I LOVE TRADITIONS. It makes me feel connected to the generations before me. 

I have always been in awe at how my grandmother had a remedy for pretty much anything and everything, especially her magic in the kitchen. Turning everyday food into a bowl of nourishment, I literally felt like I was eating love. I was blessed to have my grandmother live with me during my early childhood and see how she passed on her traditional wisdom to my mother. Just by being a witness to it, I was also being initiated into the wisdom process. 

I would often think about the generations before me, likely because I am a first-generation American, I craved to understand where my family came from so I could feel connected to something. I was fascinated by how the elders seemed to know what to do when, where, and how. I realize now, this wisdom was being passed down from generation to generation. It was like a secret code that people just knew. It was in their daily practice. It wasn’t preached, instead, it was shared by direct experience, actually living the wisdom that was being passed down so people can emulate it and pass it forward. 

One thing I noticed in my experience that was missing, was the “why”. Always being that curious (and probably super annoying kid), I would ask “Why do we eat these specific foods? Why do you start your morning the way you do? Why are you putting this oil in my hair? Why are you using these spices in your cooking? Why, why, why… (sorry mom!) Often times I was told “we do this because that’s how it’s always been done”, with no meaning behind it. But I wasn’t happy with that answer because deep within I knew there was a reason. (Fast forward, I’ve uncovered the “why” and will share that throughout my content 😉 you’re welcome! xo)

The generations before knew how to live a full and well life. Living according to the philosophy of Yoga and the Science of Life (Ayurveda) enabled them to do so. They understood that we are all already “well”. As long as we give the body the right ingredients it would function with ease. The body is incredibly intelligent. It’s when we forget this and start to feed it the wrong ingredients, things start getting out of tune. 

My approach to Ayurveda is rooted in tradition but with my own twist, for today’s time. Let’s be real, the world is very different than it was 5,000+ years ago. I love Ayurveda because it is built on universal truths, the wisdom will always be timeless and practical. The beauty of traditions is that there is a wholeness to them, a feeling of being connected to something bigger than you.

THE NINE PRACTICES™

Throughout my journey, I realized there were Nine Practices that are foundational for health and longevity. Not only do these Nine Practices provide enormous benefits on their own but as you start living and incorporating them you’ll see how everything is interconnected.

The Nine Practices is a tradition I’m passing on to you inspired by Ayurveda and Yoga. I intentionally chose the word “practice” to encourage your body, mind, and soul to explore, adapt, and experiment with what feels right for you. Start with one, then add another, and over time you’ll have a library of practices that will help you live inherently well. The goal is to keep practicing and striving for progress, not perfection. Remember, the journey toward wellness is ongoing and dynamic.

The Nine Practices are: 

1. Food: Strengthen your relationship with food to cultivate proper nourishment and digestion. 
2. Herbs: Heal your body through sacred communion with the plant world. 
3. Sleep: Restore your body with the power of rest.
4. Movement: Celebrate the body by encouraging the movement of prana. 
5. Relationships: Honor healthy inner and outer relationships. 
6. Environment: Connect to nature, self, and spirit. 
7. Pranayama: Consciously control your life force to raise your consciousness. 
8. Meditation: Realize the oneness with all that is. 
9. Self-Care: Turn routine into rituals with love. 

In traditional, indigenous wisdom, it was passed down that we have three bodies:

1. Physical body – that which we perceive through our 5 senses (sound, touch, sight, taste, smell). This is the body we typically relate to (our physical being, skin, muscles, hair, etc). 
2. Subtle body – our mental and emotional body which mirrors the physical body in the subtle realm. The subtle body vibrates at a higher frequency and is the energetic template of the nervous system containing the chakras and nadis. (Chakras are energetic templates of the nerve plexus that function in the physical body. Nadis are the energetic templates of the nerves, the channels which subtle energy moves through). 
3. Spiritual body – the most expansive part of our nature. It’s the primal seed energy that sprouts the subtle and physical body as it germinates. It’s our deepest connection, where our soul or spirit resides. It’s that inner knowing that we can’t put into words. 

This is where the Body-Mind-Spirit lingo came from. Everything in life is interconnected, physically, psychologically, and spiritually. The Nine Practices addresses health and longevity for all three bodies. 

THE OPPOSITE OF TRENDS

The “wellness industry” is a multi-billion dollar industry. It seems everyone is a health and wellness expert these days. Talking about new fads, superfoods, productivity hacks, the list goes on and on.

The beauty of Ayurveda and Yoga is that it’s the opposite of trends. It’s indigenous wisdom that is rich with tradition. It has been around for many millennia and is still as relevant today as it was in the past. It’s built upon universal truths, that many indigenous cultures still share.

My goal is to pass on these traditions. I hope you find The Nine Practices inspiring, refreshing, and empowering. Take what feels right, leave what doesn’t. The goal is to keep practicing and moving forward on your path to health and longevity.

Be well and stay curious,

Lisa xo