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I suffered from chronic back pain that left me unable to walk for a week of every month for over 15 years that no western doctor could resolve. Frustrated, depressed, and pissed off, I tried everything, from acupuncture to physical therapy but would only experience temporary relief. I knew there had to be a reason for my pain, so why couldn’t anyone explain to me what the hell was going on?!

 Here is what was happening-I would get episodes of lower back spasming where my back would completely lock up and if I moved too suddenly or at the wrong angle- PAIN!! It was terrible, totally unpredictable, and took control of my life. I became fearful of riding my bike or hiking or doing any activity that could leave me vulnerable to the wrath of the back-pain gods. MRI’s, X-rays, I did it all, and nobody could give me a definitive answer to the root cause!

 Until I found Āyurveda. Āyurveda did what western medicine couldn’t, and simple dietary changes combined with a 90 day herbal protocol cured my seemingly “incurable” condition. For good. Not only did the science of Ayurveda cure my back pain, it was able to simply and logically explain to me what the ROOT cause of my pain really was, in contrast to the guess work of “advanced” medical professionals using modern equipment.

From what you eat to how you experience the world, it’s all about digestion. When we digest our food and mental experiences properly, we are healthy, happy, and full of boundless energy.

When we don’t, this is where things start to go very, very wrong.

 You are not what you eat!  You are what you do and do not digest, and this is an incredibly important distinction. We are taught that “eating healthy” and “doing the right thing” are we what we need to get by and succeed in the world. However, what is healthy for some is detrimental for others, and we must be able to distinguish between the two for longevity and wellness.

 Mental experiences require digestion just like your food.

 “Trauma and negative emotional patterning are undigested mental experiences.”

Just like your undigested food leaves a residual coating that we call “āma” in Āyurveda, so do experiences that are unresolved and unprocessed (trāma). This is what grief, anger, sadness, confusion, and frustration all stem from. There is something we haven’t fully digested lingering in our psyches, and we need to burn it up in order to move on.

So how do we process mental experiences? The most succinct and useful technique I have heard from comes from Tony Robbins himself. Either change your perception or change your procedure.

What does that mean?

When we have an undigested mental experience, or trauma, it is because we have a negative perception about it. We think our partner cheated on us because we are inadequate, or that we got fired from our job because our boss was an unfair prick. By consciously seeking the underlying meaning we are giving to situations, we give ourselves an opportunity to change the meaning. We often find that we are giving a false meaning to a circumstance, and by readjusting our perception, are able to digest the experience and move on. Giving ourseves the space to really understand the meaning we are giving to a situation can be incredibly freeing, as our tendency as human beings is to project our own meanings onto things, instead of objectively being able to see the truth.

What happens if we find the meaning was true, but still need to move forward?

This is where the power of procedure comes into play.  If we are having negative feedback and determine that it is accurate, this means we need to change how we play the game. Feel bad about lying to someone? This means you shouldn’t lie!  Unhappy with how you are treated at work and justifiably so? It’s time to get a new job! Not making the income to live the lifestyle you want? It’s time to change!

Sometimes we feel bad because we aren’t living up to a standard that we need, and if that’s the case, it’s time to change our procedure to meet that standard. 

These 2 practices are incredibly powerful tools for readjusting our mental states and to free up our focus for bigger and better things. Life is precious and short- it’s time to free yourself for the bliss and beauty you were meant for.

Want some help with your daily focus? Check out Super Smart

Summer is the time for many things- travel, playing outside, barbecues, social gatherings, and festivals of course. But that's not all- as temperatures rise, so do our tempers, and studies have shown up to 16% increases in crime during heatwaves. Yikes! Why does this happen? According to Ayurveda, it’s because summer marks the time of increased pitta, especially the fire element. From drinking more alcohol to staying in the sun all day barbecuing, many typical summer activities can really mess you up and imbalance you! Fear not, we still want you to have fun, so here are some simple tips and tricks to help keep you cool mentally and physically all summer long.

• Limit sun exposure- while this is fairly obvious, it’s also good to have a reminder! The sun is HOT, and hot is a quality of Pitta dosha. Stay inside during peak sun hours or keep covered with long sleeves and a hat.
• Add cooling foods or herbs to your water- This is such a wonderful and simple tool for balancing pitta and vāta doshas, especially when you use cucumber, which has soothing, Kapha qualities. Some great additions to water include mint, cucumber, lime, spearmint, watermelon, melon in general, and berries. Avoid using lemon as this is heating and serves to increase pitta rather than balance it.
• Reduce or eliminate red meat- Summer is barbecue season, and the irony of this is that large chunks of red meat are notoriously hard to digest. Red meat is also very tamasic and increases dullness of the mind. Eat a beyond burger instead while wishing you were an early investor. Favor lighter meats like chicken and fish, or go vegetarian!
• Eat lunch later in the day- Your digestive capacity actually decreases in the summer because your central fire gets pushed outwards to allow you to sweat. Ever noticed how extreme heat kills your appetite? This is why. Eat your biggest meals when it is a little cooler outside, which is also the time when your central fire has moved back to the core, allowing you to digest your food.
• Oil up regularly using sunflower or coconut oil- This will help to balance both pitta and vāta doshas. Sunflower is great for those who tend to run dry, and coconut for those who are a little oilier.
• Drink beer- Yes, drink beer instead of having red wine or liquor. Beer has bitter flavor which serves to balance pitta. See? I told you we wouldn’t take all your fun away J
• Wear cooler colors- White is the most balancing and sattvic color and is the coolest color you can wear when it’s hot out. Blues and greens are also great choices. Avoid excess red or black as these only serve to heat you up more.
• Practice shītalī and sheetkari pranayamas. Never heard of them? Now you have something fun to research!

There you have it! Enjoy your summer and remember to have fun and savor the gifts of nature.