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Ayurveda & Oils: Oil is Love – A Q&A with Dr. Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff

Q- Why are oils such a big part of Ayurveda?

Yes, oils play a very significant role in the legacy of Ayurveda. They are revered for their capacity to restore and replenish the body and are viewed as chief ingredients throughout many applications within Ayurveda. To better understand why they are placed in such high regard, it might help to understand the Sanskrit word for oil, which is Sneha. Sneha means oil, or that which has an unctuous quality, but it also means love. I love to just sit with the beauty in that understanding.
What does that mean? It means that the sacred use of oils on the body or within the body helps to cultivate love. Regular use of oils in daily massage or in therapies helps us to rediscover and experience pure love at the deepest cellular level. Perhaps this is the true root of self-care.

Q- Ok, but why do our bodies need oil?

As we age, our bodies, tissues, and cells all begin to lose moisture. This is a part of nature that we acknowledge and respect. Aging is simply another way of referring to change. That change is happening every day, all day. There are many things in life that can change or decrease the moisture and lubrication within our cells and tissues. Stress and intense emotions, dry and processed foods, cold and dry climate, air conditioning, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and caffeine, fast-paced living, and lack of sleep—all of these work to dry and deplete the body.
When we lose the lubrication in our body, we can begin to see inflammation, impaired nervous system and cognitive function, malabsorption, constipation, ulcers and acidity, repeated infections, joint pain, insomnia, anxiety, and accelerated aging of the skin. Embracing qualities or substances that soothe, slow, lubricate, and nourish our cells and tissues will naturally help restore our body to its balanced state and slow the rate of change or aging. Oils are one such substance.
Perhaps the perfect substance. They penetrate all seven layers of the skin, nourishing the blood, lymph, tissue systems, even cellular membranes. This means that oil can play a role in reducing inflammation and dryness at the deepest levels of the body, restoring cellular communication, cognitive functioning, and improving immunity.

Q- What are some specific ways that oils can be used to help the body?

The practice of using oils as therapy is known as snehana. You will find oils play an integral role in deeper detoxification practices like Pancha Karma, where they are integrated into most aspects of treatment through the hands of experienced practitioners who use them to help guide toxins out of the body. But they are valued equally as part of daily rituals to purify and balance the body. I recommend most of these to patients who are looking to really embrace preventative medicine and promote vitality in their mind and body. All of these you can safely do at home.

Nutrition: Using Ghee or high-quality organic olive oils daily for cooking will help oleate and restore the delicate lining of the digestive tract. It can help balance elimination, promote detoxification, and nourish the skin from within.

Daily Abhyanga: Self-massage using warm sesame, almond, or coconut oil will do wonders for the body. When performed regularly, this will revitalize and nourish the skin, improve circulation, promote detoxification, break up stagnation in lymph, improve sleep, reduce stress and stagnant emotions, and promote digestion.

Oil Pulling: Using sesame or coconut oil as an oral swish helps to pull toxins from the teeth and gums, restore bone density, lubricate the oral cavity, and control bacteria.

Hair Oiling: Apart from gorgeous silky hair, massaging warm oil through your hair follicles and scalp improves circulation, drains lymphatic fluid, nourishes and strengthens hair at its roots, grounds the mind, and improves sleep.

Nasya: The practice of lubricating the delicate channels of the nostrils helps to cleanse the sinus cavity and clear congestion, but it can also help to significantly improve focus and mental cognition. (The nose is the doorway to the brain.)

Ear Oiling: The practice of putting a few drops of warm sesame oil in the ear canal is a beautiful way to balance Vata in the mind, ears, and jaw. Lubricating the ear canal can help prevent ear infections, improve immunity, relieve headaches, and reduce tinnitus, vertigo, and jaw pain.

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Seasonal Cleanse 101 – A Q&A with Dr. Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff

Q- Cleanses are a popular topic of late, what is the Ayurvedic perspective on cleansing?

Cleansing plays an essential role in the system of Ayurveda. It’s helpful to think of cleansing as way of purifying the channels of the body. Our body is magnificent system of hundreds of channels, some visible and some not, and those channels will become clogged, or blocked or weakened throughout our life. This can come from the effects of poor nutrition, lack of movement, unprocessed emotions, chemicals or environmental toxins. When this happens, the flow of prana (vital life energy) throughout the body becomes affected. We may also see systems and organs of the body become strained, their functioning impaired. The idea of cleansing, or purifying our channels is a way of restoring balance to the body, clearing the pathways for prana to flow, so that we may be reacquainted with vitality.

Q- Is there an ideal time to cleanse?

If our bodies are functioning well, we are naturally cleansing all of the time. But for most of us living in this modern world, our bodies could benefit from a gentle (or sometimes deep) cleanse. Intrinsic to Ayurveda is our connection to the rhythms of the earth, circadian, lunar and seasonal. From an Ayurvedic perspective, we should pattern our day to follow the movement of the sun and moon, and our life to adapt with the seasons. The end of one season and the beginning of the next signifies a powerful transition of energies, and also makes for an ideal time for cleansing. Each season is dominated by certain elements; Late Fall- Early Winter is dominated by Vata (air & space), Late Winter- Spring is dominated by Kapha (earth & water) and Summer to Early Fall is dominated by Pitta (fire & water). As we move through the season we accumulate more of the energies of that particular season. For example, at the end of the summer our bodies have accumulated excess heat (or Pitta energies) and we may begin to see the effects in our digestion, mood or skin. As the season transitions, this is an ideal time to cleanse and remove the excess heat so that we do not carry that over into the next season and create a deeper imbalance.

Q- How do we prepare for a cleanse?

1. Start thinking about your food plans at least a week in advance. In Ayurveda, a mono-diet featuring kitchari is usually the staple meal for cleansing, but it may not be your choice. If it’s kitchari you will want to make sure you have your spices and ingredients ready in advance. If not kitchari, then you will want to think about simple, clean, warm freshly cooked foods that you can make with ease for the days of your cleanse. Freshly prepared simple vegetable soups,
fresh vegetables steamed or sauteed in ghee with some basmati rice, or simple cooked fruits can be options if kitchari is not possible. The goal with nutrition is not to starve yourself, but to eat freshly prepared, warm, easy to digest meals that nourish your body and allow it to not expend large amounts of energy in processing and breaking down heavy foods. You want to give your body a rest, so that it can focus its energy on digesting and removing toxins.

2. You will want to think about your schedule to decide how many days you want to cleanse. Are you able to set aside 2-5 days where you can create a simple routine for waking, eating meals and sleeping? If there is a way to minimize excess work or travel or stress for those few days, your body will respond even better to the cleansing.

3. In addition to simplifying your meals, looking at what beverages you intake is also necessary. Minimize (or remove if possible) any caffeine, alcohol or sugary drinks and instead aim to drink plenty of water, focusing on warm or room temperature water throughout your cleanse. You can also incorporate teas that will help support your body’s ability to digest and remove toxins. CCF tea, or cumin, coriander and fennel tea is great to drink in between meals and throughout the cleanse. Soothing or calming nighttime teas like chamomile or lavender are perfect to promote a sound restful sleep.

Q- Is there anything we should avoid or limit during a cleanse?

Since we want to look at this as a gentle pause, or a time of slowing down and releasing, it is important to really approach a cleanse from a mindful perspective. What I mean is that we should consider more than just the food we put in. We can take this as an opportunity to cleanse our mind, our environment, our routine, our entertainment, and our emotions. For the days of the cleanse, it could be beneficial to reduce time on your cell phone, pay attention to what you watch or listen to for entertainment, the conversations you have with family and friends, and the first things you do in the morning when you awake and what you do just before bed. For example, if you tend to reach for your phone in the morning, maybe swap that habit for gentle yoga, a walk, or some mindful breathing. If you tend to reach for your phone or TV before bed, maybe swap that habit for an oil massage, an evening walk, reading, journaling, or even a short meditation. I love to guide my patients in taking this time to cleanse the mind along with the body; they are intrinsically related.

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Exploring the foundations of Ayurveda: A Q&A session with in-house Ayurvedic expert Dr. Lindsey Scarlata Woodruff

Q- What would you like people to understand about Ayurveda?

Health is more than just freedom from disease or symptom management. Ayurveda teaches us that health emerges when we harmonize our body, mind, senses, and soul. This differs from Western or Allopathic medicine, as Ayurveda takes a root-cause approach to healing rather than focusing on symptomatic suppression. It considers the role of the mind and body in the manifestation of disease and their integral part in re-establishing health. Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old healing system, predates Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its resurgence reflects people’s search for deeper health insights. Ayurveda translates to “the science of life” in Sanskrit, focusing on the five elements, their role in our constitutions, and how they influence the root cause of disease. My hope is that people shift from outsourcing their health to cultivating it from within.

Q- What role do doshas play in creating health?

Doshas are biological energies—combinations of elements—that manifest in our bodies and throughout life on Earth. There are three doshas: Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water), and Kapha (Earth and Water). Each dosha governs specific functions within the body. All three are present in every individual, but in varying amounts, creating a unique constitution called Prakruti. Understanding your Prakruti is essential to maintaining health. As we move through life, doshas fluctuate, creating imbalances from our original constitution. Factors like environment, seasons, nutrition, stress, and emotions can impact doshas. Practitioners assess these imbalances to help restore balance with your Prakruti.

Q- How can someone get confirmation on their Prakruti?

The best way to confirm your Prakruti, or individual constitution, is by working with an Ayurvedic Practitioner. In your first consultation, the Practitioner assesses your mind and body type through discussion and evaluation to determine your Prakruti and Vikruti (current state of imbalance). The most reliable method for identifying Prakruti is through pulse diagnosis. Dosha quizzes, while popular, offer surface-level insights and may not be as accurate.

Q- What does Ayurveda have to offer in terms of skincare or skin health?

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the health of the skin reflects the overall well-being of the body. It offers insights into the major tissue systems, particularly the digestive, lymphatic, circulatory, and reproductive systems. When these systems function properly, the skin appears radiant, clear, and supple. However, when toxins accumulate, the skin shows signs like rashes, acne, eczema, and more as it tries to expel unwanted materials. Toxins can result from imbalanced nutrition, compromised environments, stress, and unprocessed emotions. Ayurveda views the body as an ecosystem, where imbalances in one area affect others. Thus, Ayurvedic skincare often begins with adjusting what we consume, think, and apply to our skin.

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Yogic Practices for Vata Season: A Q&A with Sharan Khanna

Q- During Vata season, we see an increase in the qualities of Vata dosha, such as cold, lightness, dryness, and mobility. How can the overall practice of yoga help maintain balance or prevent an excess of Vata as we change seasons?

Grounding asana practices increase agni in the body and can help balance excess Vata. The practice of yoga asana and pranayama generally generates heat in the body, which naturally helps in balancing Vata.

Q- Does your practice remain the same throughout the year, or do you make changes?

I definitely make changes. As an Ashtanga yoga practitioner, during Vata season, I hold my standing postures for longer. I focus on more hip-opening poses or stay longer in grounding postures. I cut down on dynamic or fast-paced vinyasas.

Q- Are there asanas that can ground the body?

Yes! All standing poses are grounding. Asanas that focus on the earth element (Apana energy in the pelvic region) and those that target the lower body are grounding. Sitting forward folds are excellent for grounding, as well as poses where the body is in greater contact with the earth.

Q- Are there asanas that promote warmth or help generate heat within the body?

Back bending poses invigorate and create heat, along with dynamic or fast-paced vinyasas and inversions.

Q- Is there an ideal time of day for asana practice during Vata season?

Asana practice should ideally be done during Kapha time according to the Ayurvedic clock, which is from 6–10 am or 6–10 pm.

Q- What role does pranayama play in balancing Vata?

All pranayama practices help regulate the nervous system, which impacts the mind. By elongating the breath, we can curb Vata imbalances like nervousness or anxiety.

Q- Are there forms of pranayama that can ground or pacify excess Vata in the body? How (and when) do you practice them?

Pranayama is practiced after asana. Kapalabhati, Nadi Shodhan, and Bhramari pranayama are great for Vata imbalances.

Q- What are your favorite practices for keeping Vata balanced?

I use seasonal oils during Vata season and practice abhyanga post-asana. I also enjoy walks in nature, meditation, warm foods, and lots of music.

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Kate O’Donnell | An Ayurveda Expert

Kate O’Donnell, a revered thought leader in holistic medicine, has spent over twenty-five years exploring the depths of India to uncover ancient healing practices and share them with the United States. Her personal journey into Ayurveda revealed the transformative power of holistic systems in achieving lasting wellness. 
Her individualized approach has touched countless lives, earning her recognition as a pivotal figure in Ayurvedic scholarship. Kate’s bestselling books, translated into seven languages, continue to serve as essential resources for those seeking Ayurvedic wisdom. As the founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute and a sought-after speaker, she has mentored a new generation of practitioners, with her latest book, Everyday Ayurveda for Women’s Health, standing as a testament to her deep insight.

“Embrace the journey without overwhelming yourself with unrealistic expectations; every effort toward balance is a step in the right direction.”

 

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UNLOCK RENEWAL AND REBIRTH WITH NAVEL THERAPY OILS!

While several Ayurvedic practices—such as self-massage or panchakarma—have become increasingly well-known in the wellness world, you may not have heard of the powerful, restorative practice of navel therapy. Navel therapy is a centuries-old Ayurvedic practice that involves pooling warm oil or ghee in the belly button. It is believed to possess a number of detoxifying and healing benefits for the body.

In Ayurvedic tradition, the navel (nabhi) represents the origin of life. It connects the mother and child during pregnancy, providing essential nutrients before birth. Given the centrality of the mother’s navel to one’s birth, is believed that the navel continues to serve as a center of balance throughout one’s life. In marma point therapy, the navel is also the home to the nabhi marma, a potent marma point that serves as a vital energy center in the body. The navel is thus a powerful center in the body, providing essential balance, nutrients and energy.

The practice of navel therapy can thus serve as a radical act of self-care that not only detoxifies, energizes and restores essential nutrients to the body, but also instills us with a profound groundedness and sense of interconnectedness to ourselves and to the other forms of life that surround us. As Heather Baines AD C-AP told us in a 2019 Q&A about navel therapy, “The daily self-care practice of abhyanga—using warm oils on the body—and modified nabhi basti—using warm oil on the navel—is a luxurious and life giving practice, dedicated to honoring and pacifying Vata and supporting our wellbeing with stable, steady, and unctuous life giving goodness.”

Curious to learn more about this transformative, life-affirming Ayurvedic practice? Here, we break down the benefits of navel therapy and navel therapy techniques on how to use navel therapy oils.

BENEFITS OF NAVEL THERAPY

BALANCES VATA

According to Ayurvedic tradition, an upset Vata is the cause of all imbalance, as it is known as the prime mover in the body and can therefore also upset the Pitta and Kapha dosha energies in our body. As a result, we can feel disoriented and weak. A key benefit of navel therapy is that it helps bring Vata into balance: as the seat of Vata is the colon, the act of pooling oils in the navel directly pacifies this energy.

IMPROVES DIGESTION AND BLOATING

Navel therapy is also a powerful technique for easing digestion and issues like bloating, uneasiness and gas. That’s because massaging the navel area regulates and reignites our agni, or digestive center. As a result, our digestion, bloating and elimination improve. Furthermore, a well-functioning digestive system helps to reduce inflammation and promotes a stable and healthy weight.

RELIEVES PAIN

Like many other forms of massage, navel therapy also relieves pain—particularly joint pain, muscle aches or pain induced from poor posture. For those who struggle with pain, we recommend reading more about the restorative practice of self-massage and how you can use specific ayurvedic oils for different purposes.

PROMOTES TRANQUILITY AND CENTERING

One of the most profound benefits of this ancient therapeutic practice is its ability to leave one feeling grounded and centered. As the navel represents our ties to our mothers and the center of balance and life, navel therapy revitalizes and reawakens both mind and body, leaving us feeling centered and reconnected. Given the numerous demands of everyday life, which often leave us feeling tired, hazy and disconnected, navel therapy thus serves as an excellent beauty tool for mental and physical grounding.

HOW TO USE A NAVEL THERAPY OIL

If you’re interested in trying out this therapeutic, balancing Ayurvedic practice for yourself, we recommend our UMA Beauty Boosting & Body Balancing Navel Oil Duo, which consists of our Beauty Boosting Navel Therapy Oil and Body Balancing Navel Therapy Oil. Formulated with targeted, efficacious Ayurvedic ingredients, our Beauty Boosting Oil is designed to strengthen and protect the skin, resulting in a glowing and healthy complexion; our Body Balancing Oil is designed to reignite agni, promoting a balanced digestive system for overall detoxification.

To use either of these oils, apply 1-2 drops of the oil onto your belly button before a night’s rest. Gently massage the skin around the belly button using your finger and thumb, using a gentle pinching motion for about 1 minute. Use a small ball of cotton on the belly button to prevent staining of clothes. Leave on overnight.

UMA BEAUTY BOOSTING BODY BALANCING NAVEL OIL DUO $75

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YOGA FOR YOUR DOSHA: ENHANCE YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS BY TAILORING YOUR PRACTICE

The Trite Top Line: Yoga, and exercise in general, is incredibly beneficial across the board – for all body types. Regular exercise improves longevity by improving heart health, regulating weight, improving immunity, aiding digestion and the absorption of nutrients, and more. A plethora of research has shown that Yoga can add a multi-faceted boost to these benefits; it lowers breathing and heart rate, decreases blood pressure, lowers cortisol levels, and increases blood flow to the intestines and vital organs.

Ayurveda, however, helps us take our exercise and Yoga practice beyond. Providing valuable guidelines on tailoring your regimen to your dosha, Ayurveda can help us remain in doshic balance. It’s worth keeping in mind that like with everything, Ayurveda promulgates balance, and does not recommend exercise regimens that can feel extreme – the emphasis is on stimulating the body, while being careful not to over extend its resources.

• Kapha types can take on the most strenuous type of activity – and will derive benefit from it. Pittas should take on a moderate amount – taking care not to ‘over heat’. The vata dosha can get most stimulated by intense exercise, and vatas are best suited to calmer versions of workouts.
• Vatas benefit from sun salutation cycles (proceeding at a moderate pace), and yogic exercises that focus on stretching pelvic muscle (leg lifts, spinal twists, forward/ backward bends, camel, cobra and cat/ cow poses).
• Pitta types should favor the cooler moon salutations and exercises focused on the solar plexus – locust, bow, boat, camel and fish. Anything that forces blood rushing to the head should be avoided by pittas and hence inversions like head/ hand stands and plow are not recommended.

Vatas benefit from sun salutation cycles (proceeding at a moderate pace), and yogic exercises that focus on stretching pelvic muscle (leg lifts, spinal twists, forward/ backward bends, camel, cobra and cat/ cow poses).

Pitta types should favor the cooler moon salutations and exercises focused on the solar plexus – locust, bow, boat, camel and fish. Anything that forces blood rushing to the head should be avoided by pittas and hence inversions like head/ hand stands and plow are not recommended.

Kaphas should focus on boosting circulation and heat – and practicing sun salutations in rapid fashion will help. As will exercises that bring energy to the oft-congested chest section of the kaphas: bridge, peacock and lion.

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ANANTA RIPA AJMERA | AYURVEDA HEALTH PRACTITIONER

Ananta Ripa Ajmera is a 9-time international award-winning and 2-time best-selling author, spiritual teacher, Ayurveda practitioner, yoga instructor, host of the True to Yourself Podcast, Advisor of Ayurveda at THE WELL, and Co-founder and Director of The Ancient Way. Empaths seek Ananta’s guidance to discover their inner peace and achieve optimal health, allowing them to live in alignment, experience self-mastery, and find true happiness.

 

EXPLORING AYURVEDA AND SOUL LIBERATION: A Q&A SESSION WITH ANANTA RIPA AJMERA 

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BANI SINGH | VEDIC ASTROLOGY

Bani Singh is a contemporary Vedic Astrologer. Her practice focusses on interpreting ancient wisdom to modern life by demystifying planetary science & how it impacts our reality. Between being a student of astrology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for 12 years and simultaneously an anchor & broadcast journalist at NDTV for 13 years, she brings a unique perspective on how to balance everyday spirituality with daily life. Having had roots in astrology passed down directly from her family, she also examines life lessons from ancient scriptures like the Bhagvad Gita to synthesize tradition, religion, & science. Bani is an alumni of Welham Girls School, Lady Shri Ram College, & Cardiff University, & is now a full-time astrology teacher & practitioner.

THE UMA AYURVEDA PODCAST – UNDERSTANDING VEDIC ASTROLOGY TO NAVIGATE YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WITH BANI SINGH

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NAMRATAA KRIPALLANI | VAASTU EXPERT

Namrataa Kripallani is the founder of NAMA-New Age Magic and is based in Pune, India. She is a certified Vaastu Expert, where she supports people to uplift the spatial energies of their home or office based on an ancient Vedic science. Also as a certified Psych-K facilitator she helps people reprogram their subconscious mind to imbibe empowering beliefs and overcome fears and trauma. Prior to this, she has been a successful pâtissier and sold her business in 2020 to pursue her passion for guiding people towards a more happier, grounded and successful life.

 

THE UMA AYURVEDA PODCAST- UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR LIVING SPACES WITH VAASTU EXPERT NAMRATAA KRIPALLANI

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THE UMA AYURVEDA PODCAST- UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR LIVING SPACES WITH VAASTU EXPERT NAMRATAA KRIPALLANI

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