What the Body Whispers (Before It Gets Loud)
Learn how to spot early signs of imbalance—and meet the four digestive personalities that shape your health.
Namaste and Greetings!
Welcome to my newsletter, where I explore the wisdom of Ayurveda and how it can help us feel more balanced, nourished, and in tune with our bodies—especially in a world that often teaches us to override what we feel. From digestion to daily routines, seasonal shifts to subtle signals, I share insights (and a few confessions) from my ongoing journey as a student of this ancient science.
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Last week’s post — Are You Listening to Your Body—or Just Ignoring It Politely? — struck a chord. Several of you reached out to say that one line in particular stayed with you:
“The body whispers before it shouts.”
I think it landed because… we’re not taught this.
We live in a world that tells us to push through, to ride out the discomfort, to hustle harder and deal with the consequences later. Subtle symptoms? Minor inconveniences? Ignore them. You’ll rest when you’re dead.
But that mindset isn’t sustainable—especially as we age. And let’s be real: we’re all aging. So listening before it gets loud? It’s not just uncommon. It’s almost rebellious.
Today, I want to talk about how to start listening—and more importantly, what to listen for.
The Art of Noticing (Before the Body Yells)
When you’re used to ignoring the body, noticing can feel awkward—even indulgent. But tuning in doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be quiet. Simple. Just a few moments of curiosity.
Here are a few check-ins I use for myself—and that I offer to clients:
Not hungry in the morning? Instead of skipping breakfast by default, ask: Did I eat too late last night? Was dinner too heavy—or stressful?
Feeling bloated after lunch? Consider: Did I eat while distracted? Was the food cold, raw, or rushed?
Afternoon energy crash? Ask: Was lunch satisfying—or just fast? Have I had a single moment of pause today?
A dull ache in your neck or back? Could be physical tension—or maybe you’ve been holding something in.
A wave of dizziness? Did you eat something grounding—or anything at all? Did you skip rest?
Your jeans feel tight by 5 p.m.? Could be digestion, posture, breath-holding—or all of the above.
You don’t have to analyze every twinge. But asking a few questions—even just one—can reveal a pattern over time.
And when you start noticing those patterns, you begin to understand that your body is speaking. You were just taught not to listen.
That quiet attention leads us to one of the most foundational (and overlooked) ideas in Ayurveda: Agni.
So… What Is Agni?
In case you missed my earlier post (or need a refresher), Agni is your digestive fire.
But it’s more than just your ability to digest food. Agni is the force behind everything you metabolize—meals, yes, but also thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It governs transformation.
When Agni is strong and balanced, you feel clear, nourished, and stable.
When it’s weak or imbalanced? Things feel murky. Heavy. Off.
I introduced Agni in a previous post, today I want to share its many moods—because not all digestive fires behave the same way.
In fact, Ayurveda describes four main types of Agni. They behave a lot like different kinds of roommates.
Meet Your Digestive Roommates
Your Agni determines how you metabolize life—food, feelings, the whole thing. And just like people, Agni shows up with its own quirks and tendencies.
Here’s a look at the four classic types of Agni, reimagined as housemates you may—or may not—want to live with.
1. Manda Agni – The Sluggish One
Always tired. Moves slow. Leaves dishes in the sink.
With Manda Agni, digestion feels heavy and dull. You’re not hungry when you “should” be, and meals leave you foggy or sleepy.
What helps: Warm, light, gently spiced foods. Avoid cold, oily, or overly heavy meals.
2. Tikshna Agni – The Overachiever
Burns everything. Gets hangry. Lives on espresso and ambition.
This digestive fire is too sharp. You’re ravenous, irritable if meals are delayed, and prone to acidity or loose stools. High heat—until burnout.
What helps: Cooling, grounding meals. Soothing herbs. Less sizzle, more stability.
3. Vishama Agni – The Wildcard
Unpredictable. Sometimes they make dinner. Sometimes they ghost you for two days.
This Agni is irregular—bloating, gas, and hunger cues that make no sense. It’s like digestive roulette.
What helps: Routine. Cooked meals at regular times. Avoid raw and cold food. Sit down when you eat. Breathe.
4. Sama Agni – The Dream Roommate
Balanced. Reliable. Folds the towels and pays rent on time.
This is the gold standard of digestion: regular appetite, smooth elimination, steady energy, and a clear mind.
What helps: Stay steady. Don’t rock the boat. Eat in rhythm with your body and the seasons.
Why Knowing Your Agni Matters More Than Any Wellness Trend
Most wellness advice skips a crucial step: asking how your digestion actually works.
Instead, it hands out blanket rules:
“Skip breakfast!” → Not great if your Agni is Manda or Vishama.
“Raw salads are essential!” → Not if your digestion runs cold or irregular.
“Green juice = detox!” → Only if your goal is to feel slightly virtuous and very bloated.
“More protein!” → Okay for some, heavy for others.
“Smoothies are the perfect breakfast!” → Not if they send your Agni into hibernation.
Ayurveda doesn’t hand out universal rules.
It asks: How do you digest?
And that question is worth asking—before you overhaul your diet, your supplements, or your kitchen.
The Invitation
You don’t need to figure out your Agni type today. You don’t need to overhaul your meals or become a perfect eater.
You just need to start paying attention.
Try asking yourself:
How does my digestion feel today?
When do I feel clear, light, and steady?
When do I feel heavy, bloated, or off?
These small questions are how the conversation with your body begins. That’s the whisper.
Let’s get in the habit of listening—before it needs to shout.
I’m still learning to listen, too. Some days I catch the whispers. Other days I miss them completely. But this practice of paying attention with kindness instead of judgment feels like something worth returning to. One quiet check-in at a time.
And if it ever feels like too much, you’re not alone. The modern world doesn’t exactly make it easy to slow down and notice. But your body is always trying to work with you — not against you. And that, I think, is a comforting place to begin.
Lastly, next Saturday is the second edition of Dear Ayurveda — where I do my best to answer your wellness questions without sounding like a textbook (or a guru).
Got something you’ve been wondering about? Drop your question in the comments or send me a message. There’s still time — and no question is too small or too weird.
Thanks, for reading,
Kindness instead of judgement.
Another valuable consideration.
Can’t be reminded of this enough.
I am going to pay more attention and learn more about my body.
Thanks for making us aware of our bodies. ❤️