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In both the yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, Agni, the fire element, plays a central role in maintaining balance and vitality. Agni is the transformative force that governs digestion, metabolism, and energy, operating on all levels of being—physical, energetic, and mental.
By Gwen Burdick Vastu, which means “science of space” in Sanskrit, is a sister science to Yoga, Jyotish and Ayurveda, and is the precursor to Feng Shui. The ancient Shastras are the books of rules of the Vedic sciences and the Vastu Shatra is the text that explains...
By Carrie Demers, MD As a culture, we are obsessed with looking young. We dye our hair, whiten our teeth, use botox, have surgeries! - all attempts to hide the signs of our encroaching age. However, what we are truly seeking is not to look younger, but to feel...
by Gwen Burdick The dualistic theory of creation or causation is called Sankhya Philosophy and it appears in texts as ancient as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Its founder was the sage Kapila who is considered by scholars to be older than Buddha. It is also the...
The Fourth Aim: Moksha Our investigation of the four Purusharthas, or aims of life in the Vedic tradition, concludes with Moksha, which means release, liberation or self-realization. The harmonious interactions of the first three aims, Dharma, Artha and Kama, are the...
The Third Aim: Kama As our investigation of the Purusharthas continues, we come to the third aim, Kama, which means longing, wish, or desire. Kama pertains to the enjoyment of life and needs to be in balance with Dharma (duty) and Artha (means) if we are to experience...
By Gwen Burdick In Yogic philosophy, when the intention of the heart and intention of the mind merge with resolve and determination in search of Truth, we have what is called Sankalpa in Sanskrit, or solemn vow. “Kalpa” means vow and “san” means truth. It refers to...
Fire, or Agni in Sanskrit, is one of the five basic elements of creation. It dominates the Pitta dosha of Ayurveda. In its highest expression, Agni is the source of self-discipline, purification and transformation.
In Vedic Astrology, Rahu and Ketu are the important Lunar Nodes. Unlike the seven visible planets, Grahas in Sanskrit, they are massless yet potent mathematical points in space, sometimes referred to as the shadow planets. Our solar system is structured such that it...
The purpose of the Vedic sciences is to promote Self-realization, and the spiritual disciplines of Ayurveda and Jyotish, Vedic Astrology, share their ancient roots. Ayurveda, which means knowledge of Life in Sanskrit, provides regimens to harmonize the mind/body...
"The Moonbeams are also the rays of the Sun." - the Vedas Our Sun, Surya in Sanskrit, is the 4.5 billion year old yellow dwarf star at the center of our solar system. It is an almost perfect sphere of gas (mostly Hydrogen and Helium) 860,000 miles in diameter and...
By Gwen Burdick The billions of years old and never-changing distant stars visible in the night sky make up the circle that mankind has observed and described as the zodiac. Vedic Astrology, Jyotish in Sanskrit, divides the 360 degree sky into 27 stellar...
Vedic Astrology, Jyotish in Sanskrit, is a sister science to Yoga and Ayurveda. It is the study of the precision of our solar system and planetary movements that create linear chronological time. Comprehension of this ancient wisdom tradition allows for the awareness...
According to Vedic science, when Spirit (Purusha in Sanskrit) takes form as life, it is called Prakriti. Prakriti is composed of five elements, known as the Maha Bhutas, which range from the finest to the grossest: space, air, fire, water, and earth. In Sanskrit, they are called Akash, Vayu, Agni, Jal, and Prithvi, respectively. Every individual is a microcosm of nature and, as such, contains all five elements. Let us explore each of them.
The word Guna means "that which binds" in Sanskrit. According to Vedic science, all matter and energy that make up the manifest world consists of the three gunas in different quantities. They describe the qualities of nature and states of awareness, and are likened to...
A concentration of energy occurs twice a year on average as the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up in space, creating solar and lunar eclipses. Solar eclipses take place on the New Moon and lunar eclipses on the Full Moon, always two weeks apart. They are events when the...
Most people today look to the Gregorian calendar or even their smart phone for an awareness of the passage of time. Whether or not skilled in time management, most of us can feel the pressure of the unfolding of time. Sunrises, sunsets and the lunation cycles are the...
Kapha dosha is the mind-body constitution made up of the elements earth and water. People with a dominant kapha dosha tend to have qualities associated with these elements: stability, groundedness, and fluidity. Typically, kapha types are peaceful, calm, and consistent.
Pitta dosha is the mind-body constitution composed of the fire and water elements. These elements give Pitta individuals qualities such as intensity, sharpness, and responsiveness. People with a dominant Pitta dosha are often sociable, knowledgeable, and highly driven.
The number 108 is considered an auspicious, or sacred, number. For this reason there are 108 beads on a japa mala, or prayer garland. It is why many people do 108 sun salutations on summer and winter solstice. During our chanting for peace at The Yoga Sanctuary this...