The Buzz of Vata
Vata, the energy pattern of movement in the energy mindbody physiology, has the qualities or vibrational frequencies of cold, light, mobile, light, dry, rough,subtle, clear These qualities are important because they help identify the energy of Vata when it is prominent in our physiology.
For example, we have all had the experience of the racing mindbody. The whole body seems to be heightened and energized, that is buzzing or what I am referring to as the Vata Buzz.
When needing to get things done, this type of energy is great to have.
But a couple of observations. Vata Buzz is a sympathetic outflow, that is, it is part of the fight or flight response and when activated for prolonged periods of time can promote fatigue and wasting.
Another characteristic for people who are Vata predominant(more Vata than Pitta and Kapha energy patterns) is that their mindbodies cannot sustain long periods of the Buzz even though they would love to because they love mobility. Those of us like this cannot endure like Kapha and Pitta.
As we might expect certain foods bring on the Buzz. Coffee is the common drink that most associate with the Buzz but any food or drink that produces the mobile, light, subtle, and clear qualities will bring on the symptoms of the Buzz.
How to bring down the Buzz? Create more parasympathetic or peaceful things in life to calm the Buzz.
Eat grounding foods such as root vegetables
Avoid the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes or just go to foodsheal.com and see the PV format
Take a hot tub bath before bed
Get more rest
Do a centering exercise for 5 minutes in the morning before beginning the day
Consider meditation
Recognize that the Buzz is addictive
Until next week To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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Medicinal Effects of Honey
Each of the energy patterns of VPK have specific qualities.... Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our observable world, including ourselves
So when the environment is hot our mindbody becomes hot as well and you seek cold for comfort Similarly when you eat food that is hot such as salsa then your mindbody becomes hot The windows to your mindbody's energy field is through its senses of the above qualities Honey is a unique food from an energy science point of view and is far from a simple sweet treat
The Qualities of Honey and Summertime
The energy science of Ayurveda says that everything can be medicine when used appropriately so we need to know about the qualities of honey to use it as food Honey has qualities that can aggravate each of the energy patterns but is most most appropriate for the slow/dull cool slimy/smooth and static Kapha because of its heating qualities
The hot characteristic of Pitta will be aggravated by honey so PK people should not use honey all the time It also follows that during the hot summer months honey should not be used due to the heat
Guidelines for Honey as Medicine
Since honey has a heating quality it can help with clearing Kapha imbalance Mucous is the signature symptom of either Kapha imbalance or release and the mucous of the common cold is an experience that we can all relate to But when Kapha’s qualities show up in disease you can experience the heavy slow/dull and static qualities
Honey guidelines
The best time to use honey is during the cold winter months
Honey and ghee should be used in equal volumes NOT equal weights(toxic if you do)
NEVER cook honey(toxic if you do)
Honey will NOT be heating if used in basti since you’re not digesting it
Use honey in moderation (1 to at most 2x per week during summer)
Don’t use honey with fruit
Honey can be used with herbs to carry it to the lungs or kidneys
Honey is best used in cool mucous Kapha conditions
Honey is best used with warm to hot water
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The Bloats: 10 Energy Science Solutions
Bloating is a common problem encountered in the general population and is one of the bowel symptoms associated with IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease And the good news is that it's preventable Wouldn't you rather do things to prevent something bad happening to you?
The Matter Science Approach
Bloating or abdominal distention is a common digestive problem which typically occurs after eating and varies in degree like any symptom At times it may be very transient, lasting for short period of time(hour or less) while in others it may last longer(several hours or an entire day)
It is described by the matter science as a functional bowel disorder, that is, a motility disorder of the gut It's not known why this motility problem occurs although matter science researchers suggest that it's related to alterations in the gut flora or the microbiome This has been termed dysbiosis and SIBO has been used of recent to define this alteration in gut flora There is an older cousin to SIBO that has been recognized for some time initially in children called "leaky gut syndrome" Once felt by the research establishment as a ridiculous concept is now being taken seriously
As is usually the case the matter science is rich in testing and trying to come up with names of these human biological disease phenomena but not so effective in determining treatment Drugs or pharma have not been very effective in dealing with bloating but because they pay the bills for the current medical establishment reports don't surface as to their ineffectiveness
The Energy Science Approach to the Bloats
In the energy science world of Ayurveda there is one primary reason for bloating and that's poor digestive strength or agni As I have written a number of times in this blog agni is essential for health from an Ayurvedic perspective and without it the individual is bound to incur disease of some form It's not a matter of "if" it's really only "when" The fundamental reason that the matter(molecular) science model of healing has trouble with dealing with digestive disorders in general is the Western allopathic model(these are all synonyms) has no understanding of the concept of agni
Poor agni can lead to a couple of different scenarios The primary result is the production of undigested, unprocessed food called ama and this leads to the interference of movement of food through the small bowel.....this interference leads to bloating Since the microbiome(gut flora) is an integral part of agni or the digestive fire, the matter science is getting close to understanding what Ayurveda has been articulating as a model of healing for 5,000 years but still not there yet So for now, take some pills
As ama progresses over time(years) more and more congestion in the gut occurs leading to progressive worsening of the bloating This leads to a second and fortunately less common reason.......a change in the direction of the normal downward movement of energy in the rectum and this interferes with normal rectal function and bowel movement function This becomes the "end of the road" for many who initially are treated as IBS due to the symptoms of their bloating But this progression leads to a severe complex of symptoms that are difficult to treat
Bloating: 10 Energy Science Solutions
These are meant to be added to each other over time Don't try to do all at once or your mind WILL rebel
Eat according to your energy constitutional makeup
Avoid incompatible food combinations
Avoid overeating.....2handfuls for any one meal Place a bowl that sits comfortably in your 2 cupped hands....now that's how much you should eat at your biggest meal of the day
Biggest meal at noon
Use spices ALL THE TIME in your cooking....fresh ginger turmeric cumin coriander fennel vanilla fresh basil
Use GHEE instead of butter or cooking oil....ghee has the qualities of digestive fire
Exercise regularly but don't overdo it....pranayama is the best way to stoke agni
Avoid fatty fried foods
Make a deal with yourself to always sit to eat The more focus and attention you bring to eating the better your agni digestion When you calm the mind you improve agni which from a mental standpoint is better focused attention Calm the mind with meditation....at an energy level the mind and body are intimately spliced...you cannot separate them(you can't say this using the matter science model)
Fasting This does not have to be a water fast....simply using juice or fruit for 24hours....or eat dinner at 6-7p and don't eat until 8a the next morning and you have a 12h fast
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Denial Isn’t A River in Egypt
"How long have you had heartburn," I asked.
"Not very long," my patient responded.
"Well, how long, can you give me an estimate?"
"Oh, say 10years." he replied.
"How often do you have symptoms of heartburn?" I queried
"Maybe every day." he answers
This particular dialogue is not uncommon. We can call it trivializing, denial, minimizing, or all the above But the bottom line is that the symptom that is being discussed is not important Heartburn, headache, anxiety, fear, abdominal pain, blood in the urine, constipation, chronic cough, chronic sinus congestion, overweight; potential problems that we can decide to put on the back burner or better yet hope that it or they won't come back
The issue is this The energy field mindbody never lies and never holds back when it's in pain It will always speak the truth So to have heartburn and not recognize it for what it is misses the opportunity to be healthier And minor symptoms may be the tip of the iceberg
So infrequent means significant Every symptom is significant because it's the body's way of telling us that the energy body is not happy Let's try not to ignore the opportunity for better health and pay attention and have resolve that we'll do something about whatever the mindbody is showing us
Health is a skill that we work at all the time Love DrBill
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What Is Health Anyway?
A new definition of health implies that we have had one in the past and that is arguable If there has been one from a matter science viewpoint, I guess a state of health has meant that we are free of disease But that cannot be a 21st century definition which should be born from a marriage between the matter and energy medical sciences
I would propose that there is more to health than being free of dis-ease
One who is established in witnessing, whose energy patterns
are in balance, whose appetite is balanced, whose tissues are
functioning normally, whose wastes are eliminated properly,
and whose self, mind, and senses remain full of bliss
is called a healthy person
This is a complete definition of health gleaned from the writings of the energy medical science of Ayurveda but as you can see requires a lot more persistent work than "hanging with some supplements" and "hoping" that things will go your way
The good news that this kind of definition starts by simply improving your nutrition....eating according to your energy mindbody constitutional makeup as shown at foodsheal.com
To good health Love DrBill
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Slowing the Aging Process: 3 Energy Science Tools for the Mindbody
To biologically function you need all three energy patterns, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Vata is the energy pattern of movement and when out of balance, it prematurely produces physiologic degenerative changes over time This is why the nutritional format for Vata is called an antidegenerative format
So you can see that Vata is the energy pattern responsible for aging Vata is also primarily responsible for neurological function so that if you slow the mind down, you reduce aging The Vata energy pattern is dominant in about 60% of people so many people can benefit from doing this kind of nutritional work
The Mind Effect on Physical Aging
The mindbody is just that....the body is mind and the mind is body They are intimately spliced and cannot be separated What happens in the mind, happens in the body and vice versa Thoughts are food and need to be digested
We age because see others growing old and aging.....the adage "you're only as old as you think you are" speaks volumes
So you can see that digested thoughts have the same degenerative effect on the mindbody as degenerative foods that are not balancing for the mindbody So an active mind can be as degenerative as eating corn and tomatoes(salsa with chips anyone?)
3 Simple Ways to Reduce the Aging Process
1 Slow down the mind Following from what I just said above, a very active mind causes systems in the mindbody to deteriorate more rapidly The converse is also true Eating foods that cause the mindbody to be "hyper" will also produce degenerative changes Trying to digest thoughts can be at times difficult Meditation improves digestion of foods and thoughts because of the calming effect it has
A simple meditation technique is use SO HUM mantra SO on inhalation and HUM on exhalation Close your eyes and watch the breath SO HUM....SO HUM.....SO HUM..... Sit quietly close your eyes and use the mantra Do 5 minutes morning and evening Try before going to bed or when waking in the am It will put years on your mindbody and change your life
When you meditate, excess energy comes off your mindbody like a 4th of July sparkler The mindbody needs to get rid of this excess pent up energy that has not been digested So meditation is powerful digestion and improves physical digestion of broccoli and improves absorption and assimilation of that broccoli
2 Improve your agni or digestive power If you have a strong digestive fire the energy patterns of VPK will behave and stay in the GI tract Hence there will be no ama or toxic load present that the mindbody has to deal with The presence and signs of ama are signs of the aging process
3 Herbs called rasayans can rejuvenate the physiology Using them on a regular basis is a profound physiologic way to reduce the aging process
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Popping of Joints
Ever wondered why your joints pop(or maybe yours don't)?
We won't find the answer from an matter science perspective; we'll find the understanding at the energy science level.
Vata as we have discussed in the past
is the energy of movement and has the qualities of mobile, rough, dry, cold, light, subtle, and clear.
Due to our lack of allowing the breath to move the mindbody, the fluidity of energy in the mindbody gets stuck. When the free flow (movement) of energy in the mindbody is impeded usually due to fear, the vibrational frequencies of mobile, rough, and dry get stuck in the tendons, joints, and fascial planes.
The trapping of mobile, rough, and dry in the joint leads to clicking or popping. It is the natural tendency of energy to express itself and our mindbody's way of telling our awareness that imbalance exists in inner space. The phrase, "please release me", comes to mind. Restoring the free flow of energy in the mindbody begins to release these pent up qualities from the mindbody.
Any observation of imbalance is valuable and valid particularly around energy science nutrition. Eating raw foods in the diet or drinking carbonated fluids also lead to the increase in these qualities of mobile, rough, and dry. Over time constipation occurs due to the accumulation of these vibrational frequencies of rough and dry.
If we look for evidence that the mindbody is an energy field not just a matter field, we will find it. Just as we spoke earlier about lint in the belly button we just have to open our eyes of perception to a different way of seeing.
To good health and making health a skill Love DrBill
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Weight Reduction Without Cost But With Guidance
Understanding the energy science model helps us avoid the numerous pitfalls that are present in trying to successfully manage a weight reduction program In this video I cover those with you
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Stress Reduction: 7 Valuable Energy Science Tools
Meditation is a tool to help quiet the mind and therefore the physiology since the mind and body are intimately spliced...we cannot separate them What is mind is body and what is body is mind There are published scientific articles regarding not only the scientific understanding of meditation and its physiologic consequences but also attesting to its long term benefits
In Ayurveda the energy patterns of Vata(energy of physiologic movement) and Pitta(energy of transformation or metabolism) are involved in stress Both of these energy patterns are involved in stress and engages the control dramas of Vata which is flight(run away) or Pitta(fight) or a mixture of the two energy patterns
But there are many things that can be done to reduce the body's response to stress from an energy science point of view These methods or techniques are ways to quiet the mindbody and hence improve its ability to handle stress
Stress and Retraining the Nervous System
The accumulation of stress events that are not dealt with adequately leads to a heightened level of stress over and above baseline This increased sympathetic nervous system activity puts us in a altered physiologic state where we are then more responsive to simple stress events that would not ordinarily trigger us(crying child puts us over the top) This is called "chronic stress syndrome" but is nothing more than a primed sympathetic system that is operating over and above what is appropriate Done for long periods of time it can lead to adrenal fatigue
Our reaction to an event in our environment as a perceived threat can engage the flight or fight response This mental response to "out there" prompts a part of our nervous system named the sympathetic nervous system The opposing part is the parasympathetic nervous system It turns out that the former is engaged in times of stress(fight or flight) and the latter is engaged during periods of relaxation
Everyone experiences stress in their lives but it's how we deal with it that's important So retraining our nervous system out of hypervigilance or "fight or flight response" and to teach it to be calmer in the face of that "perceived threat" whatever it might be is the key to dealing with the stress
7 Energy Science Things That You Can Do To Reduce Stress
The energy science of Ayurveda and the yoga tradition state that it's not just one thing that we do to help deal with stress but a multiplicity of things that we can do to invoke a more calm(parasympathetic) response to events that occur to us in our environment
Nutrition Amazingly when we eat foods that produce imbalance it brings about a minor stressor but a stressor nonetheless Over time as discussed earlier this loads the sympathetic nervous system, raising its level of activity
Herbal support There a number of Ayurvedic herbs that can lend support to the nervous system that are called rasayanas These are a special group of herbs that can provide strengthening support to an overloaded system
Pranayama These are breathing practices that can have a calming effect to the autonomic nervous system by increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system which happens to be in very high concentration anatomically in the diaphragm
Nasya At the upper part of the nasal cavity is a plate that has direct access to the brainstem Named the cribiform plate this provides herbal access to the nervous system so that they can provide strengthening support to an overly fatigued nervous system
Asana practice Done properly by focusing on bodily sensations, asana practice can be meditative and hence reduce the mind's tendency to respond in a sympathetic way
Meditation is an energy science tool to quiet the mind In so doing it produces a parasympathetic response, that is, a calming effect Done over time(at least 3mo of practice) it will retrain the nervous system so that it is not so reactive to events in our environment
Watching thoughts as clouds This practice helps us disengage our internal world At times our thoughts become so real for us that we think they are us! But we are not our thoughts we are the observer of our thoughts Thoughts are like hotel guests....they come and go but we as the observer....we never change When we watch the thoughts come and go as clouds we disengage from the mind
By and by introducing each of these tools can be life changing and help you conquer stress Just begin with 5 minutes and you'll see benefits and want to spend more time
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Ayurvedic Water and Fluid Guidelines
Since Vata the energy of movement is light it needs the most volume per day usually 70oz. Kapha the energy of stability needs the least, around 40oz per day. Pitta, the energy of transformation or change, needs in between, about 50-60oz per day. Of course heavy exercise changes these volume guidelines but for basic lifestyle needs these are excellent
So can you drink too much volume during the day? Ayurveda would say yes to that The problem here is diluting agni If too much volume is consumed around meal time the digestive enzymes are diluted and lessens agni This is particularly true for those using ice water to cool themselves off The guideline is "Ice is not nice!"
Another question is when is the best time to consume volume Some sip on water all day which is a nice habit to do but there are some who for many different reasons cannot or will not carry a water bottle around with them
There are two good times to drink water during the day The first is when you walk up This starts up the GI tract and hopefully stimulates a bowel movement The other time is to ingest your largest fluid volume of the day in the afternoon between 2 and 6 pm This keeps the volume out of the meal time particularly the largest meal of the day and will not interfere with sleep if drinking large volumes at night
A simple way to adjust the amount of volume consumed is to assess the color of your urine. If it's dark yellow you need more ingested volume; if it's clear you probably have enough on board.
An interesting "shedding effect" occurs when your tank is too filled up. When one slows down the fluid intake to the above parameters, excess urination continues until the volume is correct for your own mindbody constitutional makeup. This is particularly true for PK.
A nice side benefit for PK is that weight loss is very fast due to getting rid of all the excess volume being consumed that PK does not need.
The mindbody has infinite wisdom to take care of itself. We just have to participate.
Until next week DB
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