the weekly newsletter Sign Up → Bite Sized personal reflections to your inbox

Myra Lewin on Intuitive Wisdom for Women & Mothers

Myra Lewin of Hale Pule is an Author, Yoga Therapist, and Ayurvedic Practitioner that constantly steals my heart and soul with an incredibly wise, simplistic approach to living a balance and full life. Her down-to-earth teachings, paired with the ancient science of Yoga & Ayurveda, offer Myra the perfect playground to inspire women to move intuitively; with the sustainability and the required grace of our roles as mothers and caregivers. 

In this conversation, Myra and I sit down to talk about how the wisdom of nature can support the ebbs and flows of a demanding modern life. She provides insights into natural rhythms, lifestyle practices we can lean into, and offers the grace and permission to explore your own personal inner landscape with intention and devotion.  I hope you enjoy this conversation, as it has re-inspired me to keep my personal practice simple and to follow the rhythms within, down the beautiful path of least resistance. Enjoy!

 


 

Q: Welcome Myra! It’s so good to have the opportunity to connect. Would you mind sharing how your own personal practice and connection to inner wisdom has influenced the mission behind your sacred space, Hale Pule?

When I came to Ayurveda and Yoga I had already been through quite a bit of experience in life and done many things that could be considered successful on the outside and I was miserable inside. My practices gave me tools to feel better and to develop a deeper sense of life. My practices helped me to see more of the gift of human life and being a woman. My personal practice is just that. It is personal and it is meant to be that for each of us. Being willing to step into the unknown on a daily basis and even moment by moment is what allowed me to see that more people need exposure to this as a way of living.

Getting to know our inner world is the most important thing to have fulfilled living. Not to analyze or evaluate, but to recognize how our inner world is creating the outer experience. It not only brings meaning to life but also creates this view of the expansive possibilities in life that are too vast to describe… As women we are so amazingly powerful in the most beautiful ways when we come to peace with that and fully express ourselves.

 

Q: As a long-time follower of your work, I’ve always appreciated your ability to bring the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to the modern women in a way that feels approachable and sustainable. With ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, what do you think is the underlying message that allows it to be so adaptable for the changing times…especially when it comes to women’s health and wellness?

Ayurveda is the science of living that gives us principles to live by. It is an unchanging science, a ‘shashwat’ science in Sanskrit. It is holistic, as we are, which means everything affects everything else. Ayurveda assists us to see that we are an expression of nature rather than separate from it. We are part of it and need not be in conflict with it.  In fact I find being in awe of it to be pleasing and enlightening. Living in harmony with nature is a natural way of being for women. The fact that we are designed to create by virtue of our body is incredibly powerful and we have forgotten that. It’s also important to realize that we are meant to feel well.

The tools of Ayurveda and Yoga empower us to take charge of our lives and live fully rather than just following the commercialization of life created from imbalance in society and the human condition.

Simplicity is what is natural for humans, particularly women. We have become caught up in our intellect and complicated life with a linear approach to living. It’s time to let go and live the expanse that life has to offer. With Ayurveda we can see the immense healing power we have and Yoga allows us to deepen our experience of our inner world so that we can have a full and true expression of ourselves.

 

Q: Let’s chat about rhythms and routines…For a mother who is brand new to the wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga, what aspects of daily routine (or family rhythm) do you feel are easily influenced and brought into balance by the observation of nature’s rhythms?

The most impactful first step to recognize and implement is the power of consistency in a schedule for eating and sleeping for everyone in the family. We feel the best when the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and the ethers or space are in appropriate amounts within us. Also called the ‘doshas’. When these are out of balance then we have symptoms and problems. Following nature’s rhythms daily and seasonally allows us to realize that we aren’t going to feel exactly the same all the time and that we need to be flexible in our response to changes in life. For example when autumn comes it is time to go inward a little more and not go out and do more.. Each of the seasons has messages for us in our living. Winter is meant to be a more inward time, whereas the spring is when growth is bursting forth. It’s a great time to start new things.  Think about the cycle through a year. It is there to serve us in wellness when we follow it.

 

Q: We’ve all been navigating unprecedented times this past year or so, where our bodies, hearts and minds have been challenged and stressed to new levels. When it comes to sustained immunity and overall vitality, what do you feel are the most impactful personal practices to aid in building robust immunity in our hearts and homes?

 I already mentioned consistency, but I also think of it as keeping priorities clear and not getting distracted by “too many things to do” as I hear so often from clients and students. We live in a world of innumerable distractions and this is where the practices of Ayurveda and Yoga are so valuable. We must take care of our inner world on all levels, mentally, physically, and spiritually. If this isn’t happening we make poor choices in the outer world that detract from our immunity and vitality such as eating too fast, not sleeping enough, taking on tasks that later result in resentment, or just doing too much.

Learning about agni, the digestive capacity, and how to care for it is the most powerful thing a person can do for themselves. This is the capacity to digest food and life. Ayurveda and Yoga give us what we need to not just “manage” life or “manage” diseases, but to reverse the disease process and continually unfold more and more of ourselves for an incredibly vibrant life.

When we have a personal practice and teach our children to come to know and work with their inner world, then everyone has more courage and enthusiasm to be in life.

This is effectively supporting and strengthening agni, the energy available to digest food and life, and this is the main component that feeds our ojas, which is our vitality, immunity, and blissfulness. The gift of life we have been given is almost beyond description when we look at it in totality, body, mind and spirit, and see the harmony that is there for us.

 

Q: As a mother, having a strong connection to the wisdom that runs within is so incredibly important, but it’s often challenging to navigate the abundance of conflicting information and opinions. How does building a relationship to self reconnect us with our heart’s deepest desires and ultimately make motherhood an embodied experience guided by the heart?

The most empowering piece of this is to see the holistic nature of our being and the capacity to move energy, transform and heal on all levels as we come to have a relationship with our inner worlds. This is when we discover that love is just who we are. That we all have a darkness that allows us to recognize the light in us. Acceptance and forgiveness has brought me great peace in my journey and I have seen it in so many others. The wisdom that flows within us flows in all of life. We just need to ride the river downstream and trust the process of life rather than getting caught up in our heads and try to paddle upstream. Less is better on the outside. Simplicity is the key to good living and experiencing life on a deeper level. Children can help us relearn this if we don’t push them into too many things. Less is better. 

 

Q: I think we can all agree that bliss and awe are found in the present moment, where we are not longing for the future or attached to the past. What are your favorite ways to connect with the present moment?

Connecting with an animal or another person in the simplest things, observing something in nature or just a giggle at ourselves over something we were taking too seriously.

 

Q: Would you like to share your personal perspective on the delicate balance of effort and grace and how this balance contributes to the feelings of contentment and flow?

Effort is something that has a broad spectrum of meaning. Taking action, even when I think I don’t want to, but am willing to, really becomes effortless for me. It means I have let go of resistance to what I am doing. I think of effort meaning I have resistance to something and am not totally committed. The word ‘try’ for me also means lack of commitment.  So if I have that feeling I do something else and don’t commit. When I have let go inside, most anything can come with grace. When I first started making videos for Ayurveda and Yoga it was torture for me. I had all kinds of resistance and so it was a huge effort, taking much too long and quite draining. When I decided to let go of that deep seated worry about what others would think, then I could be real and at ease. So much easier and much more enjoyable.

 

Q: The motherhood role requires the unyielding call to be in the role of selfless service, often tending to others needs and desires above their own. I view this role as sacred service and the platform in which I experiment with my own call towards personal practice. What does the role of service mean to you as a caregiver of self and community?

Service is my willingness to give. Not the idea or saying I will do something, but actually doing it freely. We have to take care of our basic needs or we get sick so it’s important to recognize that point. And life is not all or nothing. It is a continual dance. An example for myself is living in a timezone that is different from many of my students and clients. I used to never want to work at night and now I get to sometimes. I realized that if I manage my energy well through the days and take care of my basic needs well with Ayurveda and Yoga, then I can feel well in the evening and do what I love. Once a week we have a meeting that asks me to shorten my early morning sadhana, spiritual practices. I made a conscious agreement to do this because it’s important to me and the team at Hale Pule. Being flexible doesn’t mean giving up everything. We all need to learn to say ‘no’ sometimes. This is easy stuff I deal with. When children need us, we need to respond. But do they need to run around to five activities each week? Perhaps not. Consider that more is not better in life and when children do too much their nervous systems are overstimulated and this causes imbalance in the mind and body. Ayurveda gives us clear guidance on this.

 

Q: Any “must-read/must-see” resources you’d like to share to inspire a deeper connection with self, inner wisdom or the teachings of Ayurveda and Yoga?

There are many beautiful resources available. The interpretations of Yoga from Eknath Easwaran are easily read and understandable by most. I particularly like his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. Good to focus in one area and then spend time and energy putting it into practice on a daily basis.

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each month, we share a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice as well as bite-sized personal reflections, journal prompts, community Q&A interviews and much more.

Sign up link here →

Cover Photo Cred: @mooji.official on Instagram

Rachael Hollinger on Mothering The Mother

Rachael Hollinger of Nouris(her) is a certified postpartum doula and culinary chef. Her pursuit is to provide a more peaceful transition into the sacred role of motherhood by offering one-on-one support to pregnant and postpartum mamas, community workshops, and invaluable lived experience. She has also created an incredibly thoughtful postpartum e-cookbook that keeps me coming back for nourishing recipes in times when needed most! Rachael has kindly given the Our Seva readers a sneak peek into one of the community favorite recipes from the e-cookbook (download below).

In this conversation, Rachael and I sit down to talk about the shifting cultural environment around postpartum care and what inspired Rachael to pursue the career/lifestyle path of a postpartum doula. Together, we discuss a mother’s personal power, the challenge of making heart-based decisions, the role of surrender, and a few go-to rituals to smooth the transition from maiden to mother. I hope you enjoy this conversation, as it excites me to know that many women are being pulled into the sacred work of building our mothers.

 


 

Q: Welcome Rachael! I’ve been admiring your work with newborn mothers for quite some time and am eager to have a chat. Can you share any personal reflections with postpartum care that may have influenced your desire to pursue the path of becoming a Certified Postpartum Professional?

Well I think that as is typical, most women drawn to this work are done so by their own suffering or loss in some way. We see a need and want to fill it. It was that way for me, I suffered a very difficult and traumatic postpartum recovery with my daughter almost six years ago now, and through that really experienced the hole in our healthcare for mothers. I felt that going back to school to become a postpartum doula would be the perfect marriage with my career in culinary arts that I had already established, and I never could have known how beautifully those two things would dance together! I look back on my own postpartum experience and realize how undernourished, under supported, and just plain invisible I was, even though I didn’t know what to ask for at the time. I love how healing this work with mothers has been for myself in healing my own traumas within early motherhood.

 

Q: Would you recommend your training with Newborn Mothers to other women looking to pursue a career path in mother/baby care? 

Yes, absolutely! If women reading this feel drawn to this work, listen to that voice! The Newborn Mothers Certificate is so phenomenal and much better than most programs you will find in the US specifically in the sense that it’s truly mother focused education. I have an affiliate link with Julia (the founder of Newborn Mothers) that I will share here.

And if you are interested in learning more about the practical ins and outs of this work they can grab my webinar on “Getting Started As A Postpartum Doula” via my website.

 

Q: Over the last five years (or so) the understanding and appreciation of mother care is shifting into a more sustainable care model. For you and your business, what does mother care look like when a woman truly observes and honors her ‘sacred window’ (the first 40 days) following the birth of a child?

My work is so very mother focused, since I find that the western model of postpartum care is mostly focused on the baby and breastfeeding. 

For the mothers I work with that looks like receiving food as medicine. When I cook for a mother I’m really looking at how her body is coping with birth, and healing from it, and then making sure what she puts into her body addresses those deficiencies or concerns. 

It also involves body work in the form of massage or heat therapies like baths, and compresses. Herbal work, sleep solutions, breastfeeding assistance, and birth processing are all woven in there as well as some practical support like folding laundry or doing the dishes. 

Most importantly though I want to make sure the mother is resting in bed as much as she is able, and that she feels seen and heard.

Coming back constantly to “holding space” for the mother when maybe no one else is, that can be the biggest factor in transforming postpartum into a peaceful one!

 

Q: They say that how you are cared for during the first 40 days is indicative of how you’ll care for yourself in the following 40 years. How do you think these nourishing and supportive postpartum practices create a rhythm for the following years?

Well I think that the more we practice the better we get right? But practically speaking our bodies keep score, they begin to acclimate to existing with things like balanced hormones, nutrient reserves that are full and ready for whatever the body may need to combat, and so on. One of the biggest improvements we see in women caring for themselves postpartum is that they have significantly easier menopausal transitions!

 

Q: Creating a pregnancy, birth and postpartum plan that resonates with your heart can actually be a really challenging task with the various care models (midwifery, obstetrics, unassisted, etc) available today. Do you have any tips or suggestions for women who struggle to remain in their power and make heart-based decisions during this incredibly transformative time?

It can be so hard! Especially since our culture tells us as women and mothers to do anything but set healthy boundaries! I remind the women I work with that this is time they will never get back, both with their babies, and with their bodies. The way that they navigate the first forty days impacts their next forty years of health in so many ways. 

You will be challenged to make decisions, set boundaries, and follow your intuition so many times during the course of raising a child it’s best to get familiar with being in your own power now, rather than waiting and regretting not having lived and loved the way you wanted to in your child’s orbit from the very beginning!

 

Q: A woman’s intuition is a force to be reckoned with. How do you guide your clients to reconnect to the wisdom that lies within?

My motto when caring for a mother is to “soothe, not save.” If I am constantly giving her all of my own answers and advice, she will never learn to listen in to her own voice as a mother. I want to work myself out of a job so that she doesn’t need me or anyone else to tell her how to be a mother. 

Using our intuition is like working a muscle, it takes time and practice, and so coming gently back to ask the mother what she thinks she wants to do or encouraging her to to ask herself how she feels about something deep down as we discuss it is an intensely needed therapy of sorts. 

I think we learn to be in our own power by putting ourselves in situations where our power needs to be utilized.

If I step in and handle each challenge she will never get to experience her own capability.

 

Q: Preparing for motherhood and motherhood itself is a daily, devotional practice of surrendering and letting nature take over. As you personally step over the birthing threshold once more with the arrival of your second child, what does surrender look for you these days?

This is a very pertinent question for me since my pregnancies in and of themselves require, what is to me, the ultimate surrender. I have the condition Hypermesis Gravadiaum (HG) during both my pregnancies which means I’m so very sick that I have to stay on bed rest for at least the first five months of pregnancy, and then really struggle to function normally for the final months. If you are interested in hearing more about my journey through HG I talk about it openly on my Instagram platform in hopes that it brings more awareness to women suffering similarly. 

Bringing life into the world, for me, means giving up most everything I love for nine months before the baby is even born, and in some ways, it makes postpartum feel like a familiar kind of letting go because I’ve been “practicing” for so long leading up to it if that makes sense.

For most women that surrender can come as a shock, in the same way pushing a human out of your body is incredibly shocking! 

I think for myself  in particular, I really desire to embrace the postpartum with more ease this time around. This being my second, I have those first time parent jitters and questions mostly out of the way and I feel that I am more in touch with my intuition as a mother in general. I really want to let bliss reign, and avoid fretting the small things, trust my body, and embrace change. That’s my goal at least!

 

Q: Your favorite “life hack” or ritual that every newborn mother must give a try?

Life hack: peppermint essential oil in the toilet bowl before using the bathroom in the early days. This helps relax your muscles so that you can use the bathroom more easily and soothes soreness. All you need is a few drops and I think for something like this you could use a brand that is less expensive, but I for one am a Young Living lover.

Ritual: Warmth! Warm foods, warm baths, warm beverages, warm clothes, warm everything! Your body must stay warm in order to heal and birth deprives the body of heat. 

I would also have to add that treating your actual bed as a sacred space can be so rewarding. So don’t allow anything or anyone on your bed that will pop your bliss bubble. This could mean food that doesn’t sound good, visitors whose presence or energy is disruptive to you, books or tv that is heavy or triggering. The bed is your space, protect it!

 

Q: Question: Your recipe E-cookbook is a stunner! Would you mind sharing one of your crowd-pleasing recipes that new mothers could add into their regular rotation?

Dal is a soup of split lentils used as a common healing food in Ayurveda. It starts with a flavor base of roasted spices, garlic, and ginger, and then simmers into a deliciously creamy, and aromatic pot of pure comfort food. You can serve Dal over rice or by itself with some naan. These anti-inflammatory spices with help your body to combat infections like mastitis while nursing and they are especially important for mother and baby during the winter months.

Simplest Dal

❋ ¼ C ghee

❋ 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

❋ 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

❋ 1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp yellow mustard seeds

❋ 1 tsp coriander seeds

❋ 2 Tbsp shredded coconut, unsweetened

❋ 1 C red lentils

❋ 3 C water

1 C coconut milk, full fat canned

❋ 2 tsp Himalayan pink sea salt

❋ 1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp turmeric powder

❋ Juice of one lemon

❋ 1 handful of fresh cilantro leaves

 

Method

In a large, heavy pot, heat the ghee. Once hot, add the ginger, garlic, cumin, mustard seed, coriander, and coconut. Cook the spice mixture until it becomes fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the lentils, water, coconut milk, salt, pepper, and turmeric to the pot and give it a stir. Cover and bring the contents to a simmer. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the lentils are soft and buttery. Add the lemon juice and cilantro leaves and cook for 5 minutes more. Ladle over rice and serve.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Recipe excerpt from Nouris(Her) E-Cookbook.  Download a free printable version of “Simplest Dal” recipe here!

 

Q: Any “must-read/must-see” resources you’d like to share to inspire reconnection to our innate wisdom as birthing women or the transformation of our culture to “mother the mother”?

A few transformative books on the subject for me have been…

“What Mothers Do: even when it looks like nothing” by Naomi Stadlen

“The First Forty Days” by Heng Ou

“Newborn Mothers” by Juila Jones

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each month, we share a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice as well as bite-sized personal reflections, journal prompts, community Q&A interviews and much more.

Sign up link here →

Claire Ragozzino on Building Immunity in Home & Heart

Claire Ragozzino of Vidya Living is a certified yoga instructor,  Ayurvedic counselor, and one of my dearest soul sisters and creative collaborators. Her dharma is to live by and inspire other women to access the wisdom within us all and do so with nourishing food, breath, meditation, and movement practices. With these intuitive practices, we have the ability to obtain a dynamic state of harmony in our “home and heart” (physical body, mind & soul).

In this conversation, Claire and I dive into the lifestyle and mindset shifts that can bring about sustainable immunity, even in uncertain times. We explore how our daily self care practices, no matter how small, ultimately lead us towards a place where our outer and inner landscapes are in better alignment with one another. I hope this conversation inspires a softer approach to showing up for yourself and the reminds you that your wisdom comes from within. Enjoy!

 


 

Q: Welcome Claire! It’s so good to finally have you on as a blog contributor after years of collaboration. It’s been one year since the first Covid-19 lockdown. How has a year of uncertainty transformed your mindset in a way that now bolsters a more sustainable immunity?

When the lockdown first happened, I remember feeling a strange sense of relief as the collective pace took a moment to pause. This forced pause felt like a deep exhale as we all got a brief respite from the endlessly churning hamster wheel of perceived productivity.  Being a business owner, I’ve often felt guilty taking time off and held the quiet fear that if I slowed down I would be forgotten (hello algorithm). In the months leading up to the lockdown, life’s pace was feeling increasingly unsustainable yet relentlessly unceasing. I think for many of us, the lockdown gave the much needed permission to slow downbecause it wasn’t just you who wasn’t showing up to play the game, we all were forced to literally stop together. 

The silver lining for me was the opportunity to re-evaluate my energetic expenditures and re-prioritize my wellbeing, which ultimately meant giving myself permission to rest. It seems I need this reminder every few years, and this past year was no exception to the potency of this message.

 

Q: Our shared love for Ayurveda is rooted in the belief that our bodies are inherently wise. In regards to fortifying our immunity and creating vitality, how can this inner wisdom guide us when it feels like our overall wellness is being put to the test?

When we talk of vitality and immunity, we’re speaking of the Ayurvedic concept of Ojas (ओजस्). Ojas is the subtle essence of kapha dosha, that which gives the body strength, vigor, nourishment and that healthy juiciness. It’s formed when we properly digest our food and life’s experiences. Dr. Vasant Lad describes this formation of ojas in a beautiful way:

“Mobility and stability go together in para ojas (the more refined version of ojas). There is freedom and freedom is love, freedom is awareness. Therefore, awareness is love. Awareness is an all-inclusive state of consciousness. It is expansion. Therefore, love is expansion and selfishness is contraction. The moment one becomes selfish, one contracts the mind. This contraction dries ojas. Awareness enhances ojas, because para ojas becomes awareness.” – Vasant Lad

Even though it permeates the whole body, ojas is seated in the heart.

Ultimately, what leads to the bolstering of immunity is faithfaith in the body’s natural rhythms, in its healing capacity and faith in your ability to listen to what you need.

Faith is a form of love. And how do we cultivate faith? Sadhana. When we’re being put to the test, sometimes surrender and faith is the medicine we need to create the parameters for healing.

 

Q: As women and mothers, so much of our “immunity in the heart” is tethered to our service and support of our communities, and the ability to pursue our individual dharma (our individual purpose). What do you feel tending to the heart means when we are speaking about overall immunity?

Hṛdaya (हृदय) is the Sanskrit word for the heart. In Ayurvedic physiology, the heart is the root for the three major channels — prana, rasa and mano vaha srotas — that nourish and feed the whole body and mind. The phrase “Head over Heart” seems to be the value system of our culture, as if honoring our thinking mind has more logic and hierarchy of purpose. But in Sanskrit, the word citta (चित्त) means heart-mind, implying the two are inseparable. What if one didn’t have to rule over the other, but instead worked together to inform more wholeness and alignment in our lives? As women, we have this innate intuition that moves from a place beyond our thinking analytical mind.  Subtle practices like meditation and pranayama, can help to cultivate and strengthen this superpower we have, connecting to this citta. It’s in this space of listening to the inner wisdom of our heart that we become clear about our inner values, purpose and how we want to be in service.

 

Q: During times of uncertainty or times of great change (or even seasonal shifts), anchoring into a daily sadhana or personal practice might be the perfect remedy for easing turbulent waters. How has personal practice provided a sense of balance and ease for you during the past few years?

My understanding of sadhana has evolved and grown over the past few years. In my younger days, I thought sadhana was about the rituals you performed, the outward physical practices. Before the pandemic, I experienced a series of natural disasters (floods, hurricanes, fires) that uprooted my physical home and sense of safety. It shook up the very core of who I thought I was and made me question why I was doing any of these practices at all. I lost all interest in getting on my yoga mat or sitting for a long mantra or meditation practice. At times, I found myself cynical about the state of the world.

There eventually came a point when I was fed up with my inner cynicism, yet I could no longer hold onto my ideal of what I thought sadhana needed to look like. It forced me to look at what I could reasonably integrate into my day without holding onto the perfectionism of form or time. I began to approach my personal practice by looking at ways to anchor in moments of quiet reflection and care throughout my day.

I realized that sadhana was not so much about what strict sequence of practices I did, but the state it ultimately brought me to.

Though my cynicism wanted me to ditch it all, I realized that these moments, these touch points, were essential to my wellbeing and mental hygiene.

Ayurveda provides an outline for a daily routine, known as dinacharya. This outline provides anchors of self-care throughout the morning, afternoon and evening – think body cleansing, exercise, meditation and nourishing meals. Approaching this daily routine as sadhana brought a sense of devotion and loving discipline back to my day. Though it doesn’t follow the exact same outline each day, these touch points of presence and awareness give space for gentle reflection and a returning to center through the changing seasons and cycles of life. Looking back, I suppose this time was a sort of training or preparation for the global events that have transpired since and for the journey of motherhood ahead.

 

Q: Fear can take a stronghold, influencing all aspects of our overall well being. Do you have any go-to rituals or exercises for moving through fear?

When I notice fear arising in myself, I look at it as a sign of excess vata dosha. Vata dosha is primarily responsible for the functioning of the nervous system. Vata represents movement, so too much movement and stimulation can cause an imbalance that can lead to feelings of nervousness, anxiety and fear. Rather than being frustrated that fear is present, it’s a cue to look at where I can create more nourishment, grounding and stability in my life.

Fear is subtle, just like vata dosha is subtle, and it can really sneak up on you and take hold quickly! When this happens, I stop what I’m doing and place a hand on the crown of my head and on my heart. I take several deep breaths, and tune into my senses. By focusing my attention on listening to the sounds around me and to the sound of my breath, I can shift the inner dialogue away from fear and into a neutral place. From there, I can ask what is behind the fear and what is needed to nourish safety and stability within.

 

Q: Your 5 favorite ways to build ojas (vital life force) for women living modern, fast-paced, ever-changing lives?

Rest, speak kind words to yourself and others, feed yourself like you would a loved one, take intentional pauses in your day, and don’t forget to give yourself permission to be joyful and play!

 

Q: Favorite immunity boosting recipe from your new book, Living Ayurveda?

The Shatavari Rose Herbal Latte in Fall recipe section is a wonderful nourishing tonic drink for women. Shatavari, known as “The Queen of Herbs”, is a supportive rasayana, or rejuvenative substance, that can replenish your system. It’s also a wonderful reproductive tonic for both men and women through all stages of life.

Shatavari Rose Latte

❋ 2 cups organic raw milk (or non-dairy milk of choice) 

❋ 1 tsp rosewater

❋ 1-2 tsp maple syrup

❋ ½ tsp shatavari powder

❋ ¼ tsp ground cardamom

❋ Optional: ½ tsp dried rose petals

Method
In a small saucepan, heat the milk. Transfer to a high-speed blender and combine the rosewater, shatavari, cardamom and sweetener. Blend until frothy. Pour into a mug and sprinkle with cardamom and dried rose petals to garnish. Sip hot.

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Yield: 1-2 servings

Recipe excerpt from Living Ayurveda. You can purchase Claire’s book wherever books are sold!

 

Q: Question: Any “must-read/must-see” resources you’d like to share to inspire sustainable immunity in the home and in the heart?

A few of my favorite books, podcasts and playlists right now…

❋ David Whyte’s book of poetry Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words + this podcast interview with the author

❋ Nishala Joy Devi’s book Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras

❋ This calming and uplifting playlist of mantras

Banyan Botanicals’ new Joyful Heart CCF Tea Blend with rose and hibiscus

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each month, we share a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice as well as bite-sized personal reflections, journal prompts, community Q&A interviews and much more.

Sign up link here →

Jess Osie on Parenting From The Present

Jess Osie is a Vedic Meditation teacher, mother, and community group facilitator who’s on a mission to empower her meditation students to awaken and embody their deepest essence. At the root of all of Jess’s teachings is a simple, actionable message that allows her and her students to incorporate ancient wisdom directly into the lived experience of modern life. Her personal narratives and insights have never felt more relatable for the modern mother and woman.  

In this conversation, Jess and I speak about the subtle aspects of motherhood that bring extra awareness and bliss to the mundane moments. We dive into what it means to move through our days in a devotional way and to see natural rhythms as our biggest guides and teachers. We also talk about leading by example when it comes to helping our children foster healthy self care and self awareness practices. I hope this conversation inspires a new understanding of surrendering to our sacred role as mothers and gives a new perspective on parenting from the present moment. Enjoy! 

 


 

Q: Welcome Jess! How has your background as a Vedic meditation teacher and forever student of the Vedas allowed you to witness your role as mother with more grace, surrender, and devotion?

In the Vedic worldview, there are two forms of surrender – ‘surrender by defeat’ and ‘‘surrender to the feet’. Surrender by defeat is what most people in the west are familiar with – we could experience it as being forced to yield, to unwillingly let go, or feeling victimized.

‘Surrender to the feet’ is an act of surrender with devotion. We actively, consciously and willingly let go of our own individual preference or agenda, and soften and open to what is present in the moment. Letting go of the fallacy of control and the need for perfectionism, that is true surrender.

As a mum, the practice of surrender starts from the very moment we conceive. All of a sudden, our bodies are dedicating themselves to creating a human. As time progresses, we surrender our time, physical energy, conscious attention and mental space. It’s a minute to minute practice to fully surrender to what’s unfolding in each moment. We surrender who we once were, in order to be the mother we are now.

Ultimately, when we surrender with devotion, we are choosing to let go of a personal preference in order for something greater. In the Vedas, we call this ‘yagya’ – a willingness to let go of something precious to us, for a greater experience of the whole. Every moment is a yagya. And when we embrace life in this way, that is when we find grace. You will find an entire chapter in the vedas dedicated to this. 

On a practical level in motherhood, we consciously devote our ‘soma’, or flow of consciousness to our child. We are present with them and for them; to their needs, to their cries, to their desires and even to their tantrums. Ultimately, we surrender deeply so that our child may grow and thrive, whilst we as the mother, can share in the experience with grace and ease. 

 

Q: Vedic meditation is such a powerful tool for new mothers! In my experience, it’s my anchor amongst all the moving pieces that grab at my attention throughout the day. How has your meditation practice brought depth to your motherhood experiences and why do you believe all mothers should give themselves the space to sit in meditation?

I believe Mothers are the first Guru in a child’s life, meaning, we are their teachers. They imitate our speech, actions, behavior, demeanor and so much more. And we have a responsibility to show up as our best selves and bring that to our journey with them as they grow.

So much of modern society in the western world has us thinking that mothers should be able to do everything on their own, and look perfect whilst doing so. I often wonder, what happened to the village life? What happened to the collective nourishing and honoring the mother for her role in bringing life and creation to the world, and allowing her to do so at her own pace, in the organic rhythm of her and her family? As mothers we spend so much of our time dedicated to the wellbeing of others, and we need to balance this with nourishment and taking time for ourselves.

The practice of Vedic Meditation is a simple and effortless technique where we meet ourselves for 20 minutes twice a day. Time that is purely dedicated to nourishing ourselves and teaching the mind and body how to surrender with ease.

This then becomes a habituated way of Being, and affects the way we respond to daily life. In particular, as a mother, we learn to move and adapt with the changing expectations of daily life, and surrender to the flow of life as it arises. We viscerally experience the mind moving inwards, letting go of the stories, patterns, worries, “shoulds”, and speculations and we connect with our inner truth. 

In this deep connection to Self, both the mind and body are resting very deeply. We know the nature of the body in the state of rest, is to heal, detox and purify. And so, we let go of past experiences, we remove stress from the physiology and we lighten the load we are carrying. This nourishing rest provides us the adaptation energy we require in order to meet the demands of the day. So that we may attend to our babies and children, work, partners and friendships, feeling full and vital – giving from a place of fulfillment as opposed to depletion.

I can think of countless moments where my practice has helped me from tipping over the edge. A good example is in the writing of this blog. I was at home getting Indi ready for daycare and things were moving at a snail-like pace… And Indi was doing the classic “bait and switch”, asking me to do one thing, and then quickly changing her mind and having a tantrum when I didn’t follow along. The window of time I had carved out for writing was fast diminishing and I could feel my frustration rise as Indi continued to delay and delay, demanding for time and attention. I could see that no amount of me pushing or rushing was going to solve anything – it was like swimming upstream in a river. So I surrendered. I allowed myself to embrace the downstream current, be with her and her needs and quickly and creatively re-shuffled my day. In my own experience it’s afforded me the capability to stay deeply present, and calm and attentive to the need of the time.

 

Q: You and I are both exploring what “slow motherhood” looks like for ourselves and our families. What inspired you to pause, access the pace of your rhythms, and ultimately come to the realization that a slower pace (with more intention) might be the perfect salve?

I think life as a mother is a tender and delicate balance. For me, between my devotion to our community of mediators and to being a present mother, can at times, I can often feel I’m being pulled in many directions.. As mothers we wear so many hats, it can be easy to just go through the list and tick the boxes. And to feel as if we are constantly in a space of ‘doing’ rather than ‘Being’. So for me, the idea of ‘slow motherhood’ isn’t about choosing between roles, I have learnt that it’s more about living ‘intentionally’. 

In the midst of 2020, I found myself saying, “I can’t do it all”. I was mothering my 2 year old, running my own business, supporting our community of students, running a household and being a loving wife. And in that, I saw that realizing and saying out loud, “I can’t do it all” actually gave me such relief. It’s not that I didn’t have the capability to do all those things, but rather practically, there are too many hats, and too little time to wear them all. And so I decided to re-assess and dream up what it would be like for me to slow down and move with more intention through my days.

With so much of the collective measuring their worth against how much they achieve, it was important for me to honor the process and let it unfold organically, choosing to align with my own rhythms and family’s needs, as opposed to some “idea” of what it’s all supposed to look like. It has meant deciding what’s most important and prioritizing that, doing that well, with joy and grace and either delegating or simply letting go of the other stuff.

Intentionality for our little family means having space on the weekends for us to decide what feels best in the moment, it might be a spontaneous trip to the markets, to the park or simply grounding at home. Tony and I have a monthly planning session that we call ‘Dreamtime’ – a term borrowed from Australian Indigenous culture that relates to the creation and storytelling of the world. In these sessions, we dream up not only what’s possible for the next month, but what it would look like to live in alignment with our highest values, to feel utter joy in our creative expression and to give of ourselves to our family, community and greater world in the most impactful way.

 

Q: The ability to fully embody our roles as mothers often comes with the understanding of the sacredness in the mundane. How have you transformed your personal practice (before motherhood) to be more of a “living practice” now that you are a mother?

The other day I was preparing Indi’s school lunch. It’s always a big rush to get out in the morning and, amongst a sea of other tasks (and mentally preparing for a day of work), the preparing of food was by no means a glamorous task. From one perspective, it’s just another little check-box item that needs to get done. But on the other hand, it’s an opportunity to infuse my own soma (flow of consciousness) into the food that will nourish her for the day.  

It’s as if, on one side of the river is the riverbank of the mundane. On the other side is the riverbank of sacredness. Between these two banks the river, the lived experience of motherhood is roaring with intensity.  

I‘ve always said that motherhood is a test of one’s enlightenment. All the spiritual practices and learning done prior to having a baby are literally put to the test. It’s one thing to have beautiful knowledge and wisdom, and it’s another to integrate, embody and apply it – particularly when there’s so much demand as is in Motherhood.

But the mundane is all there is. It’s moment to moment, real life experience. And much of the time we aren’t being watched or witnessed, meaning that who we truly are is exactly who shows up. The question we must ask ourselves is, who do we want to be? Behind closed doors? How do we want to live life when all that matters is our direct experience and not our perceived experience? Which side of the river do we want to live our life from?

And silently, we practice. We practice devotion and surrender in the smallest moments, as well as the biggest. We experience awareness in the present moment by coming to our five senses and grounding in the here and now.

 

Q: Daily rhythms and rituals can be the guiding pulse, providing steadiness throughout the day and changing seasons. What rhythms (routines) or rituals have you found offers the most nourishment for the times?

Vedic Meditation, of course, has been the backbone and number one support during my entire motherhood journey. Throughout my pregnancy, birth and well into postpartum, it’s been a space in which I connect with my deepest essence. It’s also incredibly nourishing, as it’s time and space that’s just for me. 

I also found, during my studies and experiences of Ayurveda, I have connected deeply with my cycles and natural rhythms that reflect Nature’s rhythms. I absolutely love my moon cycle and as best as I can, carve out time alone and in silence on the first 1-2 days so that I can connect with my womb, let go of anything that is no longer serving me and detect the seedlings of new intentions to come forth. 

It’s important for me to create structure through rhythm and ritual, so that I am able to access more flow. For example, this year, Tony and I have created a new ritual where we sit at the beginning of the week and go through our various scheduling, admin and to do lists. We start with an intention and end by placing important pieces like flowers, crystals and talismans on our ‘Brahmasthan’ which is the energy centre of our home. We then end the ritual by offering each other a blessing or intention for the week. We’ve found that by doing our weekly ritual in this way, we ground in the sacredness of our home. It then acts as an anchor for us throughout the week.

 

Q: So much of motherhood is lived in full surrender to what is. What does prayer or devotion mean to you and how does it influence your ability to surrender to the larger cosmic orchestra at any given moment?

Devotion to me, is the highest form of love. It means giving from a place of fulfillment, rather than duty, depletion or guilt.

t’s an experience of our divinity and it occurs when we are fulfilled within. We must give and show devotion to ourselves and not only to others. Being devoted to the practices that keep us balanced and nourished, allows for a generous giving of our energy and soma, or flow of consciousness. 

Life is like the waves, made of ebbs and flows. It’s a long beautiful river flowing downstream. When we fully surrender, from a deep, heart felt space, we can embrace what is and move alongside the flow, not against it.

In moments of tenderness, or when I feel I’m being particularly challenged, I dig deep and ask myself to fully lean in to the moment, rather than lean out. Being able to control is an illusion. Leaning in, is never as bad as the mind projects it to be. In that way, we can consciously choose to align with nature, with our surroundings and with what is happening in the present moment, rather than resist it.

 

Q: Both of our daughters are reaching that age where our own personal practices become their personal practice. What simple mindful activities do you do with your daughter to bring intentionality into the flow of her day? How has she adapted these activities and made them her own?

Rather than teaching her my practices, I try to follow her rhythms. Kids are naturally and spontaneously mindful because they are so fully present. They see and observe things that most people don’t notice. They find joy in the total mundane. I would say that our children force us to be present because everything in their world is happening NOW, and it’s a big deal. 

This year, we’ve also carved out time for a special day, just for Indi and I. We call it “girls’ day”. I book time away from work and chores and spend the whole time with her, fully present and available. We often start the day by me asking her how she wants to spend it and we go from there! That’s a personal practice that we now share.

Of course, Indi has grown up with meditation being part of her worldview. Right from in the womb, she has been exposed to and shared the biochemistry of meditation. From early on in her life, I would meditate whenever I got a chance, whether it be in the car if she fell asleep, or after I had finished breastfeeding  (in Vedic Meditation, we have a special program for newborn mothers to support them in catching up on rest).

Nowadays when I teach meditation courses, Indi gets upset if she can’t meet our “new meditation friends”, she often gets her way and we end up starting the class with her on my lap. Meditation is completely normalized in her world. And when she’s ready, I will teach her the kids technique where children receive a ‘word of wisdom”, similar to a mantra (emphasizing that the choice to learn will always be hers).

Since Indi was 11 days old, she received an abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage) before bath and bed. In Ayurveda, we recognize the importance of physical touch and how that can be extremely grounding and pacifying for anyone, especially babies and children. Since Indi was one, she was determined to do her own abhyanga (cutest sight ever) and also kindly helps me in the morning to do mine. 

I truly feel through this organic way of exposing and including Indi in our practices, we have supported her to build an awareness of self-care, and it has further nourished and balanced her to be a stable and blissful kid.

 

Q: For those seeking a deeper sense of ease and gratitude in their motherhood journey (but don’t know where to start), what would you tell them? What was most helpful for you in those beginning transformational years?

Firstly, be kind and gentle with yourself. You are doing your best in every given moment. 

The second, is that it’s hard to feel grateful or have a sense of ease when we are operating from deep depletion. Naturally, if our body is in a state of ‘lack’, the mind will feel that too. So it’s important to seek support. The kind of nourishing support that brings you into a sense of balance. 

And of course community – I feel collectively we are starting to remember our tribal nature. We’re realising the importance of leaning on others who have come before us and are walking the path beside us. It truly takes a village to raise our babies, and ourselves as Mothers too. 

And lastly, learn Vedic Meditation. It’s an absolute game-changer for the transformational journey of Motherhood – nourishing us deeply on a physical and emotional level, replenishing our adaptation energy, gaining greater awareness, connecting us to the present moment, and learning the art of surrender. More gratitude and ease will flow naturally from these states.

Please reach out if you’d like me to connect you with a teacher in your area.

 

Q: Any “must-read/must-see” resources you’d like to share to inspire mothers to live more with the present moment?

Vedic Mama’s Circle is a 5-week journey dedicated to honoring and nurturing the sacred role of mother. Through exploring the practical application of Vedic wisdom, weekly exercises and a supportive community, we uncover the beauty and wisdom inherent in this ongoing personal evolutionary process.

Our Seva Blog is such a beautiful resource that offers conscious and supportive ways to understand the journey of motherhood.

SunChild Affirmation Cards – Positive affirmation cards for children to support kids’ light at every stage of growth 

The Conscious Parent by Dr Shefali Tsabari is a well-known book for parents. She helps us to understand that the parenting journey is actually a process of self-discovery in order to empower our children.

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Dr Sarah Buckley. I love this woman and her deep, embodied understanding of the physicality of Motherhood from her medical background.

Birth Time is an incredible documentary made be three Australian women on a mission to revolutionize the landscape of birth and empower women to make aligned choices when it comes to birthing.

❋ Nature is our greatest resource – go for a dip in the ocean, walk amongst the trees, feel your bare feet on the grass, breathe.

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each month, we share a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice as well as bite-sized personal reflections, journal prompts, community Q&A interviews and much more.

Sign up link here →

Kamala Santos on Supporting The ‘Forever Postpartum’ Mother (Part II)

Kamala Santos of Soma Doula, is an Ayurvedic Postpartum and Life Transitions Doula who has dedicated her path of practice towards selflessly serving (seva) women during transitional times. She beautifully pairs her inner wisdom with ancient wisdom coming from the Yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, which allows her to tend to new mothers and their families with a unique full body, mind and soul approach. 

In this conversation, we dive into the ‘newborn mother’ experience (the first 40 days postpartum) and offer up some perspective and lifestyle strategies for navigating this tender time with more grace and resilience. I hope this conversation inspires deep nourishment, and if you enjoy this topic, please check out PART ONE: Ayurvedic Postpartum Support For The First 40 Days with Kamala Santos.

 


 

Q: Welcome back Kamala! For those who missed last week’s interview, can you share your perspective on why Ayurveda offers a more sustainable and holistic approach to wellness for mothers no matter what stage we are in?

The term Ayurveda can be defined as ‘the science of life,’ encompassing the full arc of life from birth to death. It points towards a rich and profound tradition of holistic philosophy for life’s longevity. These centuries-old practices have refined the interrelationship of body, mind and spirit.

The axiom, “The first 42 days will impact the next 42 years” confirms this important conviction Ayurveda holds toward the longevity of a woman’s life.

During the first 40 days specifically, a new mom’s physiology is swiftly and dramatically altered. Ayurvedic postpartum protocols are always designed to be a very personalized approach—customizing diet to support digestion through herbs and food, regular oil massages, practices to aid in sleep and calming the mind.

Curious to know what led Kamala towards this path of service? Check out part one of this interview → Part One: Ayurvedic Postpartum Support For The First 40 Days

 

Q: I like to call anything beyond the first 6 months of motherhood as the “forever postpartum”. Can you provide us with a few practical tips for bringing about a sense of steadiness and ease for those women who are navigating this continually transformative season of life?

The simple reminders below are meant to help ease the way and cultivate a stable attitude, so that your motherly intuition and confidence are readily available to you throughout your parenting journey. The essence is to pick a few that resonate and keep it simple.

Prioritize Non-Negotiable Self-Care: When we do not prioritize our own self-care because we are busy serving others, our energy never gets the opportunity to replenish itself. Instead, we find ourselves perpetually exhausted, and our abilities are compromised. The best way to prevent this imbalance is to take 30-60 minutes for yourself, everyday…non-negotiable. Building in this practice creates a family environment where rest, rejuvenation, quiet and energy repair are part of the daily rhythm and seen as the family’s grounding pulse. When mom is happy, everyone is happy.  This doesn’t necessarily mean catching up on to-do lists or hygiene routines, but rather, it may look like simply sitting still in a form of meditation or rekindling old joys. Everyday, discover a way to connect with yourself (pre-baby), and make it a priority. 

Reflect & Fine Tune Daily: This may be a beautiful time to create a new routine in the form of daily check ins, self inquiry and reflection, giving yourself the opportunity to spot areas where extra support is needed. If you’re someone who appreciates goal setting, potentially create a sleep goal for yourself during this time to ensure you are getting the rest you need. Nurturing sustainable habits strengthen our inner resolution as mothers and allow yourself  to feel guided from the wisdom within. 

Cultivate Inner Resolution & Agency: Cultivate a clear point of view for your personal expression of Motherhood so that you do not confuse the map for the road.  Ask yourself, What will cultivate a fierce conviction beyond time, beyond goals within my role as mother? Dwelling within a firm viewpoint, saved me when I wanted to be anywhere but in Motherhood. It’s important to gently remind yourself that this map (or viewpoint) is not the road, but merely a guide helping you mark the terrain. Use this inner resolution as inspiration and not a generator of the all too familiar motherhood case of the “shoulds”. You may decide to hold this very unique map quietly and close or share it with a trusted partner /friend so that you have the support system if you feel a little lost. 

Create Your Personalized Rhythm: Ayurveda relies on seasonal and daily routines to stabilize the elements and create an inner environment that feels balanced and nourished. Creating a customized structure, routine or rhythm for yourself and your family will help stabilize a new world order, dissolving the intensity of the first 6 months post birth. Let your direct experience and your intuition shape and guide you and don’t hesitate to pair your inner wisdom with time-tested guidance and ancient wisdom from traditions you trust and admire. Keep the structure simple, as you develop your skills and practices that nourish the new you. Maybe it’s as simple as integrating a few dinacharya (daily routines) of Ayurvedic self care, a little exercise, quiet time, or resting when the baby rests. Don’t forget to bring the “slow and steady”, “it can wait” and the “better than nothing’ mantra along with you.

Foster Friendship: The investment in friendship (maitri) is the greatest ally you will have down the path of motherhood. Through friendship we have the opportunity to develop the virtues of generosity, compassion, patience and forgiveness, all translatable virtues to be practiced in the presence of our children.

 

Q: For mothers seeking a deeper sense of surrender and presence on a daily basis, what do you think is the low-hanging fruit as far as a good starting place?

In order to fully surrender to the present moment, we must continually practice deep listening. This is the language that is directly connected to the heart.

When we listen deeply we strengthen our ability to hear the essence of what was said, with less misunderstanding. As mothers and caregivers, listening is a true devotional practice, where we listen to the spoken and unspoken as if our  and our child’s  life depends upon it.

The children’s book called, The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito is a tender reminder of the beauty in deep listening and awakens an awareness of a secret language. 

From my viewpoint the deepest surrender came through an insightful moment when I learned the child is only a gift temporarily given to our care, and a gift that acts as our greatest spiritual teacher. In a sense, mothering is the ultimate babysitter, allowing us the practice of devotion.  Devotion is such a beautiful concept. Yes… motherhood is thankless, yet it is the highest practice clearing out misplaced desire and attitudes for a fulfilling motherhood experience. We are the comforter, the guardian, the teacher of love, the self, the emotional management system, relationship builder, navigator of worldly pleasures and desires, etc.  

The ongoing refinement of our relationship of our role as Mother is a gift to self, your child and ultimately to the world.  

 

– – – – – –

Kamala, I want to thank you for your devotion to this interview. You’ve beautifully outlined practical tools and resources for our newborn and forever postpartum mothers. If you enjoyed the tips and resources shared with this interview, please check out PART ONE: Ayurvedic Postpartum Support For The First 40 Days with Kamala Santos.

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each week, expect a bite-sized personal reflection with accompanying journal prompt. My hope is that by sharing these reflections and prompts, you’ll be inspired into purposeful action and we’ll both be reassured that we are not alone in this process of unraveling.

Once a month, expect a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice. There will be Q&A interviews to showcase how other women in this community navigate transformation, articles and podcasts that have made a lasting impression and practical mindfulness exercises to bring about sustainable change.

Sign up link here →

Get in touch with Kamala | Email Her | Soma Doula on Facebook
Cover Photo: @lisa.sorgini

Kamala Santos on Ayurvedic Postpartum Support For The First Forty Days (Part I)

Kamala Santos of Soma Doula, is an Ayurvedic Postpartum and Life Transitions Doula who has dedicated her path of practice towards selflessly serving (seva) women during transitional times. She beautifully pairs her inner wisdom with ancient wisdom coming from the Yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, which allows her to tend to new mothers and their families with a unique full body, mind and soul approach. 

In this conversation, we dive into the ‘newborn mother’ experience (the first 40 days postpartum) and offer up some perspective and lifestyle strategies for navigating this tender time with more grace and resilience. I hope this conversation inspires deep nourishment, and if you enjoy this topic, please check out PART TWO: ‘Forever Postpartum’ Ayurvedic Support with Kamala Santos.

 


 

Q: Welcome Kamala! As an Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula, can you share your perspective on why Ayurveda offers a more sustainable and holistic approach to wellness for our newborn mothers?

The term Ayurveda can be defined as ‘the science of life,’ encompassing the full arc of life from birth to death. It points towards a rich and profound tradition of holistic philosophy for life’s longevity. These centuries-old practices have refined the interrelationship between body, mind and spirit. The axiom, “The first 42 days will impact the next 42 years” confirms this important conviction that Ayurveda holds toward the longevity of a woman’s life.

As a new mom, your physiology is swiftly and dramatically altered. Ayurvedic postpartum protocols are designed to be very personalized (for whom and when)—customizing diet to support digestion through herbs and food, regular oil massages, and abundant practices to aid in sleep and calming the mind. It’s designed to help shift the postpartum experience from the all too familiar “falling off a cliff” feeling into a nourishing and loving transition. While supporting mothers, these practices also help build a lovely safety net for the entire family, allowing the whole family to become more adaptable.

 

Q: What led you to this path of supporting women and mothers, specifically during this transformative time?

After decades of practicing yoga I felt I hit a wall, something was missing. During my Yoga Therapy training, Ayurveda was introduced and concepts started to click into place.  The marriage of the two sciences felt more complete and a void was filled. A few years later, during an Ayurveda bodywork training, I experienced and witnessed profound and unspoken nourishment in the many layers of the body, mind and spirit. It was a realization that this type of care was like a dance, a beautiful meditation between the receiver and giver.

After a few years of assisting with panchakarma purification retreats, I was asked to aid a mom and child as they moved into a new home and community. The mother was extremely depleted.  During our 10-day retreat together I got to use my breadth of skills and landed in my sweet spot at pure rejuvenation (rasayana).  

Together we created rhythms and routine, the sense of safety, nourishing meal plans, playfulness, restorative yoga nidra, ceremony, ritual, and a lot of bodywork. This was when my “seva” (selfless service) had been fully realized. 

That which I had not myself received in motherhood, was found. While giving, I was receiving unconditionally. I furthered studies with the uniqueness of the first 42 days postpartum and now work with newborn moms, and those families who find them in any major transition (including the sacredness of the end-of-life rite of passage).

 

Q: During any period of massive change, but especially during the first few months post-birth, our personal practice and family rhythms can easily fall out of sync. For our new mothers, can you provide a few practical tips for bringing about a sense of balance and ease?

Ayurveda recognizes the first six weeks as a time of great increase in the wind and space elements (vata) and therefore, most practices are there to stabilize and return misplaced vata. Wind and space are “energy” qualities that are reflected in the state of our nervous system, digestion, mind, endocrine & lymphatic systems, and through all of our senses. When vata is imbalanced, it is very easy for brain fog, depression and other mood disorders to settle into the extra spaciousness that is present. This is why Ayurveda suggests the first 42 days should be spent in a warm “nest”, cocooning to avoid overstimulation, to create a safe space, to feel fully nourished in the quietude of profound change and emerging love. These skills and attitudes (listed below) can easily be  planned and prepared before postpartum.

Get Sleep: Nothing rocks the boat more than lack of sleep, impacting recovery, the ability to absorb nutrition and understanding the babies signals.  Learning to nap can be a challenging obstacle, especially the first three weeks where you are targeting upward of 14-17 hours of rejuvenating (non-continuous) sleep. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is wisdom that should not be ignored and supported by the entire household. If you are having trouble sleeping, consider brushing up on your overall sleep hygiene and explore some bedtime drink elixirs, yogic practices or possibly even yoga nidra to send you off to sleep.

Nourishment Through Food: The postpartum diet follows a weekly protocol of foods to avoid and eat, with easily digestible foods and warming spices. Generally, these include sweet flavors, warm and cooked meals with lots of liquid components. There are many useful books to support the weekly and seasonal considerations of a new mom’s diet. As an Ayurvedic postpartum doula it is my job to modify daily meals, while observing how mom is eliminating, digesting, and using her energy. It’s all about supporting healthy digestion! After the first 5-10 days, easing into a robust meal plan may look like breakfast, snack (optional), lunch, snack, dinner, and then a sleepy elixir. Just like a new baby, try to eat every 3-4 hours.

Fortify With Oil: Nothing calms the nervous system, brings nourishment to the seven bodily tissues, and cleanses more effectively than oil, primarily ghee. Although there are many applications of oil (internally and externally), the easiest and most practical way to incorporate fortifying with oil is including ghee into your diet and performing a warm body oil (abhyanga) with sesame oil on a daily basis.  Just by doing these two things alone, you would be gaining 70%+ of the value full oileation protocol provides!

Protect Your Energy: There are about 14 common energy leaking ‘portals’ that blow wide open, leaking your precious energy when the air and space elements (vata) are imbalanced. The most common symptoms of leaks are a racing mind, anxiety, excessive talking, withdrawal, little to no energy, frustration, and anger etc.  You want to learn to be intimate with your energy states, to develop sensitivity to your inherent wisdom and learn your true desires.  It is important to know how the mind, pushed by excess wind, can feed these leaks, hamstringing the adaptability needed to ride the transitional waves instead of succumbing to the tidal wave of depletion. When we support the nervous system and our energy output, we wrap ourselves in a “feel good” bubble that is at our disposal thanks to the hormone, dopamine. We can learn to activate this emergency switch, to plug the leaks, and operate in the love bubble of motherhood.

Ride The Waves of Emotions: No one talks about the grief that might accompany birth,  although there are plenty of conversations of joy. A  mother will experience the full range of human emotions during this transitional time, including grief. If we know to pay attention to grief’s messages, we could ask for what we need or at least acknowledge what we don’t have.  It’s incredibly important to process the energy of grief and fully allow yourself to mourn who you once were or the things that may have not gone as planned. In the grief love can be found.From the yogic point of view, thoughts and emotions (mind) are so deeply intertwined it is considered two sides of the same coin and it can be a big drain on energy to incessantly try to untangle them. There are depleting consequences (anxiety, excessive speaking, withdrawal, aggregation, and depression). With a little awareness, a little practice, and a lot of grace, the mind is nurtured to arise naturally and recede naturally to abide more easily in the loving moments of motherhood.

When needed, there is no shame in asking for help and guidance. Asking for support is one of the many first courageous actions of motherhood.

Gently Move Your Body: “Slow and steady” is the mantra for any new mom. With this mindset and gentle movement paired with rhythmic breath, a mother can build soft mobility in her joints and aid in her recovery by stimulating the lymphatic system. Heavily modified yogic practices can be performed in bed, a chair such as Joint Freeing Series, Palm Tree flow, Sunbird and Bridge vinyasas as well as a super supported modification of ‘legs up the wall’ are generally acceptable to do with the guidance of a doula/teacher. There is also my favorite ‘blow before you go’ mnemonic, which is a posture/stance combined with an intentional strong exhale to help trigger the transverse abs, stabilize the pelvis and core in a steady stance, fully empty of breath and engaged abs before picking up the baby. This breath/body triggering goes well to protect you from injury as the baby moves to become toddler weight.

 

Q: The transition and transformation into our role as “Mother” often feels indescribable. Do you have any tips for ways new mothers can honor the less tangible aspects of their journey?

The beauty of Ayurveda is that it considers happiness or our quality of life (sukha), to be a fundamental right of every living being.

A pleasant mind is defined as a prerequisite characteristic of health. Although there are many tangible means, (ex: diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, etc) to support uncertainty and face the realities of change, it’s just as important to recognize and surrender ourselves to the beautiful journey and the lessons that are waiting.  In Sanskrit, the word Bhāvanā is used to represent ‘awareness cultivation’, ‘creative contemplation’, and ‘feeling into what is’. This is the backbone of surrendering to our experience.

Surrender To The Awe: Mothers are gifted with the mysterious and perfect rapid crash course in impermanence. At a time when you are completely stripped of what you thought was your foundation, the milestones of change are flying at you all while navigating fatigue, complex new emotions. It’s a playground for the direct experience of impermanence. Willingly (or not) you are shedding your old self identity (maiden), overwhelmed by a new role (mother) and mesmerized by the wonders brought to you by your baby. Watch your child and notice these little ones are not analyzing what was past or future, but instead are fully present, authentic, and acting without judgment.During the early days of motherhood there are many opportunities to sink into the experience of the awe and wonder of your new reality. It’s a beautiful reminder that these moments will end and that you are fully alive, fresh and new. It is in those weeks that you can surrender to the most profound lessons and later devote lifetimes to these rich teachings.

Honor Your Rite of passage: Celebrate the passage of six weeks by intention of leaving the nest of liminal space, this profound beginning phase of postpartum.. Consider reviving this time with the joy and anticipation of a baby shower or new baby blessingway (keep it simple, you are exhausted!). Gather your friends and loved ones to recognize and celebrate this transition with flowers, food, and simple festivity. Recount the many birth stories you were told, and add your own to the collection.

 

Q: How could adopting a nourishing personal practice act as an anchor for women on the path towards and through motherhood?

Some things in life appear to be very fluid, while others feel like a big anchor, grounding us in timelessness and sustainability. My personal favorite ways to anchor down and feel truly supported/nourished in any situation is with the use of breath observation, body scanning as a meditation and through daily self-inquiry rituals.

❋ Try This – Body Scanning & Breath: When in a seated meditation you can gently scan your body with your mind – forehead, eyes, cheek, mouth, neck, etc. As you pass through each part of the body, use your intention to relax every muscle, letting the entire body rest deeply into the bones.  You can do this same practice by scanning your attitudes and emotions that pop into your mind, and relax or not engage them. The simple goal is to be in a sense of surrender, to be open and aware, allowing for full relaxation and rhythm of breath to be your anchor.  You can begin this practice by tuning into the cycle of breath (gentle, full 2-5 sec inhale and exhale) with gentle one pointed concentration (drishti) counting with the mind 1,2,3… for each cyclethen adding awareness of relaxing the body through each breath cycle. Let the breath cycle be slow and rhythmic, this neurologically reconnects the heart and mind and helps reset the balance of the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system. With this centering of body, speech and mind you should feel concentration paired with focus on counting and relaxation of body simultaneously. If you lose count, or tighten up, start over.  The “sit” or meditation doesn’t have to be formal. As you cultivate first attention in the body, speech and mind, in time this awareness becomes ingrained and can move second attention skills. This ability to have 50% focus on the outer world and 50% focus on the inner world becomes a great yogic skill for longevity and awareness. A tattva bhavana practice of motherhood is this gentle observational skill. It’s our skill as mothers to sense the natural flow, paving the path for clear intuitive action.  This sense of agency is the greatest practice in yoga, when we pause to consider our own union of our actions — body, speech and mind.

Try This – Self Inquiry Rituals: How will you know where you are going if you don’t know yourself first? This self-inquiry is the timeless anchor of motherhood and where the depth of strength and stamina, conviction and fortitude, agency and compassion arise.  Self-inquiry paired with self-effort and devotion are at the heart of yoga & Ayurveda. In the beginning self-inquiry may be a simple practice. The simple question ,  “What is up or needed today?” when you first awake (or from a nap) begins the process, and is sadly often overlooked rushing to the task at hand. In your response, listen for what is succinct and brief, terse and direct, try not to ponder too too long, or analyze.  Be gentle with yourself if the answer you receive isn’t what you expected. In time, the self-inquiry moves towards extended focus and contemplation allowing the opportunity to dig deeper. There is a beautiful teaching that says, “Contemplate deeply for the answer to be revealed. Once you have an answer, no need to return to the question.”

Some of my favorite self-inquiry and contemplative opportunities for new mothers (when there is capacity) often considered when nursing v. social feed scrolling are:
❋ What is my ‘right view’ of motherhood so that obstacles can become opportunity.
❋ How can I meet my choices with a sense of sheer delight, to live a life with no regrets.
❋ How do I view impermanence and surrender while on this path.

 

Q: Any “must-read/must-see” resources for mothers navigating the early days of motherhood?

The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad

Living Ayurveda by Claire Ragozzino (Ayurvedic recipes, rituals and yoga practices)

Nourishing Newborn Mothers by Julia Jones

The First Forty Days by Heng Ou

Infant Massage Handbook by Vimala McClure

Empowered Postpartum Care An online course by Sacred Window Studies

Pregnancy & Postpartum Blog Series by Banyan Botanicals

The Pure Motive  A blog post on Hareesh.org

Postnatal Yoga by Jillian Woods

10% Happier  An app for those new to meditation

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each week, expect a bite-sized personal reflection with accompanying journal prompt. My hope is that by sharing these reflections and prompts, you’ll be inspired into purposeful action and we’ll both be reassured that we are not alone in this process of unraveling.

Once a month, expect a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice. There will be Q&A interviews to showcase how other women in this community navigate transformation, articles and podcasts that have made a lasting impression and practical mindfulness exercises to bring about sustainable change.

Sign up link here →

Get in touch with Kamala | Email Her | Soma Doula on Facebook
Cover Photo: @claireguarry

Laura Poole on Effortless “Being” & Vedic Meditation

Laura Poole is a Vedic meditation teacher, compassionate community builder and devotee to self practice. Her ability to intuitively teach and inspire her students is beautifully paired with over a decade’s worth of ancient Vedic wisdom from the great masters in Australia, India and the United States. Her wisdom creates a resonance that can be felt in all that she does.

By joining inner and ancient wisdom, Laura brings about life-changing perspectives to the realities of modern life; truly investing in the physical and mental well-being of our community’s women and mothers. Amongst many of her teachings is my personal favorite…returning “home” to an inner world that is balanced and in harmony with the rhythms of nature. I hope this conversation with inspires a newfound devotion to your personal practice of self-connection and acts as a beautiful reminder that everything is OK. You’re right where you are supposed to be. You’re doing great

 


 

Q:  Welcome, Laura! We both have a shared passion in connecting women with the wisest parts within – Can you share a little bit about what you do and how you’ve arrived at the present?

I teach a technique known as Vedic meditation. A simple and effortless way to rest deeply, dissolve stress and establish a deep relationship with the innate wisdom of life that flows through the heart. It’s a technique, but it’s actually so much more than that. It’s a whole way of seeing the world that reflects the knowledge of nature – that which we call ‘Veda’.

Vedic Meditation…It’s a way home to ‘knowing’ and ‘being’ rather than ‘searching’ and ‘doing’. It’s the warm hug of grandmother reminding you that everything is OK and that you’re doing great. It’s community connection and experiential unlearning. It’s what we all need and what our bones are aching for.

I came to this practice not because I knew any of this, but because I was sick, stressed and anxious. I tried fixing things from the outside in – it worked for a period of time. But I didn’t know there was a way to ease the suffering I was co-creating in my mind from the inside out. That’s when my chiropractor introduced me to Vedic meditation and the whole thing unfolded from there. I would share more but you would probably be reading this blog post for hours! If you’re interested to listen to the journey unfold then take a listen to this podcast episode here, where my friend Dan (Spiritual Tradie Podcast) asks all the questions!

 

Q: In the Our Seva community, we spend a healthy amount of time dismantling the cultural narratives around the less common, unspoken spaces of personal transformation – When it comes to personal practice and transformation, what “unspoken spaces” do you feel deserve more attention & how can we make small steps to shift the cultural narrative?

That awakening, healing, learning, unlearning… whatever you want to call it… it’s NON LINEAR. It’s wonderful and challenging, blissful and really fucking hard, an incredible process, totally out of your control, in the hands of the Divine. And that what you thought you were doing to help ‘you get better’ is actually just a ruse to put you on the path of service to others – if you’re willing to surrender deeply, say yes, and not put up the bullshit anymore.

 

Q: So much resistance and internal turbulence comes from this idea that we have not quite arrived at who we are becoming as transforming women. What does your inner voice say about living within the liminal spaces…the uncomfortable spaces between who you are and who you are becoming? Any words of wisdom for those who find themselves “in-between”?

What I said above! I could also share a little of the Vedic wisdom that comforts us in knowing that the only time that actually exists is right NOW. The past… It’s a memory of the now. And the future? It’s an idea of the now. This means that NOW is the only time that actually exists. When you truly understand this, you will be able to take a gigantic breath out and just be OK with who and where you’re at. Because this moment is all there actually is.

There’s no where you’re going to ‘get to’, no place you’re going to ‘arrive at’ except for right here, right now. Where you already are. Where you’ve always been. So why aren’t we just relaxing, right now, as we are?

We have to know deep in the cells of our bodies that everything is OK. Everything is always changing, everything is evolving, and that is going to continue till the end of time. But it’s happening right here, right now. When you understand this, what I call ‘deep time’, you will transcend all the binding effects of ‘linear time’ and simply be OK in this perfectly imperfect continual flow of life.

 

Q: As someone who has found sacredness and steadiness within the process of tuning in (with breath & meditation), what one daily “tuning in” practice would you put on the priority list? Is there a way to turn the mundane into beautiful reminders of presence? And if you were speaking to a new mama who only had 5 minutes to spare, what could she do (right now) to hear the wisdom within?

Vedic meditation. It’s seriously a game changer. It’s the technique that delivers you right into presence. Right into your heart. We suggest practicing for 20mins (twice a day), but as a new mama in total service to a divine baby, we suggest you simply do what you can when you can! When they go down to sleep, you sit down and meditate. Meditation really means ‘letting go’. And what are we letting go of? Stress, fatigue, ideas, restrictions… all that stuff that keeps us doubting ourselves, not trusting our intuition, making everything else a priority besides our own mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Being a mother is the greatest service to humanity. Therefore, the wellbeing of mothers is of the utmost importance. This is why Vedic meditation is so important for mamas, newborn mamas, mamas-to-be… for all women!

When you create the space to tune into your heart, to let go into Being, then the innate wisdom of life is more clearly heard, and you have greater confidence to act upon it. Our world needs this flow of wisdom into action more than ever. Let yourself be this vessel!

 

Q: Modern day transforming women are often challenged to create a personal sadhana (spiritual practice) that can keep up with the pace of modern life. Instead of pivoting and changing our practices with the ever-changing tides and collective noise, how can we root into ancient wisdom for a more supportive approach to self-care?

Maybe we don’t need to ‘keep up with the pace’ of modern life. I mean, do you think modern life wasn’t designed to facilitate health and happiness, creativity and connection? I think it was sold to us as that. But is it delivering on those hopes and dreams? Maybe what we’re being shown in these challenges we all face, is the need to birth a new way of being and living in this world. We need to talk to each other, be radically honest, gestate ideas for a new story of humanity, be open to letting go, making mistakes, and giving it a go anyway. All ancient wisdom has pointed us towards nature as the greatest teacher, the Supreme Guru. If we want to root into ancient wisdom, then we need to spend more time in nature. There is the inner nature of ‘Being’ and then the outer natural world, and we need to spend more time in both these spaces. Less walls and cars, phones and stores, more open spaces, trees and bees, seeds and weeds. The ultimate aim would be to make your whole life a deep and intimate, ever evolving relationship with Mother Nature. Then you won’t have to ‘carve out time’ for your personal practice. Your life will simply BE that. To start, I suggest everyone spend more time in the inner realm of Being. Giving ourselves the time and space each day to let go and rest in the unbounded ocean of pure intelligence. And then from there, as we come out of our meditation, to ask the very simple question… ‘What would love do right now?’ Taking the response as the voice of the Guru inspiring you in a direction for the day of service that lays ahead.

 

Q: Community is such a huge piece of the transformation process…providing validation when our inner voices need a little extra love. How has community influenced your transformation process and where is the most unexpected place you’ve found rallying support?

In my eyes, community is everything. In a world where we can already feel so alone, to then go on the ‘inner journey’ by ourselves and have to confront really big stuff without support, it can actually accentuate the stress, trauma and conditioning that is keeping us bound in the first place. Love, connection, understanding, human touch, sharing stories, eating together… These are all so important for creating healthy humans and a healthy society. When I first learnt Vedic meditation, a big part of the offering was the free weekly group meditation and wisdom sessions. I started going every Monday night to my teacher’s house, meditating with other like-minded people, I was able to ask questions, learn more, and feel supported in this ‘new path’ I was taking. I also made many new friends that I still have to this day (10 years later), which was so comforting in a time when I was the only one meditating in my ‘group’.

I realized that this experience of community and connection in my early years of meditating, was the foundation and inspiration to create the same thing when I became a teacher. Creating the space for the community to thrive, connection, understanding, love and honoring of all parts of ourselves… That is my greatest passion. Just how seeds thrive in healthy soil, people thrive in loving interpersonal relationships – or what we call ‘community’.

The greatest thing we can do as women is to ask for help, ask for support. When we open that door, we actually create the pathway for someone else to serve; we’re allowing someone else to experience the gift of seva. And within that mutual exchange of giving and receiving, joy flows through the heart and everyone gets uplifted.

 

Q: Any resources (books, podcasts, groups, articles) you think are must see/reads?

Mahasoma Podcast

Vital Veda Podcast

Men’s Business, Women’s Business by Hannah Rachel Bell

The Global Heart Awakens by Anadea Judith

The Ringing Cedars Collection by Vladmir Megre

Milkwood Permaculture Blog

Artist as Family Permaculture YouTube Channel

 


 

Join Our Seva Motherhood Circle

In the Our Seva Motherhood Circle private Facebook group, we explore our personal narratives around what it means to return “home” to the steadiness and stillness waiting for us within. No matter where you are on the path of transformation, our collective of women provides weekly support and validation (if needed). If this conversation with Laura sparked something charming within you, I’d love for you to join in the private Facebook group for weekly discussions around personal transformation, inner & ancient wisdom, and our sacred selfless service to motherhood.

Join the Private Facebook Group →

 

Dillon Tisdel on Inspiring a Personal Practice For Our Children (Part II)

Dillon Tisdel, mama to three, plant-based chef of Oh Holy Basil & Antara Retreat Center), and devotee to inner truth has an unassuming presence that can inspire a deeper connection to your truest nature. Her innate wisdom is a beautiful alchemy of practical modern life advice paired with the the magical essence that’s present when in communion with the natural flow of things.

I recently sat down with Dillon to talk about how personal practice and devotion play out in her busy household. She shares what it means to be in full embodiment and what it could look like to incorporate a sustainable personal practice into the modern lives of modern women (in a completely attainable way!) In this part two of our interview, Dillon and I talk about how devotion can be interwoven into the practices we help blossom within our children and how we can create family rhythms to support the exploration.

 


 

Q: Welcome back, Dillon! Let’s dive back in and explore how devotion and personal practice can seep into the lives of our children. Let’s lay the foundation, can you walk us through what a “devoted day” (dawn to dusk) might look like for you and your family’s rhythm?

I wake up, ideally around 5:30 and do some quick Ayurvedic cleansing rituals: scraping my tongue, washing my face and applying some sesame oil to my body. I make a big jar of warm water with lime and bring it with me to our meditation room. 

I have a practice of chanting to the Divine Mother, which takes about an hour and then if time is spacious, I meditate and pray out whatever is on my heart.

If time permits, I do 20-40 minutes of yoga which opens up my body and helps to ground the energy generated by all of the chanting. By this point kids and husbands begin to wander out.

I light some incense, put on Krishna Das and begin making breakfast while getting my son ready for school.

I clean the kitchen and tidy the house while listening to Ram Dass lectures or more devotional music. Some days there is dancing.

I navigate meltdowns, sometimes maintaining my inner spaciousness, sometimes not. 

I play with my kids or oversee an art project.

The baby poops on the floor. I call this “potty training”.

Around 11:30, I start making lunch; we eat.

Come afternoon, I see a friend, take my kids to the river or process on the couch with my mom. 

The sense of peace felt earlier in the day is likely starting to fray. I open and close the refrigerator doors, repeatedly, hoping a Honey Mama’s cacao bar magically manifests.

I have an internal battle about whether or not to buy myself some quiet with screen time while I make dinner.

My husband Kyle and I catch each other up on the happenings of the day and our inner experience of things.

After dinner we hang out as a family. On weekends we watch something wholesome.

By 8/8:30 we are in bed for stories, mantra recitation and sleep.

 

Q: You mentioned chanting to the Divine Mother and mantra being at the center of your morning practice… if someone was interested in exploring devotional chanting/mantra for themselves or with their children, do you have any favorite resources to get us started?

Unless you feel a strong intuitive draw to a specific mantra practice, I would suggest starting with kirtan (call and response devotion singing). It is joyful, heart opening and accessible. Krishna Das’ music has opened the kirtan portal for many of us from the west. Breath of the Heart (available on all streaming platforms) is my recommended starting place.

Kirtan Kids, by Jai Uttal is a favorite in our house. It is part kirtan for kids, part storytelling. I have found the stories of the deities to be one of the best entrance points for kids. There are many sweet books for children as well, specifically on the stories of young Krishna.

 

Q: As a mother of three, how do you see your personal practice influencing your children’s lives? In what ways do you integrate these micro moments of awareness into their daily lives?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell with the younger ones. There are the gross-level ways that I see them absorbing our approach to life: I’ll find them chanting lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu, praying over their food or discussing the stories of Hanuman. But I am starting to see a more subtle integration of our practice in Joah, who is nine. I think that there is a sense of relaxation in his being that comes from feeling held in a larger field of intelligence. As he has gotten older, he has maintained an awareness of magic that sometimes shuts down in older children. I think that this is, in part, due to the fact that everyone around him reflects back a reality outside of the five senses, on a daily basis. I am not sure if he is just a product of his context or a super tapped in dude (probably a little of both), but he has had his own mystical experiences that have given him a direct knowledge of this expanded view of reality. Right now, he relates to those experiences on the level of magic and mystery.

As a family, we also integrate moments of awareness in how we come together at meals, how we invite the kids to tune to their feelings and how we acknowledge the sacred in everything.

 

Q: Rhythm, routines, and rituals tend to be the glue that keeps our family units moving forward gracefully. Do you have any family or personal rhythms/rituals that you’d like to share?

I am a person that values fluidity. I like to hold the heartbeat of our family’s rhythm in a larger context of mutability and this tendency has both positive and negative aspects to it. I value a steady rhythm but also want the family system to have the elasticity to be able to lay down the routine when the moment opens up to something outside of it.

I tend to create rituals that change with the seasons. This summer we developed a nightly ritual of drinking tea on our deck while watching the sunset. In winter, it might be a ritual of books by the fire. I gravitate towards simple structures that provide a container for connection. Coming together with people that we love to celebrate throughout the year also creates a rhythmic marking of the seasons.

Heart-centered-merry-making creates richness for children and adults alike.

 

Q: Celebrating the change of seasons is always a beautiful way in honoring our practices. Are there any Vedic-based rituals or traditional celebrations that anchor your family and help develop a deeper appreciation and devotion to the “living practice”? How do you get the littles involved?

We live right next door to the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Hanuman Temple in Taos and go to about five festivals per year at the ashram. These festivals are not exactly “traditional”, but they are beautiful, rich and highly devotional. They are huge anchors in our lives and the lives of our children, providing a deep container to touch into our devotion in a powerfully concentrated way. For the kids, they are times of abundant food, sweets, merry-making, friends and music. Basically just a really good party with some deeper elements, no doubt, seeping through. The cycle of these festivals absolutely creates an alternate rhythm to our year, running parallel to the traditional western holidays that we celebrate as well.

 

Thank you so much for joining me, Dillon. Check out Part One of this interview if you’d like a little more behind-the-scenes look at how Dillion devotes herself to a living practice!

 


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each week, expect a bite-sized personal reflection with accompanying journal prompt. My hope is that by sharing these reflections and prompts, you’ll be inspired into purposeful action and we’ll both be reassured that we are not alone in this process of unraveling.

Once a month, expect a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice. There will be Q&A interviews to showcase how other women in this community navigate transformation, articles and podcasts that have made a lasting impression and practical mindfulness exercises to bring about sustainable change. If you’re a fan of mantra…there will be some of that too.

Sign up link here →

 

Get in touch with Dillon | IG: @ohholybasil
Cover Photo: @lisa.sorgini

Dillon Tisdel on Living A Personal Practice with Devotion (Part I)

Dillon Tisdel, mama to three, plant-based chef of Oh Holy Basil & Antara Retreat Center), and devotee to inner truth has an unassuming presence that can inspire a deeper connection to your truest nature. Her innate wisdom is a beautiful alchemy of practical modern life advice paired with the the magical essence that’s present when in communion with the natural flow of things.

I recently sat down with Dillon to talk about how personal practice and devotion play out in her busy household. She shares what it means to be in full embodiment and what it could look like to incorporate a sustainable personal practice into the modern lives of modern women (in a completely attainable way!) Please join me for part two, where Dillon and I talk about how devotion can be interwoven into the practices we help blossom within our children. Let’s dive in!


 

Q: Welcome Dillon! Personal practice (sādhana) appears to be sitting as the cornerstone to who you are as a woman and mother.  What does “practice” mean to you?

Sādhana is indeed the cornerstone of my journey here on earth. It is the context in which I hold all of the “stuff” of my life: motherhood, work, relationships, my joy and dissatisfaction. I see the small slice of my day that we call “practice” as both an anchor and a call.

It anchors me to the field of awareness that we call the Divine, making available a deeper state of consciousness that carries me through the tumult of the day. Sometimes the inner state cultivated in my practice holds me in a deep buoyancy, where a state of peace is foreground to the drama of life, allowing me to be in present communion with each task and interaction. Other times that deeper presence is a pitiful cry, trying to break through the noise of my reactivity, judgment and attachment to my ego’s storyline. On those days, my practice may give me just a hair’s breadth of space around my contracted inner experience, but sometimes that is enough and I am able to slip in through the gap and transform my relationship to my suffering. 

My sādhana is a call in the sense that it is a daily outreach towards the ineffable, in which I ask for the guidance and blessing of that Divine intelligence. I have found there to be incredible transformative power in cultivating such communication with Spirit.

 

Q: In 3 words, how would you describe the essence of your daily practice? 

Devotion, discipline, longing.

 

Q: What have been the biggest shifts in your practice since becoming a mother? How do you usher in fluidity and adaptability into your process?

Again, I see life itself as sādhana. The last nine years of motherhood have forced me to ground that intellectual concept into a lived experience.

My initiation into motherhood forced me to both find more structure in my practice, while also holding it with more lightness.

If I want my practice to “happen”, I need to build it into the early hours of the morning before anyone else wakes up. At the same time, I need to have the fluidity to let my practice go when life calls me in another direction. 

Adaptability comes when I cease to fight against the movement of life.

When I cling too tightly to the structure of my sādhana, moments inevitably arise in which I see my children as barriers to practice. This is a completely false construct. They are gifts given for the evolution of my soul and they present me daily with my spiritual work.

Motherhood is, as they say, “where the rubber meets the road” in my sādhana. 

We are conditioned to impose our agenda upon life. When plans go awry, we feel gypped and frustrated. When other people’s plans go awry, we give our condolences, saying, “Oh no! Too bad!”. Most of us find ourselves habitually gripping life and reinforcing this construct for each other. I have found much relief in divesting from this paradigm and surrendering to the flow of life, even when it brings challenges.

 

Q: I know we can’t always walk down the ideal path of practice, as life is busy and ever changing. What are your non-negotiables when it comes to personal practice? And, if you only had 5 minutes, which centering activity would you opt for?

Mantra is my best friend when it comes to working with my mind. It can be done while performing any task and therefore has been the most consistent practice throughout the changing phases of motherhood.

If I only had five minutes to find my center, I would sit and scan my body, feeling into anything that might be arising internally. I would place whatever sensations that arise into a deeper field of awareness, allowing them deeper space to work on me. For example, I might notice a contraction in my energetic heart. Without trying to change this sensation, I would hold a gentle space of attention around it, relax any bracing against it and allow a deeper meditative state to come in around it. In some cases, it might dissolve, morph or reveal some sort of content to me. Other times, I have simply changed my state or at least my relationship to my state, and noted a place internally that might be worth coming back to.

 

Q: You mentioned chanting to the Divine Mother and mantra being at the center of your morning practice… (read part 2 of this interview here) if someone was interested in exploring devotional chanting, where would you guide them? If someone was interested in exploring mantras with their children, any favorite resources?

Unless you feel a strong intuitive draw to a specific mantra practice, I would suggest starting with kirtan (call and response devotion singing). It is joyful, heart opening and accessible. Krishna Das’ music has opened the kirtan portal for many of us from the west. Breath of the Heart (available on all streaming platforms) is my recommended starting place.

Kirtan Kids, by Jai Uttal is a favorite in our house. It is part kirtan for kids, part storytelling. I have found the stories of the deities to be one of the best entrance points for kids. There are many sweet books for children as well, specifically on the stories of young Krishna.

 

Q: As women, it’s essential to have a connection to our internal guidance systems. How does your communion with Self allow you to tap into your inner wisdom? What does she usually reveal to you?

I have always had a strong intuition, but the deeper that I have gone into my own practice, the more I have seen the way in which my intuitive intelligence gets usurped by my mind. There are those precious moments where intuition is a clear bell that rings out, bringing clarity forward from the depths of my being, but often, it is a process of teasing out what is mind and what is intuition. The nature of mind is that it is conditioned and limited and the nature of truth (which I equate with Spirit) is unconditioned and unlimited. This means that most often true intuitive discernment deviates from the pathways of our conditioning. Therefore a healthy dose of skepticism is in order anytime my “intuitive” voice lines up with my filter.

Deep inner communion with Self leads to a deeper understanding of the way in which I am filtering reality, which in turn helps me to hear the call of my true intuitive voice. Using an external divination system has been invaluable for me in this process. With anything important, I cross-check my intuition using the I Ching (an ancient Chinese text that is used for divination, often translated as the book of changes). The I Ching has taught me so much about how slippery my ego is at either debasing or aggrandizing itself. 

In experimenting with intuition, I have found that it follows no rules and has no predictable pattern other than consistently bringing me closer to my truest Self.

 

Q: For those seeking a deeper sense of surrender or ease in their motherhood journey (but don’t know where to start), what would you tell them? What was most helpful for you in those beginning transformational years?

Go easy on yourself. You don’t have to be good at every aspect of mothering to be a good mother.  You and your child are perfect teachers for each other and the lessons given will often be uncomfortable. If you have a spiritual practice, expanding your process into the field of motherhood is incredibly helpful. This can be as simple as witnessing, without judgement, the waves of frustration, sweetness, self-criticism, numbness, etc. that arise throughout the day. 

 

Q: Any resources (books, podcasts, groups, articles) you think are must see/reads?

Read: Autobiography of a Yogi, by Parmahansa Yogananda

See: Becoming Nobody

 

Thank you so much for joining me, Dillon. Check out Part Two of this interview for more behind-the-scenes look at how we can embody our living practices with our children!


 

Sign Up for the Our Seva Community Newsletter!

Each week, expect a bite-sized personal reflection with accompanying journal prompt. My hope is that by sharing these reflections and prompts, you’ll be inspired into purposeful action and we’ll both be reassured that we are not alone in this process of unraveling.

Once a month, expect a curation of resources intended to inspire a deeper personal practice. There will be Q&A interviews to showcase how other women in this community navigate transformation, articles and podcasts that have made a lasting impression and practical mindfulness exercises to bring about sustainable change. If you’re a fan of mantra…there will be some of that too.

Sign up link here →