Balance, Not Battle: How Ayurveda Helps You Age Radiantly

In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I share how Ayurveda helps us understand the natural process of aging with more grace and ease. We’ll talk about the doshas—especially Vata—and how their shifts affect our skin, sleep, and energy as we grow older. I’ll guide you through simple daily rituals for balance, from grounding practices and nourishing meals to evening routines and skincare rituals that soothe and restore. My hope is to encourage you to see aging not as a battle, but as a journey toward balance—one where self-nurture and steady rhythms can help you feel radiant inside and out.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Kerrie Sharf. Today we're
diving into some fascinating topics around embracing the natural process
of aging through the wisdom of ayr Veda. We're going
to talk about understanding doshaes, the energies that govern our bodies.
We'll also go through some daily rituals to maintain balance

(00:26):
in our lives and discuss a fresh perspective on aging
as a journey towards balance rather than a battle. So
stay tuned for an enlightening episode. Let's jump right in
by exploring the concept of doshes In ir Veda. Doshas
are essentially the life forces or energies that govern our
physical and mental processes. There are three primary doshes, Vada, Pitta,

(00:49):
and cofa. Each person has a unique combination of these
doshes which influences our temperament, health, and even the way
we age. Now let's talk about how vada doosha specifically
plays a role in aging. As we grow older, Vada
increases in influence. This isn't something to be alarmed about,
but rather something to understand and embrace. VODA characteristics include

(01:10):
qualities like dryness, lightness, and mobility. So as VATA rises
with age, you might notice your skin becoming dry, your
sleep becoming lighter, and perhaps a touch of restlessness or
changes in your digestion. I can personally vouch for the
importance of tailoring your skin care to these changes. For instance,
I swore by sesame seed oil during a particularly dry season.

(01:33):
I found it incredibly nourishing for my skin. It just
goes to show that simple natural solutions can support us
through these shifts. The key takeaway here is to support
these natural changes rather than resist them. By understanding how
doshes like VADA affect our aging process, we can make
more informed choices about our health and well being. Instead
of fighting against these shifts, Let's focus on how we

(01:54):
can adapt gracefully. Stay tuned as we explore more rituals
and perspectives on this beautiful journey of aging gracefully. Another
essential aspect of embracing the aging journey is establishing daily
rhythms that promote balance. Consistent daily rituals can profoundly impact
our mental, physical, and emotional well being. Let's dive into

(02:15):
some simple, yet powerful daily practices that can make a
big difference. Firstly, grounding techniques are invaluable in maintaining a
sense of calm and stability throughout the day. Simple activities
like starting your morning with a cup of warm water
or tea can be incredibly grounding. Pair it with a
few minutes of stretching or some quiet journaling to set
a serene tone for the day. When it comes to digestion,

(02:38):
prioritizing warm, nourishing meals is crucial. Incorporate herbs like ginger, cuman,
and fennel into your meals to support digestive health. These
herbs are well known for their digestive benefits and can
easily be added to your daily diet. And let's not
forget the importance of a proper nighttime routine for quality sleep.
Dimming the lights as you wind down can signal to

(03:00):
your body that it's time to rest. A warm oil,
foot massage and a cup of calming tea can also
make a world of difference in preparing for a RESTful night.
Taking care of our skin is another essential aspect of
aging gracefully. Oils like sesame or almond provide deep nourishment.
You can even infuse these oils with herbs for added benefits.

(03:21):
One of my favorite skincare rituals is abyanga, which involves
self massage with warm oil. Not only does it leave
your skin feeling soft and supple, but it also has
a calming effect on the nervous system. In essence, these
daily rituals are about honoring and nurturing ourselves, creating balance,
and embracing the natural rhythms of our bodies. By integrating

(03:42):
these practices into our daily lives, we can support our
journey towards aging gracefully. Aging is a natural shift, not
something we need to fight against. Instead of seeing it
as a battle to be fought and one, let's reframe
aging as an opportunity to nourish balance in our lives.
One of the greatest benefits of approaching aging this way

(04:02):
is that we can radiate from the inside out. When
we are balanced, we feel more grounded and at peace
with ourselves. This inner radiance naturally extends to our physical
appearance as well. In Isaiah forty six four, it says,
even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he.
I am he who will sustain you. I have made you,
and I will carry you. I will sustain you, and

(04:24):
I will rescue you. This scripture reminds us that God
promises to sustain us through every season of life. There's
a beautiful assurance and knowing that we are supported every
step of the way. Reflecting on this promise can bring
immense peace as we navigate through the different phases of
our lives. Instead of resisting the changes that come with age,
we can embrace them, knowing that we are being carried

(04:46):
and sustained. So let's remember to view aging not as
a decline, but as a fulfilling journey marked by balance,
radiance and peace. Now it's time for a little practice
and reflection. I challenge you to try one simil ierveda
ritual this week. You could start with a warm oil massage.
Sesame oil is my go to, but choose whatever oil

(05:06):
resonates with you. If that sounds like too much, how
about making a spice tea. Try adding some fresh ginger
and a bit of cinnamon to your cup. These small
acts of self care can really make a difference in
how balanced you feel. And here's a reflection prompt for you.
Where do you need more balance in your life? Right now?
Take a few quiet moments to think about this, write

(05:27):
it down and see if you can incorporate some small
changes to bring more harmony into your daily routine. Aging
at its core is about finding balance, listening to our bodies,
and taking good care of ourselves. Let's embrace these practices
to help us on this beautiful journey. All right, let's
recap what we've covered today. We dove into the fascinating
world of Ayurveda and explored the concept of doshas, particularly

(05:51):
how vadadosha impacts our aging process. We also discuss the
importance of daily rituals like grounding techniques, nourishing meals, and
proper night times teens that promote a sense of balance
and well being. Plus, we talked about the significance of
skincare and how simple practices can make a big difference
in embracing the natural changes that come with aging. Remember,

(06:12):
aging is a journey towards balance and not a battle.
We've shared some wonderful iervetic practices today, and I encourage
you to try one of them this week. Trust me,
these little acts of self care can have a significant impact.
For more recipes, reflections, and rituals. Be sure to check
out our newsletter Oil and Light and don't forget to

(06:32):
look at the show notes for any links and additional
resources mentioned in today's episode. This has been another episode
of plants, flowers, oils and whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf,
sending you all love and light Until next time, Take
care and stay balanced.