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Published: June 15th 2015
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WHAT IS AYURVEDA? Ayurveda is the oldest healthcare system in the world, a 7,000 year old form of holistic medicine that is still practiced heavily in India. It is about maintaining balance in your mind & body through nutrition and lifestyle to be healthy & happy. This website provides a short and sweet explanation of Ayurveda for those who are interested:
http://hinduism.about.com/od/ayurveda/p/ayurveda.htm
I learned about the existence of Ayurveda from my friends Sarah & Billy, 2 of Austin’s finest yoga instructors. 😊 Billy also does Vedic Astrology. Sarah has been trying to help me be healthy for a long time, I have watched her form slowly into a healthy creature through yoga, nutrition and a calm, loving lifestyle. They are both inspirations to me.
WHY AYURVEDA? I came to Greens Ayurveda to take a 4-week course on Cookery & Nutrition. There were a few factors that inspired me to take this journey:
• INDIA!! I cook Indian food for a living and I have been interested in the culture for 9 years, since my ex-husband showed me photos and told me all about his 6 months traveling in India. When I
got a job at G’raj Mahal and befriended Sunil, my interest continued to grow. He shared his life stories and showed me music videos, India became a treasured goal that I would someday reach. When Sunil headed back to India I told him I would visit him in 5 years. It has been 5 years now and I can’t believe I actually made that happen, I will see him in 3 weeks!
• I’ve had a frustrating history with my mental & physical health. I have always struggled with my weight and various physical issues including ovarian cysts, headaches, pain, etc. I was diagnosed with chronic depression at 15. I suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and dysthymia all through my 20s. I took anti-depressants for 11 years (from 19-30 years old) and adderall for 7 years. I had practically starved myself for 7 years while taking adderall, I lived on small amounts of fried food or sweets and large amounts of alcohol & cigarettes. The stress of a divorce and my unhealthy lifestyle that revolved around my job started to take a toll on my body. In early November I found myself in the emergency room with excruciating pain that turned
out to be gastritis caused by stress, alcohol, cigarettes, Advil, bad diet (all of the things that had been sustaining me for far too long.) I immediately quit all of the substances. I did drink again after 1 month, but only small amounts. Though the diet didn’t immediately change, sobriety made me feel clear and healthy. Maybe Sarah had been right about my unhealthy lifestyle after all!
• I have so many people around me who suffer with various mental & physical issues. It has always been in my nature to try and help those that I love though my own experiences and spare them the depths and distress I have suffered. I knew that a healthy lifestyle and diet could cure anything, but I needed studies and experience. I believe that if you are going to teach something, you need to live it.
I decided that I needed a break from my life so that I could get a handle on myself and my health. Once I made the decision to start traveling and committed to the goal, everything fell into place. I changed my plans numerous times, letting the trip dictate itself. One of the most profound things I learned while planning this trip is to just let go of control (those who know me well can tell how hard this is for me) and the doors will open on their own. It’s my own form of faith and it has served me well so far.
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED? I can’t get into details of what I’ve learned because you would be reading for days. They have stuffed me full of Sanskrit words, Ayurvedic theory, recipes, treatment techniques, etc. I have actual school for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. Beyond that, there is talk and comprehension of the subject at all hours amongst students and staff members. I am submerged in health and it is the perfect way to learn the subject.
The most important elements of Ayurveda are nutrition and lifestyle. All ailments and disease come from imbalance in the body, mind, and spirit. If we can keep a perfect balance in our digestive system, physical & mental health, peace and happiness will show themselves in abundance. This is not a hard concept to grasp once you feel the effects.
Numero uno, beyond all else is the maintenance of a balanced, healthy diet. The key to balance is variety - in color, taste, preparation, etc. We should only eat whole foods - raw & cooked vegetables, grains, fruits, meat (in small amounts), nuts, legumes, etc. In Western society we tend to tip the scales of balance with our chosen foods. We eat heavy starches, dairy and meats for almost every meal. These foods are very hard to digest and we insist on stuffing ourselves full. Our bodies can't possibly process the amounts and types of food we are shoving in. This leads to the fermentation of undigested food (AMA in Sanskrit) which turns into toxins which then create disease. (this is a very broad explanation) All whole foods carry therapeutic value and most ailments and diseases can be alleviated simply by a change in diet.
It all comes down to digestion. Every ounce of nutrition that our body receives comes from what we choose to put in it. It’s such a simple concept, but one I’ve struggled with for as long as I can remember. I never truly made myself responsible for my own well-being. Those days are over and I look forward to feeling good indefinitely! I’m not saying that I don’t cheat… I have a sweet tooth that must be indulged. But, the key is moderation. I have learned to listen to my body and give it what it needs, not only what my addicted brain desires.
Next in line, but equally as important, is lifestyle. Of course it is advised to not smoke, drink, or take drugs. We function much better when we are on a schedule. This includes meals, sleep, bathing, etc. If the body knows when it will be digesting and that is constant everyday, bodily functions fall into line and good health follows suit. Exercise is needed daily as well as yoga, pranayama, and meditation. I’m sure some people are rolling their eyes at me now… but shouldn’t we trust practices which have stood the test of time and proven themselves reliable? I think so.
I hope I didn’t lose any of you in all of that info. This is a tiny peek into a very vast science. I will be happy to (and look forward to) talk with anyone who is interested in learning more.
My studies here have ignited a new passion in me. I want to know details about every food and plant on Earth and I want to share this with the world. I knew that my path involved food and now I know I am meant to teach others about health and nutrition. I can't wait to get back and set up my cooking classes! I decided to stay an extra week here to learn pharmacology, so I will know how to make medicated oils and decoctions. I also learned some massage techniques and a few therapies that I hope to put into action someday. Fruit facial, anyone?
I have spent the past 4 weeks surrounded with love, compassion, laughter, and calm. I haven’t lost as much weight as I hoped, though I did lose some, but I’ve realized that is not the point. HEALTH is what is most important. I don’t say this lightly… I am healthier and happier than I have EVER been. This is only the beginning.
Now I know the meaning of BLISS.
My time at the center is almost up, I will be leaving Friday morning and traveling to Delhi for a 2-week tour of Rajasthan. Then I am off to Goa for a few weeks. More photos and info to follow...
As always, thanks for reading! 😊
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