ANGELA LESLIE
“A 4-hour work day would be great! It’s been a great refresh during lockdown to have the luxury of time to spend each day doing a leisurely abhyanga, cooking lunch and eating at the right time, etc. simply because there were no outside distractions or demands on my time.”
Angela Leslie qualified as a Maharishi Ayurveda Health Technician (1984), then as a consultant (1994), and advises and administers all aspects of Maharishi Ayurveda Health programs, including panchakarma (rejuvenation) treatment, pulse diagnosis (nadi vigyan), daily, seasonal and behavioural routines, as well as the Transcendental Meditation™ technique (1975).
Angela was instrumental in establishing the first Maharishi Ayurveda Health Clinic in London (1985) located in the prestigious Hale Clinic. The business then expanded to its own premises on Wimpole Street, where she continued to run the clinic and treat patients up through the mid ‘90s. Angela qualified in the Maharishi Ayurveda MotherBaby Program (1985) which she continues to practise to this day.
The Maharishi Ayurveda MotherBaby Program quickly addresses the needs of every new mother with treatments and lifestyle guidelines that naturally restore her sense of balance, strength, and joy, all in the comfort and privacy of her home.
The Maharishi MotherBaby Program is the first post-natal program of its kind to provide in-home care and treatment, and lifestyle guidelines that include individual hands-on daily massage, dietary recommendations, and post-partum lifestyle recommendations that structure a firm foundation of rest and recovery for new mothers — thereby avoiding the debilitating symptoms associated with postpartum depression.
The daily treatment, dietary, and activity guidelines establish a rested and sustained recovery program for the 6 weeks following birth. Ensuring the health and vitality of both mother and baby
Follow Angela:
Website: MotherBaby Program
Instagram: @motherbabyprogram
Facebook: Maharishi Ayurveda Mother Baby Program
“Ayurveda and its daily, seasonal and lifelong guidelines are second nature to me and to my family now.”
How and when did you discover Ayurveda? What drew you to it?
On my first trip to India, I became quite ill. It’s no exaggeration to say I thought that I was going to die — just toss me in the Ganges and I’m done. Fortunately, I was attended by an Ayurvedic physician, who gave me an Ayurvedic powdered form of medicated garlic and within minutes I was on the mend. This Vaidya turned out to be Dr. Brihaspati Dev Triguna, notably one of the most revered and learned Ayurvedic physicians in India.
I was so intrigued and fascinated by his method of diagnosis and treatment that I spent every waking hour at his “clinic” watching and listening as he held his group surgeries, listening and picking up what valuable pearls of wisdom I could.
Over the following years I kept in touch with several of the Maharishi Ayurvedic physicians who worked with Maharishi to reestablish the knowledge and totality of Ayurveda. I took every course and internship to qualify for leading panchakarma rejuvenation treatment and learned pulse diagnosis.
How long have you been practising it?
I began my studies in 1981 and have since gone on to qualify as a panchakarma technician, learning every aspect of how to prepare oils, massage therapy techniques, etc. and then on to specialising in the MotherBaby post-natal program (in 1985), helping newly delivered mothers regain their strength and vigour following delivery. I then qualified with Dr. Raju and other Vaidyas in how to read the pulse, diagnose, administer panchakarma, and consult specifically on women’s health.
Has it helped you with anything major?
Yes, it has.
I like so other women of reproductive age, had always been slightly anemic and feeling just a little sub-par, tired. While under Dr. Triguna’s watchful eye I became stronger, and more resilient every day. I learned what to do and, more importantly, what not to do and began to incorporate all those routines and practices into in my daily life.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
Everyday. Ayurveda and its daily, seasonal and lifelong guidelines are second nature to me and to my family now. Ayurveda has improved our health and our lives immeasurably.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
During menstruation, rest, rest, and get more rest — especially the first 3 days, don’t even wash your hair. Keep warm, feet up, use hot water bottles for cramping, take the appropriate Ayurvedic herbs, reduce screen time. and controversially, use pads, not tampons. Eat lightly and well, more semi-solid and liquid easy-to-digest foods. This is the most simple and impactful advice to keep your energy, mind, body, emotions, and reproductive health problem-free.
Eat and drink warm food, or room temperature at the very least, nothing cold from the fridge, especially in Vata and Kapha season. Eating this way helps avoid bloating, discomfort, heartburn, improving all aspects of digestion, assimilation, and elimination. Avoid carbonation, chocolate, and caffeine. Happy body, happy mind!
Incorporate spices with your cooking to balance and aid in getting all six tastes in your diet (sweet, sour, salty, astringent, bitter and pungent) like, turmeric, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, mustard seeds, coriander.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
Really how universally applicable and timeless it is — simple, easy, down-to-earth solutions to enhance our health, happiness, and longevity.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
Whatever and whenever I learned, I did more, so it was gradually at first and then over time it’s become my second nature. Now, when I am advised to do this or that, I incorporate it immediately. When I do, I know I will see results and avoid any further issues from developing.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
This time of year, and into the warmer months, it has to be freshly made Chaas or buttermilk! So delicious! You will love it!
Ayurvedic Buttermilk
First of all, this buttermilk is very different from what we call buttermilk in the West. This recipe is often used to restore the beneficial intestinal bacteria — a unique and difficult task. It is very good for assimilation and provides an excellent source of crucial digestive microbes. Ayurvedic buttermilk is better than yoghurt or lassi for lightening emotions, as it is a lighter drink that does not increase Kapha. This delicious recipe helps restore the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, thus helping digestion and assimilation.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 1
¼ cup fresh cold yoghurt (make your own fresh, when possible, for great results)
¾ cup purified cold water (cold is important and probably the only time we recommend it!)
¼ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp coriander leaf (also called cilantro)
1 pinch of rock salt (sea salt is an acceptable substitute)
METHOD
Place the freshly made yoghurt in the blender and blend for three to five minutes. Add the cold water, and blend again on low for three to five minutes.
Collect and discard the fatty foam on top. Repeat blending and remove further fatty foam if yogurt still seems thick or solid white (it should appear watery but cloudy in colour when finished).
Add the three spices/herbs and stir by hand briefly, just enough to mix the spices evenly.
Serve at room temperature.
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
Easily! And if there are days, I can’t do EVERYTHING that’s okay too. Just do what you can do easily, effortlessly, and soon it’s as normal as brushing your teeth.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
A 4-hour work day would be great! It’s been a great refresh during lockdown to have the luxury of time to spend each day doing a leisurely abhyanga, cooking lunch and eating at the right time, etc. simply because there were no outside distractions or demands on my time.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
Yes, it’s part and parcel of our community of TM meditators, teachers, doctors and friends who have been involved with the resurgence and establishment of this timeless knowledge.
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?
TM, transcendental meditation. Because if you water the root, you enjoy the fruit! It is the basis of good health. Why? Because it provides the body and mind with such deep rest that the body’s natural healing function is enlivened, mind and body then function free from stress and every aspect of one’s life is enhanced.