Holistic Healing with Ayurveda

Q&A with Sweta Vikram, Writer and Ayurveda Mindset Coach

While Ayurveda is widely known as a healing modality, many may feel unsure of how and where to begin on this journey. How do you suggest we dive in? Are there specific books, documentaries and / or podcasts which can support our learning?

Ayurveda is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Ayurveda also translates to knowledge of life. Ayurveda was an indigenous medical system which was popular and practiced in Indian sub-continent since pre-biblical era and became an integral part of the Indian Society.

There is a documentary, Art of Being that is focused completely on Ayurveda. Heal on Netflix has a small segment dedicated to Ayurveda, [and] Journey of Ayurveda on YouTube. To begin with, maybe check out books and articles by Dr. Vasant Lad and Deepak Chopra.

Here is a list of top 10 Ayurveda podcasts to follow. I bring in the role of Ayurveda onto our creativity and productivity. You can read the articles here and simple blog posts here.

How does Ayurveda enhance our awareness of the whole self - mind, body and spirit - and how this self connects to the world?

Ayurveda defines health not only as an absence of disease, but as a completely holistic level of vitality throughout all facets of our lives. The Ayurvedic approach to treating any single aspect of our health begins with taking into account the whole of who we are—body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda teaches us that the body is a crystallization of the mind. So just as impaired agni (digestive fire) and indigestion are at the root of all diseases, the mind also plays a critical role in our overall health.

In fact, mental ama (toxins) and unresolved emotions can lead to disease in very concrete ways. The mind has a very powerful influence on our overall health and well-being. Releasing what no longer serves us or is harmful is an essential part of caring for ourselves.

According to the National Ayurvedic Medical Association: “Ayurveda offers one of the world’s most comprehensive cleansing protocols, known as panchakarma.” How often should we go through these cleansing protocols? And for people who experience this for the first time, do you suggest they journal and meditate to process it all?

The purpose of Ayurveda is to protect the health of the healthy and alleviate disorders in the diseased. An ancient cleansing and rejuvenation program, panchakarma is a series of individualized therapeutic treatments that clear ama (toxins) and excess doshas (subtle energies) from the deep tissues of the body. Panchakarma is a process of detoxification, which includes five procedures. On a deeper level, panchakarma can increase an individual’s sense of clarity and inner peace.

Traditionally, Ayurveda recommends doing panchakarma at the junction between each season to clear out impurities generated during the previous season and help you transition smoothly into the next. But everything in Ayurveda is customized, so no one-size-fits-all approach.

First, an Ayurvedic practitioner determines whether you are strong enough to withstand a cleansing regimen, and rules out contraindications such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and (for women) pregnancy and menstruation.

Then he or she assesses your current body-mind state (vikriti) and compares it to the unique Ayurvedic constitution with which you were born (prakriti). Both your prakriti and vikriti are a unique blend of the three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—and numerous factors can disrupt their delicate balance. The job of your ayurvedic practitioner is to tailor a program to rebalance your body and mind.

Our world is experiencing upheaval after upheaval, from COVID-19 to civil unrest and social injustices. How can the practice of Ayurveda help us weather these storms, caring for ourselves, while also extending compassion?

Ayurveda is more than a mere healing system; it is a science and an art of appropriate living that helps to achieve longevity. It can guide every individual in the proper choice of diet, living habits and exercise to restore balance in the body, mind and consciousness, thus preventing disease from gaining a foothold in the system.

Ayurveda underlines that stress and strain ferociously harms our gastro-intestinal tract, resulting in inflammation and slow digestion, which leads in creating ama and hence diseases and imbalances. Ayurveda also reminds us about the interconnectedness of the world and the power of self-care.

If folks want to work with you, and continue to learn, what is the best way for them to stay connected? Do you have any upcoming events?

You can find details about my upcoming events and/or schedule an appointment on my website. I am also pretty active on social media. People can follow me on these channels to find out more: Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.