Menopause – important life transition not an illness

Thankfully the menopause is getting a lot of airtime now, and so it should.  It has been a source of shame and misunderstanding for too long.  How do we view the menopause in Ayurveda? Menopause essentials Let’s first recap the menopause essentials.  The accepted definition of the menopause is the Read more…

Disease stages

Use your clever early warning system

Our bodies want to stay alive.  We have many amazing ways to self-regulate bodily processes to remain stable and continue to live.  Much of this goes on without our awareness; tiny adjustments occurring on a minute-by-minute basis.  But what happens when things start to go awry? The body goes through Read more…

Quench the flames of pitta this summer

I love the summer.  Being a vata-predominant, not-well-covered body type, I find myself cold for 90% of the year in the UK.  So come summer, my whole body relaxes and I feel like a basking lizard absorbing all the warmth and sunlight to keep me going for the rest of Read more…

Natural Cycle

Women, love your cycle (and men, it REALLY helps to know)

Women have an amazing aid to living a healthy and happy life. The menstrual cycle. Now, if you are man, please don’t stop reading here as likely as not, you know a woman. She would likely be very impressed and grateful for any glimmer of understanding of this topic and Read more…

Tune into daily rhythms for best health

Sleepy in the afternoon? Sluggish in the morning? Unable to fall asleep at night?  Finding meditation or study difficult? You may be planning your activities at times when they work against you rather than for you. While writing my last article on sleep, I got really excited by the new research Read more…

Wind tree

Watch the wind – it’s a tricky little fellow

Given my usual fascination with digestion, you’d be forgiven for thinking I mean that kind of wind.  But, for once, I don’t.  In this instance, I refer to vata, the ‘wind’ (or air and space) principle in your body and mind.  It is one of the three doshas (vata, pitta Read more…

Caffeine – gets us moving, at what cost?

“Let’s meet for coffee”.  Who doesn’t say it?  I don’t even drink coffee and it is still a phrase that trips off the tongue.   Coffee has reached cult status and it is no surprise.  That hit of caffeine feels good.  When you start adding in creamy milk, syrups and chocolate Read more…

Look after your digestive fire

It all comes back to Digestion

“It comes back to the beginning” – the theme tune punch line from the fantastic TV series, The Bridge.  If you haven’t seen it, you should!  I’m singing the song for you now, you are just very lucky not to be able to hear me.  It does indeed all come Read more…

Sun through clouds

From SAD to happy with Ayurveda

Wow, it’s lovely to see the sun out.  Out comes the sun and out come the smiles.  Have you found that this winter’s dreadful weather has been making you a bit sad?  Or indeed, quite a bit S.A.D.?  With the lack of sunlight in the winter months, many people start Read more…

Benefits of abhyanga massage

“Massage is essential” – now that sounds good

Abhyanga (Ayurvedic warm-oil massage) is not a luxury, it’s essential.  That’s not from me, it’s from the ancient Ayurvedic texts: ‘Abhyanga should be resorted to daily.  It wards of old age, exertion and aggravation of vata.  It bestows good vision, nourishment to the body, long life, good sleep, good and Read more…