Why I Chose To Study Ayurveda

Earlier this year, I earned my Diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences. Wait, before you roll your eyes and click away dismissing this as another health fanatic blog, I'd like to tell you how Ayurveda is changing my life and assure you that this is not just another "New Age" or "yoga-nazi" voice.

I first experienced the benefits of Ayurveda when I traveled to India and stayed at an Ayurvedic Resort. I chose that type of vacation at the time because I was in dire need of a fresh start in my life - my job, personal life and physical body all needed some TLC. Physically, I suffered from chronic back pain, which, I typically treated with a cocktail or glass of wine at the end of the day. Yes, I exercised and went to yoga (good yoga studios on LA's Westside) and no, it never completely eradicated the pain.

After two weeks of eating freshly prepared Ayurvedic food and receiving medicated oil massages on my knee injury (chondromalacia patella) and aching back, I felt revived. The chondromalacia patella cleared up after 5 months of constant nagging pain that worsened over time and had been locking up at night. My back pain was markedly better. You might be thinking that anyone would feel great after two solid weeks of pampering and may be right. In any case, this turn around in how I felt caused me to be curious about what was in those massage oils and what was it about that "vata balancing" food that helped me. I took up the formal study of Ayurveda so that I could learn to make myself feel that good all of the time, not just while on vacation.

Two years and one diploma later, I am still learning and still implementing changes to my life. I'm not one for diving into to the ice cold sea. I put a half of a pinky toe in, then sit under the sun umbrella and think about why I should bother to put my foot in. I'd say I'm about hip deep at the moment. I want to share with you what my feet are experiencing down below the water's surface. Maybe you'll want to put a toe in, too.

Comments

[Tiffany]

May I ask where you studied? Was it here in the states, or in India?
If you are practicing, I would love to list you on our web site as a practitioner.

Tiffany
Personal Alchemy

[Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants]

good. Ayurveda is a useful treatment

[Bridget Sheils]

To answer Tiffany's question, I studied at Kerala Ayurveda Limited. Click the "diploma" link in the post to read about the program. They have a satellite program in Los Angeles. I am continuing my studies post-graduation as an intern to a respected Vaidya who has been practicing in the LA area for a bit over a decade.