Ayurvedic Recommendations for February - Diet, Exercise, Meditation

Dear Yogis,  

The ancient Romans considered February to be the month for purification, atonement and spiritual rebirth. Let’s see what it can do for us! The yoga medicine - Ayurveda  (translates from Sanskrit as "life knowledge") has a few recommendations for us for February:

Continue with your gentle yoga and make keeping warm your priority.  As far as a recommended seasonal diet, Ayurveda’s mantra for this month is “beets, beans & greens.” Put them in stews, soups, or any other warm dishes you think up. Chickpeas and black beans especially are fiber-rich and help our internal organs function well. Kale, collards, spinach, chard and broccoli are all excellent vegetable choices. Our liver gets congested during winter time and these foods, along with garlic (if you like it), serve as natural cleanses. Minimize fats and sweets  - Valentine’s Day arrives at the worst time of the year for sweets, just when our body needs to start its cleanse. But it’s all good, just do your best and do everything in moderation.

For your spiritual cleanse, I have listed a few mantras below for your perusal. Mantras only work if we believe in them, so choose one or two that speak to you and repeat them to yourself often throughout your day, at least in the morning and at the end of the day.

1. "I am not my past mistakes"
2. "I release all negative energy"
3. "I am open to new beginnings"
4. "I choose to let go of the past"
5. "I am grateful for this new day"
6. "I trust in the journey of my life"
7. "I am strong and resilient"
8. "I choose love and forgiveness"
9. "I am worthy of happiness"
10. "I am capable of change"
11. "I am in control of my thoughts"
12. "I choose to focus on the present"
13. "I am surrounded by positivity"
14. "I trust the universe has a plan for me"
15. "I am grateful for the lessons of the past"
16. "I choose to live in the present"
17. "I am open to new opportunities"
18. "I am deserving of love and respect"
19. "I am constantly evolving"
20. "I am at peace with who I am"
21. "I am reborn in each moment"
22. "I am deserving of my dreams"
23. "I let go of fear and embrace courage”