How Ayurveda Can Improve Your Overall Health And Wellness
It's funny how we often take our body's natural ability to find balance and stay healthy for granted.
We go about our lives assuming that our internal mechanisms are running smoothly and harmoniously with the world around us. But then, life throws us curveballs - unexpected events that leave us feeling unsteady and disconnected.
That's usually a pretty good time to recognize the importance of getting back to center and reconnecting with ourselves - and thankfully, that's precisely where the transformative power of Ayurveda comes in.
What is Ayurveda?
At its core, Ayurveda believes that our overall well-being results from complete mind-body balance, with an emphasis on preventative measures and natural healing.
According to Ayurveda, three primary doshas make up our being - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It's kind of like each of us has our own unique energy profile.
When these doshas are balanced, life feels good - we feel confident, energetic, and connected. Things just kind of seem to flow.
But when any one of these energies is off, that's when the trouble starts. Maybe it manifests in physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or skin problems. Or it could even present as mental and emotional turmoil, like anxiety, irritability, or depression.
Benefits of an Ayurveda Practice
As someone who has experienced the transformative power of Ayurveda firsthand, I can attest that an Ayurvedic practice can truly work wonders for your overall health and well-being.
Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect to see when you begin living an Ayurvedic lifestyle:
Mind-body balance
Improved digestion
Better sleep
Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased energy and vitality
Improved mental clarity
Strengthened immunity
Greater emotional balance
Enhanced physical well-being
Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle isn't just about making temporary changes - it's about creating lasting shifts that can improve your overall well-being for years to come. With an Ayurvedic practice, you can experience an increased sense of harmony, balance, and joy in your everyday life.
Ways To Incorporate Ayurveda Into Your Life
Let me start by saying that you don't have to change everything all at once. Change takes time, and you should never feel the need to rush into anything.
Start small, and gradually introduce more Ayurvedic principles that work for YOU in your daily routine. Experiment with what works and doesn't, and don't be afraid to explore.
Learn About Your Dosha
The first step to living an Ayurvedic lifestyle is understanding your unique dosha profile. Knowing your dosha can help you make more informed decisions when it comes to your diet, lifestyle, and overall health.
If you want expert advice, you can take an online quiz or consult a certified Ayurveda practitioner. You can also learn more about the doshas through our expanded Ayurveda for Yoga Teachers Continuing Education Course. You'll learn topics such as: how to balance your doshas, how to use Ayurveda to organize your day, how to understand Ayurveda and the Chakras, and so much more! If you're even a tiny bit interested in learning how to incorporate Ayurveda into your yoga teaching and personal practice, this course is for you.
Try An Ayurvedic Diet
The Ayurvedic diet is centered around consuming whole, unprocessed foods and paying attention to the combination of flavours and nutrients within each meal. This approach values the role of food in correcting bodily imbalances as well as promoting overall wellness.
The diet is tailored to an individual's dosha type, which Ayurveda recognizes as unique. So while someone with strong Vata might hold off on having too many cold foods, someone with high Pitta might avoid spicy dishes.
No matter your individual needs, there are countless Ayurvedic recipes out there that can help you create delicious meals while still providing your body with the nutrients it needs to be in balance and at its best.
Incorporate Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies, a cornerstone of Ayurvedic practice, can be used to promote healing and support your body's natural functions.
Commonly used herbs in Ayurvedic medicine include turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha and cumin. You can experiment with incorporating these herbs into your diet - through teas, tinctures, powders or capsules - depending on what works best for you.
Create A Daily Routine
Ayurveda offers valuable insights into developing a healthy morning routine that can help cultivate well-being and bring balance to your daily life.
Here are a few Ayurvedic morning habits you can try:
Drink warm water first thing in the morning to help wake up your digestive system
Set aside time for meditation or breathing exercises to activate your prana, the energy circulating through your body
Eat a nourishing breakfast that is tailored to your dosha type and season
Get your body moving with some gentle physical activity like walking or yoga
Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua
It would be impossible for me to write about Ayurveda without mentioning our incredible Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat here in Nicaragua.
This retreat is the perfect place to dive deep into Yoga and Ayurveda, with sessions of yoga asana, meditation, pranayama, and even surfing! You'll also get to try out delicious plant-based recipes cooked from scratch with local organic ingredients from our very own Salty Farm.
Spend 7 days of bliss in the heart of Northern Nicaragua, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. With a private yoga and meditation Shala and barefoot oceanfront accommodation, there's no better place to reconnect with your inner self and explore the wonders of Ayurveda.
No matter how you choose to incorporate Ayurveda into your life, it will be a journey of immense discovery. You'll learn so much about yourself and start moving in a positive direction towards true balance and harmony - something we all need right now.
Taking the path towards inner balance may not be easy, but it is one that is always well worth the journey.