Leaping Lotus Wellness Studio Community Group

The Wellness market continues to explode. Yet, how is it that our health on all levels, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually...etc...continues to struggle? Stop and think about that for a moment. With all that's out there, why are we in the state of health that we are in? Interesting to think about.

Everyone is chasing the latest, new breathing technique, the fanciest yoga pose, the best detox plan, mindfulness, gut health, self-care, self-love, nervous system regulation...on and on and on. It's endless! There is so much out there.

Where are we finding these things?

What are we doing with them?

How are we using them?

What are we looking for?

Is it working?

In my reflections and studies of our Eastern and Western cultures, there's more similarities than meets the eye. Fundamentally all humans want the same things, like health, happiness, and peace. In observing both cultures, one big difference is how we implement and use practices for health. This may sound insignificant but it's actually a vital piece of information.

I'll explain why in a bit.

It's also important to note that the West is incredibly savvy at giving things innovative names and selling them as new concepts.

Here's some examples:

Yoga and Ayurveda call it Pranayama.

Now the West calls it Breathwork Training & Vagal Nerve Stimulation.

Ayurveda calls it Langhana (meaning - to reduce, fast, make light).

Now the West calls it an Intermittent Fasting Program.

Ayurveda calls it Abhyanga (full body oil massage).

Now the West calls it a Lymphatic Drainage massage.

Ayurveda calls it Nasya (nasal oil therapy).

Now the West calls it Nasal Therapy for Sinus relief.

Ayurveda calls it Agni (digestive fire, or metabolic health).

Now the West calls it Gut Microbiome Regulation & Gut health.

Ayurveda calls it Shirodhara (head oiling to reduce stress and rejuvenate the nervous system).

Now the West calls it HPA Axis Modulation Therapy.

Yoga & Ayurveda call it Dinacharya (daily regimen, practices).

Now the West calls it Circadian Rhythm Alignment, Self-Care, or Chronotherapy.

Ayurveda calls it Champissage, or Indian head massage.

Now the West calls it Fascial head massage or Hair Pulling massage.

Yoga & Ayurveda call it Dhyana (means meditation).

Now the West calls it Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

Yoga & Ayurveda call it Dharana (means concentration, focus).

Now the West calls it Mindfulness Practices.

There are many more examples, but you get the idea.

These are not new concepts. They are rebranded fragments of a medical system that has existed for thousands of years. Each of these modern wellness modalities originate from Yoga and Ayurveda. They have been altered to become more appealing. Fancy names often come with fancy price tags.

The question that we have to ask ourselves is, "Can we see the difference and can we embrace both for what they have to offer?"

It is important for us to understand the difference between the original practice and the rebranded version. In some cases, we only see the value when it's packaged and presented beautifully and stamped with "scientific validation," and expensive.

Everything flows through polarity. Nothing stays still. Yoga had to leave India, to be marketed abroad, in order for people to understand the value and depth of the roots. The knowledge hasn't changed, only the names have. However, when you strip away it's roots, the Sanskrit, the philosophy, and the context of how it's used, it looses the depth, the precision and the very soul of the science. It becomes something else.

This is an absolutely critical thing to understand.

Here's Why....

The roots of Yoga and Ayurveda are old and run deep. These practices have been handled with reverence for thousands of years. The potency and richness of these practices comes from their deep roots.

It's like taking your grandmother's recipe for banana bread, that has been a crowd pleaser for decades, and changing the recipe, but expecting the same flavor. It doesn't work. It may not taste bad, but it's not the same banana bread.

Apply this to your body, mind, and soul.

Which Banana Bread do you want to feed to your soul?

Food For Thought. 🍞💭

With Love

~ Leelah Lakshmi ~