The Ayurvedic Kitchen is an integral part of 7 Centers Yoga Arts Teacher Training Program, a unique 30 day immersion into living a yogic lifestyle. One of the sister sciences of Yoga, Ayurveda treats the individual constitution and uses food and herbs as medicine to create balance in the doshas, allowing for proper assimilation of nutrition.

A personal Ayurvedic wellness program begins as students go through an assessment of their physical constitution and understanding what choices will assist them along their path to balance and health. Every day they live Ayurveda through the tri-doshic meals provided at the Center and their daily self-care routine. They keep a daily journal of how the food and lifestyle affects their body and mind. Each week there is a class on Ayurveda going deep into the fundamentals. They also spend time in the Ayurvedic kitchen learning to create balanced meals with all six tastes that pacify one's constitution.

7 Centers is now growing food for the Ayurvedic Kitchen as part of the Crescent Moon Ranch Community Garden and supplementing with locally grown food from the Sedona Community Farmers' Market. Part of the yoga curriculum includes hands-on education in gardening and using local herbs as medicine. Local food and medicine is important for the health and vitality of individuals and our environment. Many health challenges present themselves today in the quality of our food, water and air and this program brings awareness to current ecological issues and trains students in the importance of the sacredness of Nature. The students learn to practice meditation and mantra while working in the garden helping the plants thrive and in turn, nurture the students when they eat the food. Working with the plants and earth is a great way for the students to connect back with the cycles of nature as the ancient sages and masters of yoga knew how to do.

We offer an Ayurvedic work/study program to further education in cooking and eating according to Ayurveda. Graduates often return to be Ayurvedic apprentices after completing their trainings where they continue to grow in their yoga practices as well. This becomes the basis for a personal healing program and spiritual lifestyle that leads to a more healthy and holistic life. For more information on the Ayurvedic apprenticeship program contact Sydney at 928-203-4400. Click here for application.

Ayurveda - Sister Science of Yoga and Vedic Astrology
Ayurveda, India's holistic medical system is  based upon the universal natural law of balancing the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) that make up the physical body. When one or more of these elements go out of balance because of improper diet and lifestyle, various diseases and mental disturbances can manifest. Ayurveda explains that these five elements are kept intact in the body by three subtle forces called doshas.

The three doshas are called Vata (sattva), Pitta (raga) and Kapha (tama).

Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement - composed of Space and Air. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.

Pitta expresses as the body's metabolic system - made up of Fire and Water. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.

Kapha is the energy that forms the body's structure - bones, muscles, tendons and provides the "glue" that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.

One or more of these doshas or elements will predominate in every individual living entity creating seven possible body types. By knowing which type you are by symptoms the proper diet and herbal treatment can be established for you.
The old saying, "One man's food is another man's poison", is perfectly applicable in Ayurveda, because every food contains these five elements and doshas in different proportions, and our ingesting them will effect our elemental balance in a positive or negative way

Excerpts from "Ayurveda in a Nutshell" - www.ayurveda-herbs.com - Teachings & "Balancing the Three Principle Energies of the Body" Published by Vasant Lad, MASc and The Ayurvedic Institute Copyright ©1996, 2002 All Rights Reserved.