Creativity in Bloom

Most people think of the tulip as the poster flower of spring. But for me, it’s the ranunculus. The first time I laid eyes on this precious flower was not in a garden bed but at my corner market in New York City many years ago. When I saw the little tissue paper flowers it was love at first sight. People yearn to see a field of tulips or sunflowers but I dream of running through a valley filled with ranunculus one day.

I can’t help but compare these flowers to our own blossoming in the spring and the emergence of our creativity in all its glory. Ayurveda teaches that we are comprised of all the same elements as everything in nature. If we honor this truth and go with the flow, miraculous things will happen. Those ideas that were germinating while we were hibernating and resting over the winter will unfold just like the petals of the ranunculus.

The Transformative Power of Spring

Ever since I’ve been a student of Ayurveda, I’ve begun paying more attention to the nuances of the seasons. It has changed my life so profoundly that frankly, I want everyone else to jump on board! Just the simple act of aligning with Mother Nature can reverse health issues, balance relationships, combat depression and anxiety, and help us lead a more purposeful life.

Wise Earth Ayurveda

Wise Earth School of Ayurveda was the first school for Ayurvedic studies in the USA. Established in 1981 by Maya Tiwari, also affectionately known as Mother Maya, WEA seeks to share the ancient Vedic knowledge of sadhanas (sacred daily practices) that align us with the rhythms of nature. It’s a simple yet profound philosophy that brings us back to our roots and our very essence, for we are all comprised of the same five elements as everything else in nature: space, air, fire, water and earth.

Kapha Season: Combating Seasonal Depression and Weight Gain

According to Ayurveda, the 5,000 year-old system of mind, body, and spirit holistic health, if you’re anywhere in the world where winter is transitioning into spring, it’s Kapha season. The earth is damp and it’s no coincidence that the elements associated with Kapha are water and earth.

While every living thing, whether plant, animal or human, is comprised of all five elements–ether, air, fire, water and earth–there is usually a predominance of one or two elements in each individual’s constitution. Ayurveda refers to this as your dosha, or biological humor. Today I’m focusing on the Kapha dosha so that we can strive to stay in balance during Kapha season. Kapha dosha is slow, steady, heavy, oily, cold and soft. It is responsible for structure (earth) and lubrication (water) in the body. A healthy immune system depends on Kapha.

Loving My Introverted Self

According to author, Susan Cain, our world has become dominated by extroversion–to the dismay of introverts everywhere. Even though at least a third of the population are introverts, Susan points out that our world has become extrovert-friendly. In our schools and in the workplace, working together in groups, problem solving and socializing has become the norm–and often the required norm. Introverts who generally do better thinking and working alone (most artists I know fit this profile) are often forced into behaving more like an extrovert. As Susan points out, introversion and shyness are not the same. “Shyness is the fear of social disapproval or humiliation, while introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating. I have learned to love my own introversion and encourage you to embrace your true nature, whatever it may be!

Cleansing Body, Mind and Spirit–The Ayurvedic Way

Cleansing and detoxing may seem trendy right now but in reality it is an age-old practice. Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old system of mind, body and spirit medicine, recommends cleansing at least four times a year-preferably at the change of seasons. Zrii Purify, which is endorsed by the Chopra Center, is an easy and effective seven-day cleanse which helps to purify the body, mind and spirit.

My Favorite Cold and Flu Remedies

People here in NYC are downright panicking over the flu. Many states, including NY have declared a public health emergency, and hospitals are overflowing with sick people. The key to avoiding colds and the flu is to keep your immune system functioning properly. Often the best defense is right in your kitchen cupboard. Food is medicine. Here are my favorite tried and true home remedies to help you stay healthy and to recover if you are already sick.

Let There Be Light!

There’s only one thought on my mind as I head into 2013. I want to let my light shine. So many of us are afraid of our light, our power, our essence. If we think back to what fed our soul as a child, it will give us clues to what may nourish it as an adult. Imagine what the World will be like when we all start shining our light!

Thankful for the Pain, the Grief, and the Lessons They Have Taught Me

This article was posted on my website the day before Thanksgiving but I think its message is still relevant, so I’m sharing it with you here. I am grateful to be a contributing writer for CLN! My teacher recently asked a group of her students what we were grateful for, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. [...]

All Exercise Is Not Created Equal

According to Ayurveda, exercise is not a one-size-fits-all activity, and too much rigorous exercise can be just as harmful to the body as not enough. If you know anything at all about the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, it won’t be difficult to discern who’s likely getting too much exercise and who’s not getting enough. Vata dosha loves movement [...]

Children Have Doshas Too!

Whenever I pass a schoolyard or a playground I always play the Dosha Game. This is  a made-up game where I try to spot the little Vatas, Pittas and Kaphas. It’s a perfect place to hone your Ayurveda skills because it’s easy to differentiate the doshas. The children who are predominantly Vata are usually the busy bees–buzzing around joyfully, happy [...]

Approaching Vata Season With Care

“When the seasons change, we experience a sympathetic internal shift. All life-forms open themselves up to receive cosmic redirection from nature during these crucial seasonal transitions, so we are likely to be more vulnerable and unsettled.” Maya Tiwari, The Path of Practice: A Woman’s Book of Ayurvedic Healing Autumn has always been one of my [...]

Taking Charge of Our Own Health

  “Within all of us is the archetype of the Divine healer. This Divine healer is the true healer in all beings, not any particular individual or special personality. To heal ourselves we must set this Divine healer in motion within ourselves.” Sri Dhanvantari Namah In the wee hours of March 31, 2012, I awoke [...]

Staying Healthy When Traveling

This is a re-post of an article I wrote last September after a year of unexpected travel. I hope some of the tips are helpful for all of you summer travelers! I think I traveled more this summer than in the rest of my life combined! Travel is fun and exciting but if you’re not [...]

All This Talk About Venus Has Me Thinking…

All this talk about Venus has me thinking… Listen to the voice in your ear whispering Open your heart It’s the key to joy, to compassion, to Love Closed down the heart becomes heavy Not able to do what it was mean to do Love Love for others Love for Self So heed the voice [...]