In this week's article of our Rediscovering Ayurveda series, we interviewed Shelly. She is a Reiki instructor and a Ayurveda & Lifestyle blogger. We are excited to share Shelly's journey here.
How did you start your journey as a Yoga and Reiki practitioner?
My journey started a few years ago on a backpacking trip to Himachal Pradesh, India. The way of life there was vegetarian, so I naturally followed suit. I couldn’t believe how amazing I felt. That trip inspired me to get into Ashtanga yoga, eventually become vegan, and more interested in the aspects of a spiritual life. It's said that yoga is a gateway into the mind-body-soul experience.
I then found my way into Reiki, which is a Japanese spiritual energy healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation. When I had my first session, I noticed subtle changes unfolding in my life and had a much more positive outlook. I was so moved by it that I eventually became a Reiki Master. Along with eating right and exercising, energy work is just as important. Before we even speak to someone, we communicate on an energetic level by sensing their energy or aura. Then I met a physic medium who saw me bringing awareness on health science, the science of food cooking, eliminating toxins from everyday life, connecting to nature, herbs, and pulling away from mainstream notions of western medicine. I was also asked to tap into ancient knowledge, including Ayurveda.
What inspired you to take the path of Ayurveda?
Before practicing Ayurveda, I was attracted to all the things that aggravated a Pitta body. I was addicted to spicy foods, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and I experienced all the characteristics of being out of balance: prone to extremes, chaotic mind, irritability, acne, bloating, and ulcers. My life made so much more sense after learning about Ayurveda. Yin and restorative yoga were also my favourite styles of yoga which happen to be the most healing to the pitta body. The things I intuitive knew I should be doing were all laid out in the pitta lifestyle.
"Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga as exercise with asanas that are held for longer periods of time—for beginners, it may range from 45 seconds to two minutes; more advanced practitioners may stay in one asana for five minutes or more." source: wikipedia
What keeps you motivated to do what you do?
The feeling of being energetic, vibrant, and alive—kind of like that runner's high.
Tell us what a typical day in the life of a Reiki practitioner looks like?
There is no typical day, but one thing for sure is doing a daily Reiki self-treatment. You can’t help others until you help yourself! I’m also aware of my energy levels throughout the day and I pay attention to how food makes me feel. Reiki makes you naturally more sensitive. I also try to cleanse as much as possible.
I do have my morning routine: drink a tall glass of water, herbal tea, meditate, wake the body up with sun salutations, a breath of fire, and listen to affirmations. It’s a really good day when I get in a good workout. I try to keep up with my fitness because I know it’s going to help build emotional resilience to life.
What are your three favorite healthy habits you practice regularly, taken from the philosophy of Ayurveda?
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Dry brushing to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation.
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Tongue scraping to remove bacteria.
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Drinking pharmacopoeial grade herbal tea to detox.
How do you think Ayurveda and Reiki relate to one another? How can the awareness of both be increased?
Ayurveda and Reiki can relate to each other because of its ancient spiritual components and relation to the Chakra system through subtle energies. Both are natural holistic systems that work on regaining balance and harmony on all levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The beauty of both practices is to empower the person to become healthier so that they can become more spiritually enlightened. I think once people start practicing yoga and looking into a natural way of living, Ayurveda will follow. I also think awareness could be improved in the West by incorporating it more into yoga teacher training and passionately sharing ideas.
What is your message to all Ayurveda, Spiritual, Yoga, and Healthy-living enthusiasts?
Be grateful, live simply, surrender to Divine, and protect your energy. When your energetic vibrations are high, you attract the right people, opportunities, and manifest all you desire.
Which Amrutam product would you love to try?
Kuntal Care Hair Oil for hair growth and split ends.
Nari Sondarya Oil for something more luxurious other than what I'm using which is Jojoba oil.
Brainkey Gold Malt for improving mental concentration.
Follow Shelly's IG handle- @intuitivedetox and her blog for more updates about her journey.
REDISCOVERING AYURVEDA
Rediscovering Ayurveda is Amrutam’s series of blogs wherein we interview various men and women for their views on Ayurveda. Even though, India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, with passing time it has lost its original importance as a school of life. Indians now refer to it as a school of medicine. Certainly, Ayurveda is much more than that.
So, we at Amrutam have decided to find out what Ayurveda means to people in the present day.
This is the twentieth article in Amrutam’s series of articles called Rediscovering Ayurveda, which aims to understand the idea or perception that modern-day men and women have about Ayurveda.
