Claire has sunk into a lifesyle that enhances the heaviness she feels in her heart. She eats to comfort herself. Rather than providing her nourishment, the food is blocking the flow of energy in her body and mind. It is not being digested properly, therefore it is creating a toxic accumulation. The results of this 'indigestion' are cloudy thinking, an overwhelming sense of being stuck in her body, and an inability to lift her spirit.
Change to the structure of Claire's life such as her daughter moving out to residence, and recent struggles and revelations about her daughter's health, brought about a jolt in her Vata dosha (which governs the nervous systm and flow of energy and circulation). Change is hard for everyone, but this is especially true for those who are already experiencing the Kapha imbalance (The Kapha dosha governs the formation of physical structure, regulates stability and stamina of thinking and emotional processing). When her nervous system recieves a jolt, Claire feels different than usual. Almost by reflex, she attempts to settle her physiology in order to maintain her usual way of experiencing herself. To balance the unsettled, ungrounded feeling that the changes have triggered, she reaches for that which is grounding: a stable routine, extra rest and sleep, and the comfort of sweet and heavy foods. Basically, she leans in the direction of her imbalance. In the short run, extra rest, excess sleep, and heavy foods do pacify Claire, but in the long run, they further imbalane her Kasha dosha.
Claire has a tendency to develop and Earthy Depression (Kappa dosa). Deep sadness, lack of interest and a sense of being stuck are the primary manifestations of this type of depression. Excessive sleeping and eating are often used as comfort techniques. Mentally and emotionally excessive sentimentality and attachement to the past are the root of the problem.
Kasha dosha governs the structure and cohesion of the overall physiology. It is associated with strength, stability, and structure. A preponderance of this dosha in a person brings to mind the image of a mountain. As if emerging from the Earth, Claire has a solid physical structure and a stable prescence. When she is in balance, a sense of contentment and dignity accompany her every act.
At the physical level, this dosha regulates biological strength, natural resistance (immunity), and proper body structure. At the psychological level, it affords stability of mind, emotional endurance, and mental stamina. However, when this dosha of benevolence goes out of balance, strength turns into rigidity and stability turns into inflexibility. Individuals with the Kapha imbalance can become immobilized, as if locked within their own structure, be it physical, emotional, or mental.
The Ayurvedic approach to holistic health would prescribe an extensive process geared to purify the body of toxins and undigested matter that results from an improper diet and lifestyle. Sweet and heavy foods, and eating for comfort late at night will need to be taken out of the daily habit. A diet of light and warm foods that are easy to digest and that infuse warmth and liveliness into the diet are reccommended. This would be followed by certain herbs, Ayurvedic breathing exercises, and meditation.
Soon after changing her diet, Claire will report feeling lighter physically as well as emotionally. Now she can return to the habit of moving her body, a re-establishing of martial arts training routines, and training for cycling-instead of sleeping when she is overcome by a feeling of lethargy which overcomes her in the mid-afternoon. Gradually, Claire's internal biorythms once again will mirror the cycles of nature. When we disrupt our internal biorythms, be it through insufficient sleep (Claire has been averaging 5 hours sleep each night) or by sleeping during the day (Claire has been taking 3 to 6 hour naps in the mid afternoon) and staying up at night (Claire seldom goes to bed before midnight since she finds that her mind is most alert and her energy level is greatest between 8pm and midnight), we lose nature's support for a well-functioning metabolism. Night-time is when the 'garbage crews' come out and clean up our physiology. If we are awake, these midnight riders (immune cells) cannot do their job and we become clogged with toxins.
Finally,learning meditation which should be practiced regularly, will help Claire to purify the more subtle aspects of her being, the mind and the emotions. Making a connection to the spiritual aspects of life will also help her to see change as a necessary part of the evolutionary process.
Source: Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way; Creating happiness with meditation, yoga, and ayurveda. by Nancy Liebler, Ph.D., and Sandra Moss, M.S.P.H. 2009
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
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