“In Ayurveda, even the simplest things — like a pinch of salt — carry the power to heal or harm. Balance is always the medicine.”

Salt. It’s something we use every day — sprinkled on veggies, stirred into soup, maybe even in a warm gargle when we’re feeling off. But in Ayurveda, salt (Lavana) is far more than a kitchen staple. It’s medicine. It’s energetic. It’s a teacher in balance.

When used with awareness, salt nourishes the body, awakens digestion, and grounds the mind. When used carelessly, it can create heat, swelling, or emotional irritability. Ayurveda invites us to rediscover this humble mineral through a more conscious lens — one that connects body, element, and spirit.

A Simple Guide to Finding Balance

Ever feel too hot, too cold, too heavy, or too restless? According to Ayurveda, everything in life has qualities—known as the 20 Gunas—that affect our body and mind. The secret to feeling great? Balance!

These Gunas come in 10 pairs of opposites, kind of like yin and yang. Understanding them can help us make better choices in food, movement, and daily life. Let’s break them down!

A Kapha-balancing Ayurvedic diet focuses on foods that are light, warm, dry, and stimulating to counterbalance Kapha’s heavy, cold, and damp qualities. The goal is to increase digestion, reduce stagnation, and invigorate energy levels.

Ayurvedic Cooking for Kapha Season

Dreaming of bowls packed full of Sattvic goodness. Sometimes all you need is a bowl of steamed veggies!

Steamed carrots and spinach on top of quinoa - spiced with mustard seed, fennel, and turmeric. Hidden below is an Avocado dressing!

Rejuvenate your calm, loving, supportive nature this Spring!

KAPHA DOSHA | Earth + Water
SEASON | Late winter to late spring
TIME OF DAY | 6:00 - 10:00 am/pm 
TIME OF LIFE | Age birth - 20 years

The common translation of Kapha is “that which binds things” or “that which holds things together.” Kapha is heavy, cold, dull, oily, smooth, dense, soft, static, liquid, cloudy, hard, and gross (in the sense of dense or thick). According to Ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for the stability, lubrication, substance, and support of our physical body. Kapha supports our emotional calm and mental and physical endurance, allowing us to feel deeply, empathize, and be patient and compassionate. During the late winter to the end of spring, Kapha can manifest in the body as excessive phlegm in the lungs or sinuses, nausea, weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies. The key to pacifying Kapha is to seek stimulation of new sights, sounds, and experiences. When out of balance emotionally, the earthy-watery quality of Kapha types may become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression. When Kapha is in balance, the Kapha person is calm, loving, strong, loyal, patient, steady, and supportive.

The Six Tastes in Ayurveda: A Guide to Balanced Eating

Have you ever noticed how certain foods make you feel energized, grounded, or even a little sluggish? In Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic health, the flavors on your plate hold the key to more than just your taste buds. They’re also deeply connected to your overall well-being. Enter the six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. These tastes are much more than flavors—they’re tools to bring balance to your mind, body, and spirit.

Let’s dive into the six tastes and explore how they can help you create meals that are as nourishing as they are delicious.

The Six Tastes: A Quick Overview

According to Ayurveda, each taste is associated with specific elements and has distinct effects on your body and doshas (your unique constitution). By incorporating all six tastes into your meals, you can support digestion, maintain balance, and satisfy your body’s needs.

Here’s a closer look at each taste:

Think warming and grounding...

During the fall/winter months think of warming and grounding foods to soothe any Vata imbalances. Sip hot herbal teas and choose seasonal foods that are warming, grounding, predominately cooked, sweet, salty and sour to enhance circulation and digestion. Enjoy the following Vata pacifying recipes in a warm and calm environment. In Ayurveda, we say, “It’s not what you eat, it’s how you eat.”

YOGA | Early morning yin-style asana practice, including the Moon Salutation, Tree, Bridge, Locust, Triangle, and gentle abdominal twists. The emphasis throughout your practice can be on surrendering, forgiving, softening, and being gentle with yourself. Pittas should come away from an asana practice feeling; cool, content, calm, released tension in mid-abdomen, a clear mind, emotions relaxed, and a tendency toward competitiveness and irritation should be subdued.

PRANAYAMA | Practice Shitali pranayama or left-nostril breathing to cool and calm the hot quality of pitta dosha.

MEDITATION | A regular meditation practice assists in quieting the active pitta mind, releasing anger, and allowing the sense of control to dissipate. Meditation should leave one feeling cool and calm in both mind and heart.

Yoga Sutra 11.32 : Niyamas

There is a drive in us to realize the infinite reality. The niyamas give direction to that drive. They refocus the mind on its spiritual purpose and inspire us to live a life that is less dependent upon external circumstances and more fully illumined by an inner spiritual life, discipline and mindfulness.

Evolution towards harmony

• Saucha - Purity

• Santosha - Contentment

• Tapas - Self-discipline, spiritual practice

• Svadhyaya - Self-study

• Ishvara Pranidhana - Self-surrender

Yoga Sutra 11.30 : Yama

Reflection of our true nature is experienced through:

• Ahimsa: reverence, love, compassion for all

• Satya: truthfulness, integrity

• Astheya: generosity, honesty

• Brahmacharya: balance and moderation of the vital life force

• Aparigraha: awareness of abundance, fulfillment

(Source: Nischala Joy Devi - The Secret Power of Yoga)

Illuminating the seven major chakras from your base to your crown.

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Join Monica for her upcoming mini-series focusing on illuminating the chakras to flow freely throughout the body - awaken a sense of newness, wholeness, and a strong connection to the self.

Illuminating Chakra Yoga Series
Wednesdays @ 11:00am - 12:00pm
6 Week Series | May 3 - June 7, 2023
Studio: The Center Studio
Cost: 6-classes for $90
Sign Up Here

CHAKRA SEVEN

Crown Chakra | Sahasrara

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

In Ayurveda, the importance of a consistent daily self-care routine (Dinacharya) can’t be underestimated. It sets the tone for your entire day, bringing a sense of calm and well-being. It gives the body, mind, and spirit the chance to ground and cleanse, to start afresh.

Create your own daily routine by implementing the following Ayurvedic healing suggestions and begin to explore any changes or benefits to your well-being.

CHAKRA SIX

Third Eye Chakra | Anja

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Chakras Illuminated : Root to Crown Meditation
7 - Week Series : Jan. 31-Mar 14, 2023
Tuesdays @ 10:45am

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

CHAKRA FIVE

Throat Chakra | Vishuddha

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Chakras Illuminated : Root to Crown Meditation
7 - Week Series : Jan. 31-Mar 14, 2023
Tuesdays @ 10:45am

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

CHAKRA FOUR

Heart Chakra | Anahata

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Chakras Illuminated : Root to Crown Meditation
7 - Week Series : Jan. 31-Mar 14, 2023
Tuesdays @ 10:45am

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Illuminating the seven major chakras from your base to your crown:

CHAKRA THREE

Solar Plexus Chakra | Manipura

Kapha is balanced by a diet of freshly cooked, whole foods that are light, dry, warming, well-spiced, and relatively easy to digest—ideally served warm or hot. These foods calm Kapha by balancing mucus production, regulating moisture levels, maintaining adequate heat, and by supporting proper digestion and elimination. Because Kapha is so substantive in nature, an appropriate diet is actually one of the most effective ways to reel it in. Kapha thrives on a fairly minimalistic diet with smaller meals, little to no snacking, fewer sweets, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of legumes, little to no alcohol, and lighter fare all around. That said, finding a diet that is appropriately satisfying is crucial to your success; so it’s extremely important that you enjoy the foods that you do eat.

Emphasize Tastes | Pungent - Bitter - Astringent

Minimize Tastes | Sweet - Salty - Sour

Written By Monica Limon

Chakras Illuminated : Root to Crown Meditation
7 - Week Series : Jan. 31-Mar 14, 2023
Tuesdays @ 10:45am

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Illuminating the seven major chakras from your base to your crown:

CHAKRA TWO | Sacral Chakra | Swadhisthana

Feb 1

Written By Monica Limon

Chakras Illuminated : Root to Crown Meditation
7 - Week Series : Jan. 31-Mar 14, 2023
Tuesdays @ 10:45am

Please follow along on our journey through the chakra system. Each week I will post a new chakra with information to support your understanding of the seven major energy processing centers from root to crown.

You are welcome to join us for this class series at Yoga Loka - now until March 14, 2023. There’s still room to sign up at Yoga Loka - https://www.yogalokareno.com/mini-series. Or follow this blog series each week.

WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness. It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them.

Illuminating the seven major chakras from your base to your crown:

CHAKRA ONE | Root Chakra | Muladhara

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