Colorful Friends.

Yoga has taken America by storm. According to Trendwatch 2000, the number of Americans who practice some form of yoga has doubled in the last five years, and is now estimated at 15 million.

While many view yoga as a gentler way to exercise, most longtime practitioners realize that yoga is not just physical -- it creates balance in mind, emotions and consciousness as well. Both yoga and ayurveda have their origin in the Vedic tradition of India, and both are a means to gain better health.

Yoga means "union" or "to join together", and refers to the union of body, mind and spirit. The word "ayurveda" is derived from the Sanskrit word ayu, meaning "life" or "lifespan," and thus ayurveda is "the science of life and longevity." The goal of both yoga and ayurveda is unity.....or complete integration of mind, body and spirit.

In ayurvedic texts, it states that yoga is important for dissolving physical stress and calming the mind. It is ideal ayurvedic exercise, because it rejuvenates the body, improves digestion, and removes stress.

Ayurveda considers food powerful medicine. Diet is one of the main ayurvedic pillars. If digestion is strong in the body, then the seeds of infection will not be able to take hold. Eating an ayurvedic diet balances the 5 elements in the body......air, fire, earth, water and space. Also called vata (air/space) pitta (fire) and kalpha (earth & water).

Yoga, meditation, and eating an ayurvedic diet will produce health, happiness and a sense of well being. As well as promoting long life.

I recommend visiting this excellent website, Maharishi Ayurveda. They offer a complete approach to beginning and continuing to live an ayurvedic lifestyle. http://www.mapi.com

SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE

“Doctor, I don’t feel very well.”

2000 BC - “Here, eat this root.”

1000 BC - “That root is heathen, say this prayer.”

1850 AD - “That prayer is superstition, drink this potion.”

1940 AD - “That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.”

2000 AD - “That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!”

In Ayurveda they say that there are only three fundamental emotions in life, corresponding with vata, pitta, and kapha. These emotional families, when not in balance, are called fear, anger, and dullness (sometimes also called greed). When in balance, they are called compassion, friendliness, and happiness. Then bliss is the result.

Healing properties of Gemstones

The stars in their movements throughout the heavens are constantly emitting both positive and negative magnetic vibrations. Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) is the science of Light, the heavenly light emitting from the planets and stars. It teaches how these influences affect each person both for good and for ill.

The practical side to Jyotish involves the use of certain remedial measures that act to protect the body and mind. For thousands of years mankind has known that certain gemstones, metals, and plants can have a positive effect on the body and mind by reducing or eliminating any harmful influences of the stars.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi reminds us that wearing our gemstones can “avert the danger that has not yet come”. In the Autobiography of a Yogi, written by Paramahansa Yogananda, he stated that his Master Swami Sri Yukteswar said that flawless gems of not less than two carats, worn in contact with the skin, are the most beneficial for astrological purposes.

Gems are similar to a lightning rod. They create what is, in effect, a protective field around the body, regulating which cosmic forces are absorbed by the body. In time, the proper gemstones, if kept in contact with the skin, can bring about changes in the mind and body.

The use of astrological gemstones for remedial purposes was mentioned in the ancient Vedic texts. More modern studies can be found today in current astrological and Ayurvedic medical writings. Spiritual progress maybe achieved through many avenues such as prayer, meditation, and service, to name a few. The wearing of astrological jewelry is another such effective way to help.