KIRTI TEWANI
Kirti, a cross-cultural individual born in India, raised in Spain, and currently residing in New York, is a dedicated Ayurvedic therapist, speaker and the founder of bettergreenhealth. Her mission is to inspire individuals to seize control of their health and well-being, and lead a life of balance and fulfillment. Kirti's commitment to holistic living also extends to her approach to skincare and beauty. She integrates 14 years of experience in beauty with Ayurvedic principles and modern techniques to find, non-toxic, and efficacious beauty products. In her view, authentic beauty originates from within, and we can radiate beauty and vitality by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome foods, herbs, and self-care practices, in addition to maintaining good skincare.
Follow Kirti:
Instagram: @kirtitewani
Website: bettergreenhealth.com
“Listen to your body. By tuning into your body’s feedback, you’ll gain significant control over your everyday health.”
WHAT DOES AYURVEDA MEAN TO YOU?
Ayurveda is more than a system of medicine; it is a comprehensive lifestyle. From my own experience, the more I integrate Ayurvedic practices into my daily routine, the better I feel. One of the fundamental insights Ayurveda offers is the profound connection between mind, body, and emotions—a connection that extends to our relationship with nature.
When I first delved into the practice of Ayurveda, I learned an invaluable lesson: our emotions significantly influence our overall health. We often speak about the mind-body connection, but we tend to overlook how our emotional state and our harmony with the natural world impact our well-being. Ayurveda teaches us that our emotions are not separate from our physical health; they are intrinsically linked.
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER IT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING IT?
About a decade ago, my mother experienced profound healing through the combined practices of yoga and Ayurveda. Witnessing her transformation was a clear sign to me that a deep commitment to these practices can yield innumerable benefits. Inspired by her journey, I began incorporating small Ayurvedic practices into my life over the years. However, it wasn't until the pandemic hit that I truly immersed myself in Ayurveda.
WHAT DREW YOU TO AYURVEDA?
The more I practiced Ayurveda, the better I felt. Integrating these everyday small practices into my life has fostered a profound connection with myself. This journey of self-discovery and well-being deepened even further after I had children. My belief in the power of prevention strengthened, particularly in light of the declining food quality in America. Embracing Ayurvedic principles has become essential in ensuring the health and wellness of my family, helping us navigate and counteract the challenges posed by modern living.
HAS IT HELPED YOU WITH ANYTHING MAJOR?
It has helped to slow down the acceleration of my premature grey hair.
IS AYURVEDA PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE OR JUST FOR YOUR MEDICINE CABINET OR FALL-BACK ROUTINE?
Ayurveda is a lifestyle centered on balance. While it offers guidelines, it is not as rigid as many people assume. The key lies in understanding how to maintain balance, and with that knowledge, Ayurveda can seamlessly become a part of your everyday life. For me, this balance has become so integral that Ayurveda now dominates my medicine cabinet, offering natural and holistic solutions for health and wellness.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 AYURVEDIC TIPS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR YOU?
1 - I've been practicing intermittent fasting for almost eight years now, and it has significantly contributed to my overall wellbeing.
2- Oil pulling is another practice I often talk about; it has completely transformed my oral health.
3 - The concept of always thinking in terms of balance has been crucial for me. It helps me find peace and avoid guilt, whether it's related to diet, lifestyle choices, or other aspects of life.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT AYURVEDA?
It has helped me navigate my daughter's gluten allergy. The moment I figured it was gluten sensitivity I turned to Ayurveda to manage her health and it was the best decision ever.
DID YOU INTEGRATE IT GRADUALLY OR OVERNIGHT FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON?
For me, Ayurveda has always been about taking one step at a time. It is so vast that it cannot be fully embraced overnight. I consider myself a work in progress, continually learning and discovering new practices to help me find balance each 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 IS YOUR FAVOURITE AYURVEDIC RECIPE OR GO-TO INGREDIENT?
I love Amla firstly because it has helped me regulate my overly-stimulated digestion. Secondly, my greys are not accelerating anymore. I am also not as agitated in the summer as I used to be. Most importantly my nails don't break as they used to before me consuming Amla. I am hoping, in the next few years, it will also help me stimulate more collagen as we need Vitamin C to better stimulate it along with the production of Urolithin A which is responsible for signs of aging. It’s fascinating to even think that 5,000 years ago without the whooping technology and research we have now, the Ayurvedic experts knew the benefits of Amla. Modern science is just confirming it all.
WHAT DO YOU WISH WAS EASIER IN OUR SOCIETY TO MAKE AN AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE MORE ACCESSIBLE?
Everything starts with a belief. If someone believes that something will work for them, it's much easier to incorporate both small and big practices into their routine. With today's access to technology, embracing these practices has never been more accessible.
DO PEOPLE AROUND YOU/IN YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT AYURVEDA?
Everyone does! Not everyone believes in it, but they understand some aspects of it.
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?
Listen to your body. Avocados aren't healthy for everyone! Our bodies are incredibly smart. If you take the time to tune into yourself, you'll know if last night's dinner agreed with you or caused issues like constipation or bloating the next day. Reflect on it—was it the timing, the food itself, or the way you ate? By tuning into your body's feedback, you'll gain significant control over your everyday health.