The elements associated with Pitta are fire and water. Pitta means ‘that which transforms.’ This is largely referring to transforming food into energy with digestion. The qualities of Pitta are quick, hot, bright, sharp and intelligent. The heat of Pitta gives heat and vibrancy to the body.
The elements associated with Kapha are earth and water. Kapha means ‘that which sticks.’ The qualities of Kapha are earthy, grounding, juicy, damp, unctuous. The moisture of Kapha gives lubrication to the body.
Life is a dance of energy, from birth to death and everything in between we are constantly, consistently shifting and changing our physical form as well as our psychological and emotional states.
The word Ayurveda means ‘science of life.’ Ayurveda is over 5000 years old and is still very much alive today, especially in India where you routinely see Ayurvedic pharmacies and hospitals used as pat of the communities routine medical care. It is a completely holistic and natural system for caring for the bodymind throughout your life.
We are all presently residing, to one extent or another, in a liminal space. The Cambridge dictionary definition of liminal is “between or belonging to two different places, states, etc. the liminal state between waking and sleeping.” So we are in all presently in this place that is somehow ‘in between.’ To a large extent…
Someone recently asked me why I don’t play music when we practise together, and also if I could cut back the philosophy content and chat a little less perhaps? I explained politely that if this is what they wanted from their practice that’s no problem, but that is not how I view Yoga and so it is not how I teach.
I cannot tell you how frustrating I find this question! I get asked this a lot, and my response is usually ‘its Yoga’. Which is possibly not that helpful. I know that this question is usually asked in compete innocence. There are so many so called ‘types’ of Yoga being offered that it is no wonder people are confused. So I thought I would try to explain things from my perspective.
The ancient Indian art, Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’ has now become an integral part of how I function from day to day, hour to hour, and seasonally. I use it for my own health and wellness as well as to assist other people. How did this all come about, how did I begin this journey of self care and self discovery?
For the heart to need healing it must be broken, right? On some level aren’t all of our hearts broken? Haven’t we all at some point in our lives, from early childhood, experienced disappointment, loss, trust issues, some kind of emotional conflict? All of these things, these emotional happenings, are matters of the heart.
it is about this incredible journey, about falling in love with life again, about maybe for the first time ever in my entire life trusting myself, my own judgement, my own instincts, my intiuition, its about falling in love with myself. It is about being able to say to myself, “yes, you’re doing ok.”
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – (Anais Nin)
I get off the train at Kings Cross station. I walk up until I reach the carnage and detritus, the ugly, twisted, violent beauty of the Caledonian Road.