How to build Ojas

Ojas is one of the three vital essences that together promote and sustain our physical vitality, mental clarity, and overall health. The three vital essences—prana, tejas, and ojas—are the positive forms of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas, respectively. Whereas an increase in the doshas has the potential to create disease, an increase in the vital essences tends to support wellness. So increasing, balancing, and paying attention to these wholesome, subtle forces is worthwhile.

In Ayurveda, there is 7 bodily tissues. It is believed that the nutrition travels through these bodily tissues, from plasma to the blood then to the muscle, fat tissue, bone, bone marrow and finally after 30 days of traveling, whatever nutrition is left becomes our Ojas or vitality in the form of the reproductive energy. Ojas is a very important and powerful part of who we are, how much energy we have, our vitality, immunity and the source of our joy! This is specially important in the winter months because our body's immunity tends to be on the lower side. Here is a few things you can do to build more Ojas, be sure to try the Ojas building milk recipe, a lot of the qualities that today exist in our crazy, busy lives are opposed by the sweet, wholesome, nourishing qualities of this drink.

Activities that Build Ojas

Laughing and loving others are two of many activities that replenish us and build ojas.

• Loving others

• Laughing

• Acting on what you are passionate about

• Giving and serving others

• Yoga, breathing and meditation

• Pranayama breathing exercises

• Being in nature

• Eating fresh wholesome foods in a relaxed manner

• Getting ample rest – 7-8 hours of sleep with the cycles (up early, to bed early)

• Ojas building Milk; See the recipe below.

Ojas Milk for One

1 cup raw whole organic milk or almond milk

10 almonds, soaked overnight, peeled and chopped

2 whole dates, chopped

1 tea spoon ghee

1 tea spoon raw honey

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/4 teaspoon powdered cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon powdered cardamom

1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

Pinch of saffron

Place all ingredients (except saffron and honey) in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil. Pour in a mug and add a pinch of saffron, sweeten with some honey

. Enjoy!