Give the Gift of a Healthy Morning to Someone You Love
Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences that developed together and have repeatedly influenced each other throughout history. One of the powerful tools of healing and change in Ayurveda is dinacharya (a healthy morning routine). Ayurveda recognizes that when we change our mornings, we change our days — and our lives change too!
Yoga Simple spoke with Erin Casperson, from the Kripalu School of Ayurveda (KSA), who shares her favorite budget-friendly Ayurvedic products that also make ideal stocking stuffers.
Nasya Oil ($11)
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B000Q48DCW” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Z2U-%2BTvTL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”yogasimple-20″ width=”69″]’Tis the season for dry and runny noses, as well as head colds. Avoid this with [easyazon_link asin=”B000Q48DCW” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”yogasimple-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Nasya Oil[/easyazon_link], which lubricates the nasal passages during the dry months of winter. This is my favorite ayurvedic product for the winter. I keep it in my bag, in the office and at home. It is also phenomenal for travel in airplanes!
To use, place 1-2 drops of oil into the nose in the morning and before bed. Massage the inner nostrils with the fingers and then sniff the oil up into the nasal passages.
Tongue Scraper ($8)
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B000Q4C936″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21fTR-WolAL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”yogasimple-20″ width=”134″]While sleeping the body goes through a detoxification process that leaves a coating of material on the tongue. If this coating is removed in the morning, it will not only freshen your breath and enhance your ability to taste, but also stimulate the organs of digestion and elimination.
To remove it, use a [easyazon_link asin=”B000Q4C936″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”yogasimple-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]tongue cleaner[/easyazon_link] moving from back to front 3-5 times, rinsing between each scrape.
Abhyanga Oil ($12)
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B0058AALMY” cloaking=”default” height=”147″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EP0Q9SLcL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”yogasimple-20″ width=”160″]Winter is the cold and dry season. This leaves the skin — cold and dry. The solution is simple: massage oil into your body every day to thwart the onslaught of the winter weather.
I recommend a high quality [easyazon_link asin=”B0058AALMY” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”yogasimple-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]sesame oil[/easyazon_link] (which is best in winter because of its warming quality) from the oil section of the your local health foods market or through Banyan Botanicals directly.
Keep a small jar of oil in the shower and when you are done soaping your body, massage the oil into your skin. Perform long strokes on the long bones; circles on the joints, on the abdomen and low back. This will replace your daily lotion or moisturizer!
Consider giving thoughtfully this holiday season with Ayurveda’s healing power. We all benefit by helping others help themselves.
Erin Casperson is the Academic Coordinator for the Kripalu School of Ayurveda (KSA), as well as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and 500-hour yoga teacher. Prior to her current role, she served as KSA’s Resident Intern for two years. A passionate, heartfelt, and enthusiastic teacher, Erin loves sharing Ayurveda with others so that they can get closer to the truth of who they are. She has continued her study of yoga and Ayurveda with Larissa Hall Carlson, Scott Blossom, John Doulliard, Vasant Lad, and Claudia Welch.
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