8. Will my Ayurvedic protocol seem much more strenuous compared to the single pill I take from my doctor?

• In a society of conveniences, we have become complacent, even of our health. Maintaining good health, especially with age, is a responsibility we owe ourselves, just like our jobs, our families, and our friendships. Nothing in life that is worth achieving, comes easy. 

• Besides, the Ayurvedic perspective of 'what' is going on in your body (as indicated by diagnostic tools) is often very different from that in western understanding. For example, high cholesterol may be seen in a lipid panel just as it is in pulse diagnosis, but the reasoning for the high cholesterol may be vastly differed in the two sciences.   

• States of chronic disease are often created over years of incorrect food & lifestyle. It follows then that rejuvenation and re-balance need either a similar timeframe, or a concerted effort over a shorter period of time. 

• While the body processes all food and medicine in the same way; the effects vary depending on the time of day and year. Each dosha in imbalance has primary conditions (empty/ full stomach, morning/ evening/ afternoon, spring/ autumn/ summer etc) under which it is dominant. As such, herbal protocols often follow these cycles for maximum benefits.

• One has a choice; a choice between a lifetime of inorganic medicines with multiple side effects, one pill at a time; or a short period of a concerted effort to regain balance with natural herbs that simultaneously rejuvenate and strengthen, bringing longevity and joy! 

9. Why do you recommend I refrain from foods generally accepted as 'good for you'?

• Nutrition - or incorrect, unbalanced nutrition - is often at the core of most internally emanating imbalances. Ayurveda has an extensive, comprehensive understanding of foods and nutrition.

• The western paradigm of food, restricted by its classifications of carbs, proteins, fat, sugars, vitamins etc, is insufficiently equipped to understand relationships between the food consumed and its comprehensive effects on the body. Its linear logical deductions (omega 3 is good for the skin, fish contains omega-3, so fish is good for the skin...) reduce foods to mathematical equations, ignoring their overall energetic compositions.

• The understanding of foods has been vastly influenced by respective industries and expensive marketing campaigns; rather than by the desire for the good of mankind. 

• Our modern 'binary' way of thinking about food, means there are only 2 ways of looking at it - either good or bad! Ayurveda says, 'the best food consumed incorrectly can be a poison, the most potent poison may be life giving' 

• Foods that may be generally beneficial in good health, may not be advisable in conditions of imbalance in the body. When I recommend for or against certain foods in your diet, it is because of their known effects on the doshas that influence your body. 
  

10. Why do you not ask for a pre-formatted medical history and VPK analysis like most other ayurvedic practitioners?

• Ayurveda is as much a science of intuition as of intellect. Ayurvedic evaluation starts the moment a Vaidya (physician) lays eyes on a person, absorbing every minute detail about the her physical and emotional aspects. Pre-formatted VPK analyses and conditions, I find, often distort the true picture required for an ayurvedic evaluation. Sometimes, the language of these questionnaires may be misinterpreted through the cultural and linguistic lens; at others, a client with some knowledge of Ayurveda may subconsciously modulate answers to ensure the final result is in line with her personal evaluation of her constitution.      

** In line with US regulations, Sukham Aayu does not identify, diagnose, treat or cure any medical conditions or illnesses. Any use of such words, or words like patient etc is purely colloquial, meant to ease discussions, and should not be taken as, or in contradiction to, a medical opinion. The inclusion of past medical history or reports should not be construed as being read by a doctor or medical expert. Zubinji's evaluation of your health is purely based on the Ayurvedic eastern concepts and terminology of vaata, pitta, kappa, agni, aama and more.