Publishers Weekly
04/29/2019
Kucera, a chiropractor and founder of Sage, an herbal apothecary in Kansas City, shows readers how to incorporate principles of Ayurvedic philosophy into their lives in this welcoming, persuasive debut. As Kucera explains, Ayurveda is an Indian philosophy that “uses food, spices, herbal therapies, bodywork, and lifestyle changes to create the conditions of optimal health.” Based largely on daily and seasonal rituals, Ayurveda requires knowledge of one’s basic constitution (or dosha), which constantly requires balancing by adjusting elements (bhutas) within one’s life. Kucera begins with simple explanations of how readers can interpret their own doshas, then lays out rituals meant to improve digestive issues, skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders, and fatigue. She suggests developing a sleep routine, meditating each morning, “dry-brushing” to hydrate skin, and exercising regularly. Kucera stresses throughout that making small changes and maintaining consistency are keys to improving health: “Rituals can give form to our lives by creating space for the self-care that is necessary to support our goals.” She also explores how the changing seasons might shift one’s balance, and provides rituals for readjusting, including mantras and controlled breathing. Also included are “self-study” questions and journaling prompts for readers to continue exploring their personal doshas. Those interested in natural, easy-to-follow solutions for daily health concerns will find much helpful advice here. (Apr.)
Gina Caputo
"Sarah’s expertise as a healer, both an Ayurvedic practitioner and a chiropractor, is abundantly evident in The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook, but what really shines through are her gifts as a teacher. This is the most accessible, logical and practical, yet never reductive, book on Ayurveda I’ve ever read. It is now required reading for our Yoga Teacher Training programs!"
Dr. John Douillard
"In our culture where our traditions and rituals have been forgotten, The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook reminds us that our health, longevity, and happiness depend on our traditional circadian rituals."
Dr. Vasant Lad
"Dr. Kucera guides us in the practical application of rituals in the healing process of balancing the bodily humors and their circadian rhythms in our day-to-day lives. Applied in one’s life, we can celebrate our lives through daily, seasonal, and healing rituals thereby bringing more awareness in every aspect of our lives. A joyful, blissful book, it serves as a guideline to students and practitioners, unfolding inner healing and longevity."
Amy B. Scher
"Sarah Kucera’s The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook is a powerful and engaging overview of Ayurvedic practices. Not only does she share this healing approach in a brand-new way, but she makes it easy to implement it into your every day. If you are seeking a simple, effective, and gentle way to incorporate the wisdom of Ayurveda into your life, this book is the key."
Max Strom
"Sarah Kucera is a person of abundant healing talent and uncanny insight into the human being. She has authored an important book that we in the industrial, stressed-out world need now more than ever. I highly recommend it."
Sahara Rose Ketabi
"A wonderful book to upgrade your self-care rituals for more Ayurvedic magic in your life."
Cassandra Bodzak
"Sarah is a fresh, much-needed voice for Ayurvedic techniques for healing and balancing. The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook is an incredible manual for anyone who is ready to feel more in balance, energized, and radiant while still showing up for everything that’s on their (full) plate. I can’t wait to share this with the women I work with."
From the Publisher
A 2019 Nautilus Silver Award Winner, Body, Mind, Spirit Practices “Kucera shows readers how to incorporate principles of Ayurvedic philosophy into their lives in this welcoming, persuasive debut. . . . Those interested in natural, easy-to-follow solutions for daily health concerns will find much helpful advice here.”—Publishers Weekly “Dr. Kucera guides us in the practical application of rituals in the healing process of balancing the bodily humors and their circadian rhythms in our day-to-day lives. Applied in one’s life, we can celebrate our lives through daily, seasonal, and healing rituals thereby bringing more awareness in every aspect of our lives. A joyful, blissful book, it serves as a guideline to students and practitioners, unfolding inner healing and longevity.”—Dr. Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, Ayurvedic physician, author of Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing, the Textbook of Ayurveda series, and more “Sarah Kucera is a person of abundant healing talent and uncanny insight into the human being. She has authored an important book that we in the industrial, stressed-out world need now more than ever. I highly recommend it.”—Max Strom, speaker, teacher, and author of A Life Worth Breathing and There Is No App for Happiness “Sarah Kucera’s The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook is a powerful and engaging overview of Ayurvedic practices. Not only does she share this healing approach in a brand-new way, but she makes it easy to implement it into your every day. If you are seeking a simple, effective, and gentle way to incorporate the wisdom of Ayurveda into your life, this book is the key.”—Amy B. Scher, bestselling author of How to Heal Yourself from Anxiety When No One Else Can and This Is How I Save My Life “A wonderful book to upgrade your self-care rituals for more Ayurvedic magic in your life.”—Sahara Rose Ketabi, best-selling author of Eat Feel Fresh and Idiot's Guide to Ayurveda “Sarah’s expertise as a healer, both an Ayurvedic practitioner and a chiropractor, is abundantly evident in The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook, but what really shines through are her gifts as a teacher. This is the most accessible, logical and practical, yet never reductive, book on Ayurveda I’ve ever read. It is now required reading for our Yoga Teacher Training programs!”—Gina Caputo, Founder Director of the Colorado School of Yoga “Sarah is a fresh, much-needed voice for Ayurvedic techniques for healing and balancing. The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook is an incredible manual for anyone who is ready to feel more in balance, energized, and radiant while still showing up for everything that’s on their (full) plate. I can’t wait to share this with the women I work with.”—Cassandra Bodzak, author of Eat With Intention “In our culture where our traditions and rituals have been forgotten, The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook reminds us that our health, longevity, and happiness depend on our traditional circadian rituals.”—Dr. John Douillard, DC, CAP author of The 3-Season Diet, founder of LifeSpa.com
