Kristen first fell in love with Ayurveda while earning her 200-hour yoga teaching certification in India. Kristen studied at Kripalu School of Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic Institute, and Chakrapani Research Clinic in Jaipur, India. Kristen focuses on the mental and emotional aspects that influence our diet and lifestyle choices. Kristen is passionate about self-care, women’s health, and the cultivation of healthy thought patterns. You can find Kristen on Instagram.
We can launch change and growth in our lives by being deliberate with the thoughts and language that support our beliefs. Reinforcing our beliefs on a daily basis provides cosmic...
Whether you love them, avoid them, or cherish them—we all have them. With Valentine’s Day in the air, I wanted to shed light on how we can illuminate our relationships through...
Eating fresh food is important, but do you get tired of the same salads, soups, and steamed vegetables day in and day out? Spices are colorful, aromatic, and exciting. There...
Many of the negative symptoms attached to the menstrual cycle are commonly known as PMS. But, from an Ayurvedic viewpoint, they are a request for more self-care.
How do we navigate new time zones, different foods, varied climates, and unfamiliar mattresses (or sleeping bags) in a way that promotes balance? As always, Ayurveda is here to guide...
It's all about the bitters this summer! Try this amazing bitter and cooling aloe vera smoothie recipe to keep yourself in balance when the heat starts to rise!
Here are three yoga sequences that are especially good at balancing one particular dosha. Choose from these sequences, or mix and match the postures to create your own unique asana...
We all know the value of sleep. Perhaps more importantly, at some point in our lives we’ve endured the consequences of not getting enough sleep. Both the quality and quantity...
’Tis the season—the season for joy, celebration, family, friends, lights, gifts, and yes—challenges to our health. Here are six immune-boosting tips to help you stay happy and healthy this season!
Cat-Cow is actually two poses that combine together to create the common mini-sequence known as Cat-Cow. This sequence is designed to help lubricate and warm the spine. We use both...
Let me be clear, I hate that fat has a bad reputation. Fat isn’t bad. Fatty tissues help protect our organs, lubricate our joints, and store hormones so we can...
Ayurveda teaches us that our gut health is a determining factor of our overall health, and it’s important to learn how to keep our agni, or digestive fire, strong and...
Our skin, the largest organ in the body, is symbolic of how we see ourselves. Facial massage and marma points can do wonders for our inner and outer glow.
The word “yoga” means union, and the essence of Yoga is to unite with your true nature. The paramount theme of yoga at its core is the same as Ayurveda—to...
When push comes to shove, it's easy to forgo our good intentions because the demands of life beckon our attention (and consume our time). Read this article for a simple...
Kristen is the author of Your Life is Medicine: Ayurveda for Yogis. Written in a simple, friendly voice, this book is the perfect healthy lifestyle companion for beginners. It includes education and resources for self-care, proper nutrition, yoga, dosha assessments, and more. You can find it on www.wellblends.com and Amazon.
Kristen's Point of View
How were you first introduced to Ayurveda?
I was first introduced to Ayurveda while studying yoga in India.
When are you most likely to go out of balance and how do you bring yourself back in balance using Ayurveda?
I am most likely to go out of balance in times of change, transition, travel, or during the anticipation of big events. During these times, my vata increases and manifests as constipation, anxious feelings, and sleeplessness. I ground myself by distancing myself from devices, going into nature, eating warm foods, and drinking turmeric milk. I often use pre-recorded Yoga Nidra meditations to help me find rest.
What does the future of Ayurveda look like to you?
I believe Ayurveda will become more of a household name and modality in the future. Most Americans are familiar with chiropractic work and acupuncture. I believe Ayurveda will become this well known and utilized soon.
What's one Ayurvedic practice anyone can implement to spur change in their life, right here, right now?
Drinking turmeric milk at night is an easy and effective practice. It not only tastes yummy, but also helps promote comfort, ease, and sleep.
