The Resurgence of Ayurveda: An Ancient System for Modern Problems

Many moons ago, a wise investor friend of mine, Ty Robinson, shared the above nugget of wisdom with me. At the time, I grasped it intellectually, but it didn't quite sink in until something rather traumatic happened to me. Exploring the various stages of business over a decade — from buzzing startups to structured corporations — I realized that pursuing a "balanced integration" of all life's areas is an uncommon path in the business sphere.

Ayurveda entered my life following an alcohol poisoning incident (with the scare of gout) during a business trip to Seoul, South Korea, in 2019. After visiting several Western-trained doctors in Singapore, I stumbled upon Dr. Ratheesh, an Indian doctor trained in Ayurvedic practices. After 30 days of following his recommendations — which didn’t include any pills, crazy diets, or invasive procedures — my entire body felt better than ever before.

I quickly learned that Ayurveda provides a grounded, holistic approach to helping entrepreneurs and professionals bring order to chaos from the busy-ness of modern work. Although there are many healing modalities available in the world, I wanted to share with you why I think Ayurveda is one to watch — both for your own health, as well as the entrepreneurial opportunities it may present.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India over 5,000 ago. Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words “ayur” meaning life and “veda” meaning knowledge. Ayurveda promotes the use of natural remedies, such as herbs, oils, and spices. These remedies are often safer and gentler than pharmaceuticals and can treat a wide range of conditions.

What are its principles & benefits?

Ayurveda is based on the concept of three doshas, or energies, that are present in every person: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas are believed to control different bodily functions and can become imbalanced due to various factors such as diet, stress, and environmental factors.

Ayurveda can help improve the overall quality of life. By promoting healthy habits and self-care practices, Ayurveda can increase energy, better sleep, and a greater sense of well-being.

Why is Ayurveda taking off now?

• The Ayurvedic medicine market in India is expected to reach $8.1 billion by 2022.

• The global Ayurvedic market is projected to reach $14.9 billion by 2026. 

• The global wellness industry is worth $4.2 trillion, with Ayurveda being one of the fastest-growing segments.

Outside of the trends cited above, I personally feel that Ayurveda may be taking off now due to the influences of yoga on Western culture, the rising prominence of India as a super-power, and the dissatisfaction/distrust of modern pharmaceuticals. The rise in psychedelics, and things like "micro-dosing," may also be indirect contributing factors.

All in all, it is the rise in things that have been around for centuries (in non-Western cultures), but only now penetrating due to indigenous/ancient wisdom being verified by scientists. See below for an example of this intersection from indigenous scientist, Jessica Hernandez:

How tech innovation is driving the comeback of Ayurveda

Our fast-paced lives have made us realize the importance of balance, yet it's still something many struggle with. Ancient wisdom is once again finding its place in our modern world. Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, offers just that. It emphasizes harmony among the mind, body, and spirit - a concept gaining traction today.

Moreover, the global shift towards natural and organic alternatives has bolstered Ayurveda's rise. People are increasingly cautious about synthetic and chemical-based products. They crave authenticity and purity, both hallmarks of Ayurveda.

What does this mean for solopreneurs? How is Ayurveda being incorporated into businesses?

Well, this resurgence presents a golden opportunity for entrepreneurial types. The demand for Ayurvedic products and services is booming. So much so, that my own Ayurvedic doctor (Dr. Ratheesh) expanded his services to Singapore from India — after a skeptical client found his recommendations transformational.

Whether it's creating Ayurvedic products or offering Ayurvedic wellness services, the possibilities are endless. And the best part? You'd be contributing to a healthier, happier society while building a successful business.

You can also use it personally to improve issues related to inflammation, anxiety, or even chronic pain. As someone who works on a computer a lot, it's important to get up and move my body. Looking deeper into the history of Ayurveda has helped me understand the connection between (physical) movement, spirit, and success.

As a side note, Ayurveda is slowly being incorporated into modern business practices in a number of ways. One of the most common is through workplace wellness programs. Many companies are now offering Ayurvedic consultations, yoga classes, and meditation sessions to their employees as a way to improve their health and well-being. This not only helps employees feel better, but it can also lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

✅ ACTION STEP: Learn your Dosha or get a consult with my Ayurvedic doctor

As mentioned earlier, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three types of Doshas. Personally, I have a Pitta dosha. Once upon a time, when we had much closer relationships with nature (even in trade), knowledge of these elements - and how they influenced our businesses or lives - was of utmost importance. I think it’s important to revisit why, and how we can bring those relationships back, but in new ways.

So if you're ready to start exploring Ayurveda, you can get started in two ways: learn what your own dosha is, or get a consult with my personal doctor from Singapore.

1. To discover your dosha type, take this quiz.

2. To book a session with my Ayurvedic doctor in Singapore, just reply to this email and I'll make an intro

I hope the introduction of this ancient system helps you in your personal or professional life!

What other traditional systems of medicine are you familiar with? What experiences have you had with modern medicine (good or bad)? How has work affected your health, or vice versa? Whatever your choice, just remember: health is wealth.

Last week's premium newsletters:

• Daily #288: Plato’s Cave, Platonic Solids & Sacred Geometry

• Daily #289: The 5,000-year old practice of Ayurveda

• Daily #290: Discovering Cymatic frequences