Exploring Ayurveda, Chai & Everyday Wellbeing with Vijeta

Chai Walli: For someone who is completely new to Ayurveda, what is Ayurveda and how can its principles be incorporated into everyday life without feeling overwhelming?

Vijeta: Ayurveda is a traditional healing system that originated in India 5,000 years ago. It is called the "Science of Life" as it helps us connect deeply to the rhythm of nature. Nature is made up of five elements: air, space, water, earth, and fire. As we are part of nature, we are also made of these five elements, in different proportions unique to each individual. When these elements are in balance, we experience optimum health. However, through the choices we make in the way we live, humans are moving away from this balanced state of health. Ayurveda helps us work on the root causes of our imbalances by making choices in our diet, lifestyle, sleep, and management of energy that are aligned with the cycles of nature. This helps bring the elements into balance. An important aspect of Ayurveda is our ability to digest food and life; in Ayurvedic texts, this is called Agni. By following a routine that honours the rhythms of nature in all four aspects listed above, we can strengthen our Agni, which helps bring more inner balance. As we incorporate the Ayurvedic way of living, we bring more consciousness into our life and strengthen the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda helps us to take charge of our health and wellbeing.

Chai Walli: Spices have such an important place in Ayurvedic traditions. What are some of the spices commonly used in chai, and what role do they traditionally play in supporting digestion and overall wellbeing?

Vijeta: Spices are very important in Ayurveda. When you add them at the start of cooking, they help the body break down food more easily. Spices don't just add taste and smell — they also help support agni, the digestive fire.

You can make chai with different spice mixes. One common mix is ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and fennel. This helps digestion.

Another popular one is CCF tea : made with coriander, cumin, and fennel, plus a small pinch of ajwain. This is great for digestion too.

There's also Kashayam tea, which is good for colds and flu. To make it, roast cumin, coriander, fennel, and black pepper. Grind them into a powder. Add ginger powder and turmeric. Boil this mix in water. No tea leaves are needed , just the spices.

Chai Walli: Many people are looking to reduce their caffeine intake but still want the comfort and ritual of a warm cup of chai. From an Ayurvedic perspective, what are some of the benefits of choosing a caffeine-free chai?

Caffeine is addictive and has a drying quality. It aggravates vata dosha : the air and space element in the body. Vata dosha governs all movement in the body, and too much of it can lead to a scattered mind, anxiety, poor sleep, dependency, and a dry colon, which causes irregular bowel movements.

Drinking warm, spiced chai without caffeine can be a positive way to replace this habit. In Ayurveda, attachment of any kind is seen as a root cause of imbalance or disease. So when revisiting your chai habit, it helps to look closely at what attachment is really at play.

If you're a regular chai drinker, try starting slow : gradually replace it with caffeine-free chai. Notice the difference it makes, and then decide what feels right for you.

Chai Walli: Could you tell me a little bit more about your choice of Chai Walli blends that you and your family enjoy and your rituals around them? What spices in them are supportive to you?

Vijeta: I love the eleven-spice caffeine-free chai. It's a unique blend of both warming and cooling spices : for example, clove is warming, while fennel is cooling.

Another thing I enjoy about this chai is that the spices are great for digestion. Ginger and ajwain, for instance, are excellent for that.

It's a wonderful way to replace a heavy caffeine habit: you truly won't miss your traditional masala tea.

Chai Walli: Is there a particular time of day when you would recommend enjoying a spiced chai, and are there different ways people can make their chai ritual more supportive of their individual needs?

Vijeta: I'd suggest limiting spiced (caffeine-free) chai to twice a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. You can start your day with a cup, but ideally have your first chai about an hour after breakfast, and the second about an hour after lunch.

It's best to avoid caffeine first thing in the morning. At that time, your body is naturally dehydrated, and caffeine will only dry it out further. Remember, caffeine increases the air and space elements (vata) in the body.

The best chai ritual is one enjoyed in stillness : holding a warm cup, sitting away from distractions, ideally in nature. If you have the chance, playing a soothing mantra in the background can add to the experience. It brings a real sense of calm to your day.

Using your five senses while holding your cup of chai is a beautiful ritual in itself. Smell it, look at it, taste it, feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, and enjoy the sound of each sip. Ayurveda places great importance on how we use our senses, as they reveal how close we are to balance or imbalance within ourselves.

Chai Walli: What do you wish more Australians understood about Ayurveda, particularly when it comes to using food, spices and everyday rituals to support wellbeing?

Vijeta: You are not separate from nature and once you truly realize that, every decision you make about food, sleep, or lifestyle will come from that place of understanding. Whenever we talk about building a new habit, we need to go back to the deeper belief system connected to it.

Ayurveda is not a "woo" concept : it is an intelligent science that honors the intelligence of nature and its impact on our body. At its core, it's about following the rhythm of nature to bring out the best in life.

Some habits that help bring inner balance include: eating according to the cycle of the sun, sleeping before 10:00 p.m., focusing on your breath, being mindful of where you direct your energy, cultivating a sense of gratitude, and eating freshly cooked meals.

Ayurveda focuses on the root cause of any problem, helping us heal from the inside out not the outside in.

You can connect with Vijeta directly if you'd like to engage her for any of her Ayurvedic services.

We loved chatting with Vijeta about the deeper connection between chai, spices, nature and wellbeing. We hope this conversation inspires you to slow down, reconnect with your senses and perhaps bring a little more intention to your own chai ritual.

To learn more about Vijeta and Aikyam Wellbeing Ayurvedic Coaching, visit her website or connect with her on Instagram.

Vijeta also comes to the Monthly Melbourne BIPOC Hiking Club that Uppma runs, if you'd like to join and if you identify as BIPOC please check out the club details here: Melbourne BIPOC Hiking Club

Vijeta's website is : Aikyam Wellbeing Coaching | Ayurveda

Instagram: @aikyamwithvijeta

Pictured: Vijeta :)