ayurveda

Introduction to Ayurveda

Like Yoga, Ayurveda has come to us from India. It is India’s traditional medicine and is one of the oldest known healing systems in the world. Ayurveda started as an oral tradition, but was eventually recorded in texts called Vedas. Considered to be sacred texts, the Vedas continue as the basis of Ayurvedic medicine in modern day. 

The word Ayurveda translates from Sanskrit to mean “the science of life”.  
The central principle of Ayurveda is that health is dependent on all aspects of life: the physical body as well as the sense organs, mind and spirit.  

Typical Ayurvedic recommendations for disease prevention and health maintenance are holistic, simple and often start with the identification and removal of what factors detract from health before adding new interventions. 

Ayurvedic medicine starts with diet and lifestyle. 

According to Ayurveda, a healthy diet and lifestyle is one that supports good digestion. How we digest foods, thoughts and emotions drives overall health. Through Ayurveda, you will learn about the daily and seasonal routines, foods and spices that support health and foster resiliency. This process of learning is a lot of fun! It is never too late to try. 

What are the “doshas”? 

You may have heard about the Ayurvedic doshas or life energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Doshas are the energetic alliances of the five elements described in Ayurvedic philosophy (space, air, fire, water, earth) that make up all living things.  

Vata (space and air): the energy associated with movement
Pitta (fire and water): the energy associated with transformation and metabolism
Kapha (water and earth): the energy associated with structure and form

The doshas govern how the body functions. When these energies are in a state of balance, the body is in a state of good health. The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment is in working to restore the body to a state of balance. 

Ayurvedic Health Counseling

Loren Winters is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor certified by NAMA, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. She is also an oncology nurse practitioner, with interests in cancer survivorship and is a yoga teacher at On the Mat Yoga. Loren Winters is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 500) and an Ayurveda Health Counselor (AHC). She began a dedicated yoga practice 20 years ago and has continued to study and expand her knowledge of the science of health and wellness as well as the philosophy of the Yoga tradition. She trained with Natasha Rizopoulos in Vinyasa style, with Bec Conant in Prenatal Yoga, Jillian Pransky in Restorative Yoga and with Kate O’Donnell in Ashtanga and Ayurveda. Loren offers 1:1 Ayurvedic health counseling, workshops and seasonal cleanses in fall and spring. Off the mat, she is a Nurse Practitioner at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center as well as an avid runner, outdoor sports enthusiast and a Mom to 2 kids. does not change the way we see things, it transforms the person
who sees”. B.K.S. Iyengar

 Ayurvedic Offerings at OTM

In our various workshops, we will explore the origin and fundamentals of Ayurveda as a health system, including the five elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) and the “gunas” the 10 pairs of opposite qualities that describe the elements and all living things. You will learn where the seats of these elements are present in the body, and their functions. Ayurvedic lifestyle routines will be introduced and we will discuss how to use food and digestive spices as “medicine” to support health. 

We will explore seasonal transitions (such as winter to spring) and discover how these transitional times are an important time to re-tool your diet and your habits to balance the incoming qualities of the new season. Ignoring changes in the environment (such as dry/cold of winter into damp/melting of spring) can cause stagnation, buildup and may impair the immune system. We will discuss what adjustments to make in diet and lifestyle to keep in balance with the incoming season.


We are excited to take a deeper dive into Ayurveda by learning how to make Ayurvedic spice mixes, teas, and simple recipes that you can use to support your health everyday. Cooking classes can be one-one, for a family or group/community! Please contact Loren if you are interested. 


Rejuvenate After Year-End: Ayurvedic Mini Retreat for Winter Wellness

Sunday, January 19, 2025, 2-4pm, $45

Soothe, protect, and nurture your body and mind as you enter the new year with self-care practices rooted in Ayurveda. Join Loren for a transformative mini retreat where you'll discover time-tested Ayurvedic principles and practices tailored for the winter season.


In this workshop, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the Ayurvedic doshas and how you can balance your unique constitution. Learn the principles of a seasonal diet, when the elements of air and space dominate, bringing cold, dry, and mobile qualities. Ayurveda offers powerful and accessible tools to balance these qualities through warming, moisturizing, and grounding foods, skincare, and lifestyle practices.


Workshop Highlights:

First Hour: Learn Ayurvedic tips to support digestion, boost immunity, and promote mental well-being, helping you stay warm, grounded, and energized throughout the winter.

Second Hour: Loren will guide you through a brief yoga flow designed to be warming, rhythmic, and relaxing.

Closing Practice: A breathing practice to calm and soothe your mind and prepare you for the new year ahead.

Takeaways: You'll leave with a personal Ayurvedic massage oil and a winter spice blend to continue your self-care journey at home.

Start the new year feeling rejuvenated and balanced—join us for this nurturing retreat!

REGISTER HERE / $45
Individualized Ayurvedic Health Counseling 

 

  • we will begin by reviewing your health history, current state of health and habits/routines
  • we will work together to uncover your natural state of health
  • we will discuss Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle recommendations aimed at restoring balance and supporting your health 

 

Initial Consult: 1 hr and 15 min $125..00

Follow-ups: 30 min $50.00

Package deal: Initial consult and schedule 1 follow-up: $150.00 


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