The cornerstone of health in Ayurveda comes back to the simple concept of agni, our digestive fire. Likewise, the seed of disease comes back to the concept of āma, toxins. Balanced agni is the key to proper digestion, assimilation of nutrients, sustained energy, healthy aging, and maintaining homeostasis. Quality agni can prevent, āma from forming and burn existing impurities that are stagnated within the body and mind.
For the Ask Dr. Sheila column, Dr. Sheila Patel, Chopra’s Chief Medical Officer, answers questions from our community. If you have a general question for Sheila around health and wellness, please send an email to askdrsheila@chopra.com, and your question may be the one she answers next.
As we move from the cold blue winter into the warm and sunny summer, it is the time to transform with nature. The spring equinox marks the start of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere while it is the start of the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the modern world, there are plenty of things that drain our energy. We are constantly on the move, we are glued to electronics, and have information overload. We spend less and less time on self-care and the things that give us energy, like freshly prepared meals, moderate exercise, and uplifting company and conversation.
For the Ask Dr. Sheila column, Dr. Sheila Patel, Chopra’s Chief Medical Officer, answers questions from our community. If you have a general question for Sheila around health and wellness, please send an email to askdrsheila@chopra.com, and your question may be the one she answers next.
Let’s dive deep into the importance of taking care of your mental health and shed light on the ways in which you can create a community around yourself in the digital age. In the stone age, sitting by the fire at the end of the day with your loved ones was a way to reconnect and regroup.
As children, we go from knowing ourselves as a field of infinite possibilities to a more limited identity. This limited, or conditioned, identity comes from outside of us. Instead of knowing ourselves from the inside, we begin to internalize our outer experiences and create a limited identity. We create stories about ourselves around these limitations and take them to be true. We shift from thinking “anything is possible” and “I can do anything” to “I can’t do that” or “I’m not good enough.” These beliefs can then limit our potential in life.
“Know, Oh Arjuna, that the mode of darkness is born of ignorance, confusing all embodied beings. Through distraction, sleep, and laziness, it binds.” (Bha.Gi.14.8)
Herbs are a critical component of Ayurvedic healing. Traditional Ayurvedic herbs can assist us in promoting wellness, preventing disease, and optimizing our overall well-being. Maintaining a balanced mental state during these unpredictable times is becoming increasingly important. We all could use some assistance keeping our peace, and herbs are here to help.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the phrase "you are what you eat" takes on a much more significant meaning. Beyond the physical impact of your diet, the food you eat can significantly alter your emotional state. Why do you crave sweets when you're missing a loved one? The answer can be found when we examine the emotional qualities of the six tastes of Ayurveda.
For the Ask Dr. Sheila column, Dr. Sheila Patel, Chopra’s Chief Medical Officer, answers questions from our community. If you have a general question for Sheila around health and wellness, please send an email to askdrsheila@chopra.com, and your question may be the one she answers next.
