A few years ago, I decided to prioritize pain care and structural yoga therapy over teaching Ayurveda. However, Ayurveda has always been on my mind. Whenever I feel unwell, I instinctively turn to my Ayurvedic training. When working with clients, I naturally assess their dosha type without thinking about it.

Last week, seemingly out of nowhere, I found myself deeply engaged in Ayurvedic conversations.

It’s empowering to see how easily this ancient knowledge can fit in our daily lives.
I explained the different doshas, which are some of the key Ayurvedic body-mind principles, to one of my private clients.  I also discussed seasonal changes and their impact on health with my mom, and gave some dietary change suggestions to my son to help him feel grounded after a busy summer. These simple yet effective practices can make a significant difference in our well-being.

Clearly, it’s time to dust off my Ayurvedic lifestyle teacher skill set.

Let’s start with what the heck is Ayurveda and where it comes from:

Ayurveda, which translates to the ‘science of life,’ is a timeless tradition that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It’s fascinating to see how many modern medical sciences, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, draw their roots from this ancient wisdom. This connection to a rich tradition can make us feel part of something much larger than ourselves.

While there are many branches of Ayurvedic knowledge, the primary direction they all follow is to develop understanding of how we can live in harmony within ourselves and with our surroundings.
This ancient wellness system defines health not as an absence of disease (or no abnormal lab results) but as a state of internal and external harmony. This very concept has lured me for a very, very, very long time.

Sharing the knowledge of Ayurveda is a joy that never ends. When I used to teach Ayurvedic Health Workshops, I was always inspired by the eagerness of my students to learn. Even the bare basics could fill hours of discussion, but the good news is that you can start enjoying its benefits without delving into the science behind it.

Here is a magic potion that can warm you up on a cold fall day, stoke up a slow metabolism and lazy digestion, and ward off the flu bugs that are out and about when the school is in. {The gals at Homesteader were quizzing me about what I was going to do with ALL THAT GINGER – here ya go!}

Ginger Elixir

1 cup purified water
3/4 cup raw organic honey
Juice of 4 to 6 lemons
Juice of 3 to 4-inch piece of ginger ( or 3 to 4 tbs of ready-made ginger juice)
1/4 tsp of black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until blended.
Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
Take one ounce of Ginger Elixir before lunch and dinner.

Enjoy!