for the body: my go-to books on ayurveda
a guide for those who don't know where to start
Like any other science, Ayurveda is vast. It’s a science, but honestly I consider it more of an art form. Ayurveda literally translates to ‘The Science of Life’. It’s a 5,000 year old natural healing science that originated out of India. It’s often called ‘The Mother of All Healing’ if that puts anything into perspective for you.
And to be honest with you, if something that was cognized and used 5,000 years ago and is still relevant to today, I’m gonna trust it.
In 2021, I enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda. I really only decided to enroll so I could get a better understanding of how to apply the teachings to my own everyday life. As a health and wellness junkie, it made sense for me to sign up for a year long remote program.
Well, coming out on the other side of the program, I quickly began to realize that I was only scraping the surface of what there is to know about Ayurveda. As stated, this is a 5,000 year old science that has been passed down orally. It seems that you could be studying this science for a lifetime and only scrape the surface of what there is to know.
So, as a girlie who is always excited to expand my depth of knowledge on how to live well and feel my best, I’ve acquired some Ayurvedic readings that have been really helpful on my journey.
So, here are the books that I’ve collected over the years that I always come back to. They’re loaded with recipes, techniques and easy to understand knowledge (trust me, none of them are dry and boring).
When I created this little list, it was important for me to give you information that is easy to understand and apply immediately.
Personally speaking, if I read a dry ass book that technically gives you a bunch of great knowledge but it’s really boring to read, I’m not going to be as inclined to digest and apply the knowledge.
With that being said, most of these books have lovely pictures (lol), a great aesthetic and easy to digest (pun-intended) information for you to start applying to your life today.
Enjoy babes.
SATTVA: The Ayurvedic Way to Live Well by Eminé and Paul Rushton
Anytime someone asks for a intro book recommendation to Ayurveda, I give them this. This is a very basic and approachable guide on how to live well according to Ayurvedic principles.
Sattva is one of three gunas (aka life forces) that directly translates to ‘light’ or ‘purity’. In Ayurveda, those who seek a Sattvic lifestyle are nourishing the mind and body through specific practices to keep the three gunas balanced. A Sattvic lifestyle looks like proper diet, meditation, yoga asana, breath work, you get the idea.
This book explains exactly what the three different doshas are, and how they can greatly impact your life. Eminé and Paul break down how to live a sattvic lifestyle and in a easy and applicable way. If you struggle with not knowing where to start with daily Ayurvedic practices, this book will do you wonders.
Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing by Dr Vasant Lad
Dr. Lad is the guy to know in Ayurveda. He’s important because he had a HUGE impact on Ayurveda as we know it in the west. He grew up in India, and when we was 10, his dad’s guru basically told him that he was destined to educate the world on the amazing science that is Ayurveda.
Dr. Lad was pretty confused at the time, because he didn’t know how to speak English, let alone educate the Western world on an ancient Vedic science. One thing led to another, and in the late 70’s Dr. Lad came to the US to teach people about this life-changing science. He eventually landed in Santa Fe, where he worked as an Ayurvedic consultant. Years later he opened up his own school, The Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque.
If you’re trying to go to school for Ayurveda in 2024, The Ayurvedic Institute is your spot. Every Ayurvedic Practitioner wants to learn from Dr. Lad. Yes, he is that legit.
So, when it comes to you my love, why not get the second best thing, and read his book?!
He has many different books, but this one is the beginner’s guide to what Ayurveda is and how to apply it to your life. It’s short, sweet and to the point.
This book has a complete list of how to use kitchen herbs in a medicinal way and nutrition information that is helpful when understanding how to eat to best suit your body. Super concise and specifically made for people who are living in a modern Western world.
Living Ayurveda: Nourishing Body and Mind through Seasonal Recipes, Rituals and Yoga by Claire Ragozzino
Okay, this book is just as aesthetic as it is resourceful. It’s beautiful, huge and can definitely double as a coffee table book.
If you’re into reading and learning with pictures, this book is for you. Claire includes delicious Ayurvedic recipes that aren’t overly complicated to make and include ingredients you’re bound to have in your kitchen or can easily find at Whole Foods. She breaks down the importance of dinacharya (aka your morning routine) and how to slowly adopt Ayurvedic practices to transform your life. She also suggests different yoga postures that can help keep the body in balance according to how you might feel unbalanced in your daily life.
This makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates a great aesthetic and is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.
What to Eat for How You Feel by Divya Alter
The holy grail of Ayurvedic cookbooks. Divya is a queen. If you live in NYC and have not been to Divya’s restaurant in the East Village, this is your homework assignment. Effective immediately.
This cookbook is organized with seasonal recipes that are all relatively easy to make. I will say, some recipes call for ingredients that you’ll probably have to order on Amazon or buy at a local specialty food store, however I don’t want this to stop you from getting the book.
At first glance, I thought her recipes were a little too simple/kinda boring, but *trust me when I say this* they are not boring. Every single recipe I have made (I have not made them all lol) have been so f*cking good. Definitely try to make the lasagna once you get the book, and if you live in NYC, you’re lucky enough to have access to her lasagna at her restaurant. :)
The front of the book has a ton of awesome information on how to eat for your body type, how to remedy certain dis-ease you might have in the body and she goes over general Ayurvedic cooking principles.
Hope these give you a beautiful little intro into the world of Ayurveda, as I know these books helped me a ton when I first started to learn. However, if you’re already familiar with the science, these are still great recs to refer to.
Ayurveda has shown me countless ways on how to improve the quality of life on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, and if I can share any fraction of that knowledge with you to help you on your journey, my work here is done.
Let me know these books have help you, or if you have any of your own good recs to share. Love you, mean it.
xo,
J