Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Colette chats with regular guest Amy Wheeler about grounding the Vata energy during this Vata-aggravating energy right now, with the transition of the seasons, Covid virus, climate crisis etc. They also discuss the importance of connection, particularly the connection to your 'true nature', to Mother Nature and in your relationships. Colette and Amy cover the following topics: How the current clim...

Ayurveda explains that diabetes is not a single disease but a complex syndrome which is much more than an increase in blood sugar. According to Ayurveda, the body expresses different stages of diabetes. Colette chats with Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath of Kerala Ayurveda Academy about the followings: The stages and expressions of diabetes in the body The various reasons for diabetes How undigested e...

Colette talks about the decline of the Pitta fire energy at the end of the Pitta stage of life. This declining Pitta energy can result in a decline in drive, competitive spirit, intensity and ambition and it can be a challenging time for many people if they're not aware of what's happening in their body and mind. Ayurveda teaches us about the life cycles and how the energies of Vata, Pitta and Kap...

Agni is the fire element in the body and it governs the transformation of food and sensations into energy. This fire element is present in all the dhatus or tissues of the body and it's the awareness in each cell of the body.  Colette chats with Ayurvedic Doctor Victor Briere about the following: What is agni. The relationship between agni and the dhatus (tissues). The important role of agni for o...

Amy Wheeler chats with Colette about the importance of compassionate and inclusive leadership in the world and particularly in the Yoga community, in which Amy is a leader. Amy is encouraging the Yoga community to embrace equality, inclusion and diversity. Colette and Amy discuss the following: How the Bhagavad Gita teaches us how to lead with compassion. The importance of self-reflection and work...

The strength of our immune system is of paramount importance right now given the Covid virus and the upcoming change of seasons which can negatively affect our immunity, often resulting in colds, flu, allergies etc. This is the time of year where we really need to take care of, maintain and nurture our immune system to make sure that's it's working optimally. In this episode, Colette discusses the...

Colette has invited two clients to share their personal Ayurvedic experience. Becky and Jennica talk to Colette about their Ayurvedic journey, they discuss the following: How they discovered Ayurveda. Their personal experience on their Ayurvedic healing journey.  How Ayurveda has impacted their life, personally and professionally. Becky and Jennica share insights & tips from their journey. Check o...

Colette and Amy take the opportunity on this 3 year anniversary to chat about the following: Why Colette started the podcast. How Amy and Colette connected when they first met. The importance of humility. So Hum and flowing with life. Colette shares big moves in her life. Amy shares her experience with Covid confinement and reflects on the changes she's making in her life. Please share your though...

Ayurveda is a science of self-healing and this self-healing can lead to self-inquiry and self-realisation. Colette chats with Vaidya Anupama Kizhakkeveettil about Ayurveda's teachings on self-realisation. They discuss the following: What is self-realisation. How can self-healing lead to self-realisation. How can self-realisation be beneficial for our health and wellbeing. How to start on the journ...

Dr. Sujatha returns to the podcast to answer various questions on women's reproductive health. Colette asks Dr. Sujatha the following questions from the Elements community: The Ayurvedic view on cysts, fibroids & endometriosis. The cycle of the doshas during the menstrual cycle. How dosha aggravations can manifest during menstruation. Conditions that can affect the menstrual cycle: amenorrhea dysm...

Dr. Vignesh Devraj is a 4th generation Ayurvedic healer and founder of Sitaram Beach Retreat in Kerala. He is also an international speaker on natural healing, Ayurveda, meditation and transformation.  In this episode, Colette chats with Dr. Vignesh about men's health and in particular male fertility. They discuss the following: What male fertility problems Dr. Vignesh sees in his clinic. What dha...

Colette takes questions from the Elements community and discusses the following topics: Sleep issues & the Vata dosha. The top 5 Ayurvedic food principles to prevent allergies. High blood pressure & cholesterol. The Ayurvedic view on bread. How altitude affects the doshas. Ayurvedic view on the Wim Hof breathing method.  Snacking between meals. Topical relief for eczema itching. Thank you to Banya...

Marlysa Sullivan is a physiotherapist and yoga therapist with over 15 years of experience working with people suffering with chronic pain conditions. She has researched Aristotle's concept of eudaimonic wellbeing and Yoga's spiritual wellbeing as a way to help restore a sense of wellbeing to the individual living with chronic pain.  We discuss the following: How chronic pain affect a persons life....

Generation Z are between the ages of 10-25 years and are in their formative years of school/college/early working years where they're learning about the world, shaping their values and worldview. Amy, a college professor for the past 25 years, shares her concerns about this generation and the effect the current Covid crisis, protests against systemic racism etc. is having on the mental health of t...

The Paleovedic Diet is the name of Dr. Akil's book in which he combines the core principles of Paleo with the science of Ayurveda. Colette discusses the following topics with Dr. Akil: Dr. Akil's personal healing journey with Ayurveda. What is the Paleo diet. Combining Paleo with the individualised approach of Ayurveda. The Paleovedic view on; Simple vs. complex carbs Good fats vs. bad fats Dairy...

Colette chats with Heather Grzych about her new book The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility. They discuss the following: Heather's story and how she came to write a book on fertility. Why there's such a problem with fertility in the West today. The four factors of conception according to Ayurveda - Bija (seed) Ritu (season) Ksetra (region/soil) Ambu (water/nutrition) The importance of the preconception...

Colette chats with Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath about the current protests in the US (and worldwide in support) demanding an end to systemic racism and demanding fundamental human rights for all. In this episode they discuss the following: Why it's so important that injustices are acknowledged and recognised before any healing can begin. From an Ayurvedic perspective, what qualities are at play in...

The Yamas & Niyamas are moral codes or right ways of living that originate from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are a guide on how to live in order to lead a conscious, spiritual life. Amy Wheeler teaches us about these moral codes. The 5 Yamas discussed are: Ahimsa - non-violence Satya - truth Asteya - no stealing Brahmacharya - moderation Aparigraha - non-possessiveness The 5 Niyam...

In the West, menopause is often perceived as this dreaded event in a woman's life. A time of uncontrollable symptoms which can result in hormonal imbalances, hot flashes, mood swings, etc. However, Ayurveda has a different perspective and gives guidelines on how to remain in balance and experience an empowering transition into the wisdom stage of life! Colette chats with Dr. Sujatha about this Ayu...

Colette answers questions submitted by the Elements community and the various topics covered are: Tips for Spring allergies. Maintaining immunity and energy when transitioning into Winter. The correct temperature for drinking water. Using oil when you have a cough. Abhyanga oil massage tips. Vertigo. Eating for a Vata/Pitta constitution. Find more details on Colette's Digestive Reset Cleanse here...

The gallbladder is a little pear-shaped pouch which is often overlooked, however, in this episode Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum explains the importance of the gallbladder and how it can be the hidden culprit in many illnesses. Colette and Dr. Teitelbaum discuss the following: The critical role the gallbladder plays in the body. What is gallbladder sludge & its symptoms. What happens when the gallbladder...

Colette chats with Marlysa Sullivan about t he Polyvagal Theory and Marlysa describes the three neural platforms and five global states of the autonomic nervous system according to this theory. They also discuss the relationship of the mental gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas to the neural platforms and how they influence one another. They cover the following topics: What is the autonomic nervous s...

Our mental health has a big impact on our immunity and in this episode Colette chats with Ayurvedic Doctor Victor Briere about the following: Ayurveda's teachings on the interconnection between the body and the mind. The connection between our mind and the sense organs. What is the immune system and how it works. How our mental health effects our immunity. The effect of Rajas and Tamas on the immu...

Dr. Sujatha Kekada of the Amrtasiddhi Ayurvedic Clinic in Ubud, Bali chats with Colette about respiratory health. They discuss the following: What dosha & subdoshas are involved in respiration. The Ayurvedic perspective on asthma. The respiratory problems that can manifest in each dosha. Natural treatments for each dosha imbalance. Self-care practices for respiratory health.  Types of food and coo...

Amy and I discuss the rollercoaster of emotions, reactions and needs during this time of home confinement with Covid-19. We discuss the following: Collective global grieving. The need to work together on a global scale. Disfunction in our foundational structures and institutions. Our connection to Mother Nature. The range of emotions experienced. Taking it day-by-day. Routine to create a stable fo...