My dear friend Chandanni is an Ayurvedic practitioner, and has been practicing and living with the principles of Ayurveda, the natural healing science of India, for well over a decade. Ayurveda is a hugely wide study, based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment and yogic breathing as practices.
SU: What got you interested in Ayurvedic Medicine?
CM: I was practicing yoga for years and then fell into Ayurveda by accident. I always was searching for something more to my yoga practice and when I found out Ayurveda was the sister science to Yoga it all fell into place for me. I went from imbalance to balance by understanding myself on a very practical and scientific level. Learning about myself inside out was the essential launching board to blooming where it was significant, my overall lifestyle and purpose for living.
SU: Can you explain to the regular person what Ayurvedic medicine is all about?
CM: Ayurveda literally means the knowledge of life. Basically Ayurveda is the science and art of life. It is all about knowing who we are inside out and how the world relates and effects us from the physical to the emotional to the environmental.
SU: How does someone work out what their Dosha (Ayurvedic body type) is?
CM: Knowing our constitution/body type or Dosha is a great way to become more familiar with why we act and function the way we do. Taking an online dosha quiz and there are many around or seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner for a consultation is a great way to find out more on our personal Doshas. So out of the 3 doshas which are Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta(Fire and Water) or Kapha (Water and Earth) we are usually a combination of two of them with the first one indicating the dominant dosha type. For example if someone is a Vata Pitta then their dominant Dosha is Vata (ether and air).
SU: Can you explain how we follow the seasons when it comes to an Ayurvedic Diet?
CM: In Ayurveda we like to follow the guidelines of the seasons to maintain a healthy diet. In fact in Ayurveda we say, ‘let food be your medicine’. When we follow the rhythm of nature and the seasons, our body and immune system can function optimally. Also depending on our Dosha type we can fine-tune our diet to best suit our individual needs. In the summer months when the weather is usually warmer in most places in the world, it is better to eat fresh raw fruits and vegetables, salads, lots of fluids and less heavy foods. Our digestion will function better and we will feel happier with this diet during the hotter days. By contrary in the wither months we are apt to eating more cooked foods richer in beta -carotenes like squashes and root vegetables, soups and broths that are hearty and nourishing. Eating seasonally, organic where possible and locally upholds our whole health and immune system.
SU: What are the tenets of a healthy Ayurvedic skin care regime?
CM: Taking care of our skin is an essential part of our health and life. The first indication of good skin is of course good nutrition and drinking plenty of water. In Ayurveda we say what we do most of the time counts so occasionally eating foods that are not great like high in fat and sugars are ok but to eat whole, fresh, organic and mineral rich foods is the first step to maintaining a healthy glow inside out. Our skin also needs food. When we nourish and cleanse our skin with the right ingredients we not only age gracefully but our skin will remain hydrated and balanced. So number one, lots of healthy foods and water. Number two, gently cleansing our skin and number three, moisturizing and toning our skin with organic and rich ingredients.
SU: What the the Ayurvedic secrets to staying Gorgeous For Good?
CM: The first thing to stay Gorgeous for Good from an Ayurvedic standpoint is to first know ourselves and to essentially be happy with who we are. With less stress, the more we can evolve and glow and stay gorgeous. And lastly to always be in tune with our surroundings and signs of our times by remaining as balanced and as connected as possible with firstly with ourselves. If we take care of the small things the big things will take care of themselves.
SU: Describe your daily routine.
CM: My daily routine starts with an 8oz glass of warm water with lemon every single day. I then practice a little meditation and yoga or go running/biking. I do a self massage every morning after my shower using good oils. This protects and nourishes my skin throughout the day. Then my day begins and that includes being the mother of four young children.
SU: How did you start your business?
CM: I started my business by understanding that people needed products to help them stay healthy and beautiful. I was making a lot of herbal tea blends, oils, remedies, cleanses and beauty products for individual clients with individual needs. Two years ago upon coming home form India where I teach each year a light bulb went of in my head to start a lifestyle brand that would help the public become not only familiar with Ayruveda but that would help them move into their lives with more accessibility, beauty and balance. The power of Ayurvedic products and lifestyle tools help all people to move into a more integrated state of whole health and radiance.
SU: What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
CM: In five years from now I hope to be traveling the world being more of a voice and advocate for people to take charge of their health by living the life they deserve. Each person is an individual with something very unique and important to contribute to the world. It all begins with our integrated state of whole health. When we are healthy, truly healthy, we can share our gifts with the world and contribute to the greater good of not only ourselves but the planet.
SU: What is your all-time favorite quote?
CM: “The rebel acts with tremendous balance, and that is not possible without awareness, alertness and immense compassion. It is not a reaction it is an action- not against the old, but for the new. “
OSHO
