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Cultivating Inner Strength

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Whenever we are confronted with outer obstacles we can bash our heads against them or flow over, under, around them with flexible, inner strength.  How do we cultivate this inner quality?

Everyone has some level of grit, stamina, or resilience of spirit.  We only need to uncover the Source within, to let it permeate our body and mind. What is covering it?  It’s all the parts of us that we developed to protect us, often as young children, from pain and suffering.

A well known beginning is meditation. You may have tried meditating and found it didn’t seem to work.  Know that there are many different types of meditation. 

Sitting each day for meditation builds a reservoir of strength into your nervous system and your mind.  If you can sit daily without squirming, through all the thoughts and sensations that float through your consciousness without reacting, you are definitely cultivating your inner strength.  Haven’t felt successful with meditation? That can change with the right choice of technique and with support to build your meditation habit.  Buy some Time with Terra – Meditation Coaching to become a meditator.

Another technique is Transfiguration. This is a shamanic technique whereby we reclaim our original nature and fill ourselves with our inner light, our brightest, strongest original spirit.  This body-centered technique can change your life. I know it has mine!  Sandra Ingerman has worked with this technique for years, and I’m learning from her.  Starting in June I will be offering under Time with Terra  – Transfiguration Sessions.

Whatever means you use to cultivate your inner strength, doing it before crisis comes is ideal.  And the present is the very best time to begin, even if crisis has already come to visit! Consider it an invitation to uncover your inner strength.

Healthier Immune System with Ayurveda

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Ayurveda describes a special substance, OJAS, as key to our health. Ojas has preservative and disease resistant functions. It also supports the healthy functioning of body, mind and senses.  It normally flows throughout the body, empowering the organs & tissues that are most active.  Western science has not exactly found it, however, some think some types of prostaglandins may be similar. Ojas is created when you have good digestion – not only in your digestive tract but throughout your body. This means if your tissues are out of balance, your immune system is somewhat compromised.  So supporting the ojas is done by having healthy digestive system AND healthy blood, lymph,, muscles, fat, bones, nervous and reproductive tissues.

Special Foods

There are some special foods that more directly support ojas. These foods are healthy foods that are sweet tasting, viscous, cool, and easily digestible.  Examples are (all organic is best!):

  • organic,grass-fed dairy (especially milk & ghee),
  • grapes, dates, natural sugars,
  • seeds & nuts , especially soaked & peeled almonds and sesame seeds,
  • sesame oil,
  • whole grains (especially wheat & basmati rice),
  • root vegetables. 

Be aware that too much sugar can also reduce your immune system, so moderation of sugar is required. Of course, those with either hyper- or hypo-glycemia should avoid sugars and dried fruits of any kind. Digesting the fatty foods require a good liver-gall bladder function.

Some Ayurvedic herbs that can support ojas are:  ashwagandha (not if thyroid meds), shatavari, oat straw infusion. Especially good is tea or capsules of Tulsi (holy basil) leaf – it is an adaptogen especially helpful for stress and supporting the immune system – generally safe for pregnancy and children. It comes in various flavors – see www.OrganicIndiaUSA.com

How Ojas Is Depleted

While making ojas is a problem, another is using up ojas. Activities or problems that deplete the ojas you have are:

  • overwork
  • stress
  • lack of sufficient sleep
  • too much sexual activity
  • fever
  • blood loss

Ways To Increase Ojas

Because of its subtle nature, ojas can be increased by subtle activities like meditation,

  • Meditation including Guided meditations and using Mantras of om, ram , or maa
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Avoiding activities that give mental tension
  • Rasayanas – ojas foods or medicine
  • Being in nature
  • Supporting the reproductive, thymus & adrenal glands
  • Tonic & rejuvenative herbs
  • Oil massages
  • Conserving sexual energy
  • Deep sleep and sufficient rest
  • Wearing pearls
  • Wearing gemstones of Yellow Sapphire and Diamond
  • The practice of selfless service
  • Spiritual devotional practices

If you would like a personalized approach to supporting your immune system and digestion, I can help you! In person sessions allow me to read your ojas level in your pulse. Online sessions I can evaluate through questioning.

You may like to learn more about Ayurveda – principles, digestion, lifestyle guidelines and more here.

Be Well!

Ayurveda Self Care Support Group for YOU!

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Ayurveda self care goes to the heart. It is the framework upon which you can build a life in tune with Nature. Going to the root – it’s radical – and worthy of a support group . Changing your self care routine can change so much in your life. And Ayurveda offers healthy routines for eating, sleeping, exercising, meditating, and more. And I’m starting a free support group to help you get started.

What is your self care routine? Is it routine, locked into a list you automatically check off in your brain every day? How to make new self care part of your life is key.

Once automatic you don’t need willpower!

Getting to automatic is where social support comes in. It’s essential to have a special buddy and or a support group you can be accountable to and get help from in sticking to your routine. For that reason, I’m starting a free on-line Ayurveda self care support group.

Whether you are new to Ayurveda or a certified practitioner, you can use support to improve your self care and live in tune with your nature and Mother Nature. To sign up – email me. Do it today to join in to the weekly support group – we’ll start Wednesday, March 4 at 7pm on Zoom.

Why Ayurveda for Midwives?

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Midwives study so much to keep up to date on caring for their clients. Why add Ayurveda? So many reasons!

I like to call Ayurveda the Language of Nature. It describes how Nature works and how to work WITH Nature. This is also the philosophy of midwifery – to support the natural process. So understanding Ayurveda adds another layer of support for pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Another reason is the array of tools available through Ayurveda to bring mothers back into healthy balance. Besides herbs, there are massage, topical applications, energy points, and meditation techniques, all which can be suited to a woman’s individual circumstances.

That’s another important point. As a midwife I saw that some herbs and techniques worked for some women, while not others; or for a given woman sometimes but not others. In Ayurveda I found a way to to individualize treatments rather than just follow general protocols.

Ayurveda has a long track record of thousands of years! It is the official state medicine of Sri Lanka. Yet although it originated in India, with many connections to Hinduism, it is based on Nature , which works the same world-wide.

If you are a midwife,other birth worker, or know one, I’ve resurrected and expanded this class on Ayurveda for Midwives and now offer it at WiseWomanhood School. While this version has some faults in the video recording, the audio AND the Ayurveda are full of supportive information. And because of this weakness I’m offering it for a reduced price. Check it out!

Ayurveda for Midwives Class Series

Menopause & Ayurveda

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             In the language of Ayurveda, during the menopausal change, the energy of the woman shifts from the downward energy of the apana more towards the upward energy of udana.  If she has imbalances in the samana vayu or ranjaka pitta these can move into other areas causing hot flashes, cholesterol problems,  or sleep disturbances.            

            There are also the effects of general aging and years of toxic build-up (if not controlled by proper diet & cleansings).  Elder people will show the wear & tear of years of their lifestyle at this time—it may have not much to do with menopause itself.  Disease tendencies have often progressed to a stage recognized as disease by the conventional medical profession.                 

            In addition, the elder age is naturally more Vata—meaning it tends towards dryness, spaciness, expansiveness, and creativity from the heart.  If one becomes too Vata this lends to the problems of osteoporosis, memory loss, joint problems, and sleep disturbances.  By understanding root causes, rather than treating symptoms only, Ayurveda offers a truly holistic approach to menopause.

As mentioned earlier, menopause is influenced by the constitution & balance of each individual.  By keeping in balance one may avoid unnecessary discomforts & complications of the menopausal years.  Women who follow Ayurvedic self care, get regular advise from an Ayurvedic practitioner, and do hatha yoga may experience less disruption.    

by Terra Rafael

You may be interested in classes that expand these ideas with practical applications :

Is This Menopause? Know It to Better Surf It.

Graceful Menopause with Ayurveda.

Natural Remedies for Uterine Prolapse

Preventing Miscarriages

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Preventing Miscarriages BEFORE Pregnancy

The BEST way to prevent miscarriages is by holistic preconception care. In Ayurveda we promote fertility and healthy pregnancy by first supporting :

  • regular, comfortable menstrual cycles
  • general good health
  • balanced lifestyle, including appropriate exercise
  • healthy downward energies – shown by menstrual, bladder and bowel health
  • overcoming vaginal infections
  • having balanced energies in the body – in Ayurveda this means Vata, Pitta,  and Kapha that suit YOUR constitution

Ayurveda does this with individualized care plans, utilizing food choice, eating habits, herbs, treatments, and energy point therapy (marma). For specifics see this class. Learn Ayurveda basics here.

Preventing Miscarriages DURING Pregnancy

Once you are pregnant it becomes trickier to work with long-standing problems because supporting the pregnancy becomes the focus. Some herbs and therapies may be too stimulating for the uterus at this time. There are still many gentle things to do to support a pregnancy to term.

Miscarriage happens in 10-20% of known pregnancies. There are also episodes of spotting that some women experience that are not building into a full-blown miscarriage. A majority of miscarriages happen when there is a mistake in the development of the wee one. In Ayurveda, this is related to an energy imbalance in Vata, which rules the energies in the pelvic area of the body.

Women are more vulnerable to miscarriage at the times when they would usually have a menstrual period.  Also, if you have any cramping or bleeding you may want to take some prevention steps. Western Medicine has little to stop with this.   Consulting a Certified Ayurveda Practitioner (like myself  ) or Ayurvedic Doctor can help you balance your energies. First trimester is often a Vata / apana problem, while later it is often a Pitta problem.

Helpful Self Care

Here are some self care helps until you get to see her or him:

  • Rescue Remedy flower essence can help you through the emotional aspects of this threat.
  • Pelvic rest. Avoid problem constipation, bumpy activities, orgasms.
  • Energy point to balance your downward energy: massage the area in the middle of your pubic bone with pure essential oil of rose, ylang ylang, patchouli or lavender, properly diluted.
  • WELCOME WOMB tincture by WishGarden Herbs has helped clients for decades. Follow the recommended directions or get help from your health practitioner.
  • Talk with the spirit of the baby. This may soothe you, and may give you more information about anything the baby needs to make it easier for her/him to stay.

Pregnancy can be a time of joyful anticipation. Take the help of Ayurveda to support that journey!