Ayurveda Wellness

The Limitations of Western Medicine

Dr. Nadine Webering, a qualified medical doctor and neurologist, initially pursued a career in Western medicine with the goal of helping people and making a positive impact on their lives. However, over time, she became increasingly disillusioned with the drawbacks of the traditional medical approach.

In Western medicine, the focus is often on diagnosing and treating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of illness. This approach, while effective in many cases, can lead to a cycle where patients continually return with the same issues because the root causes are not being addressed.

Dr. Webering explains that Western medicine often lacks a holistic understanding of health. It is primarily concerned with fixing what is broken rather than promoting overall wellness. For example, in her practice as a neurologist, she treated patients with severe conditions like strokes.

While she could help them recover to some extent, many of them would continue to engage in unhealthy behaviors, leading to recurrent health problems. This experience made her realize that a more comprehensive approach to health was needed—one that focused on prevention and long-term well-being.

The Journey into Ayurveda Wellness

Dr. Webering’s journey into Ayurveda Wellness began serendipitously during a yoga teacher training program. She discovered that Ayurveda Welness offered a medical system that addressed many of the gaps she had noticed in Western medicine. Ayurveda’s emphasis on understanding the root causes of illness, promoting balance, and integrating physical, mental, and spiritual health resonated deeply with her.

For Dr. Webering, Ayurveda Wellness was not just an alternative to Western medicine but a complementary approach that could enhance her ability to help patients achieve true wellness. She decided to study Ayurveda in-depth and eventually transitioned her practice from conventional neurology to a focus on Ayurvedic medicine. This shift was not only a professional change but also a personal transformation that allowed her to align her work with her values and passions.

Why Ayurveda Wellness?

5 Ways to Practice Ayurveda Wellness Daily

Adding Ayurveda Wellness to your daily routine can greatly improve your health and well-being. Here’s how to start:

1. Morning Routine (Dinacharya)

Dinacharya is an Ayurvedic practice of creating a regular daily routine that follows the natural flow of the day. This routine helps you start the day in balance and sets the tone for overall well-being. A consistent morning routine helps to balance your doshas, clear your mind, and prepare your body for the day ahead.

• Wake Up Early: Ayurveda Wellness recommends waking up before sunrise, during the Vata time of day, when the mind is calm and clear.
• Hydrate: Begin the day with one tall glass of warm lemon water to boost digestion and remove toxins.
• Cleanse: Use a tongue scraper to get rid of overnight toxins, then take a warm shower or bath.
• Set an Intention: Spend a few minutes meditating or setting a positive goal for the day.

2. Mindful Eating According to Your Dosha

In Ayurveda, food acts as medicine and can either balance or disrupt your doshas. Eating according to your dosha means selecting foods that support your unique constitution. Mindful eating tailored to your dosha helps maintain balance, supports digestion, and prevents imbalances that could lead to health issues. It’s a way to nourish your body while also promoting overall wellness.

• Vata Dosha: Stick to warm, cooked foods like soups, stews, and grains that are grounding. Stay away from raw, dry, and cold foods. as they can make Vata’s dry and light qualities worse.
• Pitta Dosha: Choose cooling, hydrating foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Steer clear of oily, spicy, and acidic foods, as they can intensify Pitta’s heat.
• Kapha Dosha: Opt for light, warm, and stimulating foods, such as spices, legumes, and green vegetables. Stay away from sweet, heavy, and oily foods, as they can make Kapha more sluggish.

3. Self-Massage (Abhyanga)

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic technique involving self-massage with warm oil. It is a calming ritual that helps to balance the doshas, particularly Vata, by grounding the body and soothing the mind. Warm oil self-massage helps relax the nervous system, boosts circulation, and nurtures the skin. It’s a simple and effective method to relieve stress and connect with your body.

• Select your oil based on your dosha: opt for sesame oil if you have Vata, coconut oil for Pitta, and mustard or sunflower oil if Kapha is your dominant dosha.
• Warm the Oil: Gently warm the oil before applying it to your skin. The warmth enhances the oil’s therapeutic effects.
• Massage from Head to Toe: Begin at your head and move downward to your feet, applying smooth, sweeping strokes on your limbs and gentle circular motions around your joints.
• Let the Oil Absorb: Allow the oil to stay on your skin for 15-20 minutes before you wash it off.

4. Pranayama and Meditation

Pranayama is the art of breath control, regarded as essential for harnessing vital energy in Ayurveda. Meditation involves concentrating your mind to attain calmness and clarity. These techniques help reduce stress, improve mental sharpness, and support emotional balance. They are essential tools for maintaining overall health and connecting with your inner self.

• Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Practice this pranayama technique to balance the flow of energy in your body and calm your mind.
• Wim Hof or Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath): from the yoga tradition. These focus on quick Carbon Dioxide offloading to improve vasodilation and thus increase oxygenation of the blood, and through it, the brain.
• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Where you focus on expanding your diaphragm with each inhale and fully exhaling, can help trigger the body’s relaxation response.

5. Aligning with Nature’s Rhythms

Ayurveda Wellness teaches the importance of living in harmony with the natural cycles of the day, seasons, and stages of life. This alignment helps maintain balance in the doshas and supports overall well-being. Living in sync with nature helps prevent imbalances, supports the body’s natural rhythms, and enhances overall health. It fosters a stronger connection with your surroundings.

• Seasonal Eating: Adjust your diet according to the seasons. In winter (Kapha season), focus on warming, light foods. In summer (Pitta season), choose cooling, hydrating foods.
• Daily Routine: Structure your day in a way that aligns with natural rhythms, such as eating your largest meal at midday when digestion is strongest.
• Life Stage Adaptations: As you move through different stages of life, adjust your lifestyle and diet accordingly. For example, during the later stages of life (Vata stage), prioritize nourishing and grounding practices.

By learning about your dosha and applying Ayurvedic principles daily, you can enhance your overall well-being and vitality. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda Wellness or aiming to deepen your practice, these steps offer a practical and tailored approach to holistic health. Embrace the journey and discover how Ayurveda Wellness can transform your well-being.