Fasting under the Hunger Moon

Let’s talk about fasting since ‘tis the time! Many indigenous cultures described February, the late winter moon cycle, the toughest month of the year in terms of food supply, as Hunger Moon. Very little grows in nature right. Millions of years of foraging life on Earth in cyclic seasonal harvest rotation has made our genes…

Residential Panchakarma – ME and Burnout – Case study

Analysis 47-year-old female with underlying Chronic Fatigue, acute BurnOut, Excess Weight, Skin problems, Lymphatic Congestion, Lump in the breast Location: Wraxall Yard, Dorset, Jivita Ayurveda 12-day Panchakarma Retreat Read the full case study here Ayurvedically speaking, ME can be diagnosed a tridoshic imbalance where the body has lost its intelligence of self-regulation, i.e. ability to…

The Rewards Are Far Greater Than The Efforts Put Into It

Ayurvedic model of living mirrors the way humans were originally designed to live, in harmony with the environment. The balance of life depends on how well we adjust to the changing environment and the everyday context with its sensory stimuli and social interactions. The state of balance is called wellbeing and it’s marked by feelings…

Why is gut health good for the brain?

Why is gut health good for the brain? Ayurveda, backed up by the most recent scientific research (such as microbiology) regards the gut as the prime initiator of bodymind’s imbalances and disease. The ancient practices addressing gut health in order to reverse degenerative brain diseases and psychological imbalances are proving to be the winning deal…

Messages from the Dark Side

Messages from the dark side This is going to be a confessional post. I often find myself having arguments in my head. I argue mostly with my sister, with my ex and with my partner. If there’s nothing to argue about, my mind invents them and go on creating arguments that never took place. It’s…

Panchakarma Experience – Parkinson’s – Kampavata

Ayurveda Panchakarma Detox Experience at Jivita Ayurveda This Panchakarma detox program went on in the summer of 2022. The client went on for 14 days of cleansing in our clinic in Kensal Rise. Here is his inspiring narrative on the ability of Ayurveda to promote self-regulation or biomechanic healing, an empowering experience at everyone’s reach. …

Reset for Long Covid

Reset for Long Covid and Other Post Viral Conditions The most extraordinary health event in human history has left its mark in our society in many forms we still cannot even comprehend. One of them, however, is well known to many of us and at least we know someone who has it: the long covid….

EVERYTHING IS ALLOWED IN AYURVEDA – EVEN MUSHROOMS

Everything is allowed in Ayurveda – Even Mushrooms Truth be told, Ayurveda does not say no to any food items that are in the seasonaL, organic and local list. Nevertheless, I find endless reels, memes and writings about how you should not have mushrooms, peanuts, tomatoes, aubergines, potatoes, peas and so on. The warnings on…

Placebo: Ayurveda’s big guns – the science behind it

Placebo: Ayurveda’s big guns – the science behind it The word placebo has gained some bad rap in the past years and to some extent it is understandable because it is hard to measure. What cannot be measured does not exist – or is it so? Before I continue explaining how placebo is something more…

You can’t eat yourself healthy

The fact of the matter is: you can eat yourself sick but can’t eat yourself back in health. Once unhealthy, there is no way you can keep eating and hoping to get healthy, no matter what you eat. That’s a bit thick coming from me, you might say. I am, after all, claimed to teach people…

Drink your food, Eat your water

Drink your food, eat your water What kind of advice is that? That does not sound right! But it is and I will explain why and how. I heard this statement for the first time from one of my biggest influencers, Dr Vasant Lad, who’s life work consist of translating and diffusing ayurvedic knowledge to…

HUNGER

Hunger… is not pain it comes in waves is a sign of increasing digestive power, or agni One of the biggest achievements in my life, as a survivor of bulimia, has been to become comfortable with a feeling of hunger. Having spent my early adulthood surrounded by a media that promotes constant snacking to avoid…

How to be in the “Now”…. and then what happens?

Yoga and Ayurveda complement each other perfectly, but have you asked why? There are a couple of points to make but one of the main commonalities is that they both aim at helping us acting in the present. In the now we make better decisions and are able to judge the situation for what it…

Oops! Burp! I’ve had enough!

I’ve just burped up the aftertaste of some most excellent seasonal delights. You may say yuk but wait a moment: this is the best burp in the world, the one that brings back in the mouth the flavour of the most excellent food I’ve just enjoyed. It extends my dining experience a bit further, tickling…

Seasonal cravings

Roughage for Lady Gaga? Seasonal cravings You must be wondering why Lady Gaga likes it rough? Well, of course, Ayurveda has the answer: Lady Gaga has seasonal cravings! In spring, roughage is essential in our diet because of the tough insoluble fibres, which clean the gut and help pull out all of the old fat…

Ayurvedic Diet: The Truth

Ayurvedic Diet: The truth I think we really need some reality checks on Ayurvedic Diets! So here is the run down on Ayurvedic Diets: The truth. I wanted to get one thing straight about the Ayurvedic diet: There are no natural food items that are not allowed in this diet! I often hear you should…

Hello Vata my old friend

Vata My Friend Oh boy, we are getting closer and closer to the climax of vata! As we know, every season during the year is related to a specific dosha. By the end of that season or time period, the characteristics of the associated dosha increase. So, for example, summer, the pitta period, is at…

Satmya: The concept of suitability

Stay Inside Your Comfort Zone. Satmya: The concept of suitability We are all unique beings and as such we all have individual requirements. Whilst seasonal cleansing is important, it is best to design a programme that suits your individual needs and is appropriate to you. Your family, work, activities, stamina, beliefs and ethical issues are…

HELLO AUTUMN!

HELLO AUTUMN! We are now entering the third part of the annual life cycle, so I’d like to share some Autumn Ayurveda advice. It is the last part of the vegetation’s growth cycle when growth and reproduction are over and it’s time to start withdrawal ahead of the winter. Many instinctively feel the need to…

Dharmic Syncing

DHARMIC SYNCING I saw a young actor recently. Back home, lounging on the couch watching telly I told my partner about this exciting sighting. Somehow, I couldn’t for the world remember his name but, as if by magic, there he was on the TV screen, right at the moment I needed to know his name….