My 2 Most Essential Resources for Women (and one is free!)

Being an Ayurvedic Practitioner is such a wonderful gift because it means that you have had the great privilege of learning a beautiful science that heals disease at its root with food, lifestyle, body treatments and herbal remedies. It also means that when you meet someone who is suffering from an ailment you know how to heal with this precious knowledge, it makes your heart ache because you know that their suffering could be relieved if only they had the right tools. Seeing a practitioner is ideal, but these books can make a tremendous difference in how you as a woman can take charge of your health. I wish I could carry these resources with me everywhere I went so I could give them to every woman who told me she experienced constipation, digestive distress, insomnia, chronic fatigue, PMS, frequent colds, panic attacks and/or depression. 

There's a lot of information to sift through in Ayurveda and so much of it is incredibly valuable. In my experience, however, I've found that the two things I'll recommend here are the two that hold some of the most valuable (& hard to find) information for women. If you integrate the concepts in these resources, your health will improve. I have absolutely no doubt. Enjoy and please, spread the word!!

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life 

by Dr Claudia Welch 

(acupuncturist & ayurvedic practitioner)

I recommend this book more than any other book. 

That alone says a lot because I love books and I have a big mouth when I find something I like. 

I have yet to find a better book that informs women on preventative health care, eastern medicine, modern research on illnesses and new additions to the female medicine cabinet (Birth Control, HRT etc), and perhaps most importantly, how to read your body.  

I've seen women's mindsets about how to relate to their bodies, energy and way of life shift completely because of this book. I find it especially valuable for the women who aren't already steeped in the Yoga lifestyle because it speaks to the regular woman who's wants to feel better. Dr Welch uses clear understandable concepts to explain some of Chinese Medicine & Ayurvedic principles alongside modern research to create a body of knowledge that's ideal for the modern day woman looking for health care that isn't "trendy": something that's quite a task these days.

In an ideal world, I think this book would be required reading for all high school girls. I can imagine few books that would lead a woman towards greater success and give her better skills to navigate life.

Buy this book then share it with every woman you know.

And while you're at it, check out Claudia Welch's website a gold mine of resources, articles and recipes.

Yoga for Women: 

A practical guide for women in the three important stages of her life - 

menstruation, pregnancy & menopause

by Emma Balnaves

(Yoga Teacher and Student of Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine)

Yoga heals. We all know that, and most of us have experienced it in some way.

With all the fuss about the New York Times article (Yoga Can Wreck Your Body), I think many of us yogis have taken a step back to look at our practices and see if they are in fact healing. From an Ayurvedic perspective, yoga postures and the movements within and between them should create a steady and comfortable flow of Prana, the vital energy and current of Vata dosha. If we find our practice upsetting the flow of Prana (like when our breath becomes labored), we are upsetting Vata. This can in time manifest in deranged Vata as either stagnation where there should be movement (constipation or lack of menses for example) or movement in the wrong direction (anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, PMS often times).

It is critical that as women (and human beings) we safeguard the healthy movement of prana and therefore of Vata Dosha. As a woman, our ability to ground ourselves is paramount, not just for the sake of our sanity, but for the health of our bodies. Apana Vata (the downward moving subdosha of Vata) is arguably the key to good female health and is responsible for healthy bowel movements, comfortable menstruation and easeful childbirth. 

In this article by Emma Balnaves linked above, you'll find suggestions for yoga postures for each of the three vital stages of a woman's life: menstruation, pregnancy & menopause. If you're unfamiliar with the postures, talk to me and I'll point you in the right direction (or to a qualified teacher near you). 

I hope these resources will be as big a boon to your health as they have been to mine. 

Enjoy and share to support a stronger, healthier and happier woman-kind.