The Importance of a Morning Breathing Practice
Learn how to start your day with breathing exercises that will help you start each morning right. Learn more from Chopra today.
Mind-Body Medical Group
Learn how to start your day with breathing exercises that will help you start each morning right. Learn more from Chopra today.
When it comes to meditation, you’re curious about it. Most likely, you’re convinced of the scientific benefits. You’d like to make meditation part of your life. You may have even tried a few times but the moment you close your eyes, thoughts, stories, and mental noise flood your mind. What seems like a simple process of finding inner peace feels...
You’ve probably noticed that your mind engages in an inner dialogue. It never seems to stop, producing one thought after another. Like a difficult partner, the mind reminds you of what you did or did not do, what you said or shouldn’t have said, what you noticed or did not notice, and on and on. “I shouldn’t have said that.”...
You may meditate, but have you taken your practice one step further by
using crystals? Learn the benefits of crystals
and how to us crystals in your meditation practice.
As you know, a watched pot never boils. But a pot that’s been put on the stove or a microwave that’s been set to heat your water provides the perfect opportunity for a short gratitude meditation.Each element of preparing tea has the potential to be a moment for mindfulness. Let this ritual begin as soon as you decide to have...
Meditation provides experiences that the mind can achieve no other way, such as inner silence and expanded awareness. And as the mind gains experience, the brain shows physical activity as well—sometimes profound changes.Beginning in the 1970s, studies showed that something was happening in the brain during meditation. In the last decade, the research has begun to show that meditation can...
Decades ago, when the mind-body connection was first being studied, the original findings on meditation centered on heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. A healthy heart needs to be disease-free. But “heart health” in holistic terms also includes the subtle and emotional qualities of the heart—tenderness, love, acceptance, and compassion. Your whole system, including how you breathe, think, and feel, meet...
Your immune system is one of the most critical, and most fascinating, aspects of the mind-body connection. For a long time, the ability of immune cells to attack invading disease organisms was considered purely physical, even though the mechanism was not completely understood.Then, in the ‘80s it was discovered that the immune system is highly intelligent; it became known as...
Ah, summer—long days of sunshine, picnics, vacations, gatherings with friends and family, ice cream, and good reads are just some of the things that you get to indulge in during this wonderful season!In Ayurveda, every season is governed by a unique element and its associated dosha. It’s no surprise that the warm (and sometimes hot or very hot depending on...
The Ayurvedic formulary describes hundreds of plants that have the ability to keep us healthy as well as help us heal from disease. One of the most well-known and commonly used herbs is triphala, which means “three fruits.” As its name implies, triphala is a combination of the fruits of three plants, which are dried, ground into powder, and precisely...
The most common reason people see doctors is pain—more than 100 million Americans are reported to suffer from chronic pain, a number larger than all the people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and stroke. For pain, doctors increasingly prescribe painkillers. But this has led to prescription pain pills becoming a major cause of addiction and death by overdose.The...
For decades, medical scientists believed that genes determined our biological destiny. If cancer, heart disease, or diabetes were part of our family history, developing these diseases seemed inevitable. However, thanks to a growing body of genetic research, we now know that genes are not our destiny. While we can’t alter the structure of our genes or the sequence of our...
Many people, especially men, don't like to admit that they feel anxious. But in reality, everyone's life has nail-biting moments. The demand to meet deadlines and quotas at work can trigger stress, and under stress, the brain triggers the release of stress hormones that induce two reactions: to fight back or to run away. Therefore, we are chemically designed with...
The value of pure food, water, and air has become increasingly evident in today’s society. With this newfound attitude, we have become more conscious than ever about toxins. The human body is almost miraculously efficient at removing chemical and bacterial toxins from the bloodstream. The kidneys and the immune system, which do this invaluable work, don't exist in isolation, however....
When people think about genes, they tend to apply the words “good” or “bad” to them. Someone with talent or unusual beauty "must have good genes," we say. And ourselves? Depending on how your life is going, you may thank your genes or feel victimized by them. Most of the time, however, the average person will assume that their genes...
When choosing the right, or “best” physician, the first step is to remember that you’re choosing the best physician for you, as an individual. This takes into account your definition of health and your goals for healing and wellness. Your best physician is one who shares your perspective on health so that they can give you guidance and recommendations that...
Ever since humans first started drinking fermented beverages, there probably has been debate about its benefits and its drawbacks. While it’s common knowledge that binge drinking and chronic overconsumption can lead to serious health and social issues, when it comes to moderate alcohol consumption, medical experts disagree. Some say that light drinking may be good for your health while others...
If you want an inexpensive and delicious way to improve your heart health, add more beans to your diet. Beans are a low-fat, high-fiber protein source, and they provide multiple phytochemicals that help reduce your risk of many health conditions, including heart disease.Beans belong to a family of foods known as legumes, which are plants whose seeds are contained within...
A young mother recently brought her two-year-old son to see me in the emergency department of a small rural hospital. He had been playing with a toy truck with small removable wheels. They were fun because they were made of a soft plastic that gripped surfaces like a speeding Baja Bug on the dusty desert road from Tijuana to La...
Learn how to choose love and focus your attention on what really matters in life with these tips from the experts from Chopra.
A basic outline for prevention has existed for more than thirty years, but wellness has had a hard time making real headway. Old habits are hard to break. Our society has a magic bullet fixation, waiting for the next miracle drug to cure us of every ill. Doctors receive no economic benefit from pushing prevention over drugs and surgery. For...
As a natural life force, emotions are intended to flow freely through our bodymind, then dissipate once we have fully experienced them and assimilated their valuable message. As we were growing up, however, many of us learned that certain emotions – such as anger, sadness, or even joy – were unacceptable, and we subconsciously began to push them out of...
In a world plagued by food shortage that are reaching crisis level, carbohydrates are the easiest salvation and yet the greatest temptation to abuse. Ironically, the same is true in prosperous countries but for opposite reasons. Where food is desperately needed, vast portions of the ecosystem are obliterated to make way for a small handful of crops, particularly rice and...
Let the experts at Chopra help you understand the common cause of back pain, treatments for it, and how to prevent it going forward.
The whole issue of fat in the diet should be simple, as it once was. Doctors followed the dictum of “fat puts on fat,” assigning blame for overweight on a fatty diet. Of the three major sources of calories – fats, proteins, and carbohydrates – the one with the most calories per gram (8) is fat. It only makes sense...
A basic outline for prevention has existed for more than thirty years, but wellness has had a hard time making real headway. Old habits are hard to break. Our society has a magic bullet fixation, waiting for the next miracle drug to cure us of every ill. Doctors receive no economic benefit from pushing prevention over drugs and surgery. For...
Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the world, with as many as 300 million sufferers. We’ve all seen what an asthma attack looks like, the typical symptoms being shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Because easy, natural breathing is something everyone takes for granted, asthma is a distressing disruption. Each day you breathe...
Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is known as an ancient Andean grain, but it’s not a grain—it’s a seed! Quinoa seeds originated and is cultivated in South America along the Andes mountains. It comes from a stress-tolerant plant known as an Amaranthacean and has been cultivated for 4,000–5,000 years. It has become a staple in many modern diets.Is Quinoa Healthy?Because quinoa is...
“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”—Ayurvedic proverbIt’s hard not to notice the books, documentaries, and podcasts that present research on the association between diet and chronic disease or illness. Emotional well-being is also affected by diet, something that can be overlooked when seeking treatment for mental health issues....
In the heat of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a big smoothie or a glass of fresh juice. But are smoothies and juices actually healthy? When it comes to your health, which is better?The truth is, there is no right or wrong answer to that question. When it comes to smoothies vs. juices, the choice depends on what...
When looking at a nutrition label, most people think it’s important to look at the calories, fats, sugars, etc. However, the ingredients are just as important as anything else on the nutrition label. Those calories, fats, and sugars are all made up of the ingredients that are in that product.What about “healthy” foods? Are ingredients important in healthy packaged products,...
While summer is a longed-for season to savor, your days may be more playful and social. Added to the expansive days and heat of summer, you may be a little tuckered out by the end of the day. Luckily, the seasonal foods of summer are generally lighter, fresher, and much quicker to prepare.Here are six simple, quick, and delicious recipes...
The term “lifestyle disorder” had to be invented to describe hypertension. Almost no aspect of daily life – diet, sleep, exercise, work, and stress – can be implicated. Your blood pressure responds to these things quite sensitively. This implies an optimistic attitude, because for many sufferers, a change in lifestyle serves as good prevention. But optimism is lost if lifestyle...
While it is true that you need nothing but your body and breath to practice yoga, yoga props are extremely useful in helping to create sthira (steadiness) and sukha (comfort) in your yoga practice. By no means limited to beginners, props help to accommodate anatomical differences, tight muscles/joints, and limited ranges of motion. If you’ve ever wondered how to efficiently...
“A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make.” - Dennis Waitley, motivational speaker and authorA key milestone in your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth is the cultivation of...
When you step into your power, you cultivate self-esteem and personal worth. A new sense of freedom emerges, doubts fall away, and you quit being a marionette to other people’s expectations or vulnerable to external circumstances. This new confidence allows you to let go of the need to judge, criticize, or compare yourself to others. When you claim your power,...
“To love is to move the soul of the house, to love is to fly without wings” ~ Mario QuintanaLove is the affect of connection—the emotional perception of the connecting forces of nature. It’s that feeling of being harmoniously integrated and whole. It’s timeless joy.We sensually experience our environment with the senses of smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. Our...
Articles
2 Things to Avoid In Meditation
When it comes to meditation, you’re curious about it. Most likely, you’re convinced of the scientific benefits. You’d like to make meditation part of your life. You may have even...
3 Ways to Rid Yourself of Negative Thoughts
You’ve probably noticed that your mind engages in an inner dialogue. It never seems to stop, producing one thought after another. Like a difficult partner, the mind reminds you of...
Enhance Your Meditation Practice with Crystals
You may meditate, but have you taken your practice one step further by using crystals? Learn the benefits of crystals and how to us crystals in your meditation practice.
5 Meditations for a Cup of Tea
As you know, a watched pot never boils. But a pot that’s been put on the stove or a microwave that’s been set to heat your water provides the perfect...
What Happens to the Brain During Meditation?
Meditation provides experiences that the mind can achieve no other way, such as inner silence and expanded awareness. And as the mind gains experience, the brain shows physical activity as...
How Meditation Affects Heart Health
Decades ago, when the mind-body connection was first being studied, the original findings on meditation centered on heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. A healthy heart needs to be disease-free. But...
How Meditation Helps Your Immune System Do its Job
Your immune system is one of the most critical, and most fascinating, aspects of the mind-body connection. For a long time, the ability of immune cells to attack invading disease...
7 Ayurveda Tips to Keep You Cool This Summer
Ah, summer—long days of sunshine, picnics, vacations, gatherings with friends and family, ice cream, and good reads are just some of the things that you get to indulge in during...
Explore One of Ayurveda’s Most Popular Herbs: Triphala
The Ayurvedic formulary describes hundreds of plants that have the ability to keep us healthy as well as help us heal from disease. One of the most well-known and commonly...
Ayurveda’s Approach to Pain Management
The most common reason people see doctors is pain—more than 100 million Americans are reported to suffer from chronic pain, a number larger than all the people suffering from diabetes,...
6 Powerful Ways to Activate Your Genes for Good Health
For decades, medical scientists believed that genes determined our biological destiny. If cancer, heart disease, or diabetes were part of our family history, developing these diseases seemed inevitable. However, thanks...
How to Get Over Your Anxiety
Many people, especially men, don't like to admit that they feel anxious. But in reality, everyone's life has nail-biting moments. The demand to meet deadlines and quotas at work can...
How to Make Cleansing and Detoxing Part of Your Life
The value of pure food, water, and air has become increasingly evident in today’s society. With this newfound attitude, we have become more conscious than ever about toxins. The human...
How Your Genes Can Make You Happier
When people think about genes, they tend to apply the words “good” or “bad” to them. Someone with talent or unusual beauty "must have good genes," we say. And ourselves?...
How to Pick the Best Doctor for You
When choosing the right, or “best” physician, the first step is to remember that you’re choosing the best physician for you, as an individual. This takes into account your definition...
Are the Health Benefits of Alcohol Overhyped?
Ever since humans first started drinking fermented beverages, there probably has been debate about its benefits and its drawbacks. While it’s common knowledge that binge drinking and chronic overconsumption can...
5 Ways Beans Boost Your Heart Health
If you want an inexpensive and delicious way to improve your heart health, add more beans to your diet. Beans are a low-fat, high-fiber protein source, and they provide multiple...
The Wheel of Understanding
A young mother recently brought her two-year-old son to see me in the emergency department of a small rural hospital. He had been playing with a toy truck with small...
Choose Love
Learn how to choose love and focus your attention on what really matters in life with these tips from the experts from Chopra.
5 Steps for Creating Healthy Habits
A basic outline for prevention has existed for more than thirty years, but wellness has had a hard time making real headway. Old habits are hard to break. Our society...
Emotional Spring Cleaning
As a natural life force, emotions are intended to flow freely through our bodymind, then dissipate once we have fully experienced them and assimilated their valuable message. As we were...
A Mind-Body Approach to Carbohydrates
In a world plagued by food shortage that are reaching crisis level, carbohydrates are the easiest salvation and yet the greatest temptation to abuse. Ironically, the same is true in...
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
Let the experts at Chopra help you understand the common cause of back pain, treatments for it, and how to prevent it going forward.
The Fat You Eat: A Study in Paradox
The whole issue of fat in the diet should be simple, as it once was. Doctors followed the dictum of “fat puts on fat,” assigning blame for overweight on a...
Take Charge of Your Own Wellness
A basic outline for prevention has existed for more than thirty years, but wellness has had a hard time making real headway. Old habits are hard to break. Our society...
Why is Asthma More Prevalent Than Ever?
Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the world, with as many as 300 million sufferers. We’ve all seen what an asthma attack looks like, the typical symptoms...
5 Health Benefits of Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is known as an ancient Andean grain, but it’s not a grain—it’s a seed! Quinoa seeds originated and is cultivated in South America along the Andes mountains....
5 Ways to Use Food as Medicine
“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”—Ayurvedic proverbIt’s hard not to notice the books, documentaries, and podcasts that present...
Smoothies vs. Juices: Which Is Better?
In the heat of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a big smoothie or a glass of fresh juice. But are smoothies and juices actually healthy? When it comes...
6 Ingredients That Aren’t as Healthy As You May Think
When looking at a nutrition label, most people think it’s important to look at the calories, fats, sugars, etc. However, the ingredients are just as important as anything else on...
6 Light and Easy Summer Dinner Recipes
While summer is a longed-for season to savor, your days may be more playful and social. Added to the expansive days and heat of summer, you may be a little...
Hypertension: A Lifestyle Disorder Needs a Lifetime of Attention
The term “lifestyle disorder” had to be invented to describe hypertension. Almost no aspect of daily life – diet, sleep, exercise, work, and stress – can be implicated. Your blood...
Yoga Props 101: Blocks, Straps, Blankets, and Bolsters
While it is true that you need nothing but your body and breath to practice yoga, yoga props are extremely useful in helping to create sthira (steadiness) and sukha (comfort)...
Embracing Responsibility: The Gateway to Freedom
“A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and...
5 Tips to Cultivate Personal Power and Self-Confidence
When you step into your power, you cultivate self-esteem and personal worth. A new sense of freedom emerges, doubts fall away, and you quit being a marionette to other people’s...
Surrendering Beyond the Comfort Zone
“To love is to move the soul of the house, to love is to fly without wings” ~ Mario QuintanaLove is the affect of connection—the emotional perception of the connecting...