In Spring, the body naturally prepares to shake off the weight of hibernation, readying itself to lighten the load both physically and mentally.  Compared to dry autumn, in spring nature starts getting wet and “mud-luscious,” to use e.e. cummings’s evocative phrase - yet simultaneously the first flowers miraculously rise up out of that heavy mud. … Continue reading The Powerful Promise of Spring Cleaning

The concept of Self Care has hit the big time. It’s on everyone’s To Do list - or rather, everyone’s “I Should Do” list - and on the cover of every women’s magazine. There are blogs devoted to it. Memes abound.  While Self Care sounds nice on first blush, I’m noticing a trend - when … Continue reading Why Self Care Doesn't Work

The dawn of a new year is always a potent time to reflect on what’s working in our lives, and to actively let go of what has served its time.   What dreams are perched in your awareness, ready to jump into full-winged flight? What are you opening your inner doors to right now?  What doors … Continue reading An At-Home New Year Ritual

In the weeks ahead, many of us will travel to visit loved ones during the holidays. Travel is one of the classic vata-aggravating activities, as it uproots us from our home, our typical routines, and the food we are used to.  Unfortunately, this mass travel bug sends us out into the ethers exactly when vata … Continue reading What's in Your Carry-On Bag?

Vata season is upon us again. And in case we forgot what Vata is after our long summer, it’s coming through in vivid technicolor around here! Autumn is abundant in the qualities of Vata: dry, light, rough, cold, mobile, subtle and changeable. Have you noticed the dry leaves falling, the mobile winds, and the cool … Continue reading 6 Simple Supports for Autumn Anxiety

In Ayurveda, medicine often fits the form of applying opposites. When the illness involves heat or inflammation, apply cold. When the problem is excess moisture, apply astringent or drying. When there is too much movement, it’s time to get still. Intuitive and common sensical. Life in a modern technology-driven society is, by definition, COMPLEX. There … Continue reading Cultivate Simplicity

We are fast approaching summer’s end. Early summer invited us outside, where the sun’s energy is easily accessible, nature’s gifts are abundant, and physical activity flows more easily into our lives. The warmth of early summer relaxes and softens the muscles and inspires more movement, helping to pacify the heavy, moist, phlegmy kapha of spring. … Continue reading The Summer Rest Imperative

I have not had a garden before. (Well, I did when I lived in Portland, Oregon, but on a recent trip to the pacific northwest, my sister said with disdain, “These people aren’t gardeners. They could throw seeds out the window and they’d sprout here. That doesn’t count at all.”) Indeed, summer gardening in the … Continue reading Sunrise Gardening ~ and Other Summer Medicine

It’s not an exaggeration to say changing deeply ingrained habits is the hardest - AND most necessary - step to being healthy. By definition, habits put us on auto-pilot, which is either a good thing or a bad thing. Habits can free us up so we don’t have to think too hard about something, like … Continue reading Video: The only shortcut to changing an old habit