ANCIENT WISDOM TRANSLATES WELL IN MODERN SPACES

By SHAGORIKA EASWAR

The interiors of homes of people in my parents’ generation often followed a similar style.

They were sparse, utilitarian, with few frills. Everything served a purpose, or held a special meaning. Sparkling clean floors, most of the furniture lined up along the walls.

Familiar as we were with this, I remember being startled when we witnessed one family pick up the dining chairs after a meal and place them on the table.

Easier to clean under the table, whispered my mother, probably afraid that her offspring would blurt out an awkward question.

I remember thinking that was funny at the time, but as I grow older, I find myself gravitating towards a no-fuss look, too.

Oh, I’m not at the chairs-on-the-table stage –  yet – but I find myself re-evaluating our rooms and wondering if we really need all this stuff.

I wouldn’t exactly call it clutter, but we do seem to have accumulated an inordinate number of things that we don’t really use.

Or need. They are mainly there for the “special occasions” or for the what-if-we-have-20-people-over for dinner scenarios that I play out in my head. As we’ve never had 20 people over, and the likelihood grows ever dimmer with the passing of years, I’m left wondering what to do with everything. Some of it picked up on a whim because I couldn’t resist it, some because – I confess – it was on sale.

And now it just sits there. The kids may or may not want all or any of it.

I am reminded of what my friend Jeeth says, “Start as you mean to go on”. If only. If only I had not filled my home with so many things...

There are articles on others who find themselves in the same position. Living Ayurveda by Claire Ragozzino seems to be designed for such people.

The elegant but Spartan room on the cover draws me in. Many old philosophies teach us the value of simple living and Ragozzino expounds on how Ayurveda can be a language that helps us describe the natural world and our relationship to it.

People tend to think of Ayurveda in terms of ancient treatments and concoctions, but there’s so much more to this ancient wisdom.

Following a health crisis, Ragozzino became interested in alternative therapies, searching for answers, trying every diet, cleanse, supplement and super food.

She found Ayurveda resonated with her the most.

“Ayurveda means the knowledge of life and longevity,” she writes.

“I took the year to first explore food and create more mindfulness around how I was eating, not just what I was eating. This simple shift alone had a huge impact on my digestion.”

She explains and interprets the various aspects of Ayurveda, and includes practical tips, sounding much like your grandmother might have.

To wit:

Everyday tips for healthy digestion. Establish a regular meal routine and stick to it. Avoid skipping meals and snacking or grazing all day. Space meals out by 4-5 hours to give time to digest and rest before eating again.

Eat your largest meal at noon, when your digestive fire is highest.

Opt for a simple cooked meal when your digestive fire is low. Raw foods, like salads, actually take more digestive capacity than a simple soup.

Don’t gulp liquids while eating, instead, sip warm water throughout the day to stay hydrated and wait an hour after eating to drink again. Skip the icy drinks and other cold beverages that douse your digestive fire.

Only eat when you’re truly hungry and when you’re relaxed. Never eat when you’re emotional or upset.

Make eating the main event. Try eating in silence without conversation, technology or other distractions. When ready to eat, take 5 deep breaths to prepare your body to receive food. You can even say a small prayer of gratitude before your first bite.

Chew your food fully to the consistency of a liquid before swallowing.

If you’ve overeaten, lie or recline on left side for 10 minutes after a meal.

Never repress an urge for elimination.

An explanation for why so many of us long for summer may lie in Ayurveda.

Summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and the height of pitta dosha for many climates. As the sun moves in a northerly direction, the period of increasing light between the winter and summer solstice is called uttarayana. This six-month cycle from winter to summer is characterized by the growth of new life and an outward, expansive energy. Solstice is a time to celebrate life and our own fullness. This seasonal ritual is all about connecting to that which makes us feel most vibrantly alive and sharing that with those we love.

There are recipes, asanas and tips for each season.

Including these for summer.

Hosting a gathering. Eating is a social act. It’s a way we connect and share stories, telling tales of our adventures and what’s inspiring us. We don’t even have to speak the same language with our guests – food is the cross-cultural connector, the common tongue. This kind of nourishment comes not just from the types of food we eat but also the joy we experience while eating.

I love to host gatherings for this very reason. Cooking for others is my way of giving love, and in the process of giving, I receive so much in return. Eating together needn’t be complicated. In a season where there’s so much abundance, it’s easy to stop by a farmers market and create a simple menu filled with the season’s flavours.

Get outside. There’s a casual intimacy in meals shared outside. On a blanket spread on the grass or a long table under the trees, gather during the golden hour when the sun is low on the horizon and offers a cooler time to eat. As simple as this seems, spending time outside in cool fresh air is one of the recommended practices for soothing pitta in summer!

Though this is not a design book, per se, the photographs of food and yoga asanas all hark back to simpler, cleaner lines.

Part cookbook, part lifestyle guide, it promises to spark your curiosity for a different way of living. 

• Living Ayurveda by Claire Ragozzino is published by Roost Books, $47.