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Food, Herbs

What Your Gut is Trying to Tell Your Heart

What your gut is trying to tell your heart - Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health.

Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health

A gut feeling is an instinctive, intuitive feeling, without any logical rationale. It’s very common to hear people using the saying gut feeling, but on what level do we really understand the connection between the gut and our emotions? How often are you treating your heart’s longings for an issue you may be experiencing in your digestion? With the ongoing amount of research and development on the inner workings of the microbiome, there are hundreds of ways to help to create a healthy gut. Especially when we turn to Ayurveda. Ayurveda is all about healing the digestive system and the practices, dietary guidelines and herbal remedies have been meticulously put together for thousands and thousands of years to do just that, so why doesn’t it always work? 

The digestive system has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system. It has over 100 million nerve endings and in many ways, it can control digestion independently without your conscious awareness. The enteric nervous system has been nicknamed our "second brain.” This gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication. In fact, 95 percent of serotonin is found in the gut! This bidirectional pathway is referred to as the brain-gut axis and involves moment-to-moment communication to control digestion. Loyolamedicine

The gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication.

The gut-brain communication is so closely linked that when we experience a state of dis-ease, stress, heart ache or any other negative emotion that feeling gets signaled through bidirectional nerve pathways to the gut that then causes an upset or imbalance. In return, if such emotions aren’t addressed the gut can then take on the problem and send its own signal to the brain causing a vicious cycle of imbalance and possibly some unwanted digestive issues. 

So, how do we become more connected to the instinctual and intuitive gut feeling when it comes to the matters of the heart? It starts with getting to your Self and falling in love with your Self. Katie talks a lot about self love (especially in Ayurveda School) and has defined it by how capacious we are at actually liking our funny, quirky, silly little inner child. Self-love happens when we know who she is, how she’s been hurt, and when we are gentle with her through the steps towards healing. 

Self love is also about taking the time to listen and the space to feel. When we don’t give ourselves enough space, solitude, and quiet it’s more difficult to tap into our inner wise woman-- this is the woman who has a healthy gut! Have you ever noticed that when you are relaxed and in a place that makes you happy surrounded by people you feel at ease with (often happens on long vacations) magically your gut issues seem to improve? We are unable to tap into the depths of our wisdom and the place of true self love when we are in a constant state of fight or flight.

Seek out ways to ground yourself. Do the practices that help you feel the most relaxed. Breathe in self love with every breath. Practice daily meditations, affirmations, or prayer. Be in the arms of nature. Do not give up on yourself and stay diligent with monitoring how you speak to your Self. And, consider joining us in Ayurveda School 2022 where we will discuss ALL about the gut, brain, and heart connection and so much more.

Greens for the Gut & Potatoes for the Heart

An Ayurvedic Green Recipe for Gut Health.

For the Greens

1 large bunch of dandelion (finely chopped)

1 cup of finely chopped kale (or any other green of your choice)

1 tbsp fresh ginger (diced)

1 tbsp of olive oil or ghee

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

In a medium sized saute pan over medium heat, add the oil and spices, and let simmer for a few minutes. Next, add the greens and cover with a lid. Let the greens cook for about 15 minutes while periodically stirring and covering with the lid. If the greens are sticking you can add a little water (this will also help to steam the greens). 

 

For the Potatoes

1 cup of fingerling potatoes (halved)

1 tbsp ghee

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried) 

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until the potatoes are completely covered with the oil and spices. Next, transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. (Option to do in a saute pan: follow the same directions as for the greens) 

The greens and potatoes are great on their own, but feel free to top with your favorite protein source to make this a complete meal. 

Potato recipe for the hearth.

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TheShaktiSchool

I’m fifteen, the sun is setting behind the Bapti I’m fifteen, the sun is setting behind the Baptist church across the street, and I’m having my first kiss. I’m clutching a cherry Slurpee from 7-Eleven. My hands frozen, but my stomach warm with the butterflies of anticipation.

I’ll spare you the full awkward glory of it. Just know: it was thrilling only because it was my first kiss…but it was a little icky. The moment felt more like a nervous science experiment than a cinematic love scene.

And yet for years, I had fantasized about this kiss. I’d built altars to it in my Lisa Frank rainbow notebooks, baptized it in hot pink dolphin dreams. I prayed to the feeling of it—of being wanted, of being chosen, of being seen.

That imagined kiss? It was electric, perfect, Divine.

The real one? A little wet and weird. But also sacred in its own way.

Here’s what I know now: Desire isn’t the problem. It’s the path.

Our work is not to shut down desire, but to refine it.

To redirect it - not toward perfection or external validation - but toward our innermost self. 

Toward the Source.

Toward what is most true.

C.S. Lewis said it best about our desires (what a shocker): “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

It was always about your heart.

And it’s unstoppable, holy ache to remember who you truly are.

That ache? That’s the curriculum of our school.

Shakti Ayurveda School is a soul community. A real-talk, no-BS, deeply feminine journey into healing, desire, laughter and transformation.

Our Summer of Love sale is ending in just 4 days (lowest price + tons of free gifts when you join Ayurveda School).

Ready to go deeper?

→ Comment AYURVEDASCHOOL (one word) to sign-up + claim your bonuses. Just use code ‘summeroflove’ at checkout.

→ Comment MORE INFO to book a free connect call with our team.

→ Comment WISDOM to get instant access to our free Divine Feminine Ayurveda mini-course.
In August, the heat and fire of Pitta that built u In August, the heat and fire of Pitta that built up in June starts to rise to the surface, especially as moisture in our body begins to dry out. 🌞🍂 ⁠
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It’s time to soothe the lingering fire of summer while gently preparing our bodies for the cool, dry winds of fall.⁠
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Here’s your shopping list:⁠
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🌿 Mint: Naturally cooling and calming, balances Pitta heat and soothes digestion.⁠
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🍑 Peaches: Juicy and hydrating, helping balance dryness (which is key this month).⁠
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🍇 Grapes: Sweet, cooling, lightly grounding and Ojas-building.⁠
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🍐 Pears: Moistening and light, they combat late-summer dryness and calm heat.⁠
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🥒 Cucumbers: Cooling, detoxifying and deeply hydrating for tissues.⁠
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🥔 Jicama: Crunchy, sweet and grounding, perfect for balancing rising Vata.⁠
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🍠 Sweet Potatoes: Earthy and nourishing, they stabilize and prep the body for fall.⁠
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💛 Yellow Squash: Moistening and light, supports digestion and balances Pitta.⁠
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🍎 Apples: Astringent and cleansing, they gently clear excess summer heat.⁠
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🍚 Quinoa: Light yet grounding, ideal as we transition from summer to autumn.⁠
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🥛 Milk: (Organic + warm!) Nourishes and lubricates as dryness sets in.⁠
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🥥 Coconut Oil: Cools Pitta, moisturizes tissues and calms inflammation.⁠
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🥕 Carrots: Sweet and earthy, they ground airy Vata and prep digestion for fall.⁠
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🧈 Ghee: Builds Ojas, lubricates tissues and strengthens agni without heat.⁠
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🍅 Tomatoes: For Kapha types, their acidity and lightness help stimulate digestion, but avoid for Pittas + Vatas.⁠
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🌱 Mung Beans: Light, cooling and detoxifying, they balance Pitta while remaining easy to digest.⁠
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✨ Our Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Certification is now enrolling for January and our Summer of Love sale ends in just FIVE days. ⁠
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Enroll by August 11th with code ‘summeroflove’ at checkout & receive:⁠
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~ $100 off tuition⁠
~ A free mini-gift set from Paavani Ayurveda⁠
~ 1 year FREE in Spirit Sessions Membership⁠
~ Katie’s Ayurveda Summer Mix Tape downloadable recipe book⁠
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👉🏽 Comment AYURVEDASCHOOL (one word) to learn more or book a complimentary connect call with our team.
When I first discovered Ayurveda, I internalized a When I first discovered Ayurveda, I internalized all of the rules: No smoothies. No raw veggies. No coffee.

But as my journey evolved, I learned what the ancient texts themselves say: 

Ayurveda must evolve with time, place and people in which it exists. 

In other words, Ayurveda isn’t just a monolithic set of guidelines. It’s also a first-principles approach to navigating radiant health: for body, mind AND spirit.

Ayurveda does not have to look like living in a monastery, grinding spices by hand or working in the kitchen for hours a day (although these things CAN be beautiful expressions of Ayurveda).

Subtle Ayurveda is about tuning into the quiet voice of your animal body and reconnecting with your own inner wisdom.

Here are 4 signs you might be practicing Ayurveda the hard way:

1. You feel anxious about what’s “allowed” to eat.
2. You’re constantly second-guessing if you’re doing it “right.”
3. You’ve lost touch with your own intuition or your body’s cues.
4. It feels more like homework than healing.

Ayurveda is a living, breathing relationship between you and nature. 

When practiced through the lens of our direct experience, rather than just dogma, Ayurveda becomes adaptable, sensual and freeing.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in an approach that’s simple, intuitive and wildly expanding?

🎙️Comment DOGMA and I’ll send you the link to my full podcast episode, Ep. 181 Ayurveda Fundamentalism & Why We May Wanna’ Avoid It.
Let’s be real, sometimes we wait for a sign.⁠ Let’s be real, sometimes we wait for a sign.⁠
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That nudge. That feeling in our gut that says, go for it.⁠
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If you’ve been dreaming of diving into the world of Ayurveda, of healing your body and reconnecting with your purpose, this is the moment.⁠
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Right now, Shakti Ayurveda School Level 1 is open for enrollment at the lowest tuition it will ever be. No joke. This is our once-a-year, best-ever offering.⁠
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And to sweeten the deal?⁠
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We’re celebrating summer the only way we know how...with a whole lotta LOVE! Right now, get the lowest ever tuition with the discount code SummerofLove and all the BONUS GIFTS! ❤️‍🔥⁠
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When you sign up during our Summer of Love Sale (just TEN days left!), you’ll get:⁠
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💖 $100 off your tuition ⁠

🌿 A FREE Paavani Summer Sampler Kit (cooling spritzer, body oil and digestive blend)⁠

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✨ A downloadable Ayurveda for Summer recipe book, straight outta' Katie's kitchen⁠
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👉🏼 Just use code SummerofLove at registration check out to receive the discount and ALL the gifts! ⁠
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We did this because we believe this work, this feminine, embodied, radically real Ayurveda, should be accessible for as many women as possible. ⁠
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That’s why our team is ready to work with you one-on-one to customize a payment plan that works with your financial flow. We’re not a big corporate university, we’re real women who’ve walked this path too, and we get it.⁠
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This school is more than a certification. It’s a calling. A homecoming. A space where you get to learn how to truly care for your body, heal your heart, and awaken your spiritual power, and share that with your family, your clients, your community.⁠
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You don’t need to have it all figured out.⁠
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You don’t need to be perfect or “ready.”⁠
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You just need to trust the spark that brought you here.⁠
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🌹 Let us help you take the next step. Learn more and book a complimentary call with our team at the link in our bio.
Okay, I think we can all laugh at how TRUE this me Okay, I think we can all laugh at how TRUE this meme by @natashalevinger is. 🤣💃🏽 

Sometimes it really feels like while we’re over here having endless emotional processing sessions with our therapist, our parents are enjoying nonstop vacations and home remodelings. 😜  

But here’s a deeper reflection for us all – part of healing is realizing that our parents, siblings, friends (and yes, every human on the planet) also has their wounds. We are all just doing the best we can with what we’ve come into this life with.

The good news about uncovering our wounds is this: When we work with our wounds and are willing to hold space for our inner child, we free up an immense reservoir of untapped energy. 

The things that hold the most pain in our lives have the potential to show us our life’s purpose and help us find the deepest meaning.

Meme by @natashalevinger

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