Dr. Risha Sharma started working with Sundardas Naturopathic Clinic in 2015 and that’s when her relationship with her body and sleep changed.
She saw patients with insomnia, psychological issues, failing relationships and whatnot.
Dr Risha quotes“It was interesting how our biochemistry and daily habits in relation to what we eat, how we react to situations and how much, when and how well we sleep affected all the other aspects of our life. It’s all about when you realize when it’s enough and how efficiently you want to live your life moving forward, that your relationship with your body changes”.
Today, by adapting to the Ayurvedic lifestyle she has built-in habits and systems that help her to cope better, get more work done and live her life a little more efficiently.
Q
1. What are the first three to five things a person can do to get started on an Ayurvedic way of life?
A
Ayurveda is the science of life. It is your manual to living the best possible version of your life.
If you want to aim at achieving a life that is wholesome, healthy with the right work life balance, you need to go the Ayurvedic way.
If you ask me 3 things a person should get started with to live more Ayurvedically, they should be
1. Respecting your circadian rhythms-
It all starts here. A person who does not respect his circadian rhythms cannot heal or reset his body. Waking up and sleeping on time, eating on time, and respecting bodies cues as the day goes by are all at the core of establishing healthy Ayurveda-approved habits.
2. Recognising the unique needs of your body-
Each one of you has a different body constitution which is unique to every individual. On top of that, there is a unique life journey that makes us who we are.
Recognizing this aspect of your personality helps you look at your body with an unbiased approach and address issues the way they are.
3. Understanding of the body system
As per Ayurveda, your body is an intricate system that is interconnected. Your mind, body, soul have a connection that affect each other’s functioning. When you get a headache, it may or may not be connected to just your head, it could come from your gut, your spine, your emotional state of mind or a chronic injury anywhere in the body.
In Ayurveda, we start assessing the body inside out and that’s why understanding the above three factors is key to approach an Ayurvedic way of living.
Q
2. What are some of the recommendations you have for someone to get the most out of their initial Ayurveda journey?
A
The most important factor for a person who is new to Ayurveda is a trusting and capable source.
An Ayurvedic expert, who is well versed in the texts and has a good clinical hand can use his or her expertise to bring out the best in a person while addressing their health concerns.
Finding that trusting source (Ayurveda doctors) is key to experience Ayurveda at its best
Q
3. How has Ayurveda enhanced your life personally?
A
Being an Ayurvedic doctor for 9 years now, I get to experience and learn constantly through my patients, what life has to offer for each one of us.
Talking to my patients, and helping them work on their physical and emotional state of mind is like therapy for my own self. It helps me stay grounded and appreciate the importance of a holistic life that teaches us to cherish our work, relationships, and sense of self-worth.
Q
4. When choosing an Ayurvedic doctor, what are some of the questions you recommend someone ask? Are there other things you would recommend people research, to ensure a good fit with an Ayurvedic doctor?
A
Number one, how experienced the doctor is and then, how many similar cases the doctor has had experience in treating before them. A good doctor will always give you an honest answer, helping you decide whether you can go further with the treatments.
Besides this, keep an open mind but also trust the process. If you keep second-guessing, a good doctor also will not be able to help. A little patience with the treatments can sometimes settle all doubts and help you heal like never before.
Q
5. Please paint the picture of the Ayurvedic journey under your care, as a doctor. Please touch on low-touch and high-touch modalities (like basti). When do you believe a panchakarma becomes necessary? How do you recommend patients get the maximum benefits before coming in for in-person treatments?
A
I always start with dietary and lifestyle changes. Then, comes comfort, a large part of my discussions with my patients is all about making them comfortable so that they can share their issues without feeling judged.
Panchakarma is an aggressive detox form that gives great results but only when done with the right patient and at the right time in his treatment journey. Many health issues or patients don’t require panchakarma therapies. For starters, it should not be the first step in any Ayurvedic protocol.
Remote sessions have improved accessibility of the doctors to patients which is great for establishing a healthy doctor-patient relationship. It is time-saving and effective time when a lot of emotional counseling or settling queries is required. When done right, it complements in-person sessions to enhance the overall experience of the patient.
Q
6. Ayurvedic must-haves in the kitchen
A
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Black pepper – best herb for seasonal cases of flu
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Turmeric – best antioxidant
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Saindhav salt- best salt for daily consumption
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Asafoetida – best for digestion
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Cumin- best as a condiment for curries to enhance the bioavailability of plant proteins
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Fennel – cooling, annuls gas and is a great mouth freshener
Q
7. Topic of interest?
A
Gut health, autism spectrum disorders
Gut health because it is where everything else starts. You can’t treat 1 health issue that does not require tending to your gut.
Autism spectrum disorders- I have been working with ASD kids for the last 8 years and it gives me immense joy to help them bloom into the best version of themselves.
