If I Were In Charge...
What Three Things Would You Do Anita Kushal
I’m Nahid, “the nervous system whisperer” an Author and somatic movement educator. I’ve been teaching for twenty years and specialise in helping clients through burnout, anxiety, stress and trauma-related issues with The Soothe Programme.
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Hello from Greece, I am about to start my retreat and so looking forward to welcoming the guests tomorrow. I hope all is good in your world.
In times of chaos and uncertainty, I find myself drawn to ideas, hope, and creativity - they're what keep me going. I often catch myself wondering, "If I were in charge, what would I do?"
Every so often, I like to spotlight someone I've encountered in my travels - people who are both kind and brilliant, and who I've somehow convinced to share their thoughts with us. Ready?
Meet Anita Kushal, a warm soul mother who invited me to a morning of yoga and Ayurveda talks on different stages of women’s health. It was such a lovely gathering that kept me smiling through the week.
Who are you?
I am the Founder of Mauli Rituals; an Ayurvedic wellness brand for hair, skin, body and mind underpinned by ancestorial Ayurvedic heritage. I am also the founder of MilliOnandOn – a fundraising initiative that aims to raise a £1m and help a million children live happier, healthier lives. The other roles I play are of a mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.
What’s Your Mission?
My mission is to ‘be the change I seek’ and beyond that, I want to help individuals feel stronger, healthier and happier, by giving them an opportunity to pause. When we give to ourselves, we have the energy and mindset to give to others. No amount of sense gratification can compare to the joy of feeling connected through showing kindness to self and others.
How do you do it?
Mauli is a symbol of protection, connection and a wish for wellbeing and is the main vehicle through which I express my values and mission. The products invite a sacred celebration of self, are pleasurable in use and transformative in results, but they are a portal to something greater. I want those who engage with us to understand that beauty and wellness do not come from quick fixes and false inflated promises. A commitment to daily micro rituals and a heart-centered life yields results.
How do you look after yourself?
Life experiences and Mauli have made me acutely aware of my energy and when it’s off balance, I know how to course correct. Sometimes this means retreating from the outside world and other times it means connecting with others. Then there is my daily toolkit, which includes meditation, walking, listening to uplifting music and podcasts, reading soul nourishing books, laughing, dancing and committing to my daily Mauli rituals. I do this because I want to give reverence to the body that houses my soul and my guiding mantra is “Sri Aurobindo’s “I am fearless, I am timeless, I am spaceless, I am not just this body and mind, I am infinite bliss”. Not there yet and I do fall into unhealthy habits; sugar being one, but again, I know how to pull myself back into balance.
If you were in charge, what are the first three things that you would do?
Make it mandatory for phone companies to have to give one phone with basic functionality, each time a fancy gadget is sold. I would then encourage the basic phone be used daily and the all-singing version is held with greater awareness. Can I add they need to use some of the time they would have used aimlessly scrolling to connect with people of all generations and walks of life.
Make life skills such as preparing for marriage, parenting, even friends and family dynamics mandatory, as the cycle of trauma cannot be healed from the perception that created it. I would have these classes run by experts and also by the elderly, because they are the wisdom keepers and have done it, seen it and brought the t-shirt.
I would teach everyone the power of Ayurveda and meditation, because it’s all about connection to the nature and energy in and around us. Ayurveda teaches us to celebrate our unique nature and if children were empowered to appreciate this, there would be less sadness and conflict. Ayurveda takes in diet too, as that’s the root cause of mental and physical ill health. When you empower people to take care of their bodies and minds, they will want to do right by themselves and others.
Please recommend a book, a podcast/radio or a film/TV programme:
Book: A New Earth made a real impact on me, as did, The Untethered Soul. So many wonderful books and each time I read some I learn something new.
Podcast: A podcast I really enjoying at the moment is Bhagavad Gita – lessons with Thom Knowles. My parents would share lessons, as would my father-in-law and I did not fully understand at the time, but it’s sinking in and connects me to them.
TV Programme: I’m loving ‘Race Across The World’ – sometimes we’re up, sometimes we’re down but what a wonderful adventure it is to be alive.
What are you currently working on?
We have a few new products launching and we are building our space to become a for community and creativity. I’ll also be heading to India later this year to finalise a launch in a Spa there and finally on an initiative to raise more for MilliOnandOn.
Mauli Rituals - I love natural products and these are made with love. Have a browse using my link and if you want to order anything use my promo code: NAHID15
31st May is the last day for the early bird price for Soothe Day Retreat in London on Saturday 20th September - I’ll be looking a the foundations for an organised posture, the feet! Nab your spot here.
The Soothe Weekend Retreat on 10th - 12th October at The Quaives, a lovely retreat space in Kent, 51 minutes from St Pancras. I’ve already sold the cottages and the rooms in the main house. Rooms still available:
Dorm: 3 beds in the scandi-style dorm @ £650 pp
3 minute drive up the road staying at The Tor Spa
3 x ensuite rooms 5 minutes car drive away @ £1150 pp / twin 795 pp left
For paid subscribers - I will upload it over the weekend, my wifi will be stronger in the retreat villas tomorrow.
Our monthly Sunday Soothe live sessions will be on: 15th June - link below.
Stay human,
Nahid x
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