The Science of Life: Discovering Ayurveda

Last month, I spent three days at Bloom, a peaceful retreat space just outside Kingston, Ontario. I joined a small group of wonderful souls for an Ayurvedic immersion led by Sonia Sharma of Sonia Wellness Coaching, along with Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar and Dr. Manisha Kshirsagar of Ayurvedic Healing. I’ve attended many retreats in my life, including a solo month in Bali, but this one truly shifted something inside me. It was calm, expansive, and filled with moments that made me feel more awake than I’ve felt in a very long time (if ever). Every part of it elevated my energy. The gratitude I experienced (that I could feel flowing through my veins) was visceral. It wasn’t just a getaway; it was a return to something ancient and authentic.

 

And that’s why I want to share some of what I experienced and learned. Not to prescribe, but to offer a glimpse into something that impacted me. Something deeply human. Something I believe many of us are quietly longing for.

 

So, what is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word: “Ayus” means life, and “Veda” means knowledge or science. Together, it translates to the science of life. It is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine, dating back over 5,000 years, and is still practiced today. Ayurveda views health as a state of balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment. It teaches that we are made of the same five elements found in nature: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements combine into three mind-body types, known as doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person has a unique blend of these energies, and when they are in harmony, we feel good. When out of balance, we don't, and this shows up in our digestion, skin, energy, sleep, mind and mood. However, Ayurveda goes beyond just symptoms; it examines the underlying causes of imbalance. What we eat, how we sleep, when we move, and what we think all matter. Healing isn’t a quick fix. It’s about reconnecting with your natural rhythm. And that rhythm lives within you. Ayurveda helps you remember it.

 

More than food, we digest life! One of the most powerful lessons I learned on this retreat is that digestion isn’t just physical; it’s also sensory and emotional. We digest not only what we eat, but also what we see, hear, feel, smell, and experience. Every conversation. Every scroll. Every relationship. Every interaction. Every space we enter. It all enters the body. And if we’re not conscious of what we take in, we become overloaded. It’s no wonder so many of us feel anxious, inflamed, reactive, depressed, foggy, stressed, and/or depleted. We’re not just digesting food, we’re digesting literally everything.

 

This truth hit me deeply, and it changed my views on self-care, not as something we “do,” but as the way we choose to “live”: what we allow in, what we protect, and what we nourish.

 

Skin, hormones, and the Ayurvedic approach: As someone deeply interested in skin health, the Ayurvedic perspective validated much of what I already knew and sparked new avenues to explore. Dr. Manisha’s session on Ayurvedic Skin Care focused on achieving seasonal harmony, especially for the summer’s fiery Pitta energy. It explains why inflammation, redness, or sensitivity often occur during this season and how to work with the elements (not against them) to naturally cool, calm, and support the skin. We also discussed hormone health and midlife changes, such as menopause and andropause. There was no shame. No judgment. Just science, wisdom, and tools for lifelong vitality. These weren’t just wellness tips; they were essential life skills, helping to understand the body on a whole new level.

 

The power of food (and the absence of guilt): Every meal was dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, anti-inflammatory, and deeply tasty and satisfying. Ghee (AKA Liquid Gold) was encouraged with every dish, and everything was prepared in alignment with the season. But what stood out most was the energy behind the food. Each meal felt alive, full of intention, presence, and what Ayurveda calls prana—the vital life force that nourishes us beyond mere nutrients. There was no talk of calories or restrictions, just nourishment, intuition, and deep awareness. We ate slowly, in silence, with gratitude, and I felt something I haven’t felt in a very long time (if ever): trust in my body.

 

Sonia’s workshop on Ayurvedic nutrition reminded me that food isn’t just fuel, it’s information, vibration, and medicine. What we eat directly impacts how we feel, think, sleep, and age. And when we truly listen, the body always knows what it needs.

 

Let’s talk sleep: Ayurveda teaches us that sleep isn’t a passive state; it’s a foundational pillar of health, just as vital as food and breath. Referred to as one of the “Three Pillars of Life” (Tri-Upastambha), quality sleep is considered a form of nourishment for the body, mind, and spirit. It’s when the nervous system resets, the digestive system integrates, and cellular repair occurs. Beyond the physical, sleep is also a spiritual process; a time to unplug from stimulation and return to stillness. I’ve learned that the timing of sleep is just as important as the amount. According to Ayurveda, the optimal window is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., aligning with the body’s natural doshic cycles. Going to bed late or after screens often disconnects us from these rhythms, leaving us feeling foggy and depleted. When we prioritize proper rest, our skin glows, our hormones recalibrate, our digestion improves, and our emotional state stabilizes. Sleep is medicine, but only when we truly honour it.

 

Nervous system, triggers, and becoming conscious: One of the most meaningful shifts I experienced during the retreat was learning to listen to my body more closely. I began noticing my body’s signals more clearly. I reflected on how many of us, myself included, remain stuck in states of fight, flight, or freeze. These are conditioned responses, shaped by culture, past experiences, fear, trauma, and learned behaviours. We often react without realizing we’re reacting.

 

But what if we paused?

 

What if, every time we were triggered by a comment, situation, or emotion, we took a moment to ask ourselves, Why? Where is this feeling coming from? What is my body, not my mind or ego, trying to tell me? What if we stayed with that sensation and kept asking, “Why,” listening not for an answer we can justify, but for the truth that lives beneath the surface? Without defending. Without rationalizing. Without rushing to fix.

 

Just this simple act of slowing down, feeling, and becoming aware of what’s happening inside the body is a healing experience in itself. It is consciousness. And something tells me that this is where true transformation begins.

 

Exploring this further, I began to understand that many of my reactions had little to do with the present moment. They were fast, automatic; shaped by protective patterns, fear, and internal stories I didn’t even know I was carrying. Through practices during the retreat, when I tuned into my body with calm curiosity, something began to shift. It was like waking up slowly and gently, one breath at a time.

 

Being healthy isn’t just about what we eat or how we move. It’s about becoming aware and no longer living in reaction, but choosing to live with consciousness and harmony. That, to me, is the real medicine so many of us are searching for and deeply need.

 

Where science meets soul (and BSE): Before I even returned home, I ordered four books by Dr. Suhas and Dr. Manisha to deepen my understanding:

• Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life
• The Hot Belly Diet
• Enchanting Beauty
• Panchakarma: The Ayurvedic Art and Science of Detoxification and Rejuvenation

 

I’ve already started reading Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life (and I am so excited to read the rest). I know that these books will deepen the spark ignited at Bloom. I’ve also begun exploring my first Panchakarma detox in Santa Cruz, CA, as well as attending another Ayurveda retreat in Costa Rica this October, called Moon Gate Wellness Sanctuary, which I believe will be a truly unique experience.

 

Ayurveda doesn’t replace what we offer at Boutique Skin Envie (BSE); instead, it complements it. The lifestyle principles I’ve learned only strengthen the results we see with treatments, skincare routines, and supplements. Our offerings at BSE are grounded in science, results, and professionalism. However, authentic, lasting change happens when we support the whole person, including digestion, sleep, hormones, the nervous system, and mindset—a 360° approach. No single factor creates health. When we combine the right tools with awareness, that’s when real transformation can occur.

 

As I am sure you can feel from reading my words, this retreat sparked passion and curiosity. Not because it was dramatic, but because it was real. It made me question how I live. It made me feel awake and refreshed. It reminded me that healing isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. I believe many of us are simply trying to feel better. But what if instead, we aimed to feel more? 

 

More connected.

More aligned.

More honest with ourselves. 

 

If you’re on a journey, like me, I invite you to start by simply observing. Ask yourself: What am I taking in today through food, thoughts, conversations, and environments? What is my body telling me? What would it feel like to respond to my truths rather than my reactions? These are the small but powerful steps that move us closer to wholeness.

 

Until next time,

Beate