, the season, and the water . Ayurveda teaches that a woman is the channel through which the soul of
a new life arrives. Women carry within them the “field” of the uterus, which
lives in the lar ger field of their body , mind, and emotions. The space that awoman lives in, her relationship with her partner , her work, her community ,
and the planet all make up the greater context of the field that she needs to
cultivate with deeper intention. The health of all of these aspects of her life
influence the field of her uterus, and therefore, they are all important when
considering conception. Attention to the “seed” is attention to the health of the egg and the
sperm. We know that the menstrual cycle, and therefore fertility , is
negatively af fected by stress, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, environmental
toxicity , low body fat, and more. Ayurveda looks at how all these dif ferent
components of a woman’ s life might af fect her eggs and reproductive
organs as well as how the lifestyle of a baby’ s father af fects the quality and
quantity of sperm. Stress causes us to clench, which hinders the free flow of
prana  (vitality , life force) and causes stagnation in the body , leading to dis-
ease. Part of preparing for conception involves addressing any disorders of
the reproductive system such as irregular periods (often because of
stagnation or not enough nourishment), ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and
so on through proper diet, lifestyle practices, and herbal support, which will
vary from person to person. Ayurveda thus suggests a cleansing period
followed by a rebuilding (or nourishing) period prior to conceiving. The “season” refers to assessing a time for conception based on the
parents’  time of life, determining the proper time in the menstrual cycle, and
following guidance for living and eating in accordance with the time of year
so that the doshas stay balanced. Ayurveda also assesses the season, the
phase of the moon, the environment (literally , the room!) that this soul will
be called into, as well as the state of consciousness of the parents at the
moment of conception. Last, the “water” is the Ayurvedic approach to the ways in which a
woman nourishes herself. The modern love af fair with intensity , stress,
activity , drive, and ambition oftentimes gets in the way of a woman’ s ability
to receive, and thus to conceive. A woman who has too many stress
hormones and not enough nourishment may need to slow down, relax, and
really focus on self-care practices that allow her to feel softer , grounded,
and cared for .Through the ancient yet practical lifestyle science of Ayurveda, you learn
how to engage with life consciously: how to step into every experience with
clarity , wisdom, and intention. This is a dynamic integration of doing
everything you can to prepare an ideal environment to welcome a child into
but also softening just enough so you do not become rigid within the timing
and the rituals. The goal is to trust that, ultimately , there is Divine timing
and a bigger plan than your own. The guidelines in this chapter of fer ways to cultivate the field of your
body , your consciousness, and dif ferent aspects of your life in preparation
for conception. Along with dietary disciplines that can assist you in
cultivating a strong seed and information to guide you in choosing the right
timing for inviting a child into your life, the chapter presents dif ferent
rituals from the ancient science of Ayurveda that you can use to invoke
intention and auspiciousness for the process of procreation. These
guidelines are not only for preconception and conception; throughout
pregnancy this same ener gy can be put into the cultivation of your body and
your baby’ s life as you nurture the little soul that is growing in the womb. PREPARING YOUR
CONSCIOUSNESS
Your consciousness can be compared to a mirror . It reflects the impressions
that have come in through your senses and the desires that stem from them. If you see a red convertible and really like it, it creates an impression in
your mind, and then a desire to have it. Your activities then become
motivated by your desire. Ideally , however , rather than your consciousness
reflecting the world outside of you, through spiritual practices, your
consciousness begins to reflect the pure nature of your soul. When your
consciousness reflects your soul, rather than being moved by what you wantor don’ t want, like or don’ t like (raga and dvesha), your only motive is the
desire to serve. Your will becomes aligned with Divine will, and all your
activities reflect that connection. The great teacher of Bhakti yoga Srila Prabhupada gives the metaphor
of a mirror that is covered by dust. When you look into that mirror , rather
than seeing yourself, all you see is the dust! The dust is compared to the
layers and layers of false identifications that have covered your real
identity: the roles that you play , the job that you have, the heartbreaks and
the joys, the pleasures and the pain, the past experiences that have shaped
and molded you. These create a “personality” that you now identify with, as
well as an endless stream of desires that you actively pursue. You have
forgotten who you really are. Yoga and Ayurveda teach that you are not what has happened to you. You are not your mind; you are not the temporary roles that you play; your
value is not defined by your status or position; you are not the color of your
skin or even the body that you are in. Your culture or ancestry may bring
deep meaning into your life, though who you r eally ar e isn’t actually
touched by any of it. You are the one that is seeing through your eyes,
hearing through your ears, and smelling through your nose. You are the
spark of life that gives consciousness to form. The actualization of material
desires (desires satisfied by matter) will not ultimately satisfy your soul. You are a pure spirit with the potential of becoming an instrument of the
greatest love possible. How can you clear the dust so that you can see who
you really are? It’s you and me forever , little one. And the tears started flowing
just as the rain falls outside of my window
from my heart,
down my cheeks,
onto my belly . Nothing lasts forever in this world.I already love you so much. And I’m already preparing for the little goodbyes
that come with a love so deep. And it is heartbreaking and beautiful
all at once. I pray that you know who you really are,
little one. Beyond the body and mind,
beyond the circumstances and past experiences. I pray you know who you are
so you do not have to grieve the pain of loss
in the ways that I do. I pray you know who you really are
so that the love that you give
and the love you receive
is without conditions. I remember sitting on a rock on the Ganges River this past
January
as two of my dear friends offered the ashes of their brother
into the river . The final destination
for all of us—
whether it is returning to the river
or returning to the earth
or the soul making its way back home. When will I take this spiritual life seriously? When will I understand that life is so fleeting
and every moment is so precious and best utilizedin the service
and remembrance
of God? I flashed forward to the day that my ashes will be delivered into
the current of mother Ganges. And I saw you, little soul, putting them in. The cycles and rhythms of life. It is heartbreaking
And so beautiful
All at once. YAMAS AND NIYAMAS
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines an eight-limbed, step-by-step path for
purifying the body and the mind, leading to self-realization and lasting
fulfillment. The first two steps of this path are guidelines—restraints and
observances—called the yamas  and the niyamas , which outline how to act
in the world and what practices to do to purify the mind so that we may
experience real happiness. The lifestyle aspect of the five yamas and five
niyamas are a great way to cultivate a supportive consciousness for the
journey of motherhood. They are guardrails to help keep us living in right
relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world as we move
toward the awakening of our spiritual nature. Many people may think that boundaries or parameters will cheat you
out of freedom. When you become aware of what the parameters are
protecting you from, you realize that they actually enhance your freedom! For example, you may have boundaries around what you eat so that you do
not get sick. You don’ t eat foods that you’re aller gic to, which ultimately
enhances your experience of health.You begin to recognize that the journey toward real inner freedom takes
a commitment to identifying with the part of you that is steady beyond your
mind and body; you are otherwise bound by desires that control you. Inner
peace comes from a lifestyle dedicated to the process of self-realization. Vedic traditions had parameters that were built into the culture; the Vedic
texts recommend certain values as ideals to hold on to because they keep
your train on the track, so to speak, and your consciousness fixed in the
right place. By living a life devoted to these higher values, your mind becomes
situated in sattva —that is, purity , goodness. You begin to live with more
clarity , from a place deeper than the ever -changing mind and emotions. The
yamas and niyamas help in managing your life ener gy, balancing your outer
life and your inner development. They help you to see yourself with
compassion and awareness and guide you toward leading a conscious,
spiritual life. They clean up your life, in a way , so that you are not full of
guilt, shame, and toxins—and you can start to gain some momentum on this
very, very deep path. The yamas and niyamas are about living in integrity
with your true Self. Living according to these principles is about living your
life in a better way , and thus becoming an example for your little one. THE FIVE YAMAS
The yamas lay out guidelines about how to live and interact in relationship
to other beings and the world. AHIMSA
The first yama, ahimsa,  calls for noninjury , or nonharming; it requires the
awareness and practice of nonviolence in thought, speech, and action. Ahimsa advocates the practices of compassion, love, understanding,
patience, self-care, and worthiness on the deepest level.Ahimsa is the fundamental acknowledgment of the soul within all
beings—the understanding that wherever there is life, there is a soul,
whether in the body of a human, a grasshopper , a tree, or a blade of grass. The dif ferent bodies in which the soul can reside are many . Each body has
certain abilities and certain limitations. The quality of the indwelling soul,
however , is the same for all of us. But recall that out of the millions of species of life on this planet, the
thing that separates humans from all other animals is the ability to choose. Rather than being pushed by your past or pulled by your self-satisfying
desires, you can establish your identity as a pure spirit soul and move
through life making decisions from that deepest place, where we are all
united. Rather than making choices that may satisfy your own senses but
bring harm to another , you can choose to live with a broader perspective
and allow all your actions to be an expression of compassion. When
established in the Self, all your choices are ahimsa—not just nonviolent, but
compassionate. You understand that all beings are pure spirit, deserving of
love, compassion, and life, regardless of the body that they are temporarily
inhabiting or the conditions and circumstances that have shaped them to act
in certain ways. How can you live with more compassion? How can you be more
compassionate toward yourself? What might you start or stop doing,
buying, or eating if you were living in alignment with ahimsa? SATYA
Satya  means truthfulness or living an honest life. Are there little white lies? Exaggerations? Excuses? Satya is taking responsibility , or accountability ,
for your life and living a life of integrity . Sat means eternal, which means that in order for something to be Truth,
it must have been true in the past, is true in the present, and will be true for
all of time to come. In my late teens, I started seeking Truth: the big,
capital-letter -T Truth. I saw that so many people and so many spiritual
traditions had their  truth, which too often negated the truth of another . I feltthat real Truth had to be so big, so great, so vast that it could hold within it
all truths, without making any one wrong. There is an underlying Truth that pervades all of reality . This Truth is
the essence of all spiritual traditions, and what all real religion points us
toward. Yes, satya means not telling lies. But more important, it means living in
alignment with Truth. You practice satya when your thoughts, words, and
actions stem from that deepest place of being ; situated in that which is sat,
that which is eternal (the soul), without attachment to results or aversion to
circumstance. Satya calls for living from a deeper place than thinking,
being, or doing from your temporary likes and dislikes. It is living deeper
than seeking lasting happiness in a temporary world. It is establishing
values based on a Truth that is beyond convenience and preference. Think of ways that you are living out of alignment with your values. It
can be something as simple as “I don’ t recycle and I’d like to,” “I eat meat,
though I don’ t believe it is kind,” “I don’ t meditate each day , though I know
I’d feel better if I did.” Examine those misalignments and then act: start
recycling, stop eating meat, meditate. Live from a deeper place than your
likes or dislikes. Live bigger than convenience. You will feel empowered
when you start living from a place of integrity; when how you act is aligned
with how you feel, which stems from a more enlightened place of thinking,
born from a deeper way of being. Surround yourself with people who are servants of Truth, living a life of
integrity , and you will learn how to be as they are. ASTEYA
Asteya  refers to the virtue of “nonstealing”: everything has been given to
you by nature; nothing is really yours. How can you utilize everything that
you have, including your thoughts, your time, and your body , in service to
the Source of all that is? If you knew that you would be given everything that you need, where
would be the need to take more ? Mother Nature provides enough foreveryone’ s needs, though not for everyone’ s greed. If you trusted that you
would always be provided for , you would take only what you needed. You
wouldn’ t buy things just because they were on sale or take something just
because it was free. If you knew that you were always taken care of, you
would be able to discern what is rightfully yours, and what should be left
for someone else, or passed on. Asteya means not taking what is not yours, or what is not freely of fered. Stealing can manifest in obvious ways but also in more subtle ways, as in
taking people’ s time and ener gy. You can steal unwittingly when you are not
grounded, when you are not seated in your Self. This can show up as
demanding ener gy from the same person over and over again, rambling,
complaining, or asking too many questions. Make sure that you are not
asking for too much or giving too much. This is where healthy boundaries
come in. Every interaction should be balanced—treated as a co-creation. You can apply asteya by honoring your teachers and recognizing that
everything you are and everything you know has been given to you by
someone else. You learned it from a relationship or an experience, or you
heard it from a teacher . When you acknowledge this, you remain humble,
and humility is the soil in which gratitude grows. Everything that you have
is a gift. BRAHMACHARYA
Brahmacharya  translates as “that which brings you back to Source”; it
refers to ener gy management and the practice of controlling your senses so
that your senses do not control you. All of us can be dragged about by desires, by wanting to feel something
(taste, smell, see, hear something). We are pulled toward an experience
because we think it will bring us the pleasure we are seeking, when what we
actually seek is the pleasure that is inherent within the Truth of who we are. When you are disconnected from yourself, your attempts toward
happiness are attempts to fill a bottomless void that you are experiencing
within your own heart. If you are caught up in your thoughts or distracteddoing too many things at once (whether it be a situation as dif ficult as trying
to work at multiple jobs and still have time to parent or something as simple
as eating while watching TV), then you miss out on the actual experience  of
your life, and thus feel empty and dissatisfied no matter what you do. When
you are engaging in activities to satisfy your senses from a disconnected
place within yourself, you will likely choose things that only bring
momentary happiness and lead you to feeling even more disconnected than
before. You’ll overeat because you aren’ t allowing yourself to fully taste what
you’re eating. In the same way , you’ll oversleep if you aren’ t being
rejuvenated from your sleep. If you don’ t allow yourself to be nourished by
what you allow into your senses then your senses are constantly craving
more (more sex, more TV, more food, more sound, sight, taste, touch,
smell). You then overindulge, which dulls your senses, meaning that you
need more in order to satiate. Though in that disconnected state, you will
never , ever be satisfied. As always, it’ s an inner shift that is necessary—the movement from a
distracted way of existing to a more connected way of being  in your life. When you are connected to yourself, you make choices that nourish
rather than deplete you, and you are present enough to actually allow
yourself to be nourished by whatever it is that you choose. You become
present enough to not only touch, but feel; not only eat, but taste ; not only
listen, but hear; not only smell, but savor ; not only look, but see. When you
become present to what you are experiencing in the moment—chewing
each bite, tasting it fully—you become present enough to know  when
you’ve had enough. In that way , you are able to maintain balance, and thus
an ideal experience of health. Brahmacharya acknowledges that if the senses are not regulated, they
drive your life, your decisions, your relationships, your everything. They
end up controlling you. Without trying to starve the senses, yoga guides you
toward a lifestyle where you reestablish your Self as the driver , choosing
sensory impressions that serve to uplift your experience of life, bringing
you closer to your true nature.Sensory impressions (things that you see, hear , touch, taste, smell) serve
if they reconnect and remind you of who you really are. They distract when
they bind you into the maelstrom of false identification with the body ,
mind, and emotions. What are you allowing in? It takes willpower and
discipline to choose what serves, rather than what would feel (taste, touch,
sound, smell) good right now . The yoga scriptures say that, of all sensory pleasures, sexual desire is
the hardest to regulate. You can see that sex has the incredible ability to
create families, though if not regulated—you controlling it, rather than it
controlling you—it can also destroy them. Because the sexual act is so
powerful—do you know of any other activity in the world that holds the
power to create life? !—A yurveda encourages you to regulate it. Then,
rather than being an impulse that needs to be tended to whenever the desire
comes, it is something that you enter into with more consciousness and
intention. Yoga guides you toward sense control (or regulation) so that you can
stay balanced. If you have already eaten to your full satisfaction when the
dessert comes out, you know it would be best for you to not eat any . But the
tongue might say otherwise! You might eat the dessert anyway and end up
feeling sick. In the same way , overindulgence in any sensual activity will
lead to disharmony and depletion. Through regulation, however , you gain
the ability to discern what actually serves you in the long run from what
would serve your senses immediately . APARIGRAHA
Aparigraha  is nonattachment, nonpossessiveness or nongrasping: loving
completely with the willingness to let go, because all things (material) must
pass. Aparigraha is not an attitude of cold-heartedness. Nor is it detachment,
and thus disengagement. It is not “this is temporary , so why be attached?”
Rather , it is the understanding that matter is always changing; form is
always changing. It’ s the realization that the body we have is temporary , butwhile it is here, we should take care of it. It’ s awareness that the forms our
relationships take are temporary and seeing that as a reason to love that
much more deeply while we can. Rather than making you detached or aloof, being aware of the reality of
impermanence helps you to engage more deeply with life and to love more
fully in relationships; it invites you to generate gratitude for the multitude
of blessings that are here, now . You stop getting caught up or burdened by
“what ifs?” “should haves,” and “might bes.” You instead show up in love. You do your best, without focusing on results. You love and live from a
deeper place, not swayed by circumstance (the highs and the lows) because
all of it keeps changing. What stays the same? The soul. You. Simple Practices to Uplift
Become conscious of the impressions that you are allowing
in through your senses, and as much as possible, allow
them to be light and uplifting. What type of music are you
listening to? What movies are you watching? What type of
food are you eating? All these things have a huge ef fect on
your consciousness, so choose things that bring joy and
clarity . Meditate daily . Mantra meditation is powerful; it is one of
the fastest and easiest ways to uplift the mind. (See this
page .) Start a gentle yoga and pranayama practice to settle
your thoughts and become grounded in your body . Think about the qualities you would like this little soul to
embody . Make a list! Be as detailed as possible. How canyou embody these qualities more? You will begin to attract
this soul into your life. The universal character of anyone on any religious or spiritual path—
if they are really doing it right, in a deep meaningful way—is that
they are going to have common characters and values that are
universal: compassion, honesty , self-control, generosity , wisdom,
insight. Whether one is a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or a Hindu
or whatever , these are the common values we find in the scriptures
and in the lives of the saints. The realized people—a saint could be a
mother with three children, or a monk who is traveling around and
preaching. —Radhanath Swami, author , spiritual teacher , and activist
THE FIVE NIYAMAS
The niyamas are about self-regulation—they are positive duties that help
you maintain a conducive environment in which to grow . Their practice
harnesses the ener gy generated from the cultivation of the yamas. SAUCHAM
Saucham  is cleanliness and purity . It is said that how a person keeps their
home reveals the inner workings of their mind. A clean and clear mind
cannot live in a cluttered or dirty home. A cluttered and busy mind is not
likely to live in a tidy and clean home! Cleanliness in your mind, body , and
surroundings creates the most conducive environment for conscious living
and Self-realization. Purify . Meditate to clear the mental clutter that has accumulated for
years and years (and lifetimes) of preference, of false conditionings andidentifications, of memories (generally the extremes of what you loved and
what you wish never happened). Purify the mind and, naturally , your life
will start to clean itself up. Your relationships, your closet, your perceptions
will all become clearer . If your mind is too messy for meditating, then first clean your drawers,
then your house, then your car , then start to clean up your diet. Assure that
you are showering at least every morning. Upgrade your lifestyle choices. Prioritize self-care. It is amazing how more space in your closet creates
more space in your mind, which creates more space in your life. Then, meditate. Not just to meditate, but to change the way you live, the
way you love, the way you consume, the way you eat, and what you listen
to. You will notice that it all af fects the state of your mind, which in turn
creates your entire experience of life. Again, purify . Then you can
experience things as they are rather than through the dusty lens created by
your past. SANTOSHA
Santosha  means contentment or satisfaction. Your mind tells you that you’ll
be happy when the world outside of you is the way that you want it to be,
and that you’ll be sad when the world outside of you is not the way that you
want it to be. In this way , your happiness is completely controlled by
something outside of you—something that you have absolutely no control
over—and your other emotions follow suit. You swing back and forth and up and down on the mental and emotional
seesaw , because you are so caught up with this identification with your
mind. Thoughts like “I’ll be happy if…” or “I’ll be happy when…” can
come up in your mind; happiness stays elusive, always one step ahead of
where you are now , and you never feel satisfied. You set yourself up so that
you can only have peace when the circumstances are just right. But then the
circumstances keep on changing. No peace will ever last when the quest is outside. There is a deeper way to live.Your true Self is not swayed by circumstance, only your mind and
emotions are. When you identify your Self as deeper than your mind and
emotions, you will be satisfied, content, okay—regardless of what is
happening outside of you. Rather than spending your precious moments trying to contort and
control the world outside of you or trying to “fix” or change people so they
will not trigger your emotional wounds, work on your Self. Work on
developing that indwelling connection so that you can be deeply satisfied,
and then move through the world from that place: beyond the fickleness of
the mind, beyond conditioned desire, beyond the ever -changing stream of
emotion. What if you practiced believing that you already have everything you
need? What if you practiced feeling that you are enough—that what you
know is enough, what you have is enough, and who you are is enough? What if you let yourself be satisfied—as it is, and as you are—right now? What if you accepted rather than resisted reality and then showed up in
every situation in a way that uplifts and actually serves? When you are
already satisfied, your actions stem from a place of wanting to give rather
than wanting to get, and it is truly in giving that you will receive. Let each
moment become better because you were there. TAPAS
Tapas  is discipline or austerity . It is the fire between what you want now
and what you want most , between an old habit and a new one. The moment
when you crave your first cigarette after deciding to quit or pass by that first
coffee shop after giving up caf feine. Every single part of you is wired to
reach for the cigarette or to get a cup of cof fee. In that moment there is a
fire that will transform you…if you let it. Tapas is choosing something dif ferent. It is the ability to wait. It is the
willingness to sit in the heat, to tolerate the discomfort that arises, not
because you want it, but because you know that you need it. It isacknowledging the neuroplasticity of your brain and your ability to rewire
old habits in order to build pathways to freedom. SVADHYAYA
Svadhyaya  is Self-study: know who you are. Know the highest vision—the
highest version—of yourself for this lifetime, and also know who you will
be beyond this life. The moment you entered into your mother ’s womb,
cells divided and multiplied—and will keep dividing and multiplying,
transforming and changing, until, one day , you will depart. Know who you are, beyond your body and mind, your roles and
positions. Hear Truth every day . Read, meditate, and learn from Self-
realized teachers. Seek shelter in those who know . Knowing your Self is the
greatest treasure you will of fer the world. By living from that place, you
will inspire and remind many others to do the same. When you know who
you are, kindness, compassion, truthfulness, sense control, and
understanding the temporary nature of this world all come with it. When
you know who you really are, you see the soul within all beings, regardless
of the body they are inhabiting. You’ll show up every moment of your life
in a way that ultimately serves. ISHVARAPRANIDHANA
Ishvarapranidhana  is “surrender to the Divine”: of fering everything that
you have and everything that you do to God—because where does it all
come from, anyway? Humility is vital on the path: ishvarapranidhana calls
for surrendering the idea that you are the controller , the maintainer , and the
owner of it all; it calls for letting go of the notion that you know best or
know everything and requires opening to the possibility that there is a scope
much lar ger than your own. Just because you have not seen something does not mean that it is not
real. Would the fish in the tank believe you if you told them of the ocean? Humility is the ability to say , “I don’ t know , could be!” rather than shuttingout a lar ger perspective than what your limited experience has shown you. When you are humble you are able to recognize someone who has a lar ger
scope than your own, someone who has touched Truth, and you’ll have the
desire to learn. When you trust, you can begin to love. When you love, it is natural to
put your self-centered desires aside and show up in a way that truly serves. To fully serve means that you have surrendered your own personal will to a
much lar ger one—realizing that you are a part of something greater . “Thy will, not mine” becomes your life’ s mantra. NURTURING YOUR
RELATIONSHIP
Whether you are going through the journey of pregnancy with a partner or
on your own, having the support of people in your life is invaluable. The
field of your relationships serve as a sacred container in which your little
one will grow . Before inviting this soul into your life, it is important to
cultivate a sense of deep trust, nourishment, and genuine care in your
primary relationships, as these are the ener gies that will nourish your babe. If you are in a committed partnership, part of the preparation for
pregnancy will be to give yourself completely and fully to that other person. The level and depth of commitment required to enter into the parenthood
phase of a relationship is profound. To invite a soul into the field of your
and your partner ’s love is a powerful step to take as a couple. When inviting
a child into your relationship, the relationship is no longer just about the
two of you, but about serving something greater . It is a bonding at a very
deep level that requires a container of profound trust, conscious
communication, and commitment.DEALING WITH CONFLICT
Whatever the dynamic (whether it be a mother and daughter , a romantic
partnership, or something else), a great relationship does not mean that
there are never disagreements. It means that when they do come up, both
parties have tools, skills, and the ability to listen, reflect, and grow from
whatever arises. A strong parenting relationship will involve a mutual
commitment to growth. This will be especially important once your little
one arrives, as you are the model for the relationships that they will seek in
the future. It may sound like a lot of pressure, but try to see it as an opportunity to
strengthen your commitment; to refine your communication skills; to
redefine your need to be “right”; and to cultivate qualities such as patience,
forgiveness, steadiness, and gratitude, which you will pass on to your little
one through your example. If you are able to practice these things before
your baby comes, you will be much better prepared during pregnancy and
once baby is here to meet any challenges that will arise in your
relationships. Ayurveda teaches that during pregnancy the mother should always feel
happy , and that the partner ’s only job is to assure her happiness. Remember
that the baby experiences everything that mama experiences, so, as much as
possible, bathe yourself in uplifting environments, conversations, tastes,
sights, and sounds. I remember during month three of my pregnancy I was feeling really
frustrated in one of my primary relationships, and at the same time I was
feeling heavy guilt knowing that my baby was experiencing the emotions
that I was feeling. I called one of my girlfriends and shared my experience
with her , and she of fered me the following gem of wisdom:
It is not about not feeling the other emotions. Your baby needs to
know that it is okay to feel what they feel and that they do not have to
be happy all the time. How do you move through it? How do you
process it? How do you grow from it? What is important is that youteach them, through your example, how to move through emotions as
they arise in a healthy way . She assured me that conflict is nothing to fear and that we should raise our
children to know that. Then, rather than avoiding conflict or being afraid
when it comes up, they witness and learn how conflict (if dealt with
consciously) can be fertile soil for growth and connection. After the first time my husband and I got into a disagreement in front of
our six-week-old baby , we had the discussion about what boundaries to
have around that happening again. Is it okay to ar gue in front of him? We
decided that it is okay , as long as we are communicating ef fectively (which
includes listening and reflecting), and as long as we are committed to
coming out the other side with more clarity and connection. In this way , we
model real relationship: there will be bumps and challenging times, but it is
nothing to fear . Conflict does not mean that someone is going to get hurt, or
shamed, or worse, leave. Conflict is not something to run away from, but
rather something to move toward with the intention to understand and move
closer together . Many of us fear conflict because we have seen our own families torn
apart by it. We are afraid of ar guments, because we fear that it is the end of
something: “Dad is going to walk out.” “Mom is going to break
something.” We fear it is going to lead to horrible outcomes because that
may have been what we experienced as children. We fear that our children
will carry the burden of our disagreements, because we took responsibility
for our own parents’  separation. We feel that it is not safe to ar gue, because
we never felt safe when our parents ar gued. Begin to create guidelines. Build safety around conflict so that your
children will know that disagreement does not need to be feared. Learn how
to communicate your needs, boundaries, and desires ef fectively so that your
children will learn the same. Raise children who know that with any
disagreement there is an end, a solution, and a deepening of love.BUILDING TRUST
Building trust is the necessary groundwork for a relationship to thrive. Trust
is the fertile soil that allows for the seed of commitment to grow deep roots. With every new layer of established trust, you enable a deeper level of
commitment. The foundation of trust is built on the knowing that your partner
respects you and genuinely wants what is best for you. Perhaps it is easy for
you to trust, or maybe you have a hard time trusting because of past
relationship scars, childhood trauma, or in the ongoing experience of a
relationship where your partner says something and then does something
different. To build or rebuild trust is a process. Whether trust is at a low point or high point in your relationship, if both
of you believe that the character of the other is intrinsically good, trust can
be built. You show you are committed to building trust by following
through with what you promise to yourself and in your relationship. If you
tell your partner that you will be home by a certain time, show up on time. If you promise quality time, make sure you show up with your full
presence. If you tell your partner that you will not talk to your ex, then do
not talk to your ex. Follow through on your words. Trust is practical. Reliability may start with small things, but over time
you give ener gy and life to your relationship with each commitment that
you follow through with. More and more trust builds upon the foundation of
your previous commitments. When you see someone consistently following
through with their commitments, it speaks for itself. If you have somehow broken the trust in your relationship, you need to
be patient. You cannot build anything of value unless there is integrity in the
foundation. Would you enter into a building if you did not trust the
foundation holding it up? Know that trust is built gradually over time, and
the pain caused by breaking it can be devastating. Whether your breach of trust was something small or something severe,
these next steps will help assure, if your partner is willing to for give you,that you are doing the work necessary in order to reestablish a stable
foundation for your relationship. First, accept responsibility . Oftentimes when we have broken trust, we give excuses, reverse blame,
or even lie about it, which further breaks down trust. Accept responsibility
for what you did by stating what your agreement was and how you broke
the agreement. “I told you I would be home by 6 p.m. and I am forty-five minutes late.”
Next, acknowledge. What you did may have caused pain to the person you love. Get into a
space of reflecting on how they might feel, whether you agree with them or
not. Acknowledge how you can see why your actions may have hurt them. “I can imagine it being so frustrating waiting for me, especially because
you had dinner ready , the table set, and you were looking forward to a
really nice evening together .”
Then, account. While still fully accepting responsibility , honestly share what happened. If the breach of trust was that you showed up late, maybe your boss
demanded you finish the report before leaving the of fice, or traf fic was
horrible and caused you to be late. Maybe something unforeseen came up
that you could not avoid, or perhaps you just lost track of time. Accounting
is not making excuses, but is simply sharing what happened. “I was on a call at the of fice and totally lost track of time.”
Now , apologize. Genuinely apologize for your actions, recognizing how they caused a
breakdown in trust. “I am sorry for coming home late and not acting in alignment with our
agreement. I acknowledge how that has the potential to break down your
trust in my word.”
Finally , amend. Let them know how you plan to act in the future when something like
this comes up, and ask them what they would need to see from you in orderto rebuild trust. Do everything in your power to follow through with
whatever shared agreements you come to. “In the future, when we have a date planned, I will be more conscious
of the time. Is there anything else that you need from me in order to reinstill
that trust?”
When you follow through with shared agreements, you build and
rebuild trust in your relationship. Over time, the challenging moments are
looked at in hindsight as catalysts for growth and deeper connection, built
off shared love and trust. What if the other person has been responsible for breaking your trust? Broken trust can be crippling for a relationship; it is one of the main reasons
relationships come to an end. When you have had your trust broken, you
first need to search your heart and take guidance from reliable friends to
determine whether you feel confident that you can rebuild trust with this
person. If the answer is yes, then move forward with the following steps. If they have genuinely taken responsibility for their actions and
understand their damaging ef fects, you take the first step toward
reestablishing trust. If you are confident that they are sincerely sorry for
what they have done, you build confidence in their moral compass: that
they know what serves your relationship and what damages it. The next step is often the most challenging and may take some time, so
do not rush it. If you want to move forward, you must be willing to
genuinely and fully for give them and to let go of the past. This often takes a
power greater than yours, a higher power that can heal your heart so that it
can open again. If they are not willing to be patient and give you the time that you need
to fully for give them, this can be a warning sign that they may not
understand the magnitude of their actions and might break your trust in the
future. If they are patient with you, while they work on themselves, and you
are able to genuinely for give them, you can continue the relationship with
simple shared agreements and commitments. When they see these
commitments as opportunities to gain your trust and you see them following
through with them, the process has begun.Gradually , if you see steady follow-through with commitments, you will
be able to trust them with bigger agreements and more vulnerable aspects of
yourself. As you trust their character and commitment more and more, you
might then be able to envision a long-term committed relationship with
them. However , it is not always possible to reestablish trust with someone. Depending on their character and the pain that has been caused, it may not
even be healthy to push for it. Rebuilding trust takes sincerity on their end,
and the ability to for give on yours. WORKING ON CONSCIOUS
COMMUNICATION
When you get triggered, how do you process and communicate it so that
there is growth? Communication is a skill. It is not something that we are
all raised knowing how to do, but it is something that we can learn. Creating a conscious relationship requires communicating consciously
—that is, in a way that invites both parties to take responsibility for their
emotions and their actions and allows for both people to feel understood. When you feel understood, you can let down your armor , meet the other
person where they are, and grow together . In the same way , when you
reflect back to the other person what they have expressed to assure that
you’ve genuinely understood their perspective and then respond in a way
that serves to uplift your relationship, it allows your connection to deepen. To learn skills and techniques for building trust and communicating
consciously , I highly recommend reading Relationships That W ork: The
Power of Conscious Living  by David B. Wolf and Nonviolent
Communication  by Marshall Rosenber g, listed in the references section at
the back of this book. DEEPENING COMMITMENT
What are you committed to? Knowing what you and your partner are
committed to together will create a solid ground for you both to come backto as the inevitable waves wash in. A lasting relationship must be built atop
a foundation that lasts. What assures you that the commitment of your relationship will last,
beyond the temporary experience of “I love them because of how they
make me feel”? Anyone in a long-term relationship knows that their
commitment to each other is not simply based on a feeling. Feelings
change. The nature of the mind is that sometimes you like each other and
sometimes you don’ t. Sometimes you are happy , sometimes you are not. Today you might “love” them, and tomorrow you might feel dif ferent, yet
you stay . Real love lives deeper than the circumstantial feelings. When
everything is always changing, what can you depend on? Where is there
stability? Commitment invites both you and your partner to connect to the
parts of yourselves that are steady even as feelings change. Ayurveda recognizes that your spiritual connection is the one thing that
is steady , as everything else in your life and in the world inevitably shifts,
and the Ayurvedic approach emphasizes building a relationship that serves
to connect you back to that reality . A spiritual relationship is one in which
the deepest values are aligned, and in which the deepest commitment is to
helping each other awaken to the reality of your soul—the only part of you
that is consistent, as everything else changes. To build a love that lasts—
because its foundation is built upon the only part of you that is lasting—
here are suggestions for deeper commitments you may choose to make in
your relationship:
Help each other awaken to the part of you that is unchanging
(beyond the body , mind, emotions, and situation). Learn how to love from that deepest place. Practice loving, even when it is hard. Hold space for each other when you forget who you really are and
how to act.Take responsibility for your actions and communicate ef fectively so
that you grow together . Be honest and transparent because you respect each other . Acknowledge the parts of yourselves that have been broken by
circumstance, and come back the part of you that is (and has always
been) whole. Help each other learn how to love God, acknowledging that the most
profound experience of relationship is when you are instruments of
that love and that compassion in the world. Make each other happy , knowing that ultimately your happiness is
not the other ’s responsibility , though real joy is experienced in loving
exchanges (both in giving and receiving love). Live a life of service, knowing that that is where real happiness
comes from. Questions to Explore as a Couple
Before your little one comes, it is invaluable to sit down and
discuss your vision for becoming parents, sharing ideas
about what that might look like. This assures that you and
your partner are both on the same page about building this
next part of your life. What is your intention for inviting this little soul into your
lives? How do you envision yourself as a mother/father? Practically speaking, what will your day-to-day life look like? Will one of you take primary responsibility for your child asthe other one works? Will it be a 50/50 split? Will there be
anyone else supporting with childcare? How do you see yourselves raising this little one? What
values (spirituality , purpose, nature, health, family , discipline)
are important? Are there any habits that you would like to rid yourself of
before baby comes? Are there any mental or emotional patterns that you would
like to work on, so as not to pass them on? Are there any dynamics or past experiences in your
relationship that need to be healed? How might your relationship change? When and how do you feel most supported by the other? What fears do you have around becoming a mother/father? What are you excited about? PREPARING YOUR BODY
By human adolescence, each female ovary holds 250,000 eggs. Over the
course of a woman’ s lifetime, about four hundred of those eggs will be
released. [*1] Each month, in preparation for pregnancy , one egg is released. This “chosen egg” is being prepared for three or four months and slowly
making its way through all other eggs toward the top of the ovary . Ayurvedic medicine is attentive to an understanding that the health (or
disease) of the egg, and thus the long-term health (or dis-ease) of the child,
is lar gely established in those three or four months before it is released,
based on the mother ’s diet and lifestyle.Similarly , Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a father ’s dietary and
lifestyle choices. It takes about three months for sperm to get from where
they are produced to where they are ejaculated—almost exactly the same as
the egg maturation period! Consequently , a man’ s ability to procreate and
the health of his sperm, and thus the health of his child, are af fected by his
diet and the way that he lives. Ayurveda teaches that there are six bodily tissues—plasma, blood,
muscle, fat, bone, and nerve tissue—on which the health of the reproductive
tissues—the seventh tissue—are dependent. To the degree that plasma is
nourished, blood will be nourished. To the degree that blood is nourished,
muscles will be nourished, and so on. The final tissues to be nourished are
the reproductive or gans. The health of all of the tissues are dependent on having good digestion,
referred to in Ayurveda as agni, which controls how well food is assimilated
into the body (see more on agni in chapter 8, starting at this page ). Your
tissues are literally composed of what you are able to digest and assimilate. The first step in producing healthy sperm and eggs is to ensure digestion is
working optimally—a goal achieved through deep internal cleansing to
balance the doshas and remove toxins. If it suits your unique circumstance,
both parents should begin the following cleanse starting six months before
trying to conceive:
Six months befor e conception: gentle cleansing. Eat an easy-to-digest,
whole-food diet that is well cooked. Any of the recipes in chapter 8
will be appropriate for this time. Eliminate—or at least avoid as much
as possible—processed foods, dairy , vegetable oils, meat, caf feine,
and alcohol. Eating at the same times each day without snacking
between meals will support the body’ s regulation, metabolism, and
ability to digest accumulated waste. Regarding digestion, Ayurveda
says that how you eat is just as important as what you eat. Take this
time to work on being present while eating and chew your food
thoroughly so that it is easier to digest.Five months befor e conception: mor e intense cleansing. If a
panchakarma  center is accessible to you, under go panchakarma for at
least two weeks. Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic regimen that includes
oil massages, herbal steam baths, and detoxifying Ayurvedic
processes and herbs to move any toxicity from the deeper tissues of
the body to the gastrointestinal tract, where they will then be
eliminated. If panchakarma is not possible, follow a home cleanse
routine for two weeks to a month, eating a mono-diet of kitchari  (see
this page  for the recipe) with well-cooked seasonal veggies and
sipping on warm lemon water , ginger tea, or cumin, coriander , and
fennel (CCF) tea (see the recipe for CCF tea on this page ) throughout
the day . Perform daily oil massages, take baths, and sweat every day . Four months befor e conception: gentle cleansing. Ease back into
the routine of a gentler cleanse, as in the first month. Minimize or
abstain from intercourse. This time of cleansing requires extra ener gy
and reserves. Abstinence is a yogic practice used to conserve physical
energy, mental ener gy, and ojas so that a more introspective and
clearer mindset is maintained. Note:  In the practice of Ayurveda, ojas,
meaning “vigor ,” is thought to be responsible for strength, health,
longevity , immunity , and mental and emotional wellness. Ashoka Bath
When preparing for conception, Ayurveda recommends bathing in
water infused with the herb ashoka. Ashoka,  which means “remover
of sorrow ,” heals physical and psychological pain associated with
your reproductive tract and supports female fertility by promoting
healthy ovarian and endometrial tissues. Enjoy an ashoka bath one
to three times weekly in the months before trying to conceive. Boil
the herbs and draw the bath with intention. Boil ½ cup of ashoka powder in 5 cups of water , reducing until 3
cups of water remain.Add to a hot bath and soak in it for at least twenty minutes. While in the bath, try to suck in the perineum to draw the herbal
water and its ef fects close to the uterus. Ojas Milk
Ojas is the final product of the digestion of food after it goes through
all seven layers of tissue. During the months before conception, milk
brewed with ojas-building ingredients is an incredibly nourishing
drink for your reproductive organ. Also, once you start trying to
conceive, you can bathe, and then drink a glass of this warm milk
after intercourse. Saf fron is particularly nourishing to the
reproductive tract and good for ojas-building. 1 cup of milk
pinch of cardamom
pinch of saf fron
pinch of ginger powder
pinch of ground
almond powder
Warm the milk on the stove and add the spices and almond powder . Bring to a light simmer (watch that the milk does not foam over the
edges of the pot!) for three minutes. Let cool and add sweetener if you desire. Enjoy warm after your
bath. After a cleanse, the three months prior to conception are focused on
rebuilding and deep nourishment. Both parents should aim to follow a diet
of or ganic, fresh, and whole foods rich in prana (vitality , life force) for the
remaining three months prior to conception.
_OceanofPDF.com_Ayurveda_Mama_A_Complete_Guide_-_Dhyana_Masla.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Pitta is the force behind
your ability to digest, learn, and grow from your life experiences as well as
the ability to digest your food. Because pitta is a combination of fire and water, especially
in the summer months, be mindful of the excess fire energy
that is already in the environment. Healthy pitta is responsible for clarity of perception and focus in the
mind. It governs intelligence and the ability to understand. Someone with a
lot of pitta in their prakruti will be disciplined, courageous, passionate, and
inspiring when balanced. Scott Blossom describes the pitta dosha constitution in this way:
Pitta types are dominated by the fire element, which makes them
innately strong, intense, and irritable. They tend to have a medium
build and endurance with powerful musculature. They often have
freckled skin that easily reddens in the sun, during exercise, massage,
and when blushing. They are strong willed and good at doing what they think is right. They approach work and play with the same intensity and
competitiveness. They are natural leaders and quick learners whose
ability to easily comprehend and master new skills and concepts can
make them judgmental or impatient toward people they feel are
slower or less focused than themselves. They have strong digestion and intense appetites, both for food
and challenges. If they miss a meal they are likely to become grumpy
and may take a “bite” out of somebody instead. It is common for
them to suf fer from health conditions such as inflammation, rashes,
acne, and loose stool. For balance, pittas need to manage their “fiery”
tendencies, channeling them in productive ways and learning to
recognize their destructive power. [*3]
During your second trimester you may experience more of the qualities
that come with an excess of pitta dosha, though a pitta imbalance can show
up any time during pregnancy. The changes in metabolism and increased
bodily heat due to pitta (hot, sharp, light, penetrating, or oily qualities) may
also lead to irritability, anemia, morning sickness, nausea, heartburn,
indigestion, bleeding tendencies, or trouble falling asleep. Watch for the following cues that your pitta is out of balance:
PHYSICAL  SIGNS
Inflammation (any “-itis”)
Skin rashes, hives, acne, sunburn, poison ivy that spreads, bug bites
that become inflamed
Heartburn, sour burps, acid indigestion
Loose stools
Ulcers
Hemorrhoids
Burning, irritated, itchy, bloodshot eyes
MENT AL AND EMOTIONAL  SIGNS
Anger, frustration, irritation, agitation, impatience
Overcompetitiveness
Tendency to be overly critical, judgmentalPropensity toward being manipulative and controlling of others
CAUSES OF PITTA IMBALANCE
Excess pitta can result from a diet that includes eating excessively oily,
spicy, and penetrating foods; eating while angry; or drinking cof fee, black
tea, or alcohol. Lifestyle-associated reasons for pitta imbalance include
living in a hot climate or being in the heat of summer months; being in the
active middle years of adulthood; being overscheduled (in professional or
personal life); having exposure to loud, aggressive sensory input (like
violence on TV); or engaging in highly intense interactions including
arguing, gossiping, manipulating, or debating. The pitta dosha also goes out
of balance because of exercising in a way that is intense, aggressive, or
overly competitive; practicing fitness activities in hot, humid environments;
or exercising during the hottest time of day. BRINGING PITTA INTO BALANCE
The key words to keep in mind for bringing pitta into balance are cooling,
calming, and content. In your diet, these qualities can be achieved in the
following way:
Favor nourishing, cooling, simple yet filling foods (summer harvest
foods or foods that are sweet, bitter, or astringent). Avoid caf feine, alcohol, spicy foods, fried foods. Eat in a peaceful environment. You can also try the following activities and lifestyle adaptations to
bring pitta back into balance:
Volunteer or perform acts of generosity (this helps you get out of
self-centeredness). Meditate daily. Avoid overbooking your social or professional schedule. Listen to calming music. Take time to rest every day. Laugh and smile more. Find ways to cool down: do self-massage with coconut oil; enjoy a
cool foot bath; take a cool shower; walk on the cool grass. Do intermediate or gentle yoga (during the cooler time of day). Do exercises such as belly breathing, long exhalations, alternate-
nostril breathing (see this page ), or the cooling breath (see below). Go swimming, spend time in nature, relax in the shade. Cooling Breath ( Sitali )
“Cooling breath” (Sanskrit: sitali) is a pranayama that can be
practiced on an empty stomach while in a comfortable seated
position. Stick your tongue out and roll the lateral edges upward to
form a tube. Inhale through the curled tongue, and exhale normally
through the mouth. KAPHA DOSHA: EARTH + WATER
Earth and water are the elements with the most density. When you think of
these elements, you may think of the qualities of heavy, slow, cool, oily,
dull, smooth, cloudy, soft, and stable. The common translation of kapha  is
“that which binds things” or “that which holds things together. ” Kapha is
the lubricating factor in the body, which brings the necessary moisture to
the brain, gastrointestinal tract, sense or gans, joints, and skin. It is
associated with the mucosal lining, or the myelin sheath, that protects thenervous system and is responsible for carrying hormones throughout the
body. It is responsible for all nourishment in general. When kapha is balanced according to your prakruti, you will experience
contentment, thoughtfulness, and generosity as well as the feeling of being
nourished, stable in your body and mind, and safe. Kapha dosha supports
memory, emotional calm, mental and physical endurance, and it allows you
to feel deeply, to empathize, and to be patient and compassionate. Scott Blossom summarizes the kapha constitution this way:
Kapha types have strong frames and are naturally athletic as long as
they are exercising regularly to manage their tendency to gain weight. The influence of the earth and water elements makes them innately
stable, compassionate, and loyal. They appreciate doing things in a
methodical, step-by-step manner, and prefer a regular routine in their
personal and professional lives. When imbalanced they can become unmotivated, stubborn, and
complacent even when change is necessary. Their metabolism tends
to be slow and their appetite for both food and stimulation is less
intense than vata or pitta types. They benefit from exposing
themselves to new environments, people, and occasionally fasting. [*4]
During pregnancy, a pregnant mama’ s increase in bulk—especially later
in pregnancy—is due to (and can lead to) excess kapha: slow, heavy, dull,
sluggish, cloudy, cool, and oily qualities. This may contribute to excess
weight gain, fluid retention, excess congestion, yeast infections, or excess
sleep. Kapha imbalance is most noticeable during the third trimester, when
baby is accumulating their fatty tissues and you, mama, may start to feel
like a little whale yourself. It is not uncommon to feel more cloudy, tired,
and inwardly focused in the last few weeks of a pregnancy. Watch for the following cues that kapha is out of balance:
PHYSICAL  SIGNS
Cold, cough, congestion; excess mucus and phlegmSpringtime seasonal allergies
A heavy feeling in the stomach, sluggish digestion, lack of appetite
Obesity and weight gain
Water retention, swelling, puf finess
Excessive sleeping
Yeast conditions
Lymphatic disorders
MENT AL AND EMOTIONAL  SIGNS
Lethargy, depression, lack of motivation (feeling stuck, hopeless, or
having heavy emotions)
Feelings of attachment or greed, hoarding
Stubbornness
Having a hard time saying no; being overly passive
CAUSES OF KAPHA IMBALANCE
Excess kapha can be traced to a diet of heavy, dense, thick, oily, sticky, or
cold foods; to overeating; or to a habit of eating to of fset emotions (like
indulging in sweets when depressed). Kapha also becomes imbalanced by
living in cool and wet climates and during the cool and damp of spring
months. A person’ s kapha time of life is considered to be the early or
childhood years. Excess kapha also results from a lifestyle that is sedentary,
lacks variety, or does not have enough physical or mental stimulation. Along the same lines, too little exercise and movement, exercise that is too
slow, and exercise that does not have enough heat and circulation can
contribute to an imbalance of kapha. BRINGING KAPHA INTO BALANCE
The key words to keep in mind for bringing kapha into balance are drying,
stimulating, and expressing. In your diet, these qualities can be achieved in
the following way:
Favor light, simple, cooked foods (spring harvest foods; foods that
are bitter, astringent, or pungent; steamed or grilled veggies; dry
grains such as millet, barley, and quinoa; and spices such as black
pepper, ginger, and cayenne). Eat in a loving environment. Include some caf feine in your diet if you wish (black tea, black
coffee). Avoid heavy foods including meat, wheat, sugar, and dairy. Eat at regular mealtimes without snacking. You can also increase the qualities of drying, stimulating, and expressing in
your life through adjustments to daily behavior including self-care and
exercise. Try the following activities and lifestyle adaptations to bring
kapha into balance:
Go to bed early and get up before sunrise; don’t take daytime naps. Add variety. Seek out mental and physical stimulation. Focus on nonattachment in daily life. Listen to enlivening music. Do intermediate to vigorous yoga (incorporating movement that is
heating and circulating; vinyasa, twists, arm balances). Engage in warming activities such as walking, hiking, dancing, or
jogging. Treat yourself to dry, brisk, exfoliating massage. Take cold showers. Receive fast and deep massage with sesame oil. SKIP N OTES
*1 https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515351/. *2 Scott Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda: Understanding the Three Doshas,” Yoga
Journal, January 21, 2021, https://www. yogajournal. com/lifestyle/health/intro-
ayurveda/. *3 Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda. ”
*4 Blossom, “Intro to Ayurveda. ”
OceanofPDF. comConscious Conception 2 
The Ayurvedic ideal goes far beyond mer ely conceiving. Instead, the
emphasis is on cr eating a child who is mentally, physically,
emotionally, and spiritually healthy—a wise and well-r ounded child
who will contribute to society and become an enlightened citizen. —Maharishi Ayurveda
Ayurveda teaches that the presence of life is what allows the embryo to
grow and transform into a fetus, and then a child. Without life, matter is in a
state of dormancy. When consciousness enters matter, you can see all the
symptoms of life: birth, growth, maintenance, the ability to procreate,
disease (or dwindling), and eventually death. Ayurveda teaches that at the
moment of conception the soul enters into mama’ s womb, and that the
physical, mental, and emotional body of the baby begins to form. Thus,
Ayurveda emphasizes the value of preparation before conception, as well as
intention during conception to call in a soul who will bring more light and
goodness into the world by welcoming them with that same ener gy. The physical strength of the parents three or four months before and at
the moment of conception determines a lar ge part of the foundation of
health or dis-ease for the baby. The parents’  mental state is a foundation for
the baby’ s overall state of mind. And the parents’  spiritual connection (or
disconnection) determines the soul who will come in, depending on where
the soul is on their own spiritual journey. From an Ayurvedic standpoint, the process of a woman bringing a life
into the world with intention is one of treating herself like a plant in a
garden, with four aspects to consider in preparation for conception: the
field, the seed, the season, and the water. Ayurveda teaches that a woman is the channel through which the soul of
a new life arrives. Women carry within them the “field” of the uterus, which
lives in the lar ger field of their body, mind, and emotions. The space that awoman lives in, her relationship with her partner, her work, her community,
and the planet all make up the greater context of the field that she needs to
cultivate with deeper intention. The health of all of these aspects of her life
influence the field of her uterus, and therefore, they are all important when
considering conception. Attention to the “seed” is attention to the health of the egg and the
sperm. We know that the menstrual cycle, and therefore fertility, is
negatively af fected by stress, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, environmental
toxicity, low body fat, and more. Ayurveda looks at how all these dif ferent
components of a woman’ s life might af fect her eggs and reproductive
organs as well as how the lifestyle of a baby’ s father af fects the quality and
quantity of sperm. Stress causes us to clench, which hinders the free flow of
prana  (vitality, life force) and causes stagnation in the body, leading to dis-
ease. Part of preparing for conception involves addressing any disorders of
the reproductive system such as irregular periods (often because of
stagnation or not enough nourishment), ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and
so on through proper diet, lifestyle practices, and herbal support, which will
vary from person to person. Ayurveda thus suggests a cleansing period
followed by a rebuilding (or nourishing) period prior to conceiving. The “season” refers to assessing a time for conception based on the
parents’  time of life, determining the proper time in the menstrual cycle, and
following guidance for living and eating in accordance with the time of year
so that the doshas stay balanced. Ayurveda also assesses the season, the
phase of the moon, the environment (literally, the room. ) that this soul will
be called into, as well as the state of consciousness of the parents at the
moment of conception. Last, the “water” is the Ayurvedic approach to the ways in which a
woman nourishes herself. The modern love af fair with intensity, stress,
activity, drive, and ambition oftentimes gets in the way of a woman’ s ability
to receive, and thus to conceive. A woman who has too many stress
hormones and not enough nourishment may need to slow down, relax, and
really focus on self-care practices that allow her to feel softer, grounded,
and cared for. Through the ancient yet practical lifestyle science of Ayurveda, you learn
how to engage with life consciously: how to step into every experience with
clarity, wisdom, and intention. This is a dynamic integration of doing
everything you can to prepare an ideal environment to welcome a child into
but also softening just enough so you do not become rigid within the timing
and the rituals. The goal is to trust that, ultimately, there is Divine timing
and a bigger plan than your own. The guidelines in this chapter of fer ways to cultivate the field of your
body, your consciousness, and dif ferent aspects of your life in preparation
for conception. Along with dietary disciplines that can assist you in
cultivating a strong seed and information to guide you in choosing the right
timing for inviting a child into your life, the chapter presents dif ferent
rituals from the ancient science of Ayurveda that you can use to invoke
intention and auspiciousness for the process of procreation. These
guidelines are not only for preconception and conception; throughout
pregnancy this same ener gy can be put into the cultivation of your body and
your baby’ s life as you nurture the little soul that is growing in the womb. PREPARING YOUR
CONSCIOUSNESS
Your consciousness can be compared to a mirror. It reflects the impressions
that have come in through your senses and the desires that stem from them. If you see a red convertible and really like it, it creates an impression in
your mind, and then a desire to have it. Your activities then become
motivated by your desire. Ideally, however, rather than your consciousness
reflecting the world outside of you, through spiritual practices, your
consciousness begins to reflect the pure nature of your soul. When your
consciousness reflects your soul, rather than being moved by what you wantor don’ t want, like or don’ t like (raga and dvesha), your only motive is the
desire to serve. Your will becomes aligned with Divine will, and all your
activities reflect that connection. The great teacher of Bhakti yoga Srila Prabhupada gives the metaphor
of a mirror that is covered by dust. When you look into that mirror, rather
than seeing yourself, all you see is the dust. The dust is compared to the
layers and layers of false identifications that have covered your real
identity: the roles that you play, the job that you have, the heartbreaks and
the joys, the pleasures and the pain, the past experiences that have shaped
and molded you. These create a “personality” that you now identify with, as
well as an endless stream of desires that you actively pursue. You have
forgotten who you really are. Yoga and Ayurveda teach that you are not what has happened to you. You are not your mind; you are not the temporary roles that you play; your
value is not defined by your status or position; you are not the color of your
skin or even the body that you are in. Your culture or ancestry may bring
deep meaning into your life, though who you r eally ar e isn’t actually
touched by any of it. You are the one that is seeing through your eyes,
hearing through your ears, and smelling through your nose. You are the
spark of life that gives consciousness to form. The actualization of material
desires (desires satisfied by matter) will not ultimately satisfy your soul. You are a pure spirit with the potential of becoming an instrument of the
greatest love possible. How can you clear the dust so that you can see who
you really are. It’s you and me forever, little one. And the tears started flowing
just as the rain falls outside of my window
from my heart,
down my cheeks,
onto my belly. Nothing lasts forever in this world. I already love you so much. And I’m already preparing for the little goodbyes
that come with a love so deep. And it is heartbreaking and beautiful
all at once. I pray that you know who you really are,
little one. Beyond the body and mind,
beyond the circumstances and past experiences. I pray you know who you are
so you do not have to grieve the pain of loss
in the ways that I do. I pray you know who you really are
so that the love that you give
and the love you receive
is without conditions. I remember sitting on a rock on the Ganges River this past
January
as two of my dear friends offered the ashes of their brother
into the river. The final destination
for all of us—
whether it is returning to the river
or returning to the earth
or the soul making its way back home. When will I take this spiritual life seriously. When will I understand that life is so fleeting
and every moment is so precious and best utilizedin the service
and remembrance
of God. I flashed forward to the day that my ashes will be delivered into
the current of mother Ganges. And I saw you, little soul, putting them in. The cycles and rhythms of life. It is heartbreaking
And so beautiful
All at once. YAMAS AND NIYAMAS
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines an eight-limbed, step-by-step path for
purifying the body and the mind, leading to self-realization and lasting
fulfillment. The first two steps of this path are guidelines—restraints and
observances—called the yamas  and the niyamas, which outline how to act
in the world and what practices to do to purify the mind so that we may
experience real happiness. The lifestyle aspect of the five yamas and five
niyamas are a great way to cultivate a supportive consciousness for the
journey of motherhood. They are guardrails to help keep us living in right
relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world as we move
toward the awakening of our spiritual nature. Many people may think that boundaries or parameters will cheat you
out of freedom. When you become aware of what the parameters are
protecting you from, you realize that they actually enhance your freedom. For example, you may have boundaries around what you eat so that you do
not get sick. You don’ t eat foods that you’re aller gic to, which ultimately
enhances your experience of health. You begin to recognize that the journey toward real inner freedom takes
a commitment to identifying with the part of you that is steady beyond your
mind and body; you are otherwise bound by desires that control you. Inner
peace comes from a lifestyle dedicated to the process of self-realization. Vedic traditions had parameters that were built into the culture; the Vedic
texts recommend certain values as ideals to hold on to because they keep
your train on the track, so to speak, and your consciousness fixed in the
right place. By living a life devoted to these higher values, your mind becomes
situated in sattva —that is, purity, goodness. You begin to live with more
clarity, from a place deeper than the ever -changing mind and emotions. The
yamas and niyamas help in managing your life ener gy, balancing your outer
life and your inner development. They help you to see yourself with
compassion and awareness and guide you toward leading a conscious,
spiritual life. They clean up your life, in a way, so that you are not full of
guilt, shame, and toxins—and you can start to gain some momentum on this
very, very deep path. The yamas and niyamas are about living in integrity
with your true Self. Living according to these principles is about living your
life in a better way, and thus becoming an example for your little one. THE FIVE YAMAS
The yamas lay out guidelines about how to live and interact in relationship
to other beings and the world. AHIMSA
The first yama, ahimsa,  calls for noninjury, or nonharming; it requires the
awareness and practice of nonviolence in thought, speech, and action. Ahimsa advocates the practices of compassion, love, understanding,
patience, self-care, and worthiness on the deepest level. Ahimsa is the fundamental acknowledgment of the soul within all
beings—the understanding that wherever there is life, there is a soul,
whether in the body of a human, a grasshopper, a tree, or a blade of grass. The dif ferent bodies in which the soul can reside are many. Each body has
certain abilities and certain limitations. The quality of the indwelling soul,
however, is the same for all of us. But recall that out of the millions of species of life on this planet, the
thing that separates humans from all other animals is the ability to choose. Rather than being pushed by your past or pulled by your self-satisfying
desires, you can establish your identity as a pure spirit soul and move
through life making decisions from that deepest place, where we are all
united. Rather than making choices that may satisfy your own senses but
bring harm to another, you can choose to live with a broader perspective
and allow all your actions to be an expression of compassion. When
established in the Self, all your choices are ahimsa—not just nonviolent, but
compassionate. You understand that all beings are pure spirit, deserving of
love, compassion, and life, regardless of the body that they are temporarily
inhabiting or the conditions and circumstances that have shaped them to act
in certain ways. How can you live with more compassion. How can you be more
compassionate toward yourself. What might you start or stop doing,
buying, or eating if you were living in alignment with ahimsa. SATYA
Satya  means truthfulness or living an honest life. Are there little white lies. Exaggerations. Excuses. Satya is taking responsibility, or accountability,
for your life and living a life of integrity. Sat means eternal, which means that in order for something to be Truth,
it must have been true in the past, is true in the present, and will be true for
all of time to come. In my late teens, I started seeking Truth: the big,
capital-letter -T Truth. I saw that so many people and so many spiritual
traditions had their  truth, which too often negated the truth of another. I feltthat real Truth had to be so big, so great, so vast that it could hold within it
all truths, without making any one wrong. There is an underlying Truth that pervades all of reality. This Truth is
the essence of all spiritual traditions, and what all real religion points us
toward. Yes, satya means not telling lies. But more important, it means living in
alignment with Truth. You practice satya when your thoughts, words, and
actions stem from that deepest place of being ; situated in that which is sat,
that which is eternal (the soul), without attachment to results or aversion to
circumstance. Satya calls for living from a deeper place than thinking,
being, or doing from your temporary likes and dislikes. It is living deeper
than seeking lasting happiness in a temporary world. It is establishing
values based on a Truth that is beyond convenience and preference. Think of ways that you are living out of alignment with your values. It
can be something as simple as “I don’ t recycle and I’d like to,” “I eat meat,
though I don’ t believe it is kind,” “I don’ t meditate each day, though I know
I’d feel better if I did. ” Examine those misalignments and then act: start
recycling, stop eating meat, meditate. Live from a deeper place than your
likes or dislikes. Live bigger than convenience. You will feel empowered
when you start living from a place of integrity; when how you act is aligned
with how you feel, which stems from a more enlightened place of thinking,
born from a deeper way of being. Surround yourself with people who are servants of Truth, living a life of
integrity, and you will learn how to be as they are. ASTEYA
Asteya  refers to the virtue of “nonstealing”: everything has been given to
you by nature; nothing is really yours. How can you utilize everything that
you have, including your thoughts, your time, and your body, in service to
the Source of all that is. If you knew that you would be given everything that you need, where
would be the need to take more. Mother Nature provides enough foreveryone’ s needs, though not for everyone’ s greed. If you trusted that you
would always be provided for, you would take only what you needed. You
wouldn’ t buy things just because they were on sale or take something just
because it was free. If you knew that you were always taken care of, you
would be able to discern what is rightfully yours, and what should be left
for someone else, or passed on. Asteya means not taking what is not yours, or what is not freely of fered. Stealing can manifest in obvious ways but also in more subtle ways, as in
taking people’ s time and ener gy. You can steal unwittingly when you are not
grounded, when you are not seated in your Self. This can show up as
demanding ener gy from the same person over and over again, rambling,
complaining, or asking too many questions. Make sure that you are not
asking for too much or giving too much. This is where healthy boundaries
come in. Every interaction should be balanced—treated as a co-creation. You can apply asteya by honoring your teachers and recognizing that
everything you are and everything you know has been given to you by
someone else. You learned it from a relationship or an experience, or you
heard it from a teacher. When you acknowledge this, you remain humble,
and humility is the soil in which gratitude grows. Everything that you have
is a gift. BRAHMACHARYA
Brahmacharya  translates as “that which brings you back to Source”; it
refers to ener gy management and the practice of controlling your senses so
that your senses do not control you. All of us can be dragged about by desires, by wanting to feel something
(taste, smell, see, hear something). We are pulled toward an experience
because we think it will bring us the pleasure we are seeking, when what we
actually seek is the pleasure that is inherent within the Truth of who we are. When you are disconnected from yourself, your attempts toward
happiness are attempts to fill a bottomless void that you are experiencing
within your own heart. If you are caught up in your thoughts or distracteddoing too many things at once (whether it be a situation as dif ficult as trying
to work at multiple jobs and still have time to parent or something as simple
as eating while watching TV), then you miss out on the actual experience  of
your life, and thus feel empty and dissatisfied no matter what you do. When
you are engaging in activities to satisfy your senses from a disconnected
place within yourself, you will likely choose things that only bring
momentary happiness and lead you to feeling even more disconnected than
before. You’ll overeat because you aren’ t allowing yourself to fully taste what
you’re eating. In the same way, you’ll oversleep if you aren’ t being
rejuvenated from your sleep. If you don’ t allow yourself to be nourished by
what you allow into your senses then your senses are constantly craving
more (more sex, more TV, more food, more sound, sight, taste, touch,
smell). You then overindulge, which dulls your senses, meaning that you
need more in order to satiate. Though in that disconnected state, you will
never, ever be satisfied. As always, it’ s an inner shift that is necessary—the movement from a
distracted way of existing to a more connected way of being  in your life. When you are connected to yourself, you make choices that nourish
rather than deplete you, and you are present enough to actually allow
yourself to be nourished by whatever it is that you choose. You become
present enough to not only touch, but feel; not only eat, but taste ; not only
listen, but hear; not only smell, but savor ; not only look, but see. When you
become present to what you are experiencing in the moment—chewing
each bite, tasting it fully—you become present enough to know  when
you’ve had enough. In that way, you are able to maintain balance, and thus
an ideal experience of health. Brahmacharya acknowledges that if the senses are not regulated, they
drive your life, your decisions, your relationships, your everything. They
end up controlling you. Without trying to starve the senses, yoga guides you
toward a lifestyle where you reestablish your Self as the driver, choosing
sensory impressions that serve to uplift your experience of life, bringing
you closer to your true nature. Sensory impressions (things that you see, hear, touch, taste, smell) serve
if they reconnect and remind you of who you really are. They distract when
they bind you into the maelstrom of false identification with the body,
mind, and emotions. What are you allowing in. It takes willpower and
discipline to choose what serves, rather than what would feel (taste, touch,
sound, smell) good right now. The yoga scriptures say that, of all sensory pleasures, sexual desire is
the hardest to regulate. You can see that sex has the incredible ability to
create families, though if not regulated—you controlling it, rather than it
controlling you—it can also destroy them. Because the sexual act is so
powerful—do you know of any other activity in the world that holds the
power to create life. —A yurveda encourages you to regulate it. Then,
rather than being an impulse that needs to be tended to whenever the desire
comes, it is something that you enter into with more consciousness and
intention. Yoga guides you toward sense control (or regulation) so that you can
stay balanced. If you have already eaten to your full satisfaction when the
dessert comes out, you know it would be best for you to not eat any. But the
tongue might say otherwise. You might eat the dessert anyway and end up
feeling sick. In the same way, overindulgence in any sensual activity will
lead to disharmony and depletion. Through regulation, however, you gain
the ability to discern what actually serves you in the long run from what
would serve your senses immediately. APARIGRAHA
Aparigraha  is nonattachment, nonpossessiveness or nongrasping: loving
completely with the willingness to let go, because all things (material) must
pass. Aparigraha is not an attitude of cold-heartedness. Nor is it detachment,
and thus disengagement. It is not “this is temporary, so why be attached. ”
Rather, it is the understanding that matter is always changing; form is
always changing. It’ s the realization that the body we have is temporary, butwhile it is here, we should take care of it. It’ s awareness that the forms our
relationships take are temporary and seeing that as a reason to love that
much more deeply while we can. Rather than making you detached or aloof, being aware of the reality of
impermanence helps you to engage more deeply with life and to love more
fully in relationships; it invites you to generate gratitude for the multitude
of blessings that are here, now. You stop getting caught up or burdened by
“what ifs. ” “should haves,” and “might bes. ” You instead show up in love. You do your best, without focusing on results. You love and live from a
deeper place, not swayed by circumstance (the highs and the lows) because
all of it keeps changing. What stays the same. The soul. You. Simple Practices to Uplift
Become conscious of the impressions that you are allowing
in through your senses, and as much as possible, allow
them to be light and uplifting. What type of music are you
listening to. What movies are you watching. What type of
food are you eating. All these things have a huge ef fect on
your consciousness, so choose things that bring joy and
clarity.
Pitta is responsible for clarity of perception and focus in the mind, and it governs intelligence and the ability to understand.
What is the role of Pitta in the body?
Some physical signs of an imbalanced Kapha dosha include inflammation, rashes, acne, and loose stools.
What are some physical signs of an imbalanced Kapha dosha?
The yamas and niyamas are guidelines for self-regulation, helping to maintain a conducive environment for growth and self-realization.
What is the purpose of the yamas and niyamas in Ayurveda?
Self-care and self-reflection are crucial in building trust in a relationship, as it allows for genuine communication and understanding.
What is the importance of self-care and self-reflection in building trust in a relationship?
Ojas is the final product of food digestion and is essential for nourishing the reproductive organs and building ojas, which is vital for fertility and overall health.
What is the significance of ojas in Ayurvedic medicine?