Mamsa - muscles

 Mamsa is the third tissue in the body, according to Ayurveda. It corresponds to the muscle tissue in the body. This includes the entire skeletal muscle system but also the heart and the organs that contain smooth muscle such as intestines, blood vessels, bladder and uterus. In a healthy body, up to half (depending on age and gender) of the body mass consists of muscle tissue, so keeping it fresh and healthy is important. Mamsa is most damaged by inactivity and improper diet that creates sticky ama and clogs. To keep mamsa healthy and strong, here is some advice.

• Exercise! Unused muscles wither. Especially when we start to get older, we must keep exercising because otherwise, the muscles will gradually break down. It is important to practice traditional strength training. Proper training, mainly with free weights, in a proper gym according to a training program designed by a knowledgeable trainer is best. Basic exercises that engage the major muscle groups should be the core of the program. But it is also important to train fitness, especially for the heart, which is also a muscle. Running, cycling, and skiing are good options here. The main part of the cardio training should take place at a leisurely pace, but it should also include some tougher workouts where you really get your heart rate up. Then it is also important with recovery, so you should not train hard too often. 

• Do not eat too much hard-digested food; it easily leads to the formation of impurities that clog the body's channels, which means that the muscles are not nourished and, thus, broken down. Many people who exercise eat a lot of meat because they believe that meat, which is the animals' muscle mass, will help them build muscle. It is, in fact, the opposite. A lot of meat interferes with digestion and causes the body to put on fat and not absorb the nutrients in a good way. However, it is important to eat enough protein (even if you do not need as copious amounts as some people think). But it is better to get it from vegetarian sources (such as beans, lentils and quinoa), dairy products and possibly fish. At least red and processed meat is good to avoid.

• Amla berries stimulate the muscles. Maharishi Ayurveda produces special amla tablets that are concentrated and refined according to careful methods and are particularly good. Fresh dates are also said to be good for the muscles.

• Sleep is also vital. It is mainly during sleep that the muscles are built up while they are broken down during the day. Deep sleep, in particular at the beginning of the night, is important since it is then that growth hormone is secreted. So be sure to get to bed early.

• The stress hormone cortisol has a destructive effect on muscles. Therefore, try to avoid stress. Yoga and meditation are brilliant help for that. Live in a way that you enjoy doing things that you enjoy, hang out with people you like and do not care so much about performance requirements and what others think. It is good for the muscles and for everything else in life

Good luck!