As we move through this year, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of checking in with your body. Often times the casual symptoms we experience, the occasional heart burn or lower back stiffness, are actually our bodies alerting us to a greater issue developing. One of the ways we can check in with our bodies most effectively is through an Ayurvedic health consultation.
As an Ayurvedic health counselor, I've been able to help my clients to achieve a state of equilibrium in their mind and body. Through a health consultation that combines Western and Eastern practices, I can get to know your body and past medical history in order to create a personalized wellness plan.
So, if your someone who has tried juice cleanses, the popular diet of the moment or even "miracle" weight loss pills, this post is for you. There is no magic cure for your body and it especially doesn't come in the form of non-FDA approved, chemical-filled pills or powders. An Ayurvedic health consultation is the first step to embracing your unique health needs and reducing dis-ease in the body and mind.
What is an Ayurvedic Health Consultation?
There tends to be a lot of misconception and misinformation about wellness through the Ayurvedic lens. I want to clear some of that up; a health consult is not a doctor's office visit or a therapy session. The initial health consultation begins a Trividha Pariksa or three fold examination. Before you decide to look for an Ayurvedic health counselor, let's unpack these three steps.
1. Darsana (Inspection)
During the first meeting, which lasts approximately 90-120 minutes, we go through a physical examination. At the present moment these sessions primarily take place online. Therefore, I may ask my client to walk around the room or move closer to or farther from their computer's camera.
I begin by examining your constitution (body shape) and getting some answers to these useful diagnostic questions: What Ayurvedic dosha are you? Are you primarily Vata, Pitta or Kapha? Which dosha affects you most?
I continue by examining my client’s height, weight, figure, posture, mobility, as well as any signs of weakness, inflammation and stiffness. I look over their skin. Is it dry? Smooth? Are there any abnormalities like rashes or psoriasis? I do the same for hair, ears, abdomen, neck, nose, arms, legs and back. I look for any signs of swelling or irregularities. All of these aspects of the body tell a story that the client and I need to know to move forward.
2. Sparsana (Palpation)
This phase of the health consult is about getting to know any irregularities or abnormalities through psychical touch. I will give you a little more insight into this phase but keep in mind, in most of the US, palpation cannot be done without a medical license. I would advise seeking out an Ayurvedic health practitioner or clinician, especially one who embraces both Western and Eastern practices.
During palpation, a practitioner or clinician may feel the client’s body texture and temperature in order to relate them to specific dosha imbalances. For example, skin that is cold and dry can indicate Vata imbalance while hot, oily skin can mean there are Pitta issues occurring.
Ayurvedic health counselors are permitted to take the pulse of their clients. I can learn a lot from someone's pulse. Try something for me. Take your pulse by wrapping your pointer, middle and ring finger around your opposite wrist. If you primarily feel your heartbeat in your pointer finger you are experiencing Vata qualities; your middle finger indicates Pitta qualities; your pointer points to Kapha qualities.
3. Prasna (Questioning)
In the third and final stage of the Ayurvedic health consult, I get to know a little bit more about your history. Clients will often come to me with an issue to address already in mind. I will prompt them to dig deeper. For example, if I met with someone who complained of headaches, I would ask about the qualities of the pain. Where does the client primarily feel it? What time of day does that client experience it most? These questions will help me to better understand what imbalance could be causing it.
I will also ask for the client's health history. What issues have they encountered in the past? What is their family's medical history? What medication do they presently take? What is their sexual history like? Do they have a partner? Do they have children? An important part of the Ayurvedic health consultation is making a plan for preventative care. I need to know your history in order to help you move forward in the healthiest direction.
From this, I can help you make an Ayurvedic health plan. We will start with really simple changes that promote wellness to incorporate into your daily routine. Some these tools include a morning self-massage, drinking warm milk at night, tongue scraping, and/or eating foods that address specific dosha imbalances. A simple exercise or diet change can make all the difference when it comes to your health.
Take Steps Toward Your Healthiest Self
Once we have completed your consultation, I like to schedule follow up sessions in order to check in with your progress. This is a great way to hold yourself accountable to this important work. As you work with your counselor you will start to see the positive changes in the way your body and mind feel.
If you are noticing negative symptoms in your body, it’s helpful to schedule a health consultation so you can prevent small issues from growing. I cannot recommend a more effective form of preventative care.
Book your first Ayurvedic Health Consultation session between now and November 30th, 2020 for an extra $30 off using code NEWYOUNOVEMBER. There's no better time to seize the day! And if you're curious to learn more about how Ayurveda can improve your health, schedule your free breakthrough session and we can create a personalized plan for wellness together.
