What happens to us when, for 10, 20 or 30 years, we hold back what we really want to say?
When we grit our teeth.

Keeping the peace at any price.

Does not set limits.

Swallowing anger, sadness, and frustration to avoid conflict.

Within Vedic philosophy, there is the idea that our choices here and now create Kriyamana Karma – the karma that is shaped by how we live, act and relate to ourselves.

And within yogic and Ayurvedic tradition, our voice and capacity for self-expression are closely linked to Vishuddha, the throat chakra, and to Udana Vayu, the upward movement of Prana which is associated with, among other things, speech, expression, direction, mental clarity and life force.

That does not mean that unvoiced emotions cause Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or other neurological diseases. The body does not work that way, and these diseases have complex biological causes.

Yet there is still something very interesting in the old wisdom:

What does it cost the body and nervous system to constantly hold oneself back?

Today we also know that long-term stress affects the nervous system. The body can remain in a state of readiness – fight, flight or freeze – for a long time, even when we appear calm on the outside.

Ayurveda reminds us that health is not just about what we eat or which herbs we take. It is also about how we live our lives.

Perhaps our voice is therefore more than just a way of communicating.

Perhaps it is also an important valve for our nervous system and our Prana.

Living more in tune with one's own truth doesn't mean saying everything one thinks or hurting others. It means not abandoning oneself to preserve the peace around one.

After all, Ayurveda is not just about digesting the food we eat, but also about our ability to digest the life we live.