The YOGA OF WEIGHT LOSS 7 –week Metabolic Recalibration & Weight Management Program

The Yoga of Weight Loss: Lesson 3

The YOGA OF WEIGHT LOSS7 –week Metabolic Recalibration & Weight Management Program

Lesson Three: Agni & Ama


AGNI governs:life span, health, immunity, strength, energy, positivity, creativity, emotional balance, muscle formation, a lustrous complexion with good skin tone, homeostasis, and vital breath – all these depend on our “body-fire” or Agni.

–Charaka Samhita


Digestion (Paka): The root of good health

On the physical level, Digestion is the single most important determinant of healthy weight, the ability to process and assimilate food into tissues, and overall good health.

Agni is the force which resides in the body, and which is responsible for the power and action of digestion

When digestion is functioning optimally, all consumed foods are thoroughly digested, with no residue left behind.

If digestion is impaired in any way, waste (Mala) is left behind. As food substances go through the process of digestion, resulting in the formation of the seven tissues, a toxic by-product called Ama is left behind.

Ama is an important contributing factor in the process of disease.


Agni(digestive fire)


Agni: The fire in the bellyAgni is the force in the body which accomplishes digestion. Agni is the fire quality that is responsible for the transformation of a raw substance into a form which can be assimilated into our tissues.

Agni is present in the two aspects of metabolism: Catabolism – the breaking down of a

substance into a smaller substance Anabolism – the creation or building of tissue

from smaller components

Agni is embodied in Pitta. Pitta contains both the fire and water elements,

and is the prime force of digestion and metabolism.

Agni can not exist by itself – it is always contained by Pitta; Pitta is the container, Agni is the content.

Agni is not only responsible for transforming substances, but is also responsible for the power of appetite, and the degree of body temperature.

Pitta

Agni


The Four States of Agni

Agni TypesTypical Doshic

ImbalanceAgni State Result

Subdosha affected

High (Tikshnagni or Atyangi

Increased Pitta Strength of digestive fire is too high

1. Lower Body Weight2. Burning Indigestion of the

tissues being digested3. Strong appetite4. Weight Loss

Pachaka Pitta

Low (Mandagni) Increased Kapha

Strength of digestive fire is too low

1. Undigested food (leading to Ama production)

2. Low Appetite3. Full & Lethargic feeling after

eating4. Weight Gain

Kledaka Kapha

Variable (Vishmagni)

Increased Vata Variable strength of digestive fire

1. Ama Production2. Poor Digestion3. Variable Metabolism4. Alternating Excessive

Hunger/Loss of appetite5. Has a difficult time

producing quality tissue6. Weight Loss

Samana Vayu

Normal/Balanced (Samagni)

N/A Digestive fire is stable

1. Quality tissue production2. No Ama left behind3. Balanced health


Normal – Balanced

VariableHigh

Low

vataVata (Space & Air)

pittaPitta (Fire & Water)

kaphaKapha (Water & Earth)


Ama(toxins)


Normal – No Ama

MediumLow

High





Can go several hours without eating (but should not!) – often experiences sensation of physical and/or emotional ungroundedness

Can experience frequent gas & constipation

Usually experiences poor circulation & cold extremities – especially after eating meals

Often experiences dry & hard bowels (1 every 2-3 days) “Negotiating”

Tend to reach for dry and light foods

Will only gain weight in the mid-section of the body (hips, thighs, buttocks, etc.)


Variable

Medium


Cannot and should not go for more than 3 hours without eating, to avoid the experience of being “hangry”

Can experience frequent indigestion and/or heartburn

Frequently experience excessive heat, and sometimes lethargy – especially during and after eating

Often experiences loose bowels (2-3 each day)

Usually reaches for spicy and acidic foods

Will gain and lose weight proportionately all over the body


High Low


Can go for long periods of time without eating, and may experience low-grade hunger, but can easily skip meals

Often experiences sluggishness and/or excess mucous – usually after eating and sleeping

Usually experiences voluminous bowels (1 each day)

Tends to reach for unctuous and creamy food

Can gain and lose weight proportionately over the body, but may have “trouble” areas

Low High



Factors That Disturb Agni Over eating

Irregular/erratic eating (off schedule/night eating)

Intake of unsuitable, heavy, or cold food, old/leftovers, as well as food that is difficult to digest or contaminated

Eating while experiencing indigestion or hyperacidity

Inappropriate adaptation to place, time, or season (eating while driving, etc.)

Suppression of natural urges (belching, passing gas)

Excessive fasting (especially for Vata and Pitta types)

Faulty administration of purification procedures





Doshic Time: Cycle of the day


Daily Routine For Weight Management: Aligning your body with the sun restores healthy Agni to the body, re-

establishing proper body tone. Eating at the times when the Agni is strongest will help you digest your

food and turn it into healthy tissue and prevent ama. Sleeping, exercising, and cleansing, at the proper times of day & night all

help the body maintain its appropriate doshic shape and size. Right before the sun rises, there is a refreshing and enlivening influence in

the whole of nature. This is the ideal time to rise, exercise, and meditate. When the sun is highest in the sky (between noon & 1:00 PM), there is

maximum heat and warmth in all of nature. Our digestive fire is enlivened and at its peak.

As the sun sets, nature settles down and even the birds become quiet. This is the ideal time for our evening meditation.

In the evening, not long after sunset, cool soft qualities are predominant and we may begin to feel drowsy. This is the best time to rest.


Morning Routine: Rise at 6:00 AM without using an alarm

Drink one cup of hot water to rehydrate

Evacuate bowels

Clean/scrape your tongue

Brush your teeth

Oil Massage or dry massage with silk gloves

Brisk walk

Bath or shower with warm or hot water

Yoga Asanas

Meditate


Afternoon & Evening Routine: After eating, take a brief rest. Rest sitting or lying on the left side

Avoid sleep in the daytime

Work or Study

Evening Meditation

Evening Meal (much lighter than lunch)

Enjoy a short walk (10–15 minutes)

Pleasant, relaxing activities

Go to bed early: best before 10 PM (Pitta time)


Lesson Two Practical: Take the Ama Test

Ama Test

The YOGA OF WEIGHT LOSS 7 –week Metabolic Recalibration & Weight Management Program

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