Agni is Sanskrit for fire. Heat, combustion, and energy are the realm of Agni. It symbolizes the transformation of the gross to the subtle--Agni is life-giving energy. It is the force of intelligence within each cell, each tissue, and every system throughout the body; thus the Ayurvedic concept, Agni, is critically important to our overall health. The choices we make throughout our day, and sometimes those we've made in our past, influence the status of our Agni. When Agni is strong, we are able to sustainably digest and assimilate what we consume — food, thoughts, actions, and ideas. When Agni is weak, we are not able to digest what we intake. We are not what we eat. We are what we digest. Ultimately, it is the discernment of Agni that determines which substances enter our cells and tissues, and which substances should be removed as waste. In this way, Agni is revered as the gatekeeper of life. A strong balanced Agni is crucial to our health. Essentially, Agni can be summarized as “inner fire” or “sacred knowledge.” Remember to breathe, for it is air that gives life to fire.