Hi friends,

At the retreat center I was recently at in Costa Rica, the man who owns the retreat center gave us a “longevity talk.” It was filled with gimmicky, on-trend treatments that were available for purchase at the center. He spoke with passion, zeal, and confidence, and all I could think was: this man is deeply afraid of death.

Okay, well I had other thoughts too, but the main one I want to focus on is related to a question I got once from a student in a workshop: what have you given up for Ayurveda?

It’s probably because I mentioned I stopped drinking coffee a couple of years ago, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve given up. I’ve written a bit about it here.

I’d like to reframe all of this.

I don’t give up things for the sake of Ayurveda as a concept. In fact, the first time Ayurveda was presented to me, it was as a bunch of linear rules, and I said “screw that,” and ran for the hills.

I also don’t give up things to “live longer” or “biohack” my life. I give up things so I can enjoy the life I have left in a fuller way, feel the best I can in my body and mind, and to cultivate a deeper connection to God.

Once I learned Ayurveda through a more feminine form lens, I essentially began experimenting with Ayurveda on myself, and what I found out is: wow. THIS or THAT makes me feel good– and not in the way that alcohol or caffeine makes you feel good in the short-term and then like crap in the long-term, but like glowy-good.

This or that are things like: going to bed before 10pm. Eating lunch as the biggest meal of the day. Starting my day off with breathwork. Oh, and giving up coffee. Now when I have about 2 ounces of caffeinated coffee, my heart beats wildly (I mean literally, not figuratively).

Coming all the way back to the trends: those will change. I’m not truly anti anyone trying something they think could support them or their health or make their lives better, but I am anti- spending your hard earned money on stuff that likely won’t change anything in the long run or get to the root cause. A one-time $500 treatment at a retreat center is unlikely to make a dent in decades of accumulated habits that haven’t served.

Ayurveda is an ancient science that has stood the test of time, and it teaches us how to work with nature: the nature of our bodies which mimics the natural world. We are not separate from the cyclical nature of the sun, moon, or seasons.

So why would you consider giving up one of your vices? What might be gained for you on the other side of it? Ask yourself in a deep, heart centered way. Many of us already know deep down what might be ready to be released.

If you want to learn more about how Ayurveda can support you in perimenopause/menopause, I’ve got my workshop Holistic Management of Perimenopause + Menopause with Ancient Ayurveda coming up in two formats:

❣️In person in Denver, CO at Karma Yoga tomorrow on Saturday, May 3 from 2-4:30pm MT. This will include asana (movement), meditation, a talk on Ayurveda + Menopause, and some reflection and journaling. Learn more or register here (scroll down).

❣️6o minutes version virtually via Zoom on Saturday, May 10th at 11am MT/1pm ET. Register here. Recording will be available if you can't attend live.

Also, speaking of vices: though many of you aren’t Ayurveda practitioners, this might be of interest to you– I have a mini course on Addiction for the layperson and how cannabis, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine affect the doshas. More information on that here. If you’d like to grab it, use coupon code LISTLOVE20 to get 20% off just for being on my list.

Let me just say--- I'm human and I still have vices that aren't serving me. It's a journey and we've got to be sweet about it.

Much love,

P.S. If you were forwarded this email, click here to continue receiving these little notes in your inbox!

P.P.S. I love hearing from you- always feel free to hit reply with any thoughts or questions.

Practice Yoga with Me- Karma Yoga

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