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Hi,

Below is a translation from a Diploma Work of one of my Yoga Students. I used Google translate so if the text is not perfect here and there please bare with me. I fixed a lot of the errors so it is quite understandable.

I have my own strong views on ayurveda and how it fits into a raw or vegan paradigm.

Shall we dive into the diploma work?

“Ayurvedic methods to maintain slim figure

Still, even in the tradition of Ayurveda, it is believed that it is better to be thin than too

overweight because, often it is easier to increase body weight than decrease it. And a heavy body creates

conditions for the accumulation of AMA – toxins which reduces life expectancy.

Another important aspect is not the impact on the outer appearance as much as the location of the adipose tissue around

of the internal organs impacting the internal health. This means that the vital organs like heart, liver, and kidneys are

trapped in fat, which increases the burden for their work. (se tissue /ˈædɪˌpoʊs/ ( listen), body fat, or simply fat is a loose connective tissuecomposed mostly of adipocytes.^[1] In addition to adipocytes, adipose tissue contains the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells including preadipocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and a variety of immune cells such as adipose tissue macrophages. Adipose tissue is derived from preadipocytes. Its main role is to store energy in the form of lipids, although it also cushions and insulates the body. Far from being hormonally inert, adipose tissue has, in recent years, been recognized as a major endocrine organ,^[2] as it produces hormones such as leptin, estrogen, resistin, and the cytokine TNFα. The two types of adipose tissue are white adipose tissue (WAT), which stores energy, and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which generates body heat. The formation of adipose tissue appears to be controlled in part by the adipose gene. Adipose tissue – more specifically brown adipose tissue – was first identified by the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner in 1551.^[3]) 

Visceral fat or abdominal fat^[8] (also known as organ fat or intra-abdominal fat) is located inside the abdominal cavity, packed between the organs (stomach, liver, intestines, kidneys, etc.). Visceral fat is different from subcutaneous fat underneath the skin, and intramuscular fat interspersed in skeletal muscles. Fat in the lower body, as in thighs and buttocks, is subcutaneous and is not consistently spaced tissue, whereas fat in the abdomen is mostly visceral and semi-fluid.^[9

Men are more likely to have fat stored in the abdomen due to sex hormone differences. Female sex hormone causes fat to be stored in the buttocks, thighs, and hips in women.^[18][19] When women reach menopause and the estrogen produced by the ovaries declines, fat migrates from the buttocks, hips and thighs to the waist;^[20] later fat is stored in the abdomen.^[21]

High-intensity exercise is one way to effectively reduce total abdominal fat.^[22][23] One study suggests at least 10 MET-hours per week of aerobic exercise is required for visceral fat reduction.^[24]

Extra fat in our

muscle makes the body less agile.

Ayurveda maintains that illness arises when there is no harmony between

man and the Whole. Disrupting the natural rhythms of life, people included in dissonance with the

Natural Law, and it activates destructive processes in the body that

cause disease and premature aging. Therefore, the basis of maintaining an ideal

health is living in harmony with the rhythms of Nature. When this occurs, the body

itself sparks powerful processes of rejuvenation.

The maintenance of health and cure of diseases is based on the idea of balance between

the three bodily constitutions (Doshas): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In contrast to the modern

medicine, Ayurveda uses a holistic, i.e. a holistic approach to treatment, not

focusing on individual symptoms. In other words, bringing the whole body into

balance and harmony, a natural way to get rid of the disease, creating

the imbalance in the body. But this applies not only to diseases as such, but also, for example,

excess weight — by following the simple principles of the science of Ayurveda, you can

bring your weight to normal.

The problem of excess weight cannot be decided by some one for all universal

way one diet. Each person requires a customized solution. According to

Ayurveda, fat is not something extra for the body, it performs quite

a specific function. First and foremost, it is the lubricant of muscles and tendons. But when it

is in excess one may experience increased attachment, greed is a psychological

 problems of high Kapha.

An important rule for a person seeking to restore a healthy metabolism,

should be the ability to choose the most suitable diet for each day. It

will prevent the accumulation of AMA and to maintain a normal level

digestive fire Agni. You should also drink plenty of clean water, which

helps eliminate toxins, cleansing the lymph, involved in the digestive system,

The lack of water in the body causes dryness and provokes

the increase in mucus that leads to disruption of normal microflora,

reproduction of bad bacteria, the formation of toxins. To improve Agni in Ayurveda they

widely use spices, which greatly increase the ability

of the body to assimilate foods.

It is important to consider the concept of biological time in Ayurveda when eating. We

can see that in different times of the year in an atmosphere dominated by different elements,

and accordingly, a doji in the body. Similarly, the activity of the doshas and different systems

the body is replaced cyclically, not only depending on the season, but also during the day

every 4 hours.

Biological time:

from 6 to 9 am Kapha

from 10 to 14 hours pitt

from 14 to 18 vatta

from 18 to 22 hours Kapha

from 22 to 2 o’clock pitts

from 2 to 6 hours Vatts

In the period of activity of each dosha our body will digest those foods which

fuel system and organs related to this dosha. For example, from 6 am to 10 am

the body without any problems learns sweet. The sweet taste reflects the elements Earth and Water. It is these elements that characterize

Kapha dosha which  is active at that time. Accordingly, in this case, the body will not accumulate the extra “slime”.

Since the digestive fire is weak, a light Breakfast is recommended. People with

physiology of Kapha type, people with the problem of excess weight, obese and

swelling, with a slow metabolism, it is best to skip Breakfast because

morning meal will increase Kapha in the body which will lead the accumulation of

water and mucus.

In the afternoon, in the midst of activity Pitta and digestive fire, must be a primary

meal. In this case, the food is well digested and AMA (toxins) do not accumulate. And

the evening, activity time, VATTA, better to eat easily digestible food that

quickly digested and will not lead to the accumulation of excess body fat. At night

heavy food is by far the worst, food is not only not absorbed but also will rot in the gut, poisoning

body.

Obesity is associated with a weakening or slowing of the metabolism often

accompanied by weakness of digestive fire

Periods of special activity of the digestive fire in the stomach (the quantity and composition of food

it makes sense to pick up, given the strength of the digestive fire at a given time

days):

Intermittent fasting – helps with detox, increased digestive fire, removal of AMA, increased energy and hormonal balancing if done correctly.

1. morning 7:00 – 9:00 a moderate heat

2. noon 10:00 – 13:00 the most active Fire

3. day 15:30 – 16:30 low heat

4. evening 17:00 – 19:00 a moderate heat

We should also pay attention to the effect associated with certain tastes.

According to Ayurveda, the bitter taste improves metabolism and helps cleanse the

the body, also contributes to the digestion of sugar and fat, reduces cravings for sweets.

It is believed that foods with bitter taste, we use below the norm (in contrast to

sweet) — so that their number can be increased (the bitter taste contained in the various

leafy vegetables). (cleaning the liver- bitter)

Pungent taste stimulates digestion, promotes perspiration — i.e., the reduction

adipose tissue. To spicy food some people tend to get used to — sometimes to the detriment of their

body. In any case, spicy and bitter can help in losing weight, but the extent to which their

can be used — depends on the individual Constitution.

Depending on the predominance of a particular dosha for weight loss will be helpful

for the following:

• People having Vata Constitution, it is likely you will just need to follow a diet

to balance your dosha, reducing the amount of fat. The basic taste is sweet, sour and salty. You should avoid pure

sugar — better to eat complex carbohydrates. You can add a little spicy, a little

a little bitter. Suitable spices: milder types such as coriander, fennel, cardamom, and

here black and red pepper to get involved is not necessary. Deprivation is usually not

recommended. People of Vata type have to pay attention to their psychological

condition — if there is a need to calm the nervous system, it is possible

to use, for example, Valerian or nutmeg. In General, VATTA should not be strongly excited by an idea- they shoudnt get stressed out about weight loss.

• Representatives of the Pitta type – balance Pitta diet.

Tastes — sweet, bitter and astringent. Therefore spicy food in this case is not suitable. Very healthy salads from fresh

vegetables, especially leafy. Suitable spice-  turmeric. You can also take

bitter herbs (the barberry, dandelion, gentian). Bath or sauna pitta not recommended  due to the fact that this dosha is hot. However,mild variations are OK. Pitta can try

to FAST. With regard to the prerequisites to excess weight from Pitta, it is usually overeating,

which occurs in the power of good appetite. Getting rid of such habits and

dependencies helps.

• People with Kapha Constitution. It is important to establish the digestive fire — this is usually a problem for Kapha types. Sharp and bitter tastes, along with the astringent. Spices — red and

black pepper, ginger, turmeric. Good Barberis — it eliminates excess fat tissue and

helps in its renewal. Diet to reduce Kapha has to be very strict — eliminate fats from dairy products (drinking milk), meat, sweet

(including sweet fruits AK – I would say dry fruit). Helpful sprouted grains. Vegetables are best steamed.

You should drink hot water (with honey and lemon juice — when there is a feeling

hunger) or hot herbal teas. Usually shown starvation, intense physical

exercises, sauna. It is useful to wash the nose out with saline. Recommended

heating forms of pranayama (for example, bhastrika or breath of the right nostril). Kapha

contraindicated-a long night of sleep, day sleep does not follow.

If the question of weight loss is not acute, it is better to solve it in a warm time of the year

in the spring and summer. When the weather is cold VATTA dosha increases. So it is better to work with the seasons. If it is cold VATTA INCREASES. Weight loss is the decrease of KAPHA and increase of VATTA. So following nature is best. “