In today’s episode, I am interviewing the bestselling author, ayurvedic practitioner, and Vedic astrologist Laura Plumb. We talk about Jyotish, the planets, new moon, and full moon rituals, and how to properly align with the energy of planets in order to enhance our life. Some of the topics we discuss are: The story behind Laura Plumbs journey towards Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology How Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda complement each other in healing Understanding the influence of planets in our life and how to align with their powers to our advantage Meaning of the word Jyothish, Graha and Guru How the moon can influence our feelings and energy Rituals to align with the energy of the new moon and full moon Making sense of the current pandemic situation through a Vedic astrological sense Laura Plumb is the Founder and Director of VedaWise and lead faculty for the Ayurvedic Integrated Nutrition 200 hour Professional Training, author of the best-selling book Ayurveda Cooking For Beginners, creator, and presenter of the online video course The Medicine In Your Kitchen: Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking hosted by Spirituality & Health, host of the 53-part television show CleanseVeda available on Gaia and Amazon, and a 12-part series called Divine Yoga available on Amazon. Laura’s blog food-alovestory.com is an inspirational free resource for ayurvedic recipes and wise living. Her popular whole food, plant-based seasonal cleanses are powerful, effective, and deliciously nourishing. Her articles on health and wellness have been published in Huffington Post, Ayurveda Next Door, Spirituality & Health, Well + Good, Yoga Digest, and The Times of India, among other national and international media. Would you like to make an appointment or learn about retreats and training, please contact Laura directly via laura@lauraplumb.com  If you are interested in learning about the ayurvedic approach to healthy skin and hair growth, Dr. Vignesh is holding an online workshop on August 16, 2020. For further information and registration please visit: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/ayurvedic-approach-to-healthy-skin-hair-growth-tickets-115682115321 For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat @vigneshdevraj or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this episode, Dr. Vignesh Devraj is sharing the recording of an interview he did on Panchakarma and frequently asked questions regarding the same. The topics covered in this interview are: The story behind Sitaram Beach Retreat Why many westerners appear to be more interested in Panchakarma than the Indian community The difference in the healing approach between Ayurveda and Western medicine What is Ayurveda What is Panchakarma and which are the different Panchakarma rituals What aspects of daily life, longevity, immunity, and wellbeing can be enhanced with the help of Panchakarma – focusing on immunity Are the preparation and post routines of Panchakarma very difficult for an average person with a busy schedule Methods and ways for Vaidyas to make it easy for a patient to go through Panchakarma without feeling overwhelmed or bogged down Who is eligible or fit for Panchakarma and if one is not fit enough, what other options are there to improve one’s health according to Ayurveda Can Panchakarma be done at home and would that still be as effective as doing it in a retreat Can we do Panchakarma near the beach Would you like to learn more about Panchakarma and find out how this beautiful five-step mind-body rejuvenation and healing experience can improve your own immunity, vitality, and longevity? Whether you want to eliminate chronic pain, reduce stress and anxiety, purify and heal your skin, restore your metabolic fire and balance your doshas, boost your immune system, lose weight or improve your overall health – Panchakarma is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to do so. Start your healing journey today and get in touch with Dr. Vignesh. He is now taking online consultations. Simply DM to his Instagram account @vigneshdevraj For further details about Dr. Vignesh Devraj and his ayurvedic clinic, Sitaram Beach Retreat, please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

After getting so many amazing feedbacks from so many of you about my last podcast with Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, I am delighted to welcome her back in today’s episode. This time we are talking about different healing approaches, how they can be integrated with one another, and why it is worth looking into the future of healthcare with a positive mind. Some of the highlights of today’s talk are: The reason why in western medicine over 80% of the diseases are of unknown origin. How Newtonian laws in physics influenced western medicine into developing a reductionist method rather than a holistic integrative approach of healing. Understanding the 5 sheaths of our body and how all are interconnected when it comes to being healthy. The concept of water memory by Benveniste, a reputable French scientist, and how this could change the future of healing many incurable diseases. Understanding the concept of Akasha or Ether which connects everything in the universe. How to use Mantras and Sound for connecting with the Akasha. Why the future of healthcare is promising and how many incurable diseases can become history by integrating ancient healing wisdom and western medicine. Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary’s combined expertise in both modern neurology and ancient science of health, known as Ayurveda, has uniquely positioned her as an expert able to pull from the broadest possible base to treat her clients. She is passionate about raising awareness for the need for a paradigm shift in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz Show, where her teachings about ayurvedic medicine have been applauded by a national audience. She is the author of The Prime and Sound Medicine and has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs including Home & Family. To learn more about Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, please visit www.drkulreetchaudhary.com. For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat or visit www.sitaramretreat.com Ayurvedic Herbs & Spices Workshop: Have you ever wondered about the vast variety of herbs and spices used in Ayurveda? Now’s the best time to learn about it and take away great tips to easily integrate powerful healing remedies and vitality boosters into your daily life. We are hosting a workshop on ayurvedic herbs and spices this coming Sunday, July 26, 2020. Spice it up! Registrations now open on: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/healing-powers-of-ayurvedic-herbs-spices-tickets-113730396678 Are you enjoying our content? Let us know how you feel about it in the reviews. And if you never want to miss out on any new episodes, make sure to subscribe to the show now. Thanks for your support and stay well – as health is our most important asset!

“Owning your story can be hard, but not nearly as hard as trying to live in your own shadow and running away from yourself all your life.” In this episode, I am interviewing Shaman Rakhee on Shamanism, Ancestral Healing, and Authenticity. Some of the insights of today’s episode are: - What is Shamanism - Possibilities of healing with Shamanism - Patterns in us that can lead to burnout and stress - The story behind Shaman Rakhee’s dharma - How to differentiate between anxiety and wisdom - Why it’s important to do our shadow work for true inner healing  - Why being honest to ourselves can be a great spiritual practice to break unhealthy ancestral patterns in us Rakhee is a Shaman by lineage, a Research Philosopher by degree, Bhakta by nature, and a Karma yogi by choice. Her mission is to help integrate energy work, spirit work, and higher spiritual awareness into everyday life. She supports women around the world to master their energy by healing ancestral trauma that may lead to stress disorders, burn out, and depression. She teaches them how to get in touch with their heart and soul and how to bring awareness in understanding which part ‘soul and mind‘ (Atma Shudhi and Mana Shudhi) play in emotional, psychological, or spiritual sickness and problems. In her work Shaman focuses on moving people from stress, fear, and trauma to love, faith, grace, and power. To learn more visit Shaman’s website http://www.shamanrakhee.com and follow her on Instagram @shamanrakhee For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat @vigneshdevraj or visit www.sitaramretreat.com If you are interested in our online workshop on Healing Powers of Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices Please check the details below https://sitaramherbspice.eventbrite.com  We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this wisdom episode, Dr Vignesh is sharing the healing power of Pranayama. This is a recording of the speech given in the event "Cracking the Wellness Code" in San Francisco in July 2019. Topics discussed in the speech are - The relationship between breathing and lymphatic circulation The connection between breathing and emotions The real meaning of pranayama How deep breathing can improve your longevity You can watch the video of the talk in this link https://youtu.be/aZH3MR_BsAY Are you interested in knowing the healing power of Vedic Mantras? on 12 July 2020, Dr Vignesh is holding an online workshop on Mantras and Sound Healing. He is going to guide you on how to use Mantras in order to help improve the quality of life. Please find the workshop details by clicking the below link Mantras & Sound Healing Tickets, Sun, Jul 12, 2020, at 4:00 PM In this event, you will learn Meaning & Effect of Mantra Chanting Peace Mantra for Inner Healing Sound Vibration for Chakra Balancing Guided Meditation with Mantra For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat @vigneshdevraj or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this episode, I am talking with Dr. Nisha Khanna, a doctor of internal medicine from Texas, who practices Functional Medicine and Ayurveda, in order to provide an integrative approach to healing her patients. Dr. Khanna shares the reality of what happens in a women’s body when taking the birth control pill for a long time, she shares healthy alternatives for contraception and elucidates how to improve menstrual health and fertility. Some of the insights of today’s episode are: How do birth control pills work [01:16] Why women should be cautious of taking it for the sake of improving skin condition [3.42] How the birth control pill can harm the gut microbiome [05:45] Step by step guide to stop the birth control pill and hormone-free alternatives [11:28] Side effects of Copper IUDs [15:04] Why it is important to track the menstrual cycle [17:10] How fertility improves once the menstrual cycle is regulated [20:21] Steps to revive fertility after stopping the birth control pill [22:07] Why men need to be educated about the female cycle and the side effects of hormonal birth control [24:30] Rituals and routines to follow during the menstrual cycle [29:49] Why periods are to be celebrated and not shamed [36:37] Dr. Nisha Khanna is a board-certified internist who has been practicing medicine since 2005. Pursuing further education in Ayurveda and Functional Medicine, today she runs her private practice in Functional Ayurveda in Austin, Texas. She works with the patient’s entire mind-body-spirit complex and favors treatment plans that focus on hormone balance and intestinal health. Her approach is centered around the empowerment and education of her patients regarding the prevention and treatment of their illnesses. Also, check out our podcast episode #10 in which Dr. Nisha Khanna and I talk about mercury toxicity, leaky gut and candida and healing such issues through Ayurveda and Panchakarma. To learn more, visit her website www.NishaKhannaMD.com and follow her on Instagram @NishaKhannaMD For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat @vigneshdevraj or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this episode, I am interviewing Sheena Dabholkar of Mindful and Body on how to Journal, to improve our mental and physical health. The topics we discuss are - Story of Sheena’s healing through journalling [01:16] What exactly is journaling and is there a proper way to do it [05:45] How writing can help to release our emotional baggage [09:20] Why our brain is not good at compartmentalization and good at unhealthy generalization [10:50] How to use journaling to come out of negative patterns [12:20] Difference between panic attack, anxiety, and fear [15:55] How journaling can help to release pain induced by unresolved emotions [21:10] What is gratitude journaling [22:59] Why we must train ourselves to be grateful to the little things that we don’t notice normally [24:21] The difference between gratitude and mindfulness [25:02] How to come out of anxiety patterns [29:31] Why it’s good to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and have a plan B [34:19] Sheena Dabholkar is the founder and facilitator of Mindful and Body, an alternate holistic mental health initiative and wellbeing practice that makes the tools of self-care, mindfulness, and journalling accessible via workshops, counseling, and consultations. A sometimes journalist, activist, artist, and creative, her other professional work informs her practice and vice versa, as she believes firmly in the interconnectedness of everything. You can follow Sheena on Instagram @mindfulandbody Checkout Sheena’s website - www.mindfulandbody.com For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat @vigneshdevraj or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this episode, I am interviewing Ashdin Doctor Founder and host of the Habit coach podcast and Awesome 180 habit coaching company on how to reach 6 pack abs and get rid of sugar cravings and getting into healthy habits. The topics we discuss are Story of Ashdin doctor from being an unhealthy peak performer to a healthy habit coach. [1:02] Why 6 pack abs are not just about exercising. [4:15] Healthy habits are formed by chunking and have nothing much to do with motivation [5:15] How to get rid of sugar cravings [7:49] Why we trust brand managers with ulterior motives than doctors who are interested in our good health [12:35] How to get into no sugar challenge [13:34] Why fat loss is more of a mental game [15:35] How to trick your mind for getting into healthy habits [21:21] Why it is important to replace every craving with a healthy substitute to have a long term benefit [22:20] How choosing your environment is more important than willpower for healthy habits [28:22] 3 basic steps for fat loss [30:46] Why it is so expensive to be sick [34:09] You can follow Ashdin Doctor on Instagram @ashdindoc Check out Ashdin's website- Awesome180 www.awesome180.com Youtube Channel- The Habit Coach - Awesome180 Are you interested in becoming your healthiest version of yourself self? on 21st June 2020, I am holding an online webinar on ayurvedic lifestyle and rituals to improve your health. Please find the details below https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-how-to-become-the-healthiest-version-of-yourself-tickets-109647909850 For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat or visit www.sitaramretreat.com We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

In this short wisdom episode on becoming your healthiest version, Dr Vignesh talks about the importance of Sleep according to Ayurveda. Do you know we are designed to sleep for 1/3rd of our lifetime? Sleep Deprivation is the number one cause of road accidents, higher medical expenses, and environmental damages. If you want to improve your health then make sleep your number one non-negotiable priority. Are you interested in becoming your healthiest version of yourself self? on 21st June 2020, I am holding an online webinar on ayurvedic lifestyle and rituals to improve your health. Please find the details below https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-how-to-become-the-healthiest-version-of-yourself-tickets-109647909850 For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat or visit www.sitaramretreat.com Would you like to take some amazing steps towards your own optimum health and vitality? Personal online ayurvedic consultations with Dr Vignesh are now available! Simply DM to his Instagram @vigneshdevraj We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

Today I am with Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, a neurologist from California, who integrates Ayurveda, Siddha, and Mantras into her neurology practice. If you have ever wondered what Mantras really are about and why chanting them has such a profound effect on us, this episode is a must-listen-to! We hope you will enjoy it. Some of the topics we talk about in this interview are: Why Ayurveda medicine has great solutions for first-world health problems compared to Allopathy [04:50] The story of Dr. Chaudhary from being a successful neurologist in California to pursuing Ayurveda, Siddha and sound healing practices in rural India [05:55] How Mantras can be considered as vibrational medicine of quantum biology [07:50] Vedic Mantras: the biological code for rapid transformation [11:01] Sometimes the hardest treasures to find are right under our nose [11:53] The meaning of the word mantra and how it can protect us from our monkey mind [12:17] Mantras affect our nervous energy like the pacemaker affects the heart [18:07] How to appreciate the magic of simplicity [19:36] Why India is a great school for rapid spiritual evolution [22:36] The significance and meaning of AUM [28:31] Mantras to deal with fear and anxiety [32:15] How to use mantras to balance our chakras (energy centers) [33:30] Mantras to balance the Shiva (masculine) and Shakthi (feminine) energy in all of us [34:30] Is it important to chant Mantras with the right pronunciation and know their actual meaning [43:51] The beauty of India from a western logical perspective [55:01] Why it is so important to constantly question our belief and search for new wisdom [1:07:16] The meaning of devotion [1:11:10] Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary’s combined expertise in both modern neurology and ancient science of health, known as Ayurveda, has uniquely positioned her as an expert able to pull from the broadest possible base to treat her clients. She is passionate about raising awareness for the need for a paradigm shift in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz Show, where her teachings about ayurvedic medicine have been applauded by a national audience. She is the author of The Prime and Sound Medicine and has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs including Home & Family. To learn more about Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, please visit www.drkulreetchaudhary.com. For further details about your host Dr. Vignesh Devraj please go to Facebook and Instagram @sitarambeachretreat or visit www.sitaramretreat.com Would you like to take some amazing steps towards your own optimum health and vitality? Personal online ayurvedic consultations with Dr. Vignesh are now available! Simply DM to his Instagram @vigneshdevraj We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.