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Kapha Imbalance vs Fatigue: Why You Feel Heavy, Foggy + Unmotivated - 438

Release Date: 04/02/2026

Rethinking Protein: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Individual Digestive Capacity with Dr. Varalakshmi - 465

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Protein has become one of the biggest conversations in modern nutrition. We’re constantly being told to eat more protein, prioritise protein at every meal, choose certain protein sources or turn to protein powders to meet our daily needs. But Ayurveda asks us to look at food differently. Rather than focusing only on how much protein we consume, Ayurveda encourages us to consider our individual digestive capacity, our current state of balance, and the qualities of the foods we are eating. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Varalakshmi Yanamandra, BAMS, an Ayurvedic Doctor with 15 years...

Preparing Your Body for Change: An Ayurvedic Approach - 464

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Have you ever decided that you need to make a change and then wanted to change everything at once? Maybe you decide you're going to eat better, exercise more, get to bed earlier, drink less alcohol, meditate every day or finally get yourself organised. We can become so focused on the result that we overlook the process of getting there. In Ayurveda, sustainable change isn't about forcing the body into a completely different way of being. It's about understanding where we are, listening to the body and creating the conditions that allow change to happen. In this episode, we explore why...

What Happens When You Give Your Digestive System a Break? | An Ayurvedic Insight - 463

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

What happens when you stop asking your digestive system to constantly do more? In Ayurveda, digestion is about far more than what happens in your gut. Agni, often translated as digestive fire, is the force of transformation, the process through which we digest, absorb, process and transform what we take in. And because we are constantly taking in more than just food, Ayurveda views digestion as something that can influence the whole system. In this episode, we explore what can happen when we give digestion a little more space, simplicity and rhythm. Colette covers the following: Why Agni is...

Why an Ayurvedic Seasonal Reset Is More Than a Cleanse - 462

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

What if you didn't wait until your body was struggling before you gave it a reset? In our modern world, we often think of a cleanse or reset as something we need to do after we've overindulged, eaten too much sugar, gained weight, or simply "fallen off the wagon." But Ayurveda takes a different, more preventative approach. Because we are part of nature, the changing seasons affect us too, influencing our digestion, energy, routines, appetite, sleep and overall balance. In this episode, Colette explores why the transition between seasons is such an important time to pause, listen to the body,...

Why Less Can Sometimes Heal More: The Wisdom of Ayurvedic Simplicity - 461

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Have you ever noticed that when you're not feeling your best, your instinct is to do more? Another supplement, another diet, another wellness routine or maybe another expert to follow. But what if your body doesn't need more from you right now? What if it needs less? In this episode, Colette explores the Ayurvedic wisdom of simplicity and why creating space can sometimes be more supportive than continually adding more. Ayurveda reminds us that the body is constantly processing; not only food, but also information, experiences, emotions, stimulation and the demands of everyday life. When there...

When Healthy Habits Stop Working: An Ayurvedic Perspective - 460

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

You eat well, exercise regularly, meditate, manage your stress and genuinely try to take care of yourself, so why don't you feel better? Sometimes, the answer isn't that you need to try harder or add another healthy habit. Through the Ayurvedic lens, there may be another question worth asking: Does your body currently have the capacity to digest, process and assimilate everything you're giving it? In this episode, Colette explores why healthy habits can sometimes stop feeling helpful and how factors such as stress, sensory input, lifestyle, seasonal changes, accumulation and digestive capacity...

Why We Keep Ignoring Our Body's Signals: Ayurveda and Self-Awareness - 459

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m fine,” even though you know you’re exhausted? Maybe you’ve been living with bloating, poor sleep, low energy, headaches or digestive discomfort for so long that it has simply become your normal. You know something feels different, but life is busy, there are people depending on you, and there’s always something else that seems more important. In Episode 458, we explored how Ayurveda views symptoms as messages from the body rather than problems to simply suppress. In this episode, we take the conversation a step further and explore why we so...

What Is Your Body Trying to Tell You? An Ayurvedic Perspective on Symptoms - 458

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Have you ever wished a symptom would simply disappear? Whether it's bloating, fatigue, headaches, restless sleep or digestive discomfort, our first instinct is often to silence the discomfort and get on with our busy lives. But what if those symptoms aren't the problem? What if they're messages? Colette explores one of Ayurveda's most profound teachings: that symptoms are not random inconveniences to suppress but meaningful signals that the body is communicating an imbalance. Rather than fighting our symptoms, Ayurveda invites us to become curious and ask, "What is my body trying to...

Celebrating 9 Years: Why Human Connection Matters - 457

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

As the Elements of Ayurveda Podcast celebrates its ninth anniversary, Colette reflects on the journey of sharing Ayurveda with listeners around the world and explores why, in an age of artificial intelligence and unlimited information, human connection has never been more valuable. With health advice now available at the click of a button, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting opinions and disconnected from our own inner wisdom. In this thoughtful episode, Colette shares why Ayurveda offers something that technology cannot replace, a personalised, compassionate approach that honours...

Rebuilding Self-Trust Through Ayurveda - 456

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Have you ever found yourself ignoring your body's signals, overriding your intuition, or constantly looking outside yourself for the "right" answer? In our modern world, we're surrounded by advice on what to eat, how to exercise, and the perfect wellness routine to follow. While information can be incredibly valuable, it can also disconnect us from the most important source of wisdom we have, ourselves. In this episode, Colette explores why self-trust lies at the heart of healing and how Ayurveda gently guides us back to our own inner wisdom. Rather than encouraging dependence on practitioners...

More Episodes

Have you ever felt tired… but something about it didn’t feel like true fatigue? In this episode, Colette explores the subtle but important difference between Kapha accumulation and true fatigue, and how easily the two can be confused. What feels like low energy may actually be heaviness, stagnation, and mental fog, which are signs that the body is asking for movement and stimulation, not more rest.

Colette shares a recent personal experience of waking up feeling heavy, slow, and mentally foggy, not depleted, but stuck. Through her Ayurvedic lens she understood that these qualities were not in fact fatigue but a Kapha accumulation. Understanding this distinction prevented her from unintentionally moving further out of balance.

She shares how to recognize these qualities in your body and how to respond in a way that restores balance. This episode is about tuning inwards and taking note of the qualities you feel in your body, being curious and building a deeper relationship with your body’s inner intelligence.

In this episode Colette discusses:

The difference between Kapha imbalance and true fatigue
Why “feeling tired” isn’t always about needing more rest
Common signs of Kapha accumulation (heaviness, fog, low motivation)
How Kapha shows up in the mind as inertia and lack of clarity
The concept of manda (slowness/dullness) in Ayurveda
Why misinterpreting symptoms can lead to deeper imbalance
Simple ways to support Kapha to restore balance
The importance of awareness before taking action
Why this is especially relevant during the spring season

Episode Sponsor:

Kerala Ayurveda Academy’s India Immersion is a 14-day immersive experience guided by renowned Ayurvedic doctor Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a dedicated student or practitioner, this immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to study, travel, and experience this ancient healing tradition in its place of origin. To learn more about the India Immersion and download the full brochure, visit keralaayurveda.us

Join the Spring Digestive Reset Cleanse

If you’re ready to support your body through this seasonal transition, my Discounted Group Digestive Reset Cleanse begins April 17th.

This Ayurvedic cleanse is designed to gently remove winter accumulation, strengthen digestion, and help you re-establish daily rhythm while learning about your unique constitution and patterns.

You’ll also receive guidance, structure, and support throughout the process so that the experience becomes both healing and educational.

Learn more and register by booking your cleanse consultation at:

Group Digestive Reset Cleanse starting April 17th https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/group-cleanse

Private Digestive Reset Cleanse - chosse your own dates https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/digestive-reset-cleanse

Check out Colette's online services:

Have questions on Colette's online services? Book a FREE 15 min Services Enquiry Call here. https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/consultations

Do I have an accumulation of ama/toxins in my body? Take this quiz to find out https://www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com/resources

Stay connected on the Elements social media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elementsofayurvedapodcast/

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