Is Ayurveda just a bunch of rules?
The last few weeks I've been having quite a few consults with prospective clients not quite sure what Ayurveda is but often it looks like a bunch of rules to them. They ask how it can best be applied in their lives based on the rules laid out for their dosha. This is where I want to dive in...
Feminine form of Ayurveda
I've learned Ayurveda in both the more traditional way and through a more feminine lens. I personally resonated with the feminine lens and I will tell you why. As a pitta type A, love to cross things off my to do list, must make a schedule for everything, no room for random inspiration to hit gal, the feminine form soften me.
It took the edge off my pitta vibe and relaxed me. Now don't get me wrong, I still love checking things off my list, and plan but it's not as strict as before. Not as calculated and much more go with the flow mentality.
Often when people first hear about Ayurveda they might see a few posts online talking about doshas, or list of ideal morning routines (I make those graphics myself). But, if you dive deeper with the right coach for you, ideally you start to know yourself more. You learn how to trust your intuition, you understand when a dosha is out of balance and how to get yourself back on track.
It becomes less about all of the rules to follow and more of a trust to what your body says.
Feeling overwhelmed with the "rules"
When I look at helping someone with digestion issues for example. I lay out a framework to help them reach their goal. They might have more "rules" as they have a deeper level of imbalance to fix vs someone who wants to just learn about Ayurveda to know themselves on a deeper level. Both people will have that outcome but one is starting from a different spot.
A strong pitta prakriti & vikriti doesn't always benefit from all of the lists and rules. They often tend to be the hardest on themselves and more rigidity is going to swing them more out of balance. I've been there and I work with a ton of pitta women. I've seen it. Instead seeing where you can soften and allow trust to come into play.
Often when we want to follow the rules we don't always trust ourselves.
I get it that was me. I followed the rules, needed to workout for 5-6 days a week intensely for an hour or it didn't count. Maybe I would hit up a yoga class after my "true" workout. Yoga was all about the physical not about the spiritual or breath. I ate plain chicken breast & broccoli, followed the meal plans and didn't trust myself to do what might be enjoyable in my body. I gave my rule of 3 drinks or under if you're trying to lose weight. I was strict about things that I didn't really need to be so strict on.
I ended up working from 5am-10pm M-Fridays & coached basketball on the weekends to not be alone with myself. I had to write clipping my fingernails on my to do list. Which I didn't think was strange until my friend came over and said Dre what are you doing? I pushed until I broke. Throwing up every Friday at work because my body was exhausted it couldn't handle the demands I was putting on it. I get the pitta drive. I also learned that lesson fairly young in my mid to late 20's. I know many women who end up learning that lesson later at far greater cost to their health & life.
I also think that is why I attract so many strong pitta women. I wear Golden Girls sweatshirts, I listen to Michael Bolton, I invite play and fun into my sessions. I help expose the side of themselves that they so badly want to bring forwards.
If that is you, you're feeling pent up, exhausted, burnt out, look at where you can shift in your life? Where can you invite that fun & play? Does it really matter what others think? Again I wear Jetsons sweatshirts on prospective client calls. I gave up trying to wear the "perfect" outfit to be myself. I think that is what people are looking for from others.
How can you be more of you today?
I invite you if you feel called to check out my Ayurvedic coaching offers if you feel this message to your core. You're my ideal client, I know I can help you soften, and improve your digestion that's just a fun bonus! I want to live in my feminine and call in the women who want this shift as that's my goal this year be super transparent about who I work best with and after 14 years of training and coaching, it is my Type A mamas trying to do it all, sometimes using duct tape to keep themselves together. I feel you, I know you, I am you. 💖
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