Ayurveda: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Well-being

With Deborah Keene

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, known as the “Sister Science of Yoga,” is the traditional system of natural medicine from India, rooted in over 5,000 years of wisdom. It offers a holistic approach to health, emphasizing prevention, balance, and harmony with nature’s rhythms.

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” This timeless healing system sees health as more than the absence of disease—it’s a dynamic state of balance between body, mind, senses, and spirit.

When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.
-Ayurvedic Proverb

The Foundation of Ayurveda

Ayurveda teaches that everything in life—our bodies, minds, emotions, and environment—is influenced by the rhythms of nature. When we live aligned with these natural cycles, we experience vitality and ease. When we resist them, imbalance and illness may arise.

Rather than masking symptoms, Ayurveda helps uncover the root causes of imbalance, guiding you toward healing through:

✔️ Diet tailored to your unique constitution
✔️ Herbs, spices, and natural therapies
✔️ Daily and seasonal routines
✔️ Practices for mental and emotional well-being

The Five Elements: Building Blocks of Life

All living beings, including us, are made of five elements:

Ether (Space)  | Air  |  Fire |  Water  |  Earth

These elements combine in different ways to create your unique physical and energetic makeup. Ayurveda explores how these elemental qualities—such as heavy/light, hot/cool, oily/dry—affect your health and how to restore harmony when imbalances occur.

“Individual wellness comes from Within.
The power of healing is infinitely within ourselves.
The center of our own self is the best place we can be.”
– Mother Maya Tiwari

The Three Doshas: Your Unique Blueprint

Your personal combination of the elements expresses itself as your Dosha, or mind-body type:

Kapha Dosha

“That Which Holds Things Together”

  • Elements: Earth + Water

  • Qualities: Heavy, steady, nurturing

  • Strengths: Stable, compassionate, grounded

  • When Out of Balance: Lethargy, congestion, depression

Support Kapha with:
✔️ Energizing movement
✔️ Light, warming foods
✔️ Mental stimulation and variety

Kapha Season: Late Winter & Spring
Symbol Examples: Elephant, oak tree, moon

Pitta Dosha

“That Which Digests Things”

  • Elements: Fire + Water

  • Qualities: Hot, sharp, intense

  • Strengths: Focused, driven, passionate

  • When Out of Balance: Irritability, inflammation, digestive issues

Support Pitta with:
✔️ Cooling foods and activities
✔️ Moderation in work and exercise
✔️ Rest and self-compassion

Pitta Season: Summer
Symbol Examples: Tiger, volcano, sun

Vata Dosha

“That Which Moves Things”

  • Elements: Air + Ether

  • Qualities: Light, dry, mobile, cool

  • Strengths: Creative, joyful, quick-thinking

  • When Out of Balance: Anxiety, poor digestion, sleep issues

Support Vata with:
✔️ Warm, nourishing foods
✔️ Rest and daily routine
✔️ Grounding practices

Vata Season: Fall & Early Winter
Symbol Examples: Hummingbird, bamboo, hurricane

The Pillars of Health

In Ayurveda, true wellness rests on three essential pillars:

Food — Personalized to your Dosha and the season
Sleep — Rest that restores your body and mind
Movement — Exercise aligned with your needs

No supplement or herb replaces these daily practices. They are the foundation for lasting vitality.

Ayurvedic Consultations with Deborah

Discover your unique Dosha, uncover the root causes of imbalance, and receive personalized guidance to:

⟡ Improve digestion and energy
⟡ Find peace of mind and emotional balance
⟡ Reconnect to your body’s natural rhythms
⟡ Prevent illness and promote longevity

Together, we’ll craft a supportive plan including food choices, daily routines, mindfulness practices, and natural remedies
—all designed specifically for you.

Skin Care Essential Oil

“I came to Deborah dealing with physical challenges that I had tried many healing traditions to address. I have a background in yogic practices and western herbs, yet felt I needed a skillful and perceptive presence to guide me. My work with her has touched me in deepening my path of wellness. The energy that stands out for me about Deborah is LOVE. She is a conduit for grounded, Earthly Love, the same presence of that the Ayurvedic tradition springs from. Compassion and Love are the ultimate healers and Deborah is a wellspring of this sacred source. Many blessings and thanks.”
-S.L.