The practice of Yoga Nidra typically involves:
- Preparation: You lie down in Savasana (corpse pose) and get comfortable, using props like blankets and bolsters if needed.
- Body Awareness: The facilitator guides you through a body scan, bringing your attention to different parts of your body, systematically relaxing each part.
- Breath Awareness: You're encouraged to focus on your breath, observing its natural rhythm without trying to control it.
- Setting an Intention or Sankalpa: You may be asked to set an intention or resolve (Sankalpa) for your practice, aligning with your deepest desires or goals.
- Visualization: The facilitator might guide you through visualizations or imagery to stimulate relaxation and sometimes to explore deeper aspects of your consciousness.
- Rotation of Consciousness: This involves mentally moving your awareness to different parts of the body, systematically relaxing them.
- Witnessing Sensations, Emotions, and Thoughts: You're encouraged to observe any sensations, emotions, or thoughts that arise without judgment, simply acknowledging them and letting them pass.
- Return: Towards the end of the practice, you're gently brought back to a state of wakefulness, often with a reminder of your intention or Sankalpa.
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Yoga Nidra is known for its profound relaxation benefits and can be used for stress reduction, improved sleep, enhanced creativity, and deeper self-awareness. It's accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels since it doesn't involve physical exertion and can be practiced lying down. Many people find it to be a powerful tool for managing stress and promoting overall well-being.
Ayurvedic Nutrition Counselling Ayurvedic nutrition counseling is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on the principles of Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine originating from India. In Ayurveda, food is considered not only a source of physical nourishment but also a vital component in maintaining balance and harmony within the body and mind.
Here are some key aspects of Ayurvedic nutrition counseling:
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Individualized Approach: Ayurveda recognizes that each person is unique, with their own distinct constitution or dosha (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha). Ayurvedic nutrition counseling takes into account an individual's doshic balance, as well as their current state of health and any imbalances or ailments they may be experiencing.
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Balancing the Doshas: The primary goal of Ayurvedic nutrition counseling is to balance the doshas through diet and lifestyle modifications. For example, if someone has an excess of Pitta dosha, they may be advised to consume cooling and soothing foods to pacify Pitta.
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Understanding Food Qualities: Ayurveda categorizes foods based on their qualities, such as hot, cold, heavy, light, dry, and oily. Different foods can either aggravate or pacify certain doshas based on their qualities. Ayurvedic nutrition counseling educates individuals on choosing foods that promote balance and well-being.
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Emphasis on Digestion: Ayurveda places great importance on the strength of digestion (agni). Proper digestion is seen as essential for absorbing nutrients and preventing the formation of toxins (ama) in the body. Ayurvedic nutrition counseling may include recommendations to improve digestion through mindful eating practices and the use of digestive spices and herbs.
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Seasonal Eating: Ayurveda recognizes that the body's needs change with the seasons. Ayurvedic nutrition counseling may involve adjusting dietary choices according to seasonal changes to maintain balance and harmony.
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Lifestyle Recommendations: In addition to dietary advice, Ayurvedic nutrition counseling often includes recommendations for lifestyle practices that support overall health and well-being, such as mindful eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and self-care rituals.
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Herbal Support: Ayurvedic nutrition counseling may incorporate the use of Ayurvedic herbs and supplements to support specific health goals or address imbalances in the body.
Overall, Ayurvedic nutrition counseling aims to empower individuals to make informed choices about their diet and lifestyle in order to optimize their health and well-being according to the principles of Ayurveda. It is often conducted by trained Ayurvedic practitioners or nutritionists with expertise in Ayurveda.
