Agni: The Fire in Your Belly

Your metabolism is driven by the “adni” or inner fire of your digestive system. In this lesson, we will talk about some key concepts that impact digestions, and tips to improve it.

Things to know:
The Three Malas: the body’s waste
Dhatus: the seven tissues of the body
Doshas: our personal elements that form our constitution

Key concepts:
Pitta: fire, supported by air
Vata: air, supports Pitta and Kapha
Kapha: earth, supported by air

Digestion:
Suport Immunity
Breaks down food into nutrients
Provides nutrients to tissues of the body
Destoys micro-organisms, toxins, bacteria
Protects gut flora
Hormones imbalance wreaks havoc on Vata, and in turn impact whole body system

Key words:
Amas: (A) close (MAS) poison, a poison-like substance within the large intestines
Metabolism: Digestive system, when weakened leads to illness
Blockage: when Amas is blocked and unable to be eliminated, it weakens the fire or Agni
Malas: the three body wastes, stoole, urine, sweat
Dhatus: the seven tissues of the body
Smegma: In Latin, “smegma” means “detergent or soap,” comprised of oils, dead skin, sweat

Elimination key points:
Sweat: increases in the summer due to heat in an effort to conserve water
Urine: decreases in the winter due to cold in an effort to evacuate waste

The seven tissues:
Plasma - indispensable to the functioning of all tissues, allows nutrients from food to circulate through the body
Blood - transports oxygen throughout the body, the substance of its waste is bile
Muscles - allows movement of the body, waste is earwax, nasal secretions, smegma, etc)
Body Fat - hydrates tissues and lubricates joints, waste is sweat
Bones - provides structure and support to body, waste is hair and nails
Nerves and Marrow - Carries motor and sensory nerve impulses, waste is tears
Reproductive Tissues - necessary materials or tissues for reproduction