What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda can be explained as an interdisciplinary natural medicine which originated in India a few thousands of years ago. However, don’t let the challenging spelling and imposing history intimidate you. No, you do not have to live in India.  Ayurveda is very practical and it can help you in the simplest and yet most profound ways right now and here, in the 21st century. Literally, an adjustment in one small daily act can bring a change in how you feel. It is all about learning more about who you are and working with it rather than against it.

What does it have to do with Nutrition?
The nutritional component is very important in maintaining balance and health, according to Ayurveda. Ayurvedic assessment helps you understand your predominant constitutions and the most likely imbalances you are prone to. It also teaches you how to prevent those imbalances in your daily choices. On a more personal note, it will also help you understand your personality, likes and dislikes, and your good or and not so good habits. It often takes patients by surprise to learn that certain behavior that they themselves consider odd or disappointing, is actually part of the constitution they were born with, e.g. some of us dislike water, especially if chilled, while othes can’t get enough of icy water.

Combining best of both worlds
Western nutrition is important and science-based, but it has its limitations. Kasia finds that adding simple principles of Ayurvedic nutrition to western nutrition therapy can enhance her patients’ health improvements, while a simple act, such as adding an appropriate spice, can also add joy to the palate.

Kasia invites you to investigate Ayurvedic Nutrition because it:

• respects the uniqueness of the individual
• considers all levels of the individual
• offers natural ways of helping with diseases and promoting health
• emphasizes prevention
• empowers everyone to take responsibility for their own well-being
• is cost-effective
• it works

What do I do if I would like to try it? If you are interested in incorporating Ayurvedic assessment into the nutritional consultation, fill out the “Auyrvedic Constitution Quiz” form and provide your final score at the appointment. You may want to ask a family member or a friend who knows you well to fill it out for you to make it more objective, or do that AND fill it out yourself. Ayurvedic Assessment will not be included in the initial assessment but in the follow up appointment upon request.

Kasia received training in Ayurvedic Nutrition as well as Principles of Ayurvedic Cooking during her graduate nutrition program at Bastyr University. She was lucky to train with an experienced Ayurvedic physician trained in India, Dr Shandbhag, MD, ND who was also a Naturopathic Doctor as well as his wife.