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In this week’s article of our Rediscovering Ayurveda series, we interviewed Fehreen Ali.
Meet Fehreen Ali
Fehreen Ali is an Ayurvedic Tealogist based out of Brisbane, Australia. She admits to being a lifelong student of Ayurveda and Tea who grew up in a tea-drinking culture around women who blended their own spices. Inspired by principles of tea-making and Ayurveda, she decided to curate recipes and help people live an optimal and healthy life!
Today the world is finally opening its doors to the ancient sciences of Yoga & Ayurveda and incorporating habits that bring us closer to our roots. But Fehreen was lucky. For Ayurvedic rituals and plant-based medication had always been a part of her life. As a child, she found an intangible sense of comfort amongst trees, plants, and flowers. “There was a natural pull towards holistic beauty and healing,” she says. Fehreen knew that she wanted to pursue this in ways that would not limit her knowledge to just bits and pieces of information but in ways that nurtured it for holistic development.
“I followed my intuition and the Universe kept pushing open the door of Ayurveda even further for me. It was first through my parents and grandmothers, that I could understand the depth and gravity of these sciences. Later, I was blessed to have incredible Ayurvedic masters who immersed me in the world of authentic Ayurveda!”
The Joy of Giving
In 2000, Fehreen began with her formal education as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Practitioner. Through the encouragement of her loved ones, and of course by her willpower and love of nature’s healing, she started specializing in herbal medicine. Finally, in 2010, she birthed the idea of being an Ayurvedic Tealogist and started her Ayurveda-inspired tea-business – Tea Coup! “I was looking for Ayurvedic teas to recommend my clients for curing ailments and propagating general well-being. But these seemed a huge gap in the Australian market! Hence, I myself resorted to blending spices and curating Ayurveda-inspired recipes,” she says.
When we ask her, what inspired her to take this magical path of Ayurveda, she exclaims, “The love for my birthplace – Fiji, a small island in the South Pacific!” Where nature and the environment are respected, gathering and preparing food is sacred and ritualistic. It is almost like an everyday ceremony! As a fourth-generation Fiji-Indian, Fehreen was fortunate enough to have the divine knowledge of Ayurveda passed onto her through songs and storytelling. Her grandmother, who was a very successful spice blender, too, had a huge influence on Fehreen. She is also creatively inspired by her children and her love of art.
A regular day in Fehreen’s life looks like this –
“As an Ayurvedic Tealogist, I started with a silent tea ritual after doing my morning dinacharya. Most part of my day is spent in my tea studio where I formulate and blend Ayurvedic teas as well as run my small business.”
A Vibrant Enthusiasm
Although Fehreen has always had an unbreakable affinity with Ayurveda, she has witnessed amazing changes after having incorporated it in a deeper, more inclusive way. From simple daily routines to pregnancy and raising children who are now adults, Ayurveda has made our lives so much more vibrant, she excitedly says!
Having developed her recipes influenced by Ayurveda, Fehreen’s work also draws immense inspiration from the Lunar Cycles! The cycles of the moon play a crucial part in her tea blending process. She believes, it is nature’s way of doing things as the energy levels fluctuate in accordance with the moon’s cycle.
Fehreen believes that both Ayurveda and Yoga help in nourishing the body, mind, and soul. And are linked together by Prana (life force). Her favorite habits that she practices regularly, taken from the philosophy of Ayurveda are Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) & Abhyanga (massage & mediation).
The Need to Act
So much of what we know today about Ayurveda is simply the tip of the iceberg! Fehreen believes there is so much more Ayurveda can teach us! People are looking for simple, natural ways of living a healthier and ailment-free lifestyle and Ayurveda has many of the answers.
“We are currently living through a world health crisis. As Ayurvedic Practitioners, we can best be of service through sharing the awareness of Ayurveda. And focusing on strengthening our bodies through simple Yoga exercise, diet, herbal medicine, and meditation!”
Her message to all the healthy living enthusiasts is –
“There is no better time than the present. Mother Earth needs healing and it needs you to become a healer yourself for it to survive for the future!”
From Amrutam’s list of holistic products, she is excited to try Kumkumadi Oil as she knows it will hydrate and nourish her skin!
We are grateful to have Fehreen as part of our #AmrutamFamily!
