Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

If you've ever set out to make healthy changes but found your willpower fading after a few weeks, this episode is for you. In this final episode of my trilogy on Ayurvedic habits, we explore how to make change sustainable. While episode 412 looked at habits as anchors in uncertain times, and episode 413 explored the big results that come from small rituals, this conversation is all about longevity...

In this episode, Colette explores the liver, not just as an organ, but as your body's fire keeper, the great transformer of food, hormones, and emotions. Ayurveda teaches that the liver, or  Yakrut , is the home of Pitta dosha and plays a vital role in keeping your inner fire balanced. During perimenopause, when hormones fluctuate and emotions rise and fall, the liver's workload increases making i...

We often think that transformation requires big, dramatic changes, but Ayurveda teaches us that it's the small, steady habits that create the deepest, most sustainable impact. In this episode, I share how small rituals act as anchors for your health, energy, and emotional balance. We'll explore why habits conserve mental energy, how Ayurveda personalizes them for your unique dosha, and the ripple...

Life can often feel unpredictable, whether from work pressures, social shifts, or simply the pace of the world. Ayurveda reminds us that stability isn't found in controlling the external world, but in cultivating steady rhythms and anchor habits within ourselves. In this episode, Colette explores how small, consistent daily habits can serve as anchors for your body, mind, and spirit. You'll learn...

In Ayurveda, digestion is never just about food, it's about how we process life itself. When our digestion is weak, the body feels heavy, the mind becomes clouded, and both physical toxins ( ama ) and mental toxins ( mental ama ) begin to accumulate. In this episode, Colette explores how poor digestion affects not only our physical health but also our emotional wellbeing, clarity, and self-confide...

The thyroid may be small, but its influence on our energy, metabolism, mood, and overall vitality is profound. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders today. Ayurveda takes a holistic perspective to uncover root causes and pathways to healing, looking at digestion, doshas, lifestyle, and even emotional health.  In this episode, I'm joined by Vaidya Kamya Pillai, a specialist i...

As the seasons shift, your skin tells a story. Autumn's dry, cool winds can bring flakiness, sensitivity, or dullness, while lingering summer heat may still trigger redness or irritation. Ayurveda teaches us that these changes aren't random, they're reflections of dosha balance, digestion, and even our emotions. In this episode, we explore how to keep your skin radiant and resilient during autumn...

Have you ever noticed cravings sneak up when you're stressed, tired, or at the change of a season? Ayurveda teaches us that cravings aren't about willpower, they're messages from the body, pointing to imbalance. Whether it's toxins (ama), weak digestion (Agni), or long-held emotional patterns, cravings are signposts that something deeper is asking for attention. In this episode, Colette explores:...

When most of us think about improving digestion, we focus on food choices, what to eat and what to avoid. But Ayurveda teaches us that  how and when we eat, along with our daily lifestyle habits, are just as important for keeping agni (digestive fire) strong and preventing ama (toxins). In this episode, Colette explores five often-overlooked habits that quietly weaken digestion over time and share...

Colette is joined by Ayurvedic doctor and educator Vaidya Princy Prasad for a deeper exploration of Agni, the inner fire that fuels far more than just digestion. While Agni is often associated with metabolism, its influence extends into immunity, hormonal balance, emotional clarity, and overall vitality. In this conversation, they discuss the following: What Agni really is and why it's central to...

As we approach the threshold between summer and autumn, it's the perfect time to explore how the doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha accumulate imbalance during the summer months and how this can affect your digestion, immunity, and emotional wellbeing. In this solo episode, Colette invites you into an Ayurvedic exploration of seasonal transition, with a special focus on digestive health and immune s...

The Elements of Ayurveda Podcast turns 8 this month and in this special anniversary episode, I'm reflecting on 8 years of sharing Ayurvedic wisdom through this podcast, in my personal practice, and in client work. Over this time, Ayurveda has taught me countless lessons, but there are 8 core insights that continue to shape how I live, heal, and show up in the world. May they inspire your own journ...

In this enlightening episode, Colette is joined by Dr. Bruno Renzi, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and pioneer in the integration of Ayurveda into psychosomatic medicine. Dr. Renzi created and led the first integrated medicine center for psychosomatic disorders at an Italian university, bringing together modern psychiatry and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in a groundbreaking clinical setting. D...

Regular guest Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath, also known as Dr. J, joins Colette to explore a topic that touches his heart and the hearts of many: how to raise healthy, resilient, and balanced children with the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda. Kaumarabhritya (Ayurvedic pediatrics) is one of the eight classical branches of Ayurveda. This ancient science offers guidance starting from preconception and see...

Colette explores how summer, a season of heat, light, and intensity can support  sadhana , your conscious spiritual practice. Sadhana refers to any intentional, disciplined effort we make to align with our higher Self, whether that's through meditation, mantra, prayer, mindful movement, self-inquiry, or acts of devotion. She explains how we can harness our inner fire (tapas) and creative light (te...

As the weather warms, your skin might become oilier, break out more, or feel dull and irritated. These issues, including redness, inflammation, sun sensitivity, rashes, and heat bumps can indicate an increase in Pitta dosha. Ayurveda teaches us that skin health reflects internal wellbeing, including digestion, blood, toxins and emotions. Colette explores how to take care of your skin holistically...

Dr. Rainer Picha is an Austrian cardiologist who received his Ayurvedic training at the Maharishi Vedic University in Vlodrop, Netherlands. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the International Maharishi AyurVeda Foundation for Health Professionals and is the Director of the Maharishi College of Perfect Health International. In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Picha runs a medical practic...

Summer, with all its brightness and intensity, is a time when Pitta can easily go out of balance, even for those who don't have a Pitta constitution. And when we don't know the signs of imbalance or we ignore them, it can lead to everything from digestive issues and skin flare-ups to burnout, irritability and emotional overload. In this solo episode, Colette shares some of the most supportive Ayur...

Dr. Sujatha Kekada is the Head Physician and Co-Founder of AmrtaSiddhi Ayurvedic Clinic in Ubud, Bali. She is a certified Ayurvedic Doctor (B.A.M.S) with a degree from Rajiv Gandhi University, India. She talks with Colette about cancer with a particular focus on breast cancer and they discuss the following: Ayurveda's understanding of the root causes of breast cancer from an ama (toxins), dosha (v...

In this solo episode Colette explores how Ayurveda can help us transform reactive emotions into self-awareness. Ayurveda views emotions as opportunities for understanding ourselves better. By acknowledging the energies behind our emotions, we can practice emotional alchemy, turning reactivity into wisdom. She discusses the following: Emotions through the lens of Ayurveda.  The emotional tendencies...

Colette chats with her client Wendy who is a fitness coordinator in Bountiful, Utah. Wendy is a passionate community builder and wellness advocate dedicated to helping individuals and families live healthier, more connected lives. With a background in recreation leadership and a heart for mental health, she leads programs that inspire movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. Whether organ...

In this solo episode Colette explores listening to your body's needs and the wisdom of Ayurveda when choosing your exercise and recovery program. She discusses moving with intention and emphasizing regeneration over depletion, especially in our fast-paced culture where over-exercising is common. She covers the following: Core Ayurvedic principles to consider when choosing an exercise program:  Str...

Life often becomes a rush of tasks, leading to a disconnect from ourselves, our breath, our inner rhythm and the rhythm of nature.   Ritual helps us return to ourselves within our existing routines. It transforms mundane actions like showering or having tea into moments of presence and appreciation.   Approaching self-care practices as rituals, rather than tasks that need to be checked off daily,...

Spring, often referred to as kapha season in Ayurveda, shares similar qualities with the kapha dosha: cold, moist, heavy, static, soft, and liquid. We observe these characteristics in the environment through cooler temperatures and the earth saturated by melting snow or rain. This external environment significantly influences our bodies. As a result, you might experience clogged pores, increased o...

Colette chats with her client Julie about her recent Digestive Reset Cleanse experience and her journey with Yoga and Ayurveda. They discuss the following: Julie's early exposure to Yoga and her introduction to Ayurveda. Her decision to choose a supported cleanse. The awareness gained during the cleanse journey. Julie's experience transitioning into the vata stage of life. The role of creativity i...