KARIN LILLEBERG

Karin is a dedicated yoga teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner with over a decade of experience in holistic healing. Specialising in balancing the body’s natural rhythms and guiding clients toward true vitality, Karin integrates ancient Ayurvedic principles with modern wellness practices. As a co-founder of Vital Ojas, Karin brings Ayurvedic knowledge to life through artisanal products like ghee, kitchari, and CCF tea, making ancient practices accessible for modern living. Her mission is to empower people to nourish their vitality, strengthen their digestion and create a balanced, soul-aligned lifestyle.

Follow Karin: 

Instagram:  @karinlilleberg and @vital_ojas

Website: www.vitalojas.com

WHAT DOES AYURVEDA MEAN TO YOU? 

Ayurveda is so much more than just a traditional healing system - it’s a way of life. It’s a connection to nature, to balance, and to understanding myself on a deeper level. What I love most about Ayurveda is its personalised approach - acknowledging that we are all unique individuals with different needs. It’s like a mirror that reflects our inner world and helps us recognise the subtle imbalances so we can restore wholeness and vitality.

WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER IT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING IT?

I first discovered Ayurveda years ago, but it wasn’t until about three years ago that I fully embraced its wisdom. It played a transformative role in helping me overcome health challenges that Western nutrition couldn’t resolve. The impact was so profound that it inspired me to study Ayurveda deeply and become a practitioner myself.

WHAT DREW YOU TO AYURVEDA? 

I was drawn to Ayurveda because of its unique, holistic approach to health and healing. When I faced health challenges that conventional methods couldn’t resolve, Ayurveda offered me answers by addressing the root cause and honouring my individuality. Its focus on balance, nature, and the mind-body connection felt like coming home, inspiring me to dive deeper and embrace its wisdom fully.

HAS IT HELPED YOU WITH ANYTHING MAJOR?

Yes, Ayurveda has been life-changing for me. It helped me heal my digestion and overcome SIBO, something I struggled with for a long time. Beyond the physical, it also brought a sense of calm to my mind and helped me establish a deep, intuitive connection with myself. It’s truly been a holistic transformation.

IS AYURVEDA PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE OR JUST FOR YOUR MEDICINE CABINET OR FALL-BACK ROUTINE?

Ayurveda is fully integrated into my daily life. It begins with my dinacharya (daily routine) and extends to following a diet and lifestyle that aligns with and supports my Vata nature. It’s not just a fallback or occasional practice - it’s a way of life.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 AYURVEDIC TIPS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR YOU?

1. Establishing a daily routine (dinacharya), as we humans truly thrive on structure and rhythm.

2. Eating three nourishing, balanced meals a day while avoiding unnecessary snacking to give my digestion a proper rest.

3. Prioritising warm foods and drinks, which are gentle on the digestive system and deeply comforting. This has been life changing for my Vata nature.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT AYURVEDA? 

What surprised me most about Ayurveda is how simple and practical it is. Once you understand the core principles, it all just clicks, and integrating them into daily life feels natural and intuitive.

DID YOU INTEGRATE IT GRADUALLY OR OVERNIGHT FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON?

I integrated it into my life immediately. The impact was so profound that it felt like a natural shift.

HOW DOES AYURVEDA FIT INTO YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINES?

Ayurveda is seamlessly woven into my daily life. It starts with my dinacharya (daily routine), which includes practices like tongue scraping, oil pulling, and mindfulness. I eat according to my dosha, focusing on warm, nourishing meals and avoiding snacking. I also incorporate self-care rituals like abhyanga (self-massage) and prioritise aligning my activities with nature’s rhythms, such as rising early and winding down with the sunset. These small but intentional habits help me stay balanced, energised, and connected every single day.

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?

We approach meditation with the kids by saying, "Doing meditation will give me Jedi Powers." Ayurveda isn't a separate concept in our home; it's simply the way we live. By now, they understand the importance of balance—if they've had ice cream earlier, they know they need to eat more vegetables. When they start coughing, they instinctively reach for my honey and sitopaladi mix because they know it's the remedy that truly works for them.

WHAT DO YOU WISH WAS EASIER IN OUR SOCIETY TO MAKE AN AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE MORE ACCESSIBLE? 

I wish our society encouraged slowing down and prioritising rest as much as it values productivity and hustle. Ayurveda thrives on mindfulness, routines, and being in tune with natural rhythms, but our fast-paced world often makes this challenging. Access to fresh, seasonal, and unprocessed foods could also be made easier and more affordable. That is a reason I co-founded Vital Ojas brand - to bring the foundational Ayurvedic products to people and show how easy it is to take care of one's health. Lastly, there needs to be more awareness and education about Ayurveda as a holistic approach to health - it’s such a powerful system, and I wish more people knew how simple and transformative it can be.

DO PEOPLE AROUND YOU/IN YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT AYURVEDA? 

Yes, many of my friends are familiar with Ayurveda and incorporate its principles into their lives. A lot of them are also loyal customers of my brand, Vital Ojas, and use our products daily as part of their wellness routines. It’s wonderful to see them embracing this ancient wisdom and experiencing its benefits firsthand.

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?

If there’s one thing I’d encourage everyone to try, it’s implementing a consistent daily routine, or dinacharya. Having structure in your day - waking up and going to bed at the same time, eating meals at regular intervals, and incorporating simple self-care practices - can do wonders for your physical, mental, and emotional health. It helps regulate digestion, improve sleep, and bring a sense of balance to a busy modern life. Even small, consistent changes can create a profound shift over time!