Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing which evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3–5000 years ago. Ayurvedic understanding states that on our individual paths on the human journey, each of us is meant to learn the truths of our physical, mental and spiritual life that are particular to us and shared by others. These truths unite us into our families, our tribe, the entire human race, and the universe as a whole.
On this path of practice we understand that disease happens from within, and so must any cure. As individuals finds out more about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses, they also learn about their body, mind and spirit and about their innate power. Their own self-healing abilities awaken. On a practical level, taking on a simple practice, for example the simple ayurvedic cleansing practice of sipping plain hot water three to four times a day, can show us a lot about ourselves.
I run a busy naturopathic practice and co-parent four teenage boys, yet somehow I hadn’t quite realised how I was constantly moving fast until I started sipping hot water. By making time for it I saw where my life was out of balance. This led to changes elsewhere and allowed my more natural flow and timing to re-emerge. I recommend you try it.
Simply sip plain hot water, as you would a hot cuppa, in between mealtimes. Resist the tendency to add a little lemon. The hot water goes deep into the tissues and helps your body start to push out toxins lodged there. It helps liquefy toxins (in Ayurveda called ama) thus aiding their elimination. It will help in weight loss too and doesn’t cost you anything. Like the good ol’ potato used for burns, sprains and strains externally, simple hot water is accessible to anyone and can be a great first step in cleansing and getting one’s health back on track.
As parents we teach our children about health through our habits, not just our words. My kids have always been interested in the cleansing methods I implement and often try the simple ones. Or it’s enforced on them to a degree when I cook specific wholesome food according to the season and to the family’s constitution.
In the Steiner understanding too, when we are out of touch with our rhythms and the rhythms of nature dis-ease occurs. In the context of the family’s health, there are realistic ways you can guide your family towards being more in touch. Try making a commitment to sitting quietly, perhaps in a circle, or taking three deep breaths before eating. The reasons for conscious actions like this are often logical common sense. Of course if we sit and relax and open our hearts to loved ones before eating, our food will digest better and be utilised easier. Age is no excuse for not doing things like this. My big teenage boys love our meal circle and get their friends to join in too.
Other simple habits that contribute to being more in touch with nature’s rhythms could be introduced, depending on the age of your children, where you live etc. Examples include walking in nature, eating meals outside, and having regular meal times (not too late in the evening so everyone’s food has time to digest before sleeping).
Educating yourself and your family about which foods to favour, according to the season, is another huge step towards enhancing wellbeing. A spring diet, for example, needs lighter foods as we come out of the colder winter months. Summer calls similarly for its own specific foods and eating habits. More raw foods can be tolerated in the heat of summer, as can juices, smoothies etc. If you are stressed or ungrounded, balance yourself with oil-based salad dressings.
Cut down on or eliminate heating spices like chillies. In the heat it is still better to drink room temperature water rather than iced drinks. Fizzy drinks in particular disturb our vata (the air energy necessary for all movement), so choose pure fruit and veggie-juices, herb teas or water instead. A wonderful drink called the hydration-drink, is great at this time of year. It’s also called the anti-hangover drink (for the older family members) as well as the anti-jetlag drink. Give it a try.
To one glass of pure/filtered water add:
• 1 tablespoon apple juice
• 1 tablespoon chlorophyll
• 1 tablespoon Indian tonic water
Drink and enjoy!
Published in byronchild/Kindred, Issue 12, December 04