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  • Writer's pictureLindsay Ryan

In Conversation with The Ayurveda Coach Claire Paphitis

Updated: Nov 4, 2019


I was so happy to have discovered Claire through Instagram! Claire’s approach and knowledge helped me rediscover my passion for Ayurveda. A concept I had learnt some 22 years ago. I became disconnected to the practices and felt excited to have an instant connection to Claire and her informative ways of weaving certain elements of Ayurveda back through my current lifestyle in a manageable way, with her recipe ideas and home remedies, especially her “spice soup”.


I was intrigued to know more about Ayurveda and how it’s philosophies can be applied to us during the change of season. As we approach Winter and the darker evenings draw in, Claire shares a plethora of advice and guides me with ways to help improve our immune system and gut health!

An Introduction by Claire Paphitis

An Ayurvedic Practitioner and Founder of The Ayurveda Coach I first heard the word ‘Ayurveda’ around 18 years ago, when I was looking for something to help with my menstrual migraines (having tried the pill, beta-blockers and various prescription drugs to try and control the pain and frequency of the attacks). I was drawn to the holistic approach but the terminology confused me and I couldn’t see clearly how to apply the principles to improve my migraines.   It wasn’t until my early 30s that I returned to Ayurveda in a more serious way. The menstrual migraines had remained with me, but my health really started to suffer after contracting sepsis when I was in labour with my daughter.

For many months after, my immune system was extremely low and I seemed to get sick a lot. I was fed up of feeling rubbish and needed to make a change.


It felt like a lightbulb moment when the word AYURVEDA popped back into my head after all those years! It really was an amazing moment - I felt the future was suddenly very clear.

This would not only be a way to heal myself, but to do something truly meaningful and in turn serve others.

The plan was to find a teacher, study hard, stay true to myself, and the authentic teachings of Ayurveda - and get to a point where I could start my own practise and begin helping others. And a few years later this is where I am!  


A friend commented the other day that I am (at the age of 35!) blossoming - which is not something I expected to be happening in my mid-thirties (ha!), but its true - learning Ayurveda has given me energy, health, clarity, compassion and purpose.



As a practitioner I treat people with a range of conditions from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, IBS, digestive issues, sleep disorders, anxiety, weight-loss, hormonal issues, menopause symptoms and more. There is no ‘one size fits all’ in Ayurveda - each person is treated as a unique individual and so a full history is always taken along with an assessment of what they are eating,drinking, lifestyle habits, stress and emotional factors that might be creating imbalance.

Once these are identified I put together a nutrition and lifestyle plan along with various Ayurvedic herbs to help gently bring the individual back into balance.


Understanding Ayurveda


The word ‘Ayurveda’ translates from the Sanskrit ‘ayur” meaning LIFE and ‘veda’ meaning science/knowledge - so it quite literally means the Knowledge of Life. It is thought to be over 10,000- years old (committed to text around 5,000 years ago) with roots in India and the Indian sub-continent.

It is much more than simply a lifestyle practice -  it is a true healing system that understands the science of the mind/body connection at it’s most sophisticated. Something western medicine is only just starting to recognise.

Agni ~ Your Digestive Health


Ayurveda is ancient and timeless- and everyone can benefit from applying some of the fundamental principles such as taking care of your ‘Agni’ or digestive health.

Gut health is something that people are becoming more aware of now, but it has been at the heart of ayurvedic healing from the very beginning. In the ancient texts it explains that ‘an impaired Agni’ (digestive fire) is the root of all disorders’.

And so - in terms of good skin, good health and wellness I always advise people to first take a look at their digestive health.

There are seven ‘dhatus’ or bodily tissues in Ayurveda: Plasma, Blood, Muscle, Fat, Bone, Bone Marrow, Reproductive organs.

The majority of skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, acne and so on are the result of toxins in either the plasma or blood level.

According to Ayurveda, these are, therefore superficial levels of disease and relatively easy to sort out if you have understood which dosha has caused the imbalance in the first place - this is where a trained Ayurvedic Practitioner can help by advising on nutrition, lifestyle and ayurvedic herbs to help the body remove toxins and balance the digestive fire.


Using the principles of Ayurveda, what mindful tips do you have for easing ourselves in to the autumn season?

For example; connecting to the element of earth- grounding our minds and bodies and paying renewed attention to the food we consume

Autumn is the season of the Vata dosha.

The whole universe is made up of five main elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

Vata is made up of the Ether and Air elements.


It has attributes such as dry, light, clear, mobile, rough, cold. So as we enter Autumn these elements within our bodies (Ether and Air) can become aggravated which can lead to increased dryness, anxiety, sleep issues, bloating, gas, aching joints and so on.


In Ayurveda LIKE increases LIKE - so it is important to understand the elements of Vata and her attributes and look to activities and foods that are the opposite of these to create balance.

So think about the qualities of the food you are eating - too many dry, rough foods such as seeds, quinoa, oats, cold salads or raw juices will only aggravate vata due to the "like increases like" principle.


Instead, opt for warm foods using spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamon and nutmeg. Use plenty of rich oils or ghee to provide moisture to the inside. Think warm, heavy and unctuous to counteract the effects of cold, drying effects of Vata. 


I think it is important to find 5 or 10 mins (minimum!) every day to do something that you find grounding and nurturing. If you practise mindfulness then this is great - if you struggle with this there are still other things you can do. Massaging your feet with some warm oil (sesame is good) before a bath or bed is one of the simplest rituals that bring a sense of grounding and warmth to the body. 



What self care practices do you perform to enhance your sense of wellbeing?


Warm oil massage! I adore the scent of roses, so I love Aromatherapy Associates Rose Body Oil for this.

I put the bottle in some hot water so it is ready when I come out the bath or shower. Even if you only have five minutes - there is nothing more luxurious than enveloping your skin in warm oil and for me the heady scent of rose makes it even more blissful. If I do this in the morning I feel grounded all day. If I do it at night - I sleep really well!


I also try and perform facial massage with my rose quartz gua sha tool by Elequra. 

I find it so relaxing, it helps release any tensions I might be holding in my face or jaw and my skin always looks glowing the next day.



What in your experience are the fundamentals for a healthy, glowing skin?


For glowing skin you need to take care of both the inside and the outside.


On the inside - the secret is a healthy digestive system! I know its very fashionable to do juice cleanses and extreme detoxes these days with the idea that these with flush things out your system... but honestly, its so extreme and your body has all the things it needs to process and eliminate toxins from your body IF your agni/digestive fire are working correctly.


So don’t shell out on expensive detoxes or be fooled that you have to cut out every food group. You can eat a healthy, balanced diet with the odd treat now and then so long as you have respect for your digestion.

There are a few principles to keep in mind:


• Drinking warm water with meals helps to remove toxins gently. Food should be cooked and warm to help ease digestion. Avoid raw vegetables - they should always be cooked (steam, stir-fry, roast etc).


• Cut out processed food and too much sugar.


• Cut down on red meat and hard cheese (I can’t tell you how hard these are for your body to digest and the toxins they create).


• Get creative - use spices such as root ginger in your cooking - it gives the agni a wonderful boost and will help your body in it’s natural detoxification process. 

On the outside a good skin care routine with quality products is a must. I am very fussy about what I put on my skin. If I am honest I am quite a beauty addict and think I need help!! It started at university when I moved to London and discovered the beauty hall at Liberty London and Space NK! I probably should have spent my student loan on books and drink like a normal student - but I used to spend mine on an Eve Lom cleanser!

I have been using QMS Medicosmetics for the past 7 years and I have been so happy with my skin. I use their Cleanser morning and evening and the exfoliating fluid a couple of times a week. I then use their day and night collagens religiously every day.

When I don’t stick to this routine for whatever reason, it definitely shows. 


Although this is the basis for my every day regime, because I am a beauty junkie I have a lot of different products that I dip into every now and then.


Omoricizcova do some of the best face masks if you want to splurge, and the Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Overnight Treatment is a game changer in the autumn and winter months - it really perks up tired, dull skin.

I try not to overload my skin with make up.


I love Chantecaille products and their ethos as a business. Their Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser is my every day staple.



What nutritional advice regarding the consumption of Ayurveda herbs can help rebalance and enhance a healthy gut environment?


The beauty of Ayurveda is that when you go to see a practitioner you are treated as a unique individual - so there is no ‘one size fits all’ advice that I can give: a hormone balancing herb such as shatavari could be beneficial in balancing menopausal symptoms in one woman - but would be contraindicated in another who may be suffering with endometriosis for example.


However, most people can benefit from taking cumin and honey before their meals to balance their digestive fire.

To do this you simply lightly toast some whole cumin seeds in a dry frying pan until they become fragrant. Take off the heat and grind to a fine powder. You can then store this powder in an airtight jar for 6 months. Before you eat simply mix 1/2-1 tsp of honey with 1/2-1tsp of the cumin powder.



Eating foods that are light on your digestion such as kitchari or light soups and bone broths (also good for a collagen boost!) a couple of times as week will also give your body and digestive system chance to have a little break. 



How do you suggest we increase our energy levels as we approach autumn winter when the evenings draw in quicker and we may begin to feel more sluggish than usual?



I think it is important to listen to our bodies. It is quite natural as the nights draw in and the days become colder that we seek comforting foods and practises. I say: Don’t fight it! Listen to your in-built intuition.


If your body is calling for rest - then don’t push to go to that intense gym work out! That doesn’t mean slobbing out on the sofa every night but choosing activities that are nurturing and gentle on your body and mind be it some gentle yoga, pranyama or wrapping up warm and enjoying a brisk walk out in the fresh air if you have been stuck indoors all day.  


Find things that give you joy and pleasure - if you find you are always cooking the same foods week in week out, treat yourself to some new cookbooks and get experimenting.

Go to a concert or to the theatre, take up an evening class and learn a new skill.


We all rush about so much and heap a lot of pressure on ourselves. Sometimes we are simply stuck in a rut and need to challenge ourselves to actually live for things we enjoy. Sometimes you have to really push yourself into that mindset - but I encourage everyone to try it.


People who are approaching ayurveda for the first time often come to me thinking they must scrape their tongue every day and eat and sleep at certain times or only eat indian food. I have to tell them, this is all part of a recent push to try and market ayurveda as the latest new health trend.

The truth is - if you think of a meal your family enjoys, spend time selecting and preparing the ingredients and sit down together in a loving and calm environment to enjoy that meal and each others company  - then this is practising ayurveda.


When you live and eat in this way, you are taking care of yourself, you will receive the good energy from the way the food was lovingly prepared and you will enjoy Ojas (The principle of Ojas is a little bit complicated to explain here - but think of it as the ayurvedic word for immunity and a higher consciousness).



What is the best piece of advice you have been given when it comes to taking care of your skin?


To always cleanse your face before bed. Ideally twice!! I discovered double cleansing from a facialist at the iconic Face Place in London.


Once she explained to me that the first cleanse removes the initial makeup and grime from your skin to clear the way for the second cleanse, which allows the product to get much deeper. I have always incorporated this in to my night time routine. It really makes a big difference!



I hope you have enjoyed reading Claire’s educational and inspiring answers. I have learnt so much about how to view and apply Ayurvedic practices.

If you want to learn more or contact Claire to discover how Ayurveda can help improve your wellbeing visit her website by clicking here.

To read more about the Ayurvedic Doshas click here to visit my feature

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