Best-selling author Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. has been an Ayurvedic practitioner for more than 30 years and is recognized as one of the nation’s most prominent Ayurvedic doctors. She teaches Maharishi AyurVeda® in affiliation with the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Integrative Medicine. A frequent speaker on national media, she continues her private practice in integrative medicine and Ayurveda, including Wellness Consultations in person or by phone.
You know that the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique improves health, but did you know that there are things you can do for your body to get the most out of your TM practice?
Pull One Leg, and the Rest Will Come Along
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the TM program, often used a brilliant analogy. When you pull one leg of a table, the rest of the table comes along, no matter which leg you pull. Similarly, we can approach better health mentally, physically, or both, because the mind and body are intimately connected. When we do something to the body, it affects the mind, and vice versa.
This is one reason that Maharishi introduced Ayurveda, the timeless system of natural health from the Vedic tradition of ancient India, back in 1985.
A Body Approach to Complement TM
Maharishi AyurVeda, the modern restoration of authentic, Consciousness-BasedSM Ayurveda, includes methods to detox the body and balance the physiology via approaches such as herbs, diet, and daily and seasonal routines.
These approaches boost our body’s healing power while enhancing our depth and clarity of transcending—a doubly delicious way to grow in consciousness and optimal health at the same time!
Timeless, Yet Timely for Today
Maharishi AyurVeda is surprisingly modern, yet timeless—it’s been in continuous practice for at least 5,000 years! It incorporates the following key principles.
1. Biological individuality: This is the concept that we fall into one of seven mind-body types, each thriving with its own specific diet and lifestyle.
2. Early detection and prevention: Taking an extensive history of a person, including diet and lifestyle, as well as performing a physical exam, such as assessment of the pulse at the wrist, gives a Maharishi AyurVeda practitioner clues to early stages of imbalance and how to correct them.
3. Precision medicine: Highly individualized treatment programs depend on the unique nature of individuals and their imbalances.
4. Time-tested approaches, free of harmful side-effects: A long history of use and a growing body of scientific research supports the safety and effectiveness of Maharishi AyurVeda.
Look for Tips to Come!
Because good physical health supports the effectiveness of TM practice and vice versa, in the coming issues of this column, I’ll be sharing Maharishi AyurVeda tips regarding diet, spices, detox, daily routine, and other avenues to help enhance your growth of consciousness, vitality, and overall health, simultaneously!
Copyright 2017, Nancy K. Lonsdorf, M.D. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without written permission of the author.
Very interesting! Makes sense especially after my practice and growing understanding of TM.
Hi, I am 66 years old and looking for a practitioner in Venice, CA or Burlington, VT. Do you know of any? Thank you. Barbara
Thank you for your note and interest, Barbara. To find a practitioner in your area, contact your local TM Center (in LA or VT) and the TM instructors will be able to give you a referral. To find your local TM Center, go to EnjoyTM.org and click on #1 “TM Events Near You.” From there you’ll find a Center nearby. Good luck, and enjoy!
What is the cost involved? I am so interested especially since I have had three hospitalizations since 2010…but I have a very limited income.
Please advise.
Thanks for your interest, Isabel. I’m sorry to hear about your hospitalizations. The cost depends on the service you select, from a personal consultation to other health treatments. I’d suggest contacting your local TM Center (see how to do this in note to Barbara above) to find a Maharishi AyurVeda practitioner in your area. Then you can discuss your individual health needs with him or her. Best wishes to you!