This topic started when I took a fall and broke a very tiny bone in my wrist. It's recovered now, but the takeaway is that we all need to take steps to improve bone health as we age and be mindful of how we move through space, so we can avoid falls and the potential harm they bring.  Jerry and I discuss our view of the changes our bodies have gone through and how incorporating both mindfulness and Ayurvedic practices we can keep ourselves in good shape for a long time to come. 

It has now been about a month since Jerry received his Ayurvedic recommendations. In this podcast, we're going to check in on how he's doing. What results has he seen? Are his symptoms better or worse?   

In the last episode, we did an Ayurvedic intake on Jerry. There were so many questions about his state of physical health and about his diet and lifestyle. It is likely that an Ayurvedic Practitioner visit will take much longer than your typical doctor's visit.  We broke the session up into two parts- first to ask the questions and then to explore some answers... Mary has taken the information from the last podcast and looked at it through the lens of Ayurveda and will give him an explanation today for why she sees things the way she does. she'll also give him some dietary and lifestyle modifications that should help to resolve some of his challenges.   

In this podcast we do an Ayurvedic Intake on Jerry.  This episode will give you a good view of what an initial visit with an Ayurvedic Health Counselor may look like. An Ayurvedic Health Counselor or Wellness Coach will ask many (many, many) questions to help identify the doshic imbalance and potential dietary and lifestyle influences on the current state of health.  In this podcast, Jerry will share health information that will allow me to identify the state of his doshas so that he can begin practices to bring them back into balance.  This episode is questions only, answers come next time!

Once you have identified the Dosha that is out of balance, you can take action by addressing the diet and lifestyle to bring that Dosha back into balance. In the last two podcasts, we've looked at how to identify Kapha dosa imbalance in their physical symptoms and in their mental and emotional expression. If the Kapha has become too slow, heavy, or dull - then it's time to shake things up a bit!  Kapha is balanced when the diet is light and spicy and the lifestyle is active.  Listen to this podcast for some tips on bringing Kapha dosha back in line!

Many people are curious about Ayurveda and are not sure about seeing a practitioner. There are different levels of practitioners... Health Counselors, Ayurvedic Practitioners, and Ayurvedic Doctors (trained either in the US or in India)... it can be very confusing. In this podcast we break that down for you so you can make a more informed choice if you decide to seek an Ayurvedic Medical approach to your health care.  We also hope that by hearing what happens at an Ayurvedic visit, we'll alleviate any fear that you may feel about that. 

Addiction can be defined as the continued use of a substance or activity despite negative consequences.  So many of our choices can fall into this description. Choices become addiction when we feel powerless to discontinue the use of the substance or engage in the activity. There are big ticket addictions that get lots of attention, like drugs and alcohol, and "lesser" addictions that may still pose health consequences, like sugar and caffeine.  In this podcast we look at the Ayurvedic approach to uprooting addictions and filling that void with healthier options.

Stress- it is estimated that more than 75% of chronic diseases that we experience are caused by stress. Our lives seem to be moving faster than we can tolerate and we are pulled in so many different directions...  In this podcast we take a look at stress and our coping mechanisms, both healthy ones and unhealthy ones.  We also discuss how to cultivate (and enjoy) those healthy coping mechanisms.  Stress happens! It is our reaction to it that causes our imbalances.   

This is such a huge topic! So many people are dissatisfied with their current size and shape - whether one is overweight or underweight, Ayurveda can help.  One first step is to listen to the podcasts on food choices and food habits so that you can avoid creating imbalance with eating.   We all know it's not just that simple. In this podcast, we will explore the Doshic causes behind weight gain and loss and how to pacify the doha so you can achieve the body you want. 

It is often considered even more important how you eat than what you eat.  Ayurveda is all about bringing mindfulness to every activity and dining is not an exception. In this podcast, we look at Ayurvedic guidelines to support your digestion of the foods you eat.  The theme of mindfulness arose in our earliest podcasts and has been revisited many, many times.  These are some ways in which you can bring that mindfulness to your dining for the benefit of your digestive system and your overall health.  Bon Appetit! 

This is my favorite topic when it comes to choosing the best foods for you! These Eight Factors are introduced in the Charaka Samhita (a traditional text book of Ayurveda) and give you the tools you need to dine anywhere and to make the best choices for your meals. We discuss these eight factors in this podcast and you can access an infographic about these factors at this link:  8 Factors InfoGraphic

To be really empowered to make the best food choices, we continue the conversation about the Ayurvedic view of foods.  Remember those pairs of opposites? These are the qualities that we look at in this podcast.  For example, heavy foods make us heavier, bring in needed nutrition and support the formation of healthy tissues.  Lighter foods make us lighter, these are often cleansing foods that help to remove impurities from the system.  When you can recognize the quality present in the food, you can make the informed choice as to what to eat! In this podcast we will talk about foods in relationship to these qualities and support you in making the most healthful choices.   

Ayurveda looks at foods through a different kind of lens... They recognize six tastes - Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, and Astringent.  Each Dosha is pacified by three of these tastes and can be imbalanced by the other three tastes.  In this podcast we take a look at the six tastes and what foods have which tastes. This knowledge will empower you to make the most healthful decision for the foods you choose to consume.  Give it a listen! 

Ayurveda advises practices that you can do on a daily basis to keep yourself in your best health.  In this podcast we look at these routines and discuss how a person could begin to incorporate them in the flow of their day.  Morning routines include how you can get ready to face your day stress free.  Afternoon routines help to balance out the energy you store or spend during the day.  Evening routines set us up to sleep fully, deeply, and wake feeling refreshed.  Now who wouldn't want that?   

Ayurveda prides itself on being a "Science of Longevity" and in this podcast we explore how living an Ayurvedic lifestyle supports you in living your best life for as long as possible. When we incorporate health-building practices we set the foundation for a long life, well-lived. 

In today's podcast we explore how Ayurvedic recommendations can be used along with your medications to support you in your quest for optimal health. When we incorporate better dietary and lifestyle practices, we create an environment where the body may heal.   We discuss the importance and necessity of informed awareness and caution if utilizing any herbs at the same time you are taking pharmaceuticals. 

In this episode we look at how we can understand the impact that our foods have on our state of health- both physically and mentally. We explore our dining habits and how mindful eating can create a calmer mind and healthier body.  In the second half of the podcast, we focus on healthy food choices for springtime.      

Turmeric plays a very interesting role in the foundation of this podcast. It’s also good for you!

Mary & Jerry discuss the doshas of their partners- how they look, common symptoms, and their personalities.

Mary and Jerry discuss how they identify their own doshas and how these have impacted their lives.