For our first workshop this quarter, we were happy to welcome Zubin Billimoria, a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP)! In his practice, Zubin specializes in rebalancing the mind and body in chronic digestive-metabolic, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders.
Zubin started off his presentation by showing us case studies of psoriasis and ulcers, ailments in which he often treats in his own practice. We were shown pictures of patients before and after receiving intense Ayurvedic treatment. The after images displayed drastically improved results, as if the patient never had a skin condition at all. In addition to curing these patients’ ailments, Zubin was able to improve his patients mental health and quality of life. These specific case studies he showed us were of autoimmune diseases, which are not so easily cured with Western medicine.
He then went on to explain what Ayurveda was and how it originated. Ayurveda was first practiced in India and dates back to 3500 BC. Unlike modern Western medicine, Ayurveda can do things that Western medicine cannot, such as treating autoimmune diseases and controlling epidemics. Ayurveda is about maintaining the balance of life and focuses on health, wellbeing, nutrition, and lifestyle. When we do not maintain this balance, we will fall ill. If we do not fall ill, medicine is unnecessary. Ayurveda is based on the 5 elements: space, air, fire, water, and Earth.
Zubin then focused on an important aspect of Ayurveda called Agni. He explained that Agni was the “the fire of Transformation”; in other words, anything that will digest our food and turn it into nutrition. He pinpointed the hydrochloric acid in the stomach and the bile secreted into the intestines as Agni. Even though these two compounds have very different compositions, they are both considered Agni because they both have the same function of transforming food to nutrients.
He next explained how to maintain Agni in our own body. Some of these methods he recommended were to eat warm cooked meals, eat only when hungry, and to eat at a proper speed with proper utensils. Some things he advised against to maintain Agni was eating salads as they are not properly cooked and eating sugar for breakfast. Instead, he recommended a warm, savory, and slightly spicy breakfast in order to kick start your metabolism in the morning.
He ended his presentation by imparting useful knowledge on how to maintain balance in our lives. He warned to never be constipated, have heartburn, or be overweight. He also encouraged us to not live in fear, to never do anything in excess, and to go to bed and wake up early. If we followed these steps, we would be able to maintain balance in our life.
If you would like to learn more about Ayurveda from Zubin, you can contact him at zeeji.ayur@gmail.com or check out his website at https://www.sukhamaayu.com!
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