I recorded this podcast to cast some light on the variance of traditions and modernity around applying Ayurveda in your lifestyle today. Modern approaches to Ayurveda often incorporate traditional Ayurvedic principles with contemporary lifestyles, including plant-based dining. Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that originated in India around 5,000 years ago. Emphasizing a holistic approach to health and well-being, it categorizes individuals into three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and seeks to balance these energies for optimal health.

Here are 10 modern approaches to Ayurveda with a focus on plant-based foods:

* Dosha-Based Plant-Based Diet:

* Identify your predominant dosha (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) through consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner.

* Tailor your plant-based diet to balance your dosha. For example, Vata individuals may benefit from warm, grounding foods (think stews and soups this time of year), while Pitta individuals may thrive on cooling, hydrating foods (think about ingredients like cilantro or kale). You can learn alll about these kinds of foods when you work with an Ayurvedic Practitioner, as this work is customized for each person. There is no other way to do this properly.

* Seasonal Eating:

* Consider seasonal variations in your diet, as Ayurveda emphasizes eating according to the seasons. Fresh, local, and seasonal plant-based foods are encouraged for optimal balance. What is growing in your area right now that you can have as the center of your meals?

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* Mindful Eating:

* Ayurveda places importance on the way you eat, not just what you eat. Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, chewing thoroughly, and being present during meals. Avoid eating in motion (driving, biking, or standing).

* Spices and Herbs:

* Incorporate Ayurvedic spices and herbs into your plant-based meals. Turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and fennel are commonly used for their health-promoting properties. Spices, herbs, and all ingredients is best considered to be medicinal in quality.

* Ayurvedic Cooking Methods:

* Choose cooking methods that align with Ayurvedic principles. For example, favoring steaming or sautéing over deep-frying can help maintain the nutritional integrity of plant-based foods. This is especially helpful for all doshas, which are aggravated by oily foods from deep-frying.

* Balancing Agni (Digestive Fire):

* Ayurveda emphasizes maintaining a strong digestive fire (agni). Include foods that support digestion, such as ginger, lemon, and digestive spices. Avoid overeating and ensure that your meals are well-spaced throughout the day. Think about eating regular meals, but slightly less… think 80% full and you have the perfect recipe to protect agni!

* Individualized Approach:

* Recognize that Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It considers individual constitutions, and what works for one person may not work for another. Customize your plant-based diet based on your unique needs and preferences. Working with an Ayurvedic practitioner can help guide you on your way. In this relationship, it can be a short term project with seasonal tune ups.

* Herbal Supplements:

* Consider incorporating Ayurvedic herbal supplements to address specific health concerns or imbalances. Consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the right supplements for your individual needs. This can offer a revived baseline of partnership with your ecosystem to move into a state of vitality.

* Yoga and Meditation:

* Ayurveda is often complemented by practices such as yoga and meditation. These practices contribute to overall well-being and can enhance the benefits of a plant-based Ayurvedic lifestyle. The approach to tension relief and self-awareness in these disciplines offers an elevated experience for practitioners, cultivating agni (digestive fire) and the goal of vitality: ojas (essence or juice of life)

* Consultation with Ayurvedic Practitioner:

* For personalized guidance, consider consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner. They can provide insights into your dosha, health concerns, and offer specific recommendations tailored to your individual needs and desires for your health!

Lifestyle is Medicine.

Remember that a plant-based Ayurvedic approach is not just about the food you eat but also about the lifestyle choices you make. It's essential to embrace a holistic perspective that includes diet, exercise, mindfulness, and other aspects of well-being. While Ayurveda offers animal products for healing and fortifying your body’s organs and systems, I seek to share the conflict in the Vedas and the current access to animal products. It is often difficult to appropriate products and foods made from animals who were well attended to. Commercial farmed animal products contain the energy of the animal. We find that stressed environments for raised animals product a product dissimilar to products from animals raised in peaceful environments.

Consider the states of energy you include in your diet.

During the writing of the Vedas, we understand that the times between the origins and now have included a letting go of the days of nurturing cows as if they are gods to be worshipped. We understand that poultry is not often running freely on a farm being a chicken and having the sense of awareness about a chicken’s natural life. We also understand that the oceans are no longer a vital place for sea animals in many areas.

With all of this in mind, it requires a thoughtful person connected with nature to consider the use of the age old wisdom of eating red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy products. The energy inside the animal becomes your own matter when eaten. It goes without saying that farmed animals my have unnatural hormones or natural hormones like cortisol and adrenaline from fear in their environment.

All of these fussy details are important to me and what I eat. I daresay it may very well be important to you, too. Nourishing your body requires some intention these days. With soil being a concern, you may want to consider fortifying your body with herbs and even nourishing supplements to add more vitality to your body, mind, and spirit.

You can read on below for more details about working with me, as I am a Ayurveda Digestive Health Counselor. It would be a pleasure to share this wisdom with you!

My name is Angela and I am a certified Face Yoga Method Instructor, as well as 500HR Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher, and a AAPNA member and certified Ayurvedic Digestive Health Counselor. I help women beautify themselves and the world around them through holistic practices and nourishment. I am a content creator for health and beauty apps and online magazines. I currently teach at Divine Yoga Studio in San Francisco, virtually for Cancer Lifeline, and in Beautify Online Courses.

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