2020 Hometown Heroes

Page 134 2020 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 14, 2020 Moksha: A message from Tara How to Manage Stress During Covid-19 Pandem ic COMMUNITY: WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER! T ara Drake is the owner of Yoga Home Studio and Ayurveda Centre in Decatur. She is currently working to be a Yoga Therapist and is a Certified Ayurveda Health Counselor and Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200, RYT 500). Tara teaches workshops and offers Ayurveda counseling at the Moksha Center. How to Manage Stress During Covid-19 Pandemic Stress, a physiological symptom, can have lasting consequences on our long term health and is also the culprit to many heart related diseases. For the sake of our health and the health of our Community, many of us have lost our typical routines to the mercy of Covid-19 precautions. Ayurveda, a 5000 yr old holistic Health System originating from India and the sister science to Yoga, meaning “Science of Life” believes in dinacharya (daily routine) for Alambana (support). Contrary to the disruptions of our typical routines caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Dinacharya provides certainty during uncertain times and sets a predictable foundation and support system for ourselves. With adoption of a dinacharya practice, you will have higher immunity and become less susceptible to stress causing emotions like anxiety and fear. Simple Ayurveda practices can include; tongue scraping, neti pot, Abhyanga (body oiling), dry brushing, Yoga postures, Meditation, Mantra (prayer), Nasya Oil, oil pulling, Cooking w/ spices, Pranayama (breath practices),and a walk in nature. It’s important to start simple to avoid overwhelming yourself. By choosing to adapt a few of these, you will become resilient to the daily triggers that create stress. By repatterning your daily routine, with newly adapted habits, you will support your Swastha (health). Avoid overstimulating your indriyas (senses) with too much intake from social media, watching television, listening to podcasts or music, overeating, constant chores, movement, etc. The intake and overstimulation of these activities will need to be digested otherwise we will suffer from emotional congestion causing stress which is toxic to our health. Choosing lighthearted activities like a walk outside, cooking healthy, reading spiritual material, painting, clearing out space in your home, and any of the Ayurveda habits mentioned above are wise choices to nourish your body & soul. Agni is the power of transformation and responsible for your digestion of emotions and food. Proper elimination supports agni. To CONTINUED u