a deepening journey of ayurvedic study
Two years ago this month I began a journey of deepening my relationship to Ayurveda. It’s been a rich experience that has challenged me in so many ways. I spent some time reflecting on the entire process thus far and thought it worth sharing with you, my kula. Please join me in this reflection on the what and why of my journey thus far.
how the path led me here
Eight years into my clinical work and journey as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I decided it was time to deepen my education. For me, the next step was clear… it was time to go back to school. I had been in clinical practice long enough to have a sense of what my weak spots were and where I would like to further specialize my studies. I knew where I had most success clinically, and what I would like to understand better. I also had this deep understanding that studying and practicing Ayurveda is a deep sea, and that I am just a tadpole close to shore.
It was time to swim deeper.
I was blessed to complete my original two-year Ayurvedic Practitioner studies with Dr. Vasant Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute, and was eager to find a school that would compliment this strong foundation, and would continue in the direction of heart-centered, full-spectrum Ayurveda, that my original education was grounded in.
After much research, I decided to pursue my Ayurveda Doctor studies with Kerala Ayurveda Academy based between the Bay Area, California and Kerala, India. This South Indian approach felt it would well-round out my previous North India-informed studies. The teaching staff, led by the dynamic clinician and educator Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath, is exclusively Ayurvedic Doctors trained in India via Bachelors of Ayurvedic Medical Science (BAMS), MD (Ayurveda), MS (Ayurveda), and PhD programs. These Vaidyas are also trained with a strong background in Western medicine to make translating and implementing Ayurveda in a holistic way more feasible.
The Kerala organization springs from a rich heritage of over 70 years, and its infrastructure includes hospitals, clinics, academies, herbal research, development, and manufacturing in the US and India. I understood that there were a wealth of resources I could learn from and be supported by as a clinician.
where i’m headed next
I’ve just completed my second year (of three) of course work. It’s been a rich, rewarding, and very full two years:
I’ve been steeped in pathogenesis; shifting from a model of disease more generally grounded in dosha imbalance to a more in-depth understanding of how specific Ayurvedic disease processes unfold via dosha in specific tissue systems.
I am building a relationship with the classical texts - specifically Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hrdayam, the most contemporary of the great three classical Ayurvedic texts.
I have been introduced to over 400 new (to me) Vedic herbal formulations, and have built a database of over 700 single herbs, internal, and topical formulations.
I have expanded my repertoire of pañcha karma techniques, and Keraliya style clinical protocols.
I’ve completed over 1500 hours of course work, the bulk of which were in-person in California. With a second India internship in July 2025 I will complete my internship requirements both in the US and India. I am preparing for my residencies and externships in 2026, and my dissertation topic is coming into better focus.
Most importantly, this learning is restructuring how I’m practicing Ayurveda. My clinical toolbox has continued to expand to the benefit of those I coach and teach. I’ve witnessed my protocols become more precise and efficient. I’m better addressing not just disease process, but specific phases of that disease process. I am becoming more effective with chronic conditions that are notoriously hard to treat.
There will always be more to learn, and at only the half way point of this program - I often feel I am just getting started. I am committed to the unending process of learning Ayurveda. I continue to be hungry for the understanding that comes through study and practice. I am committed to bring these teaching to and the AWC community in ways that are of service.
So if you hear that I am out of office, or we skip a week of class, know that I am equipping myself to better accomplish my mission of facilitating radical wellness through time-honored Vedic technologies.
Thank you for all the ways you support that mission, thank you for all the ways you support my work and that of the Ayurvedic Wellness Center.
related posts
loved what you learned? feeling inspired? share this article with someone who would benefit!
you can also share via the social icons below.