Transliterated from Sanskrit, Sattva means the path of equilibrium and essence.
Sattvic practices, which bring one to as state of balance, are an ultimate therapeutic approach; they are
the foundation that can unify all other therapies. Building immunity and improving the healing response in general hinge on the strength of one’s spirit.
How does one live a Sattvic lifestyle? Following are a few of the most basic principles:

Activity should be appropriate, relaxed and not excessive. Work is balanced with rest; study of an uplifting nature is borne out through spiritual practices. By strengthening the spirit, the heart flourishes, and mental conflict can be transformed i the heart’s flame of awareness. Activities such as yoga is beneficial because it helps us see the body as a facet of mind.

Diet of absolute quality, freshness and life-force. Food catagories include grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and legumes (specially lentils, peas, mung beans). All food is recently prepared, cooked to perfection – not over – or undercooked, not oily or greasy; spices are used in moderation, and the mind of the cook should be in the Sattvic state. Likewise, the food should be eaten in this state.

The common Sattvic spices are turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, fennel, and anise.

Raw foods are not considered purely Sattvic, in part because of the parasites and microbes they often harbor.
Raw foods can weaken one’s “center”, making digestion and assimilation weak. This in turn reduces the body’s
ability to build life-essence or “ojas”. Ojas represents the vital essence of the body, without which life ceases.
Ojas is derived from reproductive essences in the body and is necessary for growth, development, and immunity.
Proper functioning of the mind also depends on this vital essence; spirit is a transformation of ojas.

From Ayurvedic studies, we know that the Sattvic person has a clear and focused mind. They find joy in the simple everyday activities. They refrain from dishonesty, the destruction of life, thievery, sexual misconduct and intoxicant usage, because Sattvic training has enabled them to innately know how these activities stress the body and disrupt mental and emotional equilibrium. The equilibrium of Sattva is energized through guidance by spiritual essence, in contrast to the experiences of most of us, who are driven by base desires and emotions.

In winter, the weather is cold, damp, and heavy, it is generally a season of kapha. A kapha-pacifying regimen should be adopted, especially by kapha individuals. Howerver, certain vata-provoking qualities, such as dry, cold, windy, and clear, are sometimes prominent on winter days, so vata individuals need to keep this in mind.

Beneficial yoga postures for winter season include Fish pose, Locust, Boat, Bow, and Camel pose, as well as Shoulder Stand and Headstand. These postures help to open the chest, stretch the throat, drain the sinuses, and relieve congestion of the chest.
Practice breathing exercises: Breath of Fire, will cleanse kapha dosha, a few minutes of Right Nostril Breathing, which promotes circulation and heat. Be sure to follow your breathing exercises with quiet meditation.
After meditation apply some warm sesame oil to your entire body, then take a hot shower. Sesame oil, which is warming, is beneficial for all constitutional types in the winter.

For a good winter breakfast, have some oatmeal, cornmeal, or kitchari. Later, drink tea made of these herbs:
1/2 tsp of ginger – 1/2 cinnamon – a pinch of clove
Boil these herbs in a cup of hot water for five minutes, and drink the tea. It will increase heat and pitta, improve circulation, and eliminate mucus from the system.

For lunch, eat kapha-soothing food, but not food that is vata-aggravating. Whole-wheat bread, steamed vegetables, and hot mushy soup with much ghee.
If you like to eat meat, Ayurveda says that winter is the time to eat it, because agni (digestive fire) is strong, Chicken and
turkey are good choices.
Sleeping in the day time is not recommended during winter because it will increase kapha, slow down metabolism, and reduce gastric fire.

At the end of the day, rub a small amount of sesame oil on your scalp and on the soles of your feet.

The best herbs for winter are licorice, ginger, long pepper. You can also use the herbal tonic Chyavanprash.

Sun Salutations or Surya Namaskara is a dynamic asana
sequence of 12 postures performed as on continuous flow.
Sri Pattabhi Jois called 108 sun salutations a yoga mala, after the garland of prayer beads. There are 108 beads on every strand. Each completed sequence becomes a bead of the mala. Therefore, every mala calls for 108 sun salutations.
Regardless of the meaning of 108 it is important to remember that a yoga mala is a form of meditation and full attention. There are many reasons that have been given for the meaning of 108:
***108 energy lines join to form the heart chakra.
***With 54 letters in the sanskrit alphabet each has masculine and feminine (Shiva and Shakti), equals 108.
***1 stands for higher truth
0 for emptiness
8 for infinity
***The chain of 108 links is held together by 107 joints, the number or marmas, or weak spots, in the body according to the Ayurvedic way.
SATURDAY DEC. 31, 2011
9:00 am
SHAKTI YOGA —- 1011 TRUMAN AVE

Celebrating and Blessing Ganesha on 11-11-11.
My school Anjali Ayurveda Research Center, honored that day
with a Puja or Holly Ceremony.

I’ve forgotten how beautiful, intense and …….. no words to express….. India.

I’ve here for over a week now, mainly studying and taking it all in. School is great, long hours of lectures, therapies, and waiting

for a ride

I’ve staying in the cutest little guesthouse facing the Indian ocean, check out their website  www.pranavbeachresort.in/tourism ,

the food is great, the owner super nice, get masala tea every morning and the best curries at night, when I can eat them.

Get surprises everyday, sometimes not so good ones, like the intensity of smells and sounds, other ones, great, like the suprise of having a group of men singing classical indian songs right outside my bedroom window.

more to come