Ojas. Your vitality, immunity and ability to be open to love.
Ojas in sanskrit can be be translated to “vigor” or “essence of vitality.”
Ojas is the subdosha related to Kapha - which is supportive to our immune system, vitality energy and LOVE. Yes, love. Ojas is important because with strong vitality, we can adapt to changes, cycles and seasons with ease. When we have strong Ojas; we are able to protect our energy. This also affects the psycho-emotional body, mental and emotional states. Think of Ojas like a force working to protect your Aura. It's a strong, protective and clear energy that adores you…quite like your higher self, or spirit. You want to work with Ojas so it can do it's job to work for you!
As we ease into winter, Ojas is affected from the qualities of Kapha being damp, cold, heavy. While taking care of our Prana and Agni are important, Ojas is key to fighting all dis-ease in the mind and body. For Ojas to re-build, we need about a month or so. Here are some ways to support your Ojas before you lose it that you can bring into your every day life.
While immunity is something we all are familiar with, (even more so the past two years)…let's look at how Ayurveda maintains the immune system and then some modern ways to offer Ojas building practices in your life.
IMMUNITY BASICS 101 with Ayurveda
Everyday gentle Detox. We do this through practices like drinking warm water with lime upon waking up to rid of toxins and awaken Agni.
Proper sleep - this is important as our bodies become heavier, we want to ensure we do intend on getting adequate sleep…but not oversleep. This goes back to our initial Ayurvedic clock and aligning ourself with nature. We want to be up and active during sunlight hours…as the sun provides so much healing and replenishment for our system,
Super foods like dark leafy greens to support detoxifying, (be mindful of your Dosha and pacify accordingly). Adding warm teas like ginger or CCF Tea (Coriander, Cumin and Fennel) to gentle cleanse through the day.
Ginger, Tumeric and Honey. Honey should NEVER be heated, according to Ayurveda - this creates toxicity in the body. But adding ginger and tumeric to your cooking, and honey to your teas while cooled a bit can offer the support of warmth, detox and circulation.
Lymphatic support - our daily massage and movement can help significantly! Especially if we tend to be indoors more in the winter. (Garshana) dry brushing is also a practice to support daily but with caution. Dry brushing as it's really ideal Kapha dominant Doshas because it’s Rajastic quality… which can cause Vata to heighten or irritate Pitta.
Meditation: this is is important to connect to the heart, and our selves. Contemplation is one of the Niyamas of Yoga. This is when we can identify where we are going against our own nature and correct.
Neti Pot and Gargling: onsite of irritation, cough, sniffles…begin to drain out pathogens with a Neti Pot and gargling daily until symptoms subside.
Now let's talk some less obvious ways to support your Vitality and Immunity with Ayurveda and Yoga:
Prioritizing One full day of uninterrupted self love and care. Ojas is about love - how we show up for ourselves and others. The flow of love is no myth. From a scientifically level; when we can sit in love and even emotions like gratitude…the heart sends messengers to the brain. This release hormones that have a direct affect on our immune system. Oxytocin is released with touch (daily massage); increasing our happiness and mood.
Gratitude. Branching off of feel good hormones, being grateful for what is present now gives you a more positive outlook to life. Positive thinking also has a direct impact on our immunity as the mind's job is to find relationship between your thoughts and reality. This taps into the heart space energetically - which will cause a radiance or even magnetic effect.
Community. Over the winter months, less sunshine = less energy. This is an ideal time to stay connected to our social circles or finding new communities to hang with!
Giving. Offer something to others without expectation. Despite how the ego mind operates, we have a biological desire to give. As we curl up on the couch, it can get more secluded and introspective. So take some time to note how you can give to others this winter.
Ojas Building Cooking And foods (when we're feeling lower energy). Taking the time to be mindful while we prepare, cook and eat our foods can have an affect on the digestion → which then affects how we process and our Ojas. Get creative with mindful lattes, herbs, spices and sweetening with nature, instead of synthetics. Foods that are highest in Ojas building qualities include dates, almonds, ghee, saffron, raw cows milk, honey, wholegrains such as basmati rice**
Food is the important way to nourish Ojas. When you start to feel under the weather, try this Ojas Milk recipe:
Blend:
10 soaked peeled almonds
3 soaked dates
3 cardamom pod seeds
1 teaspoon rose petals
1 cup milk of your choice.
Pour into a pot and heat on medium. Turn off heat then add a few threads of saffron. Sweeten with maple syrup or with honey once the beverage has cooled a little. *Recipe courtesy of Jai Wellness Ayurveda
Is there other ways you can think of in your daily life to help keep Ojas strong? If you want to learn more, join our community event “Intro To Ayurvedic Nuritrion” on February 19th at Mindful PPL Toronto.
**source: https://www.sukhavatibali.com/what-to-eat-to-boost-your-ojas/
