Vedic Wellness Times | Issue #1

18 June 2025 | 1 E, Bode Rd., Streamwood, IL, USA

Jun 18, 2025

Namaste, Seekers of Inner Harmony!

June calls us to reconnect with timeless wisdom-as the International Day of Yoga approaches, let’s remember that Yoga is not merely movement, but a way of mindful, purposeful living.

We’re also proud to share the resounding success of our 3-Day Ayurveda Diabetes Care Workshop, where ancient healing met modern, practical application.

In this maiden issue of Vedic Wellness Times, we blend sacred texts, scientific insights, and lived experiences-inviting you to explore, apply, and embody Vedic wellness in your daily life.

In service of well-being,

Prof. (Dr.) Abhimanyu Kumar MSc, MD(Ay), PhD ak@iuvw.org

Chief Editor

अन्नं ब्रह्मेत्येव प्रोवाच | ‘Food itself is Brahman.’ — Taittirīya Upaniṣad (II.2)

The seers equated nourishment with the Divine, urging us to honour every bite. In practice, this means choosing fresh, seasonal foods, eating without digital distractions, and pausing for a moment of gratitude before the first mouthful. Modern research echoes the rishis: mindful eating improves digestion, steadies blood sugar, and lowers stress hormones. Treat each meal as sacred fuel-when we respect our food, we nurture body, mind, and spirit in one graceful act.

Daily Abhyanga (Oil Self-Massage) Warm 2 tbsp sesame oil, massage from head to toe before showering. Boosts circulation, calms Vata, and nourishes skin.
Kitchen Pharmacy-Cumin-Coriander-Fennel Tea Steep ½ tsp each seed in 250 ml hot water for 10 min. Aids digestion and gently detoxifies.
‘6-Pose Calm’ Mini-Yoga Flow Bridge → Child’s Pose → Legs-Up-the-Wall → Cat-Cow → Forward Fold → Savasana.
Clinically shown to lower generalized anxiety scores when practiced 15 min/day for eight weeks

The Five Elements (Pañca-Mahābhūta) & Your Well-Being

Ākāśa (Space), Vāyu (Air), Agni (Fire), Āpas (Water), Pṛthvī (Earth) Blend these elements daily to restore harmony between body (śarīra), mind (manas), and spirit (ātman)

The Sanskrit verse as it appears in the Bhagavad Gītā (Chapter 2, Verse 48) is:

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि. ‘Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi’

It means: “Perform your actions being established in Yoga (equanimity or union).”

Scientific studies show that stress impairs decision-making and increases cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This Gītā verse encourages cultivating inner balance-through breath, mantra, or mindfulness-before engaging in action. When the mind is centered, our responses become more thoughtful, our energy more stable, and our daily tasks less draining.
In modern terms: A calm mind is a more efficient, healthier mind.

The Gayatri Mantra has demonstrated potential benefits in health care, including improvements in mental health, stress reduction, enhanced quality of life, and possible physiological and environmental effects.

A compelling study revealed that listening to the Gayatri Mantra activates distinct regions of the brain-such as the bilateral superior temporal gyri, right insula, and cerebellar culmen - linked to emotion, auditory processing, and inner awareness, as captured through EEG and fMRI scans. These findings offer scientific validation that mantra meditation can induce profound and measurable shifts in brain activity, bridging ancient sound with modern neuroscience. (https://doi.org/10.25215/0302.114)

Ayurveda Diabetic Care Workshop (June 6–8, 2025) - A Transformative Experience

IUVW’s 3-day workshop on Ayurvedic care for Diabetes Mellitus concluded successfully with enthusiastic participation and excellent feedback. The program combined Prakriti assessments, personalized consultations, Yoga for insulin sensitivity, sattvic cooking, and mindful eating. Highlights included live cooking demos, healing circles, daily routine planning, and micro-coaching with a 30-day follow-up. Participants left empowered with practical Ayurvedic tools and renewed motivation for their wellness journey.

Upcoming Program

Celebrate International Day of Yoga with IUVW – 21 June 2025 | 10:00 AM

Step into a morning of mindfulness, movement, and meaning at the IUVW campus as we come together for a powerful celebration of the International Day of Yoga.
Feel the deep connection of body, breath, and spirit in a rejuvenating group practice dedicated to global harmony and inner peace.

Every participant will receive an exclusive Yoga Day T-shirt as a complimentary gift!
Don’t miss this inspiring gathering- your mat, your moment, your movement starts here.