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Nothing you are experiencing now needs to be in your future.

Change.  Change is a big word.  The definition of change, according to wikipedia is “The process of becoming different”.  I think that definition is perfect, the process of becoming different….

When I was in my early 30’s I experienced aching joints, constipation, daily gas/wind and my mind was completely uncontrollable.  I worried about everything.  I knew I was “worrying myself sick”, but I didn’t know how to stop it or if I even could.  I realized that my health wasn’t good and I wanted to do something to change it around.  I tried going to the gym and I even took up jogging.  After only a month of trying first the gym and then jogging I realized that there must be some other way of helping me feel better.  I felt stuck, but I kept my eyes open to any new options because I wanted to find something that not only worked, but something I could be successful at.  I already knew that I would have to change what I ate and that scared, but intrigued me at the same time.  I considered becoming a vegetarian, but every time I made an all vegetable meal I felt hungry and ended up eating junk to fill that hunger pain.  Then, because I was looking, I heard about an alternative medicine called Ayurveda.  I didn’t even know how to say the name, but when I read that it was about food and lifestyle changes I decided to look into it.  I made an appointment.

I didn’t really know what to expect or even if this Ayurveda would help me.  During my first consultation I learned that I was drying my body out by what I was eating and doing and that what my body really wanted was to be nourished.  I was given food recommendation and a few extra tips about how to massage oil into my skin after my shower.  I was also encouraged to make another appointment to continue my progress because, as it was explained to me, it will take some time to clear up the imbalance I was experiencing and recommendations would come in steps.  I left thinking that those little bits of information seemed really simple and I wondered how on earth they would help me.  But I did make another appointment and I was really glad I did.

Over the two weeks between appointments I implemented the simple act of oiling my body with an appropriate oil.  I also made sure I was getting oil in my food and I started eating the foods that were recommended to me.  I felt relief in knowing that I finally had some sort of plan to follow.  My next appointment focused on building on the knowledge I gained and also about letting my Ayurvedic Specialist know how I was getting on with what she had suggested.  She was happy to see that I was much more centered and grounded at that second consultation.  I was given herbs and a couple more recommendations that would further balance my body.

Funny enough, everything that was recommended to me seemed really practical and made sense.  On more than one occasion I remembered saying to my Ayurvedic Specialist that what she was suggesting was something that I already knew, but that I didn’t trust myself enough to listen.  She taught me that I had to start listening to my body if I wanted my health to be the best it could be.  From then on I really listened and didn’t question my inner knowledge.

Nearly 10 years later and I am now treating and counseling my own clients with how they can be at their best with their health.  I find working with Ayurveda very fulfilling because it is not just practical, but a lot of it is listening to our own common sense.  Yes, it does involve changing and adjusting what and how you eat, but the changes are welcome because you want to feel better and have better health.

I no longer experience any of the conditions that I talked about earlier.  It’s strange for me to look back on my health and to think that I was once like that, but it’s also nice to look back to see that there was a big change in my health because I embraced the change that was needed in order to feel better.  If I let fear be my guide I would probably not have made all the changes.  There wasn’t an overnight switch in my health, but it was gradual and took time.  I am thankful that I had the support and the guidance while I was adjusting my diet and lifestyle to suit a healthier me.  Having the support allowed me to voice my concerns, difficulties and to see a different point of view that often helped to get me focused again. I have realized that change is good and when I embraced change for health I saw everything turn around.