Friday, August 23, 2024

Circadian Misalignment In Night Shift Workers


In the modern world built upon shift-based work schedules, it is important to recognize

how these shifts may disrupt our natural circadian rhythms, affecting our overall health and

wellbeing. Specifically, night shift workers are forced to undergo abrupt changes in sleep timing

and light-dark exposure.

Simulated night-shift experiments and field studies indicated that the human circadian

system is very resistant to adaptation from day to night-oriented schedules. This is seen

specifically in the lack of phase shift and dampening of important hormone rhythms, such as

melatonin and cortisol. To understand how our circadian system is affected we must first

understand the molecular mechanism that makes up the circadian clock. The core lies in the

brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus, which produces a set of autoregulated feedback loops through

clock genes that are expressed in a 24 hour cycle. From this, the body’s peripheral tissues are

able to generate self-sustained circadian rhythms, known as “peripheral clocks”. These molecular

mechanics allow for a general day-to-day flow of bodily functions and hormones to optimize

digestion and sleep patterns.

For instance, the peak of melatonin, and trough of body temperature and cortisol,

normally occur in the first, middle, and last thirds of the nocturnal sleep period. This allows for

more peaceful and deep sleep. Melatonin production is influenced by light, which is the most

important synchronizer of the central circadian clock in humans. When the SCN receives light,

melatonin hormone production decreases, while cortisol rises. In this same way, our digestive

patterns are influenced by the ebb and flow of our metabolism. The hormone Leptin reduces

appetite and signals the cessation of food intake, while the hormone Ghrelin signals for

food-seeking behaviors in the reverse pattern of Leptin. As seen in the Ayurvedic Clock, we

should eat our largest meal at noon, when our digestive fire is the highest. Our body reflects this

principle through hormones that work in harmony with our body’s metabolic processes to allow

for smooth and productive digestion during the day. In conjunction with highest metabolic rates

during light hours, Leptin and Ghrelin typically work together in a feeding/fasting cycle to

ensure food intake at the most optimal time for our body’s digestive system.

However, when an individual is working night shifts, the nocturnal sleep period is turned

into a wake period that involves the stress of work. This circadian misalignment dampens

hormone rhythms, meaning that the peaks and valleys are not as pronounced and affective. This

results in disrupted coordination of hormones that lead to a higher presence of disease and

disorder in night shift workers. For instance, laboratory circadian medicine studies demonstrate

that night shift work leads to a decrease in Leptin levels and a blunted post-mean suppression of

Ghrelin. This results in a cycle of disrupted hunger cues, high caloric intakes at odd hours,

unhealthy glucose spikes, and overall poor metabolic health. This contributes to higher rates in

diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. In terms of the dampened melatonin and

cortisol patterns, we see that the quality of sleep is poor leading to high rates of insomnia and

daytime sleepiness that can persist for years in former night-shift workers. This is seen in

experimental results when comparing night and day-shift nurses. The night-shift nurses had a

scattered and dampened melatonin rhythm in comparison to the clustered and well aligned

hormone rhythms in day-shift nurses. This dip in melatonin is known to be dangerous, as this

hormone is protective against oxidative DNA damage. Therefore, when melatonin production is

suppressed, DNA damage may accumulate faster than it can be repaired, which may contribute

to an increased cancer risk observed among shift workers. 

In addition, taking melatonin or digestive supplements that initially increase the hormones 

needed to regulate biology, over time send messages to the body that suppress their 

production and in the long term, reduce the body's ability to make them, and thereby weaken

and disrupt the system further.


Resources:

Download our Beneficial Daily Routine

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8832572/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5647832/

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Circadian Rhythms & the Ayurvedic Clock

 

Background on Circadian Rhythms

The emerging field of circadian medicine shows an intrinsic link between our body’s

biological clocks and the light/dark cycles of nature, as affirmed by Ayurveda. “Circadian

rhythms” refer to the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that flow in cycles within our

body over a 24 hour period. Specifically, a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nuclei

(SCN) is synchronized to the 24 hour light/dark cycle. In the absence of light, the pineal gland

produces a hormone called melatonin, which increases our inclination to sleep and acts on its

receptors to aid in the synchronization of circadian rhythms in our body's tissues. This process is

referred to as “dim light melatonin onset” (DLMO), as it allows for an increase in melatonin

synthesis during darkness and slows production during daylight. While it is synced to the

presence of light, our feeding/fasting patterns are the main time cues for clocks in these tissues.

This creates preferred feeding times to fall in line with our metabolic changes throughout the

day. The circadian system prepares our body for daytime feeding with our gastric emptying and

gastrointestinal motility rates peaking during daylight hours.


Disruption of the Circadian System

While circadian rhythms are able to adapt quickly to our individual feeding, sleeping, and

physical activity habits, several of our peripheral tissue clocks (such as the liver clock), are

especially sensitive to the quality and timing of food consumption. This disruption of our natural

rhythms is a growing concern in our society as we are in the age of artificial lighting, jet lag,

night shift work schedules, and constant availability of energy-dense food. Because of this

sensitivity in our body's tissues, the disorganization of circadian rhythms caused by irregular

nutrition patterns is thought to play a part in the development of certain chronic diseases. By

using nutrition as a tool to align our energy intake with peak energy expenditure and metabolic

changes influenced by nature’s light/dark cycles, we can maintain a more healthy circadian

system. This concept is explained more simply using the Ayurvedic Clock, which directly

correlates with scientific research on the body’s circadian rhythms.


The Ayurvedic Clock & Nutrition Patterns

The Ayurvedic Clock recognizes our body’s synchronization with the light-dependent and 

seasonal and daily cycles of nature. The 24-hour Ayurvedic Clock falls in line with our 

optimal sleep/wake cycles,  hormone-release cues, eating habits, and digestion patterns. 

The Ayurvedic Clock can be categorized  into six parts, which includes three cycles that 

occur during the day and three cycles that occur during  the night. Ayurveda’s foundation 

is built upon the three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kaphawhich combine  the five elements 

(ether or space, air, fire, water and earth) and govern our physical and mental  tendencies. 

Vata is considered the lightest dosha (ether/space and air), Pitta is the hottest dosha 

(fire and water), and Kapha is the densest dosha (water and earth). The day/night cycle is

controlled by these doshas, which guide us on h ow to act according to our body’s natural 

rhythms, as described in circadian medicine.

Day Cycle

KAPHA: 6 am – 10 am

In line with the daylight, Ayurveda suggests starting our mornings with exercise and a light meal

for breakfast.

PITTA: 10am - 2pm

The sun is highest in the sky, which calls for high productivity in light with our increased

metabolic rates and peak digestion. This prepares our bodies to have the largest meal of the day

for lunch.

VATA: 2 pm - 6 pm

Vata represents the time of transition, which is best-accompanied by creativity, deep thinking,

contemplative practices, such as yoga and meditation.

Night Cycle

KAPHA: 6pm - 10pm

Kapha’s heavy qualities dominate, which is used as a signal to wind down, have a light last meal,

and prepare for sleep.

PITTA: 10pm - 2am

Sleep governs this time in order for cleansing of our internal organs to take place.

VATA: 2am - 6am

This marks another period of transition, which makes this time block ideal for spiritual and

contemplative practices.


For more information on Ayurvedic Nutrition Education and Health Coaching, please contact us

for information or an appointment.


Resources:

● Potter, Gregory, et al.“Nutrition and the Circadian System”, National Library of Science
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930144/

● Maibam, Punyakishore, “Role of the Ayurvedic clock in boosting the immune system”,

● Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine, https://www.ayurvedjournal.com/JAHM_202392_08.pdf

● Douillard, John. “Circadian Rhythms 101: Nobel Prize-Winning Research Validates the
   "Ayurvedic Circadian Clock”

● Chaya's Guide Book; Introduction to Ayurveda and Healthy Living, Chaya~Sharon Heller,
Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Therapist, Holistic Health Educator, LMT


Sunday, August 4, 2024

August Featured Service: Ayurvedic Nutrition & Digestion ~ Blog #1: Mindful Eating

 


In a busy world with stacked schedules, it is easy to feel as though it is more productive to skip or grab meals on the go. However, changing our perception around eating a meal can have extensive benefits on our mental and physical health, including maintaining or achieving a healthy weight, controlling diabetes, managing depression/anxiety, aiding digestion, and countering disordered eating patterns.

            We often mindlessly eat while watching television, scrolling, driving, or in the middle of work. As we multitask during mealtimes, we often neglect paying attention to our food and before we realize it, the plate is empty. This often leads to overeating, trouble with digestion, and long-term gut health conditions. To counter this habit, “mindful” or “conscious” eating allows us to form a deeper mind-body connection, better understand our satiety levels, and create a better relationship with food. 

The Body’s Digestive Patterns

Our digestion is controlled by the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. When eating a meal while multitasking with watching a TV drama, for example, you may feel mixed emotions like fear or anger as you eat your food. When this happens, the “fight-or-flight” sympathetic nervous system is triggered. This causes an increase in blood supply to peripheral muscles rather than the digestive organs. As a result, the movement of food through our digestive tract is slowed, causing discomfort and indigestion pains. This delayed digestion also results in skewed hunger cues. Our brain needs at least 20 minutes to register the digested food. Therefore, rushed eating often leads to us feeling hunger very soon after a meal. This often encourages overeating that lead to metabolic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and obesity.

However, when practicing mindfulness while eating, the “rest-and-digest” parasympathetic system is active. This aids in regulating the involuntary body functions while you are at rest, which include heart rate and digestion. This strategy has been shown to help treat those with binge eating disorders and depression. This is largely due to forming an intrinsic recognition of emotional versus physical hunger through deeper awareness and mindfulness practices. 

Mindful Eating in Ayurveda 

We can create a heightened sense of awareness during meals by bringing more attention to each sensation we feel while eating. This includes the flavors, textures, and the positive energy we may feel after nourishing our bodies. By creating a log of this sensory experience, we are often left feeling more satisfied and grateful for how the food we eat is able to fuel the body. 

The concept of mindful eating has roots in Ayurveda, which places a huge focus on the link between the mind and digestion. According to Ayurvedic practice, we should eat as much as is enough to not feel hungry, rather than eating until full. This means that ideally around ¼ to ⅓ of the stomach should remain empty. A sign that this limit has been reached is the first full burp, which means the stomach is likely three-quarters full and we should stop eating. 

How to Eat Mindfully

To practice mindful eating, we can implement small changes to gain a greater sense of mind-and-body connection, and therefore a better relationship with food. Some changes we can implement include:  

       Taking a moment to be conscious of why you are eating to avoid emotional/stress eating

       Being present when grocery shopping to buy nourishing foods, such as seasonal fruits and vegetables

       Cooking your own food to create a stronger relationship to the source of each ingredient and appreciation for the time and energy you infuse into each meal

       Favor cooked food with spices over raw foods as it is easier to digest and strengthens metabolism and digestive capacity

       Avoiding “incompatible foods” that may negatively impact digestion, adversely affecting your constitution resulting in accumulation of ama, or toxins in the body 

       Making lunch your biggest meal, as this is when the body’s digestion is at its peak

       Avoiding meals within three hours of bedtime to give the body enough time to fully digest and wind down

       Examining portion sizes to ensure that we are not eating to much or too little

       Eating without distractions or multi-tasking to draw more attention to our food and digestion

       Chewing slowly and taking manageable bites to avoid rushed eating

       Taking note of the sensory experience of each meal, including taste, aroma, texture, sounds, and aftertastes

       Eating with gratitude to remind ourselves of the strong value that food has to our physical and mental health

       Sitting quietly for a few minutes after eating to stay present and fully acknowledge each meal 


August 2024 Featured Service: Ayuvedic Nutrition Program

Schedule the Food & Nutrition Package Program that includes an Ayurvedic Discovery and the Food & Nutrition Series and save $20:
SCHEDULE IN PERSON    SCHEDULE ONLINE

If you've already done the Ayurvedic Discovery, schedule the Food & Nutrition Series and save $10:
SCHEDULE FOOD & NUTRITION SERIES IN PERSON
SCHEDULE FOOD & NUTRITION SERIES ONLINE

Reference:

       Chaya’s Guidebook: Introduction to Ayurveda & Healthy Living
Free with an Ayurvedic Discovery Consultation with Chaya


 

Friday, July 19, 2024

The Life Of The Image Maker

 


When someone realizes that their thoughts about others are a projection of their own psyche, they are becoming a fully awake and realized person, and until then, when someone claims to know what's in another person's subconscious, they are actually projecting what is in their own psyche and going into areas of pragyaparad (mistake or misidentification of their mind), demonstrated in the ancient vedic and well known snake/rope story of thinking they see a snake instead of the actual rope that is in front of them, a metaphor for the root cause of disease, thinking something is something that it's not, and, not only are they then no longer in relationship with you, since they are in actuality, creating a relationship with their own mental image of you, which is the projection of the images in their own mind. 

When they then think they are so sure of their image making, and put this falsity into the world with such vigor as to repeat it over and over, it strengthens their mistaken relationship with their own mind. When repeated for weeks or months it becomes a habit and one's temperament, and when the habit continues for years, it is strengthened, and becomes a personality trait that alters their own brain wave patterns, and these brain wave patterns affect one's health, nervous system, and thereby one’s entire reality, and with continued misidentification, can become a personality disorder that psychologists named grandiose narcissism. 

It’s difficult for someone to access their own subconscious mind directly and for sure, someone else is not accessing another person’s subconscious mind, which is filled with lifelong undigested experiences that are unique to them. However, some techniques, such as meditation, yoga nidra, visualization, bodywork and shirodhara, can help people open their awareness to energy, and become more present with their subconscious thoughts and feelings which is, along with living according to one’s constitution and condition, the protocol for healthy living and in its highest view, self-realization. 

I’ve spent decades in this realm of study and practice and offer guidance and support to further one’s education and return to wholeness and  healing.

Who has had someone claim to know what is in your subconscious mind and did you realize they are actually projecting their own psyche? And how did it make you feel?


Saturday, June 8, 2024

The Secret and Essence of Ayurvedic Marma Therapy

 

Marma Point Therapy is an energy healing practice that emerged within the 5000-year-old Ayurvedic system of healing. It is based upon an elaborate energetic matrix that is commonly believed to have been the foundation for later point therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, and reflexology. Traditional Indian Medicine Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are the oldest systems of health care: the former mastering 5,000 years of documentations, the latter at least 3,000 years.

Marma Chikitsa or Marma Therapy, has origins in the martial arts traditions of Kerala, India. Ancient Kalari warriors used their knowledge of Marma for both healing and battle purposes. They were also trained in Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga to strengthen their bodies and eliminate obstacles.

From the perspective of etymology, the word Marma is derived from the root mri with suffix manin, meaning seat of life, meeting place, secret or essence in Sanskrit. Marma Therapy is the most subtle of all the Ayurvedic interventions, and the most powerful. Manipulation of the vital points in the body which are the meeting junctions of two or more types of tissues like ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones, they can both heal and harm, and for this reason, the knowledge of Marma was kept sacred and reserved only for the initiates who could be trusted with this knowledge.

Within the body there are 107  “energy points” called Marma Points or Marmani (plural). These points are tasked with being used as a diagnostic and healing mechanism that works to integrate the mind, body, and soul for deeper consciousness. They are located at anatomical sites where tissues intersect and are classified by the dominant physical regions muscle, vessel, ligament, and joint/ bony regions. These points connect through physical channels called srotas and energetic channels called nadis, which transmit to the tissues and organs (dhatus) and energy centers (chakras), where they become refined, opening the path for clear perception. This principle or role of Marmani can be found in raja or higher yogic practices, that involve spontaneous meditation with a focus on attuning to prana and yoga nidra on the 18 Yogic Marma Points.

Marmani have numerous similarities to principal acupoints in Chinese medicine, specifically having 75 corresponding points. Both fields focus on energy points that are utilized to restore harmony within the autonomic nervous system to provide therapeutic benefits to the body.

Marma Points have a correlation to the internal and external features, doshas (constitution) and subdoshas governing all of the bodily systems via the nervous system. According to Sushrut, a pioneer within Indian surgical practices, there are six regions based on major body parts: the four extremities, trunk, head, and neck. Which are then divided according to the five tissue structures: muscle, veins, ligaments, bone, and joints. From this basis we get the Marma Point classifications.

A few key points:

3 Maha (major) Marma Points: Staphani/ajna (third eye), Hridayam (heart), Nabi (navel)

8 Sadyah (great)  Marma Points:

            Adhipati/Murdhni (crown)

            Brahmarandhra (anterior to crown)

            Shivarandhra (posterior to crown)

            Ajna/Stahpani (third eye)

            Shanka (right and left temple)

            Hridayam (heart)

            Nabhi (umbilicus/navel)

            Guda (anus)

 

5 Special or extra vital Marmani, those that can cause death or serious injury when traumatized:

            Kantha (trachea)

            Griva (back of the neck)

            Basti (bladder)

            Vrushana (testicles)

            Yoni Jihva (clitoris)

 

Comparison of West/East:

Marma as a practice is described to have derived from battlefield culture, as in Vedic times it was realized that attacking enemies at Marma Points resulted in serious injury or fatality. This knowledge was only preliminary until the Susruta Samhita, an Ayurvedic classic, provided systematic knowledge of Marma. It provided 107 locations of Marma Points and their different classifications with detailed anatomical information. From this point Marma found its way into the medical realm and into Ayurvedic texts.

Coming from Ayurvedic practices and being born in Southeastern Asia there are some confusions to the practice in the Western realm. In the west there is the belief that there are 107 fixed points on the physical anatomy and due to limited understanding of how Marma functions there are few controlled trials on their mechanism. In comparison Ayurvedic practices believe that Marma Points are flexible and adapt depending upon the individual. Since Marma has been a key aspect of Ayurvedic healing there are studies and implantations of it as a diagnostic tool and healing modality. From this view Marma is said to be used for pain relief, calming the mind and balancing emotions, balancing the doshas, channel disturbances, organ dysfunction, enhances awareness, preventative care, and rejuvenation.

To activate Marma Points:

  •       Use the tips of your fingers to gently or firmly stimulate each Marma Point.
  •       Massage each point in a clockwise or counterclockwise circular motion for up to 5 minutes with holdings.
  •       Optionally, use herb-infused massage oils, small hand stones and/or a tuning fork to stimulate or relax each point of the treatment.
  •       Motion direction, pressure and products used are chosen according to the constitution and condition of the patient and the desired outcomes
Schedule a Marma Chikitsa treatment or 
Register for our Marma Chikitsa Course on June 21-22, 2024:  In Person or Online

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10382659/

Chayaveda Ayurvedic Massage & Bodywork Specialist Training Manual 

 

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Ayurveda; Life Beyond Ordinary


 “Ayurveda is more than the absence of disease, it defines health as one who is established in one’s natural state, with balanced constitution and digestion, proper  elimination, well-formed tissues, and enthusiastic, with integrated body, senses, mind, and consciousness.”

AYURVEDA: CARING FOR YOUR WHOLE SELF

Ayurveda is the oldest continuously practiced healthcare system in the world. It originated in India over 5,000 years ago, and is a global medical system based upon the “Five Great Elements” of nature, that includes understanding nature’s rhythms and laws. 

Human beings are natural beings, governed by all the rules and laws that other natural beings are governed by, and if we choose to ignore these laws then imbalances will begin to appear. These imbalances are the precursor to disharmony and disease in the body, mind, and consciousness.

Ayurveda is a Quantum Mechanical Science, where, we are considered a “microcosm” of the “macrocosm”, whereby we are a mirror of the external universe, and the layers that make up our human experience, which includes the total integration; physically, energetically, psycho emotionally, intuitively, and spiritually or consciously, also considered blissfully. The psycho emotional level includes the level of the mind and emotions, that are made up of our conditioning and reactions.

This system of medicine understands our deepest connections with the whole universe and the influences of the energies that make up this universe and continue its evolution.

Ayurvedic health principles and practices contain the benefit of thousands of years of experience in understanding how we are integrated into the world around us, with a view of "holism" as compared to the view of "reductionism" that is provided within the modern medical system.

While Ayurveda focuses on the health of the whole individual, including lifestyle and lived experience, western medicine focuses on the management of disease.

The ancients didn't know of molecules, atoms, cells, micro biomes and the like, in those terms, because they did not have microscopes or external technology, as we know them today.  However, they honed their personal internal technology, their senses and mind, through which they observed the same relationships and referred to them by different names.

The science of physics explains how energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to an object, to perform, work on, or to heat, the object. Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed.

Common forms of energy include the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object's position in a force field (gravitational, electric, or magnetic energy), the elastic energy stored by stretching solid objects, the chemical energy released when a fuel burns, the radiant energy carried by light, and the thermal energy due to an object's temperature.

The Sun is the source of energy for most of life on Earth. As a star, the Sun is heated to high temperatures by the conversion of nuclear binding energy due to the fusion of hydrogen in its core. This energy is ultimately transferred (released) into space mainly in the form of radiant (light) energy.

The ancients understood this on a subtle level and thereby revered the Sun, the digestive fire, role in metabolism and the understanding and value of the flame of attention, needed to make good decisions, leading to health and a balanced body, mind and senses and ultimately “Ayur” or life, which is defined as the intelligent integration of the body, senses, mind and consciousness that occurs through the metabolism of the mind necessary to access the state of “veda”, to know life beyond ordinary perception, and therewith is the root of Ayurveda and it’s root cause theory and philosophy.                 

  THE SCIENCE OF LIFE

The science and philosophies of Ayurveda explain the world and creation, through the archetypical elements of ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Ether and earth are static in nature while air, fire and water are dynamic and ever changing. These elements have inherent energies expressed by their qualities that govern their functions. We are a product of all these energies and their subsequent qualities, with everyone having slightly different proportions of the individual elements, making everyone unique in their own constitutional or genetic composition.

Ayurveda assesses and treats everyone, according to their unique physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual constitution and its tendencies. We evaluate the imbalances of the body and its function through this system of the elements and root cause theory as well. Our world and bodies are in constant interplay, constantly adapting to changes in the environment as well as new environments, and our perceptions of them, all of which affect us in some way.

Ayurveda concentrates on prevention through understanding one’s own constitutional makeup, and the effects that the outer world, environment, relationships, diet, and lifestyle choices make on our constitution and our daily lives.

 Ayurveda defines a healthy person as someone whose doshas (constitution) are in balance, the digestive fire (agni) is regulated (sama), the body’s tissues (dhatus) are well formed, wastes (malas) eliminate properly, the mind (mana), sensory organs (indriyas) and spirit/soul (atma) must be also in a pleasant state (prasanna), to know who I AM (swastya). 

“Samadosha Samagnischa Samadhatumala kriyaha Prasanna atmenindriya manaha Swasthya ityabhidheeyate”

 Ayurveda is a health and wellness lifestyle system based on natural healing through strengthening one’s own body, mind, and spirit or consciousness, attaining optimal health through a deeper understanding of ourselves and our own nature, in relationship to the world around us, and allowing the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to work to their fullest, unlocking their highest potential.