Hari OM,
Blessed were those who were enlightened during the Ritucharya session that took place, Saturday morning, 22-11-14, under the able guidance of the Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Sandhya.
In a nutshell, there six ritus in the Indian System (2 solar sidereal months make a rithu) – and in this year 2014, we had a wonderful opportunities every time in every ritu, as at the very beginning of the same, our doctor took care conducting a session where she guided and trained us how to cope up with the stresses & strains of the changing seasons.
By now those who had had been attending all the six sessions, have clearly understood how Yoga and Ayurveda both go hand and hand.
Presenting a chart for your better understanding:
Ritu
Rashi
Solar SIderal month
Masa
Period
Season
Tastebuds
Vasantha
Mesha and Vrishabha
Aries and Taurus
Chaitra and Baisakh
Mid March to Mid May
Spring
Tikta(Bitter)
Greeshma
Mithuna and Kataka
Gemini and Cancer
Jyestha and Ashaadha
Mid May to Mid July
Summer
Kashaya(Astringent)
Varsha
Simha and Kanya
Leo and Virgo
Shravan and Bhaadrapada
Mid July to Mid Sept
Rainy
Kattu (Chilly)
Saratha
Tula and Vrishchika
Libra and Scorpio
Ashwin and Karthik
Mid Sept to Mid Nov
Autumn
Amala (Sour)
Hemanta
Dhanus and Makara
Sagittarius and Capricorn
Maargashish and Paush
Mid Nov to Mid Jan
Winter
Lavan(Salty)
Sisira
Kumbha and Meena
Aquarius and Pisces
Magha and Phalgun
Mid Jan to Mid March
Cold and Dewy
Madhura(Sweet)
The Changing Seasons of Nature has a profound effect on the Five Great Elements of which human body is made of, Bhumi, Agni, Jala, Vayu, Akash…..
The tri humours, Vata ( Wind ) , Pitta ( Bile ) & Kapha ( Phlegm ), should be in equilibrium for perfect health. The changing seasons can disturb this equilibrium; while cold weather increases Vata, hot climate increases Pitta & cold wet weather enhances Kapha.
Ayurveda, prescribes a Seasonal Routine (Ritucharya) to preserve the Tridosha balance so that the ritus don’t disturb your daily life routine (dinacharya). A unique Diet (Aharaa ), a clear mode of living (Vihara ) & a right thinking (Vichara) is prescribed.
On 22 November 2014, we entered into the Hemanta Rithu of Maargashish and Paush masa.
Now is the time where you experience cold winds from the north and the sun covered by mist, the air is dusty, and water freezing especially early morning and night.
As the Sun takes away energy during the uttarayana, it now gives energy during the Dakshinayana. This is the season known for uttam bal, a sudden boost in immunity and physical strength.
(so let’s increase the rounds of SN everyday and let us get further serious, sincere, and committed in our sadhana for this and the next seasons are the best for yoga asana and pranayama)
But hold on it is at this time our sapta dhatus are worst affected if not taken care of and it show up in different forms of conditions. Joints pains for example….and for your knowledge here are the sapta dhatus and how they do form in our body through food……
Rasa, Rakta, mamsa, meda, Asthi, majja, shukra (oja is the eight dhatu or mahadhatu)
Thus when food is ingested it is digested until, in the small intestines, it becomes a liquidy, chyme-like material known in Ayurveda as Ahara rasa, or food essence. With the help of Ahara rasagni (as each dhatu has its own agni), this Ahara rasa is converted into Rasa dhatu (blood plasma) the first and most simple tissue. Rasa dhatu–catalyzed by Rasagni–is transformed into Rakta dhatu (formed blood cells), the second fundamental bodily tissue. Rakta dhatu in turn, with the help of raktagni, becomes mamsa dhatu (muscle), and so on….
Thus food plays the major role in your physical body and strength.
As this climate is cold and dry, in ayurveda they say…….
* BEAT THE COLD WITH CONDIMENT S AND DRYNESS WITH MASSAGES
Last not the least, are some do’s and dont’s regarding Aharaa, Vihara, Vichara
Do’s
Aharaa (Guru - have heavy products)
Viharaa
Vichara
As agni is high digestion is extremely fast, nights are longer, hunger is experienced on rising, so eat proper food or else it would lead to vata prakopa
As Bal is extremely good, yoga abhyas should increase: Surya Namaskara and all dynamic strong poses can be learnt and practiced along with pranayama.
meditation, satsang, kirtan
Consume Madhura Amala Lavan Rasa ex: amla muraba after cleansing the bowels.
Regular Abhyangaa (head and body massage) with gingili oil or oil prescribed by the ayurvedic doctor as per your body type. and have warm water bath.
Maize, wheat, red rice, black gram, green gram, horse gram, milk products, sweets, condiments, lady finger, spinach, pumpkin, cabbage, ridge gourd, yam, beans, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic , radish, ginger, apple, pear, pomegranate, guava, kiwi, papaya, raisin, walnut, almond.
Use channa aatta and karchuralu for bathing and amla shikakai ritha for hair wash.
Drink enuff warm water
Warm clothes and basements warm
Don’ts
Aharaa
Viharaa
Vichara
Barley, fenugreek, mustard, poppy, red chilly, sprouted grains, pulses, drumstick, bitter gourd, brinjal, capsicum, cucumber, tomato, cluster beans, chick pea, peas, broad beans, robusta banana, sweet lime, bhel, cold water
Avoid cold places, sitting under AC, thin clothing, riding in open air, wandering in cold, bare foot walking.No coconut oil massages as it will tan the skin.Very early morning cold water bath
Hari OM Tat Sat
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