Ojas is our prime energy reserve, our vitality and our natural immunity. Optimal ojas is called ojas sara in Ayurveda and a person with ojas sara will have the following characteristics: Strong mental and physical strength Great endurance and plentiful reserves of energy All seven dhatus/tissues of the body will be healthy Strong immunity Loving, compassionate and empathetic disposition Contentment in life Creative mind and great mental clarity Glowing skin, eyes and shiny hair Great...

Kate O’Donnell is a three-time bestselling author, a highly sought-after speaker and the founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute where she has educated a generation of practitioners. Kate’s highly anticipated new book Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health drops April 2024 and Colette discusses this book with Kate in this episode. They cover the following topics: Why Kate wrote this book and how she would like readers to use it. The Ayurvedic perspective on hormones. The effect of stress on...

Colette answers the following questions from listeners: Lydia - I feel like my energy has been low the past few weeks and I’ve made an effort to get to bed earlier, however, I still feel so tired throughout my day. How do I boost my energy? Pamela - I know that living in tune with the Circadian rhythms is important in Ayurveda and I have been intentionally doing that for several months now but my bowel movements are still happening later in the day, is this a problem? Also, I have excess...

Ayurveda considers brahmacharya (sexual energy and desires) to be one of the 3 pillars of health along with proper management of food (ahara) and sleep (nidra). According to Ayurveda sex is not limited to reproduction and pleasure but that the management and balance of sexual energy is vital for the flow of ojas. When ojas is plentiful it promotes mental and physical strength, endurance, strong immunity, healthy reproductive tissue, generous reserves of energy, compassion, love, empathy,...

Linda works as a body-oriented psychotherapist and specialises in developmental trauma. She recently discovered Ayurveda and decided to sign up for the Digestive Reset Cleanse as she felt her body/mind needed the reset. In this episode Colette chats with Linda about the following: Her work as a body-oriented psychotherapist. How she discovered Ayurveda. The consultation and cleanse experience. The shifts she experienced in her body and mind. How this cleanse has helped deepen her connection...

Jwara translates to ‘that which torments’ and in the classical Ayurveda texts the description of jwara includes a variety of conditions which includes changes in body temperature, compromise of metabolic function, discolouration and aches. These symptoms can be correlated to fever and also be an indicator of inflammation in the body. Ayurveda shares some fascinating insights into jwara and this is what Colette shares in this episode: The causes of jwara. The eight different types of jwara....

Carolann was on a journey to calm her anxiety which was a result of increased stress in her life. She experienced a restless mind, brain fog, sleep issues, low concentration, heated emotions and psoriasis. She had a strong belief in self-help and started researching ways to heal her body and mind. This is when she came across Ayurveda which led her to her Reset-Restore-Renew journey. In this episode Colette chats to Carolann about the following: Carolann's discovery of Ayurveda. The...

Our regular guest, Dr. Sujatha Kekada is the Head Physician and Co-Founder of AmrtaSiddhi Ayurvedic Clinic in Ubud, Bali. In this episode Colette chats with Dr. Sujatha about common ailments that can occur during the change of seasons. They discuss the following: Why we are prone to sickness during the transition of the seasons. What's happening in the body when we get sick. The difference between cold and flu symptoms and their effect on the body. How we can prevent these ailments....

Allergies can make life challenging for many people as the symptoms can really impact day-to-day life. In this episode Colette talks about how allergies can manifest differently in each dosha type: The kapha dosha when aggravated can manifest in congestion, mucus, phlegm, runny nose, watery eyes, chesty cough, feeling lethargic, heaviness in the body and a foggy mind. There can also be sluggish digestion and elimination, water retention and swelling. The pitta dosha when aggravated can...

Dr. Tom O'Bryan is a renowned functional medicine expert in environmental medicine and a leading voice in the field of holistic health and wellness. With an impressive career dedicated to uncovering the hidden impacts of environmental toxins on family health, Dr. O'Bryan offers invaluable insights into nurturing healthier generations. He holds teaching faculty positions with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. He is the author of You Can Fix...

Anuradha Gupta is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, soon to complete her Ayurvedic Doctor program from Kerala Ayurveda, where she is a guest faculty, content specialist and Ayurvedic Practitioner student mentor. She is also an Engineer, MBA, 200 Hr Yoga teacher, social Justice advocate and a volunteer with Project Welcome Home Troops. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioural disorder that develops from experiencing a traumatic event. Anuradha has presented at the...

Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to low body weight and takes into consideration the physical, mental and emotional factors at play. Ayurveda gives guidelines to help promote weight gain and it’s not just a case of eating more food but rather looking at the types of food, the tastes and the qualities of the food along with pacifying lifestyle practices. With each individual having a unique constitution the root causes will vary and most importantly the advice needs to be tailored to each...

Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant, educator, and chef in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. Divya and her husband Prentiss founded Divya’s Kitchen, a plant-based restaurant in New York City that reimagines classic dishes through an Ayurvedic lens. Divya’s brand has since expanded to include a line of plant-based retail food products, educational videos and two books. She is the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen and Joy of Balance: An...

Jeannine Rashidi, the founder of Goodbye Tension and Doctor of Ayurveda in training, has guided clients toward physical, mental, emotional, & digestive relief for the last 20 years. Jeannine’s best-selling book, Abundance Beyond Trauma, showcases the EDHIR® process she developed for mental, emotional & physical digestion of traumatic & adverse life experiences.  Colette chats with Jeannine about her book and her personal journey. They discuss the following: How's Jeannine's...

Clare has worked with Colette for a year now and has committed to a journey of self discovery with Ayurveda. She has participated in each of the group cleanses last year and found each one to be a different experience. They discuss the following: How Clare "met" Ayurveda. Prioritising self-care and fitting it into her busy lifestyle. Connecting with creativity. The benefits of repeating the cleanse. Clare's future with Ayurveda. * Thanks to Kerala Academy for sponsoring this episode. To...

Colette chats with Dr. Sujatha Kekada about the Ayurvedic perspective on stomach acid. This is a particularly relevant topic after the holiday season where the rich, heavy foods and alcohol can result in high or low stomach acid. They discuss the following: What is stomach acid and the Ayurvedic view on the gastric juices, agni and the doshas involved. What are the symptoms of high and low stomach acid. What causes high stomach acid and how can it manifest into certain conditions like acid...

Colette shares her personal experience of caregiving for her mother with dementia. She shares how Ayurveda has helped her understand and process her mothers declining health. Understanding the tendencies of each dosha to changing and uncontrollable situations like sickness can promote compassion for those who have challenges with navigating these stressful situations. Colette also shares tips on how to manage the needs of your doshas while navigating the role of caretaking for a loved one. ...

Colette takes questions from the listeners and covers the following topics: The Ayurvedic perspective on alcohol. Which dosha is aggravated in hyopglycemia (low blood sugar). What causes cellulite and Ayurvedic tips to reduce it. Preventing muscle cramps and spasms. * Click here to learn more about discounted group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting February 2nd, 2024 * Download the Ojas Building Milk Recipe here * Visit Colette's website www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com  Online...

Pain affects us not only physically, but mentally also and in this episode Colette takes a look at pain from an Ayurvedic perspective. Ayurveda teaches us that pain is a result of an imbalance in the doshas: Vata dosha is involved if there’s pain in the body. Pitta dosha may be involved if there’s inflammation. Kapha dosha is involved if there’s stagnation. Colette discusses the following Ayurvedic herbs which are beneficial for pain relief: Ashoka Cloves Devadaru Fenugreek Indian...

Colette just returned from hosting the 7 day Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat in Bali and shares about the experience in this episode.  Check out all the photos on the Elements of Ayurveda Instagram page. * Next discounted group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting February 2nd, 2024 * Visit Colette's website www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com  Online consultations & Gift Vouchers Private at-home Digestive Reset Cleanse tailored to you Educational programs - Daily Habits for Holistic...

In this episode Colette focuses on prana vaha srotas, the respiratory channel and how an aggravation of the vata, pitta and kapha doshas may manifest in the respiratory system. She talks in detail about the following herbs which are beneficial: Licorice Pippali Pushkarmoola Tulsi Vasa  Colette also talks about the benefits of using common spices you may have in your spice cupboard and that you could use to make your own at-home treatment for mild symptoms of cough, colds, congestion etc....

Lucy was introduced to Ayurveda in India at 11 years of age and has now rediscovered it in her adult life. She joined the group cleanse in October and shares the shifts she experienced in her life throughout the cleanse journey. Colette and Lucy discuss the following: Letting go of perfectionism and the underlying fear. Implementing boundaries to allow time to unwind. Lucy's cleanse experience. Reconnecting with simplicity and silence. Her increased awareness and mind/body connection. * ...

Colette focuses on the health of the scalp and hair in this episode. She explains the Ayurvedic perspective on hair health and the importance of taking the physical, mental and emotional health into consideration when determining the root of any scalp or hair issues.  Colette discusses in detail the following Ayurvedic herbs which are beneficial for healthy hair: Amalaki Bhringaraja Bibhitaki Brahmi Jatamamsi * Next discounted group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting...

Colette chats with her client Ashley about her journey with Ayurveda and the effect it has had and continues to have on her life. They discuss the following: Ashley's introduction to Ayurveda. Her eye opening Ayurvedic consultation. The magical experience on the Digestive Reset Gleanse. The physical, mental and emotional benefits of the cleanse. Ashley's continuing Ayurvedic journey. * Click here to learn more about discounted group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting February 2nd, 2024 * ...