My name is Kripa and I am 32 years old. I work in event design and production. My job requires constant innovation, creativity and passion. But it also entails erratic working hours, excessive screen-time and, pressure for perfection. During a busy period, it becomes challenging to maintain a daily routine. But this is where Ayurveda gives me anchorage and helps me focus on my health more effortlessly.
Prior to my introduction to Ayurveda, I would often stray away from ideal health choices. This was mainly due to the nature of my work and a lack of understanding of what my body needs. During particularly busy periods, my sleep pattern would get affected and my diet distorted. For reasons I couldn’t understand, I would lose my appetite during meals and, my overall vitality would decrease.
I have always been a little wary of building a dependency on allopathic medicines. I am not averse to conventional biomedical treatments. But I think that we can be too quick to pop pills to address a daily headache or heartburn. We often tend to overlook that medicines provide a quick fix, as opposed to finding the root of the trouble. In my opinion, Ayurveda offers a more sustainable approach towards relieving yourself of these daily ailments.
Holistic treatments have always had a place in my life. I grew up watching my grandmother brew different herbal teas for sore throats and stomach aches but I only started actively following Ayurveda six years ago.
My introduction happened when I happily accompanied a family member to a consultation with a recommended Ayurvedic practitioner. I was asked a few questions about my daily routine, my habits and, my emotional wellbeing. After reviewing my responses the practitioner was able to suggest a diet, a few meditative breathing exercises, and daily rituals to enhance my overall wellbeing. I decided I’d give it a go.
I began by slowly incorporating these suggestions into my routine (Dinacharya). Most of these rituals are simple. For instance, Abhayanga is an Ayurvedic massage ritual. While a massage therapist normally performs it, it can also be done as a self-massage by using oil in rhythmical movements. I began to include this 20 minute practice every alternate day, right before taking a bath. Abhayanga effectively induces blood circulation, improves the digestion and calms the nerves.
Another initial suggestion included diet changes, such as reducing raw food and including sweet, oily, and rich foods in my diet. This initially sounded very different from what conventional Western nutrition teaches us. But I have to say, consuming these foods in moderation, made a significant difference to my otherwise weak appetite. I was also able to determine the cause for my lack of hunger and resolve it by eating at consistent meal timings and at shorter intervals. These lifestyle interventions made a significant difference to my mindfulness, health and happiness.
Over the years, my interest in Ayurveda grew. As I read more and completed a certified course, my knowledge on it expanded. According to Ayurveda, there is no standardized formula for optimal health. Everyone’s bodies are unique and have an individual constitution (Prakriti) of air, fire and water. This constitution determines not just our physical make-up but our mental and emotional make-up too.
By paying more attention to my body, I understood that my dominant element is air (Vata). Those with a ruling air element in their composition are more susceptible to feeling ungrounded, restless and, erratic if they aren’t mindful of their routines. This explained why I was more depleted than “normal” if I slept too late or if I skipped a meal.
Knowing all of this now, I spend more time listening to myself, especially through meditation. If I feel a particular way at the end of the day, I reflect on what might have caused it and what I could do differently the next day. I pay more attention to my diet by trying to eat more Sattvik (pure & fresh) foods, at consistent timings and shorter intervals. I don’t push my body when it’s tired and, I let it get the rest it needs but, if I feel any stiffness, I push it past the lethargy to get the exercise it needs.
I’ve always been a health-conscious person but Ayurveda provided me with a personalized map to navigate my path to wellness. On this path, I learning to consciously foster a better relationship between my mind and body and, listen to myself carefully. By adjusting my diet, engaging in more mindfulness and, cultivating a consistent routine, I am able to make sustainable and hugely beneficial changes to my overall vitality. Ayurveda is redefining being healthy for me: It isn’t merely the absence of disease but rather an attainable state of wholeness.
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