The peacock is the national bird of India.  The peacock’s tail, with its iridescent “eyed,” feathers designed to attract the hen, gives this bird a grandeur that is associated with royalty.  In ancient India, the tail motif was a symbol of the all-seeing sun and the eternal cosmic cycle.  The peacock is the sacred animal associated with Saraswati, the goddess of education and the arts.  In Buddhism, the peacock represents compassionate watchfulness.  The peacock is one of the images on our Dosha Screensaver, and we have it as a wallpaper, too all free!

Hanuman, the monkey god, is celebrated at this time of year because his birthday is December 20.  Hanuman is known for his intelligence, and for his strength.  He is loyal, and he represents justice and commitment.  We can learn from some of the qualities that Hanuman embodies.  He is a gentleman, very respectful towards everyone.  Hanuman is considered to be a symbol of diplomacy and tact, so it is useful for us to think about him as an example when we need to negotiate, and resolve conflicts.  Hanuman is also the embodiment of humility and devotion, or Bhakti.  He represents the unlimited power within each one of us to heal, to create, and to serve.

Mudras are kind of like yoga for the hands.  Mudras are hand positions, or exercises, used to balance various energies in the body.  We use different mudras for each dosha in the Dosha Yoga DVD.  In Ayurveda, there are five elements, and each corresponds with one of the fingers.  The thumb represents fire.  The second finger represents air.  The third finger represents space.  The fourth finger, or ring finger, represents earth, and the little finger represents water.  Mudras can have positive effects on our physiology.  And we can get some of the same benefits by working with our hands, playing an instrument, washing our hands, and massaging our hands.  The next time you wash your hands, try consciously massaging them at the same time.  Spend time on each finger, and then rub both palms together vigorously.  While you’re sitting at your desk, use the thumb and index finger to gently massage the “web” between each of your fingers.  Place one hand on your desk, and use the second, third, and fourth fingers of the other hand to gently massage between the long bones on the back of the hand.

In Hindu philosophy, there are several forms of the Mother goddess, each with her own personality and purpose.  Durga is a fierce form of the Mother goddess. She is known as “The Invincible One.” She exudes strength, and she destroys ignorance and the world of illusion.  Durga opens us up to the power of self-realization. The lion or tiger she rides upon depicts courage.

The health of our mouths is an important factor to our overall physical health.  In Ayurveda, brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day is an essential part of the daily routine.  Tongue scraping is also recommended.  Tongue scrapers, or cleaners, are typically made out of stainless steel.  It takes only a moment to clean the tongue with this tool, and it helps to remove decay causing bacteria as well as encourage the removal of toxins from the digestive tract.  The Sanskrit word for these toxins is “ama” and research shows that tongue cleaning is the best way remove bacteria that cause bad breath.  It also helps to remove the coating on the tongue, leaving us with improved taste, and slowing the growth of plaque.

Ayurveda teaches us that there is a connection between our behavior and our health.  Positive behaviors have a positive impact on our relationships, and also on our physical health and peace of mind.  The ayurvedic texts list some “Behavior Rasayanas” or guidelines that help us to cultivate natural, healthy behaviors.  These include being truthful, calm, and free from anger.  In Ayurveda, we are taught that love is unconditional.  We are meant to love what is, not what we think “should be.” Love comes from the heart.  The mind is always trying to impose its conditions, yet we are happiest when we surrender to our heart and allow ourselves to feel the love that is always there.  Love is free, and giving.  Our relationships are blissful when we honor our commitments and give love without reservation.  We can nurture the health of our relationships by practicing acceptance, thinking before we speak or act, and spending time with nature.

In the northern hemisphere we’re right in the thick of Vata season, when the weather is cold and dry.  There is a change in the external environment, and our internal one, as well.  It’s times like these when our immunity is compromised, and we’re more susceptible to illness.  To boost our natural immunity, and stay in balance, it is a good idea to favor Vata pacifying foods at this time of year.  The basic rule for the Vata diet is to eat warm, cooked foods.  Warm drinks such as cider or Vata tea are also very soothing.  Try to avoid cold sandwiches and salads, or cold cereal.  Instead, have some oatmeal and a baked apple or pear for breakfast, and some pasta or stir-fry for lunch.  Caffeine is a notorious Vata aggravator so avoid it at all costs.  Hearty soups make a delicious dinner served with some warm bread.  In addition to paying attention to their diets, Vata types need to remember to stay warm, get enough sleep, and keep their ears covered when they go outside.

Stress.  We can’t seem to get away from it with the busy lives we lead.  It can come from work, relationship issues, money issues, or environmental stressors such as insufficient natural light, chemicals in food, or stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco or alcohol.  Ayurveda says that stress affects us more when we are out of balance, when our mind is agitated.  When we are in balance, we can handle stressful situations more gracefully and remain generally healthier in both mind and body.  How can we put ourselves in a balanced state to better handle stress?  Ayurveda has these recommendations:
-Food: Food is like medicine for our mind and body.  Choose fresh fruits, juices, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, and honey.  Avoid frozen or canned foods.  Eliminate caffeine and cut down on fried foods and white flour and sugar products.
-Breathing: When we are stressed our breath becomes shallow.  To be relaxed, breath slowly and deeply.  
-Exercise: Daily exercise is good for both mind and body.  A morning walk is a great way to start the day.  Yoga is good exercise for all the doshas.
-Meditation: Time spent in silence is relaxing and physically beneficially.  It helps to normalize blood pressure, and relieves anxiety.
-Massage:  Abhyanga, ayurvedic self massage, soothes the nervous system.

Amla is also known as Indian Gooseberry and it is used in Ayurveda as a fruit, a tonic, an herb and a paste.  Amla is one of the best natural sources of Vitamin C, it has 30 times the amount found in oranges.  Here are some of the uses and benefits of Amla: -strengthens teeth, hair and nails. -helps to regulate blood sugar. -an anti-inflammatory, especially helpful in hemorrhoids, gastritis and colitis. -treats eye problems, cataracts, nearsightedness. -prevents premature gray hair, prevents dandruff. -boosts immunity.

Curry is abundant in Indian cooking.  Curry is actually a blend of herbs, and the herb that gives curry powder its yellow color is turmeric.  Ayurvedic physicians have used as turmeric in healing compounds for centuries, and western medicine is just starting to catch on to its many benefits now.  The January issue of “Cancer Research,” published a study which shows that turmeric, and its active ingredient, curcumin, may have the ability to treat and even prevent prostate cancer when combined with a certain group of vegetables like broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower or cabbage.  Interesting to note that while prostate cancer is a definite concern for American men, it barely affects Indian men.