Ayurveda Series – The Art of Graceful Aging

We’re back with another Ayurveda banger! Last time out, Pilar walked us through the Ayurvedic principle of Satvritti – focusing on using the mind as medicine.

Today, we’re going to take a look at the compulsory yet beautiful process of ‘aging’. Pilar guides us and educates us on how we can embrace the “new type of beauty” that comes with wisdom and experience.

She shares personal anecdotes about her experience with aging as she’s “steadily approaching my 50s” – offering insights into how we can and should focus on the art that is letting ourselves age gracefully.

After explaining what aging is and the importance of embracing it, Pilar also introduces us to Abhyanga – an Ayurvedic practice that serves as a healthy ‘treatment‘ that we can incorporate into our lives as we enter the process of “aging”.

An Ayurvedic guide to radiant transitions

I used to think a few wrinkles wouldn’t bother me. I’d see them on the faces of women I admired, lines etched by laughter, sun, and a life well-lived, and think, “That’s beautiful. I’ll be fine with that.”

Then, the process of aging became my own reality. And wow, I’ll be honest with you, it’s hard.

Even though it happens to us all, witnessing these changes firsthand truly shifts our perspective on who we are and what beauty really means. As I steadily approach my 50s, I’m noticing my body changing in the most natural sense. The glow feels a bit different; the recovery after a long surf session takes a little longer; the reflection in the mirror tells a story I’m still learning how to read.

In this space of transition, I’ve found myself leaning deeper into Ayurveda. It’s not about fighting time or unlocking some secret fountain of youth. Instead, it’s about an Ayurvedic approach to aging that explores how we can embrace a new type of beauty. One that radiates wisdom, experience, and a profound sense of Pura Vida.

Embracing beauty through an Ayurvedic lens

I recently attended an Ayurveda Skin and Beauty Workshop with the Kerala Academy, and it sparked a deep internal dialogue. Are our current beauty and aging standards setting us up for an impossible goal? And instead of genuinely enhancing our natural beauty, are they just piling on unnecessary stress?

The relentless, social media-driven ideals of eternal youth and flawless beauty add a weight that is often heavy to carry. While women often feel this pressure more intensely, I see it in men too. The intense workouts, the meticulous protein tracking, the expensive supplements, all in an effort to maintain an appearance that time naturally wants to evolve.

In Ayurveda, we don’t see aging as a problem to be fixed. We see it as a transition of Doshas.

The transition to the vata years

In our previous look at The Three Doshas, we discussed how these energies govern our bodies. But did you know they also govern the stages of our lives?

1. The Kapha Stage (Childhood): A time of growth, moisture, and building structure.
2. The Pitta Stage (Adulthood): The “fire” years of productivity, ambition, and doing.
3. The Vata Stage (Elderhood/Wisdom): The transition into the years of air and ether.

As we age, Vata naturally increases. This is why we might feel more dryness in our skin, more airiness in our thoughts, or a bit more brittleness in our joints. When we understand this, we stop fighting aging and start managing Vata. We shift our focus from cooling the fire of our 30s to grounding the wind of our 50s and 60s.

Movement as medicine: yoga and surf for the long game

A common fear I hear from people looking to join us at Bodhi Surf + Yoga is: “Am I too old for this?” They worry that surfing is only for the young and athletic, or that they won’t be able to keep up in a yoga flow. If you’ve felt that tug of hesitation, I want to wrap you in a Welcoming Friend hug and tell you: You are exactly where you need to be.

If you’re looking to stay on top of your mobility, check out our blog on the best yoga poses for balance and mobility!

Yoga for longevity

In Ayurveda, we talk about Rasa—the vital fluids and juices of the body. As Vata increases with age, things tend to dry out. A consistent, mindful yoga practice is like juicing your joints. It maintains spinal mobility and keeps the Prana (life force) moving. It’s not about touching your toes; it’s about keeping the channels open so you can continue to move through life with ease.

If you’re curious about how breathwork supports this, take a look at our guide on the Benefits of Pranayama.

The soul of surfing

And surfing? Surfing is the ultimate Vata-balancer because it demands presence. When you are in the water, you aren’t thinking about your gray hair or your to-do list. You are playing. And play is a vital nutrient for the spirit as we age. It keeps us flexible, not just in body, but in mind.

At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we don’t just “go surfing.” We respect the environment and our bodies. This is why we try our best to strategically schedule or surf lessons when safe conditions permit:

• Early Mornings (7–9 AM) or Late Afternoons (3:30–5:30 PM): These “golden hours” allow us to avoid the harsh, midday tropical sun, work with the tides, and honor the body’s natural rhythms.

We recommend that you dive into our blog on the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of surfing to learn more

Navigating the tropics: the reality of sun, salt, and skin

We want to be honest with you, living in Bahia Ballena, Osa, Costa Rica, means facing the elements. I’ve spent years in the sun and salt, and I’ve seen the toll it can take. I’m not the best example of radiant, porcelain skin, and I’m okay with that. Those sun-kissed lines are part of my story.

However, an Ayurvedic approach to aging in the tropics means being a Conscious Traveler with your own body. We minimize peak sun exposure not just for safety, but because excessive heat (Pitta) can aggravate the skin and lead to premature drying out (Vata). We use the environment as our guide, finding the Pura Vida in the shade and the cool breezes.

Practical wisdom for a healthy relationship with aging

Reflecting on my workshop and my own journey, here are a few suggestions for cultivating a healthy relationship with the passage of time.

1. Avoid social media as your beauty reference

Scrolling can be damaging. Many experts online contradict each other, and the filtered images create a fantasy-land that disconnects us from our true selves. Seek guidance from qualified professionals who can see you in person, understand your unique constitution, and honor your nuances.

In our blog Mauna – The Yoga of Silence, we discuss the powerful benefits of tuning out the noise that doesn’t improve on the silence.

2. Honor your uniqueness

Ayurveda teaches us that what works for one doesn’t work for all. Someone navigating a high-energy, active lifestyle might find balance in cooling, grounding routines that settle the nervous system. On the other hand, someone in a reflective season of life — seeking to reconnect with their inner purpose — might flourish with warming, heart-opening rituals that invite self-compassion. Find the rhythm that speaks to your current season.

Ayurveda is right where we are, and it exists where we let it exist. Check out our previous blog in the Ayurveda Series – Bringing Ayurveda Home.

3. Consistency over quick fixes

Whether it’s a modern treatment or an ancient remedy, patience matters. I’ve noticed that even the simplest routines, when done with devotion, yield the most radiant results over time.

Ayurveda is all about small, consistent action that’s aligned with living at one with nature. Learn more in our introductory Ayurveda blog, that sets the tone for the whole series!

4. The universal principles

Before investing in expensive creams, start with the foundations:

• Deep Sleep: Your body’s primary time for repair.
• Hydration: Keeping the Rasa flowing.
• Sunlight: Early morning light – which we have plenty of here! – to set your rhythm (while avoiding the midday burn!).
• Connection: Quality time with your family or community.

The ritual of self-love: Abhyanga

I want to finish by sharing a practice that was hard for me to integrate at first, but now, I know it works: Abhyanga.

Abhyanga is a self-massage with warm oils. It is the ultimate Ayurvedic anti-aging tool because it directly counteracts the dryness and airiness of the Vata years. It nurtures the nervous system and keeps the skin supple.

• For Vata & Kapha: Use a warm Sesame oil base.
• For Pitta (or hot tropical days): Use Coconut oil.

Even if it doesn’t transform your skin overnight, the act of Snehana (which in Sanskrit means both “oiling” and “loving”) nurtures your connection to yourself. It is an act of acceptance for the body that has carried you this far.

A new type of radiance

Aging is an inevitable journey, but how we travel is up to us. We can resist every mile, or we can shift our focus toward embracing and caring for ourselves through each stage.

Beauty isn’t static. It evolves from the fiery brilliance of youth into the soft, luminous radiance of wisdom. At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we invite you to find that radiance, whether it’s on a yoga mat, on a surfboard, or in the quiet moments of an Ayurvedic ritual.

Let go of the eternal youth fantasy, and step into the beauty of eternal presence.

Frequently asked questions about the Ayurvedic approach to aging

What is the best Ayurvedic oil for aging skin?

While it depends on your Dosha, Organic Sesame oil is generally considered the king of oils  in Ayurveda for its ability to penetrate deep into the tissues and ground Vata. For those in hotter climates or with Pitta constitutions, Coconut oil is a cooling and hydrating alternative.

Can I start surfing or yoga in my 50s?

Absolutely. At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, many of our guests are in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. We focus on “Small is Beautiful,” ensuring that instruction is tailored to your mobility and energy levels. We believe movement is a vital nutrient for longevity.

How does Ayurveda define “Beauty”?

In Ayurveda, beauty is not just skin-deep. It is the outer reflection of inner health, or Ojas (vitality) and Prana (life force). True beauty comes from balanced digestion, a calm mind, and a deep connection to one’s purpose.

What are the “Vata years” in Ayurveda?

The Vata years typically begin around age 50-60. During this life stage, the elements of Air and Ether become more dominant, making it a time for developing wisdom, spirituality, and introspection, but also requiring more grounding and hydrating self-care practices.

Are you ready to radiate your unique light that shines within?

Whether you are looking to deepen your practice or find your flow in the ocean for the first time, we are here to guide you. It’s what we love doing, and it shows in how we do it.

As we’ve discussed, aging is a beautiful right-of-passage that signifies health, wisdom, and experience. Aging is a beautifully radiant glow – a glow that we should embrace and allow to shine as it deserves to do.

If you’re ready to let your light shine and give your body some gentle movement it’ll be thankful for, we’d be stoked to have you join us in our Bodhi Sessions: 7 Day Surfing + Yoga Camps.

We look forward to seeing you in our next Ayurveda Series blog, where we’ll continue our exploration of this fascinating ancient science and how we can apply it into our lives.