4 Amazing Ayurveda Rituals for Health and Wellbeing

Quick definition: Ayurveda is an ancient healing science from India that follows a specific and individualised approach to health based on body types (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). By using a combination of morning routines, food and diet changes, yoga, meditation and herbal medicines, all five aspects of the individual is supported into greater health and vitality. 

There is something very powerful that we gain when we connect to Nature, something that grabs our attention and engages our entire being in a way that nothing else does.

Nature herself is a teacher and a healer.

She connects us to where we came from, linking us to the balanced choreography of energy and alignment with the worlds around us. 

Especially in the turbulent times, we can get lost in being “too busy” and “not have enough time” for anything other than work and daily responsibilities. Or, without work, we are trapped in the fear of what could happen to us and our loved ones without financial assistance and can easily get lost in the negative spiral of what could happen. You may look ahead with no hope for the future, or you may feel a lack of purpose.

Why am I here and what do I want to do? What can I do while the world is spinning out of control?  

Through my work with Ayurvedic clients, I have seen first-hand the impact of the chaos, uncertainty and overwhelm that is impacting our globe through the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who were once serenely moving in flow with Life are now teetering on the edge of the abyss, wondering what they can control, how to navigate their new reality, and who they should believe. They often feel scared and have no hope for the future. 

I have often felt the same way. There are times I have cried myself to sleep, mourning the loss of the freedom of what we once had, feeling intense grief for closing the chapter of what once was. I have moved up, down and all over the place on the emotional rollercoaster as I navigate masks, lockdowns, restrictions and the potential impacts of medical procedures. 

However, my greatest and most efficient way to finding a sense of inner balance and purpose has been through Nature. It has been through the warm embrace of Grandmother Earth, through the sweet kisses of ocean waters, through my feet on the ground, hands in the dirt, feeding myself and my family through home-grown produce that has been my saviour. This connection has been my stability through these tumultuous times and that special bond with Mother Nature is something I continue to cherish.  

There are four simple ways that I use to connect to Nature on a daily basis. I have shared these simple tools with friends, family and clients and they have experienced incredible benefits. Even just a simple morning walk does wonderous things for the mental and emotional balance!

 

Awaken before 6 am

Following the daily cycles of Nature is a simple and powerful way to connect to the world around us. By waking with the morning sun, we step into alignment with dominant energies that preside over specific times of the day.

In Ayurveda, we refer to the time between 2am-6am as a Vata-predominant time. This means the energy of Vata (air and space) can be utilized quite easily if we choose. Having a meditation practice, sun gazing, conscious breathing and other simple practices can be incorporated in the early mornings for a greater sense of stability and balance.

 

Beach Walks

There is something about the ocean that is so tranquil and calming. Science has concluded that salt water (either swimming in the ocean or having a salt water bath) increases the negative ions in the body, washing away heavy, stagnant energy and clearing our energy field.

Swimming, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and all of the above have the same effect. Even when we breathe in salt air, these negative ions impact our brain and mood through increasing serotonin, that “happy feel good” feeling.

Research suggests exposure to salt air may even alleviate depression. The same is also true about the balanced particles that are found in forests. In Japan, forest bathing or shinrinyoku is a popular therapy which involves being guided through the forest and taking deep breaths of the air, which is rich in ion particles emitted by the trees. 

Without knowing the science behind it at an intellectual level, our bodies feel this automatically! Many people who swim in the ocean or take a walk in Nature feel a deep sense of grounding and tranquility.

Both the ocean and trees are a powerful way to connect, release unwanted negativity and bring ourselves back to balance.

 

Yoga and Exercise

In Ayurveda, we believe that healing the physical body is the first step on the journey towards the soul’s evolution. One cannot reach enlightenment screaming in pain, my teacher used to say, and by that he emphasized the incredible (and often overlooked) impact the physical body’s state has on our mental and emotional state.

If we are in pain, we will be distracted from a calm and focused thoughts.

Through working with the physical body, we also release stagnant emotions and trauma – and it doesn’t have to be hard or over complicated!

Yoga is one of the most common ways of engaging with the body that we use throughout Ayurveda, and can easily be adapted to suit each individual’s body size, strength and range of mobility, including specific postures to heal and strengthen injuries and bring back that wholesome feeling of health and wellbeing to the body.

Planting, growing and harvesting your own food.

Even if you live in a concrete apartment in the middle of the city, there is an opportunity to plant a few herbs and connect to Nature in this simple way.

The joy of growing your own food and using it to nourish yourself is a beautiful way to be connected to Mother Nature. I have always planted greenery around my home, whether it be in big overflowing pots or seedlings dug into the earth.

To be surrounded by herbs, flowers and readily available sources of organic food that I have grown myself and can use in making nourishing meals is one of my greatest joys.

Ayurveda also has a strong emphasis on using herbs, spices, warm foods and simple recipes to nourish and support a strong digestive system. There are many simple Ayurvedic recipes that I have shared with friends and clients that have not only empowered them to feel more confident in the kitchen but also created a strong sense of self care that comes from cooking beautiful, nourishing food.

Remember, if you are planning to plant and harvest your own food, the selection of plants available will vary depending on climate, seasonal differences and geographical location.

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By connecting in these simple ways to Nature and world around us, we can discover the answers for those hard issues.

Nature teaches us to become one with the other, to surrender into the flow of Life, to grow determinedly through the cracks of the concrete when needed.

Even with just a little more balance and groundedness through a simple beach walk, we can approach any situation with more courage and a better frame of mind. 

How do you find your inner balance? Is it through sun gazing, your favourite yoga class, planting seedlings in the garden or cooking nourishing food?

Jasmine Sophia

Qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner
Santosha Teacher Trainer – Byron Bay RYT-200 Yoga Teacher Training and Byron Bay 50 Hour Yoga Therapy Course
Massage Therapist

Follow Jasmine’s Ayurvedic work and arrange a message or treatment through her A Vedic Goddess Facebook Page or via Instagram @avedicgoddess

About Jasmine

Jasmine is a passionate and motivating writer, speaker and qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. From a young age, Jasmine has been practising Hatha, Iyengar and Bikram yoga and has attended Vipassana meditations both in Australia and overseas. Her commitment to knowledge through ancient wisdom took her to meet many doctors, practitioners, healers and even meeting the Dalai Lama in 2014.