We Are Upstate with Ayurveda and Global Dance Goddess, Nandini Austin

Born in a bustling, multicultural London household with roots in Mauritius, Nandini Austin’s life has often been a vibrant tapestry of rhythm, ritual, and celebration. Her earliest memories are filled with the sounds of ABBA, the aroma of her grandmother’s kitchen, and the healing power of movement—pure expression, free from formality and self-consciousness: belly dance and traditional movement styles like Sega and Kathak. From the pulse of Europe’s and New York’s club scene to the grounding stillness of her Hudson Valley homestead, she’s lived many lifetimes in one.

The only times Nandini has lost her joy and a sense of balance were when she disconnected from the transformational power of movement.  Now, she helps others remember that true wellness is less about perfection and more about pleasure, presence, and play. 

If you ever find yourself in the Hudson Valley at sunset, you might just catch a glimpse of Nandini and her family dancing on their deck, the Catskill Mountains glowing pink in the background, laughter and music rising with the booming beats. This is the same energy and vibrancy she brings to her Global Dance Fusion classes, nourishing Ayurvedic recipes, and events—inviting everyone to join the fun: to move, to laugh, to heal, and to remember the temple that’s always lived inside.

Want to know more? Read our Exclusive Interview below…

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Nandini Austin: I was born and raised in a large family of kids, in a vibrant, multicultural household in Northwest London, where I spent most days dancing away to Abba on chairs at my uncle’s house.  My ancestral heritage is Mauritian. Yes, my folks are from Mauritius, a tiny, tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean that Mark Twain once described as “a blueprint for heaven on earth.” Blink and you might miss it on the map, but it’s a richly diverse island with French, Indian, Chinese, and Creole influences – all of which show up deliciously in the cuisine. I spent many summers visiting my grandmother in Mauritius. She lived to 96 thanks to her Ayurvedic lifestyle, which involved simply living off her land, eating vibrant vegetarian meals, and keeping her “medicine cabinet” in a spice drawer – a stark contrast to the bustling lights of London and the concrete jungle I lived in.

I came to New York for my internship while pursuing a degree in Hospitality and Culinary Arts. l was dazzled by the bright lights and big city and had a blast enjoying the club scene in 1996, so I secretly vowed to return one day. Years later, after working in luxury boutique hotels on London’s Park Lane, I was promoted and transferred to New York, where I met my now-husband, and rockstar Mixologist Yusef Austin. After the birth of our son, everything changed, and the fast-paced city life began to take a toll.

So like many others, 2020 became a pivotal year. We’d outgrown our sixth-floor Brooklyn apartment and craved space, nature, and community, and somewhere our boys could grow up grounded, running through gardens, playing in the dirt, and learning in a nurturing environment. We lucked out on finding a fixer-upper, nestled on 3.5 acres with sweeping mountain views close to the Ashokan Reservoir. We’ve been slowly restoring the house and land—a true labor of love. With the magic of the Catskills Mountains and now two incredible boys, we dance on the deck at sunset almost every night. The Hudson Valley has become our home in every sense.

Growing up between London, Mauritius, and New York sounds like a rich tapestry of experiences. How have those multicultural influences shaped your philosophy around wellness and movement?

Nandini Austin: There are so many, but one cultural difference that stood out to me is how deeply woven dance and movement were into everyday life where I grew up. In Indian, African, and more global traditions, dance wasn’t reserved for studios or stages—it was part of everything. Whether it was a wedding, a prayer, a moment of mourning, or celebration, dance was always present. I grew up shaking my hips, moving freely, and feeling that rhythm as a form of expression and release. In many of those cultures, dance is a way to connect with oneself, with the divine, with nature, to move stagnant energy, and to mark life’s transitions. It’s a celebration. That presence of dance—so natural and vital—felt far less common in the U.S. and even parts of Europe, where movement seemed more reserved, compartmentalized, strict, even competitive at times. For me, that contrast only deepened my belief that dance is a sacred thread in the human experience.

Living in different countries gave me a front-row seat to just how many different ways there are to live, eat, move, and simply be. What shaped me, though, were the everyday rituals and movement traditions that pulsed through each culture. In Mauritius, I’d spend time with my grandmother in her village. She lived a simple, plant-based lifestyle, growing her food, walking everywhere, and she just radiated vitality. Then we’d visit five-star resorts, where people had every luxury imaginable, but often seemed disconnected from their bodies and joy. That contrast stuck with me. It taught me early on that wellness isn’t about what you have—it’s how you live. It’s rhythm. It’s a ritual. It’s joy.

For those not in the know, what is Ayurveda, and how does it intertwine with dance at your workshops, classes, and retreats?

Nandini Austin: Ayurveda, yoga’s older, wiser (and as I like to say, sexier) sister, is about Dharma: living your purpose, fully and radiantly. It’s not about escaping the world; it’s about thriving within it. That’s where dance comes in. We need spaces that balance structure with play. Places where we can be wild, sensual, emotional, expressive, and fully alive. Styles like belly dance were designed by and for women, not just for sensuality, but to tone the core, stimulate circulation, prepare the pelvis for birth, and release stagnation. Even simple moves—hip circles, waves, breath-led undulations—gently massage the internal organs, release tension, and awaken intuition.

And where does it all begin? Digestion. In Ayurveda, a strong digestive fire—Agni—is everything. It’s not just what’s on your plate, but what you can digest, absorb, and release. You are what you digest—physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. That’s where movement comes in.

In Ayurveda, what we eat directly and profoundly shapes our thoughts. That’s why I love sharing delicious, nourishing recipes—meals designed to keep clients balanced and vibrant. I custom-create meal plans and help women pick the right foods for their unique body type. I guide them in recognizing live vs. dead foods—those that build Prana, that vital life force energy. Nourishing foods matter—but so do your daily rhythms, your sleep, your sensuality, your movement. And dance? Dance is one of the most powerful ways I know to stoke that fire.

What led you to combine the healing modalities of Ayurveda and dance and turn it into a career?

Nandini Austin: Although wellness, personal health, and movement are my passions now, it wasn’t always that way. I was once an overweight, self-conscious child, struggling with body image—even as I danced my heart out in joyful little pockets of freedom, I watched any loved ones suffer from the diseases of disconnection—diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. I knew there had to be another way.

After years of trying fads, detoxes, and diets, I returned to Ayurveda.  Ayurveda became my path, offering a blueprint for health that made sense.. At its core, it’s simple: honor the rhythm of your sleep, your digestion, and your energy. When all are in balance, we feel more alive, more ourselves. It’s over 5000 years old—but so relevant now–it’s the real science of longevity, baby! And it’s deeply practical for modern life.

And Dance, well, that has always been there—like an app running in the background. I was that kid grooving to 80s aerobics tapes in the garden with my aunties, performing Kathak in London temples, and dancing Sega with a professional troupe in Mauritius. While earning my hospitality degree, I unofficially majored in house music next door at Ministry of Sound—where DJs like Erick Morillo and Byron Stingily were my spiritual guides. Those sweaty, electric nights taught me that dance is medicine. Expression. Freedom.

“Then, one day, I showed up to an Afro-Latin dance class, and the teacher canceled. I had my playlist and offered to lead. That moment changed everything.” – Nandini Austin

But then came career, kids, country life, and #busymum reality. Dance became something saved for weddings or the occasional house party. After moving upstate during COVID and postpartum, I felt isolated and joyless. I tried exercising—bought a Fitbit, started running—but it felt like a chore. One day, after meditation, I had a vision: Ayurveda and dance. I put on music and danced in my kitchen, like nobody was watching. It became my ritual. I wove in what I knew: Ayurvedic principles, mantras from my Hindu priest father, breathwork, and global rhythms.

Then, one day, I showed up to an Afro-Latin dance class, and the teacher canceled. I had my playlist and offered to lead. That moment changed everything.

You blend dance styles like Kathak, African rhythms, and belly dance. How do these diverse traditions complement each other in expressing feminine power?

Nandini Austin: Each of these dance forms offers a unique pathway back to the feminine body—back to our truth, our power.

Kathak, for example, is a classical Indian dance that’s slower and more poetic. Once performed in royal courts, it gave women a way to speak when they couldn’t use words. Every footstep, hand gesture, and facial expression tells a story of goddesses, love, grief, and devotion. Kathak is part dance, part theater, part prayer.

Belly Dance, which was a sacred ritual, originally created by women, for women. In many Middle Eastern and North African cultures, women would gather in “red tents” during their menstrual cycles to rest, move, and share. Belly dance toned the womb and honored the rhythms of womanhood.

Then there’s Sega, which I grew up with in Mauritius. It’s joyful, fiery, and rooted in the hips. Born from resistance, enslaved people danced barefoot under the moon. Sega is pure resilience in motion, and the hips are everything. They hold our intuition, creativity, and sensuality. When women start moving their hips again, something ancient wakes up. For many here in the West, that’s a completely new and liberating experience.

Your message around women and wellness is “less pressure, more pleasure.” Tell us about that?

Nandini Austin: Oh yes. Let’s be real—the pace of life is fast. And women are expected to keep up—raising families, leading companies, running homes, staying “on” for everyone. It’s empowering, yes—but constant output comes at a cost. Somewhere along the way, self-care became another checkbox. A performance. Thanks, social media! We’ve internalized this idea that if we’re not squeezing in a 15-minute workout, drinking celery juice, or meditating perfectly, we’re failing. That’s just not it.

In my Ayurveda courses and workshops, I talk about ojas—this beautiful, subtle energy that governs vitality and immunity. It’s your glow, your juiciness, your life force. And when we’re constantly pouring ourselves out? That glow dims. But our bodies are wise. They’re not broken—they’re just waiting for us to tune back in. We’ve just forgotten how to listen. That’s what this work is really about. Not doing more—but doing what nourishes.

It’s not indulgent. It’s survival. It’s soul medicine.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

Nandini Austin: Well, first off, I’m about to make a T-shirt that says, “In the Hudson Valley, everything takes 30 minutes.” (Because it does!) But honestly? It’s worth every mile. The views are pure meditative eye candy—mountains, reservoirs, golden light. I live near the Ashokan Reservoir and cross it daily on my drive to Woodstock. It never gets old.

Nature is right at my doorstep—towering trees, fiery sunsets, and a wild garden that’s completely reshaped my relationship to stress and stillness. When I moved upstate from Brooklyn, I had no garden, no real space. I didn’t realize how much tension I was holding until I stepped barefoot onto the earth. Everything slowed down. I finally felt like I’d landed.

I used to joke about wanting a big garden—now I have four acres of it. Peach trees, blueberry bushes, hazelnuts, 60-something trees (I’ve lost count), and a flock of free-range chickens and chicks. Most evenings, I get to witness what I call La Vie en Rose—a Grace Jones-worthy pink sunset over the mountains. It’s a daily ritual that reminds me to pause, breathe, and just be.

Living here gave me space—real space. To listen. To create. To launch my Ayurveda business, dream up retreats, and finally come home to myself. After years in the corporate world—chasing promotions and hiding behind “professionalism”—this place helped me peel all that back.

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

Who or what inspires you and why?

Nandini Austin: During my time leading the Corporate Wellness division at the David Lynch Foundation, where I advocated for Transcendental Meditation as a business tool, I stumbled upon Alan Watts on the radio. His voice stopped me in my tracks—this mix of British wit, irreverence, and deep spiritual insight. He reminded me of my dad: cheeky one minute, philosophical the next. Watts talked about death, religion, and ancient texts in a way that felt real, accessible, and even funny. That kind of humor makes the truth land. I guess I am a philosophical edutainer. I might not have a PhD in Vedanta or Hindu studies—but I’ve lived it, danced it, laughed through it. Like Alan Watts said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Let’s talk about your Temple Goddess Global Dance Fusion & Ayurveda Workshop at The Omega Institute in July. What can participants expect?

Nandini Austin:  The Temple Goddess was born after women kept coming up to me after class, glowing and saying, “I need more of this.” So I created a space where the transformation doesn’t end—it deepens.

Held at the Omega Institute, one of the most serene wellness sanctuaries on the East Coast, this retreat is a full-body, soul-nourishing experience to help women reconnect with their bodies, minds, and spirits. Through movement, breath, and ancient-meets-modern rituals, we awaken that vibrant light within. I call it Healthy Hedonism—a delicious pause to nourish your senses, energy, and joy.

Throughout the weekend, we’ll breathe, awaken, dance, and enjoy nature. We’ll explore digestion and how to support our energy through Ayurveda. Because true wellness means processing what we take in—food, emotions, experiences—and honoring what keeps us radiant.

And because it falls over the July 4th weekend, I’m inviting women to do something different this year. Skip the usual BBQs and celebrate the fire within. It’s an invitation to honor your rhythm, your radiance, and your joy.

Whether you come on July 4th or the morning of the 5th, there are options for both staying on-site or commuting from the Hudson Valley. Either way, you’re in for a deeply enriching experience—and a powerful return to yourself.

What new projects or collaborations should we know about?

Nandini Austin: For me, it’s all about connection—curating experiences that bring people together in meaningful, luxurious, and authentic ways. As I grow in this work, one thing is crystal clear: we don’t thrive in isolation. We need community.

A lot of what I’m doing is rooted in the Hudson Valley, where I’ve built strong relationships with boutique hotels, inns, and motels. I’ve been designing bespoke retreats and corporate wellness experiences—from team-building, networking, and influencer retreats—drawing on my vetted list of wellness professionals across every healing modality. From Ayurvedic chefs and Human Design experts to sound healers and mixologists, I bring the best to the table. I offer full-spectrum hospitality retreat planning and consulting—tailored to your goals, your people, and your budget.

I’m continuing with my private coaching sessions, Ayurveda wellness workshops, and soon launching an online course. I’m also expanding into a deeper expression of what I call, “Healthy Hedonism” through curated retreats focusing on the balance of indulgence and intention, ancient wisdom and modern pleasure. Where self-maintenance meets celebration.

I’m also going global. I’ve partnered with OJAS Global to recreate the Temple Goddess retreat in other countries. Our first destination? An exclusive, White Lotus-style retreat called Women, Wine & Wisdom in Bordeaux, a luscious blend of wellness, vineyard visits, cooking classes, and deep feminine restoration.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Nandini Austin: Time travel. Hands down.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of moving through time. I love Science Fiction films and have seen all of them, like The Time Machine. Films like Somewhere in Time, Planet of the Apes, really sparked something deep in me. I’m a bit obsessed with the idea of experiencing different eras, different versions of life.

“If I had a teleporter…I’d be off in a second to witness the roaring ’20s, ancient India, Studio 54 in its prime.” – Nandini Austin

As someone who feels like I’ve lived many lifetimes—sometimes even in this one—it makes total sense. I always joke that I’ve got one foot in this world and one foot in another. Maybe that’s just my Vata nature—airy, spacey, always floating between realms. But truly, if I had a teleporter like in the movie The Fly (minus the horror ending, of course), I’d be off in a second to witness the roaring ’20s, ancient India, Studio 54 in its prime—you name it.  That said… flying and invisibility are strong runners-up.

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Photos courtesy of @nandiniaustin

Follow/Connect with Nandini via Website | Facebook | Instagram

Register for Temple Goddess Global Dance Fusion + Ayurveda Retreat July 4-6
I’ll also be hosting another one called Women, Wine and Wisdom. More to come on that.

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