Intro to Ayurveda: A 6 part series

Join Anima Mundi Herbalist Marisa Clementi at our Brooklyn Apothecary: Wednesday's from October 16-November 20 (7-9pm) for her 6-part series exploring the ancient medicine and health system from India.

Meet each week to drop into the Ayurvedic approach to health and wellbeing, based on nature’s rhythms and laws, and the understanding that humans - as a part of nature - are governed by those same principles. Just as each flower is completely unique, each person is unique with their own particular needs for maintaining health. 

*Register for the entire series or individual classes!  It's recommended to take classes 1-3 if you haven't already, before taking 4-6. 

Session 1: The 5 Elements
We will learn about Ayurveda's origins and founding principles, particularly focusing on the 5 Elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The relationships between the 5 Elements are what define ecosystems, climates and seasons in the wider world. They also determine each person’s individual constitution and what’s needed to maintain health in navigating changes in the seasons and in life: by helping to prevent, recognize and heal imbalances. 

Session 2: The 5 Senses
We will review and continue deepening our understanding of the 5 Elements by learning about the 5 Senses and how each sense organ (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin) correlates to a particular element in nature. Our senses are the filters through which we perceive and respond to the outer world; sensitivities within a particular sense organ can give a clue as to what your Dosha is and how you can support yourself to come back to balance. We will also discuss how the 5 Senses are affected by seasonal shifts. 

Session 3: The 6 Tastes
Session 3 will be a deep dive into the digestive system by adding in the 6 Tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent. We will discuss how each taste supports specific parts of the digestive tract, and how we can use foods and herbs intentionally to nourish our digestion. We will learn about how the digestive system incorporates all of the 5 Elements, 5 Senses and 6 Tastes, and how optimal mealtimes and proper food combining can support healthy digestion, immunity and more. 

Session 4: Chakra Balancing + the Rainbow Within
We will explore our seven primary energetic centers - aka chakras - extending from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head. The chakras are linked to emotional, physical, and spiritual expressions within us, and they interact with our bodies via the endocrine system. We’ll learn practices for tuning into our energetic field, recognizing and relieving imbalanced energy. We’ll also begin discussing the use of color and gemstone therapy for chakra balancing; how outer sight and inner sight are linked. 

Session 5: Using Scent and Sound to Heal + Nourish the Chakras
We’ll learn about how to engage our hearing and sense of smell to nourish our chakras. Sound is a powerful tool for shifting energy, whether through listening or vocalizing. Scent has long been known as the primary sense for triggering memory: aromatherapy is used extensively in Ayurveda as a way of stimulating the mind and guiding it toward a peaceful and joyful vibration. 

Session 6: Dinacharya
Within a 24-hour day, there are periods of time that are dominated by each of the doshas. We will learn about the essential elements of the Ayurvedic daily self care routine, or dinacharya, in order to establish habits that attune the body to the natural cycles of the day. We will incorporate all of the topics discussed, and focus on how to adjust your practices seasonally. 

At the end of this 6-part series, students will:  

- understand the 5 elements and how they combine to create the 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
- understand how the 5 senses and the 6 tastes are intrinsically linked to the 5 elements
- be able to know their unique constitution, or Dosha, and have a preliminary - understanding of how to recognize imbalances within themselves
- understand foundational concepts around the chakra system and how our energy field impacts physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
- begin to use color, sound and aroma as therapeutic tools for daily health and healing - have an understanding of how to utilize dinacharyafor transitioning through a single day and through seasonal shifts: using food, breathwork, movement practices, color, sound and aroma.