SARA HERANDI
“There's so much to learn in Ayurveda and I think the more you learn, the more it informs your lifestyle decisions every day, even if it’s sometimes on a subconscious level. But for me, my lifestyle is all about balance, and I think that is important.”
Sara Herandi is the founder and CEO of Deja. Deja combines 5000 years’ worth of ancient Ayurvedic science with modern-day methods to create natural supplements that slot into modern schedules.
Follow Sara:
Website: Deja Life
Instagram: @deja_life
“I really believe in treating the mind and body as a whole.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
For me, Ayurveda is all about finding balance, and that can be on so many levels — from your overall lifestyle and your diet to your environment and the seasons. I think it’s really about being self-aware, then using natural and holistic methods to bring your body and mind back to balance.
How did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
I first discovered Ayurveda after I was diagnosed with lymphoma when I was 19. I was having chemotherapy and taking strong medication, and became obsessed with trying to find natural and holistic ways to balance this out. After a lot of searching, I discovered Ayurveda through yoga, which I had already been practising.
Ayurveda really helped me both mentally and physically during that time — from managing the physical side effects of chemo to my mental health and building up my strength after I finished treatment. Since then I have tried to incorporate it into my life because I'm a big believer in prevention being better than cure.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
I thought that if something has been around for five thousand years, it must be for a reason — it was this rich history and social proof that drew me to it; it’s literally been tried and tested over generations. It’s also probably the most holistic wellness system in the world, and I really believe in treating the mind and body as a whole.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
I incorporate elements of Ayurveda into my everyday life — into my daily routine and some of my habits. I think taking a preventative approach is better than having to rely on a cure, so long-term sustainable habits are the best when you can! I take Deja Mind Balance capsules every day — it's a blend of 11 Ayurvedic herbs that help balance the mind, with ingredients that have been shown to help support your brain health over the long-term.
There's so much to learn in Ayurveda and I think the more you learn, the more it informs your lifestyle decisions every day, even if it’s sometimes on a subconscious level. But for me, my lifestyle is all about balance, and I think that is important.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Being mindful of your dominant Dosha and any imbalances you might have — this was a game-changer for me. I am Pitta, and I realised that most of my favourite foods I was eating all the time were Pitta-aggravating. It doesn’t mean you have to stop eating them altogether, but just being mindful of keeping that in check has been so useful for me.
Sipping hot water throughout the day. Our bodies absorb warm water better than cold. Hands down the best way to hydrate your body!
Meditation — I did a Vedic meditation course last year, and it’s been amazing including that into my morning routine. I don’t manage to do it every day, but I can really notice the difference if I go too many days without it.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
What surprised me the most is that I think a lot of us are implementing Ayurvedic principles or practices in our lives without even realising it; just through small lifestyle things like drinking hot lemon and ginger, trying not to eat too late in the evening, practising yoga, or adding turmeric and spices to our cooking.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Kitchari (a nourishing dish of rice, mung beans and spices). I did a 5-day kitchari cleanse a while ago, and really felt the benefits — as if it was a reset for my mind and body. I now try to do a 3-day cleanse every few months (it's especially good as you move between the seasons!).
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
It’s a part of my morning routine during the week; first thing in the morning I usually do tongue scraping, drink a cup of hot water and then (when I can) meditate for 10-20 minutes and do some form of movement I then take my Deja Mind Balance capsules, which helps set me up for the rest of the day; it helps the mind react better to stress, relaxes the nervous system and helps me to focus.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
I think Ayurveda can be a bit overwhelming and confusing but it doesn’t need to be. I started Deja because I wanted to simplify Ayurveda and bring it more up to date with how we live now. Our mission is to take the best of this ancient science and combine it with modern methods, to create natural supplements and products that are easy to fit into your everyday.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
They are starting to more and more — partly because I am always talking about my business and have just launched my brand!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Please do connect on Instagram or check out our website — we would love to hear from you!