In the beginning there was space, born from the unified unmanifested Cosmic Consciousness that is the  source of all.

So knowing your prakruti, your constitution at birth is crucial to knowing oneself and how to balance.

To take your quiz for Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. go to www.gedaliahhealingarts.com  under services.

This is an essential beginning and an “AHA” for some things you might be doing that you don’t know why is aggravating your system all the time.

Try to answer the questions based upon how you have been your whole life not necessarily the symptoms you are having now.

Awareness is everything.

Healing with energy occurs through balancing qi, prana or otherwise known as life force energy; electromagnetic energy. This electromagnetic energy surrounds and pervades all living creatures. Ayurvedic medicine is a complete system of medicine that recognizes the root causes of symptoms or disease and treats the client as a whole system. In this way, dis-eases will be seen and worked with before they reach the physical body.

Have you ever said or heard someone say” oh, this again”, “ I thought I dealt with that pattern”. Here’s why it returns.

Simply speaking, some 80% of disease is caused by stagnation of energy or blockage while the remaining 20% is said to be caused by deficiency. The bottom line is that the client must remove the stagnation and take steps in order to ensure the stagnation does not return. Stagnation occurs both in the physical body and in the subtle bodies. Blockages occur where there are inherent weaknesses. It takes time to remove blockages depending on how deep the pattern is. Often a deficiency and blockage occur at the same time. The goal of healing is not just to treat symptoms but to uproot the cause and allow for a free flow of energy.

It is essential that clients participate in this process. Meditation and spiritual practices assists the client in connecting to something larger then themselves and understanding their condition from a greater perspective of wholeness. It also opens one to tremendous healing forces that are available from  the spiritual realms.

Dietary changes are important to assist in the removal of stagnation and to give support to any deficiencies.

Marma Therapy; energy healing from Ayurveda supports the body to restore energy, prevent disease and remove blockages. By gently touching these energy points underneath the skin’s surface the self correcting mechanism inherent in all beings is therefore stimulated.

Meditation allows one to develop”witness consciousness” and compassion; therefore developing new relationships with old patterns- essential for healing to take place. Ultimately it’s “our relationship with” that creates change.

Personal Process Work:

Guided meditations, breathing exercises/pranayama;All these things are necessary to clear the emotional/mental bodies. Physical illness can result in long standing emotional suppression. It is equally as important to challenge one’s false and limited belief systems and to have support for necessary life changes.

Ayurveda considers us to be an expression of the macrocosm; as a bridge between heaven and earth. For each of us to reach our full potential a free flow of energy is required at all these levels.

I recommend healing with energy  be a regular part of your path to vital health. With regularity and consistency one can reach great openings of creativity, self purpose, self worth, and joy.   I assure you, it’s a journey worth traveling.

Gedaliah Genin Naturopath/Ayurvedic Marma Therapy

Best to do it in the morning starting with the feet and moving upwards toward the head. This movement brings both circulation and freshness to the body and mind. It can be done before showering then the light layer of oil remains on the skin throughout the day both protecting and soothing the skin.

Almond oil, sesame oil, safflower oil or coconut and jojoba can be used for this daily massage. One can add essential oils to the carrier oil such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary, depending upon the dosha of the particular person. To find which oils are good for Vata, Pitta and Kapha go to www.deepakchopra.com  and you can look under balancing your dosha to see which oils to use.

When it comes to essential oils you can’t go wrong.. just simply  follow your nose .Let your intuition lead you.. it’s the best way!

Then use that oil in your bathtub at night as well.

There is a video of Abhyanga on the Deepak Chopra site..

I’ve had clients report to me that it helped them when they traveled.. calming both body and mind.

This is an excellent practice as winter come upon us.. Enjoy! I love it.

Nobody talks about that except Ayurveda; the ancient “science of life “which is what the word means. Ayurveda describes health in four pillars: 1. Physical 2.Mental 3.Social 4. Spiritual

For perfect health we need 1. In front of us– Mission, goal in life   2. Within Us- Total health and fitness 3. Behind Us-Our back( spinal column) and our family 4.Around us- People and the environment

This is a very  GROUNDED and holistic way to see our health . I have always found comfort in the wisdom of Ayurveda as it applies so beautifully to modern life.

With purpose we have meaning.. when we give meaning to something it becomes holy and sacred which it all is. Then we no longer have to search outside ourselves for happiness.. we ALLOW ourselves to be fulfilled by the meaning and purpose we give; by the service we offer. It doesn’t matter what you do but when you’re acts are performed with a sense of purpose and the highest intention they automatically become sacred.They create good karma.

The  word “dharma” which is one of the first goals of human beings, is the universal goal of finding one’s true path in life and doing what is uniquely proper for oneself.

Perhaps you’ve not made it you’re first goal… so here you are invited to contemplate your “dharma” in life… please share your insights!!

Gedaliah Genin Naturopath/Energy Medicine www.gedaliahhealingarts.com

When I ask people what their diet is like,the nutrition response I often hear is “I am eating well”  I eat fruits , veggies etc. etc.” What does that exactly mean if your body does not respond by feeling well. You are not what you eat you are what you absorb and digest!

Very simple food combining can be a real contribution to acid reflux as well as the amount of acidic foods you are eating and WHEN..  when is key here. For example in America fruit is served after dinner and other meals as well. According to experts in food combining, fruit should be eaten alone and first thing in the morning as it requires strong digestion. So upon waking is best to eat a piece of fruit , like papaya or mango after drinking a glass or two of water with lemon soaked in from the night before. This starts the digestive tract with an alkaline environment. Ayurvedic medicine, science of health from India does not recommend eating fruit with grains, a popular combo here in the western diet. This sugar environment in the gut  becomes a perfect place for tumors and cancer to grow. Cancer feeds off sugar. We all have yeast, but certain food combinations create more.

An understanding of which foods are acidic and which are alkaline is crucial. A simple diet that includes millet, quinoa, dark green leafy veggies,  basmati rice, ghee,sea vegetables like kelp and nori, split mung beans for protein along with a few others you can find in a food combining book is great to give your body a new start and a rest from rich proteins which are mostly eaten at night in the American diet. Eating light after 6pm like a veggie soup with lentils is key for digestion. In this way people won’t feel like they need to cleanse all the time. The body will be doing this naturally because it won’t be overburdened with rich food combinations.

Another problem people often have with digestion  is  starchy foods with protein foods. A pasta dinner should be eaten alone with veggies and some organic chicken but the meat and potatoes combo which is very popular like burger and fries wreak havoc on digestion over time. Keep your protein with veggies or salad.

In this way you will not only feel better and reduce acid but this can reduce inflammation, joint problems as these are all results of undigested food and on top of that you will keep your weight down. It’s really simple. If you shop the farm markets and enjoy simple organic food, local and seasonal you are on you are  way to better health and vitality.

Treat yourself like a temple and holy place. Because you are. Everyone is a part of the great universal consciousness that exists. So as we each do our parts and align ourselves  with our highest purpose, leaving out indulgence and over consumption both internally and externally we are contributing to a better world. Having good thoughts and surrounding ourselves with family and friends  is another great pillar of health. Looking at the whole picture not just the symptom, being honest with ourselves , slowing down enough so we can pay attention, which pain is a signal for, and realizing we can make simple changes and choices daily that will affect our health over time. In the same way you would not expect to run a marathon first time out running, taking baby steps each day in you’re food choices, thoughts, relationships  and  all this can significantly effect the way you feel.

In the meantime as you are making these changes and also incorporating some fermented foods in you’re diet like Kefir, raw sauerkraut, you can also consider the following:

The Body Ecology Book

Aloe Vera Juice- drink an ounce several times a day for indigestion

Triphala- Ayurvedic herb in capsules or tea for balancing- perfect for long term colon cleansing

A good digestive enzyme which includes bromelain and papaya for digestion or serrapeptase when you are eating heavy proteins.

A good probiotic with multiple strains

Ginger capsules – not the raw but powdered ginger is not heating

Peppermint oil  one drop in water or in capsules.

If you’re indigestion is so bad you can’t sleep prop up on a pillow to prevent the acid from moving upward.

Breakfast like a king, lunch like  a queen and dinner like a pauper!!  Have a nice evening walk , ponder the moon and sweet dreams!

Today I would like to introduce to you the herb Astragulus . It is a root that is highly recommended to prepare for the flu season as it acts as a tonic to protect the immune system. It also aids adrenal gland function and increases digestion and metabolism, promotes healing, and provides energy to combat fatigue and prolonged stress. It increases stamina. Don’t we all need that?? Good for colds, flu and immune deficiency related problems, including AIDS, cancer and tumors. Effective for chronic lung weakness.

Here’s a short list of some detoxifying remedies to begin as we approach fall:

Aloe Vera Juice- drink a few ounces a day to cool the digestive tract

Ginger capsules-  good for all constitutions in Ayurveda- promotes good digestion

Triphala- an Ayurvedic remedy that one can use indefinitely to cleans the colon- comes in powder for tea or capsules

Getting regular massage

Dry brushing the skin for circulation and exfoliating the skin

Sweating such as taking saunas

Enemas- as directed by your physician

The perfect food for cleansing is Kitchari- it  a complete protein food made from split mung beans , rice, and vegetables. One can eat this as a meal three times a day while cleansing. Recipes are found in The Ayurvedic Cookbook.

As the leaves begin to fall from the trees think of the whole body in the same way needing to get rid of accumulated toxins  and cleanse before the next season begins. If we mirror nature we can remain healthy with the seasons.

If you are like me and enjoy traveling but fret getting on an airplane, here are some Safe and Effective remedies for pre travel, during travel and aprez travel.

For starters, before taking a long airplane trip Rescue Remedy by Bach is a gentle and effective calming liquid ( which comes in less than 4oz size for airplane security). Made from the essences of flowers, rescue remedy is both safe for humans , adults and children. One can immediately feel the calming effects and not have to wait like some homeopathic remedies. It can address anxiety, tension, nervousness and uneasiness about traveling. I have both personally and professionally used it for over 25 years. It’s a must in the home health kit and cosmetic pouch. I’ve  also used it countless times in situations when other people might need some as well. Just take a dropperful under the tongue several times a day or as needed.Kids respond so well to Rescue Remedy. I gave it to our sheepdog when we moved cross country when  he was in the baggage pit in his crate on an airplane.

Hyland’s Jet Lag Homeopathic tabs or Kin Bio Jet Lag spray are both efficient in easing jet lag particularly when traveling to different time zones. Best to start either of these a day or two before traveling and also while on an airplane as well as a day after you reach your destination. Just a few sprays under the tongue every few hours will help.

Melatonin is the perfect remedy for sleeping on an airplane as well as time zone differences. It comes in a travel size liquid , tablets or sublingual tabs.

For aprez travel ;some good yoga postures that help with jet lag are shavasana- corpse pose, and lying on the floor throwing your feet over the top of the bed ( your body like an L shape allowing the blood to recirculate and the nervous system to calm down. Try a few standing poses to ground your energy.

I like to travel with some Smoothe Move Tea or extra fiber caps as traveling  can often  be constipating. Continuing your Triphala supplement from Ayurveda is great as we often eat more rich and heavy foods when we travel and Triphala will help to cleanse the colon as well as keep the bowels regular.

You don’t want any unsafe microbials in your water.. especially over the border!!

Another school alternative,  Waldorf schools,  some which have working farms on the premises are simply a delight, originating from Europe, enrich children at a young age the value of being nourished healthfully and the joy of learning how to grow and harvest food. Our first son had this opportunity when we lived in California and as a college graduate today  he shops and cooks from the farmer’s market and works on many projects which collaborate art , food and farming into the community. I am happy to see  that what he lived payed off.

In all these scenarios the need for supplementation may  still be there as we are all faced with hundreds more chemicals in our environment than we had fifty years ago, depleted soils and endangered fish. Not all schools are using local produce in their cafeterias  and  of course viruses are still contagious. The good news is, the more we can support and prepare the inner terrain and environment of our bodies, including our mind and our souls the better we can face and build our immunity to the oncoming stress.

Having a son who is going to college shortly, I’ve been  recently sharing with some of his friends Mom’s the following things that   a student can take while in college. Here they are, simple and effective.

Of course a good multi vitamin for starters ,  food based such as Garden of Life or New Chapter; a probiotic that does not need refrigeration, fish oil with a good amount of DHA such as Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, a good protein shake made from whey or rice for morning meals on the go.. such as Jarrow Muscle Builders whey protein or Life Basics rice protein. This is very important because kids like to grab things quickly and eat them.. protein powder can be mixed in a blender bottle with regular milk, almond milk juice or water. For a month before flu season start the Wellness Formula by Source Naturals or simply take echinacea as it works the best when taken ahead of time before a flu or cold can come on. I am sending my son to college with an aromatherapy diffuser.. diffusing oils with a cool air mist such as Wyndmere’s nebulizer will help to eliminate mold, bacteria and viruses from living in the air. One of our first lines of defense for our kids growing up were essential oils; peppermint for fever and also to promote alertness in school, lavender on the feet before bedtime, lemon in the air and in the water for detoxifying and killing germs. My son’s friends think this is so cool.. whenever they come over they are enamored by the smells in our home..

I also recommend having Kyolic garlic  for students to take if they start feeling sick as garlic acts a natural antibiotic and most often kids illnesses are viral in nature. Always first get checked by your doctor then decide on the appropriate protocol. Cod liver oil for good skin and perfect ratio of vitamin A and D.

For kids who stay up late and can’t fall asleep liquid melatonin works well before bedtime.

Kids enjoy eating local honey and keeping a good supply all year around helps with allergies.

On the upside, here were few “pain recommendations” from the natural world that were shared.

For headaches and headache prevention as well as joint pain: SAM-e  ( always check with your pharmacist if you are on other prescription drugs).

Glucosamine Chondroitin- Joint pain

Lower back pain- use a pillow or towel rolled up in the lumbar spine when sitting at the computer or driving your car.

Acupuncture  for inflammation

I will add “energy healing” to this mix as when your river of energy is flowing freely in your body, dis-ease is unblocked and the natural chi in your body begins to heal itself. Mental, emotional, stress, hormones and other things can cause blocks of energy in our being. Sometimes it’s not conscious; sometimes it’s something from the past we are  storing in our bodies. All our memories and experiences are stored in the body,  even in different organs . I use various hands on healing modalities in my practice at an integrative doctor’s office to “unblock” what may be keeping a person from getting well. The physical body is the last place it shows up. It starts first with our thoughts and feelings that create vibrations and patterns. Like an in strument that needs to be tuned up, such is the benefit of great energy work that frees up the physiology so you can make the right choices for yourself. Our power to heal lies within each of us. We need to be at rest and our energy to be flowing freely to feel that vibrant health we all want .Bandaiding symptoms will only cost you more  money in the end; finding the cause of why you are not healing is key!