Tomato Chutney for Vata
This recipe is a tomato chutney for Vata Kapha.
However, if Vata is really out of balance, substitute mustard seeds and jalapenos with cumin seeds and warming spices.
Ingredients
Roma Tomatoes
Ginger
Jalepenos
Mustard Seeds
Garam Masala
Sugar
Ayurveda believes that if your plant based diet is local, or, hyperlocal as one of my students call it -- it is full of prana, nourishment.
If it is local and organic -- now, it is not only full of prana, life, - but, also has good karma. Karma attributed to following the cycle of nature, or the plants with pesticides or chemicals.
And, if that wasnt good enough -- if it is local, organic and grown with love and intention of 'healing' --suddenly it is not just food, it is a therapeutic healing plant based food.
Last, but, not the least is cooking with INTENTION to heal, cooking with love. Cooking as a meditation.
I am attaching a photo of an Ayurvedic Meal straight from a garden.
Coriander and Mint Chutney is perfect - very mildly spiced is perfect for a Pitta constitution.
Sweet tomato chutney made out of heirloom tomato variety, is, excellent for Vata constitution.
All vegetable are hyperlocal, organic, and, sauteed in 'ghee'. And, yes, grown with love, cooked with a healing intention.
Ayurveda is not big on raw salad, espeically for Vata. Salads and Leafy Greens are made up of the Space Element. So, are Vata Types. So, Leafy greens are sauteed or steamed slightly to remove the space element.
Hence, the leafy greens are slightly sauteed as well -- along with some basic khichdi.
Cycle of Seasons and Ayurveda
by Shyam (Zachary Bubeck)
Within the entire observable universe, the most common reoccurring shape is the circle. This pervasive shape reflects the cyclical nature of all things. Our galaxy along with others, rotates around a common center. Our solar system rotates around the center of our galaxy. Our planet orbits around the sun , our moon orbits around the earth and our earth orbits around its axes. We can even witness this phenomenon on a microcosmic level where we can observe electrons revolving around the nucleus of atoms.
We can also derive many other cyclical abstractions through our observations such as a trees life-cycle or the food cycle etc etc.
The human being can be considered a system is embedded within a larger system. Within and without these systems there is a constant exchange of energy that moves in cycles. Ayurveda provides us with a model for understanding the direct effect that the greater cycles within this system have on us as humans. Utilizing this information we are given the opportunity to adjust our lifestyles in a way which will correct any imbalances in our microcosm caused by these external influences.
The first cycle to be considered is the earth’s rotation. During this cycle we experience changes in the amount of direct exposure we receive to various forms of light and other subatomic particles. This creates changes to the Doshic quality of the atmosphere around us and directly within us.
Although the times of these phases change through the course of the year depending on your location, the following is a general overview of the Doshic influence of different times of day:
3AM to 6AM Vata
6AM to 10AM Kapha
10AM to 3PM Pita
3PM to 6PM Vata
6PM to 10PM Kapha
10PM to 12AM Pita
12AM to 3AM Kapha
Those of us who seek balance should consider these cycles and the principal of like increasing like when making decisions on how to conduct our day to day activities. A great global example of this is that most people would be served best by having their largest meal of the day at noon when pitta is highest and feeding the Jathara Agni.
Moving out to slower cycles, we should also consider the seasons which are caused by the earths relation to the sun over the course of its annual orbit. The seasons effect on the body should be offset according to the season itself and the individuals constitution. For example, a kapha during the winter may need to eat a heating diet where a pita would be best served to maintain a balanced diet during the winter with only occasional heating foods. During the summer the pita person may need a mostly cooling diet where the kapha may be able to eat more heating foods.
In addition to the considerations of the current season we must consider the effect of seasons as they change and what they leave behind. During the winter for example, there is frequently buildup of Kapha. Pita can buildup during the winter as well because of the increased storage of internal heat as a response to the external coldness. Considering this potential buildup, the need for spring cleaning takes on new meaning as this is a great time for panchakarma or other cleansing protocols to be implemented. Seasons are different in different places, but generally the following Dosha’s are associated with the following seasons:
Summer Pita
Fall Vata
Early Winter Vata
Late Winter Kapha/Vata
Spring Kapha
In addition to these two important cycles, Ayurveda will also take into consideration more subtle influences such as the moon and other celestial bodies. The tides are managed by the moon and our bodies are made mostly of water. It then stands to reason that our bodies will be effected by the moon as well. It is a verifiable fact that more child labors start on full moons than any other day. Ayurveda also teaches us that other celestial bodies have a direct influence on our being as well.
Our environment does not only include the weather. Where we live, the people we are around, the cleanliness of our home and the wind that brought in the very air we breath will all play a role in influencing our constitution at any time. These facts all serve as wonderful reminder of the need for holistic thinking when approaching health from an Ayurvedic perspective.
To reuse this article, please inform info@ayurveda-california.org, and, give credit to the college as well as the author Zachary Bubeck, along with the hyperlink:
http://ayurvedayogatraining.com/blog/2011/10/cycle-of-seasons-and-ayurveda/
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaye
Thank you for your interest in online Ayurveda courses offered by San Diego College of Ayurveda. (SDCOA).
SDCOA is an online, virtual college providing affordable, online, distant learning and blended learning style courses in Ayurveda. Our prices are very affordable - starting from $6 per credit hour. We keep the costs low by using open source technologies, and, keeping the classes 'virtual'.
We keep the costs affordable, by, using open source technologies and providing the cost benefit to the student. Training is experiential and case based. Our courses are recognized by National Ayurvedic Medical Association:
Most of the course is done virtually, through webinars and virtual classroom.
Our course format follows a 'Block 1, and 2 Module'. Block 1 is $600* when paid in advance. Block 2 is $5 per credit Hour. (Please see the attached course catalog for prices and detailed information)
Block 1 Foundation in Ayurveda is the pre requisite to advanced courses in Block 2 and Block 3. Our block 1 course classes for the our sixth batch (6A) begin from May 29th, and, then from August 7th 2011.
Here is a class calender:
After the successful completion of, the student can choose Block 2 Ayurveda Health Educator (450 Hrs), or, Ayurveda Wellness Practitioner (500 HRS), or, any advanced course. The Block 1 - 100 hours are 'included' and applied towards any advanced program. Block 2 Advanced programs can take 3 -7 months to complete depending on the program.
Block 1 takes 10- 12 Weeks. Block 2 Ayurveda Wellness Practitioner AWP 500 can 6-7 months depending on the student research and assignments. We finish our classes, however, students may submit their case studies and research later.
Our next Block 1 course starts from May 29th. (The course ends July 2011)
http://sandiegocollegeofayurveda.com/program_intro
This is our online virtual campus:
http://sandiegocollegeofayurveda.com/courses/
If you miss a class, you can watch a recording, and, contact the facilitator with queries - and that counts as a make up class. However, some courses have a minimum class attendance requirement.
In order to move forward with enrollment, please fill the last two pages (Application Form) of the attached course catalog and email it to us, or you can mail it as well to our address. This is for the new classes starting May. Our next batch would be in August.
For any queries, regarding the course, please give us a call or write to us.
Namaste and Have a Blessed Day!
Pandit Atul Krishna Das
Sanskrit Dept.
San Diego College of Ayurveda
760-705-4291
Virtual learning is a 'new' term. Certainly, no Ayurveda college is offering Virtual Learning yet! Some are offering distant learning, and, others - where you attend classes once a month. SDCOA is offering Ayurveda course from $6 per Credit Hour for selected courses. It is affordable, flexible and experiential.
Normally, when we think of online or distant learning course - we imagine receiving a learning packet, or a book. Perhaps some audio video resources.
A virtual classroom, whereby, students are sitting at their homes in front of a computer, or even logged in through a mobile device --and watching their instructor talk to them, write on a 'virtual' whiteboard, share presentations, interact, --is exactly like in a real classroom.
Except the instructor is sitting at his or her desk. Everything is conducted virtually.
San Diego College of Ayurveda offers online and Virtual Learning Environment. (Also known as VLE!).
Please remember, virtual learning is very flexible, cheaper and more affordable. Yet, it is not for everyone.
If you find navigating your computer a problem, or, are not tech savvy, it may be daunting at first.
It also depends on your learning style. Some people are Hands on learners, and, need to be in an actual classroom setting to understand a concept. Others may learn by audio or visual training aids. Our college offers the best choice to audio and visual learners, who are comfortable navigating an online learning environment - email, chat, website and online conferencing. Which is why the cost is very low. Our course prices start from $3.50 per credit hour in some online courses, and, $9 onwards for foundation courses .
According to wikipedia, "VLE will normally work and provide a collection of tools such as those for assessment (particularly of types that can be marked automatically, such as multiple choice), communication, uploading of content, return of students' work, peer assessment, administration of student groups, collecting and organizing student grades, questionnaires, tracking tools, etc. New features in these systems include wikis, blogs and 3D virtual learning spaces. This kind of Blended learning model is often used in schools and other educational establishments in order to make the learning experience more interactive."
Virtual learning in Ayurveda is practically unheard of. So, San Diego College of Ayurveda is actually a pioneer in offering an ancient knowledge with cutting edge technology.
Virtual learning is also now called blended learning. We run our courses on servers, share multimedia and web page resources. However, if you are not computer savvy, you may be confused.
A good Internet connexion is also required.
Our college offers a Blended learning environment from WEBEX. It is similar to a face-to-face classroom environment in that it allows direct communication with the teacher. Students can use emoticons to “raise their hand,” show that they are confused, show that they understand what the teacher is saying, and even give applause for something that the teacher says. Students are also able to talk to the teacher when called on. In many of these virtual learning environments the students are able to write on the “virtual classroom chalkboard.” This allows them to show their work for the rest of the class to see. Students can also be split up into groups in order to work with each other and discuss topics that the teacher introduces. Many virtual learning environments give teachers the ability to share multimedia files such as video and audio files as well as the ability to transfer important documents (Word, PDF,…etc.) directly to students.
In 'Virtually There', a book and DVD pack distributed freely to schools by the Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning Foundation (YHGfL), Professor Stephen Heppell writes in the foreword:
"Learning is breaking out of the narrow boxes that it was trapped in during the 20th century; teachers' professionalism, reflection and ingenuity are leading learning to places that genuinely excite this new generation of connected young school students — and their teachers too. VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment."[1]
