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tt. Vasumweg 24A, Amsterdam

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WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WIND INSIDE OF YOU? 💨

Wind doesn't only blow outside, or when you are cussing while on your bike because you can't seem to move forward, like me. 😆

The Sanskrit word "Vayu" translates as wind or air, and together with the element of space, it represents #Vata dosha.

The five subdoshas of vata are prana vayu, samana vayu, vyana vayu, udana vayu, and apana vayu. Their flow and functions on the physical and mental level will help us understand imbalances and disease much better, as Vata represents movement, from the blood in your veins to the food passing through your GI tract.

1. Prana vayu: located in the head, brain, and upper body. Represents sensory perception, thoughts, and respiration (especially inhalation). Downward movement. Example: swallowing.
2. Udana vayu: located in diaphragm and thoracic cavity, governing regulation of breath (especially exhalation). Memory and speech. Upward movement. Example: vomiting.
3. Samana vayu: important when it comes to kindling agni (digestive fire). Located in the navel area, small intestine, liver and pancreas.
4. Vyana vayu: all over the body, responsible for circulation. The heart, its rhythm and blood pressure are related to this wind.
5. Apana vayu: colon, pelvic cavity. Responsible for downward movement like the expulsation of bowels and urine, menstruation and semen. Complaints like constipation, irregular periods, lower back pain and pain in the hips, pelvic area and thighs are related to this downward wind.

So, what to do then? I recommend you practise yoga and pranayama, targeting the areas of your health problems. This is why yoga therapy is so amazing. We tailor the class as a part of your ayurvedic lifestyle program and diet.

Want to know what asanas and pranayama are right for you? Let's talk!🍃

Photo: @maren_banus

SOUND IS POWERFUL WHEN IT COMES TO HEALING. 💓 W

SOUND IS POWERFUL WHEN IT COMES TO HEALING. 💓 Whether you practise Yoga or not, you probably know many mantras contain the word OM.

The symbol Omkar contains two elements on top, representing absolute consciousness and surrender. OM is a word of affirmation, truth and being. It is the expression of God, which is infinite. You could compare it to an Amen. It is also used to greet auspiciously. When I spent time in India, often I was greeted with OM.

You will find OM at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas, and when prayers are opened and closed.

In Sanskrit, OM consists of 3 letters: A, U and M. That is why in some texts you will find it written as AUM. When you pronounce it, think of it flowing from your throat (root of the tongue) when you say A, while U comes out at the palate area, ending with M with your mouth closed, creating a humming sound.

Wherever you live and whatever language you speak, OM is universal. Even before you pronounce it physically, there is already a subtle vibration similar to that when the M vibrates as your lips touch.

I often ask my clients to practise it, if possible completely as Udgeeth Pranayama, sitting in a comfortable position and holding dhyana mudra (the thumb and index finger touching one another) and the eyes closed. But if that is not an option, even chanting OM mentally, or very softly, whenever you need, like on moments of anxiety or fear (imagine tension due to an injection at the doctor's office) will help calm the nervous system and release stress while you feel more grounded. You'll notice that it is a slow exhalation, promoting a state of relaxation every time you repeat it.

TIP: Chant OM on a regular speaking volume and start chanting with a lower volume each time, until you only chant it mentally. The vibration inside of you is always present.

Do you chant mantras? 🎶

I DON'T WEAR A WHITE COAT IN MY PRACTICE. Have you

I DON'T WEAR A WHITE COAT IN MY PRACTICE. Have you ever heard of white coat syndrome? It's a phenomenon where a person visiting the doctor has a spike in their blood pressure due to the increased stress they feel when seeing a healthcare professional in a white coat.

Now, of course white uniforms and coats are there in hospitals for a reason, for a sense of unison and alignment between staff, hygiene, etc.

I am not a doctor or nurse, but a therapist and health coach. While I do see a lot of my colleagues wearing a white coat and stethoscopes around their neck, personally, I find it wouldn't work in my practice, as it doesn't represent me in my role as an Ayurvedic Practitioner. Because I want to promote a close relationship with my clients - and I always refer to clients and not patients, as together we are a team, where we work on your goals and wishes. It's not a passive process, it will take action from both of us to get results. I feel a white coat creates a distance between us, and I want anything but that when you start your journey and choose me to guide you on your path towards better health (while still checking your blood pressure or listening to your heart or lungs if necessary ;)).

What is your experience with white coats? 🧑🏻‍⚕️

THIS IS NOT A BEAUTY SALON. 🙄 That is what many

THIS IS NOT A BEAUTY SALON. 🙄 That is what many of my fellow-practitioners and doctors say often. Of course we can all benefit from a massage and book a session for relaxation or as a means of prevention, but when you book a session for abhyanga, I always do a short intake with you to understand your needs and whether the massage will be suitable for you at that very moment. The same goes for other treatments like nasya, karna purana or basti. I also look at the herbal oils and choose the one most suitable for your ayurvedic constitution or health problem, if applicable.

If you book an abhyanga, you will receive specific instructions on what clothes to wear and how to eat during the days before and on your treatment. For example, eating right before a massage can cause digestive issues, as you need to digest your food, while you also need to digest the massage oil, as the benefits of an oil massage are numerous, like calming the mind, nervous system, support to move toxins from the tissues into the digestive tract for elimination, and nourishing of those same body tissues. Ayurveda aims for the best result possible when it comes to treatments. When you have acute infections, a fever, cold or flu, or during the first 3 days of menstruation, I always recommend we wait until āma (toxic waste) is no longer circulating through the body, so you can reap the full benefits from your treatment and avoid side effects of worsening of your illness. If you are in doubt, feel free to drop me a message.

When did you receive your last ayurvedic treatment? 💆🏽‍♀️

YOU MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN! I cannot stress it enou

YOU MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN! I cannot stress it enough. When you start with an ayurvedic treatment plan - whether it has been created by moi or another practitioner doesn't matter - you will find there is a lot more to work on besides (possibly) taking herbal supplements or changing your diet. And results come when you feel empowered to make changes. You've got that magic inside of you! As an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I just guide you to bring back that spark of yours to the surface.

Just like #yoga, healing and maintaining balance with the tools of Ayurveda asks us to self-reflect on our daily decisions ("Why do I choose to eat X when I know I feel heavy after?") and how we respond to situations ("What made me respond in such an angry way to X person?"). Self-study will help us understand the causes of our imbalances. And the beauty of that is, we can then take action!

The body and mind love routine and stability. A lifestyle routine will literally bring you piece of mind. And stability is just that: standing firm with your feet on the ground, being rooted (check chakra no. 1, muladhara chakra!). When we are grounded, we can deal with the ups and downs of life with more ease.

Of course Ayurveda considers us all unique. So if you want to learn more about the right lifestyle for you, send me a DM, drop an email of fill out the contact form on my website! 💖💪

AYURVEDA AND CANCER. 🩺 Although medicine has ev

AYURVEDA AND CANCER. 🩺 Although medicine has evolved over the past decades, unfortunately there are still a lot of people who suffer from cancer or lose their lives as a consequence of this disease. I am sure we all know someone who suffers or has suffered from cancer and how big the impact can be on both the patient and loved ones, on the mental, emotional and spiritual level, aside from the physical pain.

And it is important we continue to study this illness and look at it from every possible perspective and every system of medicine to help those who suffer the best and most complete way possible.

This is why on Friday February 4th World Cancer Day, ASHA Experience will organise a special event where panelists will speak about the influence of the practice of Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation on cancer. I am honoured to host this event and lead this wonderful conversation between our professionals, who will give us more insights on holistic ways of living in times of illness and suffering.

Come and join us! You can register through the QR code in this post or by visiting @asha.experience (link in bio). 💓🙏🏽🌱

DON'T TAKE IT ALL SO SERIOUSLY, SMILE AND ENJOY. 🤗🙃 That is what I tell my clients (you know who you are :)). We can practice #Yoga, follow an #Ayurvedic lifestyle and be flexible towards ourselves. The new year has started and this is the time for most of us to start working on our resolutions for 2022. But why not promise you will be kind to yourself throughout the year and allow yourself to do whatever you need at certain moments? It could be something you really enjoy eating once in a while, some extra hours of sleep, saying 'no' when you usually say 'yes' (even if you don't want to) or maybe just taking some time for yourself to be alone. We can be disciplined and have fun too.

As an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I feel it is my duty go beyond just giving you lifestyle advice and tell you once in a while it is ok to let go of expectations, your own and the expectations others might have. Because we are all unique and special, with our own needs in different times of our lives. 🌱

Happy weekend, buen fin de semana & fijn weekend

PS If you are new here in my small and cosy community, I hereby give you a warm welcome! Feel free to check out my dosha quiz (link in bio) to learn a bit more about your constitution. Thank you for your support! ❤🙏🏽

Photographer: @marenbanus

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tt. Vasumweg 24A
1033 SC Amsterdam
+31 6 517 184 77
pamela@gingerandyoga.com

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