As part of our Mother Witch event, Jasmine joined us one sunny Saturday in September to share her knowledge and create a moment to pause, breathe and reconnect. Here, she talks us through what first drew her to Ayurveda, how sound bathing became part of her practice, and her advice for finding your way back to yourself in a busy modern world.
Jasmine wears the Ruth pumpkin spice knitted jumper
Hi Jasmine, it's lovely to meet you! Could you tell us a little about yourself and the work you do?
I’m Jasmine Hemsley. I’m a chef, author and wellbeing expert, and my work is really about helping people feel better through food and simple daily rituals inspired by Ayurveda.
You've spent years encouraging people to take their health into their own hands through nutrition, mindfulness and balance. What first drew you to the Ayurvedic way of living?
I was drawn to Ayurveda because it doesn’t see wellbeing as one-size-fits-all. It asks you to notice who you are, how you’re feeling and what you need in that particular season of life, and even from day to day or moment to moment. That felt both intuitive and practical to me.
As a trained sound therapist, what led you from the kitchen to sound as a form of healing, and what do you notice in people after a sound bath?
Sound therapy came into my life as another way to help me recognise what I need and bring myself back towards balance. It can be centring, energising or relaxing, and sound can reach you when you don’t have the energy to “do” anything.
I also find the crystal alchemy bowls incredibly beautiful and feminine, even before you hear them. The colours, textures and the different combinations of quartz, minerals, metals and gemstones make each one feel unique. Then you move into the sound itself, with its layers of tones and vibrations washing around and through you.
After a sound bath, I often notice that people look softer. Their breathing has slowed, their shoulders have dropped, and they tell me that time seems to slow down and they feel more present. Most people rush off after a class or session, but nobody wants to move after a sound bath!
Jasmine wears the Raya dark wash denim jacket & the Dana dark olive gingham brushed cotton trousers
You talk about "Fashion with Feeling" as one of your guiding principles. At Beyond Nine, we champion feelgood clothing for all stages of womanhood – comfortably, confidently, and without compromise. What does getting dressed with feeling mean to you, whether you're hosting a sound bath or just moving through an ordinary day?
Getting dressed with feeling is an extension of supporting how I think, feel, move and present myself, both to the world and to myself. I want clothes that let me breathe and move, whether I’m hosting a sound bath, working or on the floor with my children. I don’t want to feel constricted, but I still want to feel stylish.
Comfort doesn’t have to mean compromising how you feel about yourself. The right clothes can help you feel at ease and still completely yourself, which is why Beyond Nine speaks to me.
Jasmine wears the Tori dark leopard denim jeans & Elodie black linen top
For women who feel like they don't have time for rituals or routines, what's one Ayurvedic principle they could borrow without overhauling their whole life?
If you feel you don’t have time for rituals, borrow this one idea from Ayurveda: like increases like, while opposites bring balance. If life feels rushed, choose something slow. If you feel cold, add warmth. We all do that one quite naturally! If you feel scattered, try something grounding, whether that’s breathwork or simply focusing on one task at a time. You’ll probably feel a sense of accomplishment, and perhaps feel even more energised, once it’s done.
