PARIS ACKRILL
“My practice is not a place where I need to push myself beyond what is needed. Yoga in the West became another arena to push oneself rather than seeing as it should be — as an exploration of consciousness, meditation and a tool for balance… Ayurvedic knowledge alongside yoga helps to enhance and balance your wellbeing more deeply. You could say Ayurveda is my holistic medicine cabinet for mind, body and soul, and a regular part of my week.”
Paris Ackrill is co-founder of Avalon Wellbeing (Yorkshire, UK), artist, mother and wellbeing guide dedicated to the path of spiritual and personal growth through a holistic and embodied approach. Paris creates space helping people find freedom, alignment and lightness in their being through retreats and events at Avalon. Working using an alchemy of sound, energy work, meditation, movement and ceremony. She has studied with a wonderful family of teachers including Global Movement Activist Shiva Rea, Sound Master Yantara Jiro, the Modern Mystery School and Brazilian spiritual teachers. Paris believes in creating peace within for a more harmonious world. Her mission is to share the joy, lightness, freedom, creativity and hunger to be of help that arise naturally from beginning to know who you really are. Avalon seeks to provide space for exploration into new fields of reality.
Follow Paris:
Personal Instagram: @sacredheartalchemy
Avalon Instagram: @avalonwellbeing
Website: Sacred Heart Alchemy
Website: Avalon Wellbeing
“Ayurvedic understanding has helped my yoga practice become truly life-affirming and life-giving.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
Ayurveda to me means living in rhythm both within oneself and with nature… Syncing with the natural rhythms of the cosmos, honouring natural cycles such as the seasons and lunar rhythms… Really honouring where we are in every moment, as much as possible, so we can cultivate a living and embodied reality of Sama Agni, or balanced fire.
When did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
I am not exactly sure when Ayurveda came into my life, it was something discussed amongst circles of friends that percolated my life through simple curiosity as I stepped onto a path of wellbeing and spirituality in my early twenties. It became a more prominent part of my life in 2017 through my yogic studies with Shiva Rea and through her Samudra School of Living Yoga. Since then, I have been deepening my studies with Shiva to become a Prana Vinyasa Soulful Wellness Guide, which integrates Ayurvedic knowledge to become a friend for others on the path. I went on a really magical retreat at Sen Wellness in Sri Lanka in 2018 where you are initiated into your retreat with an Ayurvedic consultation to then receive a personalised schedule of herbal medicines, treatments and detoxification.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
That it’s a preventative, holistic way of living and cultivating health and vitality rather than prescriptive (although obviously itr carries that element too), as well as being very natural and intuitive. I also love how it is a very ancient science channelled by communities long ago.
Has it helped you with anything major?
Definitely! I went through an intense bout of insomnia about six months into becoming a mother. Introducing a strict Ratricharya (evening routine) totally helped me to break the cycle. I would take around two hours really winding down for bed, and this would include time off screens, a warm bath, slow and mindful Abhyanga on my legs and feet with grounding oils, Nadi Shodana Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing), yin yoga and of course enjoying a warming, calming tea or milk! Also going to bed earlier helped and with a little one you do not have much choice other than to get up early as the day breaks, so following the sun’s natural rhythms as much as possible, living as our ancestors would.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
Awareness of Ayurvedic principles provides a foundation for each yoga practice as I tune into which Dosha needs pacifying or what my internal landscape needs to find balance, so for example if I need to practise in a more solar or lunar manner. Ayurvedic understanding has helped my yoga practice become truly life-affirming and life-giving, to really honour where I am at in mind, body and spirit, as well as according to the season, lunar phase, etc. My practice is not a place where I need to push myself beyond what is needed. Yoga in the West became another arena to push oneself rather than seeing as it should be — as an exploration of consciousness, meditation and a tool for balance… Ayurvedic knowledge alongside yoga helps to enhance and balance your wellbeing more deeply. You could say Ayurveda is my holistic medicine cabinet for mind, body and soul, and a regular part of my week.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Abhyanga is such a beautiful and intrinsic part of my Ayurvedic practice, bringing love to each cell, finding a moment of presence with myself and bringing deep nourishment to the body… Now my body craves oils, I can feel when I need them. I use a gently warmed cold-pressed sesame oil and dōTERRA essential oils. Generally we all need this grounding practice as we live in such a Vata-predominant culture! Also a game changer for before and after long haul flights.
Drinking lots of warming herbal teas in autumn and winter rather than cold drinks really helps me to stay hydrated, which seems obvious, but it is easy to forget to drink water in winter, and it keeps things interesting. I love how teas help to keep us warm from the inside out in the cooler, slower seasons.
And, of course, an evening routine or “Ratricharya” for a really restful night of deep, healing sleep. A morning routine is also very transformative and helps to set the tone for your day. I love the simplicity of taking a moment to light a candle at my altar at the break of each day.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
I have adopted Ayurveda gradually into my life but when I was experiencing insomnia adopting a Ratricharya practice overnight after the advice of my yoga teacher and an Ayurvedic practitioner was the best thing I could have done, as it shifted things very quickly. I was really surprised by how quickly it created significant change in my sleep patterns.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
I love a warming, lightly spiced porridge with cardamon, cinnamon and turmeric, especially in winter, but my family eats it all year round… We normally add stewed apples or pears with a little fresh ginger and cinnamon. We also love Wunder Workshop’s Golden Mylk for an easy and delicious turmeric latte.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
Absolutely — some of my best friends love Ayurveda and we have encouraged each other to explore different aspects or practices. My dear friend Camilla Stolerman, the incredible designer and creator behind Camilla Bloom — which Jasmine recently showcased in her Non-Maternity Maternity Fashion blog post — follows some of Jasmine’s protocols quite closely. She follows the Cleanse + Reset when she has been unwell or needs a vitality boost. We often chat about Ayurveda and Jasmine’s wellbeing advice!
What’s the one thing you would encourage everyone to try or you think would benefit the majority of people’s health for the better?
I feel it is quite important to know your Prakriti, the Doshic predominance you are born with, which you need to do with an Ayurvedic doctor/practitioner, but on the other hand there are basic principles you can apply to your life without knowing this. I used to think I was Vata but am actually Pitta-Kapha, which makes much more sense now and has helped me to apply the principles of Ayurveda more deeply and with greater understanding. Of course, trying some of Jasmine’s Ayurvedic recipes! We are what we eat: the physical body in Ayurveda, “Annamaya Kosha,” is literally translated as “food body.” Society is waking up to this now, yet I wish more people could realise it and reap the benefits for their health. It is actually quite easy to eat healthy, nourishing foods, though of course it requires some effort and learning, but the rewards are easily felt and so worth it! So, if you are reading this and on the edge of making some changes, just pick a few simple recipes and try to make them a staple in your weekly diet — your tummy and tongue will thank you!