What is Ayurvedic Medicine? Discovering A Holistic Approach to Natural Health and Mental Well-being

We’re thrilled to announce a new Innerbloom workshop held by local wellness counselor and Nourish owner, Victoria Kromhout. Through the ancient healing system of Ayurveda and her devotion to the practice of yoga, Victoria seeks to help her clients to find their own healing path. This event will introduce you to the healing properties of living a holistic lifestyle through the practices of Ayurvedic medicine. Come discover your own ‘dosha’ type and how to maximize your individual health and wellbeing.

Learn more about Victoria’s upcoming workshop coming to  Innerbloom in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Understanding the Basics of Ayurvedic Medicine

Doshas: The Foundation of Ayurveda

At the core of Ayurvedic medicine are the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas represent the primary forces, or energies, that govern physiological and psychological functions in everyone’s body.

• Vata: Associated with air and space, Vata controls movement, including breathing, circulation, and the nervous system.
• Pitta: Linked to fire and water, Pitta regulates metabolism, digestion, and body temperature.
• Kapha: Related to earth and water, Kapha oversees structure, stability, and fluid balance.

Each individual has a unique combination of these doshas, which determines their constitution, or Prakriti. Imbalances in the doshas can lead to both physical and mental health issues. Each dosha type has particular qualities and even physical attributes. For instance, individuals with a predominant Pitta dosha are often driven, ambitious, and possess strong leadership qualities. They have a sharp intellect, a focused mind, and a natural ability to organize.

Curious to find out your own dosha type? Take a preliminary quiz!

Ayurvedic Practices for Health and Wellness

Diet and Nutrition

Ayurveda places great emphasis on diet as a cornerstone of health. Specific dietary recommendations are made based on one's dosha type and unique qualities to maintain balance and prevent disease. 

• Vata-balancing foods: Warm, moist, and grounding foods like cooked grains, stews, and root vegetables.
• Pitta-balancing foods: Cooling and hydrating foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
• Kapha-balancing foods: Light, dry, and warming foods like legumes, spices, and leafy greens.

Herbal Remedies

Ayurvedic medicine utilizes a vast array of herbs to promote health and treat ailments. Commonly used herbs include:

• Ashwagandha: Known for its adaptogenic properties, it helps reduce stress and anxiety.
• Turmeric: Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
• Brahmi: Enhances cognitive function and reduces mental fatigue.

Lifestyle and Daily Routines

Ayurveda advocates for a balanced lifestyle that aligns with natural rhythms. This includes:

• Dinacharya: Daily routines that promote regularity and stability, such as waking up early, practicing hygiene, and engaging in physical activity.
• Yoga and Meditation: Integral components of Ayurveda, yoga and meditation help balance the mind and body, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity.

Ayurvedic Approaches to Mental Health

In Ayurveda, mental health is viewed as a state of balance between the mind, emotions, and physical body. Mental health issues are often seen as a result of imbalances in the doshas, particularly Vata, which governs the nervous system.

Ayurvedic Therapies for Mental Health

• Abhyanga: This therapeutic oil massage helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety.
• Shirodhara: A treatment where warm oil is poured over the forehead, known to induce a state of deep relaxation and mental clarity.
• Nasya: The administration of medicinal oils through the nasal passages to clear the mind and improve mental function.

Dietary and Herbal Support

Ayurveda recommends specific diets and herbs to support mental health. For instance:

• Sattvic Diet: A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, known to promote mental clarity and emotional stability.
• Herbs like Brahmi and Ashwagandha: These are particularly beneficial for enhancing cognitive function and reducing anxiety and stress.

Mind-Body Practices

Incorporating yoga and meditation into daily routines is crucial for maintaining mental health. Practices such as Pranayama (breathing exercises) and Mindfulness Meditation help in managing stress, enhancing focus, and promoting a sense of calm.

Embracing Ayurveda for a Balanced Life

Ayurvedic medicine offers a comprehensive framework for achieving optimal health and well-being. This practice reiterates that true health emanates not merely from the body, but from a state of profound well-being. By understanding and balancing your doshas through diet, lifestyle, and natural therapies, you can address both physical and mental health issues effectively. Whether you're seeking to enhance your overall wellness, create new routines or address specific mental health concerns, Ayurveda provides time-tested, natural methods to help you achieve a harmonious and balanced life.

Explore the rich traditions of Ayurveda and discover how its holistic practices can support your journey toward health and mental well-being with Victoria!

Introducing our workshop presenter: Victoria Kromhout

Victoria walks this earth to Nourish its inhabitants with love, food, well-being and joy. Her chosen vehicle for delivering all that is yoga, Ayurveda, cooking and celebration. Her drive to Nourish and care centers around her family. She strives to foster a feeling of safety and fun that allows open communication, creative expression and community. With three active children, jobs, careers, and passions for various pursuits, life can be very hectic. Providing good food, a loving environment and a home for her family is what Victoria lives for. Nourish by Victoria is an extension of that desire to provide warmth, care and love to her community and everyone she comes into contact with. Through the ancient healing system of Ayurveda and her devotion to the practice of yoga, Victoria seeks to help her clients to find their own healing path.

Victoria began her training when she was 23 years old after injuring her back working on the Fire Department. Her initial focus was on Restorative Hatha and Iyengar yoga where she trained for many years in Arizona under the study of Robin Geuth, the Committee Chair of Accreditation for the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She completed her 2nd 200 hour RYT with YogaWorks at the Yoga Center in San Luis Obispo with Malachi Melville and Greville Henwood in 2010.

She continued her first 500 hour training with Master Ayurveda teacher James Bailey, founder of Sevanti Institute, and Peter Sterios of Levity Yoga in 2016 and continued her Ayurvedic training with to become a yoga counselor. She has completed over 2000 hours of training courses over the years in several different cities and countries around the globe.  She is forever a student of this rich practice and focuses her attention on the traditional teachings. She has traveled to India several times to immersing in the authentic teachings and practices of Yoga and Ayurveda. She is currently preparing to lead another Spiritual Pilgrimage back to the birthplace of these ancient teachings. 

To learn more about Victoria and her many offerings, visit nourishbyvictoria.com

Discover the power of Ayurveda and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced life. Join us at Victoria's upcoming workshop at Innerbloom and embark on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being.

Learn more about Victoria’s upcoming workshop here!