My exposure to the Ayurvedic science of life began in 2007 when my massage practitioner suggested I seek solutions for my plaguing migraines through Dr. Shailinder Sodhi, N.D. B.A.M.S. R.D. At this time I had been working within financial technology for 12 years and my busy corporate lifestyle was getting the better of me.
When I first read an introduction to this cosmological philosophy delivered in an elemental language I did not immediately invest. The theories sounded ideal for the lifestyle of someone who lived in a village where you ate everything local, none of your food was shipped or processed, and the environment was community contained. I walked away thinking, "I most certainly do not live in a village and this would require a complete lifestyle change." After suffering another 6 months with several migraines a week and 5 different flavors of allopathic/Western medicine doctors unable to find solutions, I returned to the Ayurvedic readings of Dr. Vasant Lad and personal care of Dr. Sodhi.
Here is how I would explain my imbalance to the Western doctors:
"At 1 AM I wake up with night sweats. By 5 AM I have throbbing eye pain, sinus swelling and head pain on the right side of my head. I have triggers like alcohol, chocolate and missing meals."
The Western doctors would stare at me and respond with, "That is a good story, let's try a new hormone and swap out your Imitrex injections with something that causes more nausea and requires an additional medicine that may cause a rebound migraine a few days later."
After two visits to Dr. Sodhi, some blood work and lifestyle review I walked away with a booklet full of some dietary recommendations for my Prakruti(mind/body constitution), a few herbs and supplements and a few yoga asanas. My story was logical in the science of Ayurved. The Pitta/heating time of the night deliverd night sweats due to imbalance, the 4 AM period was the Vata/movement time pushing Pitta/heat into the majja dhatu. My liver was toxic (hence the inability to process alcohol and chocolate) and Vata/movement was pushing Pitta/heat into my brain.
My lifestyle changes were minor at first. Eating foods that reduced Vata and Pitta in my body. Taking herbs that cleansed my liver and boosted my foods efforts in reducing Vata and Pitta. Some yoga asana's aimed at improving my Thyroid function and balancing breath. Lemon water in the morning to cleanse my digestive tract and some guidelines for eating with the circadian rhythms of the day. Within 2 months my migraines had gone from 2-3 a week to 1 a week. Prior to my Ayuruvedic changes I had visited the ER for migraine relief almost once a month. I have not seen an ER since the first day I changed to the Ayurvedic practices.
I no longer have migraines. I have my life back. I can eat chocolate once again (in moderation of course). With my continued transition to this lovely state of being I have moved beyond lifestyle to mindstyle. The science is very appropriately named as the 'science of life.'
The information you will find on this site is designed to help those interested in learning more about these life solutions and the education of Ayurveda. There are many avenues for learning and I would like to invite the Ayurvedic community to join in with sharing any information they would like to contribute. I have explored and traveled for many variations of education. The following is a list of Ayurvedic education programs I have participated in:
- Kerala Ayurveda Academy - Seattle, WA - 12 month (500 hours) Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor Program
- Dr. Sarita Shrestha - Women's Health -2 Day Intensive
- Dr. Pratima Raichur - Ayurvedic Skin/Beauty - 3 Day Intensive
- NAMA Conference 2008 workshops - Dr. Lad/Svoboda/Frawley - 3 Day Intensive
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Marma Chakitsa - 3 Day Intensive
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Home Remedies - 3 Day Intensive
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Pulse Practicum - 7 Day Intensive
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Advanced Clinical Gurukula Program - Pune, India - 6 Weeks (180 hours) Intensive
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Ayurveda and the Mind: Healing Consciousness - Lecture
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Journey Through the Chakra's - 2 Day workshop
- NAMA Conference 2010 workshops - Dr. Lad/Dr. Svoboda/David Crow - 3 day Intensive
- Ysha Oakes - Post Partum Ayurdoula - correspondance course - current program
- NAMA Conference 2011 workshops - Dr. Lad/Maya Tiwari/John Douillard
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Marma Chakitsa - 7 Day Intensive and 3 Day Clinical Practice
- David Crow - Grass Roots Healthcare - 3 day workshop
- Dr. Vasant Lad - Healing through Mantra and Homa/Agni Hotra - vedic fire ceremony - 2 Day Workshop
When I first started my Ayurvedic study I had set up a Google Alert to send real-time notices with links to 'Ayuveda' publications on the Internet. When these alerts started in early 2008 I had roughly 20-25 a day. I was surprised there was that much being published on the topic. As of 5/2011 I receive an average of 50-60 notices a day. The knowledge system is spreading rapidly amongst the US population and continuing to earn new levels of respect within India as the shift to owning our wellness grows.
Please feel free to contact me for individual guidance if you are not finding the information you need here on the site - gwen@rasayanaseattle.com