20 Aug There is no wrong path. There are just different paths. An intimate conversation with ayurvedic practitioner, Julie Bernier
LEVITATING MONKEY: How did you first become interested in Ayurveda?
Julie Bernier: In some way, I have always been a believer in Ayurveda, even though I didn’t have a name for it. I have forever been in love with nature and was always a believer in my body’s own innate ability to heal. Somewhere along my yoga journey, I heard about Ayurveda and could not WAIT to get my hands on my first Ayurvedic book — Prakriti by Dr. Robert Svoboda — which I absolutely devoured. It felt like the truth! A science that both honored the body’s ability to heal itself and was based on nature…it made so much sense. Thus began my deep studies into Ayurveda. And also around this time, I was experiencing my own “little” health issues that Western medicine wasn’t able to help me with. I say “little” because for them my symptoms were negligible, but for me they were terrible. As I started my Ayurvedic studies, I also started working with an Ayurvedic Practitioner who truly saw me for my wholeness and helped me to help myself to heal. It was incredible. Since then Ayurveda has become and will always be my medicine.
LEVITATING MONKEY: How is Ayurveda different from western medicine?
Julie Bernier: Since I’m not an expert in western medicine I can’t speak to their approach. What I can say is that the Ayurvedic approach is as holistic as it gets. When I work with a client, I am not taking into consideration only their symptoms or the expressions of their suffering. I am trying to understand them as a whole: their body, mind, spirit, and how that conglomeration of themselves is or isn’t integrating with the world around them. No symptoms are disconnected, no aspect of their life is unimportant. It’s with this holistic view that I can really help them; otherwise, it is not a complete treatment. Additionally, the Ayurvedic approach addresses the root cause of a symptom. For example, many digestive issues are rooted in the mind. Our approach in Ayurveda is to not only address the manifested digestive issue but to help the individual resolve the mental conflict which is creating the symptom — the root cause. With this approach, we can help them truly heal.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What would you tell a new client who was apprehensive about trying an ayurvedic treatment?
Julie Bernier: It’s all about an individual’s comfort level. The beauty of Ayurveda is that it doesn’t have to look any specific way. I adapt each and every protocol for the individual so that it’s within their comfort zone. That said, I know that a lot of people come to Ayurveda with expectations of having to change their entire diet or entire lives, and for this reason, they feel apprehensive. I get it! That’s scary. But that’s a misunderstanding and not the correct Ayurvedic approach. In my practice, we make only small realistic changes, step by step.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What kind of Ayurvedic treatments do you offer your clients?
Julie Bernier: I offer online consultations in which we address specific health concerns using the wisdom of Ayurveda. This usually includes some dietary recommendations, lifestyle recommendations, breathing exercises, and Ayurvedic herbal support. I also offer online courses including a 12-week Ayurvedic self-care course for women called Learn Your Body, and a 4 week online Ayurvedic Kitchen Immersion.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What are your top three Ayurvedic tips for living a balanced and healthy life?
Julie Bernier: Go to bed early and wake up early. I really believe this is the secret of life!
Eat warm, freshly cooked foods.
Eat around the same time every day.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What Ayurvedic/Yogic suggestions can you provide our readers with to feel less stress and anxiety?
Julie Bernier: Check in with your breathing often. Notice if you’re gripping or tightening your belly, and then consciously allow your belly to relax. If you’re feeling anxious, you’re likely gripping your belly, which is telling your body that it’s in danger, and then perpetuating the feelings of stress and anxiety. This relaxing of the belly will also help with constipation!
And, when the mind feels like it’s getting lost in itself and disconnecting from the body during a bout of anxiety or stress, bring your awareness down into your feet. Notice how your feet feel against the floor. Is the floor hard, soft? Are your toes cold, warm? Do you feel any tingling or vibrations? With this bodily awareness, the mind starts to realign and come back into the physical body.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What would be an ideal (tridoshic) summer Ayurvedic breakfast?
Julie Bernier: I love a nice Savory Mung Pancake (Cheela) with my Cilantro and Mint Chutney! Both the cheela batter and the chutney keep well in the fridge for a few days, so this makes for a quick breakfast. Enjoy the recipes!
Savory Mung Pancakes (Cheela)
*Makes about 10 pancakes. The batter can be kept in the fridge for about 4 days. Makes for a quick breakfast or lunch!
Ingredients:
1 cup whole or hulled and split mung beans
¼ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
Pinch of hing/asofetida
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro + a few sprigs of fresh cilantro
2 scallions or a handful of chives, cut into fine rounds
Ghee or coconut oil
Optional:
½ of a small beet, peeled and grated
Directions:
Wash the mung beans. Put them in a bowl and cover them with 5” of water. Soak overnight or for 6-7 hours. Drain the beans and discard the soaking liquid. Put them in a blender with ½ cup water, turmeric, hing, and cumin seeds. Blend until smooth and light.
Just before cooking, add the salt, chopped cilantro, and scallions.
Heat a well-seasoned skillet on medium-high heat. When hot, add a spoon of oil. Ladle ¼ cup of the batter onto the pan, let it sit a couple of seconds, then use the back of a spoon to spread the batter into a 4” circle. Sprinkle some grated beet (if using), chopped chives, and cilantro sprigs on top.
Cover and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. When the bottom looks cooked (with some brownish/reddish areas) turn it over and cook another 2-3 minutes uncovered until the second side looks cooked.
Remove and put in between 2 plates to keep warm while you cook the other patties. Add more oil to the pan each time you make a new patty. Serve with Cilantro and Mint Chutney and sliced avocado.
Cilantro and Mint Chutney
* Makes 1 cup
Ingredients:
1 bunch cilantro
½ bunch fresh mint
1-2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ cup water
½ cup dried coconut
1” fresh ginger
2 teaspoons sugar
Big pinch of salt
Directions:
Blend the cilantro, mint, lime juice, and water to a smooth paste. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well.
LEVITATING MONKEY: What do you think is the future of Ayurveda and its role in integrated medicine?
Julie Bernier: I think it’s going to keep growing in popularity and will continue to gain respect in the West. So many more people are seeking out natural ways of supporting their bodies since the pandemic, and I’m so happy to see this growing interest in Ayurveda. Now’s the time to focus on our health even if we’re not sick, and Ayurveda is the best system for preventative health.
LEVITATING MONKEY: For those interested in learning more about Ayurveda, what resources would you recommend?
Julie Bernier: My favorite intro book is Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom by Acharya Shunya. It’s a beautiful place to start. (Learn more about Acharya Shunya here) . I also share a lot of universal Ayurvedic wisdom on my Instagram account, @juliebernier
LEVITATING MONKEY: If you could impart three key life lessons to others on their (spiritual) path, what would they be and why?
Julie Bernier: There is no wrong path. There are just different paths. If we think like this, we can never make a “wrong” decision.
It is the difficulties and challenges in life which allow us to grow. And so we should embrace the difficulties, considering them a gift and opportunity to transform and evolve, which is the greatest goal in life.
There are three ways in which we create karma: through our actions, words, and thoughts. The most potent is our thoughts. Hence, we should be clear about our intentions in all that we do.
About Julie Bernier
Julie Bernier teaches women the art of self-care so that they feel their healthiest and happiest in their own unique bodies. This holistic approach to individualized wellness is rooted in the ancient Indian knowledge of Ayurveda: a complete medical science and way of life which explains that our wellbeing blossoms when we align ourselves with nature. Julie is a Registered Ayurvedic Practitioner with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, a Certified Massage Therapist, and a classical hatha yoga teacher. She studied each of these modalities in the US and straight from their source in India. To learn more about Julie, visit her website (https://www.trueayurveda.com/)
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