In Ayurveda, there are urges to not resist and doing so is harmful to the body. An urge can be yawning, going to the bathroom, burping, sleeping, crying, etc. Holding in these urges can put stress on the body and interrupt proper detoxification processes. Every urge has a purpose that connects to helping movement and cleansing. We regenerate a lot during sleep, which is why the body has an urge for rest. We may need to cough to clear the throat or drink water for cellular hydration . Crying is an emotional urge that carries more importance than we may think. In the Vedic texts, there are the 13 urges to not resist, called vega dharana or vega vidharan: Belching, flatulence, bowel movements, urination, sneezing, thirst, hunger, sleeping, coughing, yawning, crying, vomiting and ejaculating. The Ashtanga Hridaya (Vedic text) also mentions the urge to heavily breathe after exertion. There are other urges that we can think of such as laughing, screaming or shouting in an urgent situation. O...
Indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, or constipation? Ayurveda says your kitchen has the answer. Share on Pinterest In Ayurveda, agni (fire) is viewed as the source of life. It’s literally the gatekeeper of good health and a metaphor for all metabolic functions in the body. Everything you eat is looked upon as an offering to agni — and what’s a more potent, direct offering than food? What you eat can nourish and strengthen this fire, boosting your digestive system — or it can smother it, leading to an impaired, weakened, or imbalanced agni. According to Ayurveda, harmful foods, such as fried foods, processed meats, and very cold foods, can create undigested residue that forms toxins, or in Ayurvedic terms “ama.” Ama is described as the root cause of disease. So, the health goal is to balance this metabolic fire. When it comes to good eating habits, here’s the best advice most Ayurvedic practitioners give: Eat only when hungry. Keep gaps of ...