Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre

It's spring! Time to get moving, walking, swimming, stretching. The heavy qualities of earth: stability and solidity are giving way to movement, change and creativity. Stimulate and broaden your mind by exposing yourself to new experiences, new places and new people. Try new tastes and colours. Become comfortable with change, and you will be comfortable with growth. Remember the six year old child inside you, full of enthusiasm, asking questions, unburdened with habits and attitudes which have become stuck over so many years, trusting that miracles are the norm. Take him/her out to lie on the grass and watch the clouds changing shape, see the new bright green buds, make daisy chains and hug trees.

As you can see in the picture, Kaushiice,[Kashike]daughter of Xolisile and Daniel has arrived! We welcome her with lots of love and gratitude and wish that she gets plenty of massage and all the other good things of life.

Would you like to be inspired to prepare nourishing, tasty and interesting vegetarian dishes to improve your health and wellbeing? Join our workshop.................. see the end of the newsletter. Alternatively, for those days when you just don't feel like cooking: click here to find out more about our delicious take home vegetarian meals

What substance has all the following qualities: always helpful to the body, easy to assimilate, life-giving and antioxidant, helps to remove fatigue, increase stamina and enhances the glow of skin, transport nutrients to the cells and tissues, helps digestion and absorption, prevents constipation and bloating and supports the heart due to its cooling properties?

Well water, pond water, rain water - there are many types of water described in Ayurvedic texts, and each has a therapeutic value, just as food does. Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with lunar energy. It cools and balances Fire element, supports Earth element, and counteracts the dryness of Air/Ether. It nurtures, lubricates and also detoxifies when it flows out of the body as urine. The healing effects of water can be enhanced using Ayurvedic methods:

Hot water therapy: Sometimes people have dry skin and unquenchable thirst even though they drink lots of water. The deeper physiology is not getting enough moisture. This occurs when the person's digestive fire is low and toxins block the micro-channels (shrotas) which carry water to the cells. In order to cleanse the channels and enhance moisture absorption, Ayurvedic texts recommend boiling the water for various lengths of time, creating a therapeutic water. Another method is to add spices or herbs to the water after boiling.

When the water boils, it gets charged with heat, becoming sharper in quality. This sharpness allows it to cleanse the channels and penetrate deeper levels of the physiology. Spices create an added therapeutic effect by interacting with the water on the molecular level. Spices create different effects on the body through aroma and taste. It becomes easier for the body to flush out toxins and impurities because of the sharpness of the agni (heat) in the water and because of the sharpness of the spices. Over time, it cleanses the channels so the water is unobstructed as it travels into the body to hydrate the tissues, and travels out carrying waste.

Ancient texts talk about the difference in the rate of absorption of regular water vs. boiled water:

· boiled and cooled water - takes about 3 hours to be absorbed, and helps open the channels

· hot herbalized water - takes about 1 1/2 hours, due to sharpness of agni and herbs and spices

Avoid ice cold drinks: According to Ayurveda, iced beverages, especially with or right after a meal, can really slow down digestion. Imagine pouring cold water over burning coals set up to cook your food. That's effectively what you do to your digestive fires when you gulp down iced beverages with your meal. Instead, opt for digestion-enhancing drinks. Warm water infused with fragrant fennel helps enhance digestion, prevents bloating, and freshens your breath naturally. Cumin tea, or ginger-mint tea made with fresh ginger root slices and fresh mint leaves are great alternatives.

Hydrotherapy or cold water showers/bucket baths: When the cold water hits the surface of your skin all the blood from way deep inside your body rushes to the surface in self-defense, vastly improving your circulation on the spot. This is called Hydrotherapy. It strengthens your entire nervous system.

But first, before you get wet, massage your body all over with a little oil. Oil is more easily absorbed by the skin when it is mixed with water and you won't be greasy afterwards.
Go in and out of the water four times, constantly massaging your body until the water no longer feels cold. Be sure not to miss the area under your arms, which is where the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems meet. You can even stand on one foot and massage the top of it with the other foot. Women, be sure to massage your breasts.

You will probably become very holy the moment the cold water hits your body, because it is likely you will shout, "Oh my God!" You might try exclaiming "Wahe Guru" ("Wow, God is Great!") or "Ang Sang Wahe Guru" ("God lives in every limb of my being.") Remembering God is always a blessing.

Dry off briskly with a rough towel till the body really shines; and you're ready for an exhilerating day.

Exceptions for women: Don't take cold showers during your monthly period and no cold showers after the seventh month of pregnancy; take lukewarm, body temperature showers instead.

"When you pour yourself a glass of water, try holding the glass in your hand for a few seconds before drinking, and say, 'I greet you, good, pure, living water; I ask you to instil purity in me.' When you do this you will feel a subtle fluid impregnating your whole being."

Kicharis or 'Kichadis' are at the core of Ayurvedic nutritional healing. They are a relatively simple stew, usually of basmati rice and split mung dal or lentil, which is suitable for almost any imbalance. Kicharis take on endless variations depending on the herbs, spices and vegetables used in them. They are the primary food in Pancha Karma, Ayurvedic cleansing therapy, because they are so easily digested and assimilated, hence 'kind to your body'. They are a complete balanced protein, as well as quick and easy to prepare. This make kichari especially interesting if you are new to vegetarianism. It is also excellent for nourishing children and the elderly.

Kichari is best eaten fresh. Let your own senses and preferences guide you as you modify the basic principles below, or try the recipe which follows:

Braise spices eg. mustard seeds, chopped fresh ginger, hing, black peppercorns, curry leaves in the ghee

Add to the ghee and spices 2 parts grain eg basmati rice, barley to 1 part lentil/bean. Make sure the grains and lentils are well soaked and rinsed.

Stir to combine the grains, pulses and vegetables with the ghee and spices. Toast lightly for a minute or so, then add water.

1 cup hulled barley	Rinse until water runs clear
½ cup whole mung dal	Rinse until water runs clear. Soak for 2 hours in
2 cups cold water	Drain. In a very large pot, heat
1 T ghee	Sauté the following spices on a low heat for 2 min:
A pinch of turmeric
4 curry leaves, preferably fresh
½ t black cardamom
¼ t coarse black pepper
½ t coriander powder
¼ t sea salt	Add the barley and mung. sauté for 5 min. Add
3 cups boiling water, stir and cover	Cook over medium low heat for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm

Shop
We would love you to visit us and see what we have in our shop but please give us a call to make sure that one of us is available to assist you. Please click here for a complete list of everything we have available.

Yoga
We have started a new Yoga class at the Buddhist Centre, opposite the traffic circle entrance to Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay. Your first trial class is free. Classes are on Tuesdays from 5.30 - 6.45 pm. Please call us for more details or to book your place. You need have no experience of Yoga to join us, just a desire to give yourself some 'quality time'.

Yoga Teachers Training course at Ananda Kutir
Did you know that you can study to be a Yoga teacher at Ananda Kutir Ashrama in Rondebosch? Samantha and Margit did this training some years ago and found it very inspiring. The 2006 course starts in February next year.

The course is presented part-time in modules including theoretical knowledge, practical group hands-on interactive experience, community service and practical internship experience. Detailed course lecture notes are provided.

Contact us for more details on this course or other activities such as meditaton and other uplifting acitvities at Ananda Kutir Ashrama. We are happy to forward their diary of activities to you.

Learn to create tasty and well-balanced meals which are quick and easy to prepare

We will be making Indian pastries and breads: chappatis, rotis, and puris as well as a dal, filling and dip to make a complete meal.

About the workshop:

Please bring: Your own apron, peeler, a sharp knife and container for leftovers. Wear comfortable and warm clothing

We are looking forward to meeting you, to welcoming you here or hearing from you soon.