Interview with Aarti Babhoota, Holistic Health & Lifestyle Coach, Nutritionist & Founder of Yukah

Interview with Aarti Babhoota, Holistic Health & Lifestyle Coach, Nutritionist & Founder of Yukah and Community Director at Vaatalya

In the realm of holistic health and lifestyle coaching, Ms. Aarti Babhoota stands as a luminary, weaving together a tapestry of expertise and passion that has resonated with countless individuals on their wellness journeys.

A distinguished Holistic Health & Lifestyle Coach, Nutritionist, and the visionary Founder of Yukah, Aarti’s profound commitment to well-being is anchored in a rich educational background. Her academic prowess boasts certifications in nutrition from renowned institutions such as Stanford University and Emory University, attesting to the depth of her knowledge in holistic health.

With over two decades of experience, she has honed her skills in various roles, including serving as the Nutrition Vertical Head at FlexifyMe. Beyond nutrition, Aarti’s commitment to holistic wellness extends to the realm of yoga, where she holds the esteemed titles of Certified Trained Teacher in advanced Classical Hatha Yoga Mysore (RYS 1180) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500) with the International Yoga Alliance, USA. Her journey is not just a career; it’s a testament to her unwavering dedication to fostering balance, vitality, and true holistic well-being.

Can you share a bit about your personal journey that led you to become a holistic health and lifestyle coach and nutritionist?

Aarti Babhoota: A significant shift from my corporate career prompted my journey into becoming a holistic health and lifestyle coach and nutritionist. While working as a product manager, I encountered various lifestyle disorders such as PCOD, skin issues, severe constipation, back problems, knee pain, and obesity that had persisted since my teenage years. As these disorders reached a critical point, doctors suggested surgeries.

This pivotal moment made me reevaluate my choices, especially considering the misinformation prevalent in areas like weight loss, health, dieting, and nutrition. Motivated to delve deeper into understanding nutrition, I pursued certifications from reputable institutions like Stanford and Emory. Additionally, I sought insights from top nutritionists in the country.

Recognizing that health involves more than just food, I embraced a holistic approach that includes exercise, sleep, and daily activity levels. My journey further led me to explore yoga professionally, discovering its profound impact on physical, mental, and emotional balance. Observing the confusion and myths surrounding health and nutrition among people I knew, the idea of creating the Parivartan program took root.

Combining my life experiences, knowledge from various practices, including yoga and meditation, and insights from nutrition studies, the Parivartan program emerged. This holistic wellness initiative aims to teach individuals the importance of achieving physical, mental, and emotional balance for overall well-being.

​How does Yukah contribute to holistic well-being, and what sets it apart from other wellness initiatives?

Aarti Babhoota: Yukah, deriving its name from “balance,” is a holistic well-being platform that encompasses various facets of health, physical, mental, and emotional. The conceptualization of Yukah stems from personal learnings, experiences, and overcoming challenges in physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Recognizing the importance of balance in every aspect of life, including nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being, the platform aims to guide individuals towards a harmonious lifestyle.

The platform’s unique approach involves educating individuals about their surroundings, choices, and how to make informed decisions to correct habits and transform their lifestyle positively. The emphasis is on leading a balanced life without confusion about dietary choices, exercise routines, or managing mental and emotional well-being.

Yukah distinguishes itself by not merely offering programs but presenting a comprehensive eight-day commitment. This distinctive feature requires individuals to prioritize their health, particularly when dealing with emerging or existing lifestyle disorders. Unlike short-term wellness programs, Yukah’s approach ensures a deeper engagement, allowing individuals to internalize the principles of balance and integrate them into their daily lives effectively.

The platform addresses common dilemmas people face, such as the right amount of exercise or the mindful consumption of alcohol. By guiding individuals to be more mindful and present in their actions, Yukah facilitates the attainment of a balanced state. This includes promoting thoughtful approaches to daily choices and preventing individuals from becoming overwhelmed by information, confusion, or prevalent health myths.

In essence, Yukah stands out by not only imparting knowledge but also empowering individuals to continue their journey toward a balanced life independently. The focus extends beyond a short-term program, fostering a sustained sense of well-being and equilibrium in the complexities of everyday life.

​Can you elaborate on the holistic approach you take in your coaching and nutritional guidance?

Aarti Babhoota: In our nutrition workshops and programs, the holistic approach takes a unique stance. Unlike trendy diets or short-term detox plans, our guidance aims to assist individuals, providing them with sustainable tools for long-term well-being. We prioritize empowerment through education rather than enforcing restrictive dietary measures.

For instance, in the program, we don’t advocate extreme measures like eating only boiled vegetables or endorsing fad diets. Instead, we focus on educating individuals on the benefits of foods like rice and how to incorporate them intelligently into a balanced diet. The goal is to dispel myths, such as labeling sugar as the sole culprit, and instead, guide participants in identifying the specific sugars that may cause issues.

The holistic coaching extends beyond nutrition and encompasses various aspects of life. It’s not just about what to eat but also about how to navigate special occasions like holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or festivals without feeling deprived. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals learn to manage their nutrition in real-life situations, fostering a sustainable and balanced lifestyle.

​What are some key principles or philosophies that guide your coaching and nutritional recommendations at Yukah?​

Aarti Babhoota: A fundamental principle that underlies our approach is the recognition that each individual, body, and emotion is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, whether it’s in terms of exercise or nutrition. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. For instance, a traditional Hatha Yoga practice might be effective for one individual, while someone else might find Pilates, dance, or gym workouts more suitable.

This principle extends to dietary recommendations as well. Similarly, if avocado contributes to one person’s glowing skin in a certain region or culture, it doesn’t mean it will have the same effect on another. We emphasize the importance of breaking away from the tendency to copy others and instead encourage individuals to respect their unique selves and bodies.

In our coaching sessions, we instill the understanding that embracing one’s individuality and making choices that align with one’s own body and preferences is crucial. This principle guides us away from generic approaches and towards personalized coaching that respects the diversity of individuals and their unique well-being needs.

​In your experience, what are some common challenges individuals face when trying to adopt a holistic approach to health, and how do you help them overcome these challenges?

Aarti Babhoota: In the realm of nutrition coaching and the Parivartan program, a significant challenge is the misconception that holistic living is overly complex or not applicable to their lives. People often perceive it as something unattainable or difficult.

To address this, our workshops and sessions focus on demystifying these labels and explaining the true essence of practices like yoga. We emphasize that holistic living isn’t an arduous task but rather involves simple methods of mindful eating, suitable exercise, proper sleep, and managing body cycles for significant benefits.

A crucial aspect of our coaching is dispelling myths and confusions around food. Many individuals grapple with choices and are uncertain about healthy options, especially in areas like breakfast. We guide them towards understanding that investing time in cooking and avoiding packaged and processed foods, is a valuable investment in their health and their family’s well-being. This extends to various aspects, including cultivating healthy habits like not watching screens before bedtime or during meals.

Our program doesn’t solely focus on providing bookish or tactical information; it delves into emotional well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, emotional health is often neglected, contributing to the rise in mental health issues.

Yukah actively addresses these emotional aspects, guiding individuals to manage their emotional well-being alongside physical and mental balance. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals don’t just count carbs and proteins but gain a deeper understanding of their overall well-being.

​As a nutritionist, what are some fundamental nutritional insights you believe everyone should be aware of for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle?

Aarti Babhoota: At Yukah, we want to clear up the confusion caused by the food industry. They often mislead us, making us forget our cultural wisdom and ditch our traditional ways of cooking and eating. We’re here to help you see through the tricks that push us into dietary habits that might not suit our cultural or personal needs.

One big insight is to see food as more than just numbers – it’s not about breaking it down into proteins, carbs, and fats. Yukah encourages a holistic view of food, keeping the emotional connection alive. We challenge the trend of breaking food into pieces and emphasize appreciating it as a whole.

We also teach you to tell the difference between real, whole foods and processed stuff. Be aware of the front label; we want you to peek inside the package and understand what you’re eating. It’s about making choices that you understand and that truly benefit your body.

Being mindful is a big part of Yukah’s approach. We encourage you to be present during meals, cooking, sleeping, working, and exercising. This mindfulness ensures that every action brings you the most benefit, keeping you away from harmful habits.

And it’s not just about body size or shape; we care about your metabolic health. We delve into factors like gut health, energy levels, cravings, and the well-being of your hair and skin. By focusing on these aspects, we guide you to understand and achieve true metabolic health – a deeper understanding of your body beyond the usual measures.

These insights form the core of Yukah’s approach, guiding you to a balanced and healthy lifestyle through informed and mindful choices. It’s the Vaatalya way – simple, clear, and true to you.

​What current wellness trends do you find particularly interesting or impactful, and how do they align with Yukah’s mission? (Need inputs from Team Yukah)

Aarti Babhoota: At Yukah, we prioritize cultural wisdom over fleeting wellness trends. While I remain cautious about short-lived trends, I find value in social media discussions that shed light on important topics like sugar, nutrition labels, and mental health awareness. These conversations align with Yukah’s mission, emphasizing education and guiding individuals toward a holistic understanding of health. We appreciate efforts globally that emphasize the interconnectedness of physical well-being, mindful living, and mental health, echoing our commitment to providing comprehensive guidance on the wellness journey

​Balancing health, work, and personal life can be challenging. How do you help your clients strike this balance effectively?

Aarti Babhoota: At Yukah, we don’t just hand out diet plans; we believe in teaching. It’s about understanding your body’s signals – when you’re hungry when you’re satisfied, and what your body needs. We focus on educating you about Proportion management, eating as per hunger, and not just blindly following a portion control method as hunger is a moving entity. Serving sizes, and making mindful food choices. It’s not a quick fix but a learning journey to help you live a balanced and healthy life.

Our approach isn’t all theory; we empower you with real-life skills. Whether you’re at a party or dealing with a busy workday, we’ve got practical strategies. We guide you on what to do before, during, and after events. And when it comes to work, we help you plan meals smartly, considering your schedule and preferences.

We know health isn’t just about food; it’s also about your mind and emotions. We help you understand yourself better, so you can make conscious choices aligned with your overall well-being.

We have an easy strategy for planning meals. It’s about fitting healthy choices seamlessly into your daily routine. We call it the Vaatalya way – simple, mindful, and sustainable.

In a nutshell, Yukah is all about teaching, empowering, and making health a part of your everyday life. We want you not just to find balance during the program but to carry it forward on your journey beyond Yukah.

​Where do you see the future of holistic wellness heading, and how do you envision Yukah evolving in response to emerging trends and needs in the health and lifestyle industry?

Aarti Babhoota: The future of holistic wellness is evolving towards a more integrated and personalized approach. Yukah is poised to adapt to emerging trends by continually incorporating innovative wellness practices that align with our core values of intentional living, community engagement, and a deep connection with nature.

Harnessing advancements in technology for personalized wellness solutions and staying abreast of scientific breakthroughs, while also ensuring that we keep our cultural wisdom alive and don’t just follow trends and new developments ensures that Yukah remains at the forefront of holistic well-being.

​For those aspiring to enter the field of holistic health coaching, what advice would you offer based on your own experiences and learnings?

Aarti Babhoota: For aspiring holistic health coaches, my advice is rooted in a holistic perspective. Prioritize a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and soul. Continuously expand your knowledge base, staying updated on the latest research and wellness trends. Cultivate empathy and effective communication skills to connect with individuals uniquely.

Embrace a growth mindset, understanding that the holistic wellness landscape is dynamic. Most importantly, lead by example, embody the principles you advocate, and foster a genuine passion for empowering others on their holistic well-being journey.

In conclusion, Ms. Aarti Babhoota emerges as a beacon in the world of holistic health, seamlessly blending academic acumen with real-world experience. As the Founder of Yukah and the Community Director at Vaatalya, Aarti’s impact extends far beyond conventional paradigms.

Her journey, marked by certifications from esteemed institutions and roles as a nutrition leader, reflects a commitment to elevating the well-being of those she touches. With her extensive experience and multifaceted expertise, Aarti stands as a testament to the transformative power of holistic wellness. Her legacy is one that continues to inspire and guide individuals toward a harmonious integration of mind, body, and spirit.

Read more Success stories of Indian entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs & startups stories at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn