Category: Ayurveda

3 Ways to Integrate Ayurveda into Your Yoga Practice

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Yoga and Ayurveda are inseparable. The two sister sciences complement each other perfectly and are an absolute dream team when it comes to keeping body and soul healthy. However, while yoga has become the talk of the town and everyone you meet has tried it at some point, Ayurveda is not yet as widespread.

Many yogis and yoginis are therefore surprised when they hear that Ayurveda is not only health and nutrition advice, but can also be part of the asana practice.

Want to bring a little more Ayurveda to your mat, too? Here are three ideas on how you can practice Ayurvedic yoga!

Based on your constitution

Each person has a unique Ayurvedic constitution, which is made up of the three doshas, or bio-energies. Just as each color is the result of a unique combination of the three primary colors, we are the result of our own unique combination of doshas. You can find out yours by filling out an online test or booking an Ayurvedic consultation. Once you know your constitution, you can take a closer look at what it means for you: what imbalances and ailments are you prone to? What are your strengths? What is particularly good for you? The next time you practice yoga, you can try to prevent any imbalances.

You are an airy Vata type? Perhaps a meditative, grounding practice with asanas close to the ground will do you good.

You are a fiery Pitta type? Challenge yourself to satisfy your ambition, but build in enough relaxation as well.

You’re a grounded Kapha type? Practice creative movement and like to crank up your circulation.

Based on the season

Just like everything else in our lives (yes, everything else!), the seasons affect our constitution and can cause imbalances. Prevent these by practicing asanas, meditations and pranayamas that balance the current dominant dosha.

Spring is mainly Kapha-dominated, the warm summer is under the influence of Pitta, autumn with its wind is assigned to Vata. As soon as winter has arrived and the temperatures are consistently cold, Kapha tends to dominate again.

But always pay attention to the current weather, because a summer that should be warm and sunny, can also be changeable and rainy – then Pitta is not necessarily in the lead.

Always keep your constitution in mind! For example, just because Pitta is dominant, you personally may not need to balance Pitta. If you are dominated by Vata dosha, the warmth may even be very good for you.

Based on the elements

The five Ayurvedic elements – ether or space, air, fire, water and earth – form the basis of your constitution, because the doshas are composed of them. Each element has its own characteristics and qualities. Which of them do you want to connect with today? With the stability of earth, the lightness of air, the flow of water…? Get creative and think about which exercises represent the quality you are longing for right now and get that energy!

Which variation will you try first? Do you even have your own ideas to spice up your yoga sessions with Ayurveda? Share them with me!  And read on here if you want to bring Ayurveda not only to your yoga mat, but into your everyday life.

Despite 9 to 5 job – finding Balance in Everyday Life

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Social media channels are full of mindful routines. Numerous influencers show how they start their day or how they organize their evening. Unfortunately, these tips are often hard to implement if you don’t make a living shooting such videos. An elaborate morning routine when you have to be in the office at 9 a.m.? Exhausting. A time-consuming sequence of exercise, skin care and other routines after a hectic day at work? No, thanks.

Luckily, though, there are simple ways to bring a little more balance and mindfulness into your day, even with a classic “nine to five” job. Here are my top seven tips for doing just that:

Start your day mindfully

How you start your morning determines the rest of your day. If you start the day hectic, this feeling of being stressed will probably accompany you later on. So pay attention to how you spend the first time after you get up. Here are a few ideas:

– Ayurvedic rituals like tongue scraping, dry brushing or oil pulling.

– Exercise – how about yoga or a walk in the fresh air?

– Meditation – even ten minutes can go a long way!

– Journaling – write down some things you are grateful for today. This will direct your focus to the positive aspects of your life first thing in the morning.

– Reading – Take fifteen minutes to read a good novel, an interesting non-fiction book, or even the daily newspaper.

– Pranayama – Breathing exercises can make you more alert or calm you down, for example if you feel nervous about an eventful day at work.

Even just one item on this list is a good start! The main thing is not to stumble out of bed straight to work. The cell phone and social media should also be off limits first thing in the morning! You’ll be checking your email and other messages often enough throughout the day. However, the first few minutes after getting up should be all about you and your well-being. Click here to read more about a healthy morning routine.

Pay attention to breaks

Especially when the workday is particularly stressful, breaks are important! We often think we don’t have time for a break, but leaving the workplace for a few minutes, maybe even going outside for a breath of fresh air, can do wonders for our concentration. Often, after a little break, you can think more clearly and tackle the tasks at hand with a new burst of energy.

Exercise and pranayama in between

Whether it’s sitting at a desk for a long time or doing physically demanding work, your muscles will be happy if you give them some affection in between. Find a quiet spot for five minutes and do some mindful stretching. Just a few minutes is enough to relieve some tension. You can also do the exercises in the comfort of a chair, and you don’t even have to trade in your suit or costume for gym clothes. If you’re looking for inspiration for some office exercises, take a look here. Alternatively, you can leave the office altogether and stretch your legs for a bit – you’ll even get some fresh air in the process.

You can also benefit from pranayama in your workday. Targeted breathing exercises can wake you up in the afternoon slump or ease nervousness before an important meeting.

Conscious nutrition

I probably don’t have to tell you that overly fatty, substantial food doesn’t necessarily help you to go to work freshly invigorated after your lunch break. But you are not only what you eat, but also how you eat. Even if your day is stressful, try not to eat “on the run” or in front of your computer. Take a small amount of time to leave your desk to eat, don’t eat standing up between doors, and don’t read emails while you’re doing it. If necessary, take something with you that is healthy and delicious. Also, if you work in a company with a cafeteria: Ask yourself if you’re just going to eat because the cafeteria is open or if you’re really hungry. Listening to your body is an important aspect of self-love.

Appropriate balance

Having a full life outside of work is wonderful and important, but please don’t let it turn into leisure time stress! Keep yourself busy with things that provide a balance to your work day. Are you very physically active in your job? Then you shouldn’t necessarily do high-performance sports in the evening. You sit at your desk all day? Then a little exercise after work is good for you. Do you have a lot to do with people at work? Maybe you need some time for yourself afterwards. Depending on how your day went, other things will do you good in the evening. 

Mindful end to the day

It’s not just your start to the day that matters. How you end your day determines the quality of your sleep and, in turn, the next morning. Allow yourself time to leave work behind. Prepare a delicious, light dinner to enjoy. Don’t eat too much, so that your body can regenerate well while you sleep. Fill the time before bed with calming activities, such as painting, reading or gentle yoga. Also avoid blue light before bed – the bedroom should be a cell phone-free zone.

Practice mindfulness

This is something you can really do anytime. Several times a day, take a look inside and ask yourself: How am I doing right now? Be honest with yourself! Mindfulness also means being completely in the here and now. Thinking about things in the past or future only robs you of valuable energy. Therefore, allow yourself to occupy yourself only with the things that are really important right now.

Now it’s your turn! Choose one or two points that you would like to integrate into your everyday life in the coming week. Consciously don’t try everything right away, so as not to get bogged down – that way you’ll only feel overwhelmed and quickly run out of steam. Mindful daily habits should make your life more beautiful and easier, not become an additional stressor.

Then review the week: How difficult was it to actually implement what you chose? Can you already notice a positive effect after this short time? Would you like to stick with it in the future or change or add to the points?

I hope you have fun trying it out!

3 things you don’t expect when you get into Ayurveda

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If you are a yoga enthusiast, then you have probably already come into contact with Ayurveda. After all, the two sister sciences are inextricably linked and complement each other.

The first time you’re thinking about getting more involved with Ayurveda, your hopes are probably related to your general health. You want to improve your digestion, fall asleep more easily or simply feel better overall. You may have heard positive reports and recommendations from those around you. People may have told you how much lighter, fitter and healthier they feel.

But there are also things that they probably haven’t told you. I have summarized the three most common ones for you here.

It is literally EVERYWHERE

If you’ve read up on Ayurveda, you’ve probably read that it’s everywhere. However, you may not have read that you will notice Ayurveda in even the most mundane things once you dive deeper into the subject.

The next time your colleague is lazy, you might think “My God, you have a lot of Kapha”. If you eat a spicy curry, you might think about how much this food will fuel your Pitta. If you keep alternating between taking out your umbrella and putting it back in your bag in April, you may be annoyed by the moody Vata weather.

In the characteristics of everyday things – and people! – you will also recognize the doshas or gunas again and again. Finally, when you are a little more experienced, you may already be thinking in your mind about a possible balance for the respective influence.

Your cuisine will change

I don’t even mean that you will completely change your diet, although of course you might. It’s much more likely that, in addition to salt and pepper, numerous other spices and herbs will be introduced. Fortunately, Ayurveda is very diverse and offers countless ways to spice up your favorite dishes. You will soon be adding an Ayurvedic pinch to whatever you cook to balance the doshas.

In addition to chili, cinnamon etc., you will also get to know Ayurvedic herbs and spices. This will give your dishes a whole new zest.

Your yoga practice will change

As mentioned in the first point, Ayurveda is everywhere. This means it is also in your yoga practice.

As you practice and feel how the individual exercises feel, you will be able to perceive the effects on the doshas. Over time, you will eventually adapt your practice according to your needs. Even before you get on the mat, you should think about whether you can perceive any imbalances. You can then balance these out during your practice.

Even if you teach yoga, you will probably often give your classes an Ayurvedic orientation. You have many options here: Based on the seasons, the time of day, the age of the participants… Ayurveda can be a wonderful source of inspiration here.

Are you an enthusiastic Ayurvedi? What did you notice when you started looking into the subject? Share it in the comments!

5 easy ayurvedic nutrition tips

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„What in the world should I eat?!”

With all the tips from nutritionists and social media, it can get difficult and frustrating to answer this question. All the time, there’s a new diet trend and THE epiphany about what makes you stay fit and healthy.

The bad news: Ayurveda won’t tell you exactly what to eat. Ayurveda invites you to get to know yourself and your body better and then eat according to your very own constitution.

Unfortunately, many people think ayurvedic nutrition is complicated and that they would need to buy exotic ingredients and cook complex meals if they wanted to try it. Most of them don’t even try because of that – and that’s really a pity. Because – and that’s the good news – ayurvedic nutrition guidelines are very simple and can support your overall wellbeing.

Here are five easy ayurvedic nutrition tips that you can try anytime – even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen and if you don’t have a lot of time.

Learn to listen to your body

This tip alone goes to show how undogmatic ayurvedic guidelines are. In Ayurveda, we think that there’s not only one solution for everyone, and that something that’s good for Person A doesn’t automatically have to be good for Person B as well.

The challenge: nowadays, we often have forgotten to listen to our body and its needs. Usually it tells you what it wants and what feels good – you just need to listen!

This skill is called somatic intelligence. To cultivate it, you need to be mindful: When are you really hungry? What do you really crave? How do you feel after a meal? Click here to read more about somatic intelligence and how to increase it.

Pay attention to mealtimes

The times of day are also under the influence of the Doshas. In certain timeframes of the day and the night, one dosha is dominant, which is then especially present in our body.

From 10 am to 2 pm, Pitta is very active. This means that our digestion is the most active during this time, so meals and nutrients can be absorbed in the best possible way. Therefore, it’s ideal to have your main meal during this time. No worries if you’re working shifts: There’s another Pitta timeframe from 10 pm to 2 am.

Pay attention to hunger, not appetite

Again, the somatic intelligence comes into play with this one. It’s way too often that we eat just because the cafeteria is open or because our colleagues are going and we want to join.

Once we’re eating, we often don’t realize when we’re full. When we’re stressed while eating or do something else at the same time, we miss our body’s signals. Furthermore, we’ve been taught that it’s proper behavior to clear the plate, so we feel bad if we leave something.

Try to eat only if you’re really hungry and stop when you’re full. To achieve this, eat slower and more mindfully so that you notice when a feeling of satiety arrives.

No snacks

This tip sounds like a mean diet rule, but it has a very understandable background: We want to give our body enough time to digest the previous meal before we eat the next one. Usually, that takes about 3-5 hours. If we don’t give it that time, metabolic waste, also called Ama, can remain in the body that can make us sluggish and lead to ailments.

Get to know the flavors

“Get to know flavors? I already know what my food tastes like!”, is what you might be thinking now. In Ayurveda, it’s a little more complex than that.

From an ayurvedic point of view, there are six flavors: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, astringent. It’s ideal when a meal includes all six of them. That’s how we balance the doshas and cover important nutrients.

Here are some examples which foods belong to which flavor category:

Sweet: grains, dairy, most fruits

Sour: lemon, rose hip

Salty: sea salt, rock salt, saline salt

Pungent: chili, ginger, horseradish

Bitter: cacao, wormwood, fresh turmeric

Astringent: rhubarb, black tea, lingonberries

Feel free to experiment with the flavors and maybe use ingredients you wouldn’t normally use. Don’t put pressure on yourself, but make it playful. That way, it’s fun and you might discover some delicious new dishes.

Do you still think trying out ayurvedic nutrition guidelines is complicated? I hope I could convince you otherwise!

Coconut – the ayurvedic star of summer

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One of the many things I love about Ayurveda is its simplicity. The principle of “like reinforces like” and “opposites cancel out” applies. So the plan for the hot summer is actually quite clear:

Summer is Pitta time, dominated by the fiery dosha. So it is obvious that we need cooling down, be it through cooling yoga exercises, pranayamas or even food. Especially with the latter, coconut is indispensable.

Coconut is wonderful for balancing Pitta, making it the ideal companion for the hot season. The beauty of it? Coconut doesn’t just offer us welcome cooling on the plate. It’s versatile, so you can benefit from its Pitta-relieving properties even if you’re not a fan of the flavor.

Coconut milk

Most people are familiar with coconut milk. This is pureed coconut meat mixed with water, with a correspondingly creamy consistency. Thus, it is perfect for creamy curries and soups. But also coffee fans, who can’t survive without their favorite drink even during the Pitta period, should give coconut milk a chance. Mixed with coconut milk instead of cow’s milk, coffee, which is actually not really recommended in summer, gets a summery touch and perhaps pushes Pitta a little less.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is no longer as exotic as it once was. It now sits among other cooking oils on supermarket shelves. It’s wonderful for frying and cooking because it can be heated to high temperatures, but it’s much more versatile than that. You can use it for oil pulling, for example, to do something good for your gums – Pitta types in particular are prone to inflammation in hot temperatures.

Your skin will also benefit from some cooling – and fragrant! – coconut oil. Use it as a balance after sunbathing, for example, or simply to moisturize your skin. If you’re going for a massage in the summer, you can also choose coconut oil for that.

If your hair is dry from the sun, leave some coconut oil on for a few hours and then wash your hair – you’ll be surprised how smooth it is afterwards.

Coconut water

The liquid from inside the unripe, still green nut is perfect for dehydration. With its isotonic yet cooling effect, it awakens your spirits on hot days and balances your pitta. You can just drink it straight, but you can also get creative and mix summery mocktails with fresh fruit juices. If you like to eat chia pudding, you can mix it with it for a change.

Coconut yogurt

Dairy products also have a balancing effect on Pitta, but why not give the plant-based alternative a chance? If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you may have already discovered coconut yogurt. Or maybe you simply appreciate the summery taste or the fluffy consistency.

What’s best: combining fruit with cow’s milk is not good for our digestive tract and can lead to discomfort, especially in summer when our digestion is on the back burner. But if you like to combine fruit with yogurt, you’re on the safe side with coconut products.

Coconut blossom sugar

In Ayurveda, foods with the flavor “sweet” are considered to balance Pitta. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should stuff yourself with chocolate during summer. There are also healthy sweeteners, such as dates.

If you want to sweeten drinks or perhaps bake, try coconut blossom sugar. Unlike industrial sugar, it causes blood sugar levels to rise slowly and steadily – a real plus, even for diabetics.

Essential oil

We can also use scents to affect the doshas. If you like the smell, get a good coconut essential oil for your diffuser. There will be a Caribbean feeling in your home and by the way, it will be very good for your Pitta.

Are you already a coconut fan or are you not (yet) comfortable with it? Which of the summer coconut tips will you try first? Share it with me in the comments!

Stay cool! Ayurvedic tips for the summer

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Summertime is Pitta time!

The fiery dosha ensures warm temperatures and lots of sunshine, inviting us to spend days by the pool or the sea, to wear airy clothes and to sit outside for long evenings.

But be careful: if the reading on the thermometer climbs too high, it can also have a stressful effect on us, especially if we have a constitution with a lot of Pitta. This can easily be thrown out of balance by heat and increased sunlight.

Whether you’re one of those people who love summer or prefer a different time of year, here’s how to keep your cool no matter what.

What does Pitta time mean for us?

Pitta, the dosha formed mainly from the element of fire, is dominant during this season. You already know that this makes the weather summery hot and sunny. But what does that do to our bodies?

Since people with dominant Pitta Dosha have the best digestion, the assumption is that during this time of year the Agni, the digestive fire, burns stronger in everyone. However, this is not the case. Why? Our body needs a constant core temperature to function well. If it gets particularly warm outside, our body tries to compensate by sweating. The skin gets more blood flow, which means that the digestive organs get less blood flow. So our digestion doesn’t necessarily run at full speed during hot periods – you may notice this by feeling less hungry.

Nutrition

So what foods are good for us when our Agni is on the back burner?

The bad news: the salad that is so popular in summer is rather unsuitable. Raw foods, as healthy as they are, are not necessarily easy to digest and thus only give our leisurely digestive tract more work – which costs energy.

The good news is that if you just can’t pass up a crunchy salad, you can choose a yogurt dressing to go with it, as dairy is good at making the raw ingredients a little easier to digest. If you want to boost your Agni, drink a glass of ginger water about half an hour before eating.

Generally, you need cooling foods during this time to balance pitta. These include sweet fruits such as mangoes and melons, but also rice, ghee, coconut, and herbs such as lemon balm, fennel, and mint.

Cooling does not mean “chilled,” however! Drinks fresh from the fridge, possibly even with ice cubes, will only dim your digestive fire even more and rob you of energy, because the body works at full speed again to balance its core temperature when it is supplied with iced foods. So it’s better to choose drinks at room temperature and only treat yourself to a tasty ice cream every now and then – even though you might feel tempted.

 

Daily routine

I probably don’t need to tell you that you should avoid the midday heat. Maybe you feel a bit tired during this time and long for rest. In that case, deep relaxation or a round of Yoga Nidra is better for your body than a nap.

Exercise should be scheduled for the cooler hours of the morning. If you are usually an athlete, Pitta time invites you to cut back a bit and perhaps meditate more instead. Or maybe you can take your exercise to or even into the water?

To ensure a good night’s sleep, don’t eat too much in the evening so your body isn’t too busy digesting and can relax. Try to keep your bedroom windows open when the temperature drops a bit in the evening to ensure a comfortable sleeping environment.

 

Yoga

Your yoga practice can also be wonderfully adapted to the warm season. Just like everything else in our lives, the asanas affect the doshas and, when practiced accordingly, can provide a pleasant cooling effect.

For example, instead of sun salutations, you can practice moon salutations to (gently!) warm up, bringing the cooling, flowing moon energy to the mat.

Backbends have a strong heating effect and should therefore only be practiced gently. For heart opening, choose asanas like the sphinx or cobra instead of the wheel. Rebalance afterwards with yummy forward folds. You may even notice that they come easier to you than usual, since you are more stretchable due to the heat.

In addition to the cooling effect of the forward folds, the digestive effect of twists is also very welcome in the summer. Support your Agni by doing Ardha Matsyendrasana or the crocodile twist.

Balances balance all three doshas. So tree, standing balance & co. also fit wonderfully into your summer practice.

A cooling pranayama exercise for in between is Sitali. Roll your tongue lengthwise and stick it out of your mouth. When you inhale, you will feel a cooling draught on your tongue. Breathe out through your nose in a relaxed manner and repeat this process as often as you like.

What about you? Are you a fan of summer or does the heat get to you? How do you take care of your well-being during this time? Share it with me in the comments!

What is somatic intelligence – and what does Ayurveda have to do with it?

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You’ve probably heard of emotional intelligence, but do you know about “somatic intelligence”? It’s a concept that can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and feel better in general. And it can also be linked to Ayurveda.

So, what is somatic intelligence?

This term describes our body’s ability to tell us what foods it needs and doesn’t need. It does this in a variety of ways. For example, do you know when you feel downright repulsed by some things? That could be your somatic intelligence kicking in. The body signals us with disgust, intolerances or the like that some foods are not good for us – in general or simply at the current moment. In turn, somatic intelligence also makes itself known with cravings, for example for salty food.

What is somatic intelligence good for?

Centuries ago, our ancestors’ survival depended on somatic intelligence. They relied on their basic needs and signals from their bodies to protect them from foods that were not good for them and to eat nourishing foods that gave them energy instead. This also ensured continued development. In animals, somatic intelligence is also important for survival.

Nowadays, it’s not necessarily a matter of life and death or the advancement of the human species, but of our well-being, because as mentioned earlier, our bodies can signal us when something is not good for us. For example, children are rarely fans of spinach. There’s a reason for that: spinach contains oxalic acid, and that’s not tolerated by most kids, can even cause kidney stones. So it’s not so much about being a “difficult eater” as it is about paying attention to the body’s signals – if you don’t, malaise, blemished skin or digestive problems can result. Unfortunately, most of us have forgotten how to do just that.

Why is our somatic intelligence impaired?

Let’s take another look back at our ancestors, who absolutely relied on their somatic intelligence: What was different back then?

Unlike today, our ancestors were not constantly influenced – no one told them what to eat. We, on the other hand, are virtually bombarded: Nutrition guides, trendy diets, beauty ideals and moral codes around food determine what we think we want.

In addition, we have become comfortable. We no longer have to hunt or gather our own food, but can simply get something in the canteen or at the bakery around the corner. The problem: processed food often contains additives that artificially impair our somatic intelligence. What’s more, we often eat only when we have a window of opportunity and not when we really feel hungry. Convenience ensures that we eat what is available at the moment or what goes quickly and not what our body is really asking for. In this way, we have forgotten to really listen to the body’s signals.

What does somatic intelligence have to do with Ayurveda?

All these nutrition guides and diet trends have one thing in common: they sell a “one size fits all” solution, a principle of what should work for each of us. But that’s not how it works with nutrition. Every body is different, every person is different, and so their needs are very different from one another. This is exactly where Ayurveda comes in.

Ayurvedic nutrition principles are based on the concept that each person is individual. Thus, not every type of diet is equally healthy for all of us. So, an Ayurvedic consultant will first determine your very own constitution and look closely at your circumstances before he or she gives you any advice. Also, a good consultant will encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: What effects does food XY have on me? What is good for me and what is not?

How can I improve my somatic intelligence?

Even if stress, social media, additives & co. have taken you away from it, you can reconnect with your somatic intelligence. Here are a few tips on how you can do that:

  1. Mindfulness
    Cultivate mindfulness when eating. Don’t eat “on the side,” eat at your leisure. Take time to eat comfortably, paying close attention to the taste and texture of your food. Also, pay attention to when you feel full and don’t continue eating beyond that point. Ask yourself: Am I really hungry right now or am I just taking advantage of a free moment? What kind of food do I feel like eating – regardless of what is conveniently available or what I think I “should” be eating? After eating, reflect on how you feel now. Do you feel nourished, energized, or more in a “food coma”?

  2. Food diary
    Support your newly cultivated mindfulness with a journal in which you document what you ate and when, how much you ate, and how you felt afterwards. Also describe the circumstances of the meal: did you settle down comfortably and really enjoy the meal, perhaps in nice company? Or did you grab something “on the go” and devour it on the go while looking at your phone? Pick up this book again and again. After a while, you’ll be able to see patterns.

  3. Movement
    Movement promotes body awareness, which in turn helps you to perceive more clearly what is good for you and what is not. This is not about high-performance sports, but about gentle, regular exercise – there are no limits to your imagination!

How well do you know your body and its needs? Can you distinguish these needs from cravings? And if not – what steps do you want to take now to change that? Share your experiences in the comments!

Always Follow Your Nose – Balancing the Doshas with Scents

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Phrases of our daily speech like “Always follow your nose” or “I have a nose for that” underline the importance of our sense of smell. Interestingly, it tends to take a back seat among our other senses. Usually, we attach much more importance to sight in particular. And it is true: Without being able to smell, we would be much less impaired in everyday life than without being able to see.

Nevertheless, we should not underestimate the sense of smell!

There are olfactory mucous membranes on both sides of the nasal septum. These are equipped with olfactory sensory cells, which have receptors for about 350 different odorants. Our nose distinguishes more than 10,000 different scents. By comparison, the tongue can only recognize five tastes!

Scent stimuli are transmitted to the olfactory brain via nerve pathways. From there, they travel directly to the hypothalamus and the limbic system. In the limbic system is responsible for controlling our emotions and ensures that we learn things and store memories in our mind. This is where all incoming sensory information is coordinated and a response is triggered, which is transmitted to the autonomic nervous system. This in turn is responsible for digestion, metabolism and respiration.

Smells are not monitored by the cerebrum, but are transmitted directly to the limbic system. Our sense of smell is therefore the most immediate of our senses, and closely linked to memories and feelings.

We have all experienced this at one time or another: we smell the scent of a food that we associate with a great vacation; a perfume that reminds us of a loved one, and immediately images come to life in our minds.

But now that we know that smells can do much more than make us nostalgic, the conclusion is obvious that one can also influence the doshas through the sense of smell. And it’s true! Since scents affect our autonomic nervous system and every reaction has the characteristics of one or more doshas, we can respond to imbalances accordingly.

Kapha

If you feel tired, weary, lethargic, or even melancholy, it may well be that your kapha dosha has taken over. The “cozy” of the doshas wants to be brought into swing! This works especially well with citrus aromas. Bergamot, lemon, orange and lemongrass have a mood-lifting effect and give you a little kick. Rosemary, camphor and juniper have a stimulating effect and are therefore ideally suited for Kapha balancing. Rosewood is also a good addition, as it is said to promote activity.

Pitta

If the Pitta fire is burning so strongly that you are irritable, impatient and tense, cooling down is needed. All floral scents have a calming effect on Pitta. Also cooling are the aromas of mint, cypress, orange and geranium.

Vata

With Vata excess, we are often nervous, jumpy or even anxious. What we need in such situations is a balance that centers us again somewhat. If we would like to achieve this with fragrances, we can rely on the calming effect of roses, incense and vetiver. Lavender has a positive effect on the nervous system, while orange is not only calming, but also refreshing.

The fragrances can be used in a variety of ways: light an incense stick, vaporize essential oils in a diffuser or mix your own personal perfume from the oils, which you can apply whenever you need it. Aroma roll-ons are also a nice way to put scents to use.

With this topic, trial and error is especially fun – dare to experiment with the different aromas! Which variation will you try first?

The Doshas at the office – organizing the working day with the Dosha clock

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You have probably already heard that the Doshas affect us in all situations of life. But do you already know about the dosha clock?

Just like our life phases, the times of day are also assigned to a certain Dosha, which dominates at this phase and then has a special effect on us. If you know when which dosha is active, you can not only make your day healthier in general, but also make the most of your workday. How? I’ll tell you now, using the example of a classic office day.

The start of the day

From 6 to 10 a.m. is the first Kapha phase of the day. As a reminder, Kapha Dosha stands for grounding, stability and building. However, it also represents inertia and stagnation – these qualities can make it difficult for us to get out of bed. Before 6 a.m., the active, flighty vata dosha is still active, which is why it is recommended to get up before 6 a.m. This way you use the movement affinity of Vata to start the day instead of struggling out of bed during the lethargic Kapha phase.

Since Kapha also stands for building, you lay the foundation for your day during these hours by eating a good breakfast. At this time your digestive fire is not yet very active, so breakfast should be warm, light and easily digestible. This way, your organism will save valuable energy that you can better use during work.

First appointments

Do you sometimes miss patience and composure in everyday life? These are typical Kapha traits that are usually more present during the Kapha phase. Take advantage of this by doing annoying busywork or having conversations with people that can be difficult during this time. Also, work that requires a lot of concentration and perseverance, but rather little creativity, you can do well in the Kapha time.

Morning – the fire is blazing

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the first Pitta phase of the day. The element fire is assigned to this dosha. It gives us energy, passion and assertiveness. You become more ambitious and sell yourself better. Thus, the Pitta time is ideal for introductions or sales talks and presentations. You need a lot of energy or enthusiasm for a task? No problem under Pitta influence! Now you are especially structured and organized and can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Time for a break

With all the Pitta-typical ambition, don’t forget to take care of yourself! During this phase, Agni, our digestive fire, is especially active. Therefore, this is the time for the main meal of the day. Your body can use food very well now, but make sure that your lunch is not too rich, so that you do not suffer a drop in energy in the afternoon. Many like to reach for a “light” salad, but our bodies need a lot of energy to digest raw foods. That doesn’t mean you have to give it up, though. If possible, combine it with something warm to make it easier to digest. Creamy dressings can also help.

Afternoon – ideas are bubbling up

From 2 to 6 p.m., the vata dosha is active. It stands for movement, creativity and communication. Therefore, it’s quite possible that you’ll have your best ideas now. Need to create something? Now is the perfect time to do it. However, you may find it harder to concentrate now. Use the rather fluttery Vata energy for brainstorming – you’re sure to come up with many ideas. You can still organize them later!

If you finish work at this time, use the movement phase for a little sport. The second Kapha phase is already approaching and provides a need for rest.

Evening – time to switch off

From 6 p.m. the next Kapha-dominated phase of the day begins and lasts until 10 pm. If you haven’t already done so, you should call it a day now, because Kapha dosha triggers the desire for rest, regeneration and relaxation. Exactly such activities are now also ideal to prepare you for the upcoming sleep. Take advantage of the rest that this phase brings to go to bed, because from 10 p.m. Pitta dominates once again. This could make you hungry or give you another energy boost – good if you want to work a night shift; not so good if you want to wake up fresh and rested the next day.

Learning to read the doshas in the office

When in balance, all three doshas give us great qualities that we can all use in the office. From Vata we get creativity, mental flexibility and communication skills. Pitta gives us passion, discipline, and competitive drive. Kapha provides the patience, composure and stamina we need. However, if the doshas are out of balance, this also manifests itself in professional life – often quite independently of the time of day.

Do you find it terribly difficult to concentrate? You catch yourself starting a task only to abandon it shortly afterwards and turn to another one? You would like to jump up from your chair because you can hardly stand sitting anymore? Then Vata has taken over. In this case, drop everything for a moment and find a quiet place. Take five minutes there to do a little meditation or just breathe calmly. If your urge to move is particularly strong, a walking meditation is also great to calm the Vata energy a bit. A warm drink can also help balance Vata, but don’t go for stimulating options like coffee or black tea.

Every word that others say in the office annoys or irritates you or even makes you angry? You can’t get on with a task, but you keep at it doggedly instead of turning to something else? Your patience is stretched to breaking point? Sounds like an excess of Pitta. If fire dominates, cooling down is the order of the day, for example with sweet fruits or even a fruit tea. Just as with Vata dominance, however, a short break, perhaps with meditation, does you good in this situation as well.

You have the feeling that you could fall asleep right at your desk? You don’t really feel like doing anything? You lack the drive to start a new task? A classic case of excess Kapha. Rip yourself out of lethargy by ventilating well and getting some exercise – ideally outside in the fresh air, but a few small exercises right at your desk will do the trick. Make yourself a lukewarm water with ginger and some cayenne pepper. The warmth and slight spiciness of this drink will gently rekindle your inner fire without making you jittery.

I invite you to observe yourself more often in your daily life – can you feel the effects of the dosha clock? In which form? Try to adjust your daily schedule accordingly and try to create balance in case of imbalances. I wish you a lot of fun and success!

What suits whom? The doshas in professional life

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What criteria do you consider when you are looking for a job? Of course, things like salary, working hours and location play a role, but probably the most important thing is the job itself: Do the activities described match your qualifications and skills and – most importantly! – would you enjoy the task? What we find easy is not always what we enjoy. What kind of tasks we feel comfortable with depends strongly on our personality.

This is where your ayurvedic constitution comes into play!

Our constitution, our very own mix of the three doshas, determines not only our physical characteristics, but also our character traits. Put simply, Vata types are the creative artists, Pitta people are the ambitious organizational talents, and Kapha types are the empathetic social ones. However, it’s certainly clear that it’s not quite so black and white – few of us have just one dominant dosha and fully match its characteristics. If you want to learn more about the doshas and the concept of constitution, take a look here.

So, what does constitution have to do with my professional life?

The personality traits that are determined by your constitution also determine what is important to you and what brings you joy. Thus, it becomes clear with time whether you rather find pleasure in creative or in scientific activities; whether you prefer to work with people or for yourself alone, which subject areas interest you, etc. In addition, your constitution also determines which working conditions are good for you: Hectic, hot industrial kitchen or quiet, well-tempered office, for example. The way you work is also determined by your constitution, i.e., whether you tend to work in a structured way or whether you tend to work in creative chaos. Depending on these factors, you will either feel enthusiasm or think “hell no” when reading a job ad.

Which activities fit the individual Doshas?

Kapha

The Kapha dosha represents reliability, loyalty, and caring. Kapha employees often stay loyal to a company for a very long time and appreciate a predictable routine. They are well suited as managers and generally as leaders, as they are very resistant to stress and difficult to upset. They often keep a cool head even in difficult situations. Because of their empathy and caring nature, they do well in professions in nursing and therapy, and as social workers. Here they can be caring and loving, which suits their personality. Kapha people can also feel comfortable in coaching and teaching professions, because they can help and teach others here as well. The patience that is typical of Kapha benefits them here.

Pitta

Typical Pitta people are characterized by passion, drive, and determination. They work very precisely and attentively and have a good eye for details. Therefore, professions in engineering, as a programmer, or even as a proofreader are well suited for them – accuracy is required here. Professional athletes are also often Pitta people. This field combines physical activity and competitive orientation – both typical Pitta attributes. Kapha people may be particularly well suited as managers due to their rather calm and level-headed nature, but Pitta people are often found in these positions, as they climb the career ladder more quickly with their ambition and diligence. Without any Pitta traits at all, Kapha leaders would not last long in such a position.

Vata

People with a lot of Vata are creative, communicative, and enthusiastic. They flourish in professions where they can live out their artistic streak. Sales and marketing are well-suited, as they often have to juggle different projects at the same time – so the often volatile Vatas don’t get bored. However, teaching professions also suit them. Vata people are good with words and language and can thus transfer their enthusiasm for a subject well to others. Typical artistic professions such as painter or writer are classic Vata activities, because here the creativity characteristic of this Dosha can be fully lived out, but at the same time such activities often bring one into a meditative flow, which is good for Vata restlessness.

Professional life tips for the doshas

Kapha

Kapha people appreciate familiar things and routines. In professional life, they run the risk of their constancy turning into stagnation. Listlessness and a feeling of being “stuck” can be the result. It is important for them to try something new more often – this does not have to be a new job, but can also be something smaller like a new working method – and to venture out of their comfort zone. Because high-Kapha individuals are very good-natured and like to take care of others, they could be taken advantage of if they don’t learn to set clear boundaries and say no sometimes. The ideal Kapha workplace offers security and clear tasks or responsibilities, but also a break in routine every now and then.

Pitta

Pitta people would love to power through the whole day – but they should definitely pay attention to managing their energy and strength and take regular breaks so that they do not burn out. They are very competitive, so it’s good for them not to compare themselves with others all the time and in every situation. Patience and openness to other ways of working is also something worth learning for Pitta types, because with the nitpicking typical of Pitta, they often find it difficult to accept mistakes and methods that are different to their own. Patience also helps if you’re a Pitta colleague who gets irritated quickly. Jobs where there is heat should rather be avoided by Pittas – as cooks or construction workers in the summer sun they quickly get out of balance.

Vata

Vata people know flexibility inside out – but they have to learn consistency and structure and consciously integrate them into their daily routine. To-do lists and calendars are helpful for them. Notifications from e-mails should rather be turned off for concentrated work, because Vatas are very easily distracted. They run the risk of falling into a hectic state due to too little routine and breaks. It’s good to schedule lunch as a fixed appointment and always have enough water on hand. You should also be careful not to complete tasks too close to any deadlines in order to avoid the aforementioned hectic pace. Often, Vatas suffer from unstable immune systems. A work environment that requires to be outside in wind and weather is therefore rather unsuitable for them.

If you don’t feel comfortable in your job right now, you might ask yourself if you are really in an environment that is good for you. Maybe you’re in a noisy open-plan office, although lots of people and increased volume make you nervous? Or you have to make regular sales calls even though you’re more of an introvert? Question honestly whether your field of activity really matches your preferences and talents and whether the working conditions meet your needs. It can help to know your ayurvedic constitution. I wish you much fun and success!