Ayurveda

One of the fundamental concepts in Ayurveda is that we are a reflection of the five basic Cosmic elements – Ether (Space), Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Not only do these elements live externally in nature, but internally within every one of us.

Because these natural elements exist in both the macrocosm of the universe and the microcosm of our individual bodies, bringing our bodies and rhythms in sync with the cycles of Nature is what will keep us balanced. A.k.a. cool cosmic creatures.

Nature is part of the individual, since we all are created from, exist in, and return to Nature. Living in places devoid of Nature, or in discord with the natural rhythms of the day, the seasons, or the years and our natural ageing process, can create friction and imbalance.

Read: all of us have a Mother in Nature. Call your Mother.

As the conditions and seasons of our life change, we’re healthiest when we make tiny changes in our habits to remain in balance.

Ayurveda recognises that your health is made up of what you do every day and that a daily routine is necessary to bring change in body, mind and consciousness.

As our main man Dr Vasant Lad puts it, "Routine helps to establish balance by regularising a person’s biological clock, aiding digestion, absorption and assimilation, and generating self-esteem, discipline, peace, happiness and longevity.”

If you are eating fast food, not exercising and going against what you know is right for your body (the onion), then you can’t expect healthfulness (the mango).

We get it; it’s super hard. Confronted with walls of crap food in the supermarket, drawn in by the blaze of your Netflix screen, it sometimes feels like the world is working against your wellness.

But Ayurveda empowers and encourages you to be an active participant in your own health. You can be the hero, not the victim in your journey to Well.

One of life’s purposes is undoubtedly enjoying yourself. Hell yeah. But you lose the ability to enjoy when you exceed your limits.

Most of us have come to think of this excess in self-indulgence as freedom. But full-time gratification is actually enslavement, because the more we consume the more we become captives of our consumption. Each of our addictions—to caffeine, sugar, salt, screen-time, cigarettes, alcohol, anger, jealousy — chips away at our freedom of mind and body.

If Ayurveda were a religion (which it’s not),overindulgence would be the only sin. Ayurveda is totally into enjoying the pleasures of life - up to the tipping point where such pleasure starts messing with your health.

Rest assured: it’s about finding a balance, not perfection.

When you eat sugar, you end up wanting more sugar. When you feel sad, you play music to make you sadder. We naturally gravitate towards things that will aggravate our imbalances.

Ayurveda advises us to steer towards the opposite, to rebalance ourselves.

It’s kind of common sense, but when you frame it that way it’s easier to identify problems + solutions.  

The digestive system is the gatekeeper of good health. In Ayurveda we talk about the digestive system…a lot. 

It’s kind of an obsession.

If we are combining foods that don’t digest well together (e.g. protein + grains) or eating sugar right after a meal (hello bloating) or chowing down our food in a way that doesn’t facilitate digestion(too fast, too much, or while distracted), we are doing our bodies a big disservice that basically might come back to bite us in the ass.

Noticing and preventing imbalances before they become disease is what Ayurveda is all about.

Your body is actually a pretty great communicator. It will gently warn you when things are starting to get out of whack…again and again. And only usually turns to drastic measures when you totally refuse to listen.

While Ayurveda focuses on the root causes of health issues, modern medicine often focuses on treating symptoms. Especially when you reach the tipping point of presenting serious symptoms.  

In this way one is complementary to the other.  

Ayurveda is also a living science that is constantly evolving; it’s not constrained by any static ancient dogma. So new knowledge and research are welcomed with open arms and intertwined into the existing wisdom.

Like a cool pretzel of old and new wellness wisdom. If that makes sense?