CONSTANTIN BJERKE
“Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old science of holistic well-being that both prevents and cures ailments. ”
Constantin is a multicultural entrepreneur, board advisor and creative brand consultant who has had a remarkable well-being journey. After establishing himself as a media producer winning 5 Cannes Lions, Constantin lived through his own personal challenges, which led him to seek healing and rediscovery. A transformative encounter with Ayurveda and Panchakarma in India ignited his curiosity and sparked an exploration of ancient Eastern wisdom and healing practices. From here, he co-founded Datu Wellness, a platform dedicated to bringing the benefits of Eastern healing wisdom to the Western world. Through Datu, he aims to make holistic well-being accessible to many, drawing upon his own transformative journey and network of preeminent therapists and doctors.
Follow Constantin:
Instagram: @DatuWellness
Website: Datuwellness
Instagram: @Constantinbjerke
“Growing up in the West, being conditioned by and having worked in advertising to promote happiness through consumption, it surprised me how much simpler it can be to live a happy life and deal with its inevitable challenges. ”
WHAT DOES AYURVEDA MEAN TO YOU?
Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old science of holistic well-being that both prevents and cures ailments. After having discovered its efficacy and simplicity I follow its principles to prevent and cure (although nowadays, cure is rarely necessary as it’s so good at prevention) That’s the real benefit and my goal, not to get sick in the first place.
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER IT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING IT?
I had heard of it, like many of us, in passing for a while. Much like “yoga” these sciences and philosophies are often misunderstood or oversimplified to fit commercial objectives in the West. I entrusted myself with its foundational ‘Panchakarma’ when faced with a decent amount of despair following my experience of divorce, death in the family and physical injuries. I checked myself into an Ayurvedic hospital at the height of Covid with a medical visa in India in 2021 and the rest revealed itself from there.
WHAT DREW YOU TO AYURVEDA?
A loss of direction, deep sadness and helplessness
HAS IT HELPED YOU WITH ANYTHING MAJOR?
Yes, very much so! From a health perspective, I am healthier and stronger than ever before and all Western medical tests such as body composition and blood analysis prove it. However, I think it’s important to bear in mind that these Eastern sciences work together holistically, less so in isolation. The most important objective is joy and happiness for which good health is the basis. The combination of Ayurveda to cleanse and heal the physical body with other philosophies like yoga has helped me find a renewed sense of direction and self.
IS AYURVEDA PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE OR JUST FOR YOUR MEDICINE CABINET OR FALL-BACK ROUTINE?
It is very much an important part of daily life. Or at least attempted “daily” life - like many of us, I sometimes struggle to look after myself every day. In combination with the other well-being sciences that are all part of my daily life, from cleansing to diet, it works out most of the week though.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 AYURVEDIC TIPS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR YOU?
Use a tongue cleaner (Science has proven the link between bad oral hygiene and heart disease).
Know yourself and your body so you can eat what is best for you locally, seasonally and warm (or at least not iced).
Look after yourself and everyone around you.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT AYURVEDA?
Growing up in the West, being conditioned by and having worked in advertising to promote happiness through consumption, it surprised me how much simpler it can be to live a happy life and deal with its inevitable challenges.
DID YOU INTEGRATE IT GRADUALLY OR OVERNIGHT FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON?
Relatively radically in the sense that I had never been to India or known much about Ayurveda before arriving there for a 3-week hospitalised Panchakarma stay :)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE AYURVEDIC RECIPE OR GO-TO INGREDIENT?
I really like a good kichdi.
HOW DOES AYURVEDA FIT INTO YOUR DAY-TO DAY ROUTINES?
I think we should turn that question around. “How do the day-to-day demands fit into my routine of looking after my well-being” should be the question for all of us. It is possible because there are small, simple, quick actions that make big differences.
WHAT DO YOU WISH WAS EASIER IN OUR SOCIETY TO MAKE AN AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE MORE ACCESSIBLE?
Healthy, fresh, local, seasonal food that isn’t ultra-processed, has no refined sugar etc and is accessibly priced. Currently, we’re creating a ‘health gap’ on top of the wealth gap because healthy food is unaffordable for so many.
Another principal challenge is that we are conditioned to believe that consumption and commerce lead to happiness. We are constantly offered “a deal”, instant gratification and new things to desire. Lamentably, the simplicity of Ayurveda or any healthy lifestyle is bad for profits hence society is set up to make it easier/cheaper to buy a Coca-Cola than a fresh juice - to take a pill than to understand where your mood/insomnia/indigestion comes from.
However, I am optimistic as consciousness is spreading with increased access to this knowledge. Currently, the Blue Zone documentary on Netflix shows how many people live a long, healthy fulfilled life in different places around the world.)
DO PEOPLE AROUND YOU/IN YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT AYURVEDA?
It is great to see it being revealed to more and more people gradually and with www.DatuWellness.com and sites like yours or WeAreYoom we all collaborate to share more of its wisdom with those to whom it’s new but know they are not satisfied with the status quo.
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?
Try more “Less”. Less doing, less wanting, less thinking, less ego, less buying, less eating.