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WHOLE HARMONY ĀYURVEDA

Awaken Your Inner Healer

Welcome

Whole Harmony Ayurveda offers personalised ayurvedic health consultations, both online and in-person in Fernie, BC. Consultations are designed to provide comprehensive insights into your health and well-being. An initial consultation takes the time to understand your unique constitution, lifestyle, and health concerns. Follow-up consultations work collaboratively to track your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your wellness plan. The goal is to empower you to achieve optimal health and vitality. Whole Harmony also offers educational resources to help you better understand the principles of Ayurveda and how they can benefit your health and lifestyle.

Nali Salvatore, CAHC

Nali is dedicated to promoting holistic wellness through Ayurveda, an ancient healing system. With a deep understanding of traditional Ayurvedic principles, she is committed to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being.

More About Nali

How Can Āyurveda Support You?

Ayurveda can address a wide range of health issues through creating personalised wellness plans. Some of the health concerns Ayurveda can address are digestive health, stress management, women’s health, sleep disorders, hormonal balance, and more, as well as plans for prevention and health promotion.

Digestive Health

Women’s Wellness

Arthritis

High Blood Pressure

Insomnia

Prevention & Health Promotion

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Hormonal Balance

Mind-Body Connection

Weight Loss

The Unique Wisdom of Āyurveda

Personalised Approach

Side Benefits

Empowers Self-Healing

Natural Modalities

Multidimensional

Focus on Prevention

Body, Mind & Spirit are one

"I recently had two incredible Ayurvedic sessions with Nali at Whole Harmony Ayurveda, and I am beyond grateful for the experience. Each session was so thorough, and I walked away with a profound understanding of myself and the power of trusting my instincts. Nali’s insights opened my eyes to a deeper level of self-awareness, and she equipped me with invaluable tools for my biohacking journey that I know will serve me for a lifetime. Highly recommend to anyone seeking holistic growth and true, personalized wellness guidance!"

-J.J., Meixco

"Nali at Whole Harmony Ayurveda has been so great to work with. I am so happy that I found her. She is very knowledgeable in Ayurveda and has helped me to bring my body back into balance. With her expertise and guidance I have overcome some ailments and I have never felt so good. If you are curious about Ayurveda and are looking for a practitioner, I highly recommend speaking with Nali. It has really been a life changing experience."

-S.P., Penticton, BC

"Nali's profound wisdom and knowledge in Ayurveda has completely changed my life. Until working with her, I never knew how good my body was designed to feel. I have gained such a deep awareness of my own unique health needs throughout this journey and I am forever grateful. She has helped me heal from the inside out. Her passion radiates through her work and I highly recommend her services. Thank you for all your care and support Nali 🙏"

J.O., Fernie, BC

“One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas, balanced agni, properly formed dhātus, proper elimination of malas, well functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses are full of bliss, is called a healthy person.”

- Suśruta Samhitā

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Aparjita अपराजिता, commonly known as butterfly pea, and similar to shankhapushpi, is a medicinal herb used in Āyurvedic medicine. It has a cooling energy, a calming effect, and pacifies all three doshas. It is mainly used as a brain tonic to improve intelligence, memory, and concentration. I saw it growing abundantly in Kerala 💙

Simply choosing whole foods that are fresh is one of the best and most effective things we can do to stay in balance.

Āyurveda teaches that processed foods and chemical components that have been isolated from their whole confuse Agni (digestive capacity) so the body doesn’t know how to break them down. Instead, foods that remain mostly the way that nature has given them to us are a lot of easier for the body to break down, absorb and assimilate, and be used as fuel and nourishment. 🫐🥦🥕

#wholefoods #simplechoices #foodasmedicine #ayurveda #ayurvedicnutrition

Some memories from January @samyakyoga 300hr advanced yoga teacher training. I have so many thoughts and feelings about this time. It’s kinda hard to put into words exactly. I feel so lucky to have been able to come back for a second time and have yet another transformational experience with all the lovely people Samyak attracts.

My knowledge has deepened in all aspects of yoga (the physical and non physical). Though I understand that I’ll be a lifelong student and not only because yoga is a huge subject, but mainly because yoga is way of life. I am incredibly grateful to the acharyas and my fellow classmates for all the practices, learning, laughter, and time in between that we all shared. Thank you acharyas @yogacharyarakesh @yogadhvadarshi @chinmaya_kashyapa_ @iamjayacharya @yogacharya_siddappa @samyak.ayurveda for all the knowledge & wisdom you all share in your own beautiful ways. Leaving once again, feeling inspired and elevated by you all. Samyak is truly a special place.❤️

हरि ॐ तत्सत् 🙏🏵️🪔

#ayttc #300hryogateachertraining #yoga #samyakmysore

“My body is my temple and āsanas are my prayers.” - B.K.S. Iyengar

#āsana #yoga #ayttc #bodyismytemple #iyengarquotes

Satya सत्य is the second of the yamas in aṣṭāṅga yoga अष्टाङ्गः (the eight limbs of yoga) and translates to truth. It is considered the highest rule of morality.

Satya is not just about speaking honestly but also expressing truthfulness through the way you think and act with yourself, as well as with others. It is a way of life. Living in harmony with the law of truth is regarded as a prerequisite for union with the infinite.

This quote in Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar explains how powerful truthfulness can be: “As fire burns impurities and refines gold, so the fire of truth cleanses the yogi and burns up the dross in him.”

Satya goes hand in hand with ahimsā अहिंसा (non-violence). Thinking, speaking and acting in truth must also be expressed in a kind way.

Truth can change in different moments, seasons or stages of life. Although choosing truth is not always the easiest choice, it carries weight. It ensures that you remain present with reality.

Chapter 2, śloka 36 of Patanjali’s yoga sūtras states:

“Satya pratiṣṭhāyām kriyāphalāśrayatvam.”
सत्यप्रतिष्ठायां क्रियाफलाश्रयत्वम्
Translating to: To one established in truthfulness, actions bear fruit.

When someone is rooted in truth, the fruit of the their actions, as well as anything they need, will be received effortlessly.

#satya #truthfulness #yama #ashtangayogaeightlimbs #yoga #patanjaliyogasutras #yogabeyondāsana #yogaphilosophy #sunrisepanamá #sunrisenofilterneeded

Viruddhāhāra (विरुद्धाहार) means incompatible food combinations. It is a concept in āyurveda that explains that foods that have different properties to each other or to a season, place, or time of day are incompatible. Specific dosage or methods of preparations can also be incompatible with certain foods. For example, milk is cooling while fish is heating, honey becomes toxic when heated, and spicy food creates heat so it is not ideal in summer when the hot weather is already increasing body temperature and we want to cool the body instead.

Incompatibility of foods vitiate Agni (digestive capacity) and make it difficult for the body to break down these foods and get nutrition from them. This can manifest as indigestion, bloating, gas, heartburn, sluggishness, fatigue. On a deeper level, it causes Agni to weaken in the long term and toxins to build up which then begin to circulate the body and cause various diseases and imbalances.

The classical texts mention that diseases commonly associated with the intake of wrong food combinations include skin issues, shingles, psychiatric imbalances, anemia, fever and rhinitis.

I just listed a few incompatible combinations but there are a few more. It’s an interesting topic and definitely worth paying attention to as food combining can make all the difference to gut health and overall health. Even modern science is now discovering that certain food combinations can have adverse effects on health. 🍲

#ayurveda #viruddhaahara #incompatiblefoodcombinations

Coffee is delicious, however it has some undesirable effects on the body & mind according to āyurveda. It is uṣna (heating), rukṣa (drying), chala (mobile), tikta (bitter), and acidic in nature. It increase vāta & pitta. Briefly, this means it can make you agitated (body & mind), cause anxiety, cause heartburn, and dehydrate you. So it is best to avoid drinking it black.

Let’s make changes, or rather add to it, to counteract the undesirable effects:

☕️Cardamom- cooling, calming, sattvic & high in prāṇa, calms vāta & pitta. Just use a pinch. Can use powder or pods (pods are fresher & more potent).

☕️Milk of choice and/ or ghee according to your prakruti/ vikruti- cooling, unctuous, reduces acidity, reduces vāta & pitta aggravation. (Cow’s milk is cooling & should be boiled first, some other plant-based milks are not cooling but that’s ok, they’re not overly heating & your coffee will still benefit from it). Pro-tip: use a milk frother to mix the ghee into the coffee and or milk.

☕️Healthy sweetener of choice according to your prakruti/ vikruti (jaggery, maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey)- cooling, reduces bitterness & astringency, pacifies vāta & pitta. Just use a small amount. Prefer old jaggery. If using honey, make sure you wait at least 15 mins for coffee to cool down and avoid honey during summer or pitta constitution or where there is a lot of pitta heat in the body.

These little additions will make your coffee even more delicious, and make it more tolerable for your body & mind. 🤎🧘🏻‍♀️

In āyurveda, warm, cooked foods are preferred to cold and raw foods/ veggies. This is because cooked & warm foods are easier for the digestive system to break down which then makes it easier for the body to absorb & assimilate the nutrients throughout the body to provide nourishment & strength. Digestive strength is referred to as Agni अग्नि and likened to a fire 🔥. When food is cooked first, it gets pre-digested, and gives Agni a head start and helps in keeping it burning strong. On the other hand, raw foods are harder to break down and cold foods (or liquids) will put out the fire and weaken digestive capacity resulting in slower digestion of food or food that does not break down at all which is then unable to nourish the body. This is especially important at this time of year when we want to counterbalance the cold, and emphasize easy to digest foods as vāta predominates.

It is also important to cook foods fresh and avoid leftovers or minimize the amount of time leftovers are kept. Freshly cooked meals are considered sattvic सात्विक and higher in prāna प्रण (life force energy) which are also easier to digest and impart their light, balanced & harmonious energies onto not just the body but also the mind. Leftovers on the other hand, are tamasic, devoid of prāna and hard to digest. They start losing their nutritional content very quickly and have heavy, dull, sluggish qualities to them which again get transferred to the body & mind when consumed.

So use this tip to keep agni burning strong and maximize digestive capacity 🧡

#agni #ayurveda #freshcookedmeals #ayurvedictip #agniayurveda #digestivehealth #sattvicliving #strongagnistrongyou #warmcookedfoods #nourishment

Did you know there’s a whole story behind the Vīrabhadrāsana वीरभद्रासन (warrior) series? It originates from Hindu mythology. Vīrabhadra is the name of a powerful warrior, hence the name. “Vīra” means heroic and “bhadra” means auspicious or friend.

The story goes like this. Shiva married Sati, against her father, Daksha’s will, and when Daksha organized a yajña यज्ञ (a sacred fire ceremony), he purposely did not invite Sati and Shiva. Sati decided to attend the yajña anyway to confront her father, however she ends up enraged and humiliated as her father’s disapproval persists, and she jumps into the fire in frustration.

Struck by grief over Sati’s death, Shiva is overcome by anger and creates Vīrabhadra, a fierce warrior whom he sends to behead Daksha as revenge.

Each of the Vīrabhadrāsana/ warrior āsanas symbolize a different aspect of the myth:

🥀Vīrabhadrāsana 1 (warrior 1): the arrival of Vīrabhadra, emerging from the earth with his swords held high.

🥀Vīrabhadrāsana 2 (warrior 2): with a steady gaze, Vīrabhadra prepares to strike & makes his presence known.

🥀Vīrabhadrāsana 3 (warrior 3): moving swiftly and precisely with his swords, Vīrabhadra beheads Daksha.

In the end, Shiva absorbs Vīrabhadra back into his own form as he feels sorrow at the sight of destruction, and his feelings are transformed into compassion. He brings Daksha back to life with the head of a goat. Overwhelmed by Shiva’s generosity, Daksha calls him “Shankara” (शंकर) kind and benevolent one. Sati is also reborn and her marriage to Shiva is finally accepted.

On a deeper level, each of the āsanas are a metaphor for fighting our own internal battles of ego, ignorance, fear, false perceptions and a distracted mind. They empower us to do so with strength, focus, courage and determination, both on and off the mat.

#virabhadrasana #virabhadra #virabhadraseries #warriorposes #virabhadrastory #yogasana #yogasanateacher #mythology

Flowing with the changing energies is important in managing the body’s and mind’s responses to seasonal shifts. However, we want to do this in a way that is still pacifying to prakṛti - प्रकृति (predominant dosha combo), and that is still working on vikṛti - विकृति (balancing any doshic imbalances) that there may be.

The macrocosm impacts the microcosm.

Ultimately, ṛtucharyā - ऋतुचर्या contributes towards keeping the doshas and agni happy and balanced (when done right).

We are part of nature and following ṛtucharyā allows us to stay aligned with it. 🌻

#ritucharya #seasonalregimen #seasonalchanges #ritu #charya #seasons #changes #alignment #nature #macrocosm #microcosm #macrocosminthemicrocosm #alignedwithnature #spring #ayurveda #ayurvediclifestyle #ayurvedalife #ayurvedicwisdom #holistic #doshabalance #balance #ayurvedictips #ayurvedichealing #ayurvedicmedicine #ferniebc #ferniestoke

Classical haṭha yoga sūrya namasakāra सूर्यनमस्कार sun salutation. 🌞Sūrya (सूर्य) means ‘sun’ and namaskāra (नमस्कार) means ‘salutation’. During vedic times sūrya namaskāra was used to worship the sun. The sun was/ is seen as a symbol of spiritual consciousness. The practice contributes to good physical health and prepares for spiritual awakening and the expansion of awareness.

Sūrya namaskāra consists of twelve āsanas (आसन) (postures) which bend the body backwards & forwards with each movement synced to an inhale or exhale breath. It stretches and has an effect on the whole body. It tones the muscles, maintains structural stability, stimulates internal organs, and enhances the functioning of the respiratory, circulative, digestive, nervous, and especially the endocrine system.

It also generates prāna which activates the physic body and purifies suṣumna nadi which prepares for energy to ascend and awaken higher spiritual centres.

In āyurveda, sūrya namaskāra pacifies kapha and vāta, although it should be performed slowly for vāta.

Furthermore, each āsana has a mantra and a bija mantra associated with it. Mantras are combinations of sounds which have a specific effect on the mind & body. Moving through sūrya namaskāra with mantras adds a meditative layer to the practice, providing further preparation for higher spiritual practices.

The best time to practice is at sunrise facing the rising sun itself (east). This is a sattvic & calm time of day filled with the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which are important for body. If practice is not possible in the morning, practicing in the evening before dinner is also appropriate and stimulates agni (अग्नि) (digestive strength).

Classical sūrya namaskāra makes the body feel amazing & rebalances the energies of the body & mind leading to greater physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. When we cultivate wholesome inner practices, it radiates out into our daily activities and interactions in a positive, glowing way. ☀️

#sūryanamaskāra #sunsalutation #hathayogasuryanamaskar #classicalsunsalutation #yogateacher #yogaayurvedalifestyle #physicalmentalspiritualhealth #sunmantras #ommitrayenamaha #ombhaskarayanamah

Āyurvedic nutrition recognizes six tastes, known as “ṣaḍrasa” षड्रस. The word for taste in Sanskrit is “rasa” रस, which also has many other meanings such as essence, juice, plasma, experience, enthusiasm. Rasa, or taste has a deeper meaning in āyurveda because each taste of a food, spice or therapeutic herb, plays a significant role on, and has a different effect on the physiology, health, wellbeing and state of balance of body, mind, spirit.

Every meal should contain all six tastes in the order listed and with slightly different ratios according to each person’s dominant doṣa. Spices are a great way to get in all six tastes especially the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes which can be a little harder to find.

🍚मधुर Madhura (sweet):
Composed primarily of earth & water
Pacifies: vāta, pitta. Aggravates: kapha.
Promotes strength, vitality, is nutritive, soothing, and builds tissues.

🍋अम्ल Amla (sour)
Composed primarily of earth & fire.
Pacifies: vāta. Aggravates: pitta, kapha
Ignites Agni, cleanses the tissues, increases digestive enzymes and salivary secretions.

🧂लवण Lavaṇa (salty)
Pacifies: vāta. Aggravates: pitta, kapha.
Composed primarily of water & fire.
Ignites Agni, stimulates digestion, creates moisture in the tissues, balances electrolytes.

🌶️कटु Kaṭu (pungent)
Composed primarily of fire & air.
Pacifies: kapha. Aggravates: vāta, pitta.
Stimulates metabolism, ignites Agni, clears āma (toxins), opens the channels, clears stagnation and excess moisture.

🥬तिक्त Tikta (bitter)
Composed primarily of air & ether
Pacifies: pitta, kapha. Aggravates: vāta.
Clears āma, deworms, increases Agni, cleanses, scrapes fat, purifies the blood, clears heat.

🫘कषाय Kaṣāya (astringent)
Composed primarily of air & earth.
Pacifies pitta, kapha. Aggravates vāta.
Absorbs excess moisture, tightens tissues, improves absorption, clears āma, cleanses mucus membranes, scrapes fat, binds stools, promotes healthy formation & elimination of all malas (wastes).

Incorporating all six tastes ensures satiety, a balanced diet, and is nourishing. Although an excess of one taste can lead to undesirable effects so be sure to keep all tastes in moderation.

Practising āsanas is training for the physical body but it is more so training for the mind. The physical body gets strong and so does the mind. ✨

#ekapadagalavasana #flyingpigeon #āsana #yogasana #mindbody #strongbodystrongmind

A pre/post travel flow to move the body and rebalance energy before and or after sitting and being on the go for a long time. Simple and feel-good with some vāta balancing āsanas. Follow with śavāsana and anulom vilom prānāyāma to complete the practice.🧘🏻‍♀️

Hari ॐ

#yogasana #preposttravel #posttravelyogaflow #asanapractice #vatabalancingasanas #yogaayurveda #anulomvilom #calmingasanas #simple #feelgood

Travelling, especially air travel, involves being high in the skies, and being in constant motion where the air is dry and cold. So it shares some of vāta’s main characteristics, meaning it is almost inevitably going to throw vāta out of balance. Imbalanced vāta from travel can show up as dry skin, constipation, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, feeling ungrounded. And if vāta doesn’t get calmed down, it could potentially have lasting results or risk experiencing some of these symptoms during your trip or when you return home.

Follow these five simple tips for keeping vāta calm while travelling.

1. Hot herbal teas or warm/ hot water: keeps you hydrated, stimulates digestion, keeps the channels of the body moving & flowing.

2. Oil: counteracts dryness, calming, grounding, really helps to pacify vāta.

3. Dates as snacks: grounding, nourishing, pacify vāta. Opt for warm, cooked foods in general.

4. Keep warm: vāta doesn’t like to be cold. Layer up, keep body temperature warm, and keep the ears, head, neck and feet warm.

5. Anulom Vilom prāṇāyāma: grounding, calms the nervous system, regulates prāṇa.

Vāta can so easily go out balance especially when flying, but also with any mode of extended travel. Luckily āyurveda offers so many tips to stay grounded and make travelling not so aggravating to the nervous system.

#ayurveda #vatatraveltips #vātabalance #ayurvedicmedicine #ayurvedictraveltips #calmvata #ayurvedicpractitioner #hotteas #datessnacking #vatawarmth #oilvata #anulomvilombenefits

Ahimsā अहिंसा is the first of the five yamas in aṣṭāṅga yoga (the eight limbs of yoga). “A” means not and “himsā” means violence, so ahimsā translates to non-violence.

Violence here refers not only to harmful actions but also to anything that causes pain such as unkind spoken words or harmful, negative thought patterns towards others or towards yourself.

Violence or the causing of pain often comes from fear. To confront fears, courage must be developed.

As important as it is to not cause pain to others and any living being, it is just as important to not be harmful to ourselves, whether that is through how we speak to ourselves or the boundaries that we establish with others etc.

Cultivating self-love and a positive inner dialogue is central in being able to practice ahimsā both towards ourselves but also towards others. The way we treat ourselves is often the way we treat others.

Establishing balance in body & mind is also key in being able to practice ahimsā. When the body or mind is imbalanced, discomfort that is being felt internally can often express itself externally through frustration and anger, such as being “short” with someone etc. Being in a state of balance promotes harmony within, which in turn leads to external harmonious attitudes & behaviours. And this where āyurveda can play a role in supporting to balance the whole being through holistic healthcare.

Sūtra 35 in pada 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras states: Ahimsā pratisthāyām tat sannidhau vaira tyāgah. अहिंसाप्रतिष्ठायां तत्सन्निधौ वैरत्यागः : “In the presence of one firmly established in nonviolence, all hostilities cease.”
When ahimsā is practiced continuously, you emit vibrations of harmony.

In summary, ahimsā has a wider message of love. Love for all living beings and all creation. Hostility disappears when love and gentleness is at the core of our intentions, actions & thoughts. 🤍

Hari ॐ

#ahimsā #nonviolence #aṣṭāṅgayoga #yama #firstyama #patanjaliyogasutra #selflove #balance #yogāyurveda

Awareness is key when embarking on a healing journey. It encourages a reconnection with consciousness and re-establishes harmony between the body & mind.

In āyurveda, one of the three main causes of disease is prajñāparādha, which means going against one’s own wisdom of what they know to be right or healthy for them, where the body & mind function independently from each other and independently from the whole system. Awareness reinforces the link between body & mind, and the whole, and by awakening the consciousness between them, body and mind can work together and encourage decision making that is more aligned with healing.

Additionally, the more awareness that is cultivated, the more it stimulates self-healing throughout the entire being. 🤍

#awareness #ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #healingenergy #holistichealth #selfhealing #healingjourney #certifiedayurvedicpractitioner #Ayurvedicwisdom #consciousness #naturalhealth #bodymindconnection

Āsana moves and rebalances the energy of your entire being. It always goes beyond the physical (sthūla śarīra), sometimes without you even realizing, and affects you on an energetic level, reaching the subtle (sukșma śarīra) and causal (karāna śarīra) bodies as well. The free flow of energy that āsana creates helps to direct attention inwards, preparing for higher yogic practices. In āyurveda, this free flow of energy within the mind-body complex allows for proper flow and the avoidance of blockages throughout the channels of the body be it physical or energetic, helping also to target various ailments. 🧘🏻‍♀️

Hari ॐ

#āsana #yogaāsana #ayurvedaasana #energyflows #energyflowhealing #subtlebody #causalbody #energeticbodymind #sthulasarira #sūkṣmaśarīra #karanasarira #ayurvedayoga #yogaasanateacher #ayurvedicpractitioner

Everything is connected. Every system, each dhātu (bodily tissues), all the strotāmsi (channels of the body), the mind and the spirit are all intricately interwoven with each other. Āyurveda is not just about looking at, and treating individual symptoms, but looking at how the body & mind are interacting as a whole. This is a complete holistic approach that creates lasting wellbeing. 🌺

#ayurveda #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedic #ayurvedicmedicine #holistic #whole #one #sidebenefits #sidebenefitsnotsideeffects #ayurvedasidebenefits #wellbeing #ayurvedawisdom #ayurvedicwellbeing #ayurvedawellness #certifiedayurvedichealthcounselor #namacb #nama #ayurvedichealthcounselor #ayurvedastudent #ayurvedacanada #holisticcanada #ferniebc #ferniestrong #bc

Summer means pitta season. Making some small pitta friendly diet and lifestyle adjustments to help you stay cool and calm will keep pitta in check. 🩵

#pittaseason #summer #ayurvedaseasonalchange #pittacooldown #doshabalance #ritucharyaseasonalwellness

The word “svastha” is comprised of two words; “sva” meaning “self” and “stha” meaning stable, steady, to stay, to be rooted in, to be grounded in. So svastha literally means to be rooted in one’s self. An optimal state of health is when someone is able to be in their own natural state without any imbalances. This is what would be considered a normal state of health & wellbeing for an individual.

And in āyurveda, especially if we look at the definition of health by Suśruta (15.38), good health is when body, mind & spirit are all balanced and functioning optimally, as they are all interconnected.

🧘🏻‍♀️ ॐ

#svastha #ayurvedalife #ayuhealth #optimalhealth #ayurvedapractitioner #āyurveda #bodymindspiritbalance #naturalbalance

“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self and intelligence.” - B.K.S. Iyengar

#yogaasana #yoga #alignmentbodymindspirit #ayurveda #naturalhealing #backbending #iyengarquotes

Mindful eating allows for your body to focus on, and optimize the digestion of your food, rather than the digestion of anything else. Any info we take in through our senses, for example, looking at your phone, reading, or chatting, gets digested by the body and this requires energy. When we’re eating, we want the energy to be focused on our digestion.

Mindful eating involves:

☀️Expressing gratitude for your food, and/or blessing your food
☀️Eating meals without distractions and preferring a quiet environment
☀️Embracing silence
☀️Being in a good head space, and preferably not experiencing big or intense emotions
☀️Taking the time to sit and eat, and avoiding eating on the go
☀️Chewing every bite thoroughly

Of course there are times when you want to share a meal with family or friends and catch up, and chat etc, and that is perfectly fine! However, on a more regular basis, incorporating mindful eating practices will encourage your digestive process to work better for you 😌.

#mindfuleating #mindfuleatingtips #digestivetips #digestion #agni #ayurveda #ayurvedic #holistichealth #holistichealthfernie #ayurvedicwisdom #gratitude #ayurvedadigestion #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvediclife #mountainhealth #wellbeing #ayurvedamedicine #ancienthealing #ancientwisdom #ferniebc #kootenays #ayurvedacanada #ayurvedichealthcounselor #ayurvedicpractitioner

Any kind of controlled & conscious breathing has the ability to increase oxygen intake into the body, which in turn increases the intake of prāna, as prāna exists all around us and uses the breath as its vehicle.

In a nutshell, prānāyāma प्राणायाम is the expansion of prāna. “Prāna” = life force, and “ayama” = expansion.

During prānāyāma, if done correctly, it is possible to take in seven times more oxygen into the body, which means taking in seven times more prāna, than compared with regular breathing. When the blood is oxygenated better, it increases the body’s ability to absorb micro and macro nutrients, ensuring proper nourishment and strengthening immunity. It also removes carbon dioxide from the cells of the organs and provides them with more oxygen, therefore giving them a boost of prāna. This enlivens the cells and gives life energy to the entire body. In the words of Sri Swami Satchidananda, during prānānāyama “every cell vibrates with new life.”

Aside from the boost of prāna it injects, one of the biggest benefits of prānāyāma is its calming effect on the mind and nervous system. On talking about regulating the movement of breath, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 2.2, states:

“Chale vate chalam chittam nischale nischalam bhavet.”

This translates to: “The breath being in motion, the mind is moving. The breath being without motion, the mind must be motionless.”

Through regulating the movement of breath, it steadies and stabilizes the mind, focusing it in a single direction, and directing it toward the inner self.

In Āyurveda, different types of prānāyāmas are suitable for different doshas or different imbalances.

The practice of prānāyāma is a powerful one which can have tremendous benefits on the mind and physical body. And being so powerful, it is important to practice it correctly, so having a teacher or guide is always recommended.

When practiced properly and consistently, prānāyāma is transformational. 🧘🏻‍♀️ 🕉️

#pranayama #prana #pranayamaayurveda #expansionofprana #ayurveda #yoga #lifeforceenergy #lifeenergy #hathayogapradipika #chalevatechalechittam #calmmind #regulatedbreathing #steadymind #fourthlimbofashtanga

Sunrise is a magical time! 💛 It is the transition from dark to light and this transition is called “sandhi prakash” in Sanskrit. “Sandhi” means transition and “prakash” means light.

There is more peace, tranquility and sattva at sunrise which makes it a powerful time to practice asana, pranayama, mediation, and mantra chanting etc. Their effects are enhanced when practiced at this time. This is why Āyurveda and Yoga both recommend spiritual rituals & establishing a consistent dinacharya involving spiritual practices during the early hours.

While the air is filled with tranquility and beauty, it is the perfect time to gather and stabilize our own inner peace and balance before heading into the dynamic energy of the day. We then draw in the energy of the newly risen sun and carry that energy with us to use in our busy daily lives.

Sunrise is more than just beautiful. It is a feeling and a sacred time of day. 💛🕉️

#sunrise #ayurveda #yoga #dinacharya #sandhiprakash #sūryodaya #lovesunrise #darktolight #transitiondarktolight

The āyurvedic clock helps us design the perfect dinacharya (daily routine) that best aligns with the predominant energies of the day so that we perform activities & tasks at the time of day where they yield the best results for us. All the texts in the Brhat Trayī (the great triad of āyurvedic classical texts) lay out activities to be included within a dinacharya and its importance.

Ultimately, following the āyurvedic clock and a personalized dinacharya supports us in living in harmony with nature, and promotes optimal health, wellbeing, and longevity.

☀️

If you want to know more about the significance of cultivating a dinacharya (daily routine) & working with the energies of the day, check out my blog post on it: https://www.wholeharmonyayurveda.com/post/the-power-of-routine

#ayurveda #ayurvedicclock #circadianrhythms #dinacharya #dailyroutines #powerofroutine #ayurvedicmedicine #ancientwisdommodernliving #timelesswisdom #naturallivingtips #livinginharmonywithnature #healthlongevity

Spring is kapha season and kapha’s gunas (qualities) are heavy, cold, slow, oily, sticky, and dense. Follow these tips to counteract these qualities and stay balanced during Springtime 💐 🐣.

#ayurveda #spring #springtips #kaphaseason #seasonalchanges #seasonaltips #ayurvediclifestyle #ritu #ayurvedicmedicine #ancientwisdommodernwellness #harmonywithnature

What an amazing journey with the most amazing people & yogacharyas @samyakyoga. I am forever grateful to all the acharyas @yogacharyarakesh @yogadhvadarshi @iamjayacharya @yogacharya_siddappa for teaching us so beautifully and sharing your knowledge and wisdom and to @drmeghanarakesh for her Āyurvedic wisdom. What an experience. Leaving feeling inspired by my teachers & fellow students. Love & light to you all❤️✨

#yoga #ashtangayogateachertraining #mysore #india #yogacharyas #samyakyoga #ashtangavinyasayoga

Grateful to have been on this journey with all of you, my lovely classmates and colleagues. The last two and half years would not have been the same! 🥰🫶✨

Om Dhanvantari Namah 🙏

#ayurveda #ayurvedaclass #classmates #colleagues #ayurvedic #ancientwisdom #learningayurveda #minnesotainstituteofayurveda #studyayurveda #ayurvedastudents #ayurvedicpractitioners #ayurvedaindia

Prāna links āyurveda and yoga.

When prāna flows freely in the right directions, it supports good health.

In yoga, the expansion of prāna facilities in the pursuit of higher consciousness.

✨

#prana #ayurveda #yoga #pranaflow #ayurvedahealth #higherconsciousness #ancientwisdom

My beautiful teachers 💕. So much appreciation for you both and so grateful for all the wisdom you have shared these last 2.5 years ✨🥰.

#ayurveda #ancientwisdom #ayurvedicmedicine #india #indiaayurvedatrip #naturalhealth #ayurvedicpractitioner #studyayurveda #teachers #gurus #gratitude

Studying Āyurveda in it’s birthplace 😌❤️✨

#india #ayurveda #ancientwisdom #dhanwantari #grateful #classmates #studytrip #satara #pune #maharashtra #studyayurvedaindia #naturalhealth

When you drink a glass of warm water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (after oral cleansing rituals of course), it flushes out toxins accumulated overnight, wakes up your digestion, rehydrates your body, and supports kidney function. It also stimulates peristalsis which encourages flow of wastes out of the body, instead of stagnation. 💧

#ayurveda #ayurvedicknowledge #ayurvedictip #warmwater #digestionsupport #ancientknowledge #holistichealth #ushna #jala

Prajñāparādha is one of the three main causes of disease in āyurveda, as described in the classical texts.

It is when you know that a particular diet or lifestyle habit is not the best choice for you but you choose it any way. You are literally going against your own intelligence of what you know to be good for you.

Prajñāparādha becomes a problem when it is repeated on a regular basis. Repeatedly making the wrong choices for bodily and mental health eventually leads to disease or imbalance. This is because each action accumulates its effects over time.

It’s never too late to make better choices for ourselves ✨

#ayurveda #prajñāparādha #crimeagainstwisdom #ayurvedicmedicine #ayurvedicwisdom #goodchoices #ayurvedalifestyle #holisticlifestyle #causeandeffect #healthychoices

Nidra (sleep) is often overlooked in today’s fast paced life. However getting enough good quality sleep is one of the biggest contributors to good health & wellbeing. It is part of the trayopastambha (the three supporting pillars of health) in āyurveda. Among a multitude of processes & functions, sleep allows the body to detox, regulate hormones, repair & renew, and gives the body a break from the wear & tear it goes through while awake.

The caraka samhitā (one of the great authoritative texts of āyurveda) explains how good sleep can support not just good health but also good performance in the day, a good quality of life, and a balanced state of mind. Sleep deprivation, however, can lead to various physical imbalances and reduced immunity, as well as cognitive weaknesses, reduced intellectual capacity, and poor mental health. It especially aggravates vāta and causes vāta imbalances.

Good sleep hygiene & the pursuit of quality sleep, therefore, should always be prioritized. Above are some basic lifestyle tips to support and improve sleep quality. There are also many wonderful medicinal herbs in the āyurvedic pharmacology that support and alleviate sleep disturbances and insomnia, especially when sleep issues have become chronic. The need and proper use of these herbs though, must be assessed on an individual basis during a consultation. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or a deeper need for improving your sleep.

As winter is a time where we need more sleep, now is a great time to start incorporating new sleep habits and/ or improving existing ones.

Wishing everyone a happy slumber, always! 😴🌙

#nidra #ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #sleep #ayurvedicwisdom #qualitysleep #qualitysleephealthierlife #trayopastambhaofayurveda #sleeptips #nidratips #goodsleepmatters #sleephygiene #carakasamhitateachings #harmony

It’s all about balance 🏵️

#ayurveda #ayurvedamedicine #samanyavishesha #samanya #vishesha #balance #oppositesdecrease #oppositesbalance #likeincreaseslike #doshabalance #ayurvedicmedicine #ayurvedicpractitioner #ayurvediclifestyle #naturalhealthcaresolutions #ayurvedicwisdom

Sattva, rajas and tamas are spiritual energies that exist in everything. They make up each persons mental constitution. They are also inherent in food, objects, nature, movements, etc. Unlike prakruti (constitution) which cannot be changed, mental constitution can be changed through diet, lifestyle, control of the senses & mind, physical purification, sadhana (spiritual practices such as mediation and mantra) and more.

All three gunas of sattva, rajas, and tamas are needed for ordinary daily activities, however, in general we want to be striving towards higher levels of sattva.

In āyurveda, it is important to cultivate higher levels of sattva because it is a state of balance conducive to healing. The chances of suffering from diseases and imbalances are lower when someone has more of a sattvic body & mind. A tamasic nature gives rise to the accumulation of āma (toxins) & waste products as well as negative thought patterns & emotions. The state of rajas brings the movement from health to disease or disease to health. Sattva is, and allows for a continued state of balance which brings about overall health.

In yoga, sattva paves the way for spiritual growth.

🧘‍♀️ ✨

#mahagunas #gunas #sattva #rajas #tamas #gunasofthemind #mentalconstitution #ayurveda #ayurvedic #ayurvedicmedicine #balance #harmony #bliss #health #sattvahealing #sattvahealth #sattvic #holistichealth #ayurvedicpractitioner #ayurvedicwisdom #yogicwisdom #sattviclifestyle #sattvicdiet #sattvicbodysattvicmind

It’s been snowy here in the Canadian Rockies which means it is officially Winter. The energies of kapha and vāta predominate, meaning each of their qualities are expressing themselves in abundance in the outer environment and affecting our inner environment; the body and the mind. Stay balanced with these seasonal tips ❄️

#ayurveda #ayurvedic #winter #kaphavataseason #ritucharya #balanced #seasonalroutine #dinacharyaayurveda #doshabalance #wintertips #staywarmandcozy #warmingfoodsforwinter #herbalteas #holistichealth #naturalliving #ayurvedaseasons #ayurvedalife #harmonywithnature

Trayopastambha is the Sanskrit word in Āyurveda which refers to the three pillars of health, or life. They are:
🪷Ahara (diet)
🪷Nidra (sleep)
🪷Bramhacharya (control of the senses)

The caraka samhitā (one of the brhattrayī; great classical texts of Āyurveda) mentions the importance of supporting the trayopastambha in our daily lives, for maintaining overall health, strength, happiness, prevention of disease, and the promotion of longevity.

#ayurveda #trayopastambha #trayopastambhaofayurveda #supportingpillarsoflife #supportingpillarsofhealth #ahara #nidra #bramhacharya #ayurvedic #ayurvedicwisdom #knowledgeoflife #ayurvedicmedicine #carakasaṃhitā #vedicsciences #ayurvedalifestyle #ancientwisdom #holistichealth #naturalliving #naturalhealth #prevention #longevity #holistichealthfernie

This Ayurvedic practice is called “shatapavali”. “Shata” means 100 and “pavali” means “steps”.

Walking 100 gentle steps after each meal, especially a big one, helps to drive the energy downwards to stimulate digestion. It also encourages good circulation for the body to be able to deliver nutrients to the dhātus (bodily tissues). However, steps must not be fast paced as this creates āma (toxins) instead. If you can get outside to do this great, if not, you can even just walk around your home or office, especially if it’s winter and outside is not so appealing! 👣

#digestivetips #digestion #ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #ayurvedic #ayurvedadigestion #agni #100steps #health #ayurvedicwisdom #goodhealth #gooddigestion #properdigestion #energy #energyhealing #healthtips4life #wellbeingwarrior #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedicliving #ayurvedichealing #ayurvedichealthcounselor #certifiedayurvedichealthcounselor #namacb

Oral health is important because digestion starts in the mouth with the salivary secretions that begin to break down food. The mouth is connected to the digestive organs; stomach, small intestine & colon, which means keeping the oral cavity nurtured, clean and clear of bad bacteria supports the whole digestive process, and balances the microbiome in the mouth as well as the gut.

As well as brushing teeth and flossing, Ayurvedic practices such as tongue scraping & oil pulling in the morning will kickstart digestion, clear away toxins, keep teeth & gums healthy & strong, and promote a healthy microbiome in the mouth. 👄

#ayurveda #oralhealthritual #oralhealth #ayurvedicoralcare #ayurvedicoralhealth #ayurvedicoralhygeine #tonguescraping #oilpulling #oilpullingbenefits #tonguescrapingbenefits #neem #neemtoothpaste #neemayurveda #oralcavitycare #mouthmicrobiome #mouthmicrobiomecare #ayurvedicteethcare #natural #ayurvedlifestyle #ayurvedicwisdom #ancientwisdom #scienceoflife #ayurvedatips

For sure, choosing foods suitable for your constitution or any imbalances you may be experiencing, is a must along with other guidelines for maintaining a strong agni. However, these fundamentals need to be nailed down first. They are foundational to fuelling Agni and ensuring smooth digestion. Meal timings, meal spacing, and environmental influences are often underestimated these days but they have more of an effect than you may be aware of. ☀️🍃

#ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #agni #digestion #healthymicrobiota #eatwiththesun #eastseasonally #sourcelocallygrown #balance #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedafordigestion #healthydigestion #ancientwisdommoderntimes #foundationsforlife #ayurvedahealing #ayurvedatips

Fall walks 🍂. Grateful to live in a place surrounded by so much nature and these views 👌🌲💚

#nature #ayurveda #natureheals #naturehealsthesoul #montanetrailferniebc #fallwalks #mountains #mountfernie #threesistersfernie #mountainviews #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedicwisdom #holistichealth #balance #vataseason #ferniebc #ferniestoke #ferniestrong

Āyurveda is often referred to as the science of self-healing. It empowers us to be in charge of our health and bring ourselves back into balance. Its philosophy is based upon the movement and balance of the three doshas; vāta, pitta, and kapha.

The doshas are three different fundamental energies present in our bodies, and each individual has a different amount of each dosha within them. This can be referred to as an individual’s unique blueprint, known as your Prakruti (your constitutional make-up/ your true nature). Because of this, Āyurvedic healthcare is personalized, and recommendations will always be different for everyone.

The doshas fluctuate and are constantly changing with diet, lifestyle, seasons, climate, age, time and many other factors. Health is dependent upon the balance of the doshas and knowing your Prakruti, and how to keep your own unique doshic balance happy can help you stay healthy, and achieve longevity.

Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with nature within our daily lives. Its aim is to maintain the health of a healthy person and correct imbalances in times when someone has become unhealthy. Although Āyurveda is extremely effective in managing chronic conditions and imbalances, it places emphasis on the promotion of health and prevention of disease. As the age old saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

According to Āyuvreda, health is a balance between the doshas, and between mind, body, and soul.

I have found that Āyurveda has a magical way of encouraging us to become more in tune with ourselves, as well as helping us to enhance our awareness.✨

#ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #ayu #ayurvediclifestyle #ayurvedicpractitioner #ayurvedaeveryday #dosha #doshabalancing #prakriti #health #holisticwellness #mindbodysoul #vatadosha #pittadosha #kaphadosha #foodismedicine #holistichealing #whatisayurveda #ferniebc

Complementary 15 minute discovery calls to determine if and how Ayurveda can support your health and wellbeing.

If you’re unsure what Ayurveda can do for you or how it can help specific ailments or imbalances you may be experiencing, let’s hop on a quick call. I will also give you an overview of the process and answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to book in for a full consultation afterwards. You are welcome to take the time you need to determine if this is the right approach for you.

So what can Ayurveda help with exactly? …almost anything really! After 5000 years, Ayurvedic management of disease and disease prevention is proven and it works! In Ayurveda we target the root cause of an imbalance and create individualized recommendations to bring you back to balance and prevent occurrence of future health issues. The goal is to provide you with achievable and adaptable long-lasting tools to re-establish wellness as well as empower you to take control of your own health & wellbeing moving forward. Below is a list (but not limited to) of examples of some of the most common ailments that someone may seek out an Ayurvedic Practitioner for:

🌱Digestive issues
🌱Skin disorders
🌱Preventative & health promotion
🌱Women’s health
🌱Weight loss
🌱Anxiety & stress management
🌱Fatigue/ low energy
🌱Arthritis
🌱Improved immune system function
🌱Diet & lifestyle personalized to you 🧘‍♀️
🌱And so much more 💚

Follow the link in my bio to book in or message me! I’m always happy to share & educate on this beautiful wisdom.

Namaste 🙏

#ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #discoverycall #ayurvedicwellbeing #healthwellbeing #holistic #ancientwisdom #rootcausemedicine #ayurvedaholistichealth #balance #ferniebc #ferniestoke #ayurvedacanada

It’s Fall which means it is vāta season. Abundant vāta in the external environment leads to increased vāta in the body & mind with more chance of it getting aggravated if it is not tended to. With vāta being the most powerful dosha, it is important for everyone to take a little extra care of their vāta in the Fall regardless of whether it is predominant in their prakruti.

Vāta is likened to vayu, i.e. the wind. Its qualities are cold, dry, light, mobile, rough, and clear, just like the qualities present in the Fall.

Keeping warm and opting for warm, grounding, moist foods with enough healthy fats is key for counteracting those cold, dry, light, rough qualities. So it’s best to skip the salads, raw foods, cold foods, cold beverages, and dry foods such as crackers, popcorn, granola, chips etc.

Being like the wind, vāta is the only dosha that moves, however stimulating that mobile quality too much can disrupt digestion, sleep, cause anxiety, and stir up a whole host of other disturbances. Practicing abhyanga (self-oil massage) or applying oil that is personalized for you and appropriate for the Fall is a great way to ground and soothe this energy. Message me for more info on abhyanga and preferred oils.

Slowing down is another key take away during vāta season. Cutting down the to-do list, avoiding too much multitasking, and taking some down time works wonders for keeping vāta under control. Instead, focus on gentle, more mindful practices and slower activities such as slower yoga asana sequences, yoga nidra, meditation, gentle walking, calming prānāyāmas such as alternate nostril breathing, and taking some time for inner reflection.

Taking care of vāta in Fall will not only make you feel better and more grounded in the short term but it will also benefit you more than you know, going forward.

Follow these tips and be sure to keep that mighty vāta happy this Fall! 🌬️🍂🧡

#ayurveda #ayurvedic #ayurvedicmedicine #vata #vataseason #vataseasontips #vatadosha #seaonalregimen #calm #groundvata #fall #fallseason #ritucharya #ritucharyabenefits #ritucharyaseasonalwellness #holistichealth

It’s like a bowl of candy but from nature🍒✨Cherries are a great a summer fruit and one of my favourites!

Did you know that the best time to eat fruit is in the morning. Fruit should also be eaten alone, on an empty stomach, within at least 1 hour before eating anything else and 2 hours after any other meal/ food. So, fruit makes for a perfect mid morning snack. Feeling hungry between breakfast and lunch? Grab a piece of (seasonal) fruit or two. Delicious and super nourishing for the first dhatu; rasa dhatu. 🍓🫐

#ayurveda #cherries #seasonalfruit #naturescandy #nature #fruit #ayurvedic #nutrition #rasadhatu #farmersmarket #ayurvedicwisdom #ayurvedalife #ayurvedichealthcounselor #ayurvedicpractitioner #ferniebc

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” - Lao Tzu

Similarly when it comes to healing, and treating the root cause, we must be patient and trust the process. Whatever the causes, many imbalances, especially chronic conditions, have been developing over a very long period of time. In many cases, over many years. Therefore, it’s going to need a little bit to come back into balance, especially if we want to prevent reoccurrences. 🌿

#ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine #holistichealth #whole #natural #balance #ayurvedalife #nature #laotzu #naturalhealing #patience #trusttheprocess #ayurvedic #plantmedicine #ancientwisdom #ancientwisdommodernliving #naturalhealthcare #ferniebc #ferniestoke

Homemade granola is a great summer breakfast. However, its dry, rough, light, cold qualities aren’t always the best for vata, pitta, or digestion. Luckily we can make some delicious changes to counteract these qualities. Here’s how I make mine Ayurvedic and pitta, vāta friendly.

When making & baking the granola:
🌻Mix ghee into the oats before baking- ghee is great for taking away vata’s dryness, and a tonic for pitta
🌻Bake on low (350 degrees F) and for max. 15-20 mins- this prevents it from getting too dry and rough
🌻Mix spices into the ghee before mixing into the oats; like cardamom, fennel seeds, pinch of fresh ginger (if not experiencing too much heat)- spices boost digestion and these spices are better for pitta season (summer)
🌻Add pumpkin & sunflower seeds- best seed choices for pitta
🌻Add shredded coconut- coconut is cooling and calming, great for pitta
🌻Limit adding too many nuts as they are heating, heavy, and can aggravate pitta. Prefer soaked & peeled almonds- best nut choice for pitta
🌻Mix in maple syrup- best sweetener choice for pitta and vata

When preparing granola to eat:
🌻Add a little warm milk (milk of choice depending on what works best for me at the time), and sometimes a pinch turmeric to the milk depending on what I’m needing/ feeling on the day- even though it’s summer, warm is still preferred to give Agni (digestion) a head start, and milk takes away the dryness
🌻Top with soaked raisins (optional)- soaked raisins take away dryness, pacify pitta and vata and aid in keeping the bowels moving
🌻Top with chopped dates (optional)- pacify vata and pitta
🌻Top with a little extra ghee if experiencing dryness (optional)

It’s so tasty!

#ayurveda #ayurvedicnutrition #ayurvedafood #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedalife #ancientwisdom #ayu #ayurvedafoodrecipes #ayurvedahealing #ayurvedatips #holistichealth #holistic #pacifydoshas #balance #ayurvedapractitioner #ayurvedapractitionercanada #ayurvedastudent #holisticnutrition #holisticwellness #holisticliving #ferniebc

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