Ananta Ripa Ajmera is a highly acclaimed author, renowned spiritual teacher, Ayurveda practitioner, and yoga instructor. With 10 national and international awards and 2 best-selling books to her name, she is a true inspiration. Ananta is not only the host of the popular True to Yourself Podcast but also serves as the Advisor of Ayurveda at THE WELL. As the Co-founder and Director of The Ancient Way, she continues to make a profound impact in the field.
Her powerful message resonates:
“Stop seeking externally. Embrace love. Uphold high standards, maintain healthy boundaries, and embody courage, truthfulness, and authenticity in all aspects of life.“
Ananta Ripa Ajmera
Q
Please share a bit about yourself and your journey into Ayurveda. What inspired you to pursue this path?
A
I am incredibly grateful for the past 13 years spent delving into the Vedic spiritual traditions of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta’s universal spirituality. My studies have been deeply rooted in oral lineages, which have provided me with the most authentic transmissions of this ancient wisdom from India. Along this journey, I have been captivated by the wisdom of ancient Indian goddesses, who have outlined a complete nine-step path to soul liberation.
Q
What are some daily or seasonal practices recommended in Ayurveda to maintain overall well-being?
A
Every morning, I begin with ancient spiritual rituals. One of these practices involves gazing at my hands and affirming that the powers of creativity, abundance, and knowledge reside within them. This simple practice has empowered me to make countless positive changes in my life and extend support to others. At the end of the day, I recite an affirmation from the Vedas, guiding me from untruth to truth, darkness to light, and identification with my changing body and mind to a deeper connection with the immortal soul.
Q
Are there specific dietary guidelines or lifestyle habits you often recommend to your clients?
A
I firmly believe in the power of food as medicine. It truly shapes our bodies and minds. Ayurveda offers a profound seasonal food philosophy that provides incredible guidance for maintaining good health throughout the year. For instance, water boiled with coriander seeds once cooled down, is an excellent thirst quencher that promotes digestion.
Q
Can you share a few examples of when you have witnessed Ayurveda at its most transformative?
A
I have personally experienced numerous physical and mental health benefits by rising early, between 4 and 6 am. This includes improved digestion, evident from prompt morning bowel movements, as well as easier awakening, mental happiness, clarity, and much more. I have found that practicing various yoga activities, including meditation, during the early morning hours, known as Brahma Muhurta in Sanskrit, greatly enhances their effectiveness. These magical hours of spiritual inspiration have had a profound impact on me.
Q
Could you share a favorite Ayurvedic recipe?
A
I always have a few herbs on hand, such as cilantro, basil, and mint leaves. As for a recipe, one of my favorites is an Almond Fig Shake: Blend 2 cups of almond milk, 2 fresh figs (slightly chopped), 2 tsp of sugar (or to taste), and a pinch of cardamom powder. It’s a delightful treat, and you can substitute coconut milk if you prefer.
Q
How do you see Ayurveda complementing or integrating with modern medical practices?
A
Ayurveda, one of the oldest medical systems, aims to achieve balance and harmony within the body for overall well-being. It offers a natural and holistic approach to healthcare, gaining increasing interest. While modern medicine provides diagnoses and treatments, they often have side effects. As a result, many turn to Ayurveda for health support without such consequences.
Ayurveda complements modern medicine by focusing on prevention and considering an individual’s mind-body type, known as doshas. This preventive approach helps prevent imbalances and diseases, aligning with the trend of promoting overall wellness. Additionally, Ayurveda emphasizes a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, exercise, and stress management. These practices are recognized in modern medicine as essential for maintaining good health. By integrating Ayurveda into modern medical practices, we create a more comprehensive approach to healthcare.
I have the privilege of teaching Ayurveda at Stanford School of Medicine’s Health Improvement Program and Stanford Health Care. Through an initial pilot program, we observed significant improvements in various areas. For example, there was a 47% decrease in aches and pains, a 46% improvement in sleep quality, a 31% increase in productivity, and reduced stress levels in 80% of the students. These positive results have led to my certification to provide Ayurveda staff training in all prisons and police departments in California.
Q
Ayurveda emphasizes the mind-body connection. How does mental well-being influence physical health in Ayurvedic philosophy?
A
In Ayurveda, the stability of your mind is a measure of growth on the powerful path of soul liberation. Achieving stability requires consistent effort, allowing you to become and remain physically and emotionally stable enough to liberate your soul from old patterns and conditioning that mask its radiant power. Embarking on the path of powerful soul liberation is an uplifting journey that begins by planting the seed of intention and nurturing it with support, inward time, practice, and consistency.
Q
Could you suggest any specific practices or therapies for maintaining mental and emotional balance?
A
Absolutely! One practice I recommend is giving yourself time to simply stare at a blank page until inspiration strikes, if necessary. Once you have a clear intention, be sure to write it down. Even if you have to jot it down on your phone while on your daily commute, putting your intention on paper helps solidify your connection with it.
Another approach is to set practical intentions that support your overall well-being, which serves as the foundation for spiritual growth. These can include waking up earlier, cooking meals regularly, or keeping a gratitude journal.
Your intentions can also be less tangible, like resolving to practice more forgiveness or developing qualities like courage. The intention that I commenced my powerful soul liberation journey with was:
“Find the strength to let go of what needs to be let go,
The courage to reclaim what needs to be reclaimed
And the wisdom to hold on to only that which is eternal and changeless.”
Q
For someone new to Ayurveda, what advice would you offer to start incorporating Ayurvedic principles into their lifestyle?
A
Here are a few powerful ways that have helped me transform my life, and that you can try to embark on your path of soul liberation:
- Set an intention and write it down.
- Seek support from others.
- Spend time in introspection.
- Allow yourself to feel your emotions fully.
- Practice Ayurvedic techniques.
- Stay consistent with your efforts.
Q
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about Ayurveda or holistic health in general?
A
I have some simple and effective practices that I adore. I highly recommend trying one or two of them to take your first powerful steps toward feeling more grounded in the rejuvenating realm of spiritual practice.
- Every morning, when I wake up before I put my foot onto the floor, I mentally recite a special mantra of gratitude towards Mother Earth in Sanskrit. Mantras are like spiritual medicine. They help me powerfully overcome draining thoughts that tend to race in my mind on autopilot. Any time I think of a mantra, it stops my normal self-defeating thoughts from taking their usual course and replaces my mental patterning with something more positive and uplifting. You can create your mantra to thank Mother Nature for all the abundant blessings she bestows upon you. Starting your day by feeling grateful to the earth helps you feel a lot more grounded and connected to nature and gives you a vibrant feeling to start each day.
- I stop and smell the marigolds for instant calm and stability. Did you know that your sense of smell is connected with the grounded earth element, according to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda? Because of this inherent connection, simply ‘stopping to smell the roses’ has a very stabilizing effect on my mind. Roses, marigolds, and jasmine flowers have scents that soothe my mind and help me feel more clear, refreshed, and grounded, according to ancient Ayurvedic texts.
- I root my feet into Mother Earth. Simply spending time in nature has a very grounding and stabilizing effect on me anytime I feel overwhelmed by my mind, work, relationships, or any other triggering source of stress. If I can, it helps to take off my shoes and walk barefoot. If I can do so close to a body of water, like a river, ocean, lake, or even a stream, it helps me feel instantly calmer, more connected to nature, and supported by the earth. Even if the only place I can connect with nature is by walking on the grass in my backyard, I try to slow down my movements. Doing so is a great way to experience my true, grounded nature.
- I go to sleep by 10 pm and wake up by 6 am. Sleeping according to circadian rhythms not only helps me wake up each morning feeling clear-headed, refreshed, and creative, but it also enhances my digestion and affords me an easier elimination of my bowels, making this an ideal practice for relieving constipation. Sleep itself is described as the most powerful natural source of rejuvenation in ancient Ayurvedic texts, and this is now being corroborated by modern research.
For more information visit: https://www.anantaripaajmera.com/
*This content is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease, or affect the structure or function of the body. The information herein does not constitute medical advice. Anyone suffering from a medical condition should consult with a physician. User reviews do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results — what works for one may not work for another.
