“A Life of Balance” is a more than a cookbook- it's a thoughtfully written manual that breaks down the spiritual science of the foods we eat. The premise is that we must eat based upon our own type of constitution, and the food we eat must remain as pure and soulfully alive as possible. Tiwari expounds upon all of these ideas in great detail, promising that the more you apply the techniques, the more intuitive your understanding of Ayurveda will become. Tiwari also weaves in the ancient Vedic philosophies as they enhance our understanding of how such mindful eating can quicken our evolution on this planet. As well, she provides insights from her personal experience with Ayurveda, herself having used it to heal her last inoperable tumor.

Tiwari starts at the most basic level of Ayurveda, devoting an exceptional 20+ pages to helping the reader to determine which of the constitutions (doshas) s/he has, because the whole diet will be based upon that singular determination. Most books on Ayurveda offer little more than one paragraph per dosha, so if you're an Ayurveda fanatic, this book is worth its weight in gold for this section alone. Also, instead of the three basic doshas, Tiwari combines the three doshas in various ways to come up with ten distinct doshas, which allows for more flexibility.

For each dosha, you will find a list of major foods (foods to eat all the time), minor foods (foods to eat sparingly), regressive foods (foods that work against the chemical balance of health you are trying to achieve), and seasonal menu suggestions for all three daily meals. The back of the book is the recipe section, where the recipes are marked clearly enough so that you can tell if the meal fits into your dosha plan or not.

There is a plethora of information in this massive book, including extensive amounts of background information on everything from Eastern concepts like the chakras (and how they relate) to how to outfit your kitchen for your Ayurvedic revolution. All told, if you decide to walk the path of Ayurveda, this book will pretty much be your bible, and you will probably keep it and refer to it forever.

I deducted a star, however, due to the sheer inaccessibility of many of the foods and the fact that I can't see many people being able to apply enough of the techniques on a daily basis in order to make this kind of philosophical diet work for them in the long run. All food must be organic (of course, but many areas in the US still do not readily offer organic food- just the nasty GMO stuff), as well, the food can never have been frozen or canned. I could be biased here, but if not for the ability to freeze food, I would starve to death out here in the hills. As well, there were those pesky patriarchal admonitions to women in the book, such as women shouldn't prepare food while menstruating (I suppose I'm to fast for 5 days every lunar month?). The idea that such tenets are present in a modern book is slightly disturbing to me and causes me to question all of the information that came before it. But like everything else, I will take from this book what I can use and create my own philosophy with what I take... and this book has much to take from. ( )

Ayurveda: A Life of Balance is a very complete and authoritative manual on the Vedic principles of health and nutrition, written by a well-respected expert in the field. It will be of great benefit to the layman and professional alike. -- Deepak Chopra, M.D., Author of Quantum Healing and Perfect Health

Bri. Maya is indeed the shining Yogi. Her book will benefit everyone who is conscious of personal health and global environment. -- Barbara Y.E. Pyle, Vice President Turner Broadcasting System

Here is a very special person who has journeyed through cancer, healed herself and now teaches others how to cross over the dark passages to light and life. This deeply personal and spiritual offering is a necessity to everyone who seeks to know the ancient secrets of healing from the Ayurvedas. -- Dr. Wally Burnstein, Physician and anti-food irradiation activist

In her book, Maya introduces the Ayurvedic diet with a universal flavor and shows how to awaken Ahamkara (the memory of who we really are) through the proper use of wholesome foods. By understanding our individual body types, and using foods that best support and enhance each one, we are employing a powerful and essential method of attunement. I am truly grateful to Maya and a handful of other Vedic scholars who continue to devote their lives to sharing this knowledge with the rest of the world. A world that is in great need and which, hopeful, may finally be ready to receive it. -- Lindsay Wagner, Actress and author

Maya Tiwari has been carving her own life-niche for many years. Forced by cancer to re-evaluate and refine her life that it might help to heal her, she returned to her own roots in Ayurveda, and from those roots has sprouted this book, a book which is both part of her therapy and a way to share her experience with others who need to heal. Inspired by Ayruveda, this book testifies to how Maya has successfully integrated its principles into her own life, an how others can do the same, to make their lives happy, healthy, and harmonious. -- Dr. Robert E. Suoboda, Ayurvedic physician and author of Prakruti

Maya Tiwari's gift to us is that her life of study, reflection, healing and becoming is a perpetual unfolding act. She has through personal experience and example acquired rich insight into an elusive ancient subject. Her book is faithful to the original precepts of Ayurveda which reveals the immortal principles of health and, ultimately, Self-realization. -- Scott Gerson, M.D., Director, Ayurvedic Medicine of New York President, Foundation for Holistic Medical Research

The author writes knowledgeably and compassionately about the practicalities of an integrate Ayurvedic lifestyle. -- Yoga World, Jan/Mar 1999.