Happy June

when a comment made me angry and defensive at first ...

Greetings,

Thank you for being here dear readers?

In this edition of my newsletter I talk about …

• how a comment made me angry and defensive at first - but ended up strengthening my resolve to continue sharing what I’m learning about Ayurveda

• I share my favorite, most useful definition of Ayurveda

• I finally have my mission statement (still quite fluid) which informs how I learn and think about Ayurveda and how I wish to implement it into my personal and professional life.

Photo by A A on Unsplash

Recently, I was asked how I could possibly expect to teach the concepts of Ayurveda given the way I look, and because I’m not a vegetarian, drink coffee, use foul language, and am not a yoga expert. Initially, I was taken aback by the comment. I wanted to hit the person … I didn’t. The question touched a nerve that's been niggling at me for a while.

He was wrong because he was rude and flippant, but his question wasn’t something I haven’t asked myself. Not the part about not being a vegetarian or drinking coffee, because Ayurveda doesn’t require you to do anything. But the part about my appearance — which is not what might pop into one’s head when someone might think of an Ayurveda following person. We all have an image that comes to mind when we think of a ballerina or a sumo wrestler or a gymnast for instance. This person had an image when it came to a person who spoke about or adhered to the principles of Ayurveda. Apparently, I didn’t fit his image. I have flaws just like everyone else.

But isn’t that the point? That I am a person who is learning new principles that can help balance my imbalances, help take care of some health issues that I may have developed and also help me start new practices that can maintain health and sustain future health?

As I was muddling over these things in my head, I glanced over at a copy of a ‘mission statement’ of sorts that I had prepared for myself about what I wanted to do as a future Ayurvedic practitioner. This is what it said - without all the scratches and scribbles:

Introduce Ayurveda in a way that's relatable and accessible to those who may not be familiar with it. That is the key to sparking curiosity and encouraging its adoption in everyday life. By breaking down complex concepts into simple, digestible information and highlighting how Ayurveda can benefit individuals in practical ways, I would like to make it more approachable and appealing to a wider audience. With clear guidelines that meet the individual at the point they are in their lives—be it their age, health goals, or the amount of change they are willing to make—I believe I have the power to open doors to Ayurveda for those who may have never considered it before.

On another piece of paper, I said the following:

Making Ayurveda approachable is so important to me because, for years, I was hesitant to learn or apply any Ayurvedic principles to my life because I encountered one of two types of teachers/practitioners:

• Those that were young and ultra fit. They were always calm and centered, smiling in bliss after a yoga session, wearing perfect Lululemon coordinating outfits on their perfect bodies. The impression was that they always had their shit together—perfect meals, meditation, yoga retreats, sandalwood incense, and rose petals strewn everywhere they walked.

• The others were ultra-serious and strict. If all the rules were not followed, then you were basically doomed. They seemed to say you have to find the time and inclination to change your entire life and do this, that, and the other. If you can’t wake up at dawn and gaze at the sun as you do your sun salutations, well… then… why are you even alive? If each meal is not freshly cooked and eaten in a calm, soothing place, then you are also doomed.

I would read or hear such instructions from experts and try to picture in what world I could be making each meal freshly cooked and eat in a quiet space. I found it overwhelming and impractical. When I did attempt to follow the cooking fresh meals everyday advice, it was not sustainable, I was overwhelmed and I was guilty when I stopped.

I want to be the person who shows you that perfection is not the goal, nor is the all-or-nothing approach.

I am a flawed individual who never exercised except for walking and having a profession that required standing, movement, lifting, bending, etc. I ate everything I could get my hands on—in the name of professional curiosity, cultural curiosity, but mostly because food is delicious but over the years also became my “substance.” The point of this whole thing is that you can learn from flawed individuals who have had and continue to have challenges that they are willing to be real about.

Ayurveda — It is not only for perfect humans.

I dedicate this newsletter to the person who asked me what I thought was an obnoxious question.

Photo by Andre Portolesi on Unsplash

MOVING ON …

In the last newsletter I neglected to define Ayurveda. Among the myriad definitions out there, one that particularly resonated with me was shared by  Dr. Kamya Pillai, one of my many outstanding instructors at Kerala Ayurveda in Milpitas, California. This is how I paraphrase her wisdom:

Ayurveda embodies a collection of 'plain truths,' meticulously documented and codified over between 2 and 5 thousand years. These timeless principles are presented in a manner accessible to anyone, regardless of formal education, empowering individuals to grasp and implement fundamental concepts in their daily lives. From maintaining overall well-being to addressing minor ailments, Ayurveda offers practical guidance without the need for constantly chasing fad diets or changing nutritional trends.

Its beauty lies in its inclusivity—embracing individuals from all walks of life and providing a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Plain truths can also be thought of as Simple Concepts.

First Simple Concept

Align with the cycles of nature as much as possible.

The day follows a natural cycle: the sun rises, reaches its peak at noon, then gradually descends and sets, repeating this pattern daily without exception. The moon, tides, and seasons follow similar cycles—nature's rhythm is consistent and predictable.

Humans are part of nature. Our body has cycles and rhythms too.

If we see ourselves as part of nature and recognize the importance of aligning with its cycles, our bodies' innate wisdom, coupled with nature's intelligence, will help us stay predominantly healthy and balanced.

Aligning ourselves with the cycles of nature is a fundamental principle. Just as the sun rises and sets predictably each day, and the moon influences the tides and seasons follow their pattern, humans, too, are part of this natural rhythm. By recognizing and respecting these cycles within ourselves, we can harness the innate intelligence of both our bodies and nature to maintain health and balance.

While this may seem like a straightforward concept, for many, including myself, it's not so simple. Yet, understanding the importance of establishing routines and rhythms for balance has become ingrained in my new approach to daily life.

Perfection isn't the aim here, especially not initially. Instead, it's about making small, manageable changes and starting from where you are.

For over two decades, I've lived a life devoid of regimented routines, driven by the nature of my work (working in kitchens, catering, teaching, freelance work), and a lack of awareness of the importance of structure. However, I've come to realize that having a personalized routine, tailored to fit my life circumstances, is key. Not any one’s else’s life. But my life with my current life circumstances.

While few may have the luxury of an idealized day—starting with morning meditation, followed by a healthy breakfast, fulfilling work, and serene family gatherings—not everyone can attain such perfection. Yet, even amidst life's complexities and challenges, finding balance within our own rhythms is achievable and essential for well-being.

Let’s take Sleep for instance:

Sleep is essential. I need not explain its importance. Both Eastern and Western science has established that fact.

Sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and all other vital functions in our bodies.

What I didn’t know before I started thinking of myself as part of nature and following it’s cyclical nature, is that when we sleep is also important.

According to Ayurveda, sleep and other bodily functions are determined by the three constitution types or Doshas, which I touched upon in my last newsletter (add a link or encourage the reader to check that out).

The three doshas are:

Vata (wind)

Pitta (fire)

Kapha (water and earth)

Sleep is dominated by Kapha which creates the heavy feeling of tiredness.

The ideal time to sleep is between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM

That is not achievable for many. It is funny when some of my weekday classes end at 10:30 PM.

The point of knowing the window is to keep as close to that ideal time as is possible. It doesn’t mean that if you work the night shift, you quit your job. It doesn’t mean that when you have that 10:30 PM class, you start to panic that your bedtime is being disrupted. What it does mean is that when it is possible, try to sleep as close to the ideal time as possible. For example, when I’m home, I try to make sure that I don’t simply sit in front of some screen, small or big, scrolling mindlessly or watching yet another episode on Netflix, just because I don’t have to wake up early the next day.

Now, unless it is beyond my control, I switch off devices and get into bed at 10:00 PM.

Do I fall asleep right away?

Not really. Am I tempted to play a game on my phone, even if it is Spelling Bee on the New York Times site?

Of course.

And I do succumb to it often.

The point is not perfection. The point is to know why sleeping on time, adequate sleep, and the quality of sleep is important.

Photo by Aedrian Salazar on Unsplash

And so I don’t see laying in bed at 10 PM as a punishment, but as something that I am doing to ensure that I can feel good enough to do the things that I need to do tomorrow, next week, and for my long term health.

I am definitely late to the whole thinking of my long term health game. I also think that I am not the only one.

I am trying now, and you can too. Let’s not think about what we could’ve, should’ve done. It’s important to things now.

The take away here is that only after I understood the WHY, it became easier, not easy to do things that were good for me.

Photo by Ava Sol on Unsplash

Coming up …

In Western thought: You are what you eat

In Ayurvedic thought: You are what you digest

This will be the focus of my next newsletter.

I will discuss how Ayurveda emphasizes not just what we eat, but how well we digest it. This unique perspective can significantly enhance our health by encouraging small but impactful changes in our dietary choices.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate all the encouragement that I have received. This newsletter will always be free, so please share with those who you think might enjoy what I am writing about.

Some readers have been very kind and have made monetary pledges and for them I am grateful.

Namaste,

Geetika