Ayurveda is one of the most ancient scientific approaches to holistic healing in human history. As one of the first collected systems of medicinal practice, the roots of Ayurveda can be found in Tibetan, Traditional Chinese, and Early Greek medicine. Originating in India between five and six thousand years ago, Ayurveda is a holistic form of medicine fundamentally based upon the laws of nature to treat the body, mind and spirit.

Down the stairs of my condominium and across Campus Drive, I walk along Leona Canyon Open Space Preserve. I encounter an expanse of wild radish and California golden poppies. Below, there’s a culvert and a pond lined in cattails, home to a family of mallards whose ducklings hide behind the rushes. I continue down a slope alongside a stream flowing out toward Mills College, and eventually, to the bay.

It’s come to my attention that not many people know how to cook or eat an artichoke. I’ve made artichokes for friends throughout the past year and they’ve all needed an explanation on how to eat this complex — but worth it! — vegetable. While the artichoke may look intimidating, it’s actually a pretty easy dish to cook, and eating it can feel like a fun activity, especially when several people are involved and throwing leaves into the same bowl.

It takes next to nothing—a news story, a phone call, a happenstance event —and in a moment of distraction we’re carried off track. Learning to stand but still sometimes unsteady, we sensitive souls succumb to the weight we perceive. We shut down in our conversations for the rest of the day, we give as little of ourselves as possible to the task at hand, and we both consciously and unconsciously resist connection. We may not speak the words, but the sentiment shows: we feel we’ve lost our faith in humanity.

Pranayama is a powerful Yogic practice that clears physical and emotional blockages from the body, breathing peace into the mind.

“Yoga citta vritti nirodhaha.”

“The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is yoga.” - Patanjali

There are plenty of good reasons to keep track of what we eat. Recording our daily intake even for just one week can provide benefits, whether we’re counting calories, engaging in athletic training, dealing with gastrointestinal issues, feeling off balance or simply curious.

Welcome to our #WellnessWednesday yoga primer. Yoga is a wonderful way to become attuned to your body and increase circulation and flexibility. Each week I'll offer you a pose with benefits and instruction.

Week 10: Prasarita Padottanasana / Wide leg stretch

Holistic Health means to be happy in all areas of life. When we are happy life is easy to deal with. In the state of love, gratitude or joy we feel deeply connected; we regard our life as positive and our outlook on our future is optimistic. When was the last time you truly felt this way? For many of us these states are the exception. Around the clock we are busy coping with physical health, financial insecurity, relationship problems, emotional instability, mental worrying, addictions or spiritual isolation.

I have a confession to make: I want everything to be easy. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. I think we all want a life of ease and comfort, but I had a conversation recently that irrevocably shifted my perspective.

We are moving beings. As animals in space and time, this is our nature. It is through literally moving into ourselves that we have evolved our way out from once being bacteria and into becoming the humans that we are today. Our bodies have grown to prove to be miraculously adaptive and capable - as a general species and especially in the modernized western world - despite our culturally confined upbringings.