Category: Fall

King of Constitutions, Vata

10/26/2013

Balancing the Ayurvedic Medicine's Constitution of Vata can help increase mental clarity, inspiration, balanced energy in the day and rest at night, regulated digestion, as well as many other strengths. Fall is the time of Vata and with that can come Vata imbalances. Using different oils to warm and moisten one's system is optimal. Oils such as Sesame or olive oil are very nourishing during the dry season, sesame is also warming as the weather turns colder.
Regular exercise and a regular schedule helps to regulate Vata. Exercises such as Yoga or Tai Chi help balance the Vata elements of Ether (space) and Air. It is helpful to hold the yoga poses for longer periods of time when balancing the wind like movements of Vata. Grounding, resting, staying warm all help with this King of a Dosha, constitution. Vata is the constitution of the Fall season.

Be well.

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Emotion Balancing

2/23/2013

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There are many teachings on clearing out emotions that have been collecting. In Chinese Medicine there are Five main emotions that govern the Organs and the flow of Qi and Blood which regulate the whole body. The emotions all have ways of clearing out through the Meridians (energy channels) that correspond to the different organs, out of the body and into the universe to transform into good for the greater whole. If they aren't cleared out in the right way, they are directed in the body into different patterns that may show up as something helpful to build the system, or lead to an imbalance that can result in a dis-eased state. It is important to learn ways to balance and regulate ones emotions especially when excess ones show up, for example the main Five Emotions of - Fear, Worry, Anger, Melancholy, and Grief.

If any of these emotions are showing up in your life more than another it is important to learn different ways to balance them. This can happen over night through rest, or after different sessions of therapy including through Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. It can happen through doing a sport to changing one's diet. Learning ways to help balance one's emotions and direct them in a healthy way in the world can help make it a better place.

Be well.

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Grounding with Nature's Roots

11/18/2011

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Eating with the seasons used to be the only option, but today with options from all over the world one's overall well being can get confused and ungrounded. Certain foods grow at specific times of the year and location to help balance the changes the seasons have on our systems. We are now deep in the season of Fall as the elements become dryer, colder and lighter with the wind picking up to help move things in a stronger and faster way. We can feel these attributes in our body, and with our thoughts and emotions. Below is a list of a few of the root vegetables of the season and their health promoting benefits according to Chinese Medicine.

Beetroot - Tonify and builds the blood, promotes Qi (energy, Prana) circulation in the body, especially with the Heart, Liver, Small Intestine and Large Intestine. By tonifying blood our body has more nutrients and when we are nourished, we feel more settled and grounded within ourselves. The temperature is neutral, it counteracts cold and the flavor is sweet.

Carrots - Tonify Qi, and help circulate Qi throughout the body. They help remove toxins and counteract heat and damp heat in the body. Carrots nourish our Liver, Lung and Spleen. Their temperature is neutral and their flavor is sweet.

Yams - Tonify and build Qi and Yin. By balancing and nourishing the Yin in our body we help to calm and ground ourselves. Yams nourish our Kidneys, Lung and Spleen. Their temperature is neutral and their flavor is sweet.

Incorporating root vegetables into meals can help strengthen one's body and calm their mind throughout changes in their life as well, not just in the Fall. Understanding the different health benefits of food is a medicine we all can use.

Cheers to your health~

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The Healing Treasures of Fall

10/15/2011

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The season of Fall, according to Chinese Medicine, is associated with the element of Metal. The Metal element governs organization, communication, setting limits and boundaries. It is a good time to finish projects that were started in the Spring and Summer as one can experience the "harvest" from all your hard work. This is also a great time to begin more introspective projects as the weather gets colder and we spend more time physically inside.
The Metal element governs the Lungs and Large Intestine as well as the emotions of "letting go" and Grief. As we take a deep breath of the Fall air, we sense a crisp cool quality, a big change from the recent Summer heat. This shift in air quality is felt by our lungs and its energy channel opening to our nose. This is a time many experience colds, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, asthma and allergies such as hay fever. These are symptoms that can be helped with Acupuncture, medicinal herbs, nutritional support and self care therapies such as Neti-pot use.
Some may also experience irregularities with their digestion and elimination as the Large Intestine comes into play as a an organ that helps us let go of things our body does not need. Balancing one's digestion can also be greatly helped with Acupuncture, medicinal herbs, and nutritional support. This is an important process to go through, a reflection of this is seen in the trees and plants around us letting go of their leaves and fruit. We can embrace this time of the year as a time to cleanse and detox as we move more inward to work on our home, ourselves, and become more in touch with our dreams and aspirations.

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King of Constitutions, Vata

Emotion Balancing

Grounding with Nature's Roots

The Healing Treasures of Fall

Author
Jennifer Saferstein M.S., L.Ac., A.P.

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King of Constitutions, Vata

Emotion Balancing

Grounding with Nature's Roots

The Healing Treasures of Fall

AuthorJennifer Saferstein M.S., L.Ac., A.P.

Archives

Categories

Author
Jennifer Saferstein M.S., L.Ac., A.P.