Reflections From India

I am back home after an amazing time in India. I left on July 19th and returned just in time to hunker down at home with David for severe storms caused by hurricane Debby during the Lion's Gate Portal! Whew! 

This trip to India was an opportunity to explore the natural essence of Ayurveda, guided by Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath (BCs, BAMS), CEO and Academy Director of Kerala Ayurveda—an Ayurvedic Master Educator and Clinician.

Our time in India included stays at two Ayurveda healing centers (the Health Village in Cochin, and Ayurvedagram in Bangalore), as well as travels to Periyar National Park in Thekkady, Kerala and the back waters in Kumarakom, Kerala.

It was incredibly moving for me to travel to the country where both Yoga and Ayurveda originated and experience these wisdom traditions in their homeland - along with visits to temples, a tea plantation, getting to ride an elephant, eating the local cuisine, and more. 

Ayurveda was sent underground in India during British rule and sadly many texts were burned during that time. Some Indians are still skeptical of this wisdom tradition because of the British influence. It is beautiful to see the resurgence of Ayurveda in India today, encouraged in part by the growing popularity of Ayurveda in the West. 

At both Ayurvedic center stays, it was incredible to meet many of the plants that I use in my herbal formulations and experience receiving personalized treatment with herbs and body therapies, daily. 

I came away from this trip feeling incredibly proud of the work that we do at Heartfelt Wellbeing in supporting women to dial in sustainable and aligned daily practices, through diet and lifestyle choices. We do a great job of helping our Vitality Circle members understand themselves doshically so that they know how to create wellbeing and ease for themselves.

So many people make Ayurveda overly complicated. We have something awesome and rare dialed in through what we offer in the Vitality Circle. I have a new appreciation and celebration for what we are doing through a business model built on lasting relationships and deep respect for the planet.

I am excited to see how all that I learned and experienced in India integrates into the work I do. I hope to share more with you as I feel able and inspired. For now, I am still recovering from jet lag (lol!). 

Thanks to the amazing Heartfelt Wellbeing team (Kathleen, Lauren, Monica, Jacqui, Laura, Anne, and Tracey)! They stepped in to cover for me so I could take this trip of a lifetime. 

May we all continue to learn and grow. 

Much love and light,

Hannah