Rediscovering Ayurveda X Soumya Pathak

Rediscovering Ayurveda is Amrutam`s series of blogs which will include various men and women and their ideas about Ayurveda. Even though, India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, with passing time it has lost its original importance as a school of life amongst Indians and many a time have been limited to be referred as a school of medicine. Ayurveda is surely much more than that.

So, we at Amrutam decided to go out and find what Ayurveda means to people in the present day.

This is the second article in Amrutam`s series of articles which aims to understand the idea or perception that modern-day men and women carry about Ayurveda.

Soumya (@soumyapathak92) comes from Gwalior, a city of ancient history and mysteries.
She is a Yoga and Ayurveda enthusiast.
At present, she is in the final months of her Yoga course at The Yoga Institute Mumbai. Apart from being a Yoga and Ayurveda practitioner, she studied BA (Hons) Political Science at Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi

For Soumya Ayurveda is a soulful connection with nature. She says-

“Ayurveda for me is one of the most precious jewels that Indian culture has. The whole concept that we have evolved from Nature and that is what takes care of us in the best possible way, is what Ayurveda means to me. Going back and connecting to where we have come from. To Mother Nature.”

Soumya loves a spoon of lemon every morning to detoxify her body. Her favorite healthy habits as she communicated to Amrutam are-

 “I love Warm lemon water with a pinch of turmeric as first thing in the morning. It works wonders as a detox.”  Jalneti, Soumya tells us, “is the most powerful kriya to keep your nasal passage clean and thus keeping majority of infections at bay.”

Jalneti with warm water and salt helps in clearing the Nasal Passage.  Jalneti is a nasal irrigation technique which can be performed using a Neti pot.

Soumya`s days at The Yoga Institute have been very special for her. It is through her time at the Yoga Institute that she has learned about Ayurveda as a way of living.

With great enthusiasm and insight, she says-

“When I joined The Yoga Institute for my advanced yoga teachers training, I was amazed as to how rich the whole “Indian” way of living is. For instance, from Achaar (routine), Vichaar (though process), Ahaar (food) to Vihaar (recreation). We studied in depth about how staying as close to nature as you can is the only way to a more Sattvic life. A life that is fulfilling, that is disease free. Ayurveda for me became something not limited to medicinal or therapeutic aspects, but each and every single thing you provide your body with. Reading about the wonders such a life brings you, I have since then tried to follow it as much as I can.”

Very wise words from Soumya about how we can increase awareness regarding Ayurveda.

“The last few years I have seen a considerable rise in realization among the masses that our ancient Indian traditions and way of living are the solution to the various gross and subtle issues we face today. In my opinion, social media can play a huge role in letting people see for themselves the benefits of such a lifestyle.

The biggest change that I feel needs to be done is - incorporating the knowledge about Yoga, which invariably includes Ayurveda, healthy lifestyle, etc right at the school level. When children at such young age are introduced to the beauty of such a life, it is easier for them to carry it on.

Regular camps at all the levels, school, colleges, corporate, etc. which include the introduction to Yoga, asanas, Ayurveda, etc can help too.”

Soumya`s routine is definitely inspirational and includes healthy habits like drinking a good amount of water every day, which we all should try to incorporate into our lives.

Here is Soumya`s health routine in her own words-

“The first habit I have incorporated is waking up early and drinking one liter of water. After doing the morning chores, I take a glass of warm water with lemon and turmeric. I have breakfast within one hour of waking up which includes our Indian food-poha, upma, moong daal cheela, idli, etc.

Approximately 4 days a week I have an intense yoga practice from 11 to 12:30 pm. Then I have lunch which is dal, chapati, veggies, rice, and buttermilk. Also, I try to follow Hatha Yoga Pradipika’s principle of Mitahara that says 1/2 of your stomach should have solid food, 1/4 should have liquid and rest should be left empty.
Another important thing is that I always make sure to walk at least 10 mins after the meal. I again have an intense practice session at around 7 and dinner by 8:30. I make sure to sleep early too.

One thing I keep in mind is drinking the appropriate amount of water every day.”

Soumya`s Skin Care Advice for all of you:

“As far as skincare is concerned, I try to use natural products for my skin and hair too-multani mitti, besan ubtan, chandan, neem etc.”

“Shifting to a yogic way of living myself after Twenty-Four years of an entirely different lifestyle, I know by experience that it is not easy. To stay on the path of healthy living, not giving into your temptations, distractions, is the most intense Tapa one can perform. However, the outcome you get, every single day is worth everything.

There is a need to make this phenomenal shift in lifestyle for more people, now greater than ever. I very strongly believe that half of our world’s problems, ranging from nuclear war threat to frequent common cold can be solved if more and more people go back to their roots, to the divine nature which gave birth to all of us. With almost all the diseases being psychosomatic or lifestyle induced, all those who are already on the path of this healthy and natural living have a big responsibility. They have the power to make others see what a beautiful world this is. They have an option to share their knowledge and bring about change in others’ lives as well.

"I would just like to make a request to all those who have chosen this path, that try to help at least one person in your life to make this change. Help them lead a better, disease-free, natural life.”

We Thank you, Soumya for being a part of Amrutam Family.
Also, we are glad that Amrutam has been able to resonate with your passion and love for Ayurveda.

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