Certified yoga teacher and Ayurvedic cooking instructor Amrita Sondhi was a co-founder of the Vancouver-based clothing company called lululemon athletica.

In 2006, Sondhi first produced a collection of contemporary all-vegetarian recipes derived from the holistic healing traditions of India in general, and yoga in particular, The Modern Ayurvedic Cookbook (Arsenal $24.95). Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old healing tradition from India linked to the development of yoga, is based on the concept that one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being comes from a number of sources, including a healthful diet based on ones individual constitution.

Sondhi is also owner of Movement (movementglobal.com), a clothing line specializing in sustainable fibers. Her first book. In keeping with her focus on sustainability, 10% of proceeds from Movement and the cookbook go to the Pamoja Foundation (www.pamoja.org) which she also co-founded in 1999. The foundation supports grass roots entrepreneurs in making their way from poverty to self-sustainability through micro-loans at the grass roots level.

In 2009, Sondhi became the host of a new television program on One: The Body Mind and Spirit network in Canada that debuted in July. The Ayurvedic Way is a thirteen-episode series that introduces viewers to Ayurveda's uniquely holistic approach to health and wellness, demonstrating an array of recipes and exercises.

As a graduate of Kairos, Amrita attributes living with purpose to her Yoga practice. She believes her teaching brings her infinite returns and keeps the dharma wheel turning.

The Ayurvedic diet is based on the concept of three "doshas": vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth). Each of us has a primary dosha that we can strive to maintain at a healthy balance, but which can cause problems in excess. The book includes a questionnaire so readers can determine their own primary dosha and then look for recipes that will help them to maintain or reduce it for optimal health.

The Tastes of Ayurveda: More Healthful, Healing Recipes for the Modern Ayurvedic (Arsenal, 2012; 2nd printing Arsenal 2014) includes modern interpretations of Indian cuisine (spicy paneer zucchini kabobs and mango & coconut kulfi), and Ayurvedic spins on vegetarian fare (barley rainbow pilaf and raw zucchini hummus). The book also includes yoga and breathing exercises easily done at home or at work, full-colour recipe photos, and information on sprouting/fermenting techniques and backyard gardening.

She lives on Bowen Island, BC.

BOOKS:

The Modern Ayurvedic Cookbook (Arsenal $24.95). 1-55152-204-7 3rd printing 2009; 4th printing 2014.

The Tastes of Ayurveda: More Healthful, Healing Recipes for the Modern Ayurvedic (Arsenal, 2012; 2nd printing 2014) $26.95. 978-1-55152-438-2

[BCBW 2014] "Cookbook"