VERONICA MAUREL
"I had been told that my condition would be with me for the rest of my life and that I would need the aid of a wheelchair to move around. Instead, I came back to full health and an active life that fulfils me. After healing, I immediately felt the urge to spread the word and give others the gift of Ayurveda, so, as I started teaching yoga again, I became a Yoga Health Coach and Ayurveda consultant, which deepened my love for Ayurveda."
Veronica Maurel is a certified Yoga Health Coach, Ayurveda consultant, Dru Yoga, meditation teacher, writer and owner of Akasha Yoga Centre in Nottingham, UK.
Veronica helps clients to embrace an Ayurveda lifestyle with ease and a sense of joy and fulfilment by practicing a practical, down-to-earth approach to help integrate an Ayurvedic lifestyle into real, everyday life. She combines eastern and western knowledge into her practice and also creative tools such as creative reading and writing, which become powerful healing rituals.
Veronica believes in the healing power of the body and the empowerment that Ayurveda can give us as we align with nature and co-create our present and future.
Veronica can be contacted at veronica@akashayogacentre.co.uk
Or follow her around the web:
Website: Akasha Yoga Centre
Facebook: Veronica Maurel
Facebook: Akasha Yoga Centre
Instagram: @veronica_yogasound
"Ayurveda could help me to 'nourish the soil,' to put my body in such a place that it could do the job it’s designed to do: self-healing."
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
I can’t separate Ayurveda from my life. It is my way to align to my body, to co-create with nature. It gives me the integrity, the strength and the support to follow my dreams and fulfil my highest potential every day.
When did you discover it?
I discovered Ayurveda nine years ago when I was doing my yoga teacher training, but it wasn’t until I became severely ill with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), that I fully embraced the healing potential of Ayurveda. Three months after a Panchakarma treatment, completely adopting an Ayurveda lifestyle and embarking on a journey with Mickel Therapy, I was completely cured. I had been told that my condition would be with me for the rest of my life and that I would need the aid of a wheelchair to move around. Instead, I came back to full health and an active life that fulfils me. After healing, I immediately felt the urge to spread the word and give others the gift of Ayurveda, so, as I started teaching yoga again, I became a Yoga Health Coach and Ayurveda consultant, which deepened my love for Ayurveda.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
First, curiosity; afterwards a deep faith that my body could heal itself and that Ayurveda could help me to "nourish the soil," to put my body in such a place that it could do the job it’s designed to do: self-healing.
What drew me to Ayurveda was the feeling of empowerment, the concept of food as medicine, the discovery of what works for each person, and the importance of knowing oneself in order to thrive.
How long have you been practising it?
Nine years at a personal level. Four years as a health coach.
Anything major it's helped with?
Severe illness in the past and, not long ago, it helped me recovered from traumatic brain injury after an unfortunate accident.
Is it part of everyday life or merely part of your medicine cabinet/fall-back routine?
Everyday life! Ayurveda cannot be understood in any other way but as a part of a lifestyle. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we need to get it perfect all the time, but it’s the "default" mode. It’s really not hard. Ayurveda feels like a journey back home.
Top 3 Ayurveda tips that have worked for you?
Earlier and lighter dinners.
Early to bed.
Easeful orientation to life.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
Well, how effective it is, how quick the body feels better after just a few minor changes.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
Overnight, as a part of a detox process. After feeling the benefits, I could not go back to my "normal" way of eating or living.
Do your children/family eat like this? And if they do do they know it's Ayurveda or just home cooking?
My husband does, most of the time, but not always. It’s important to respect each other’s journeys. All the recipes that I cook are Ayurveda, at home they are just "normal," as you say, "home cooking."
Favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go to ingredient?
So many!
Golden Goddess Milk
Kitchari
Just the combination of lots of vegetables and spices
What do you wish was more accessible in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more simple?
Well, accessing some medicinal herbs is not easy. It would be good if there were high-quality training in the UK too. However, the bases are so available in everyday life. Our culture, society and work ethos are what make Ayurveda difficult. When adopting an Ayurveda lifestyle you have to fight so many self-imposed (or cultural-, family-, society-imposed) rules. Saying "yes" to Ayurveda is saying "yes" to the freedom to be who you really are. Our world is not designed for that, but things are shifting!
How does Ayurveda support your lifestyle?
I follow the Dinacharya (Ayurveda daily routine). Ayurveda guides my meal times and what I eat; I get plenty of rest; I practice self-care with self-abhyanga [n.b.: oil massage]. There are so many lovely practices that enhance my quality of life. However, how Ayurveda supports my lifestyle the most is by changing my orientation from feeling overwhelmed and stressed to total ease. It changes everything!
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about it?
Yes! I feel I started a trend around me. ☺
What's the one thing you would encourage everyone to try, or that you think would benefit the majority of people's health for the better?
Maybe start with earlier and lighter dinners, allowing a minimum of 13 hours' fast between dinner and breakfast. Everything else will start falling into place. Ah, and avoid snacking! Re-establish your relationship with your hunger. Enjoy being hungry for your foods and boost your Agni. Explore new recipes — Ayurveda is everything but restrictive and boring. Enjoy!