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Ayurveda: A Life of Balance: The Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Nutrition and Body Types with Recipes
This book is a profound but practical testament to the healing power of balanced living and shows how Ayurveda's ancient principles of health can help you achieve the highest levels of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Cancer survivor Maya Tiwari provides a thorough profile of the seven body types and the foods best suited to each. Her book is the first to include a complete discussion of the personality or psychospiritual attributes of the Ayurvedic body types, as well as food charts, seasonal menus, and recommended daily routines for each type. A chapter on sadhanas focuses on activities of the hearth, home, garden, and community that activate our "cognitive memory" of right living. An extensive section of uncomplicated recipes, keyed to the body types, and another on home remedies help provide a painless transition to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
48 people are currently reading
1230 people want to read
About the author
Maya Tiwari
31 books27 followersBri Maya Tiwari is a spiritual speaker, and author. Also called "Mother Maya," she is a teacher of Ayurveda and the founder of the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda and Mother Om Mission.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 8, 2013
I really love this book. There's a ton of information in Tiwari's book and it would be very very difficult to put everything here into practice all at once; I have been using and referring to this book for several years, and I basically just take on what I can as the need or interest arises. I would suggest, though, that if you're really interested in Ayurveda, don't just rely on your answers to the assessment in here to determine your dosha. I was kind of swayed, I think, by the body-type illustrations, and because I've never been overweight I didn't even consider that I might be Kapha. For years I thought I was Vata-Pitta, but when I went to a skilled practitioner who took my pulses and listened to my whole life story I found out I am actually Kapha-Vata. The diet and sadhanas for K-V make so much more sense for me. So, I'd definitely suggest this book as a reference, but if you're serious about Ayurveda, talk to an expert in person, too!
July 21, 2016
Ayurveda: A Life of Balance: The Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Nutrition and Body Types with Recipes is a more than a cookbook- it's a thoughtfully written manual that breaks down the spiritual science of the foods we eat. The premise is that we must eat based upon our own type of constitution, and the food we eat must remain as pure and soulfully alive as possible. Tiwari expounds upon all of these ideas in great detail, promising that the more you apply the techniques, the more intuitive your understanding of Ayurveda will become. Tiwari also weaves in the ancient Vedic philosophies as they enhance our understanding of how such mindful eating can quicken our evolution on this planet. As well, she provides insights from her personal experience with Ayurveda, herself having used it to heal her last inoperable tumor.
Tiwari starts at the most basic level of Ayurveda, devoting an exceptional 20+ pages to helping the reader to determine which of the constitutions (doshas) s/he has, because the whole diet will be based upon that singular determination. Most books on Ayurveda offer little more than one paragraph per dosha, so if you're an Ayurveda fanatic, this book is worth its weight in gold for this section alone. Also, instead of the three basic doshas, Tiwari combines the three doshas in various ways to come up with ten distinct doshas, which allows for more flexibility.
For each dosha, you will find a list of major foods (foods to eat all the time), minor foods (foods to eat sparingly), regressive foods (foods that work against the chemical balance of health you are trying to achieve), and seasonal menu suggestions for all three daily meals. The back of the book is the recipe section, where the recipes are marked clearly enough so that you can tell if the meal fits into your dosha plan or not.
There is a plethora of information in this massive book, including extensive amounts of background information on everything from Eastern concepts like the chakras (and how they relate) to how to outfit your kitchen for your Ayurvedic revolution. All told, if you decide to walk the path of Ayurveda, this book will pretty much be your bible, and you will probably keep it and refer to it forever.
However, I was concerned, due to the sheer inaccessibility of many of the foods listed and the fact that I can't see many people being able to apply enough of the techniques on a daily basis in order to make this kind of philosophical diet work for them in the long run. It's good to get back to the basics, yes, but modern kitchen appliances were invented to save time that could be put to better use than participating in the rhythmic pounding of grain for a couple hours in the yard with a broom-sized pestle, a mortar the size of a kiddie pool, and- from the looks of the art on page 168- the enlistment of your three craziest neighbors to help you with this most necessary chore.
As well, there were those pesky patriarchal admonitions to women in the book, such as women shouldn't prepare food while menstruating (I suppose single women are to fast for 5 days every lunar month?). The idea that such tenets are present in a modern book is slightly disturbing to me and causes me to question all of the information that came before it. But like everything else, I will take from this book what I can use and create my own philosophy with what I take.
Tiwari starts at the most basic level of Ayurveda, devoting an exceptional 20+ pages to helping the reader to determine which of the constitutions (doshas) s/he has, because the whole diet will be based upon that singular determination. Most books on Ayurveda offer little more than one paragraph per dosha, so if you're an Ayurveda fanatic, this book is worth its weight in gold for this section alone. Also, instead of the three basic doshas, Tiwari combines the three doshas in various ways to come up with ten distinct doshas, which allows for more flexibility.
For each dosha, you will find a list of major foods (foods to eat all the time), minor foods (foods to eat sparingly), regressive foods (foods that work against the chemical balance of health you are trying to achieve), and seasonal menu suggestions for all three daily meals. The back of the book is the recipe section, where the recipes are marked clearly enough so that you can tell if the meal fits into your dosha plan or not.
There is a plethora of information in this massive book, including extensive amounts of background information on everything from Eastern concepts like the chakras (and how they relate) to how to outfit your kitchen for your Ayurvedic revolution. All told, if you decide to walk the path of Ayurveda, this book will pretty much be your bible, and you will probably keep it and refer to it forever.
However, I was concerned, due to the sheer inaccessibility of many of the foods listed and the fact that I can't see many people being able to apply enough of the techniques on a daily basis in order to make this kind of philosophical diet work for them in the long run. It's good to get back to the basics, yes, but modern kitchen appliances were invented to save time that could be put to better use than participating in the rhythmic pounding of grain for a couple hours in the yard with a broom-sized pestle, a mortar the size of a kiddie pool, and- from the looks of the art on page 168- the enlistment of your three craziest neighbors to help you with this most necessary chore.
As well, there were those pesky patriarchal admonitions to women in the book, such as women shouldn't prepare food while menstruating (I suppose single women are to fast for 5 days every lunar month?). The idea that such tenets are present in a modern book is slightly disturbing to me and causes me to question all of the information that came before it. But like everything else, I will take from this book what I can use and create my own philosophy with what I take.
February 5, 2008
Maya Tiwari’s Ayurveda - A Life of Balance, is an authoritative manual on the Vedic principles of health and nutrition, written by an expert in the field who has academic knowledge of the subject, is a practitioner and teacher with wide experience who can speak to both beginner and professional alike, and has personally transformed her life through her practices. Her own life is, in essence, the ideal of Ayurveda – a life of Balance.
This book is true to the ancient science of Ayurveda, one of the four upa-Vedas which deals with the science of health as a subsidiary to Self-realisation. Tiwari’s work also reflects current concerns and practical application to contemporary lifestyles. In this book, the writer follows the principle of Ayurvedic diet and use of wholesome foods to suit individual body-types and temperaments, while adapting them, taking into consideration universal flavours.
Our bodies are directly related to the food we eat, and by knowledge of the ingredients and their impact according to our personal requirements, we can achieve harmony and well-being for our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual koshas or sheaths. Her own understanding and appreciation of the importance of individual, collective and cosmic memory and the deep search to unravel the hidden science and mystery of continued life is the underlying focus of much of her work. As Tiawri says, “According to the Rishis, from pure consciousness arose the sound of Om. In turn, the five Great Elements take birth. These five elements take the form, in the human body, of the three doshas, or bodily humours.” In other words, the food we eat, contains within it, the genetic memory of life, and becomes the bridge to our cosmic roots.
Tiwari provides a thorough profile of the seven body types and the foods best suited to each. Her book explores and explains the personality or psycho-spiritual attributes of the Ayurvedic body types. Along with recommended food charts, menus related to the seasons and cycles of nature, and easy-to-follow recipes catering to body types, the book is a practical guide to healthful eating according to Ayurvedic principles. Through ‘food sadhanas’ Tiwari stresses on the importance of sadhana or spiritual practice bringing to life awareness of the Self through all our actions.
Through this book, Maya Tiwari brings Ayurvedic principles into our kitchens, changing perspectives and lifestyles through the basic building block of the food we eat which determines who we are and our deeper recognition of it.
This book is true to the ancient science of Ayurveda, one of the four upa-Vedas which deals with the science of health as a subsidiary to Self-realisation. Tiwari’s work also reflects current concerns and practical application to contemporary lifestyles. In this book, the writer follows the principle of Ayurvedic diet and use of wholesome foods to suit individual body-types and temperaments, while adapting them, taking into consideration universal flavours.
Our bodies are directly related to the food we eat, and by knowledge of the ingredients and their impact according to our personal requirements, we can achieve harmony and well-being for our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual koshas or sheaths. Her own understanding and appreciation of the importance of individual, collective and cosmic memory and the deep search to unravel the hidden science and mystery of continued life is the underlying focus of much of her work. As Tiawri says, “According to the Rishis, from pure consciousness arose the sound of Om. In turn, the five Great Elements take birth. These five elements take the form, in the human body, of the three doshas, or bodily humours.” In other words, the food we eat, contains within it, the genetic memory of life, and becomes the bridge to our cosmic roots.
Tiwari provides a thorough profile of the seven body types and the foods best suited to each. Her book explores and explains the personality or psycho-spiritual attributes of the Ayurvedic body types. Along with recommended food charts, menus related to the seasons and cycles of nature, and easy-to-follow recipes catering to body types, the book is a practical guide to healthful eating according to Ayurvedic principles. Through ‘food sadhanas’ Tiwari stresses on the importance of sadhana or spiritual practice bringing to life awareness of the Self through all our actions.
Through this book, Maya Tiwari brings Ayurvedic principles into our kitchens, changing perspectives and lifestyles through the basic building block of the food we eat which determines who we are and our deeper recognition of it.
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November 18, 2011I am continuing to read about Ayurveda. This book is heavier on the spiritual and traditional aspects of Ayurveda. Primarily it is an elaborate introduction to Ayurveda that focuses less on the physiological and more on the philosophical. Ms. Tiwari also connects her own experience with cancer and healing through Ayerveda.
It was interesting to learn Ayurveda's astrological and mythological connections but made the information a little too metaphysical at times. I prefer Vasant Lad's approach because he does not emphasize relationships to specific Hindu dieties. My interest is for maintaining a healthy body and mind (spirituality is too confusing or far reaching).
It also has a lot of recipes which are qualified according to Ayurvedic constitution and appear pretty macrobiotic friendly too (a lot of brown rice and seaweed combos).
It was interesting to learn Ayurveda's astrological and mythological connections but made the information a little too metaphysical at times. I prefer Vasant Lad's approach because he does not emphasize relationships to specific Hindu dieties. My interest is for maintaining a healthy body and mind (spirituality is too confusing or far reaching).
It also has a lot of recipes which are qualified according to Ayurvedic constitution and appear pretty macrobiotic friendly too (a lot of brown rice and seaweed combos).
April 29, 2018
The best Ayurveda Book I found in many years and I have quite a collection. I sometimes use it daily for inspiration for 15+ years. It is easy to understand combined with classical Ayurveda recipes, lists for every Dosha and so much more includes a very good dosha questionnaire.
June 28, 2008
I've read several Avuyvedic diet books; this is by far the best - one you'll want to own. Body/personality-type quizzes to get you started. Recipes.
April 22, 2009
This woman cured herself of cancer. Full of illustrations, delicious recipes, history and suggestions for peaceful, healthy living.
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July 29, 2012I read the parts pertinent to my dosha, and, as usual, I was astounded at how right-on it was. I didn't get in depth with the diet part, though, which was probably the point of the book.
January 11, 2023
She's such an amazing resource for training and learning about ayurveda - want to buy this book as a wonderful resource. While all aspects of ayurveda can be difficult to adapt to in a modern world, she has many suggestions on how to do so. Thorough, interesting, valuable, excellent.
December 2, 2019
She has the most lovely esoteric way of talking about the cosmos, ayurvedically. And wonderful ideas about 'sadhanas,' simple ritual actions for daily life.
Recipes are mostly macrobiotic inspired.
May 21, 2020
Nejkrásnější kniha o ájurvédě, co jsem našla. Hodně informací, přitom psána krásně poetickým jazykem připomínajícím naše spojení s vesmírem. Moc doporučuji.
June 22, 2020
A very informative book about Ayurveda.
July 7, 2012
I was interested in learning more about Ayurveda, an Indian way of living through balancing chakras with the right foods and spiritual activities. This book includes an introduction to Ayurveda, prescriptions for daily activity and menus, plus a number of recipes. Unfortunately, I didn't find it very accessible as someone from the West, nor could I envision its practicality for someone new to the traditions. The book was heavy on the spiritual aspects and I found myself skimming over huge swaths of words. I need to find a different book to ease my way in, much as I did with yoga, when I first focused on the physical aspects of the practice before delving into the spiritual.
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February 12, 2009So far I'm trying out the recipes and applying the eating recommendations for my dosha. I love that she covers 10 body types, rather than the 4 I usually see. I'm not planning on following it strictly, but am using the recommendations as a starting point to experiment with which foods make me feel healthier than others.
May 1, 2008
What 'Prakriti' lacks, this book provides! There is far more detail of each dosha and how to determine which dosha(s) describes and individual, and there are a ton of recipes and suggestions for food choices in this book, which I found very helpful.
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May 28, 2013rtr
December 17, 2017
Excellent read and an excellent resource for lifestyle balance.
April 18, 2017
Fantastic book for those just beginning. Comprehensive guide to get me started, and I love that the recipes include who they are for and when to have them.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews