Building a Healthy Immune System to be like a Vault
An Ayurvedic Guide to Strengthening Ojas
We’ve all experienced the disappointment of having to put everything on hold when our bodies crash and our health deteriorates, usually just when we think we can least afford to slow down or take a break.
Deep down, most of us know that there is often an inherent wisdom in the irony of those moments. Nevertheless, most of us would rather avoid the inconvenience altogether—whether it’s a cold, a cough, the flu, shingles, or something else. Given the choice, who among us would refuse a hardy immune system? We all want to be healthy and would rather avoid illness and disease. So, how do we support robust immunity?
At its core, Ayurveda is not about suppressing symptoms, but about addressing the root cause of our imbalances.
If our immune systems are compromised, we have to ask ourselves why, and we must be willing to change course to correct the underlying issues—whatever they may be.
Of course, each individual is unique, and working with an Ayurvedic practitioner to specifically address the current dynamics in your system is a fantastic way to support positive change. Still, there are a number of general strategies that can help to support immunity in all of us.
At first glance, some of the recommendations you’ll find below may seem quite basic. In fact, many of them are. These strategies are built on the premise that our bodies are inherently intelligent and that, given proper support, our physiology already knows exactly how to foster and protect optimal health.
As you will see, there is an elegant beauty in the Ayurvedic approach to bolstering the immune system; it is simple, intuitive, and it reminds us just how amazing the body’s self-regulatory systems are. As a starting point, let’s first focus on how Ayurveda views immunity and the immune system.
Ayurveda on Immunity
According to Ayurveda, strong immunity is a product of good digestion, strong agni (the metabolic fire), quality liver functioning, and a balanced endocrine system (which includes appropriately balanced hormones). Immunity is also very much connected to a mysterious substance called ojas. The Sanskrit word ojas literally means “vigor.”
However, in the body, ojas is extremely subtle and elusive—somewhat difficult to define, even. Yet in the Ayurvedic tradition, ojas has everything to do with immunity. It is said that the strength of one’s ojas determines which factors and influences—whether internal or external—cause disease in each individual.
Grasping the Ayurvedic approach to bolstering the immune system therefore hinges on having at least a peripheral understanding of ojas.
What Is Ojas?
Ojas is the positive subtle essence of kapha—that which gives the body strength, vigor, vitality, and immunity. It is the superfine essence of all of the bodily tissues and the end product of perfect digestion.
As such, it is a direct reflection of the quality of agni; strong agni yields healthy ojas, while impaired agni hinders the production and quality of ojas. But ojas is also affected by past trauma, lifestyle choices, stress levels, the quality of our relationships, and our overall state of consciousness. Ojas is naturally rich in soma (the subtlest form of matter), and it eventually becomes consciousness.
In fact, healthy ojas fosters a state of bliss. Ojas is protected when we are able to live in the present moment with pure, detached awareness.
On the other hand, it is diminished and dried up when we are overly effort-full, stressed, contracted, or selfish. Ojas also protects prana, the vital life force that animates each of us.
Important Times to Protect Ojas
For the most part, therapeutic strategies that protect ojas support optimal health throughout our systems and are appropriate to undertake at any time. But there are times when we are especially vulnerable, and when protecting ojas is of particular importance, such as the following:
- Periods of convalescence
- Episodes of unusual stress
- Junctions between seasons
- Cold and flu season
- Periods of rejuvenation (whether following a cleanse or independent of a cleanse)
- Times of significant change to your routine (e.g., the start of the school year, for many)
- Major life transitions, like marriage, divorce, the death of a loved one, a move, a new baby, a new job, or the loss of a job
- Right now, unprecedented moments that we are stepping though at this moment
Being the ultra-fine, subtle essence that it is, ojas is affected by almost every aspect of our lives. What follows are a number of especially potent recommendations for promoting quality ojas and strong immunity. Over the next few days, we will take them one by one and share how we may strengthen and protect our immune system.
- Support Immunity with Your Diet
- Prioritize Balanced Sleep
- Minimize Stress
- Adopt a Supportive Daily Routine
- Get Appropriate Exercise
- Engage Supportive Mindfulness Practices
- Pranayama
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Supporting Immunity with your Diet
Tending to agni is the number one way to promote optimal health throughout the system, which in turn, protects ojas. If this idea is new to you, you might appreciate our health guide to reducing ama and increasing agni. In very general terms, agni is supported by a diet that minimizes stimulants, refined sugars, and processed foods. Instead, emphasize healthy, whole foods, and be attentive to Ayurvedic Food Combining.
Agni is also strengthened when we eat with mindfulness, maintain a regular eating schedule (eat our meals at consistent times from one day to the next), and eat in silence, allowing your body to efficiently digest the food. The times of day we choose to take our meals is of importance. Knowing midday is the Pitta time of the day we should select eating our most complete meal during midday. Breakfast, is just as the word suggests break – fast, meaning our evening meal should be the smallest and gently cooked to start of fast until meaning. We then begin our day with a small meal to break the fast of the night before.
It is also worth mentioning that including garlic in your diet will offer natural support to the immune system. Garlic kindles agni, destroys natural toxins, encourages the maintenance of a normal body temperature, supports the lungs, and clears excess kapha. Not only does garlic offer natural support for the immune system, but it can also clear harmful bacteria while preserving the body’s natural, beneficial flora. While garlic is considered a rajasic food, it is important to consider its capacity to bolster and protect the immune system. Next week we will share Prioritize Balanced Sleep.
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Purchasing direct from us instead of our on-line vendors will help us to return to you when the mandate is lifted and it is safe for us to provide a sacred space for you to once again rest your mind and bodies in our hands. We look forward to seeing all of you when we return.
Be Well,
Dawn & the BodiScience team
