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Greetings!
 Our precious heart is the central pillar of our body temple. The beating of our heart pumps oxygenated, nutrient rich blood throughout our circulatory system and carries waste away. The electrical wave produced by the heart influences the rhythms of many of our bodily functions. This muscle works very hard for us. Taking responsibility for our heart involves looking at all aspects of our lives and making changes to correct imbalances in our physical, emotional, and spiritual habits that challenge a happy, healthy heart. |
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Physical HeartHeart disease is the leading cause of death for women (23.5%) and men(25.2%) in the United States. When ama collects in the vessels and organs of the circulatory system, the heart has to work harder and becomes inefficient. The Western lifestyle with its emphasis on consumerism, materialism and achievement is hazardous to heart health. To those daily pressures add a processed, on-the-run diet high in sugars, bad fats, and chemicals. Throw in a sedentary lifestyle, suppressed emotions and spiritual starvation and you have a recipe for trouble for many Americans. Surely Radiant Life eNews readers are not plagued by all of these issues, however it can be difficult to avoid them all -- all of the time .  Emotional HeartOf course the heart is a physical organ, but it is also experienced as the seat of our emotions, such as joy and love. Our mental and emotional balance, along with our physical strength, are all part of a "toned" heart. To have a healthy heart, we need to have a happy heart. Cultivating love, joy and bliss is the best tonic for heart care. Spiritual HeartThe heart is the seat of the prana (life force) vata shrotas (channels). Our prana, or breath of life, is regulated by inhalation and exhalation which is synchronized by the beating of the heart. Ayurveda considers the heart to be the seat of consciousness. The heart represents the lotus in which the soul resides. When our heart is healthy and happy, the heart lotus, or jewel of the soul, receives light and will shine. Heart HealthRather than use our will-power to force heart-healthy disciplines that give us a feeling of deprivation or punishment, we want to engage lifestyle changes that fill us with a sense of well-being. The science of Ayurveda can be used to nourish and support a happy, healthy heart so that our vibrant, nutrient-rich blood circulates through open channels and our emotions are lifted to radiate from our heart lotus as we find pleasure in daily life.
Live with radiant intention and be well. Rhonda
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Keep Your Heart ...UpBeat!
Take care of your heart. Don't pressure yourself, remember, stress is hard on the heart, but lean into one or two of the these heart-healthy behaviors using the science of Ayurveda.
- Soothe Away Your Stress - Try warm baths, abhyanga massage, meditation, time with friends, spiritual connections and experiences. Some forms of meditation are proven to lower blood pressure, reverse arterial blockage, and invite blissful states.
- Eat Right - Right eating means attending to "what, when, and how you eat." [see January 2014 issue] Reduce ama (toxins) with organic, fresh prepared foods and cook with a variety of spices. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Herbs and spices communicate "nature's intelligence" to our cells.
- Nourish the Good Times - Do not let the emotional heart waste away. Cultivate positive emotions. Learn what brings you happiness and do more of it or at least experience these times with more mindfulness.
- Move It! - Exercise moderately and regularly. Find something that you enjoy doing physically. If you don't enjoy it, the commitment will be more likely to fade.
- Keep It Clean - Too much caffeine, alcohol, or sugar weakens the liver and digestive power leading to accumulated ama which is not good for the heart. Reduce chemicals in your food and home. Arteriosclerosis is an example of accumulated and deposited ama.
- Invite Restful Sleep - Sleep rests the heart and supports digestion of food and emotions. Going to bed at a regular time (ideally before 10pm) helps to establish the anticipation and habit of sleep. Listen to soft music for 30 minutes before bedtime and keep the bedroom free and clear of clutter and electronics. This is not a place to check email or Facebook if you aim for restful sleep.
I suspect that none of this advice surprises you. Perhaps, however, this information will remind and encourage you to establish yourself more strongly in heart healthy habits. |
High Impact Heart Health by Dosha Managing daily stress is of great importance for heart health. Your best choice for high impact strategies relates to which dosha pushes your mental/emotional triggers resulting in imbalance when stressed. Pitta - Pitta types put lots of pressure on themselves and others. Relax your need for perfection and don't push so hard. Find cooling activities that can slow you down so that you can rest. Swimming or moderate walking is good. Resist the urge to make these activities competitive. Vata - Vata types need to manage their worrisome anxiety. Meditation can be helpful; its effects are optimized after some movement where you can release nervous energy first. Alternate nostril breathing can also help to calm. Creative outlets help to reduce vata stress.
Kapha - Kaphas are most helped by movement. Because loveable Kaphas are generally social, try a yoga class or meeting up with friends for vigorous walking. Consider walking in a local mall or other indoor setting when the weather outside is not conducive to outdoor activities.
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A Few Factoids from Heart Math-- a research center for the heart-brain connection - A human heart's magnetic field can be felt several feet away.
- Negative emotions create nervous system chaos, positive ...the opposite.
- The heart sends signals to the brain that can influence perceptions,emotional experience, and higher mental processes.
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Classes in Kalamazoo, MI
at Radiant Life Center
Rhonda Egidio, Ph. D. is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner with great passion for sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda and the simple yet effective practices that can make important upgrades to our digestion and overall radiant health.
Ayurveda Home Herbalism Training for Radiant Health:
Herbs for Daily Essentials, Digestion, Healing, Vitality, Sex/Romance, Mind, and Consciousness
March 12 and 19, 2014; 6:00-8:00pm flier/registration
Ayurveda Radiant Skin and Natural Dental Care:
Clearing Skin Issues, Nourishing Skin care, Successful
Self-Dentistry
April 30 and May 7, 2014 6:00-8:00pm flier/registration
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Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health concerns, diet, sleep and lifestyle and offers Ayurvedic recommendations. It's a good idea to get a baseline assessment to help you to apply Ayurveda knowledge in a customized way to your particular needs. Check out assessment and session options.
Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
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Copper Cup
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Arterial plague is ama (toxic matter) that collects in the blood vessels. Proper diet can decrease ama. Ayurveds also recommend setting a copper cup of water next to your bed each night so you that you can drink it first thing in the morning to prevent arteriosclerosis.
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Upcoming Classes
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Home Herbalism Training
March 12 and 19.
Radiant Skin and natural Dental Care
April 30 and May 7
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Stewed Apples or Pears:
A heart-healthy breakfast
1 whole fresh, sweet apple or pear, cored and peeled.
3 whole cloves or powdered spice blend of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom (¼ tsp or to taste).
1/4 cup of purified water
1 tsp ghee
Directions:
Core, peel, and slice or dice apple. Add cloves or powdered spices, apples and water in a covered pot. Cook apples in 1/4 cup of water until they are soft. Discard the whole cloves if used, cool slightly, and enjoy.
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Herb for the Heart
Arjuna is the most revered herb for the physical and emotional heart in Ayurveda. Arjuna strengthens the heart muscle and tones the circulation system. It also promotes emotional balance for the wounded heart.
Here's is a special offer from Banyan Botanicals 20% Off Discount Code for Healthy Heart Products
Order online at: www.banyanbotanicals.com and enter promotional code AFHRT14 at the top of the shopping basket page. Good for 20% off "Heart Formula Tablets" & "Arjuna Liquid Extract". Normal shipping charges will apply. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer good February 1 - 28, 2014.
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The Potato ProjectA Girl's Potato Experiment will change the way you think about food! 
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Take a Vacation
Europeans typically have 6 weeks of paid vacation. We need to get away from it all sometimes.
Plan time away from work and home tasks. Novelty is a key for joy. Travel invites novelty and has a positive effect on our sense of self and our important relationships.
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What Brings Happiness?  Deepak Chopra says choice and finding our inner core are big predictors of happiness. Great article... check it out.
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Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
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Save 20%
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Make an appointment for your Ayurveda Assessment (90 minute) and 1 follow up session (60 minute) for $160 for both sessions. Receive a Radiant Life Ayurveda thermos for your daily spice water. This package is a discount from the regular price of $200 if purchased separately.
The custom knowledge for your health plan will well serve you as you continue to make informed decisions to favor good personal health.
Includes a detailed report of assessment and custom recommendations. Now taking appointments for Kalamazoo, MI and Oak Park, IL locations.
| Offer Expires: March 31, 2014
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