TNowadays, health advice is everywhere. Eat breakfast, don’t eat breakfast, don’t eat meat, eat only meat, drink milk substitutes, avoid milk substitutes, run marathons, avoid running completely. Too many overall hacks can be daunting, especially as New Year’s resolutions fade and the winter blues add a sense of urgency to your good mood.
Until recently, I thought I had done everything I could to improve my health, even though I had little success. I try to exercise regularly, eat lots of protein, and meditate, but one of my more annoying traits is that I love salads. But with a few exceptions, I’ve often ended up going off course with the more complex health methods I’ve tried.So I’ll admit it then I was invited to visit Kama Ayurveda’s shiny new home in London’s Westbourne Grove, but the Ayurvedic framework stuck with me, even if it took over 5,000 years of practice and research. I didn’t know if I would.
The original concepts of Ayurveda are written in collections of palm leaf manuscripts preserved in libraries in India and Nepal, the oldest extant being 1,134 years old. Ayurvedic theory addresses the interconnectedness of food, lifestyle, and daily habits, and his 360-degree approach appeals to a holistic health-conscious celebrity demographic. Gwyneth Paltrow has been a fan of Karma for years, Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts are also into it, and Lila Moss is particularly known as a fan. These days, Ayurvedic-inspired practices are reaching a wider audience and often go viral on social media as well.
Vivek Sahni, a designer by trade, founded Kama Ayurveda in 2002 after running a design consultancy. He noticed a gap in the market for sustainably made Ayurvedic products, and he realized there might be a way to incorporate the ancient practices that inspired him into premium beauty products. I did. Sahni founded Karma in the Indian state of Kerala, considered the birthplace of Ayurveda, and has since expanded to become a global skin and hair care company with two stores (one at Harrods) across India and in London. It has grown into his brand. Consultation with experts.
Unsurprisingly, Sarni’s new Notting Hill headquarters is full of shiny, trendy-looking people, with uniformed sales staff helping customers navigate Karma’s extensive range of beauty products. Meanwhile, I was consulting with the brand’s resident Ayurvedic doctor, Shivani Misra, who has been practicing Ayurveda for 17 years. After some initial questions about my medical history, Misra explained the Ayurvedic philosophy that all existence is ruled by his five elements: water, earth, fire, air, and space. did. How humans experience these elements is as a combination of three energies called doshas, and the proportions vary from person to person. The first Vata covers the elements of air and space. Vata is the force that governs all movement in the body and is associated with a person’s nervous system and energy levels. The next Pitta represents fire and water. It is involved not only in metabolism but also in digestion and skin. Then there is Kapha, which represents water and earth. Peace of mind comes from Kapha his dosha. Kapha dosha is considered stable and stable, and is associated with bone and joint strength as well as the immune system.
Misra explained that when your dosha ratio is out of balance, you are likely to feel unwell both physically and emotionally. This is why Ayurvedic doctors’ recommendations include daily practices spanning diet, daily habits, and mindfulness.
After a quick pulse check, Misra diagnosed me as a Vata person and noticed signs that my doshas were too much and out of balance. She prescribed me a new eating habit to combat this: no red meat, no raw vegetables, no beans. Instead, she suggested choosing chicken, lean fish, warm roasted vegetables, and hearty grains. Instead of guzzling down Diet Coke as usual, you should spend your day drinking hot water without lemon.
Vivek Sahni’s new Notting Hill headquarters
Regarding lifestyle, she pointed out that Vata people tend to have a hard time meditating (I do too). So don’t worry too much about forcing meditation at the beginning of your Ayurvedic journey. Instead, she suggested stopping three times a day, putting her hands over your eyes, and taking 10 to 12 breaths for a similar effect. She also advised that regular massages are necessary to manage muscle stiffness, which is common in Vata people. I wholeheartedly agreed with that. After all, she’s an expert. “Nourish yourself from the inside out,” she instructed.
The next day, following Misra’s advice, I returned to Kama and tried the signature scalp massage in the shop’s downstairs treatment room. According to the brand, head treatments are considered valuable treatments in Ayurvedic literature, and scalp oiling has long been an important part of beauty rituals in South Asia. Part of the reason is that stimulating the scalp with massage and natural oils has been proven to be beneficial for hair growth and overall hair health. (Note: This is an oil-rich treatment, so please go home after the treatment and wash before starting your day. Immediately after my appointment, I went to have tea with a friend and she noticed that my hair (I said it might have a lot of oil in it. It was a little too oily for socializing.)
That was day one and I have been adopting these habits for the past 6 weeks now. During that time, I noticed some big changes. Overall, my skin irritation is significantly reduced, I feel less bloated, and I feel fuller longer after meals.
Ayurveda has a gentler approach and therefore feels more sustainable. It is not deprivation, but rather nourishment. The truth is, most health hacks tend to be more effective and last longer when you’re not hurting your body, and science agrees. Cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands, helps regulate the body’s response to stress, but if not properly managed, it can lead to all kinds of illnesses and diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and acne. There is a gender. Many elements of modern life can contribute to elevated cortisol levels, including what and when you eat and when and how you exercise. Many of the cortisol-lowering approaches that are all over social media these days have long been advocated in Ayurveda.
After years of trial and error, I feel like I’ve finally found a system that works and Instead of going against my body. Not only that, but I actually enjoyed making the adjustments because they made me feel better and faster. For this reason, I think I’m much more likely to continue with them, even if it means ending my complicated long-term relationship with Sarada.
Ayurvedic consultation is 1 hour, £120. 1 hour head and hair massage £110. Kamayurveda.com
3 Ayurvedic Retreats for a More Immersive Experience
Vana Wellness Retreat
This Six Senses hideaway in Dehradun, India is a Sahni favorite. The retreat includes accommodations and meals centered around a guided Ayurvedic nutrition plan with programs based on traditional Tibetan medicine and natural healing therapies. Members can participate in activities such as yoga, meditation, workshops and fitness classes, as well as daily treatments and health consultations.
Sixth Sense.com
Ananda Spa
Ananda is located on the grounds of the Maharaja’s former palace in Tehri Garhwal in India’s Himalayas, near Rishikesh, one of the yoga capitals of the world. During their stay, guests can participate in nature walks, master classes and, of course, yoga. A variety of Ayurvedic spa treatments and prescribed Ayurvedic therapy programs are also offered, the latter including nutritional plans and routines provided by Ananda’s in-house doctors. Guests can also take part in cooking classes and guided meditation sessions, and additional activities can be organized further afield, such as safaris to the nearby Rajaji National Park or visits to the Ganges River.
anandaspa.com
Dalana Wellness Retreat
Dharana Ayurvedic Retreat is located in the Western Ghats, an area extremely rich in biodiversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The programs offered at the resort can be customized to meet your specific needs, such as weight loss, stress relief, and improved sleep. Dalarna offers spa treatments, activities such as yoga, hiking, and meditation, as well as individual counseling with on-site practitioners.
dharanaretreat.com
