Ayurveda, which literally translates to ‘The Science of Life’, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. It is a holistic practice which focuses on preventative health by offering diet, lifestyle, and herbal suggestions to live a healthy life.
Ayurveda is a tried and tested science that is finally gaining the recognition it deserves in the west. With its increased popularity as more clinics open, practitioners are helping people to regain some power and knowledge over their own health and wellbeing as well as the option to study ayurveda through an advanced diploma accredited by the Australian Government since 2005.
I am at the tail end of studying the two-year diploma and I am loving incorporating its principles into my own life and my family’s, as well as helping others make changes which can make a big difference to their wellbeing both mentally and physically.
I have always believed that prevention is better than cure and I know that what we put in our bodies makes a big difference to how we feel. I am not just referring to food in this instance either. I refer to the types of activities we engage in as well. I don’t need to tell you that watching a violent tv show late into the night at the same time as mindlessly eating and drinking is not going to make you feel your best in the morning. Ayurveda goes a step further though, and works out what foods exactly are going to suit your unique body type and what types of activities and actions can make us feel out of balance compared to those which will support and nourish us.
As an Ayurvedic practitioner I would first do a consultation to work out what body type you have been born with. This is determined by taking into consideration everything from your emotional tendencies, physical characteristics, natural body shape, reactions under stress, and more. Once your body type is determined we can then look at any imbalances that are going on in your body and mind whilst doing a detailed analysis of your diet, eating habits, lifestyle, sleep, general mental and physical health.
As we age there is more of a tendency for us to go out of balance, so ayurveda looks at addressing these imbalances and returning you to your natural balanced state with diet, lifestyle, and herbal suggestions.
Without doing a proper consultation I cannot provide specific advice but I thought it would help to list some important ayurvedic pointers.
The health of the digestive system is key. If the digestive system is weakened then illness and imbalance will eventually arise. Toxicity can build up in the body causing daily lethargy, bloating, heaviness and eventually leading to more serious conditions.
Western medicine in 2007 with the launch of the Humane Microbiome Project (HMP) has proven scientifically what ayurveda has practiced for thousands of years that gut health is key for immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and even brain function.
So how do we navigate all the information out there? I am sure you have heard of all the diet fads – only eat protein, avoid carbs, sugar is bad, fat is bad, only eat grapefruits to lose weight, fasting is the key – the list goes on.
What I love about ayurveda is:
1) It has not changed over the years;
2) It is tailored specifically to you; and
3) Ayurveda looks at the root causes when it comes to issues occurring in the body and mind rather than just treating the symptoms.
Ayurveda also says that what may work for your neighbour quite possibly will not work for you. Your work colleague is trying fasting and its going great for them but for you if you fast it can be detrimental for your health. Ayurveda takes everyone’s individuality into consideration. Each of us are unique and depending on what is going on in our bodies at this moment and depending on what our body type is then ayurveda will make suggestions that are tailored specifically to you.
Without doing a personalised ayurvedic consultation I thought I would share some general ayurvedic pointers which you may like to consider:
1) Appetite: Only eat when you are hungry and have an appetite.
2) Water: Sip warm water when thirsty rather than cold water straight from the tap. Cold water will douse your digestive fire and cause sluggish digestion. Sipping warm water away from food intake can also help with weight loss and digesting toxicity. Too much water isn’t helpful either as it can reduce digestive capacity
3) Digestive capacity: Warm foods are easier to digest then cold food.
4) Exercise on an empty stomach. The best time is first thing in the morning but if that isn’t an option then allow two hours post food before exercising. Any sooner will interrupt the digestive process as energy will be directed to the limbs when you start exercising rather than staying in the stomach working on digesting the food you have just eaten.
5) Sleep and rise at a similar time each day.
6) Wind down routine: Less stimulation at night. Wind down routines are helpful such as a Yoga Nidra (body scan meditation – listen to my recorded version here: Yoga Nidra | Nikki Morris)
7) Daily tongue scraping: Invest in a tongue scraper. Buy from a chemist or health food store. Scraping your tongue first thing in the morning is good for oral hygiene, notice if there is a thick white coating when scrapping, if so it can be an indicator of toxicity present in your body which should be addressed
8) Incompatible foods: Dairy and fruit, fish and dairy, or pork and dairy are all examples of incompatible food combinations which will disturb the liver (main detox organ) and blood. If you are suffering from skin issues it is important to investigate if you are consuming incompatible food combos.
9) Nothing is “bad” in ayurveda. Any substances can be prescribed that you may believe is bad for you, however if used in the right context for the right body type it can be medicine.
10) Body mind connection: Finally, a reminder that the mind and body are connected! This is always underestimated. Look after your mind as much as you care for your body and vise versa. Meditation, breathing exercises, getting out in nature, feeling the sunshine on your skin, enjoying friends and family, making time to do your favourite things in life, and self care.
If you are interested in finding out more and delving deeper into ayurveda and how it can help you in your life please reach out for a personalised ayurvedic consultation. Email me at [email protected]