The Subtle Doshas: Ojas
The subtle body is the connection between the body and consciousness. It can't be seen, it's more felt than anything.
Prana is associated with vata dosha
Tejas is associated with pitta dosha
Ojas is associated with kapha dosha
Ojas
Ojas are the cosmic substance, cosmic fluid. It brings about the effects of aging and longevity in the body and mind. It is the vital force that lives within us. It's the ability to stick to your own code of ethics.
Ways to shift ojas
Mauna
-
Mauna is the practice of stillness. You can hear my podcast episode in more detail here
In essence mauna is practicing being in quietness and stillness with intention. You set aside time to just sit with yourself, not necessarily mediating, but just being with what comes up. This might be something you practice once a week or once a month.
You could practice this 10 minutes every day as a starting point. You could introduce this as a half day retreat seasonally with yourself. Really get thoughtful on how much you need this practice in your life and how it can best fit your current lifestyle.
Satsangha
-
Be aware of who you spend time with. Ojas can be depleted from you quickly if you're spending time with those that drain your energy. Notice how you feel after spending time with certain people in your life.
Santosha
Santosha is the 2nd of the niyamas in Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga. It means contentment. Practice being content in your life no matter the circumstances.
Oh how hard this can feel at times. Can you be contempt as things are not going your way, can you practice contemptment as you're trying to reach your goals in life. Can you be content on the journey there. This is sometimes easier said than done. It's something that you might need to surrender to day and day again.
A Note on ojas
According to Ayurvedic texts it takes 5-7 days for food to transform into one layer of tissue. We have 7 so in order to transform ojas through all 7 layers in Ayurveda it's believed to take 30-45 days based on your personal agni to transform food into ojas. The essences of the 7th tissue is called ojas it's related to the reproductive tissues- shukra and artava.
Some foods are believed to transform ojas a bit faster according to Ayurveda within 24 hours of consuming. Also why these foods are recommended in the postpartum time period.
- Ghee
- Warm milk
- Dates
- Almonds (soaked and blanched)
Conclusion
To build ojas in the body it takes time. They are subtle practices to build subtle essences in the body. Start to notice how these subtle practices transform your life on either larger or smaller scales.
Are you a mama wanting to live more Ayurvedically?
Download my free guide Ayurveda for the Modern Mama to learn how to dive even deeper with Ayurvedic practices into your daily life.
