Ayurveda has been appearing more frequently in wellbeing conversations, especially through books such as Rasayana by Geeta Vara, which explores how this ancient health tradition helps us stay youthful in body and mind.

As I read her reflections, something stirred deeply within me — a realisation that surprised me.

I had never spoken openly to my wellbeing community about the fact that Ayurveda was not just a philosophy I studied later in life. It was the foundation of my childhood.

I grew up in Kenya, in a family of Indian heritage, surrounded by the natural rhythm of life.

Up until the age of 17, when I moved to the UK, neither I nor my family relied on allopathic medicine, which may be broadly described as modern or mainstream medicine.

Not because it wasn’t available, but because we rarely needed it. Our first line of care was always nature. The kitchen was our pharmacy, and the seasons were our guide.

A fever meant rest, hydration, and simple herbal infusions. Cuts and scrapes were treated with antiseptic herbs long before I ever saw a bottle of antiseptic cream.

We lived in harmony with our environment, trusting the body’s innate intelligence and supporting it with natural remedies passed down through generations.

Reading Rasayana reminded me of this forgotten truth: Ayurveda is not just a system of medicine. It is a way of life — one that sees symptoms not as isolated problems but as signs of imbalance in the whole mind–body–soul–environment system.

This holistic lens is profoundly relevant today, especially as people search for sustainable ways to manage stress, fatigue and lifestyle-related conditions.

I speak much more about this in my memoir Best of Three Worlds, where I explore how my Eastern, African, and Western influences shaped my understanding of wellbeing.

Ayurveda is one of the threads that weaves those worlds together.

As I reconnect with this tradition, I feel called to share its wisdom with my wellbeing platform and community.

Ayurveda is not about exotic rituals or complicated regimes. It is about simplicity, awareness, and alignment with nature. And it offers gentle, accessible steps that anyone can begin today.

Let me offer some steps to begin your Ayurvedic wellbeing journey:

Daily Rhythm — Wake, eat and rest at consistent times. This stabilises your nervous system and supports natural healing.

Mindful Eating — Choose warm, freshly prepared meals when possible. Eat slowly and notice how food influences your energy.

Seasonal Living — Adjust your habits with the weather. Nourish more in winter, cool and calm in summer.

Mind–Body Practices — Yoga, breathwork, meditation, or quiet reflection help harmonise your inner and outer worlds.

Ayurveda is a reminder that wellbeing begins with awareness, simplicity, and connection to nature.

As I bring this wisdom into my work, I hope it inspires you to rediscover the healing traditions that may already be part of your own story.

For more information, please visit www.aumconsultancy.co.uk (wellbeing services), www.hansapankhania.com (books) or text 07888 747438.