My friend Michelle and I met in college. She now lives in Miami with her husband Pete and daughter Sage. Michelle is also a painter, yoga instructor and Ayurveda practitioner. I asked her to talk to me about Ayurveda and tell me why she thinks it is important for a healthy lifestyle, prevention of cancer and therapy after a cancer diagnosis.

Michelle, what is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda teaches that in order to have perfect health one must be balanced. The human body consists of five elements that work together and correspond to specific organs and bodily systems. The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water and earth. Each element has a unique function and characteristics.

What are the body types talked about in Ayurveda and what do they mean?

There are three body types that describe individuals and their bodily tendencies. Since people cannot be simplified into only three categories, they can either be one body type, a combination of two (with one being dominant), or tri-dosha. (dosha = body type.) The three body types are vata (ether, air), pita (fire, water) and kapha (water, earth). Depending on one's dosha, he or she will benefit from specific types of food, herbs and lifestyle. Each herb, food, drink and even environment contains dosha characteristics so using the opposite to balance out an individual is done in Ayurveda. This is the main difference with Ayurveda and modern medicine - with that, a descriptive saying that fits the idea is "one man's food can be another man's poison".

Ayurveda sees the body as a universe in itself, and in order for this universe to work properly it needs to be balanced. This body universe does not only function through matter and the physical, it also functions through intelligence and spirit.

What are some causes of imbalance?

• If the body becomes toxic from outside influences and it is not maintained, then it becomes overwhelmed and imbalanced - just like a car that doesn't get an oil change for years and years - the body is similar.
• If a person is born with imbalances for hereditary reasons, Ayurveda believes that even that can be overcome by proper actions and nutrition.
• If the person is overwhelmed emotionally and is sending these signals to the body. The body is an intelligent working force - each cell with its nucleus and informational abilities corresponds to messages from the brain.

All of the above influence the immune system and thus the immune system can get overwhelmed and weakened if it has no outlet or time to recuperate.

How can Ayurveda go about helping or healing someone diagnosed with cancer?

The ways Ayurveda can help heal a person with cancer varies depending on the body type and the root of the problem that caused it in the first place. This can be found through analysis of the tongue, pulse, eyes, nails, skin and questions for the person to answer. The body is seen as a map that reflects the inside and can be read after a lot of practice. Usually doing a pancha karma, which is rejuvenation treatment, the body is cleared of toxins through the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, colon an skin. Any opening in the body basically so that the body is released of toxins and can function more easily to build up its immune system. Once that happens, then the herbs come into play - it is important to first clean and then restore because if someone that is toxic has herbs, they can actually push the toxins deeper into the organ since they don't have a clear passage.

Ayurveda also studies passages and systems in the body and those need to be clear. Meat is considered cancer causing since it rots in your colon and causes a backup of toxins after years of eating. I personally still eat meat but do a colonic with a special tea every so often to clean up. Once the colon is clean, which is the most important part of the body to cleanse, the liver can clear its bile more easily and the organs become more free to flush themselves of toxins giving the body room to breath.

Michelle says she continues to be fascinated by Ayurveda and is always seeking to learn more. She also practices meditation, breath work and visualization.

More of Michelle's beautiful artwork can be found here.