Mira Manek is a wellness consultant and the author of Prajna—Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness. Her first book was Saffron Soul, a cookbook focusing on healthy Indian vegetarian and vegan recipes, published in 2017. Mira also has her own café Chai by Mira in Kingly Court, inside Triyoga Soho. 

In this episode, we talked about:

• We recorded this episode during lockdown in the UK. Tools that Mira has found helpful during this time include running and doing online classes on alternate days, making chai and sitting outside on sunny mornings.

• She’s aware of the link between exercise and diet on how she feels, and prioritises good habits to feel well during this time

• Mira used to have digestive issues and knows the impact of snacking rather than eating cooked meals on her body

• The blessing of connecting with nature and seeing what you wouldn’t normally notice if you were rushing

• Consistent actions gain results 

• Journaling e.g 3 things you are grateful for, or asking yourself “How do I feel right now? How do I want to feel? What actions will get me there”

• 3 things for the body, 3 things for the mind, 3 things for the soul

• Tuning in each day to see what your mind and body needs 

• Daily activities such as walking, stretching, and breathwork can be done in a meditative way- you don’t just have to sit in meditation if that’s not your thing

• Candle meditation is said to strengthen the eyes in Ayurveda

• We transmit our energy into our food when cooking, so creative and positive energy is helpful

• Mira comes from a large Indian family and grew up eating home-cooked Gujarati food. Her diet changed at a new school aged 17 and she put on weight. Mira then started dieting and developed a difficult relationship with food. Coming back to home-cooked food was healing for her. She learned to cook Gujarati food when she was 30.

• Going back to simplicity for more nourishment

• The unique approaches to different body types in traditional medicine

• Fasting as a tool for health and longevity  

• The importance of handing down generational wisdom and practices. The best way of passing down ‘the knowledge’ is by writing it down. For generations, it’s been done intuitively and handed down orally. 

• Millet flour has many health benefits

• Chickpea pancakes (pudla)

• Create a calming environment for an ‘evening mood’ with dimmed lighting, candles, and soft music. A relaxing bath and podcast. Some gentle stretches and heart-opening yoga postures. 

• Combining rituals as a ‘spiritual twister’ to help prepare for bed!

Resources:

Website

Instagram

Rituals for Happiness- free download

Mira’s books:

Prajna: Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness

Saffron Soul: Healthy, vegetarian heritage recipes from India

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