Journal · March 3, 2023
Ojas: Your Vitality, Resilience and Openness to Love
By Mel, 500-hour RYT · Well With Melo
Ojas is a Sanskrit word often translated as "vigour" or "the essence of vitality." In Ayurveda, it's connected to Kapha and supports our resilience, energy and, yes, love.
With strong ojas, we adapt to change, cycles and seasons with ease. It affects our emotional and mental state too. Think of it as a clear, protective energy that's always looking out for you.
In winter, the heavy, cold, damp qualities of Kapha season can drain ojas, and Ayurveda says it can take a month or more to rebuild. So here's how to support it before you feel run down.
The basics
- A gentle daily reset: start the day with warm water and a squeeze of lemon or lime
- Good sleep: enough, but not too much. Be up and active in daylight hours
- Warm teas: ginger, or CCF tea (coriander, cumin and fennel) through the day
- Warming spices: ginger and turmeric in your cooking
- Movement and massage: to keep circulation flowing when we're indoors more
- Meditation: time to connect with yourself and notice what you need
Less obvious ways to build ojas
A full day of self-love
Ojas is about love, for ourselves and others. Warm touch, like self-massage, releases feel-good hormones that lift your mood.
Gratitude
Noticing what's good right now shifts your whole outlook.
Community
Less sunshine means less energy. Winter is the perfect time to stay connected with friends or find a new community.
Giving
Offer something to someone without expecting anything back.
Nourishing food
Foods traditionally seen as ojas-building include dates, almonds, ghee, saffron, warm milk and whole grains like basmati rice. Cook and eat slowly and mindfully.
Cozy ojas milk
When you're feeling low on energy, blend:
- 10 soaked, peeled almonds
- 3 soaked dates
- seeds from 3 cardamom pods
- 1 tsp dried rose petals
- 1 cup milk of your choice
Warm it gently in a pot, turn off the heat and add a few threads of saffron. Sweeten with maple syrup, or with honey once it has cooled a little.
Please check with your doctor before changing your diet if you have allergies or health conditions.
Free · 5 days
Try the Seasonal Ritual
Five short morning practices and a printable seasonal guide, sent to your inbox.
*Some links in this post are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep my classes free. This post is for general wellness education and isn't medical advice.