Well, That’s Awkward Podcast – EP14: Ayurveda, Doshas & Trying Not to Be Too Pitta About It
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- January 26, 2026
Ancient wisdom meets modern chaos in Episode 14 of Well, That’s Awkward, as Susan Osman and Rachel Branson dive into the world of Ayurveda — the 5,000-year-old Indian medical system that looks at health through balance, energy and individual constitution rather than symptoms alone.
Recorded with mocktails at the ready (Rachel arrives late — on brand), this episode explores what really happens at an Ayurvedic retreat, how the doshas work, and whether it’s actually possible to live an Ayurvedic lifestyle once you’re back in real life, emails and all.
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What Is Ayurveda — and Why Are So Many Women Turning to It?
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest holistic health systems, rooted in the idea that wellbeing comes from balance between body, mind and environment. Central to Ayurveda are the three doshas:
- Pitta — the fiery overachiever (think ambition, drive, intensity)
- Vata — the floaty creative (movement, ideas, nervous energy)
- Kapha — the grounded stabiliser (calm, nourishment, resilience… and naps)
In this episode, Susan and Rachel break down the doshas in a refreshingly human way — and explore why midlife often brings dosha imbalance, burnout and the sense that “something is off,” even when medical tests say everything looks fine.
Inside an Ayurvedic Retreat in the Dolomites
Rachel has just returned from an Ayurvedic retreat at Engel Ayurpura, set high in the Dolomites — where ancient Ayurvedic principles meet Alpine calm.
The retreat experience included:
- consultation and pulse diagnosis
- daily oil massages and body treatments
- digestion reset
- herbal drinks
- meals tailored to dosha balance
As Rachel shares, the experience was blissful, grounding and surprisingly revealing.
Can You Live Ayurvedically in a 9-to-5 World?
Perhaps the most relatable part of the episode is the question:
How do you keep any of this up once you’re back home?
Rachel reflects on trying to apply Ayurvedic principles while juggling work, emails and a modern schedule that doesn’t care if it’s Vata season. The conversation explores realistic takeaways — not perfection — including:
- eating and drinking more mindfully
- understanding what foods to avoid
Because wellness doesn’t have to mean a permanent retreat in the mountains.
Listen to Episode 14: Ayurveda, Doshas & Trying Not to Be Too Pitta About It
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at
WellbeingMagazine.com/podcast
New episodes of Well, That’s Awkward drop every Monday at 6pm for Mocktail Monday — honest conversations, mocktails in hand, and ancient wisdom viewed through a very modern lens.
Why This Episode Matters
Ayurveda offers a language many women instinctively recognise — one that honours individuality, cycles and balance rather than forcing everyone into the same health template.
This episode isn’t about becoming perfectly Ayurvedic.
It’s about understanding yourself better — and laughing along the way.
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
