A Word from David SImon

A basic premise of Ayurveda is that our experiences in consciousness translate into patterns in our bodies. We frequently cite the expression, “If you want to understand a person's experiences in the past, examine their body now. If you want to predict what their mind and body will be like in the future, examine their experiences now.” Another way of saying this is: “Biography becomes biology.”

Each day at the Chopra Center, we see guests who reinforce our view that choices and experiences influence our tendency to be healthy or become ill. A woman with persistent family stress reports incapacitating headaches, unresponsive to multiple medicines. A man with relationship and job-related challenges notices a flare-up in his inflammatory bowel disease. From insomnia to fibromyalgia, from chronic fatigue to cancer, our perceptions, interpretations, and choices can make the difference between health and illness . . . between life and death.

Science supports the essential connection between mind and body. A recent study from the University of Michigan found that third-grade children who slept soundly at night were less likely to be obese. Another study from Britain found that people in conflicted close relationships had a 34 percent increase in coronary heart problems. A report from Ohio State University showed that one heated argument can delay wound healing by 24 hours.

The basic Ayurvedic principles to regain and maintain mind-body balance are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

1. Take time each day to quiet your mind.
2. Eat a colorful, flavorful diet.
3. Engage in daily exercise that enhances flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
4. Sleep soundly at night.
5. Eliminate what is not serving you.
6. Cultivate loving, nurturing relationships.
7. Perform work that awakens your passion.

Your body needs you to make life-supporting choices. Please don’t wait until it is throwing a tantrum before you pay attention.

With love,
David