Vista no. 99, March-April 2015

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Ayurvedic wisdom for managing anxiety Glynnis Osher

In Ayurveda, the premise of as you think so you become holds true when we examine the impact of our thoughts moving through the layers of our energetic, mental, emotional, and physical body.

themysticmasala.com thousandpetallotus.com @MysticMasala Glynnis Osher is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner (CAP), passionate teacher, and author with over 16 years experience in Ayurveda. She is on faculty at the Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage teaching aromatherapy and Indian head massage. Glynnis is founder and CEO of The Mystic Masala Ayurvedic Aromatherapy and Thousand Petal Lotus Indian Head Massage. Glynnis has co-authored the book Your Irresistible Life: 4 Seasons of Self-Care through Ayurveda and Yoga Practices that Work.

the mystic masala aromapothecary is located at 1723 grant street in vancouver.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression begin with the seed of mental stress. The mind is a master of holding on to thought patterns and perpetuating them - both positive and negative. We can make a conscious choice to literally change our mind and reverse the impact of destructive thoughts on our health. Seemingly simple daily Ayurvedic practices can make a profound difference. 1. Quiet. Daily meditation has been proven to calm the mind and pacify the nervous system. Create a peaceful space to meditate for at least 15 minutes a day. Set a timer. Light a candle for focus and set an intention to cultivate tranquility. Breath deeply. Notice the shift after each meditation. 2. Positive thinking is a daily practice. Every time you find your mental chatter taking you down a negative path, allow yourself to think of something that makes you feel good and focus on that until you experience a change. Incorporating daily routines when we are healing imbalances of the manamaya or mind sheath is key. In order to soothe the mind and pacify the nervous system, we look to the Ayurvedic elemental principle of air and space known as Vata dosha. It is this dosha that is most susceptible to excessive noise, external stimuli, nervous system depletion, insomnia, anxiety, and pain. A Vata imbalance can be prevented or stabilized by following a specific diet and lifestyle routine until the mind and body have been restored to equilibrium.

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Happy body, happy mind practices:

1. Routine. Routine. Routine. Vata dosha thrives on and is calmed by a regular practice that is grounding and stabilizing. Enjoy meals at the same time each day. Commit to a regular daily meditation and exercise schedule. Keep things simple. 2. Avoid cold, dry, and hardto-digest foods. Cold drinks, salads refined sugars, and too much raw, cold food can aggravate digestion and lead to toxicity in the body and mind. 3. Ashwagandha, which is an adaptogenis herb, and triphala, which is an immune boosting tonic, can reduce anxiety by pacifying Vata Dosha. 4. Essential oils are a powerful tool in managing anxiety. Jatamansi (spikenard) is one of the primary oils for soothing the nervous system. Lavender, bergamot, and sandalwood are also good options. Anxiety stems from a deep feeling of being spiritually lost or disconnected. In Ayurveda, there is a focus on the deeper practices of Yoga that are designed to awaken consciousness. This is known as the Bliss Sheath or the Anandamaya Kosha. A practice of slowing down enough to contemplate, meditate, and connect to this Bliss Sheath is the key to an anxiety-free and balanced life. h P H OTO OF G ANESH © D MI TR I M I K I TENK O


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