Ama, Ojas and Agni
FitChicFab2013
Posts: 80
Ayurveda speaks of 'Ama' - or in modern speak: cellular debris - is a sticky substance in your body that slows down your circulatory system - blood and lymph - which in turn slows down everything. Ama (http://www.chopra.com/node/259) in your system slows the metabolism. When you clear Ama away and build up Ojas you fire up your circulation and digestion, you've increased 'Agni' ( http://www.chopra.com/agni ). Also reference Panchakarma (http://www.chopra.com/node/260)
"Ama has a positive counterpart that can also be present throughout the body. By eating properly and following the correct routines, this different and opposite product of digestion, called ojas, can be formed. Ayurveda describes ojas as the biochemical equivalent of bliss. Think about that for a moment. By creating ojas within your physiology, you are literally storing up the physical manifestation of joy and total bliss
Chopra, Deepak (2010-01-19). Perfect Weight (Perfect Health Library) (Kindle Locations 796-799). Random House UK. Kindle Edition.
Evidence of ama: weakness, heaviness, lethargy, poor immunity, irregular elimination, fatigue, fluctuations in appetite, energy level, and mood. There is commonly a white coating on the tongue, especially in the morning on arising.
Evidence of ojas: lightness of body, excellent energy, strong appetite and digestion, perfect immunity, regular elimination, physical strength and stamina, and a general sense of bliss. Both physically and mentally, there is an experience of vitality and intense well-being.
Chopra, Deepak (2010-01-19). Perfect Weight (Perfect Health Library) (Kindle Locations 804-808). Random House UK. Kindle Edition.
Seven Day detox: http://www.chopra.com/detox
"Ama has a positive counterpart that can also be present throughout the body. By eating properly and following the correct routines, this different and opposite product of digestion, called ojas, can be formed. Ayurveda describes ojas as the biochemical equivalent of bliss. Think about that for a moment. By creating ojas within your physiology, you are literally storing up the physical manifestation of joy and total bliss
Chopra, Deepak (2010-01-19). Perfect Weight (Perfect Health Library) (Kindle Locations 796-799). Random House UK. Kindle Edition.
Evidence of ama: weakness, heaviness, lethargy, poor immunity, irregular elimination, fatigue, fluctuations in appetite, energy level, and mood. There is commonly a white coating on the tongue, especially in the morning on arising.
Evidence of ojas: lightness of body, excellent energy, strong appetite and digestion, perfect immunity, regular elimination, physical strength and stamina, and a general sense of bliss. Both physically and mentally, there is an experience of vitality and intense well-being.
Chopra, Deepak (2010-01-19). Perfect Weight (Perfect Health Library) (Kindle Locations 804-808). Random House UK. Kindle Edition.
Seven Day detox: http://www.chopra.com/detox
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Replies
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I could go for some bliss! : )0
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I read in Perfect Weight that Dr. Chopra recommends sipping hot water every 30 minutes to dissolve and remove excessive Ama in our systems. While drinking hot water isn't my favourite thing (I prefer cocoa!), I think I'm going to give it a try. The book seems to say that it's a habit you'll grow to appreciate.0
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i'll give it a shot too...but may start out with a squeeze of lemon in it first. I tried hot water once and didn't like it on its own...I'll have to ease myself into it0
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How's the hot water experiment going? I can say that I don't like it much but I do like the kapha tea recipe I shared. Served piping hot, it's spicy and delicious and does the hot water trick. I think hot water helps with my hunger and misreading boredom/discomfort with hunger.0
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Warm water is supposed to be more hydrating...I've done it with some lemon, and also salt and pepper before a meal to prepare the body for digestion. As an always cold vata, I try to never drink cold water (and definitely never with ice). It does take some getting used to but the lemon will also aid in moving waste / toxins through the system, if ya know what I mean! ;-)0
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I find I can do this with lemon and honey...like a tea, but i'll try to cut down so it's just lemon and water0
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I read in Perfect Weight that Dr. Chopra recommends sipping hot water every 30 minutes to dissolve and remove excessive Ama in our systems. While drinking hot water isn't my favourite thing (I prefer cocoa!), I think I'm going to give it a try. The book seems to say that it's a habit you'll grow to appreciate.
I am confused about this water thing. I have sipped hot water for years but in my Ayurvedic Nutrition course book the writer recommends that Kapha, who is already prone to water retention, does NOT drink water. I'm cross-referencing it as I know I feel good when I drink warm water, but I also have horrible water retention. For now, I drink a cup of hot water every morning first thing when I wake up and on alternate days I add half a lemon. I love how it makes me feel and it gets everything going if you know what i mean, so you're left feeling light and 'clean' all day.0 -
I saw the same thing about water retention, but Kapha's are also recommended to sip spicy/herbal teas throughout the day to aid digestion. So I do tend to drink a lot of Pukka, Healthy Living and Birt & Tang teas.0
