VIRGINIA COMPTON
“Ayurveda enables us to reconnect with natures rhythms and cycles, to ground ourselves and to remember who we really are.”
Virginia Compton is a yoga and Ayurveda teacher who shares the ancient philosophies and benefits of these practices to help others find peace of mind and wellbeing in the modern world. In her work she offers a wide range of services, including yoga and Ayurveda classes, workshops, retreats, private therapeutic sessions, lifestyle advice, and massages.
She shares the practices that have helped her in her lifestyle consultations that focus on Ayurvedic tools and massage therapies that are drawn from the Ayurvedic tradition, Well Woman yoga and yoga therapy styles as well as yoga Nidra.
Follow Virginia:
Website: Virginia Compton
Instagram: @virginiacomptonwellness
Facebook: Virginia Compton Wellness
“Ayurveda gives us a beautiful solution, a structure that enables us to step away from the fast paced literally exhausting expectations of modern life, where people so often experience burn out and fatigue.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
Ayurveda (for me) means living instinctively, from the land as it was intended, with natural rhythms and cycles, seasons and all of lifes fluctuations.
When did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
I first came across Ayurveda during my yoga teacher training in 2009. I have been practicing it more earnestly (fully incorporating it into my life) since 2015.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
From around the age of 30, I began to get a chest infection in the Autumn each year. I consulted my GP and was told there was no link to the season, which I felt wasn’t right. I was already practising yoga and Ayurveda was around me in many ways, and so I looked into it and found that stopping dairy (especially in the colder months) may be helpful as I had a definite excess of Kapha. I stopped dairy and I haven't had a chest problem since. This inspired me to learn more.
Has it helped you with anything major?
As I said above, it helped me to completely eliminate my recurring chest infections! I have also had some big emotional upheavals in the last 5 years and my Vata has been a real issue at times, which I have been able to manage with the support of Ayurvedic herbs, daily routines, massage therapy and dietary adjustments. I have no doubt that Ayurveda together with yoga has helped me to manage my health both mentally and physically through incredibly challenging times.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
Ayurveda is completely ingrained into my daily routine, I take regular herbs, structure my day according to dinacharya and eat only seasonal and local foods. If I begin to feel any imbalance I always seek to adjust things to rebalance myself. This habit of self-care is now an integral part of who I am.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
1. Routine, the body and mind love routine!
2. Not eating after 6pm, better sleep, better energy, improved digestion.
3. Oil and abhyanga, also oil pulling and if Vata is high oil in and on my food.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
It can be very simple. In lots of ways it is complex, but the basic principles are simple and logical so it can be followed by anyone. It always works.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
It was suggested to me three of four times before I tried it (the cutting out of the dairy as above), but then when I did it the effect was so instant that I totally went for it!
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Kitchari for sure. My absolute favourite all-time food. Amazing with stir fried greens!
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
My routines fit around the Ayurveda, it is non negotiable these days! If I do go out late or for supper I only eat light, and these days often I don't eat at all but just go along for the company! Friends found it odd at first, but now it's been some years they totally resonate with me. I rise early and go to bed early the majority of the time and I am fortunate that my lifestyle allows me to eat my main meal in the middle of the day.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
Less judgement and more understanding of how simple it can be to lead a healthier existence. Acceptance that it is ok to be healthy and happy. Support of employers and workspaces to allow this as well as of society in general. Make simple and delicious local food easy to source and affordable to all! Alongside community allotments with free growing and cooking schemes for everyone so that they can earn how to utilise the natural and affordable resources all around them.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
Yes, because I never stop talking about it! Some have tried some Ayurvedic practices. Those who have, always report the benefit, even a cup of golden milk in the evening stopping night time hot menopausal flushes!
What’s the one thing you would encourage everyone to try or you think would benefit the majority of people’s health for the better?
Don't eat too late, go to bed by 10pm at the very latest, stop eating sugar (three things I know, but they are all essential).
Anything else you’d like to add?
There is so much to say! I worked as a nurse in the NHS for over 27 years, both in acute hospital settings and latterly in addiction services. The patterns that I see now in my Ayurveda (and yoga) clients are the same as the patterns of drug and alcohol addiction. We are all addicted, to fast food, consumerism, sugar, caffeine, TV, the list goes on and on. Ayurveda gives us a beautiful solution, a structure that enables us to step away from the fast paced literally exhausting expectations of modern life, where people so often experience burn out and fatigue. Ayurveda enables us to reconnect with natures rhythms and cycles, to ground ourselves and to remember who we really are.