KRIS QUINONES
Kris Quinones, LMT, AHC, CYT500, is a Colorado-based wellness and massage educator, licensed muscular therapist, Kripalu certified Ayurvedic Health Counsellor and 500-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, with over 25 years of professional experience in chronic pain relief, mobility, and longevity practices.
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Website: Rasayana
“I love that [Ayurveda is] for all living beings and available to the world regardless of personal spiritual beliefs.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
Living in rhythm with what I know to be true and experiencing vitality with longevity.
When did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
In 2007, on a massage table at the edge of the Yucatan jungle. It was a three-hour session of Abhyanga combined with Shirodhara. What an other-wordly experience it was! From that day forward, my exploration of this ancient self-healing system has been deeply effective in my management of stress, congenital hip dysplasia and multiple sports injuries as a competitor.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
The deep peace and joy I experienced in that first bodywork session. I knew if I could experience that more often, I could have a completely different experience of my potentiality. My years of Ashtanga yoga practice beforehand had primped the pumps and cleared the path for a deeper dive into Vedic sciences. I appreciate the richness, depth, and tradition of Ayurveda. The sweetness and sometimes “tough love” from the laws of Nature. I love that it's for all living beings and available to the world regardless of personal spiritual beliefs.
Has it helped you with anything major?
I am certain it has slowed the accelerated joint degeneration in my hips due to my dysplasia, and later hip injury. It eliminated my chronic post-operative pain and let me do it without any prescription meds. My orthopedic surgeon in my 20s told me to prepare for hip replacements by age 30. Well, I'm 48 this year and recently competed on the ProAM Latin Ballroom dance circuit — all with my original hardware. I am neither limited in mobility or athletic performance. This alone is priceless. But as I deepened my understanding and personal practices, my capacity to process my trauma and navigate life from an empowered place was something I didn't even know I needed.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
Both. Certain daily rituals and seasonal cleanses are automated in my life at this point. I don't have to think about them. Yet mainstream culture has a way of building speed, so I know which fall-back routines I can rely on too.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Daily oil massage.
Eat seasonal, organic foods.
Sweat at sunrise.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
That blood-letting is still a practice.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
Gradually, year after year. Much like my yoga practice.
Do your children/family eat an Ayurvedic diet? And if they do, do they know it’s Ayurveda or do they just think of it as home cooking?
No, my family is not particular interested in learning about Ayurveda. I do not try to drag them along. They just gobble up all my food.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Ready-made spice mixes. I make a Dosha-specific savory blend and a sweet spice blend every season for quick, easy medicinal dishes.
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
My emphasis stays on my eat, rise, and rest routines. I build the rest of my day around these.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
Our corrupted agriculture system in the U.S. and the politicians that support it.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
Only to the extent they desire. I have learned not to try to pull or push anyone along into Ayurveda. It's a journey we must take responsibility for ourselves. As my personal practice has evolved, many of my relationships have too. I spend less time with those whose habits pull me back into degenerative mode.
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?
Stop eating at 6pm. Allow the space and time at the end of the day to digest LIFE. Confront urges and master the pulsations between deep hunger/desire and nourishment.
Anything else you’d like to add?
If you're at a crossroad right now in your health or wellbeing, I'd love to hear about it. Request a free 30-minute Strategy Session with me here. If you're a wellness pro or manual therapist looking for certification, schedule a Meet & Greet here.