Ayurveda
Balance
Body-Mind
Breathing Practices
Elements
Emotional Balance
Energetics of Food
Food
Gunas
Harmony
Healing
Healing Properties
Health
Prana
Sattvic Food
Spices
Well-being

Food For Thought: Eating For A Calm & Balanced Mind

With Neelam Singh

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

A Weekly Class
(4 Sessions) Wednesdays, October 27 – November 17, 2021, 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm ET

It is said that WE ARE WHAT WE EAT. The eastern science of Ayurveda embraces this concept by recognizing that the foods that we consume are intimately connected to the state of our minds. Intentional and conscious food choices can “feed” our mental well-being by bringing about calmness, groundedness and harmony. Similarly, unconscious consumption of food may create feelings of worry, anxiety, fear, depression, lethargy/dullness, agitation, anger and other mood swings.

This program will empower us to make conscious and intentional food choices. Inspired by Ayurvedic principles, we will re-conceptualize the way we look and approach food. Rather than focusing on the mechanical composition (i.e., calories, fat, protein, etc.) of food, we will focus on the properties (or “gunas”) and elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) of food and their effects on the mind.

We will also explore what are the subtle components of food including incorporating foods high in “prana” and sattvic (brings light/positivity) into our body. With this understanding, we can make food choices that can bring balance to our state of mind. The objective of this series is to provide us with empowerment, practical and easy-to-implement tools to bring our mind to a more balanced, grounded and calm state by using what we eat.

Note: This program will now be offered online. It will be recorded and shared with registrants after each online program for 90 days.

In this program we will learn to:

understand the macro/micro connection, specifically the 20 properties (“gunas”) and 5 elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) that exist in everything: our bodies, our minds and the foods that we consume
characterize food by these same properties and elements so that we can make conscious and intentional decisions in terms of food preparation and consumption to move the mind towards balance.
recognize what are the mental energetics assigned to each food (inspired by the Ayurvedic principle of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas)
use “prana” to elevate our mental state
preserve the “prana” in food during its preparation
prepare a meal using spices to alleviate mind imbalances (a live demonstration)
increase our prana through food and breathing practices.

For those who desire a more interactive experience, you may participate by having on-hand some or all of the following spices to teach your senses to perceive the properties of each spice: (a) cumin seeds/powder; (b) coriander seeds/powder; (c) turmeric powder; (d) mustard seeds; (e) fennel seeds; (f) cinnamon stick; (g) cardamom pods and (h) cloves.

We will end the workshop with a cooking demonstration that will show how to prepare foods in a manner that promotes calmness and harmony.

Join Neelam in this very enjoyable series to understand how foods, spices and breath practices can naturally maintain our mind and emotional state in harmony and balance.

Note: Knowledge of Ayurveda is not required for this course and anyone is welcome to participate. While the Ayurvedic principles of three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) will be mentioned briefly to understand how certain properties manifest in our mind, this program is not intended to provide a technical understanding of these.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS COURSE

Prerequisites: N/A
Supplies list for the class: N/A
Zoom Software Requirements: This is an online course that requires Zoom webinar software. Zoom is easy to use. Click Here to make sure your computer is set-up correctly.