Ayurveda Newsletter December 2025

“One of the most beautiful things about Ayurveda is that it meets each of us exactly where we are”

 True health begins with enjoying your life and welcoming pleasurable experiences into it regularly. Rather than focusing on illness, I prefer to stay focused on my health, which I control and have the ability to create daily through my thoughts, beliefs, and daily practices, such as eating well and exercising. This shifts my focus from curing to preventing. Daily self-care is essential, and has long been promoted in Ayurveda as a priority. We are essentially saying to ourselves, and to others that love us, that we deserve to be nourished and looked after.

Abyangha or self-massage is an example of daily self-care and is important to do for all. It has many benefits but to summarise

Imparts softness, strength, and colour to the body:
• Decreases the effects of ageing
• Nourishes the body
• Benefits sleep patterns
• Benefits the skin
• Stimulates the internal organs of the body, increasing circulation
• Self-care =self-love

THE TECHNIQUE:

Choose an oil that is appropriate for your doshic type – Vata, Pitta or
Kapha oil - see reference for the beautiful body oils later in the newsletter.

1. Put about 1/4-1/2 cup of oil in a squeeze bottle.
2. Warm the oil by placing the bottle in a mug of hot water.
3. Massage the oil into your entire body, beginning at your
extremities and working toward the middle of your body. Use long
strokes on the limbs and circular strokes on the joints.
4. Massage the abdomen and chest in broad, circular motions. On
the abdomen, follow the path of the large intestine, massaging
clockwise, moving up on the right side of the abdomen, then
across, then down on the left side.
5. Put a couple drops of warm oil on the tip of your little finger or on
a cotton ball and apply to the opening of the ear canal.
6. If you are able, take your time with this process.
7. Enjoy a warm bath or shower afterwards . Minimize the use of soap, and use only where needed.

Gratitude has always been the basis of my daily practise as I find it is impossible to feel sad or angry when I am feeling grateful - try it?

WHAT CAN HELP:

• Think of one thing you are truly grateful for every morning when you wake up and last thing at night when you go to sleep.

• Give thanks before meals whether through prayer, reflection, pause and take a moment to feel grateful for the meal in front of you

• Complement at least one person every day.

• Keep a grateful dairy for 10 days and see how that can transform your world. Try to mix it up. .... Some inspiration to consider

SOME INSPIRATION TO CONSIDER:

Who are your favourite humans and what you like most about
them?

What you like most about yourself - inside and out?

What is your favourite colour? How does it make you feel?

Can you derive some wisdom about something that is challenging you at the moment?

The opportunities to find things you are grateful for are endless. They don’t have to be big: it can be as simple as clean sheets and the first rays of the sun in the morning.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

I feel lucky to be promoting a range of the Ayu Products. They fit into the philosophy of Ayurveda where they incorporate the art of perfume and oils, into an everyday ritual, where each blend is formed, considering the energetic qualities of the doshas.

Ayu’s Vata oil – pacifying, calming, soothing – helps to nourish and
replenish the skin – lightly scented with Rose, Lavender and Ylang Ylang.

Ayu’s Pitta oil – cooling, balancing and nourishing - a blend of 29 herbs , formulated to help ease stress and exhaustion. Scented slightly with sandalwood, rose and patchouli.

Ayu’s Kapha oil - warming, invigorating, stimulating – a blend of eight powerful herbs known to invigorate and uplift the senses. Scented lightly with Frankincense , lime and neroli.

You can look further at the Ayu products stocked – includes some perfumed oils that smell sublime – They are dosha specific and make a beautiful gift for yourself or loved ones. 

RECIPE - SPICED BERRY CHIA PARFAIT

A recipe celebrating the festive season that captures the warmth of Christmas with bright, anti-oxidant seasonal berries. This is a make -ahead dessert and is packed with fibre, omegas -3’s and vit C. Perfect for a healthy holiday treat

Ingredients – serves 4
The chia layer
- - 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut /almond milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of fresh grated nutmeg

Whisk together chia seeds, almond (coconut) milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, stirring once after 30 minutes.

The berry compote layer
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves

In a small saucepan, combine berries, orange zest and juice, honey, ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until berries break down and mixture thickens. Remove whole spices and let cool.

Layer chia pudding and berry compote in glasses. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt if desired, fresh mint, and crushed pistachio nuts.

The qualities of this desert are cold, heavy, moist, slightly astringent but this is balanced by the digestive warming spices – cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Well balanced for Vata if served at room temperature, and for Pitta if served cold, and with a little more mint, plus emphasising the sweet berries such blueberries. Balance Kapha constitutions, by adding cranberries and skipping the yoghurt.

HOLIDAYS:

I am planning to be way from the 19th December until the end of January. I will be coming back and forth to Auckland so will be available for repeat orders and any queries. Last orders before Xmas will be the 19th December. If you need an updated prescription or any product please let me know.

METAGENICS:

If you have been prescribed Metagenics products you can now access direct. By signing in (www.metagenics.co.nz) and using the following QR code, you will automatically be able to order product direct. The QR code required is as follows - ayhe-0912-7581

YOGA CLASSES:

Yoga classes will be full swing from the beginning of February 2026. If you are interested in the knowing more regarding the yoga offerings, please get in touch with me:
 
Phone: 021488054
Email:  Perry@ayurvedahealth.co.nz

Wishing you a very festive Christmas full of love and peace x

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop
in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Saint Mother Theresa

Namaste - Perry 🙏