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Lifestyle, Spirit

Fire and Nectar: Creating Balance the Tantric Way

416A6278 I’ve experimented a lot lately, really looking into how to be a balanced lady.

On one hand, I like to dance. I like to dance hard. Like a wild African trance-healer. And on the other hand, I like to sit still. I meditate like a silent sturdy mountain and I feel like Shiva’s best student (or even better, his consort). On one hand, I like to laugh – loudly. I like to run through trees and make love. On the other hand, I know I need to lay down, rub my self in oil and get intimate with my deep belly breath.

Being a yogini means you can KNOW and to DISCERN when you need to be a wild African trance dancer. And when you need to sit in the silence of the present moment.

Most systems of organizing the universe – including Ayurveda, Tantra, and Traditional Chinese medicine – understand this dyad as the two polarity-forces permeating all of nature. The Tantrics referred to these forces as Agni and Soma. The Ayurvedically-inclined called this duo Brahmana and Langhana. The Chinese called it Yin and Yang. You can call it, as does my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Claudia Welch, Ginger and Fred.

You see, the words don’t matter. It’s the way in which we begin to see these two polarities in our own life that will bring insight. For the sake of ease (and because I like saying the word “nectar,”) let’s use Dr. David Frawley’s terms – agni (fire) and soma (nectar).

Agni

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What is agni? Agni means fire. It is both living and conceptual, metaphorical and practical. Fire is transformational. It is the eater, the enjoyer, and is related to your Spirit as a transforming process. It is related to pitta dosha, purity, digestion, clarity of mind. On the hormonal level, it is related to our stress hormones, and our need for activation and stimulation.

How do I build agni? Through things like asana, cleansing techniques (diet), bhanda, tapas, tejas, certain pranayamas and meditations that bring more focus and silence.

Soma

hummingbird

What is soma? Soma means nectar. It is both living and conceptual, metaphorical and practical. Soma is related to earth and water. It is what is eaten and what is enjoyed. It is the body and the moon.  It is related to the kapha dosha and to our core vital essences. It is the nectar and enjoyment of life’s experiences. It is the rasa, the lymph fluids, the immune system, our sexual fluids and the subtle electro-watery secretions of the nervous system from brain to root. It is the Divine Spirit linking all creatures in the “flow of bliss.” In the endocrine system, it is related to our sexual hormones.

How do I build soma? Dr. Frawley says, “When the mind is still and calm like a mountain lake, it will produce its own inner soma.” Inner soma is built through re-attuning to natural wisdom, meditation, mantra, and the descent of “grace” that comes through stillness and silence. Outer somas can be built through balanced sensory enjoyment, the flow of releasing stagnant emotion, through imbibing sacred plant essences (herbs and diet), smells (incense, oils and other aromatics), ritual, and restorative yoga.

~Katie

Photos by Naomi Huober

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In the latest episode of Spirit Sessions Podcast, In the latest episode of Spirit Sessions Podcast, Katie is joined by marketing expert, author and philanthropist Mark Young!⁠
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Katie shares her career journey from A.I. to “Ayurveda Intelligence,” while Mark reflects on life lessons as he approaches a milestone birthday. They offer practical marketing advice for Ayurvedic coaches and other heart-centered entrepreneurs, discuss the role of AI in their lives and share how you can build a wildly successful business by cultivating relationships and trusting your unique voice.⁠
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In this episode about marketing and more, you’ll hear:⁠
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~ Shifting gender roles in our modern world⁠
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~ Heart-centered marketing⁠
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~ The importance of scheduling time off and buffer days⁠
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~ Why Katie and Mark aren’t afraid of A.I. taking over⁠
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~ Practical ways Mark and Katie use A.I. in their lives⁠
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~ The importance of relationships over transactions⁠
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~ Being authentic vs. oversharing⁠
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~ Advice for new business owners who don’t have a big following⁠
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~ Trusting your unique voice⁠
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And much more! ⁠
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🎧 Tune into Ep. 218 Marketing, Gender Roles & A.I. with Mark Young now at the link in bio!
There is a strong connection between taking care o There is a strong connection between taking care of our health with food and sleep, and our soul’s ability to thrive and be happy. 🧬⁠
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The healing era hits different when you stop exili The healing era hits different when you stop exiling parts of yourself and invite them ALL to take up space in your inner world. The inner chaos gremlin? She may not always have the best delivery, but she puts us back in touch with our instincts and our fire. (She just needs to work in close collaboration with our more adult, wise, heart-centered Self to be truly effective 😉🔥.) 

When you stop managing yourself like a math equation and start embracing the mythical essence of all of your inner selves, your true magnetism, radiance and energy is unleashed. 🗝️
Summer makes us want to worship the sun – and it Summer makes us want to worship the sun – and it makes sense. We like feeling warm, golden and satisfied. The sun is literally life-giving! 🌞 In addition to ruling our agni (i.e. our inner fire, also known as our metabolism) the sun gives us ENERGY: ambition, passion, clarity and that unmistakable glow. Of course we want to bask in it!⁠
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The key to basking in summer’s warm glow is to take care so that we don’t end up overheated, fire-engine red and hungover.⁠
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To balancing the fire element in summer, aim to:⁠
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🏋🏽‍♀️ Avoid intense exercise during peak sun (10am-2pm)⁠
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🧘🏼‍♀️ Cool down any hot, fiery intensity with slower-moving exercise and breathing techniques⁠
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😴 Sleep on your right side to cool the nervous system⁠
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🕶️ Slowly acclimate to spending time in the sun and avoid peak UV exposure; get morning or late afternoon sun when instead (sunrise and sunset are ideal times to soak in the light!)⁠
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Are you ready to harmonize your routines, nutrition, herbs and spiritual practices with nature’s rhythms, and support other women in doing the same?⁠
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P.S. The code applies to both 2026 Level 1 & 2026 Level 2! ⁠
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Goddess - I can’t wait for you to get your hands Goddess - I can’t wait for you to get your hands on my Summer Ayurveda Recipe Mix Tape - where every slurp, sip and spoonful is a devotional act of beauty, pleasure and full-body honoring. 🍓💦 ⁠
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