When it comes to our health, we try everything from the latest technology and pharmaceuticals to natural, holistic treatments that have been around for centuries. I take my health seriously and am always looking for ways to improve it. So when I had the opportunity to work with Ayurvedic practitioner Bridge Ochoa, I jumped at it. As CEO of Bridge Ayurveda, Ochoa boasts of his over 90% success rate, helping clients overcome conditions such as digestive and hormonal issues, fatigue and hair loss. Not only has my health improved by working with her, but I have also learned a lot from her. The health tips I learned have been transformative, but we don’t talk about these things enough. Today I’m sharing the four biggest health secrets I learned from working with Ayurveda practitioner Ochoa. Keep scrolling for more details.
Bridge Ochoa, Ayurveda practitioner
Bridge Ochoa founded Bridge Ayurveda in 2021 and has helped countless patients achieve holistic recovery from conditions such as hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, fatigue, and hair loss. With a success rate of over 90%, Bridge Ayurveda helps clients whose busy lifestyles play an important role in their physical and mental health with Ayurvedic courses, workshops, retreats, and one-on-one programs. To do.
1. Eat what makes you feel great.
Years ago, when everyone was crazy about the ketogenic diet, I tried it myself and found that my body responded better to a high-carbohydrate diet. Skipping pasta and bread made me feel sluggish, which resulted in severe water retention. Ayurveda tells us there is a reason for this. “One person’s medicine is another person’s poison, which means not every salad or vegetable is healthy for everyone,” Ochoa said. Everyone has a unique Ayurvedic constitution, so foods that work for one person may not work for another. This is your body’s unique blueprint, including the proportions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas that control the various elements of your body. This is also why eating styles and diet modifications work differently for different people. While you can take a free quiz to diagnose your constitution, Ochoa recommends working one-on-one with a certified Ayurvedic practitioner who can guide you on your health journey.
Since working with Ochoa, I have learned that I have a dominant Pitta dosha, which is associated with inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Pitta dosha dominance benefits from a diet rich in grains and low in fat, so my body responds positively to high carbohydrate diets. Currently, I structure my meals around these basic principles (as opposed to fad diets), including a small bowl of granola for breakfast, a sandwich or wrap for lunch, and basmati rice or pasta with protein for dinner. Selected. The best part is that I feel even better. Giving my body the food it needs naturally increased my energy levels and made me feel better. I was able to get through the day without feeling the need to nap, and I was less irritable.
2. Focus on food digestibility
In Ayurveda, the digestive system is the master of the body. According to Ochoa, this is why Ayurveda does not pay much attention to macronutrients and micronutrients in the diet. Instead, it focuses on the digestibility of each meal. No two people are the same, and each person digests food differently. Ayurveda encourages everyone to eat what is best for them and their digestion. “Generally speaking, if you develop digestive problems after eating gluten-free, dairy-free, low-FODMAP ‘healthy’ foods, it’s not healthy,” says Ochoa.
I now pay attention to how effective certain foods are at calming stomach acid, which stays with me for hours after eating. I have chronic inflammation, so this isn’t foolproof, but the way your body digests food can tell you a lot about whether or not that food will be helpful to your body, and it’s important to note that Very helpful in choosing suitable foods. For example, many doctors, friends, and family members told me to eat more fiber to keep my bowel movements in order, but I believe that minimal fiber is important to keep the digestive tract in check. I have come to the conclusion that it is. Eating too much fiber not only made me feel bloated and sluggish, but also made my constipation worse.
No one knows your body better than you, but if you’re not sure how well you’re digesting certain foods or meals, try keeping a food diary or taking mental notes to record them. please. This will help you get to know your body better and stay in balance.
3. Incorporate fresh herbs and spices into your diet
According to Ochoa, Ayurveda emphasizes incorporating fresh, high-quality herbs and spices into your diet on a regular basis to optimize health and digestion. In addition to its ability to improve digestion, it adds rich flavor to any meal. Plus, it can help you be more creative in the kitchen, no matter your cooking skills.
While everyone reacts differently to certain herbs and spices, including diet and food, Ochoa says a classic Ayurvedic digestive tea consisting of cumin, coriander and fennel seeds is usually suitable for all metabolic types. says. In my case, incorporating fresh parsley into every meal was a big change. I love adding it to pasta sauces or sprinkling it on the final product with fresh black pepper. Since practicing this, I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my digestion, heartburn, and bloating. Try different herbs and spices to see how your body reacts, or, if possible, talk to an Ayurvedic practitioner about what’s best for your body and goals. please.
4. Maintain harmony between mind and body
Stress can be detrimental to your health, but I have a lot to do: working full time, getting a degree, and planning a wedding. Relieving stress is easier said than done. Ayurveda recognizes that events happen in life. It not only helps her choose foods that suit her constitution, but also fosters a strong and healthy mind-body connection. “More and more people are learning that good nutrition is more than just the food on your plate, it’s about the whole person: your mind, your actions, your lifestyle,” Ochoa explained. “To promote balance in mind, body, and spirit, we need to balance these elements. Ayurveda has been elucidating this for thousands of years.”
I now prioritize relaxing regularly throughout the day. I exercise and meditate in the morning, and take 5 minutes of deep breathing to reset my brain and body between work. I also do breathing exercises after work. This helps signal your brain and body that it’s time to relax. Although my stress hasn’t completely gone away, I’ve noticed a huge difference in how I deal with it. I am able to ground myself better and feel less overwhelmed. Case in point: I used to get anxious whenever my schedule was packed (think multiple commitments, studying, wedding planning, work, etc.). Downtime is essential to my mental health, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get everything done on my own time. But now that I know I can handle it, I no longer worry about what’s on my calendar. Even if there are weeks when I have less time for myself, I know it won’t last forever.
Many of us are caught up in the constant hustle and bustle. There’s certainly nothing wrong with being ambitious, but it’s important to take time to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. This might resemble a walk in nature, meeting a friend, or reading a good book. Whatever it is, balancing your life as much as possible is the key to optimal health and well-being and a pillar of Ayurveda.
