The Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Episode 278

Rasa Vaha Srotas are the channels carrying rasa which is the first tissue produced from the elemental juice formed from our digested food. Rasa vaha srotas includes the plasma, the fluid portion of the blood in the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system.

In this episode Colette details the many functions of this plasma carrying channel in the body including; the transport of nutrients and respiratory gases, aiding in the absorption of fat, maintaining water-electrolyte balance, regulating body temperature, viscosity and volume of blood and filtrating toxins and removing excess fluids and waste. 

She also discusses the causes of aggravation of this channel and the signs and symptoms of aggravation of rasa vaha srotas, some of which include:

• Low digestive fire and poor appetite.
• Pain in the body.
• High or low blood pressure.
• Anemia.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Palpitations.
• Anxiety, confusion, vertigo.
• Hair loss, premature greying, wrinkling and darkness around...

Episode 277

Ayurveda teaches us that we are a part of nature and not separate from it. We are made up of the same 5 elements as nature or the panchamahabhoutas as they’re called in Sanskrit; space, air, fire, water and earth. Our unique dosha ratio of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in our individual constitution determines the energies and qualities in our body.

Each season will result in a shift in the 5 panchmahabhoutas depending on the climate and this shift in the elements and qualities of our environment will effect the qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in our body.

In this episode Colette discusses the following:

• How seasonal shifts effect the qualities of the doshas.
• Implementing the Ayurvedic principle of "like increases like and opposites pacify to help navigate the shift in seasons."
• What are the Ritucharya or seasonal guidelines.
• Each doshas qualities, signs of imbalance and tips to pacify.
• The importance of cleansing during seasonal transition.

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Thank you to the...

Episode 276

Colette continues her series on the channels (srotas) of the body. This is the third episode in this series:

1. In episode #272 where she did an introduction to the channels of the body where she focused on the first input channel, anna vaha srotas (the food channel).
2. In episode #274 she focused on the second input channel, prana vaha srotas (the respiratory channel).

In this episode, Colette focuses on the important role of udaka vaha srotas (the hydration channel) in the body and mind as water is required for the following functions in the body:

• Aiding digestion
• Elimination
• Regulating body temperature
• Lubricating and protects the tissues, organs and joints
• Transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Supporting the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products
• Acting as a shock absorber for the brain, spinal chord and the fetus

Water is balancing for all 3 doshas and it's very important for the normal functioning of the entire body. No cell in the body can...

Episode 275

Kamalesh Ginger Hooven is interim Provost of Mount Madonna Institute, where she is the Director of the Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy program.

Kamalesh returns to the podcast to discuss the energy of prana, our vital life force energy and pranayama, breathing practices. This is a great follow up to the previous podcast episode #274 The Respiratory System (Prana Vaha Srotas) where Colette explains in detail how the prana vaha srotas carries this vital energy through the respiratory system. 

Colette chats with Kamalesh about the following:

• The energy of prana.
• What is pranayama.
• The relationship between the breath and the body/mind.
• The three parts of the breath.
• How to begin your pranayama practice.
• Types of pranayama:
  • balancing
  • heating 
  • cooling

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Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Mount Madonna Institute. Receive a $200 discount on the programs starting in September 2023 (Ayurvedic Foundations, Ayurvedic Educator and Ayurvedic Health Counselor)...

Episode 274

In episode #272 Colette did an introduction to the srotas or channels of the body and in that episode she focused on the anna vaha srotas, the food carrying channels. She explained the journey from the intake of food at the mouth through to the small intestine, explaining the doshas and subdoshas involved along the way and their role in transforming food into energy.

In this episode, Colette focuses on another input channel, prana vaha srotas, the respiratory system. Prana vaha srotas works with anna vaha srotas (the food channel) as the breath kindles the agni (our digestive fire) and the agni breaks down the food we ingest to nourish the entire body. Anna vaha srotas transforms food into energy and then the prana vaha srotas are the channels transforming that energy into vitality by carrying air through the respiratory system.

Colette takes you on a journey through the prana vaha srotas and the organs and subdoshas involved in inspiration and expiration. The...

Episode 273

Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant, educator, and chef in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. Divya and her husband Prentiss founded Divya’s Kitchen, a plant-based restaurant in New York City that reimagines classic dishes through an Ayurvedic lens.

Divya’s brand has since expanded to include a line of plant-based retail food products, educational videos and two books. She is the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen and Joy of Balance: An Ayurvedic Guide to Cooking with Healing Ingredients.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the five types of herbal liquids (Pancha Vidha Kashaya) according to Ayurveda and they are:

1. Fresh Juice (Svarasa)
2. Pulp (Kalka)
3. Decoction (Kvata)
4. Cold infusion (Heema)
5. Hot infusion (Phanta)

Divya gives examples of each type of herbal liquid, how they're used and the properties and qualities they possess. She also gives great culinary tips throughout the episode.

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Visit ...

 Episode 272

The Srotas are channels in the body through which the doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha move. There are many types of srotas in the body from the subtle energetic channels called nadis to the largest channel in the body, Maha srotas, the gastrointestinal tract. 

In this episode Colette explains the main channels of the body and she focuses on anna vaha srotas, the food channel. She details what happens when we eat and the journey through the food channel and the subdoshas involved which includes:

• bodhaka kapha
• prana vayu
• sadhaka pitta
• kledaka kapha
• samana vayu
• pachaka pitta
• ranjaka pitta
• apana vayu 

Colette also discusses the four types of imbalances which can occur in the srotas/channels and how they can manifest in the anna vaha srotas.

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Thanks to Kerala Academy for sponsoring this episode - to learn more, visit keralaayurveda.us/courses. For $100 off tuition, use the Reference Code Elements100 when you join a beginner training!

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Episode 271

Colette takes questions from the Elements of Ayurveda Podcast community and she answers the following questions:

1. Ayurvedic view on intermittent fasting or time restricted eating and which dosha would benefit the most/least?

2. My family has been suffering with coughs and congestion since early Autumn, what are some natural Ayurvedic tips to help relieve these symptoms and what could be the root cause?

   • Vata type cough - Make a soothing tea with 1 tsp raw honey, 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric & 1/2 tsp ground ginger + 1 pinch of ground black pepper. Golden turmeric milk in the evening with ghee and nutmeg is also helpful for this type of cough. Download the golden turmeric milk recipe here.
   • Pitta type cough - Gargle with 1/2 tsp of neem powder in warm water. A sitopaladi tea with 1/2 tsp sitopaladi powder and 1 tsp raw honey. 
   • Kapha type cough - Make a tea to break up the sticky congestion with 1/2 tsp of ground ginger, a pinch of clove and cinnamon in hot...

Episode 270

Dr. Sujatha Kekada is the Head Physician and Co-Founder of AmrtaSiddhi Ayurvedic Clinic in Ubud, Bali. She is a certified Ayurvedic Doctor (B.A.M.S) with a degree from Rajiv Gandhi University, Karnataka, India. Dr. Sujatha’s profound understanding of Ayurvedic Medicine and her deep love for plants is the basis for her exceptional ability to diagnose the root causes of diseases and to find effective remedies.

In this episode Colette chats with Dr. Sujatha about the Ayurvedic view on osteopenia and osteoporosis. They discuss the following:

• A description of the conditions of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• The relationship between the Vata dosha and asthi dhatu (bone tissue).
• What diet and lifestyle factors can lead to the decrease in bone density.
• Ayurvedic treatment for these conditions.
• Diet and lifestyle guidelines to prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this episode:

1. Kerala Academy - to learn more, visit keralaayurveda.us/courses....

Episode 269

Jean shares her Ayurvedic healing journey which has resulted in life-changing decisions as she moves from a life of busyness and ambition to a simpler, more fulfilling life. Colette discusses the following with Jean:

• Jean's "radical sabbatical" and discovery of Yoga and Ayurveda.
• Her Digestive Reset Cleanse experience.
• Gaining clarity on her next stage of life.
• The urge to purge body and environment.
• Jean's life-changing experience.

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Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Mount Madonna Institute. Receive $100 off tuition when you register for the Ayurvedic Health Counselor Program before November 30th, 2022 with discount code Elements22.  Visit mountmadonnainstitute.org for further details.

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Register for the discounted Group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting January 27th, 2023

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