Rooted in the Flow
Honoring Life’s Shifting Currents with Ancient Wisdom and Present-Moment Practices
Imagine a world where nothing changed. It’s always noon, sun high in the sky, the temperature is always 72 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s only ever a slight breeze, never any clouds, and no time. Just endless nothing new. Sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it? On the one hand, it would be easy to plan what to wear, but otherwise, what’s the point? Do we sleep? Do we value any moment, since they are infinite? Deep thoughts about how the limit on our lives actually magnifies their preciousness. And why we, as consciousness, would choose to incarnate in a human body – to experience all that we cannot when we are everything that exists.
We’ve all likely heard that “the only constant is change,” and it is quite obvious in our outer world that this is true. Oftentimes, we’re not aware of all that is changing around us, and we can expect things in our lives to stay the same. Our relationships, our dwellings, our neighborhoods, our countries, our technology – these are all things that we might tend to assume will not change all that much. But if we examine them on a closer level, we can tell that they are similar to our environment, the nature we exist as part of, and are constantly changing.
In my last newsletter I touched on these ideas of growth and transformation in relation to nature which has obvious cycles of death, rebirth and growth. The seasons change on a regular basis, but not in the exact same ways each year. We have the daily cycle of night and day which regulates our circadian rhythm. We have the phases of the moon and are still learning about all the human connections to those as well as the tides, the eclipses, and the impact of all the planets. And we have our daily weather where the temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation can change from moment to moment. Science is now reporting on the electromagnetic energy of the earth and the sun and how that affects us as humans also.
In Ayurveda and yoga, there are many ways to bring the body, mind, and emotions back into balance, and they are things that can be done daily to prevent illness, disease, and discomfort. They are also things that can be used in the moment to help shift the present reality. A wonderful technique that is easy to use, I’ve mentioned before in a previous newsletter, but it’s so good I’m sharing it again, it is the STOP technique. Any time we realize that we’re out of balance – mentally, emotionally or physically – Step #1 is to Stop whatever it is we’re doing: texting, running, arguing, cleaning, planning, eating, whatever it is – just stop. Step #2 - Take three deep breaths: deep inhale, deep exhale, repeat twice more. (I’ve noticed that even though I meditate daily and teach meditation to others, when I am in the throws of an emotional charge, physical discomfort or pain, or lost in an uncomfortable mental story, mindfully taking three deep breaths is easier said than done.) Knowing what is good for us and actually doing it are two very different things. Once we’ve taken our three deep breaths, we can move to Step #3 which is to Observe objectively. Start to notice the thoughts from the outside – we can’t see the label if we’re inside the jar. Identify the emotions and name them. Even taking the time to see and name the items in our physical reality can help to center us and ground us in the present moment. The final step is to Proceed with kindness – to yourself and to others.
Another simple way to reset our energy is to use essential oils. These can be used aromatically with a diffuser, or by putting a drop or two in the palm or on a cotton ball, or topically, typically diluted with a carrier oil. There are some – those in the Vitality line with Young Living or diluted in a big glass of water – that can be taken internally. Disclaimer - Not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, fitness, or other health program.
Some of my favorite oils are lavender – which can be uplifting or relaxing depending on the intention, peppermint – which can help relieve headaches, eucalyptus – beneficial for breathing clearly, cedarwood – which has a grounding effect, and palo santo – which can have a clearing effect. There are many more oils that I mention in my last newsletter that are specific for each dosha – so take my quiz to find out your Prakruti (primary dosha type) and know which oils will help you most! Our primary dosha doesn’t change, but just like the seasons and the cycles I mentioned at the beginning, our Vikruti, or current state of doshic balance, can change from moment to moment. (Check back for new vikruti quiz coming soon!)
Understanding the qualities of the doshas and how they show up in our lives and the world around us can help us make changes more easily to bring us into homeostasis. Then when we feel anxious or spacy, we remember that the qualities of air and space can over-accumulate and create a Vata imbalance, and that we need the opposite qualities to bring us back to balance – like fire, water and earth. So grounding, warm, and oily foods, smells like geranium, orange, clove, sounds of nature or calming music, oils for massage like sesame, and colors like earth tones and mild pastels are beneficial.
If we’re having a day where our temper is flaring, or we’re having indigestion, we can realize that the fire and water of Pitta are most likely causing these symptoms. We can bring in opposite qualities again, like dry, cool, and light tastes, oils like coconut and olive for massage, sweet sights and colors like the ocean, sweet smells like mint, rose, jasmine, and sounds that are soothing can calm those steamy tendencies. And if we have a sluggish or lethargic feeling and aren’t digesting our food or experiences well, it’s probably from a Kapha imbalance. When the earth and water qualities that are cool, slow, and heavy are accumulating in our life, we bring in opposite qualities of warm, fast, and light, like the elements of space, air, and fire. We eat lighter foods, move our bodies more quickly, use oils for massage like sunflower and avocado, and breathe in the scents of eucalyptus, marjoram, juniper, gaze at bright bold colors like the sun, reds, and oranges, and the sounds of drums and rock and roll can spark the fire.
There are also qualities within yoga asanas (poses) that can bring the doshas back into balance. And balance is another thing that can change in our lives, for better or for worse, and if you’re looking to improve your ability to balance while standing, I’ve recorded a short video that you can follow along with at home. Please contact me for the link – donations accepted!
Balance is one of those things that constantly change. Think of life as a teeter totter – always moving you up and down and in and out of balance. And we’re here to experience it all and to enjoy and have fun!