The Elements of Ayurveda Podcast

Episode 409

As the seasons shift, your skin tells a story. Autumn’s dry, cool winds can bring flakiness, sensitivity, or dullness, while lingering summer heat may still trigger redness or irritation. Ayurveda teaches us that these changes aren’t random, they’re reflections of dosha balance, digestion, and even our emotions.

In this episode, we explore how to keep your skin radiant and resilient during autumn by understanding the connection between seasonal shifts, inner health, and emotional wellbeing. You’ll learn how Vata and Pitta influence the skin at this time of year, why seasonal cleansing is key for preventing imbalance, and simple Ayurvedic rituals that nourish both inside and out.

You'll discover:

• Why autumn is a sensitive time for the skin

• Dosha-specific tendencies and skin challenges in Vata, Pitta, and Kapha types

• The role of digestion and seasonal cleansing in radiant skin

• Emotional imbalances that can show up on the skin

• Ayurvedic rituals

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Episode 408 

Have you ever noticed cravings sneak up when you’re stressed, tired, or at the change of a season? Ayurveda teaches us that cravings aren’t about willpower, they’re messages from the body, pointing to imbalance. Whether it’s toxins (ama), weak digestion (Agni), or long-held emotional patterns, cravings are signposts that something deeper is asking for attention.

In this episode, Colette explores:

• The Ayurvedic view of cravings through the six tastes (rasa)
• How doshic imbalances (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) shape what we crave
• The difference between true nourishment and false cravings
• Why ultra-processed foods disrupt our natural signals
• How an Ayurvedic cleanse rekindles Agni and resets your palate
• The emotional side of cravings - samskaras, habits, and food as comfort
• Practical tips to integrate into everyday life with mindful eating, seasonal foods, and gratitude

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Episode  407

When most of us think about improving digestion, we focus on food choices, what to eat and what to avoid. But Ayurveda teaches us that how and when we eat, along with our daily lifestyle habits, are just as important for keeping agni (digestive fire) strong and preventing ama (toxins).

In this episode, Colette explores five often-overlooked habits that quietly weaken digestion over time and shares simple Ayurvedic fixes to reset them. These shifts may seem small, but they can have a profound effect on energy, immunity, and overall wellbeing.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why agni thrives on rhythm and how irregular eating times throw digestion off track

• How emotional stress diverts energy away from healthy digestion

• The hidden impact of late-night screen use on your body’s natural repair cycles

• Why even “healthy” foods can cause ama when combined improperly

• How eating out of sync with the seasons creates imbalance and what to do

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Episode 406 

Colette is joined by Ayurvedic doctor and educator Vaidya Princy Prasad for a deeper exploration of Agni, the inner fire that fuels far more than just digestion. While Agni is often associated with metabolism, its influence extends into immunity, hormonal balance, emotional clarity, and overall vitality.

In this conversation, they discuss the following:

• What Agni really is and why it’s central to vibrant health and ojas

• The different types of Agni and various levels of action

• Signs of optimal (sama) Agni and what happens when it’s imbalanced

• The types of impaired Agni: Vishama, Tikshna and Manda

• How Agni influences key hormones 

• Practical Ayurvedic tips to kindle and sustain a balanced Agni

• Why seasonal cleansing is vital for resetting Agni

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Episode 405

As we approach the threshold between summer and autumn, it's the perfect time to explore how the doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha can accumulate imbalance during the summer months and how this may affect your digestion, immunity, and emotional wellbeing.

In this solo episode, Colette invites you into an Ayurvedic exploration of seasonal transition, with a special focus on digestive health and immune strength. 

In this episode you’ll discover:

• How seasonal accumulation affects each dosha type

• How to identify early signs of imbalance and toxin (ama) buildup

• The overlooked emotional and psychological residue of summer

• How Ayurveda and modern science align on seasonal health

• Why now is the ideal time to reset your digestive fire (agni)

You’ll also learn how to perform a gentle “ama audit” and how a personalized, holistic cleanse can support your seasonal transition from the inside out.

Links & Resources

Take the Ama Quiz - “Do I have an a...

Episode 404

The Elements of Ayurveda Podcast turns 8 this month and in this special anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on 8 years of sharing Ayurvedic wisdom through this podcast, in my personal practice, and in client work. Over this time, Ayurveda has taught me countless lessons, but there are 8 core insights that continue to shape how I live, heal, and show up in the world. May they inspire your own journey with Ayurveda and remind you of the deep wisdom already within you.

The 8 lessons are:

1. The body is always communicating

2. There is no one-size-fits-all path to health

3. Digestion is the root of It all

4. Rhythm and routine are more powerful than perfection

5. Emotions are energy that need digestion too

6. Healing is seasonal, cyclical, and spiral-like

7. You are nature, not separate from it

8. True health is alignment with purpose

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Visit Colette's website www.elementshealingandwellbeing.com 

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Episode 403

In this enlightening episode, Colette is joined by Dr. Bruno Renzi, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and pioneer in the integration of Ayurveda into psychosomatic medicine. Dr. Renzi created and led the first integrated medicine center for psychosomatic disorders at an Italian university, bringing together modern psychiatry and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in a groundbreaking clinical setting.

Dr. Renzi has served as a university professor at the State University of Milan and is the author of several publications, including The Mind in Ayurveda and the preface of Ayurveda Scientifico Vol. II. He currently serves as co-director of the Maharishi College for Perfect Health International.

In this conversation, they discuss:

• Dr. Renzi’s personal journey from Western psychiatry to Ayurveda

• The differences in approaching psychosomatic disorders in modern medicine versus Ayurveda

• What inspired him to merge these two worlds in the psychosomatic field

• Th

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Episode 402

Regular guest Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath, also known as Dr. J, joins Colette to explore a topic that touches his heart and the hearts of many: how to raise healthy, resilient, and balanced children with the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda.

Kaumarabhritya (Ayurvedic pediatrics) is one of the eight classical branches of Ayurveda. This ancient science offers guidance starting from preconception and sees the child not just as a developing body, but as a whole being, mind, body, and spirit, shaped by early experiences, daily rhythms, nutrition, and love.

They discuss the following:

• What makes Ayurvedic pediatrics unique

• The importance of preconception, prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care for both mother and child

• How to understand your child’s unique constitution (prakriti) to support balanced growth and development

• Ayurvedic guidelines for the Kapha stage of life, from birth to puberty

• Insights into nutrition, sleep, behavior, and emotional w

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Episode 401

Colette explores how summer, a season of heat, light, and intensity can support sadhana, your conscious spiritual practice. Sadhana refers to any intentional, disciplined effort we make to align with our higher Self, whether that’s through meditation, mantra, prayer, mindful movement, self-inquiry, or acts of devotion.

She explains how we can harness our inner fire (tapas) and creative light (tejas) to align more deeply with purpose. It’s an opportunity to live in alignment with our unique path (dharma).

Colette covers the following:

• Avoiding summer stress and burnout.
• Understanding tapas - the sacred inner fire.
• Summer as a season for sadhana.
• Tejas - the light of creative insight.
• Aligning with Soul purpose.

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CELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF PODCASTING!!! To express my heartfelt appreciation for your support, I’m offering 10% off ALL of my Online Services until August 6th, 2025. Just use the code ELEMENTS8 at checkout. Choose from the following online services:

 Episode 400

As the weather warms, your skin might become oilier, break out more, or feel dull and irritated. These issues, including redness, inflammation, sun sensitivity, rashes, and heat bumps can indicate an increase in Pitta dosha.

Ayurveda teaches us that skin health reflects internal wellbeing, including digestion, blood, toxins and emotions. Colette explores how to take care of your skin holistically during hot weather using timeless Ayurvedic principles and she covers the following:

• The subdosha of pitta governing the skin.

• The role of rasa dhatu and rakta dhatu in skin health.

• Importance of agni and digestion in skin radiance.

• The liver-skin connection in Ayurveda.

• Root causes of Summer skin imbalances.

• Signs of pitta imbalance showing up in the skin.

• Ayurvedic dietary guidelines for Summer skin health.

• Lifestyle and daily routines for radiant Summer skin.

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