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Beyond Skin Care: Ayurveda and the Gut-Skin Connection with Vaidya Kamya - 447

Release Date: 06/04/2026

Letting Go of Optimization: Returning to Body Wisdom - 449

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Are you living by your body's wisdom or by your data? In today's wellness culture, we're encouraged to track, measure, monitor, and optimize almost every aspect of our lives. Sleep scores, step counts, fasting windows, heart rate variability, recovery metrics, calorie burn, protein intake, the list seems endless. While technology can offer valuable insights, many people are finding themselves increasingly disconnected from the very thing that matters most, their relationship with their own body. In this episode, Colette explores the growing culture of self-optimization through the lens of...

From Survival to Thriving: Athina’s Ayurvedic Healing Journey with Crohn’s - 448

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Ten years ago, Athina was severely ill with Crohn’s disease, exhausted, unable to eat properly, rapidly losing weight, and unsure if she would survive. In this deeply inspiring conversation, she shares how discovering Ayurveda became a turning point in her healing journey. Together, Colette and Athina reflect on the physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation that unfolded through simple daily practices, nourishment, self-awareness, and long-term lifestyle change. This episode is a powerful reminder of the body’s incredible capacity to heal when given the right support. In this...

Beyond Skin Care: Ayurveda and the Gut-Skin Connection with Vaidya Kamya - 447

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Could your skin be reflecting what's happening in your digestive system? Colette explores the Ayurvedic understanding of the gut-skin connection and why true radiance begins from within with Vaidya Kamya Pillai. While modern research continues to uncover the relationship between the microbiome, inflammation, and skin health, Ayurveda has long taught that healthy digestion, balanced doshas, and proper nourishment are essential for clear, vibrant skin. You'll learn how Agni (digestive fire), Ama (toxic accumulation), Rasa Dhatu (the body's primary nourishing tissue) and Ojas (our vital essence),...

People Pleasing and the Nervous System: An Ayurvedic Path Back to Yourself - 446

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

People pleasing is often misunderstood as simply being “too nice,” but for many people it’s much deeper than that. It can become a nervous system survival strategy shaped by childhood conditioning, fear of rejection, emotional hypervigilance, and the longing to feel safe, accepted, loved, and connected. In this episode, Colette explores people pleasing through the lens of Ayurveda, nervous system healing, and emotional awareness. She shares how these patterns can disconnect us from our true nature and why healing involves much more than simply “setting boundaries” or “learning to...

Why We Struggle to Rest – Permission to Slow Down - 445

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Why is it so difficult to truly rest, even when we’re exhausted? In this episode, Colette explores the deeper Ayurvedic understanding of rest, nervous system regulation, productivity culture, and the relationship between Vata and Pitta imbalance. Many people today are living in a constant state of overstimulation and “doing,” leaving the nervous system unable to fully soften and restore. Colette looks at how modern culture often praises dysregulation when it looks productive, why rest can feel emotionally difficult, and how busyness can become a way of avoiding deeper feelings and...

Sadvritta: Ayurveda’s Guide to a Compassionate and Conscious Life - 444

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Colette explores the Ayurvedic concept of Sadvritta, often translated as right living or ethical conduct, and how these timeless teachings can help us navigate modern life with more awareness, compassion, and harmony. While Ayurveda is often associated with food, herbs, and daily routines, the classical teachings remind us that true health goes far beyond the physical body. Our thoughts, beliefs, speech, and interactions with others all influence our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. In today’s fast-paced and highly stimulated world, where disconnection, reactivity, and social...

Integrity in Ayurveda with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath - 443

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

What does integrity truly mean in Ayurveda and why does it matter now more than ever? In today’s rapidly expanding global wellness space, conversations around ethics, responsibility, and authenticity are becoming increasingly important. While this episode doesn’t focus on specific events, it acknowledges that moments of rupture in any healing tradition can serve as powerful invitations to return to its roots, back to awareness, accountability, and integrity. In this episode, I’m joined by Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath, CEO and Academy Director of Kerala Ayurveda (USA), he brings both...

Not All Stress Is the Same: An Ayurvedic Guide - 442

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

In modern life, we often talk about stress as if it’s one single experience. We say “I’m stressed” and assume the solution is the same for everyone, but Ayurveda offers a much more nuanced understanding. From an Ayurvedic perspective, stress is not one-size-fits-all. It expresses itself through the lens of the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and each one creates a very different experience in the body and mind. This is why what works for one person may feel ineffective, or even aggravating for another. In this episode, Colette guides you through the different types of stress according...

Ayurveda Myths Debunked: Animal Protein, Garlic, Onions, Coffee, Alcohol + More with Dr. Sujatha Kekada - 441

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Colette is joined by Dr. Sujatha Kekada to explore some of the most common myths surrounding Ayurveda and bring clarity to what this ancient system truly teaches. From questions around diet and lifestyle to its relevance in today’s scientific landscape, they unpack how Ayurveda is far more adaptable, nuanced, and evidence-aligned than many believe. Together, they explore how Ayurveda meets you where you are, honouring individuality, context, and balance rather than enforcing one-size-fits-all rules. In this episode, they discuss: Whether Ayurveda is truly “scientific” and how modern...

Mushrooms Through the Lens of Ayurveda with Sharmistha Guha Majumdar - 440

Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Mushrooms have become increasingly popular in the modern wellness world, particularly for their potential benefits for the nervous system, immunity and resilience. But where do they fit within Ayurveda? In this episode, I’m joined by Sharmistha Guha Majumdar to explore mushrooms through the lens of Ayurvedic principles. While mushrooms are not extensively described in the classical texts, Ayurveda offers a sophisticated framework for understanding any substance through observation, energetics and ecological context. Sharmistha shares how we can move beyond simply asking whether something is...

More Episodes

Could your skin be reflecting what's happening in your digestive system?

Colette explores the Ayurvedic understanding of the gut-skin connection and why true radiance begins from within with Vaidya Kamya Pillai. While modern research continues to uncover the relationship between the microbiome, inflammation, and skin health, Ayurveda has long taught that healthy digestion, balanced doshas, and proper nourishment are essential for clear, vibrant skin.

You'll learn how Agni (digestive fire), Ama (toxic accumulation), Rasa Dhatu (the body's primary nourishing tissue) and Ojas (our vital essence), influence skin health and overall vitality. They also discuss how stress, emotions, and nervous system dysregulation can impact both digestion and complexion, and why Ayurveda views beauty as a reflection of internal balance rather than external appearance alone.

In this episode you'll discover:

The Ayurvedic gut-skin connection
The role of Rasa Dhatu in hydration, nourishment, and radiance
How Agni and Ama affect skin health
The connection between the doshas, stress, and the nervous system in skin health
How Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances manifest in the skin
Ojas and it's connection to radiant skin
Ayurvedic practices to support healthy digestion and glowing skin
Why true beauty begins with inner balance

Whether you're dealing with acne, sensitivity, inflammation, dryness, premature aging, or simply want to cultivate a healthy natural glow, this episode offers practical Ayurvedic wisdom to support skin health from the inside out.

Episode Sponsor:

Kerala Ayurveda Academy is offering an Ayurvedic Beauty Certification from Kerala Ayurveda Academy. This 100-hour blended program combines authentic Ayurvedic teachings with modern beauty applications, including skin and hair wellness, herbal formulations, face yoga, marma therapy, natural product creation, and hands-on clinical training. Visit the KAA website www.keralaayurveda.us for more information.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 92: Ayurvedic Nutrition of the Dhatus

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This community is a conscious, supportive space to connect, learn, and grow with others walking the Ayurvedic path. Come say hello, introduce yourself, and be part of this living, breathing community.

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