Meet your teacher, Nidhi! (Instagram @my_ayurvedic_life) Nidhi is a NAMA certified 3rd generation Ayurvedic practitioner based in New York, USA. Nidhi is a core faculty member of the US-based Shakti school of Ayurveda, and is placed on the Board of Advisor for several Ayurvedic products and works...

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). So Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life.

The Sanskrit words for the 5 elements are as follows:
Akasha (Ether, space)
Vayu (Air)
Tejas or Agni (Fire)
Apas (Water)
Prthivi (Earth)

The element earth, called “prithvi” in Sanskrit, is the fifth of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutus). It comes fifth because it evolves out of each of the other four elements (ether, air, fire and water), containing the essence of these elements within it. Ether provides earth the space t...

The element water, called “apas” in Sanskrit, is the fourth of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutus). It comes fourth because it evolves from ether, air, and fire; water contains aspects of the other three elements within it. Ether provides water the space to exist within. Air provides wate...

Fire represents light, heat, luster, energy, understanding, metabolism, and the power of transformation.

Wind is responsible for the movement of all things. It is existence without form. Air is all about the movement of seeds, thoughts, ideas, communication. Air is the vehicle of wind which is adaptable, mutable (changing) , light, dry, rough.

The element ether, called “akasha” in Sanskrit is the first of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutus). It comes first because it is the most subtle of the elements. Often referred to as “space,” it is the essence of emptiness. It is the space the other elements fill. The origin of ether is s...

Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, has delineated three categories of fundamental regulatory principles of the body, mind, and behavior. These three categories, called doshas, are named Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Kapha is all about building. Kapha (pronounced “kuffa”) is based on earth and water. It can be described as steady, stable, heavy, slow, cold, and soft. Spring is known as kapha season, as many parts of the world slowly exit hibernation. People with this dosha are described as strong, thick-boned...

Pitta is all about transformation. A combination of fire and water elements, pitta has the characteristics of being hot, oily and light. When there is an excess accumulation of pitta in the body, you may experience the following: Excess generation of heat in the body. Acid reflux, gas, indigestio...

Vata is all about movement & decline. Vata dosha is associated with air and space. It's light, cool, and dry in nature, and it governs all movement and processes in your mind and body—including processes like blood flow, elimination, breathing, and the movement of thoughts in your mind.

For someone with a strong Kapha tendency, how will they show up to your yoga class? What about someone with excess Pitta? and Vata?

Childhood, which is the first stage, is governed by kapha dosha. The second stage, from puberty up to the age of fifty, is governed by pitta dosha. And the third stage, which is from the age of fifty until death, is governed by vata dosha.

The day starts at sunrise, with the cool, heavy, earthy kapha dosha holding sway from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The middle of the day—from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—belongs to pitta, the hot, sharp, and fiery “king of digestion” dosha. And light, dry, airy vata rules the afternoon, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., afte...

In Ayurveda, The term “Agni” is used in the sense of digestion of food and metabolic products. Agni converts food in the form of energy, which is responsible for all the vital functions of our body.

In Ayurveda, the concept of fire, or agni, is key. The strength of agni in the body is among the most critical factors in determining overall health. By contrast, ama is a toxic, disease causing substance that forms as a result of impaired agni, and that, in turn, destroys agni. In this way, impa...

Try taking a moment to offer thanks, or sitting in silence for a moment before you begin eating. Don't gulp down your food; savour each mouthful and chew well before you swallow. A few sips of warm water during the meal will help digestion, but don't drink too much of any beverage. At any meal, d...

The 6 tastes that Ayurveda identifies are:
Sweet
Sour
Salty
Spicy (pungent)
Bitter
Astringent

Ayurveda proposes a series of wonderful daily habits for optimal health.

Which daily Ayurvedic practices feel most inviting to you? Which ones do you feel most resistant towards?

Here's how to make a few simple tips for your morning routine so your light will burn even brighter all day long!
Wake before sunrise
Use a tongue scraper
Drink a mug of warm lemon water
Try a neti pot with nasya oil
Splash your eyes with cool water, or spritz with rose water
...

According to Ayurveda, healthy poops happen one to two times daily. In a perfect world, the first bowel movement of the day occurs within a few minutes of waking, ideally before sunrise. If there is a second bowel movement later in the day, it often occurs after a meal, in the afternoon or evening.

A tongue scraper gently removes toxins from the tongue itself and simultaneously stimulates, massages, and cleanses the associated organs and deep tissues.

Nasya is a part of the Panchakarma treatment where the central nervous system is cleansed through administering oils through the nostrils. The oil is customised by the practitioner based on the condition to be treated.

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene.

Abhyanga (Oil Massage) is a form of Ayurvedic therapy that involves massage of the entire body from the head to the toe with Dosha-specific warm herb-infused oil. The oil is commonly pre-mixed with herbs for specific conditions.

Vyayama (Exercise) plays key role in the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Ayurveda suggests that a daily routine of proper physical activity, affects not only your body, but has a positive influence on your mind, emotions, senses and spirit.

Snana (or medicated bath) as part of Paschatkarma or post treatment care in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic texts recommend to have a daily bath after an Abhyanga or self-administered whole body oil massage. Warm water is preferred for having bath after Abhyanga.

A few final words from Nidhi!