What is Ayurveda?
Published May 11, 2025In my work, I’m often asked, “What is Ayurveda and why do you bring it into all that you do?”
I’ll be honest, there isn’t just one reason. I started studying Ayurveda in 2019 and I have to tell you, it was the first time in my life that I felt like I could exhale when we were talking about caring for ourselves. This is because our conversations did not center around caring for ourselves to avoid becoming fat, ill, or disabled, as it often is in Western society. Rather, they were focused on our internal ease, peace, needs and wants that were absolutely self-serving for the sole reason that if we are not well within ourselves, how can we be well with others, especially those whom we care for? And a huge bonus: It was the first time that I felt like it was ok to tap into the wisdom of my ancestors who lived so reverently with nature, the land, and community.
But, enough about me. I know you’re busy and likely short on time and energy so I’ll try to keep this short while still honoring Ayurveda’s roots and essence.
The foundation of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the wisdom of life and the science of longevity. It is an ancient 5,000+ years old spiritual medicine originating from India focused on self-care rituals that meet our individual, whole-person needs. Its depth and breadth are immense.
The wisdom of Ayurveda:
Aligns with nature, its elements, and the energy the elements provide. This includes the daily sun and moon cycle and seasons.
Harmonizes with time: timing of practices like sleep, meals, and exercise with the changing energy of the day.
Is rooted in self-awareness, self-love, and community living.
Treats the root causes of issues with a variety of methods.
The goal of Ayurveda:
Decrease inflammation within the body, improve digestion (of food +), and balance your energy so you are living with more ease and at peace.
Why is this important?
As we advance in life (age, career, status), we struggle to find balance and connection -within ourselves, our lives and with others. Dis-ease has become the norm. (You can read that as dis-ease, as in not at at ease, or disease as in “a condition that impairs the normal functioning of a living organism, be it a person, animal, or plant” - thanks Google).
Fun facts about Ayurveda
Ayurveda and Yoga are sibling sciences
They work together to empower us to lead a spiritual life where we are deeply aware of ourselves with authentic connections and free from dis-ease in mind and body.
Ayurveda science focuses on healing and liberating the body while Yoga focuses on healing and liberating the mind. (It’s common to think it’s the opposite.)
Ayurveda science is complementary to Western science. It can be used wholly on its own or in conjunction with Western medicine.
Ayurvedic self-care
Self-care through an Ayurvedic lens focuses on our own personal very individual energetic state, our natural energetic dominance, and how we are currently experiencing life - balanced or not.
When a person is experiencing an imbalance, Ayurveda considers the characteristics of the issue as well as the root cause. To address the imbalance, we bring in the opposite qualities of the energy that’s dominant to rebalance and then contemplate what practices need to change or possibly be eliminated for the time being.
Live in line with your nature - honoring how you are naturally - your likes and dislikes - and include a balance of the opposing qualities to maintain harmony. It’s also important to change the neural pathways (samskara) created by coping mechanisms or old habits created by our nurture (experiences) with more aligned thoughts and actions.
With regular practices of self-care and self-love through an Ayurvedic lens, we:
Allow our well-being to be deeply personal and free of guilt, judgment, or shame.
Learn what we are willing to put up with and what we’re not, thus creating and strengthening boundaries - around our yes’s and no’s!
Begin to understand happiness is a state of being, not a destination or something you acquire.
Open ourselves up to more frequent and authentic states of peace, gratitude, and contentment in the moment.
So why Ayurveda? It’s because: I want this for all of us.
We were never meant to live in an individualistic society that makes us unwell, ignores or commodifies ancient wisdom, and extracts from the land.
If you’re new to my work, please check out these following resources to get more acquainted or for more support:
Free Download: Disruptor’s Guide to Self-Care
Article: Stop the self-criticism: Recognize the self-care you’re already practicing to survive burnout.