Harmonize, Energize & Heal Your Life
Take Charge of Your Health and Well-Being
Discover your Ayurvedic body-mind type.
Learn which foods, self-care and lifestyle habits balance your body and mind.
Use Ayurvedic herbal preparations to bring you into a state of vibrant well-being.
Find out how to honor your physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.
Receive Proper Support to Empower and Motivate yourself to fully Heal and Shift into a Healthy Lifestyle
Sleep peacefully
Enjoy abundance of energy
Boost your immunity and vitality
Calm your mind
Stabilize a positive mood
Balance your weight
Release deep-seated blockages
Heal from chronic pain
Experience radiant health and well-Being
Ayurveda Focuses on your Entire Being
The focus of Ayurveda is to know how to live in harmony with your environment.
This ancient medical science is a precursor to all healing systems including Western Medicine, Aromatherapy and Naturopathy.
Ayurvedic medicine is a system that helps maintain optimal health by using the inherent principles of nature to bring you into harmony with your true self.
In essence, Ayurveda has been in existence since the beginning of time because nature's laws have always governed humanity. Life is a combination of mind, body and Soul and every aspect of your being are considered equally important and worthy of nurturing.
Recommendations are Personalized to Your Unique Needs
HERBAL PREPARATIONS. Customized to suit your health and personal needs. Ayurvedic herbs have been used around the world for thousands of years and have been safely used with no issues. Heidi orders herbs from excellent sources known for good manufacturing practices, comply with FDA regulations and quality control who deal with authentic, organic sources that are closely monitored. Heidi prepares custom formulas which work consistently well for all her clients.
SEASONAL PRACTICES. Live in balance with the seasonal changes.
LIFESTYLE & DAILY ROUTINE CHANGES. Learn to exercise for your type and practice proper self-care.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES & STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, Includes yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, breathing practices, and energetic body scans.
DIETARY GUIDELINES. Learn how to eat, when to eat, and what to eat.
PANCHA KARMA (CLEANSING & PURIFICATION). The 3 phases of Ayurvedic Cleansing:
Pre-cleanse to safely and effectively purify the body and mind.
The 5 step cleanse to deeply purify your entire being.
Rebuilding the body to achieve a stronger Immune system, clarity, healthy organs, vitality and optimal balance.
Common Questions
What if I am seeing a physician for a condition, say high blood pressure or diabetes? Will the Ayurvedic recommendations conflict? Can I see both doctors?
Heidi is trained to work hand in hand with your Western physician. This means that the Ayurvedic herbal preparations will be recommended only after thoroughly taking into account existing medications for your conditions. You do not have to choose between seeing your regular doctor and your Ayurveda practitioner. It is not either/or. In fact if something comes up during your Ayurvedic consultation that Heidi feels must be evaluated further by your Western physician, she will contact your doctor to investigate further. Heidi works in complement with your other physicians to provide the best solutions for you.
I have read some concerns about Ayurvedic herbs in the press lately specifically with regard to some of them containing heavy metals. How do I know that the herbs I am taking are ok?
As with all things, the media tends to sensationalize issues without adequate and thorough fact checking. Ayurvedic herbs have been around for 1000's of years and have been safely used with no issues. Heidi orders herbs from excellent sources who is known for good manufacturing practices, comply with FDA regulations and quality control who deal with authentic, organic sources in India that are closely monitored. She makes custom formulas and have never had any cases so far of complaints against any of the herbs she has recommended and they have worked consistently well for her clients.
How do I monitor and track progress or challenges?
While on the Ayurvedic healing program, it is essential to come for regular follow-up consultations –this is the only way your progress and/or challenges can be tracked. The Ayurvedic program works optimally with consistent disciplined application. Regular follow-ups ensure timely monitoring of symptoms that come up and any concerns that may arise. They are a great way to acknowledge success with implementations or challenges you may experience. This allows for modifying the treatment program as needed. Unless acute monitoring is required, follow-up visits are usually recommended once a month and then on a maintenance schedule as necessary.
How long should I be on the program before I see results?
It depends – some conditions will show marked improvement almost immediately, others will take longer depending on the nature of the condition, how long it has been with you and so on. A truly comprehensive Ayurvedic program addressing mind, body and spirit transformation is really a lifelong healing work in progress! Realistically, many committed clients are able to see benefits in a few weeks to a few months. But ultimately it depends on how committed and consistent you are in following all the recommendations. You will experience positive changes in your health once you start diligently taking herbs and implementing the lifestyle modifications.
The 5 Elements in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, you are viewed as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. These elements are Ether / Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. To gain full awareness of your body, it is essential to have clarity of these five elements.
Ayurveda explains that all matter in the universe is made of five elemental, cosmic energies or building blocks. These elements are representative of states of matter. This concept of the five elements lies at the very heart of Ayurvedic science.
These five elements are present within every living being and every conscious thing, including all the food you ingest, the weather, the environment and all of nature. Because these elements are present in the environment, they have an influence on you.
The 3 Doshas - Derived from the 5 Elements
Vata Dosha
Vata is a combination of the elements space and air. It is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and its energy is dispersing. Vata governs the principle of movement and can therefore be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration and elimination. Thus, Vata controls some of the basic body processes such as cell division, the heart, breathing, nervous system and the mind.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta represents the elements of fire and water. It has evolved from the functions of fire in nature. As fire cooks, digests or destroys everything that it comes across according to its strength; similarly, Pitta is the basic energy-generating constituent necessary for all the metabolic operations of the body. The transformation of foods into nutrients that the body assimilates is an example of a Pitta function. It is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism.
Pitta is hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and has a spreading quality.
Pitta types have a medium frame and good muscle tone. They are likely intense, energetic, dynamic, perfectionist and focused individuals. When Pitta is in balance, they make great teachers, leaders and guides.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha dosha combines the elements water and earth. It has heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy qualities. Kapha means the adhesive material which in the body acts as the assembling constituent. The gel like substance between your joints can be considered as Kapha for understanding purpose.
Kapha is responsible for growth, immunity, strength and offers protection; cerebral-spinal fluid protects the brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body.
Kapha types tend to have larger bones, thicker muscles and fat, slower metabolism, abundant wavy hair, big attractive eyes, put on weight easily, and may have cool, clammy skin. Kapha types also talk and move slower but with grace and dignity. When balanced, there is consistency, dedication, loyalty, unconditional love, calmness, nurture, devotion forgiveness, love, generosity and compassion.
What is Health
The Ayurvedic definition of health is that state in which your structure and function is operating optimally and you are in a state of physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium.
The Ayurvedic state of health
Vata, Pitta, Kapha are in equilibrium with regard to your individual body-mind type (Prakrti).
All seven tissues are in the proper state of strength and integrity.
Your digestive fire is balanced resulting in proper appetite, digestion and assimilation.
Waste materials are produced and eliminated in a regular manner.
Your sense organs are functioning normally and your mind is undisturbed.
Happiness and contentment is the experience of life.
Ayurvedic Principles
All things in the universe (both living and nonliving) are joined together.
Every human being contains elements that are found in the universe.
All people are born in a state of balance within themselves and in relation to the universe.
This state of balance is disrupted by the processes of life. Disruptions can be physical, emotional, spiritual or a combination. These imbalances weaken the body and make you susceptible to disease.
Health is good if your interaction with the immediate environment is effective and wholesome.
Prakrti
The word Prakrti means natural or original form and source. Pra can be translated as the beginning or source of origin, and krti means composition or creation. Thus, prakrti refers to the innate constitution of your body and mind.
The five elements and the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) constitute Prakrti and is determined at the moment of conception depending on the predominant combination of the elements.
You are born with a basic Prakrti which determines your body type, personality and tendency to illness. While your basic Prakrti does not change, except for very rare circumstances, aspects thereof change with age, seasons and geo-climatic conditions.
By understanding your Prakrti, you can anticipate your disease tendencies and patterns and learn how to cope with them in order to prevent becoming sick. During Ayurvedic consultations with Heidi Nordlund, you will gain the understanding of your Ayurvedic body-mind type.
Superficially it may appear that some types are better than others. However, each type has its positive and negative aspects. There is no "wrong" type, and you should not desire to be of a different one. You need to start from wherever you are. This means that you need to understand where you stand and accept it. Then plan intelligently to attain the healthiest state by realizing your potential. The Ayurvedic understanding of Prakrti provides a way to do this - to analyze and assess where you stand and to provide guidance to attain perfect health. You have an inherent tendency to move in the direction of self-healing and balance.
The backbone of Ayurveda is the principle that health is dependent on the balance of your body-mind type. Understanding your innate constitution allows for comprehending the imbalances that are going on and how optimal health is restored. Thus, assessing your Prakrti is a guide for intelligent action to tell in which direction you should move and how to improve your physical and mental well-being.
Prevention - Better than Cure
The essence of Ayurveda is prevention and Ayurveda offers extensive recommendations, procedures and techniques to protect your health.
In the course of normal, everyday life, your body easily accumulates toxins. This may be due to stress, improper diet, chemicals in the foods you eat or drink or other lifestyle-related factors. Toxins causesill health and ageing. Learning how to avoid accumulating these toxins is a key factor in maintaining your health and longevity.
In Ayurveda, diet is very important and is regarded as the foundation of good health: food is medicine and medicine is food. Which diet is suitable for you and your health depends upon your individual body-mind type and current imbalances.
Ayurveda offers the answers to which foods are appropriate for you to eat and which to avoid, how and when to eat. The old slogan that breakfast is the most important meal of the day may be a good advice for some but very bad for others.
Ayurveda advocates a joy-filled life and takes into account modern realities as well as the importance of enjoying what you eat - whatever it is. Ayurvedic consultations offers recommendations and guidelines and is not to be taken as inflexible dictation.
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Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Ayurveda is not meant to replace the advice of your physician.