Monica Bloom, AP

Monica Bloom, AP

Ayurvedic author, speaker, and coach

Pitta Vata
Constitution: Pitta-Vata

Monica Bloom is the expert at tucking Ayurveda into modern life. Monica has been teaching Ayurveda since 2008 at heymonicab.com and authored In Your Elements: A Blooming Ayurvedic Guide to Creating Your Best Life. All the while, she worked in the corporate world with a 3-hour daily commute, managed a team of eight, and came home to her energetic toddler, husband, and animals. To keep her vigor, Monica uses Ayurveda daily in diet and routine including daily exercise, pranayama, and sneaking in meditation (on the bus!).

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Articles by Monica Bloom, AP
  • How Does Ayurveda Fit into My Busy Life? (Answer: It’s Surprisingly Easy)
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • July 18, 2022
    How Does Ayurveda Fit into My Busy Life? (Answer: It’s Surprisingly Easy)

    An Ayurvedic daily routine doesn't have to take over your life. Keep it simple and practical for your modern, busy lifestyle with these five supportive tips.

  • Navigating Your Soul Purpose
    • Health and Wellness
    • October 29, 2018
    Navigating Your Soul Purpose

    Have you ever wondered why taking care of yourself and your body is so important? Ayurvedic self-care can help you not only feel great, it can help you decide how you can fulfill your life goals. 

  • Why Self-Care Is Not Optional—It’s Crucial
    • Health and Wellness
    • May 22, 2018
    Why Self-Care Is Not Optional—It’s Crucial

    The goal is not to give everything of ourselves away to everybody else so that we are left a tired, sloggy, irritated, burnt out mess. Nope. Because then we bring crummy energy, lack of presence, and even resentment to those things that should be full of love and joy! 

  • How to Avoid an Oily Mess During Abhyanga
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • September 29, 2017
    How to Avoid an Oily Mess During Abhyanga

    Abhyanga, or self-oil massage, has many health benefits. Overall it protects and nourishes the skin, but it has a bonus effect as the oil absorbs into our deepest tissues to keep them supple, strong, and toned, and enhances their quality.

  • When to Use Ayurveda and When to See a Western Doctor
    • Health and Wellness
    • August 21, 2017
    When to Use Ayurveda and When to See a Western Doctor

    There's a time to use Ayurveda (sniffles) and there's a time to go see a Western doctor (sinus infection). Knowing when to turn to which can help you enjoy deeper well-being.

  • What to Pack for a Balanced Vacation
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • June 19, 2017
    What to Pack for a Balanced Vacation

    When we take it on the road, it's important to keep our balance. The goal is not to come back feeling like we need a vacation from vacation! 

  • Inspire Your Life with the Help of Ayurveda
    • Emotional Wellness
    • January 30, 2017
    Inspire Your Life with the Help of Ayurveda

    What if you were taught how to stay in harmony, taking it all in stride while getting a little bit better every day? That, my friend, is Ayurveda.

  • How to Bring More Life to Your Work
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • August 03, 2016
    How to Bring More Life to Your Work

    What if we all flipped a switch in our minds and spirits to decide that we will bring as much LIFE to work as possible? Imagine how much fun the days would be no matter what job we had.

  • An Ayurvedic Pizza Party
    • Food and Cooking
    • May 02, 2016
    An Ayurvedic Pizza Party

    Monica B is throwing an Ayurvedic pizza party and invites three guests; vata, pitta, and kapha. How will they build their plates?

  • Ayurveda in the Workplace: Nobody is Like You!
    • Health and Wellness
    • January 27, 2016
    Ayurveda in the Workplace: Nobody is Like You!

    We are all going to approach work and projects differently. Let's explore how we can work more in harmony with good understandings of each other according to the three doshas.

  • Ayurveda in the Workplace: Avoiding Burnout
    • Health and Wellness
    • November 20, 2015
    Ayurveda in the Workplace: Avoiding Burnout

    Now, we all need jobs. We just need to take more breaks. Our minds and bodies need a pause for replenishment so that we can perform at our best without draining our lifeforce.

  • Ayurveda in the Workplace: Hey! What's For Lunch?
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • October 21, 2015
    Ayurveda in the Workplace: Hey! What's For Lunch?

    If your lunch is usually a stressful scramble to find something to eat, it's time for a reset. Here's how to avoid the common pitfalls and make your lunchtime awesome.

  • Taking Meditation to the Workplace. Really.
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • September 21, 2015
    Taking Meditation to the Workplace. Really.

    Considering just how much we multitask, especially at work, the mind appreciates a break. Let's take a deeper look at bringing meditation into your work day.

  • Ayurveda in the Workplace
    • Routines and Rhythms
    • July 22, 2015
    Ayurveda in the Workplace

    The first step of bringing Ayurveda to work is to be grateful for the work you have, no matter what it is. Read on for more tips about Ayurveda in the workplace.

  • Making Friends with Fire
    • Gut Health & Digestion
    • June 08, 2015
    Making Friends with Fire

    A key piece of Ayurveda is an important little thing called agni. 90 percent of all disease is caused by malfunctioning agni! Here's what it is and how to keep it strong. 

  • 10 Tips to Scoop Yourself Out of an Emotional Rut
    • Health and Wellness
    • June 03, 2015
    10 Tips to Scoop Yourself Out of an Emotional Rut

    Ever feel kinda “off?” Maybe your life is awesome, but without reason you feel dragged down, in the pits, disengaged, or checked-out? Here's how to get out of that rut.

Education and Experience

  • Certificate of Achievement: High Performance Master's Program, High Performance Institute, 2017–2019
  • Advanced studies of Astanga Hrdayam, 2017
  • Certification in Ayurvedic Facials, California College of Ayurveda 2016
  • Certified in Panchakarma, AyurGreens, Kerala, India, 2010
  • Diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences from Kerala Ayurveda Academy, 2009
  • NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) Member
  • Friends of Ayurveda Member
  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer, since 2006
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, May 1998 

Upcoming Events

Learn about any upcoming events and offerings at www.heymonicab.com.

 

Monica Bloom

Monica’s Point of View

How were you introduced to Ayurveda?

In the midst of “Project Monica” (my mission to heal myself) I was depressed and wanted to disappear, so I googled “yoga retreat in India.” The website I found talked of Ayurvedic treatments and Ayurvedic remedies. The word struck me—I swear I had seen it before, so I googled Ayurveda.

What appeared before my eyes was everything I had always believed in my SOUL about healing, medicine, and LIFE, but never knew existed. Tears streamed down my face and I felt struck in the heart.

From that moment forward, I knew it was my job to study and share Ayurveda with as many people as possible. Four days later I was enrolled in Ayurveda school.
 

How has Ayurveda changed your life?

Ohh…I can’t answer this succinctly. How has it not? Ayurveda is everything to me. It has changed me, is still changing me, and will continue to change me, forever.


When are you most likely to go out of balance and how do you bring yourself back in balance using Ayurveda?

Vata goes out pretty quickly for me (unfocused, racing mind, distracted, no pooping, dry skin) so I have to consciously remind myself to move slower than I naturally want to.

My first go-to is the breath—my routine is a full body, chakra-opening set of big inhales and exhales (with body movement), which clears me instantly.

Next up is oil massage in a steamy bathroom. If I really need to settle my mind, I turn off the computer (always the root of my anxiousness!) and put pen to paper to write, draw, strategize, and create. I go outside when I’m out of my head. I do a slow, grounding yoga practice or stretching, even if just 20 minutes. I also go to bed by 8 p.m. sometimes for extra restoration.

I also turn to herbs, like amalaki—it’s my favorite rejuvenative and has the highest content of Vitamin C of any fruit. It focuses my mind and I feel less moody, less edgy. I also love the Soothing Skin Balm on very dry elbows and knees.