Introduction
Our senses are the doorways to our experiences of the world and experiencing the joys of being alive and being human. Even though it is an ancient life science, Ayurveda can be adapted to suit the modern person’s lifestyle and provide a holistic approach to cleansing and nourishing our five senses.
An Ayurvedic Approach to self-care in the modern world
Modern ayurveda follows the same teachings as the ancient version of promoting a balance between our life energies or dosha – vata, pitta and kapha – for continued health and wellbeing. It has helped us adopt it into our current lifestyles providing us with everything from nourishing diets to daily wellness routines, to mind calming practices such as meditation and yoga. Ayurveda provides us with practical self-care practices that have a genuine positive impact on balancing our internal energies which according to ayurveda is how we experience body, mind and spiritual health.
When we spend time on refreshing daily self care routines it gives us the energy we need to enjoy life to the fullest. Our five sense organs – ears, eyes, skin, tongue and nose – are how we connect with the world around us and using Ayurvedic techniques to cleanse and nourish these five senses is the best way keep our sensory impressions of sound, touch, sight, taste and smell in top condition.
Touch
Touch is fundamental to wellbeing and health and ayurveda provides us with the tools for a holistic approach to skin care and touch, to gain balance and stability for long term health and satisfaction. Abhyanga, an ayurvedic oil massage or self massage uses the sense of touch to reactivate the healing mechanisms of the mind and body to restore balance, aid regeneration and strengthen the immune system. As skin is our largest sensory organ it plays a pivotal role in our health because when it is stimulated through massage it releases healing chemicals that improve circulation. Using the correct oil for your dosha, such as sesame oil or mustard oil, you can counter feelings of lethargy, overheating and stress to enjoy a sense of vitality.
Sight
Sight has a profound effect on our mind and emotions because when we look at beautiful or peaceful scenery or images it causes soothing neurochemicals in the body. Ayurveda promotes focusing on uplifting images or imagery and food that nourishes our sight. Especially these days in a world where we spend a vast amount of time staring at screens we need to really focus on our eye health. Washing them in the morning with cool water and practicing Trataka helps improve blood circulation and improve vision. Trataka is an ayurvedic eye health method in which you stare at a burning ghee lamp for about ten minutes every day to stimulate your eyesight. Consuming ayurvedic herbs such as amla or Indian gooseberry is good as it is a wonderful source of vitamin C, antioxidants and other power nutrients.
Hearing
According to ayurveda every sound has a physiological effect and if the sound is pleasing creates pleasure-producing chemicals to course through our bodies. This promotes health and wellness and a stronger immune system.
Music is considered as a valuable therapeutic tool for balance and healing with specific sounds benefitting certain dosha types better. Using music or sound therapy to help you be in tune with yourself to feel inspired, joyful, alert and refreshed.
Smell
According to ayurveda losing your sense of smell can occur when there is a hormonal imbalance either caused by an aggravated vata dosha, bad dietary or lifestyle habits. Losing our sense of smell hinders our ability to connect with our surroundings. Ayurvedic aromatherapy is a form of natural medicine that helps create a healing response to smell. Inhaling specific aromas help induce a calm, relaxed and happy frame of mind and provoke an inner healing response.
- Rose water and cinnamon
- Lemon lavender and jasmine
- Mint orange and vanilla
- Sandalwood and clove
You can also do the ayurvedic practice of neti which rinses and cleanses the nasal passages with water. It also helps clear the head for more purity and clarity.
Taste
Taste has a deep significance in ayurveda because it helps us experience the six main food categories of sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. Incorporating and experiencing all six tastes is important towards balancing our dosha because otherwise it creates a dosha imbalance which leads to wellness complications. Each taste has a unique impact on our mind body physiology because we feel satiated and satisfied only when we get the taste and nutrients we need.
Brush your teeth and practice tongue scraping to cleanse your mouth and heighten your taste buds. East wholesome food that incorporate the six tastes. If you are in the habit of smoking, give it up. Incorporate ayurvedic herbs and spices such as ginger, coriander, cumin into your cooking to naturally regain your sense of taste. Citrus fruits such as lemon and lime also reactivate your taste buds.
Conclusion
Practice modern ayurvedic teachings to cleanse and nourish your five senses for an energetic approach to life where all your senses are at peak condition. Learn to take time to rest for a few minutes during your busy day, find a yoga teacher for a mindful movement practice and an ayurvedic practitioner to guide you on the best therapies to adopt for a new lease on your wellness journey. Based on practical ancient principals, ayurveda is the smart way to regain control of your selfcare and health, something we could all benefit from in this hyper fast paced world.
The post Modern ayurvedic self-care to cleanse and nourish the five senses first appeared on Ayurveda Institute UK.
The post Modern ayurvedic self-care to cleanse and nourish the five senses appeared first on Ayurveda Institute UK.
