For much of my life, I lived in a state of survival. My nervous system was conditioned to be on high alert, a direct result of the traumas that shaped my childhood and early adulthood. Growing up in an unstable home, experiencing loss at a young age, and navigating a life that often felt out of my control left deep imprints on my mind and body. Mental health struggles run strongly on my mother’s side of the family, and for a long time, I carried that weight without understanding how deeply it was affecting me.
For years, I struggled with anxiety and depression, often masking them with distractions—whether through movement, relationships, or numbing behaviors. My nervous system was wired for fight or flight, unable to settle into a place of true rest. It wasn’t until I found Ayurveda and Yoga that I began to unravel the layers of my mental health struggles and understand how profoundly my body and mind were connected.
Understanding Mental Health Through Ayurveda
Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing system, teaches that the mind and body are deeply interconnected. My dominant Vata imbalance—aggravated by years of instability, grief, and trauma—left me feeling ungrounded, anxious, and restless. Vata governs movement, and when it becomes excessive, the mind races, sleep is disturbed, digestion weakens, and a sense of fear or insecurity takes root.
For years, I lived in a way that unknowingly aggravated my own suffering. I skipped meals, overworked myself, fueled my body with stimulants, and ignored the whispers of exhaustion and depletion. Ayurveda taught me that healing required more than just addressing symptoms—it meant creating deep, sustainable changes in the way I lived, ate, and cared for myself.
Through Ayurveda, I learned the importance of routine, nourishment, and grounding practices. Warm, cooked foods replaced erratic eating habits. Abhyanga, or self-massage with warm oil, helped soothe my overactive nervous system. Herbal support, like ashwagandha and brahmi, began to calm the internal storm I had lived with for so long.
Yoga as a Tool for Nervous System Regulation
Yoga for mental health was the first part of my healing journey. Self-awareness is the first step of change, and it is a practice—an ongoing process of growth and transformation. My yoga practice was never about achieving the perfect pose; it was about learning to be present with myself in a way I never had before.
Yoga has always been the central practice in soothing my nervous system. Moving through postures, connecting with my breath, and creating a sense of embodiment helped me feel safe in my own skin again.
Pranayama has been a strong focus in my practice since the beginning of my yoga journey, as I have always emphasized breath awareness as a key tool for nervous system regulation. My yoga practice, whether restorative or more active and playful, continues to be my primary tool for balance and healing.
Practical Ayurveda & Yoga Tools for Mental Health
While working with a practitioner can offer deep healing, there are also simple Ayurveda and Yoga tools you can incorporate into your daily life to support your mental well-being:
Grounding Morning Routine: Start your day with warm water, tongue scraping, and a short meditation or mindful breathing to set a balanced tone.
Abhyanga (Self-Massage): Applying warm oil, especially sesame or brahmi-infused oil, can calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.
Mindful Movement: A gentle daily yoga practice, even 10-15 minutes, helps release tension and reconnect with the body.
Pranayama (Breathwork): Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Bhramari (humming bee breath) are excellent for calming anxiety and restoring balance.
Healing Diet: Favor warm, nourishing foods like soups, stews, and herbal teas to support digestion and nervous system health.
Nature Connection: Walking barefoot on grass, spending time in sunlight, or simply observing nature can bring grounding and ease mental agitation.
Evening Rituals: Unplug from screens, drink warm spiced milk, and wind down with calming practices like yoga nidra or journaling.
A warm cup of golden milk, infused with ashwagandha, offers deep nourishment for the nervous system—soothing stress, promoting relaxation, and supporting restful sleep. A simple yet powerful evening ritual for unwinding and finding balance.
These simple practices, when done consistently, can help regulate your nervous system and cultivate inner peace.
Rewiring My Nervous System and Reclaiming My Mental Health
Healing my mental health has been a long, nonlinear journey. Some days, the old patterns still surface—the anxious thoughts, the restless energy, the self-doubt. But the difference now is that I have tools. Ayurveda and Yoga have given me a framework to understand my mind and body, to recognize when I am out of balance, and to bring myself back with practices that nourish rather than deplete me.
Most importantly, these ancient sciences have given me self-compassion. For years, I blamed myself for my struggles, for my reactions, for the ways I coped with pain. But now, I see my nervous system for what it is—an intelligent, adaptive system that has been working to protect me all along. My work is not to fight against it but to guide it toward safety, stability, and peace.
Healing mental health naturally is not a destination but a journey, and Ayurveda and Yoga are powerful lifelong tools for balance. For those who are struggling, know this: healing is possible. It may not look the way you expect, and it will take time, but with the right tools, support, and self-compassion, you can begin to rewrite your story—just as I have.
If you're looking for a holistic approach to mental health, I invite you to explore Ayurveda Yoga Therapy as an option alongside or as an alternative to traditional Western approaches.
To make this journey more accessible, I am offering a special introductory session. Your first 45-minute session is available at a one-time special price of $65, with regular sessions at $75. Use coupon code 45AYTINTRO at checkout. If you prefer a longer session, a 60-minute session is available for $85, keeping it affordable while providing a deeper experience.
Healing is a journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone. If you feel called to explore Ayurveda and Yoga as tools for your mental and emotional well-being, I would be honored to guide you. Together, we can create a path toward greater ease, balance, and self-discovery.
With warmth and compassion,
Jennifer
Ready to take the first step toward balance and healing? Click below to explore Ayurveda Yoga Therapy sessions and book your appointment today!
Use coupon code 45AYINTRO to save $10 off your first session
Comments