The obvious question here is why would a beauty school send students to India for a study abroad experience? Let’s back up a bit…

Aveda: The Art and Science of Pure Plant and Flower Essences. Rooted, in Ayurveda, Aveda has been a pioneer in blending the world of beauty with the environment to create inner and outer beauty, balanced in wellness. It was Aveda’s founder, Horst Rechelbacher, that had the vision to change the world by changing the way we do business. After his passing a few years ago, he left a legacy of love behind, reminding us all that love is all there is. Love for the planet and people.

Today, Aveda is able to showcase that it’s rooted in a holistic, healing practice known as Ayurveda, because it’s becoming more understood in the West. Ayurveda has been around for 5,ooo plus years and originated in India as a medical practice focused on energy of the mind, body and being. We are all made of energy and the idea is to create balance through understanding energy. Ayurveda breaks down energy into three categories or doshas known as Vata (Air, Infinity) Pitta (Fire, Water) and Kapaha (Water, Earth). We are all born with a unique dosha blend and through nutrition, yoga, meditation and daily routing (dinacharya), we each have the power to use the medicines of the Earth (plants, herbs) to heal ourselves.

We may know Ayurveda more commonly in the West as “alternative medicine.” Horst spent many years in India studying Ayurveda and realized the great need in bridging the gap聽between the wellness and聽beauty industries. Most cosmetics, perfumes, and products were then and are still petroleum-based, synthetic, tested on animals or have toxic ingredients. His vision was clear. The products that make us beautiful should also be healthy for us.聽Ayurveda is the root of Aveda. In Sanskrit, Aveda translates to mean “knowledge of all things.”

In 1978, the Aveda journey began with the聽Aveda Mission and the idea that Ayurveda would be an influence in all our聽products and services. We see this today through our rituals like an energizing scalp massage or relaxing sensory experience. We see it through the plant-powered products and ingredient sourcing from the Earth. We experience聽it in how our guests FEEL when they leave our salons and spas. We see it in our curriculum and education.

Since 1978, we have worked with Ayurvedic consultants from India to ensure quality and performance of all our products and services. We celebrate that we can offer a Study Abroad Experience to India for our team and students as it brings them in contact with our roots.

One of our esthiology and massage therapy graduates, Grace Henniger, attended as a student along with classmates and members of the Aveda network. Travelers were guided by聽Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute Operations Director, Karling Cosca, and Aveda tribal elder Helga Hefner, and Sumit and Navneeta Badola. Below, Grace shares some of her thoughts on this life-changing experience.

Q: Why did you apply for this opportunity?

A: I saw what a huge opportunity this would be to learn about Aveda and Ayurveda from where it all began.

Q: What was your favorite part of the experience?

A: Gaining聽a connection with so many people who started off as strangers and left being a family. We had an amazing group of people. I became good friends with many of them and have a deep love and appreciation for all of them, especially our amazing guides, Helga Hefner, and Sumit and Navneeta Badola. Being with Helga was certainly life changing. She is one of the most beautiful souls I have had the pleasure of meeting, and her wisdom and kindness has changed my life forever. Sumit and Navneeta have become my family, and I will forever appreciate their teachings and blessings.

Q: What was something you didn’t expect to experience?

A: I learned many things about myself on this trip. Mainly I learned that I have control over everything I feel, and any situation can be made into a learning experience; so now I choose to see everything through rose-colored glasses. That’s how I saw the culture in India- everyone lives their lives through their hearts. There’s lots of gratitude and love in their everyday lives, doing daily prayers and blessings. It’s similar to America in the sense that everyone is busy with their work and families, but in India everyone is more present in what they do. That’s one thing that I have brought back with me and hope to share with many people.

Q: What did you learn most during this trip?

A: If you can be in the moment with every moment, then there is more room for joy and appreciation. Especially at the beginning and end of every day. 聽Each day I now try to sit in silence and be grateful. Overall, this was such a life changing and enlightening experience. I feel so blessed to have gone through this as a student, so that as I go into my career I can bring this insight and wisdom to my guests and help transform their lives with light and love.

In the picture shared here from Grace’s Instagram, the caption reads,聽“Words cannot describe how grateful I am. Watching the sunrise over the Himalayan mountains gave me the deepest feeling of purpose and serenity. I will never forget how magical this moment was. Thank you to everyone who made this happen… namaste.”

Later, an article would be shared about this Study Abroad Experience, telling the story of how the students and Aveda team members re-connected back to the same roots Horst himself started. It was Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan non-profit hospital who introduced the Indian heritage of yoga and Ayurveda to Aveda founder, Horst. The students learned a deeper understanding of Ayurvedic treatments like Panchkarma, yoga, meditation and the basic principles of Ayurveda.

Another Aveda network聽member, Naomi Dove (@avedaitgirl) shared her experience through a video she created.

“Six months ago Sue Trondson at came to Phoenix and told me that I was going to have my best year ever! Five months later, the opportunity came up to apply to study in India with Helga Hefner of AVEDA. I wish the emotion I feel right now could translate to words. Exactly six months later, I’m having my best year ever. Everything in this video is so authentic and relatable to this journey. From the music, the emotion, the creativity, the picture of Horst…the music you hear is a recording from our celebration dinner; the videos you watch are real people from the , and the photos you see are original pictures I was able to take on a real life experience at the original ashram Horst studied at with Swami Rama… I’m so humble.”

The post #BeautyHeals : India Study Abroad Experience appeared first on Inspire Greatness.

Ayurveda focuses on balance of the three doshas: Vata (air/infinity energy), Pitta (fire/water energy) and Kapha (water/earth energy). Each of us has a blend of all three of the doshas that govern our mind, body and soul (being). Some of us have more Vata energy so we experience more air and infinity qualities like being cold, dry, quick in movement, enjoy change, have high energy and have a lighter, thinner body frame.

Vata doshas also exhibit dry hair and skin, usually show more nervous energy and have active, restless and creative minds. Vata’s can also be inconsistent and unreliable. Those who have more Pitta energy show more fire/water qualities like being determined, strong leadership, strong focus and sustainable energy. Pitta’s usually have an athletic build, have sensitive skin and have a higher body temperature. They are natural leaders and inspire easily but can also have high tempers and get angry easily. Kapha’s are considered the most fortunate in Ayurveda because they are less likely to become ill and are able to stay in balance more so than the other doshas. Kapha’s usually have thick, lustrous skin, hair and nails. They tend to carry more weight and move slower. Kapha’s are methodical thinkers, loyal and trustworthy.

The doshas also represent the three seasons in Ayurveda and govern certain times of the day:

Kapha season = mid-January to mid-May
Pitta season = mid-May to mid-September
Vata season = mid-September to mid-January

Kapha time = 6 am to 10 am / 6 pm to 10 pm
Pitta time = 10 am to 2 pm / 10 pm to 2 am
Vata time = 2 am to 6 am / 2 pm to 6 pm

Currently we are in Kapha season so no matter what our dominant dosha is, we all experience the elements of water and earth this time of year: slow, thick, heavy, dense, cold and fluid. This is the time of year to slow down, catch our breath and reflect inward more. It’s a time to eat heavier and nourishing meals, rest more often and take time to enjoy life.聽There’s a delicate balance to drawing in the richness of Kapha energy to soothe and nourish without becoming too sluggish, tired or withdrawn. Daily rituals involving beauty and wellness will help to ensure there’s balance during this time of year.

Kapha daily rituals:

• rise between 2 – 6 am, waking after 6 am is Kapha energy so it’s more difficult to wake up during heavier, slow energy
• start with morning stretches, yoga, exercise or meditation to get the body and mind moving and unstuck
• take pride in self-grooming with hair, skin and aroma – use only natural ingredients and non-synthetics so as not to add more toxins to the body
• dry brush to help boost skin circulation, remove dead skin cells, and increase skin elasticity
• drink two glasses of warm water with lemon or apple cider vinegar to help purify the body of toxins
• enjoy a simple yet hearty breakfast every morning between 6 – 10 am
• make lunch the biggest meal of the day between 10 am – 2 pm
• enjoy time to be creative and inspired
• take time to tune-in and appreciate life
• eat a simple dinner before 7 pm and allow time for the body to digest and rest before bed
• minimize TV and screen time, especially before bed

Too much聽Kapha energy can increase feelings of depression, withdrawal and disconnection. To balance the winter blues, it’s important to stay on routine and make the effort to be social and stay active. There’s less sun energy this time of year so it’s also important to enjoy sunshine by being outdoors when possible as well as increase Vitamin D3 intake. This is a great time to indulge in personal stress-relieving rituals like massage, facials, and play with new hair styles or makeup.

Coming soon to Aveda is the new Beautifying Radiance Polish – the perfect balancing solution during kapha season. This rich and luxurious body scrub will slough away dry skin cells and stimulate skin’s circulation, creating a nourished and beautiful glow.

Aveda’s services are rooted in Ayurveda and use the principles of this healing system to create balance through the products and services. Experience an Elemental Nature spa treatment that is customized to your current dosha or elemental nature of earth, water, fire, air or infinity. For more information about rituals and Aveda products visit www.aveda.com or check out the book Aveda Rituals, by Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda.

Prepared by Alicia Parks Christus for Inspire Greatness Institutes. Alicia is the marketing team lead at Aveda Institute Denver and a certified yoga instructor. She teaches Ayurveda and yoga classes and has led Ayurvedic wellness programs and yoga teacher trainings. For more information email achristus@avedadenver.com or follow along @aliciaraeyoga.

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淚t檚 not about what you don檛 have, it檚 about what you can create.�

It may seem like a simple message but when it檚 delivered by an Aveda legend, the words suddenly have more meaning and the impact of the message becomes a sensory experience. Aveda Institute Denver had the honor of hosting Aveda Tribal Elder, Shiv Nath Tandon as a special guest speaker this week and his message continues to be digested in the hours and days that have followed.

淚f you pay attention, youl see the answer.�

Shiv檚 wisdom was shared through story-telling of his roots with his teacher and how he came to know Horst Rechelbacher, found of Aveda. The two met in India and were both disciples of Swami Rama who comes from the Jnana yoga tradition.* Swami Rama met with Horst when the idea of creating Aveda was just a thought in his mind. He told Horst he should create a cosmetic company and that Horst should take Shiv Nath with him back to America, and so he did. It was here that their bond began and soon they would refer to each other in the highest regard as brothers.

淟ogic or trust, which comes first? To believe in the logic, you must establish trust first.�

In India, Shiv studied with Swami Rama and wanted to continue his studies in the mountains but his teacher told him that was not his path. Shiv knew nothing about the industry he would soon spend over 40 years being a part of. He and Horst created the first Aveda product ever, Clove shampoo. In the telling of this story, he giggled his way through how he learned about this industry through Horst檚 vision.

淚f you believe in it, create it.�

When Shiv started working for Horst he was making $2.35 per hour. As Shiv told this story he referred to himself as a money miser, one who is very careful with monetary transactions. He was very clear in stating that this was not a negative for him. He saw value in what he was doing with Horst and felt the love and intention that came with the work he was doing.

淲orking hard is about imagination, dedication and sincerity. To live to your full potential, you must be willing to work hard.�

Shiv shared the story of how Horst started his career and at a young age began earning distinguished awards in the industry. He brought the ideas of his mind to life. He saw something and he would work at it till it came to light. This started with Horst walking to his traditional school and on the way he would pass a hair salon.

淲isdom comes from experience, not from books. Knowledge in books is someone else檚 experience. You can檛 live on other檚 experiences, create your own.�

 

This is where he felt a calling. One day he walked in to the salon and asked for a job. The owner told him he would hire him and give him a job if he could do two things; keep the water hot (back then it took a while to warm the water before shampooing hair) and keep the salon clean. He did this passionately and in between these duties, Horst would practice his skill set.

As the audience asked questions about what it was like working with Horst, Shiv shared that he was very determined and had the highest expectations when it came to the quality and source of the ingredients. Horst questioned himself and asked Shiv if he was too demanding. With a sincere smile, Shiv told Horst he must be true to who he is.

淗umbleness requires flexibility, which is more important that originality.�

 

In preparation for Shiv檚 presentation, he prepared his mind and body with a 90 minute yoga and meditation practice, noting that this is why he is able to be in balance. Without this practice he couldn檛 do this. He only hinted lightly at his teachings and roots in yogic traditions, which are the heart and soul of Aveda today. However, he did take time to share the science behind the power of breath in life with a story of how a cloudy day can change from the light of the sun. This too is how the mind and body become clear of imbalance, through the breath.

As the session came to a close, students had a chance to meet with Shiv individually. He asked each one about their goals, their vision. Each time a student showed a moment of hesitation, he immediately drew them in by reminding them the importance of intention. He didn檛 hesitate to connect with touch by a hug, holding hands or a smile.

淚t檚 not about what you don檛 have, it檚 about what you can create.�

* Jnana yoga is one of the branches of yoga (among Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Tantra and Hatha.聽 This traditions focuses on knowledge, education and wisdom as the source to understanding true Self.

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