Vitality
When you close your eyes and envision what it means to be in perfect health, what comes to mind? Very likely, you may see yourself enjoying an abundance of energy, experiencing freedom from physical discomfort, and exuding a natural radiance or inner glow.
For many of us, we associate health with a capacity to feel vibrantly alive—moving through our days with a feeling of joy, vigor, and strength. In essence, we tend to think of optimal health as a state of physical, mental, and emotional vitality.
As a holistic approach to health, Ayurveda is very much in line with this vision of overall wellness that includes the many layers of our being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It promotes strong physical health and immunity, but also extends to mental and emotional wellness, balanced energy levels, and a sense of inner vibrancy.
Ayurveda even extends beyond the individual experience to consider the health of one's natural environment and community, recognizing that we are a part of nature, and our own vitality is dependent upon the greater web of life of which we are a part.
So what does vitality mean from an Ayurvedic perspective? With this picture of energy, vibrancy, and glowing inner radiance in your mind's eye, let us introduce you to the concept of ojas!
Ojas is essentially the body's vital reserve of energy and has everything to do with vitality and robust immunity. It can be thought of as a honey-like sap of life that gives us our healthy, youthful “juiciness.” When ojas is strong, it acts like a shield of protection that helps us ward off stress, pathogens, and imbalance.
Along with energy and immunity, ojas is also closely related to reproductive health, as well as our hormones and cerebrospinal fluid. While it can be difficult to conceptualize, ojas is vitally important to our physical health, as well as our ability to feel contentment and satisfaction in life.
So if you're wondering how to get more energy and experience true vitality and health, tending to ojas is an excellent place to start. Being the ultrafine, subtle essence that it is, ojas can easily become diminished and dried up when we are overly busy, run down, or stressed. On the other hand, when cared for mindfully, ojas is the key to a healthy immune system and robust vitality.
Cultivating healthy ojas and moving towards the vitality we seek requires us to slow down and give ourselves ample time for nourishment, rest, and self-care. Ojas is intricately linked to the Ayurvedic practice of rasayana, or rejuvenation, and thrives from nurturing practices such as abhyanga, healthy sleep, meditation, and spending time in nature.
Ojas can also be boosted by enjoying a nourishing and nutritious diet and incorporating Ayurvedic herbs for energy. These blog articles cover all things ojas, energy, nourishment, and rejuvenation to guide you towards your most brilliant, energized, and deeply resourced state of vitality and overall health.