the Ayurvedic Western Approach

Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing from India that many in the West are finding useful today. It is all about bringing balance to your body, mind, and spirit. Here’s a straightforward look at how it can work in modern life. I believe in incorporating traditional methodologies into more modern, every day approaches.  

Ayurveda believes that everyone has a unique balance of three energies, called doshas:

Vata:

• Linked with air and space.
• Governs movement and creativity.
• Can cause anxiety or dryness when out of balance.

Pitta:

• Connected to fire and water.
• Helps with digestion and transformation.
• When imbalanced, it may lead to irritation or inflammation.

Kapha:

• Combines earth and water.
• Provides stability and structure.
• Excess can make you feel sluggish or congested.

Understanding your dosha can help shape your diet, exercise, and daily routines to keep you in balance. It's useful to reflect on which ones may be out of balance when you're not feeling quite right. 

Ayurveda uses herbs to support your wellbeing:

Ashwagandha:

• An adaptogen that helps you manage stress.
• Boosts mental resilience and calms the mind.

Turmeric:

• Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Supports joint health and overall body function.

Ginger  

• Ginger can support digestion   

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon can help reduce headache pain, stomach problems, and colitis. It’s an anti-fungal agent that supports the immune and digestive system.
• Used with Ginger, it can help increase your temperature if you’re feeling “chills”  

Garlic

• Garlic can acts as a stimulant to the heart and liver and is an eye and hair tonic. It contains excellent pre-biotic fibre which is excellent for your gut microbiome and overall health.  

Mint

• Mint may help relieve joint pain and indigestion as well as coughs and lover your body temperature during fever.

Simple breathing practices are a big part of Ayurveda:

Alternate Nostril Breathing:

• Balances the flow of energy in your body.
• Helps you feel more calm and focused.

Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing:

• Increases oxygen flow, improving clarity and relaxation.

Physiological Sigh

• Not an official Pranayama but scientifically proven to reduce feelings of anxiety and calm the body.   

Small daily practices help remove toxins and support health:

Dry Brushing:

• Use a natural-bristle brush on your skin before showering.
• Boosts blood flow and helps remove dead skin cells.
   

Tongue Scraping:

• Cleans the build-up on your tongue, improving oral health.
• Enhances taste and may aid digestion by removing toxins.

Moving your body is essential in Ayurveda:

Stretching:

• Gentle stretches relieve muscle tension and improve flexibility.
• A good way to start or end your day.

Yoga

• Combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation.
• Helps balance the doshas and connect your mind and body.
• Whether it's a quick morning routine or an evening session to relax, yoga can improve strength, mobility, and mental clarity.