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Pink Predators: Common carcinogens in your home

Update: Breast cancer rates are alarmingly on the rise and a few months ago, one of our close friends who is in her early 40s started 12 rounds of Chemo after detecting a tumerous lump in the left breast after a routine examination. Krya regularly gets Cancer survivor customers who come to us for skin and hair products after the dreaded disease + even more dreaded treatment. Many of them have a simple question: “Why me”. Most of them are in good physical health, they exercise, take care of their diet and many dont even have a family history of this disease. Yet they contract it. Why is this so? This post helps answer this question and looks at the extremely worrying effects of 3 possible carcinogenic chemicals which are commonly used in beauty, skin care, hair care and household cleaning products. Read on. The dreaded “C” word: In Oct 2014, I attended a meeting of women entrepreneurs. On the sidelines, we were invited to a breast cancer awareness campaign organized by one of the entrepreneurs who had been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. This young lady is a passionate advocate of early diagnosis of breast cancer. As a part of the worldwide pink ribbon day, her team conducted awareness camps for women employed in the major IT parks in Chennai. As she spoke, a palpable tremor ran through the women in the room. Many had some encounter with the dreaded “c” word, having watched a loved one suffer. I lost a favourite aunt in 2009 to breast cancer, or perhaps the aggressive chemotherapy given to her. I watched my bright, active danseuse Aunt shrivel away, lose her hair, her energy and eventually her life after four repeated chemotherapy assaults on her body. Breast cancer is one of the […]

srinivas krishnaswamy
August 26, 2019

Sadhana : The why & how of a Spiritual Practice

A Spiritual Practice is high on our prescription list whenever we encounter deranged vata, high anxiety, extreme stress, grief, deranged vata, or when people struggle with chronic or debilitating illnesses either with themselves or in the role of a caregiver. This prescription comes straight from the Ayurvedic texts as the Acharyas tell us that a physical disease has its roots in the mind and our responses to situation. Therefore cleansing, and control of the mind and reining it with structure, discipline and “good mental food” is part of the ayurvedic Dinacharya. A sustained and disciplined Spiritual Practice helps us choose happiness. We learn to respond to difficult situations from a better and more balanced place. It also gives us tremendous control over our physical body, reins in illnesses and weaknesses and helps us achieve our goals. Many times when we have suggested starting a Spiritual Practice, we have been asked what this means and what all it would constitute. This post is therefore our detailed answer to this question. Before we begin, here is a disclaimer from our end. The post describes what we believe is an ideal Spiritual Practice. This in no way means that we are qualified Gurus . We too are seekers on this path, and have shared our personal experiences through this post. We have limited this post to Spiritual Practice derived from Santana Dharma (Hinduism) alone as this is what we follow. We are not qualified to suggest a Spiritual Practice for other faiths / denominations. For these, we suggest you read this post as a starting point and then speak to an elder / teacher within your faith to take this further. An Introduction to Spiritual Practice : from the Adi Kaavya The very first shloka of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, […]

srinivas krishnaswamy
August 16, 2019

6 Ayurvedic strategies for an Effective Digital Detox

A Digital Detox is the need of the hour for nearly all of us today. Research tells us that when we practice a digital detox , our memory becomes sharper, we are able to sleep deeper, our posture becomes better, we are able to form more meaningful connections with people, and that we are open to more life changing perspectives and decisions. A Digital Detox program. A conversation on another group I am a part of spurred this post. The author of the post shared that she felt that she was “digitally addicted” to social media and found that she had developed a need to stay connected and consume vast amounts of information. So she reached out asking for help and suggestions to help her digitally de-addict. The number of responses in this discussion made me realize how much of a digital addiction problem all of us have. I began working at a time when I had no cell phone. I have even resisted using a cellphone for 2 – 3 years entirely and I avoided using a smartphone or using apps for a very long time. Yes even I find myself inexorably drawn to my smartphone. The ease of buying with pre-installed apps has left even someone like me, a self confessed Luddite, far more digitally addicted than I would like to be. Therefore I have written this post drawing on ayurvedic strategies to help everyone do a Daily digital detox. This post also shares the ayurvedic reasoning behind this, explains about the nature of vata dosha and how vata dosha is powerfully aggravated with digital addiction and what we can do everyday to control this addiction. Background for digital detox: Why it is critical to keep Vata Dosha in balance We are all made of a combination […]

srinivas krishnaswamy
August 10, 2019

Ultimate Guide to Ayurvedic Ritucharya

Ritucharya (seasonal guidelines for good health ) and Dinacharya (daily living guidelines) are two cornerstones of health as per Ayurveda. The Indian knowledge systems have divided the year into six different seasons of two months each. Due to the movement of the Sun through the year, the different parts of Earth experience the different seasons ( also called Ritu) In each season or Ritu, the environmental factors impact our bodies in different ways. Therefore for each season Ayurvedic acharyas have given us clear guidelines that cover daily regimen, food and drink, exercise, Abhyanga, clothing, places to go to or avoid , gems , flowers, fragrances & accessories that can be used etc. By following these Ritucharya rules, we can prevent diseases due to seasonal weather changes and maintain good health through the year. Many lifestyle disorders can be controlled with sincere implementation of Dinacharya and Ritucharya guidelines. For example, did you know our bodies are at their weakest during the hot summer (greeshma ritu) season ? Therefore we should avoid vigorous exercise during this seaoson and beginners should avoid starting a new exercise routine during summers Why is Ayurvedic Ritucharya so important? Why does following seasonal guidelines help improve our health and sense of well being? In this guide, we will also the answers. We will also share the detailed instructions for each season , based on Authentic Ayurvedic references. Adana Kala vs Visarga Kala: An Ayurvedic concept: Depending upon the movement of the Sun, the Ayurvedic Acharyas have divided the year into 2 parts of 6 months each. Each of these 6 month periods have 3 seasons of 2 months each. Hence we experience 6 seasons according to Ayurevda: each lasting 2 months. 3 seasons fall in Adana Kala and 3 seasons fall into Visarga Kala. Shishira (late […]

srinivas krishnaswamy
July 3, 2019

Benefits of Kumkumadi tailam| Decoding its benefits & properties

What are the benefits of Kumkumadi tailam ? What are some of the ingredients used in this classical Ayurvedic formulation? how to use kumkumadi oil? Could there be any side effects if we use the product on the wrong skin type? These are some of the questions we have attempted to answer in this authoritative guide that helps you decode the many many benefits of kumkumadi tailam. This post aims to give you authentic information to help you understand if this is the right ayurvedic skin serum for you, and how to craft a good skin care routne with this product. This blog post has been written to answer the questions asked commonly by Krya’s customers – we seek to demystify and explain the big picture behind Kumkumadi tailam. This post will explain the history behind this formulation, the dravyas that go into it, who it suits, and what conditions it is not suitable for. It will end with a brief piece on 2 of the new Krya facial oil serums which are excellent options to consider when you seek an ayurvedic facial oil / ayurvedic facial serum. What is Kumkumadi Tailam? Who formulated it and for what condition? Kumkumadi tailam is an ancient, classical ayurvedic skin oil formulation that is now gaining popularity among many companies which promote luxurious Ayurveda. This formulation is being marketed as an ultimate, all-purpose Ayurvedic skin oil to solve ALL skin problems. Costs of this product are also going through the roof, with some companies selling 12 ml for close to Rs.2500 (around 2 lakh rupees per liter!) This post aims to cut through this hype and educate about the real benefits of Kumkumadi tailam and who should be using it. Read on. In classical Ayurveda, many hoary formulations exist which according to Indic […]