With this post I am continuing my series on the five senses. So far we have considered the eyes, nose and tongue. (Scroll down to read them) Today we turn our attention to the ears. In Yoga and Ayurveda the sense of hearing is considered the most important of the senses. Do you have any idea why?

Sound is the fastest way to facilitate mental, emotional and physical healing. Even though the ancient teachings have affirmed this for thousands of years, modern science is confirming it as well. Music is known to actually change brain chemistry. Perhaps you have noticed how certain music brings forth a particular emotion in you—sadness and tears or joy and laughter. This is an example of an outside stimuli eliciting a physical reaction. Amazing!
The Vedic tradition teaches that sound was the first subtle energy to arise from the five elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth. Sound exists in the ether, therefore it has a direct effect on all five elements.

Sound heals all five elements!

Here are some ways to heal through sound and to take care of your ears, the organs of hearing:

Choose positive words for singing Beware of negative lyrics (and negative talk overall) because they generate low level energetic vibrations in your mind and in the world. Turn your thoughts toward the positive to raise the vibration within and around you. The Vedic tradition recommends chanting and mantra. You’ll find many examples online if you’re interested. I often recommend the famous “five-syllable mantra” which balances the energy of all five elements: OM NAMAH SHIVAYA. Chant it silently many times throughout the day.

Oil your ears Yes, Ayurveda loves to use oil on the senses, and the ears are no exception. And there is good reason to do so: As we age the inner ears become dry which leads to ringing in the ears and vertigo. A stellar treatment is to place a drop of sesame oil in each ear. Massage around the ears for about a minute. I do this every morning after neti pot. (There are also special oils made just for the ears you can find online)

May the beautiful sounds you hear bring you joy!

Oh my, it’s hot. In fact, we are heading into the longest hot streak since 2011. This is a great reminder that we are firmly in the grips of Pitta season, a designation that comes from Ayurveda. Pitta is made up of the elements of fire and water and we experience it in the hot, humid weather of Oklahoma. Even if you can’t spend the next three months lounging by a pool, there are things you can do to take care of pitta.

Wear shades of white, light blue and green. Bring these colors into your environment too through art and visualizing meadows and flowers. Cooling gemstones include moonstone, emerald, jade, peridot, blue sapphire and amethyst.

Exercise during the coolest part of the day and avoid direct sunlight for too long. Better yet, walk outside under the light of the moon.

Cultivate calm by letting go of anger and frustration, replacing judgment with compassion, getting outside to enjoy Nature, releasing control, loosening up on rigid to-do lists, forgiving others and yourself, and being more spontaneous.

Practice aromatherapy by placing some of these essential oils in a diffuser or putting a drop on a cotton ball or pad you can smell throughout the day: clary sage, gardenia, honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, lotus, peppermint, sandalwood, or vetiver.

Eat these cooling foods: basmati rice, couscous, all sweet fruits and vegetables, small amounts of beans, coconut water, sunflower seeds, peeled almonds, fruit and vegetable juices. Best herbal teas for Pitta are chamomile, dandelion, fennel, coriander, licorice and peppermint. Best cooling spices are basil, turmeric, cardamom, cilantro, coriander, fennel and mint.

Eat berries! It’s a superfood to enjoy in abundance all summer long.