Ayurveda is a lifestyle science, originating in India, that continues to gain popularity in western culture, and for good reason.
Vanashree Belgamwar, Ayurvedic Practitioner, describes the benefits of incorporating this ancient medicinal practice to our own integrative approach during an interview for the Well Connected Twin Cities podcast.
Having a comprehensive education, Vanashree is able to bridge the western-eastern gap we Minnesotans tend to have when we think about our health and the treatment of illnesses.
Trained in India, she holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, which means she completed education for both western medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.
“We learn the entire syllabus of western medicine and Ayurveda. . . so you know the boundaries of each medicinal practice”
Vanashree Belgamwar
The key difference is, Ayurveda is primarily a preventative lifestyle science. In fact, translated Ayurveda means Science of Life. Vanashree explains that incorporating Ayurvedic concepts to work in tandem with our western-medicine minds can keep us from falling ill in the first place.
Vanashree is teaching the world how to view their health as a partnership with their body through Ayurvedic practices. What do those practices look like? Some are simple! Like purposefully drinking room temperature water, or eating more cooked foods.
Vanashree goes on to explain, that the purpose of each practice is to seek balance between ourselves and our environment.
“Like increases like, and opposites create balance.”
Vanashree Belgamwar
She provides this example: When our seasons turn colder, warming foods, teas, and herbs will best support the body because warm foods that oppose the cold environment will create balance.
What’s the science? Ultimately, warm foods lesson the burden on the body during the winter. Cold food in a cold season forces the body to both keep itself warm and expend extra effort to warm the food and break it down. The energy the body saves by eating warm foods can be spent elsewhere, like defending itself against disease.
This is only the beginning. Vanashree goes on to describe the considerations taken to account for each person’s unique constitution and how it can customize best practices in their Ayurvedic lifestyle.
“People from all over the world need to be benefitted by this amazing science that teaches you how to live life.”
Vanashree Belgamwar
Vanashree is passionate about teaching on the Ayurvedic lifestyle and can be found at her practice Vanashree Ayurveda in Maple Grove, at Wellness Minneapolis in South Minneapolis, and on Instagram’s IGTV where she regularly posts educational content.
Listen to the full episode and hear how Ayurvedic principles can specifically support healthy digestion. You’ll also hear about simple tips you can incorporate today.