Today, I am delighted to welcome Nidhi Pandya, an Ayurvedic doctor and the author of the soon-to-be-released book Your Body Already Knows, to explore the interconnection between Ayurveda, yoga, and mindful living.

In this insightful episode, Nidhi dives into her journey of growing up immersed in ancient Ayurvedic traditions. She shares the profound wisdom of those principles and explains how she has woven them into her personal and professional life.

Join us for Nidhi’s heartfelt stories and actionable insights highlighting the relevance of Ayurveda in modern-day life.

Early Immersion in Ayurveda

Nidhi grew up in a large family in India, where Ayurveda was an intrinsic part of life, taught through rhythms and logic rather than explicit instructions. Her grandfather, an Ayurvedic healer, influenced her upbringing, and she learned to observe subtle connections between body, mind, and environment. That foundation sparked her curiosity about human behavior and health.

Formal Training and Unique Education Path

In her early twenties, she moved to the U.S. and pursued formal Ayurvedic education despite the skepticism of her family. She studied at a rare Gurukul-style institution that offered intensive classes led by top educators from Pune’s Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalay. That rigorous, classical training complemented her experience of Ayurveda and shaped her understanding of the science.

Transition to Empowering Practice

After initially practicing Ayurveda in a prescriptive manner and becoming disillusioned with the dependency it created among her clients, she transitioned to teaching principles of self-evaluation and empowerment, helping people to integrate Ayurvedic practices into their lives sustainably.

Ayurveda Across Life Stages and Contexts

Ayurvedic practices shift with age and lifestyle demands. Regardless of the external circumstances, everyone faces internal battles, which Ayurveda can help address. Nidhi encourages integrating small, meaningful daily practices to prevent individuals from carrying their unresolved stress into the future.

Ayurveda for Modern Life

While preventative care may dominate in younger years, repair becomes more critical with age. Nidhi advises everyone to create a sanctuary of peace regardless of their living environment.

Group Work and the Power of Community

Nidhi works primarily with women in group settings. She highlights the unique challenges women face globally and believes that when women heal, it creates a ripple effect that has the potential to create widespread healing.

Common Challenges Women Face

Nidhi identifies burnout, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, and insomnia as the most prevalent challenges most women worldwide face. She highlights how societal pressures tend to force women to sacrifice parts of themselves, leading to emotional and physical strain. Her work addresses those imbalances by helping women embrace all aspects of their identities without striving for perfection.

Reaching Millennials Through Ayurveda

Her work naturally resonates with Millennials. Nidhi designed her approach to empower individuals by teaching logical connections between body and environment, emphasizing self-trust and practical experimentation rather than prescribing rigid solutions.

The Concept of Inner Climate

Nidhi introduced the concept of the inner climate to simplify Ayurvedic principles. She explains that just as the climate on Earth supports life, the body thrives when its warm and moist internal environment is balanced and aligns with the ideal conditions for microbiota, digestion, and overall health. Deviations from that balance lead to physical and emotional imbalances.

Modern Imbalances and Coping Mechanisms

Nidhi explains that sedentary individuals often become cold and humid, gravitating toward heavy foods, while overproductive individuals may burn out with hot and dry conditions. Recognizing these tendencies allows for mindful course corrections.

The Journey Within

Nidhi emphasizes that understanding comes from internal work. While teachers and external knowledge provide guidance, connecting with your body and intuition is essential. Her philosophy, embodied in her book Your Body Already Knows, highlights the importance of leaning into your inner wisdom rather than seeking validation from external sources.

Nidhi's Three-Tier Toolkit for Well-Being

Nidhi has a three-tiered approach to managing stress and maintaining health, consisting of:

Preventative Tools: Daily practices like meditation, oil massages, and rhythmic breathing that rewire body chemistry before stress arises.

Battlefield Tools: Quick, in-the-moment strategies such as humming, exhaling deeply, or splashing cold water to reset the nervous system.

Repair Tools: Reflective practices like journaling or therapy to process daily stress and prevent accumulation over time.

Nidhi’s Daily Practices

Morning Routine: She begins her day by checking in with her breath while still in bed and mentally mapping out her day. She consciously avoids looking at her phone first thing in the morning.

First Food/Drink: Her morning starts with a cup of spiced hot milk and a handful of soaked, peeled almonds. Occasionally, she enjoys chai or a weekend cappuccino.

Evening Wind-Down: A nightly ritual of oil cleansing and facial massage is her non-negotiable routine. It helps her feel grounded and ready for bed.

About Nidhi

Nidhi is an Ayurvedic Doctor based in NYC and the creator of the Inner Climate ® Framework. She has a groundbreaking approach to health that mergesancient wisdom with modern science and represents the essence of her 15 years of dedicated practice and deep understanding of Ayurvedic principles.

Raised in India, Nidhi was immersed in Vedic wisdom from birth, drawing inspiration from her grandfather, a respected Ayurvedic healer. Her journey led her to formal education in holistic health.  However, Nidhi soon realized the limitations of a strictly prescriptive approach to health. This insight spurred her to reinterpret Ayurveda through a transformative lens, making ancient knowledge accessible and relevant in today's world.

An international teacher, coach, and speaker, Nidhi contributes to various publications and serves as a faculty member at the Shakti School. Her strength lies in her unique ability to bridge the gap between traditional Ayurvedic teachings and the needs of contemporary women, guiding them towards a balanced, empowered life.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Cleanse Certification Training

Contact Nidhi Pandya:

• On her website
• On Instagram

Pre-order a copy of Nidhi’s upcoming book, Your Body Already Knows

Nidhi’s 21-Day Full Body Reset Program

Nidhi also offers a healing program, group programs, and some one-on-one sessions.

Happy New Year everyone!

We have an incredible lineup of guests and topics planned for 2025 to share how the wisdom of Ayurveda can support our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

The most significant aspect of Ayurveda for me has always been its spiritual dimension and how it helps us foster a more meaningful connection with the hidden dimensions of life. Setting my intentions for this year, I find myself drawn more toward the unseen aspects of life and the magic that lies in the day-to-day instead of focusing on manifesting things of a physical nature.

Join me for a solo episode where I explore the idea of magic, what it means, how it manifests, and why it matters.

Resolutions that Flow with the Current of Life

Instead of following a rigid checklist approach to writing New Year resolutions, try embracing the flow of life, accepting its unpredictability, and noticing the magic all around us. Exploring the deeper reasons behind your intentions will allow you to create goals with greater authenticity and meaning.

Embracing the Phases of Life

Life moves through different seasons, each with its unique focus and priorities. In a phase fuelled by the energy of Mars, for example, we might feel more driven to take action, pursue goals, and achieve outward success. During those times, even those of us on a spiritual journey might find it helpful to lean into physical anchors, like our home, relationships, or financial stability, as those tangible aspects give us a solid foundation while allowing our personal and spiritual growth to flourish.

Balancing the Spiritual and the Practical

Although deep spiritual practices help us become more aware of and connected to the subtle energies surrounding us, we must also stay grounded in the physical world, as that balance allows our spiritual wisdom to guide us in practical matters while supporting our growth in all areas of life.

Navigating the Waves of Life

As we move through different phases of life, the change and impermanence can often feel overwhelming, like being caught in a wave. While events like losing loved ones, changes in our work, or new responsibilities can shake us up, they also offer us a chance to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. They remind us to focus on what truly matters and to share meaningful teachings, like those of Ayurveda, in ways that resonate with where we are now.

Intentions with Heart and Purpose

When setting your intentions for the New Year, there is no need to focus on strict goals. Instead, take a moment to reflect on values like presence, connection, and harmony with the natural flow of life. Grounding our resolutions in a clear sense of purpose allows us to enjoy the journey and find the process fulfilling rather than stressing about a specific outcome.

Returning to Magic

Returning to magic means we must shift our desires from material and physical securities to create a deeper connection with the divine and the magical nature of reality. That involves recognizing the flow of life, trusting that challenges and blessings are part of a larger, interconnected picture, creating intentional boundaries, and taking practical steps to sustain that connection.

Intentional Rituals as Anchors

Rituals are grounding practices that help embody and sustain the desire for connection and magic. Ayurvedic practices are rituals that anchor us and help us align our physical rhythms with the broader flow of nature.

The Subtle and Practical in Wellness

While practical steps like improving digestion or hormone health address immediate concerns, they also purify the senses and mind to perceive reality clearly.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Cleanse Certification Training

Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health

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Join the Ayurvedic Living Community and take advantage of all of the benefits that membership has to offer. Click below to learn more.

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Today, I am excited to have Adena from Adena Rose Ayurveda with me on the podcast.

Adena is a women's health Ayurveda practitioner with 15 years of experience at the AyurvedicCenter of Vermont, where she once served as one of my Panchakarma therapists.

As an Ayurvedic practitioner, Adena works primarily in reproductive health, doing hands-on work, including Maya abdominal therapy and Ayurvedic therapies, to support women through various life stages, overcome fertility issues, and help them heal painful and irregular menstrual cycles.

Adena loves sharing vital self-healing tools to empower women. In this episode, she dives into the most effective and recommended tools. We also explore the practice of vaginal steaming and how to do it.

Join us for her years of clinical experience as Adena shares her insights on women's health.

Fertility

Adena believes women must ensure that the soil, or conditions for fertility, are optimal. Her approach fosters a deeper understanding of physical signals, guiding women to reclaim their health and well-being through Ayurveda.

Monitoring Fertility

Cervical Fluid: Recognizing changes in cervical fluid can help identify the fertile window without invasive measures.

Basal Body Temperature: Tracking temperature changes can indicate ovulation phases to clarify fertility status.

Cervical Examination: For those comfortable with it, feeling the cervix can offer insights into ovulation.

These methods can help women gain a more intimate understanding of their bodies without relying on ovulation kits.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Ovulation Issues

By assessing digestion and menstrual patterns, practitioners can identify underlying dosha-related issues affecting ovulation. Adena explains that the symptoms of not ovulating can vary widely, from irregular cycles to different bleeding patterns, all of which can link to specific dosha imbalances.

Navigating Fertility Paths

Many clients seek out alternative methods after being disappointed with conventional treatments. Some approach Adena before starting their fertility journey, while others go to her after trying IVF or other medical interventions. Adena highlights the importance of conscious conception, where couples prepare their bodies and balance doshas before attempting to conceive.

Perimenopause and Menopause Insights

Women in their 40s may experience hot flashes, irregular periods, and heightened anxiety. Adena explains that those symptoms often reflect dosha imbalances, which can manifest as increased sensitivity. She acknowledges the cyclical nature of female health, highlighting the importance of self-awareness during life transitions.

Ayurvedic Self-Care Practices for Women

Abhyanga: Daily self-massage with warm oil to promote relaxation and balance.

Pranayama: Breathing techniques that help connect the breath and nervous system, including NadiShodhana (alternate nostril breathing).

Nourishing Herbal Infusions: Using herbs like nettles and red clover to provide essential nutrients is particularly beneficial for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Herbal Infusions

Herbal infusions involve soaking herbs in hot water for an extended period (8-12 hours) to maximize the extraction of iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. You can include the Ayurvedic herbs, Shatavari, and ashwagandha, but Western herbs like nettle, rose, and tulsi are usually more accessible.

Hydration

In Ayurveda, hydration is fundamental for health. Adena recommends starting the day with a glass of warm water with lemon to stimulate digestion and detoxification. Drinking warm or room-temperature water throughout the day supports digestion, balances bodily functions, boosts energy levels, and enhances skin health.

Empowering Alternatives to Pharmaceuticals

Adena suggests exploring holistic methods for at least six months before resorting to pharmaceutical medications.

Emotional and Physical Healing

Invasive medical procedures can feel overwhelming. Adena recommends a holistic approach to support women looking to process their experiences after medical interventions.

Yoni Steaming

Yoni steaming is a tool for self-healing that focuses on the pelvic and womb spaces. The practice involves sitting over steaming herbs for various purposes, from physical healing to emotional and spiritual support. Adena explains that with specific herbs, yoni steaming can create homeostasis in the body by supporting the natural function of the reproductive system. The heat from the steam, combined with the properties of herbs like calendula, chamomile, or mugwort, helps relax muscles, improve circulation, and encourage the natural detox processes in the body. Those herbs also soothe inflammation, regulate menstrual cycles, and address painful periods.

Customizing Practices for Individual Needs

Adena focuses on creating customized routines involving diet, herbs, and specific therapies to ensure that each woman receives the most effective support for her individual body and healing journey. She explains that what works for one person may not work for another in healing. She always considers the constitution of each woman, her menstrual patterns, and her overall health when determining the best approach.

Offerings and Future Programs

Adena now offers Yoni steaming at the AyurvedicCenter in Vermont, often alongside Maya abdominal therapy. She has taught womb-healing practices for years, covering techniques like Yoni steaming, castor oil packs, and self-abdominal massage, and she will launch a year-long Ayurveda practitioner apprenticeship in 2025, focusing on advanced herbal formulas and fertility awareness. She will also offer the Sacred Spiral Ayurveda Collective as a lighter course for those wanting to learn healing tools without one-on-one sessions.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Practical and Authentic Healing for Women: Adena Rose Ayurveda

The Sacred Spiral Ayurveda Collective

The Sacred Spiral Ayurveda Apprenticeship

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Join the Ayurvedic Living Community and take advantage of all of the benefits that membership has to offer. Click below to learn more.

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Most of the questions I get asked while traveling revolve around my writing process or publishing journey. So, in this episode, I share my life-altering journey, explaining how a personal health challenge led me to discover Ayurveda and inspired me to write books to spread its wisdom. So, whether you dream of writing a book, are busy working on one, or are curious about the writing and publishing process, this episode is a must-listen.

Join me. You may even find the spark to turn your writing ideas into reality!

My Health Struggles

When I was 20, I traveled to India, eager for adventure, but my health was a mess. I dealt with parasites, a weakened immune system, and gut issues and took antibiotics like Flagyl, which wrecked my digestive system. After I returned to India to seek treatment, a doctor in Mysore introduced me to the ancient Ayurvedic healing system.

The Ayurvedic Experience

I underwent Panchakarma, a powerful Ayurvedic detox that included oil rubdowns, milk pours, enemas, and a simple Kitchari diet. The experience was intense but transformative. It gave me a deeper understanding of Ayurveda and sparked my curiosity to learn more.

Combining Yoga and Ayurveda

I spent time teaching yoga and Ayurveda, balancing my time between India and the U.S. I started sharing simple Ayurvedic practices with my students, like tongue scraping and drinking hot water. I also noticed how confused many people were about food, so I wrote a cookbook.

The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook

When an editor from Shambhala Publications contacted me, I knew it was time to turn my ideas into a book. So, I wrote The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. It contains simple, seasonal recipes to help people understand how food can be medicine.

The Publishing Journey

The publishing process was not easy. It involved testing recipes, balancing the Ayurvedic philosophy, and ensuring it was user-friendly and accessible. I worked closely with a designer to create a visually appealing and informative book. The cookbook came out in 2015, and in 2025, I will release a 10th-anniversary edition of The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook, with new recipes and a foreword by Amadeo Morning Star.

Mind-Body Connection and the Second Book

As I continued working with people, I realized how much the mind influences our health and food choices. That led me to write my second book, Everyday Ayurvedic Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind, about how Ayurveda can help us create mental calm and clarity, which supports our overall well-being.

Writing in India

When in India, I have more time to write as there are fewer distractions. I get a lot of inspiration in India, especially from local food markets and healthy restaurants.

The Struggles of Writing the Front Matter

Writing the front matter for Calm, Clear Mind took me a year. Writing about the mind is tricky, complex, and often murky. I worked closely with my partner, Rich, who has experience with psychological work, to ensure the language was non-judgmental.

Research and Inspiration from Texts

I could not find many Ayurvedic resources on the mind, so I dug deep into texts like the Bhagavad Gita, which explores the connection between food and the mind. After extensive research, I also found insights from various yogic and Vedic texts that shaped my approach to writing about the mind.

The Challenge of Publishing

Publishing with Shambhala has been a rewarding experience for me. The vulnerability of handing over my work for the first time was a huge emotional challenge, but working with a trustworthy publisher made things easier. I published all four of my books with them because I trust their artistic vision and respect for my work.

The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self-Care

My third book, The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self-Care, was a home remedy guide that dives into the Ayurvedic understanding of the body, covering tissues and channels, and how to nourish them. It offers targeted remedies for health issues, like digestion or bone health, and includes a comprehensive directory of herbs and spices.

The Financial Realities of Writing

Writing books is not a lucrative endeavor. Authors need to supplement their income with speaking engagements or other work.

Writing About Women's Health

During COVID, I decided to write a book on women's health, focusing on the Ayurvedic approach to menstruation, breast health, and how women move through the world. I wanted to explore the female body from a cosmic perspective, using Ayurvedic principles to explain all the physical, psychological, and energetic health aspects. This book was challenging to write but fulfilling.

My Writing Workflow

I try to shut down other work when writing a book, allowing myself to enter a creative space. The researching, writing, and crafting process of a book excites me, and I have learned with each book I have written. I start with a table of contents and adjust as I go, constantly refining the direction. Research and comparison with other books help me pinpoint what is missing and what I can offer that others have not.

Managing Time and Work Balance

Writing a book takes time and energy, so I plan it carefully. It is hard for me, as stepping away from my regular work means a loss of income.

Starting Your Writing Journey

For those beginning the writing process, I recommend starting with smaller projects, like writing articles or essays, as they can eventually become part of your book. You can publish your projects in blogs, magazines, or platforms like Substack. I also suggest creating a mock proposal or table of contents to clarify your vision for the book. Remember that you do not have to have everything mapped out from the start. Just get started!

Finding Your Ideal Writing Rhythm

Everyone has a different writing flow. I work best with large blocks of time, usually five-hour windows during the day. I never work past 5 p.m. because it can affect my ability to relax. The key is experimenting to find what works best for you.

Writing in Flexible Environments

Writing does not have to happen in a specific space or time. I encourage writers to share their work-in-progress through blogs, social media, or newsletters. That keeps you motivated and on track, helping you to move forward with your book.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

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Ready to Take Your Health to a New Level?

Join the Ayurvedic Living Community and take advantage of all of the benefits that membership has to offer. Click below to learn more.

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I am excited to have Sonia Lloyd, the founder of Rasasara Skin Food, on the show with me today.

Sonia founded her skincare company in Australia twenty years ago. She developed an interest in compounding skincare products after struggling with ultra-sensitive skin. Following the Ayurvedic model, she created a line specifically tailored for vata, pitta, and kapha skin types.

In our discussion today, Sonia shares her experience as a skincare consultant and dives into how her products get made. She reveals how our skin reflects our diet and lifestyle and explains how the qualities of vata, pitta, and kapha within the body show up in our skin. We also explore ways to recognize what is happening in our skin and how to care for it.

You will not want to miss this epic conversation with Sonia Lloyd of Rasasara Skin Food. Join us!

Her Journey

Sonia has been a part of the organic skincare business for 20 years, motivated by her passion for Ayurveda and a desire to eliminate the excessive fragrances in existing products. Apart from the Ayurvedic skincare products she found at local Indian grocery stores, she often encountered products laden with artificial scents that aggravated her sensitivity. That led her to discover that if a product is inedible, we should not use it on the skin. That prompted her to create Rasasara, a brand focusing on edible skincare, minimal packaging, and aesthetically pleasing design.

Product Philosophy and Skin Types

Sonia bases her products on Ayurvedicdoshas, targeting different skin qualities. The packaging clearly labels products for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha skin types, and the Rasasara website features a skincare quiz to help identify skin types. Sonia highlights the importance of understanding your skin type to achieve better results but reassures customers that even using the wrong product is still more beneficial than conventional options.

Understanding Doshas and Their Impact on Skincare

The qualities of the three doshas:

• Vata: Fine and dry skin, prone to roughness and coldness. Vata products use heavier oils like black sesame to nourish and hydrate.
• Pitta: Typically sensitive skin with oiliness in the T-zone. Pitta skin often shows signs of heat and redness, so Sonia uses cooling ingredients such as rose and sandalwood for this skin type.
• Kapha: Kapha is often associated with thicker, more resilient skin that can be oily and congested. Kapha products detoxify and stimulate the skin using lighter oils.

People often have a mix of dosha qualities. Sonia recommends focusing on imbalances rather than fitting strictly into one category.

Recommended Skincare Routines

Pitta skin can be easily irritated. Start with a warm compress, use a floral mist, and end with a carefully selected oil for Pitta imbalances. The key is to avoid friction and inflammation while promoting healing and balance in the skin.

Understanding Aging and Skin Health

By prioritizing what we put on our skin and inside our bodies, we can dramatically reduce the visible signs of aging. Using products free from toxins allows our bodies to focus on building new tissue instead of expelling harmful substances. Many mainstream skincare products contain synthetic ingredients that act as dumping grounds for chemical byproducts, contributing to skin issues.

Nourishing the Skin

Skincare is nourishment for the skin. Using pure, natural ingredients means the skin can repair itself rather than battling against chemicals. The increasing awareness of the skin microbiome highlights the importance of using non-toxic ingredients. Harmful substances are still prevalent in many products, which is a challenge, especially for children.

Body Oil Massages

For individuals with dry skin, Sonia suggests regular oil massages. Oiling the body can help overcome overall dryness and improve skin health. The practice can be conveniently done in the shower, as the warm water allows oils to penetrate the skin, enhancing their effectiveness.

Incorporating Compresses into Skincare Routine

Sonia highlights the benefits of warm compresses in skincare routines. Repeatedly applying a warm, damp cloth can improve circulation and relaxation, making it an essential practice for better skin health.

Lifestyle and Diet Influence on Skin Health

Sonia explains that lifestyle choices, particularly diet, can affect skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. For example, consuming black coffee on an empty stomach can exacerbate inflammation and skin irritations. Adjusting your dietary habits and recognizing the link between internal health and external appearance is crucial for achieving healthy skin.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Meet the Rasasara Founder, Sonia Lloyd

Skin-type Test

Find Rasasara in the US

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover Practices and Perspectives to Reduce Your Stress!

Join us to explore effective techniques and insights for managing stress and finding balance in your daily life. Take the first step towards a more relaxed and centered you!

Women and Stress Workshop

We are talking about exercise today.

In this episode, I answer some of the many questions I receive about the best kinds of exercise, how much you need, and how to adapt it as you age. We explore the Ayurvedic approach to exercising and the aspects of your unique makeup that are essential to consider before starting a movement routine. I also share very openly about my journey and experiments over the last decades as an active person beginning to notice some signs of aging.

Exercise in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, exercise is about harmonizing the mind and body, promoting joy and purpose in movement while adhering to the principle of moderation. It is vital for maintaining balance in the body, especially as we transition into the Vata stage of life. Weight-bearing exercises strengthen Mamsa (muscle tissue) and support physical stability. Regular exercise helps preserve the Dhatus (tissue layers), enhancing mobility and maintaining bone density. A balanced exercise routine should include strength training and mobility work.

Elemental Body Types

• Vata Types tend to experience lightness, dryness, and coldness. They often do not require extensive exercise and benefit from gentle activities like Tai Chi, as their sensitive nervous systems may become fatigued with excessive exertion.
• Pitta Types possess a fiery element and generally thrive on exercise. They usually prefer colder environments and should be cautious about overheating when exercising. Balanced routines are ideal for them to prevent burnout.
• Kapha Types are heavier and benefit significantly from vigorous exercise, as it rids the body of excess water and increases vitality. Regular movement is crucial for this group to prevent mental and physical stagnation.

Seasonal Considerations for Exercise

• Winter is a time for increased activity to combat the cold, which can constrict bodily functions. Exercising in the cold helps invigorate the body.
• Spring encourages movement to detoxify the body after the winter heaviness, making it a good time for cleansing activities.
• Summer The warm weather decreases the need for structured exercise, as our circulation is already active. Swimming or biking are ideal during this season.
• Fall is a transitional period. We may need to be more mindful of our joints and reduce the intensity of our workouts until we acclimate to the cooler temperatures.

Individualized Fitness Goals

Athletes and those with specific fitness aspirations should tailor their routines to their unique needs and seasonal changes. Balancing vigorous activities with adequate rest and nutrition is essential for avoiding injuries and making sustainable progress toward fitness goals.

Movement with Age

As we age, exercise shifts from a casual activity to a crucial requirement for staying mobile in daily life. Regular movement and weight-bearing exercises are essential for maintaining strength and flexibility as we age since muscle mass naturally decreases after 50.

Recognizing Declines in Strength

Monitoring your strength is vital for spotting potential issues early. Strength training and focusing on upper body strength can help with physical tasks and improve your well-being as you age.

Finding Balance in Exercise

Ayurveda promotes balance in physical activity. Balanced exercise routines should focus on burning calories, building strength and flexibility, and enhancing mobility.

Joy in Movement

Movement can be joyful, especially when it is pain-free. Our mental well-being is crucial, and physical activity can alleviate mental stagnation. Incorporating outdoor activities with yoga and flow-based practices allows for diverse movements to enhance our happiness and health.

The Timing of Exercise

Ayurveda also considers the timing of exercise throughout the day. Morning workouts are optimal for circulation and detoxification. Exercising on an empty stomach can enhance detox benefits, but those with fast metabolisms may need a light snack. Evening exercise can also be beneficial, but we should be mindful of meal timing to ensure proper digestion and recovery.

Embracing Variety and Personalization in Exercise

Consider your age and body type when choosing an exercise routine. As the elements shift over time, we need to recognize that the type and amount of exercise we need may change.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Intro to Ayurveda Course

Seasonal Movement Practice Bundle

Lunar Yoga Ritual

I am excited to welcome DhyanaMasla as my guest on the podcast today.

Dhyana is the author of Ayurveda Mama, a book about conception, pregnancy, and postpartum care. She grew up in a community deeply rooted in Yoga and Ayurveda, which you can sense through her spirit-based worldview and how she values parenthood.

In this episode, we dive into her spirit-centered perspective, going beyond diet and recipes to explore how we can nourish ourselves through the transitions we experience in life.

Join us for a truly inspiring, insightful, and captivating conversation with DhyanaMasla.

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Website: www.ayurvedahealthretreat.com

Ayurveda Health Retreat

Shout out to Soul Space, our online community focused on yoga, Ayurveda, and joy-filled living.

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover Practices and Perspectives to Reduce Your Stress!

Join us to explore effective techniques and insights for managing stress and finding balance in your daily life. Take the first step towards a more relaxed and centered you!

Women and Stress Workshop

We are talking about seasonal cleansing today.

In Ayurveda, practicing seasonal cleansing is essential for maintaining balance within the body throughout the year. In this episode, we break down what the cleanse entails, how it works, how to do it, and when to avoid it. You will also learn to make kitchari, the go-to dish for Ayurvedic cleanses.

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover Practices and Perspectives to Reduce Your Stress!

Join us to explore effective techniques and insights for managing stress and finding balance in your daily life. Take the first step towards a more relaxed and centered you!

Women and Stress Workshop

I am delighted to have Dr. Claudia Welch joining me as my guest on the podcast today.

Shifting Focus on Women's Health

The conversation on women's health initially focused on external factors. However, there is currently more awareness of the importance of internal nourishment and rest. Rest and nourishment are crucial for maintaining balance with all the external distractions that draw our attention outward. Nurturing inner stability creates ripples of positivity, much like the various cycles of nature.

Inner Attention Versus External Focus

We need to focus on our internal motivations rather than our external actions. While actions like cooking or caregiving may seem nourishing, the internal mindset driving those actions is what truly matters. In Ayurveda, nurturing our inner world is essential as it helps reduce the impact of fears and external seductions, allowing for more balanced and grounded lives.

Shifting Interests in Health

Over time, there has been a shift from focusing on the biological details of health, like hormones, to a broader view of how people live their lives. According to Eastern philosophy, health imbalances stem from internal belief systems, fears, and seductions. That is why we need to address the root causes of those imbalances rather than focusing on biological symptoms for lasting health.

Hormone Management: HRT vs. Bioidentical Hormones

Claudia emphasizes the benefits of bioidentical hormones over traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), explaining that while lifestyle, diet, and herbal remedies can help with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia, they may not offer immediate relief for those with a history of poor health habits. Even though those symptoms are not life-threatening, the stress they cause can have long-term health impacts. If bioidentical hormones are inaccessible, HRT might be an acceptable alternative despite the associated risks.

The Uncertainty of Medical Science

Claudia is skeptical about overly confident medical opinions and encourages everyone to be cautious and self-aware when using hormone therapy. In the decades she spent studying hormones, she learned that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Stress and Hormonal Imbalance in Midlife

Stress, especially during midlife, significantly impacts our hormonal balance. The emotional challenges many women face in their late 40s and 50s, like the fear of aging and death, can amplify stress. The demands of caring for children and aging parents often worsen these hormonal imbalances.

Confronting the Fear of Death

Reflecting on a personal experience in India, Claudia once believed she did not fear death. However, she felt afraid when she faced the possibility of dying from hepatitis. She feels it is essential for us to intentionally engage with the concept of death as a natural part of life.

The Practice of Dying Daily

Claudia has come to embrace the idea of dying daily, a practice from various spiritual traditions. That means we need to let go of our professional, personal, or emotional attachments if we want to learn about the impermanence of life. By surrendering to that process, we can reduce our fear of death while supporting our hormonal health.

Embracing Loss and Personal Transformation

Letting go means accepting that we cannot control everything. As we age, we must make peace with the inevitable losses we will face. Even though the void our losses leave can feel overwhelming, it ultimately leads to transformation and growth.

Menopause Support and Facing Mortality

Claudia created the Menopause Chronicles, a community to support one another and share experiences for women navigating menopause. She is also excited to offer a course on death and dying this October to help people approach mortality with peace and acceptance.

Links and Resources:

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Dr. Welch’s Website

Book: Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life

Course: Part I: Hormonal Balance & Stagnation

Menopause Chronicles 

Satsangam's Vedic Threads 

Death & Dying Course (Coming October 19) 

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover Practices and Perspectives to Reduce Your Stress!

Join us to explore effective techniques and insights for managing stress and finding balance in your daily life. Take the first step towards a more relaxed and centered you!

Women and Stress Workshop

I am delighted to have Julia Geer joining me on the podcast today.

Julia is my AI teacher. We met when she was a student at one of the Ayurveda schools where I teach, and now she offers a program to help solopreneurs like me, especially those in the wellness space, automate their businesses using AI.

As the founder of The Gear Shift, Julia blends cutting-edge AI with ancient wellness practices shaped by her 20 years of experience in healthcare, where she helped commercialize the first FDA-approved AI technology for clinical use. She is also a certified yoga therapist, Ayurvedic health counselor, and mindfulness meditation teacher.

With her holistic approach to business and personal growth, Julia makes the journey into AI surprisingly relevant to everyday tasks like cooking. In this episode, she explains how to use tools like ChatGPT and other AI engines to simplify meal planning. She even teaches us how to Ayurveda-size meals and tailor recipes to fit the season or your body type. While we also touch on AI ethics, we focus on practical and hands-on tips.

This episode is full of surprises, and I know you will love it! 

Ayurvedic Living Community Membership

Amplify with AI

Mentioned in this episode:

Discover Practices and Perspectives to Reduce Your Stress!

Join us to explore effective techniques and insights for managing stress and finding balance in your daily life. Take the first step towards a more relaxed and centered you!

Women and Stress Workshop