The California College of Ayurveda is pleased to introduce the Ayurvedic Health Practitioner Interns 2014. Interns have completed their academic studies and work under the supervision of experienced clinical instructors. This semester’s talented group of interns comes from throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Ayurvedic Health Practitioner (AHP) interns work on supporting patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is in harmony with their constitution. Patients learn about their constitution as well as the nature of any imbalances. They will also receive support to adjust their diet and lifestyle accordingly and to normalize your digestion and elimination. As part of the Ayurvedic program, an intern can include ayurvedic herbs, aromatherapy, color therapy, sound and mantra, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. This is is the best of preventative health care! For those who have a specific condition and are looking for clinical management through Ayurvedic Medicine, they should consider having a consultation with an Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist intern or graduate. 

Interview with Ranjana from Virginia

1)  What inspired you to study Ayurvedic Medicine?

Being born in India, my parents believed in Ayurvedic medicine and it has always been a part of my life.  However, I never really understood how Ayurveda really works, what does Vedas say about it, is this really a science?  Over time, I continued to learn from my parents’ holistic ways to treat health problems and was able to share my rudimentary Ayurvedic knowledge with my friends.  I started reading various books on Ayurveda, the more I read, the more I got interested and started feeling that I could help people if I had the real knowledge.  I realized that Ayurveda is not just about medicine, it is about understanding the energetic makeup of one’s own unique body and how to stay disease-free and balanced.  I believe that destiny brought my calling and I enrolled in a full-fledged program at CCA to become an Ayurvedic practitioner and now I’m enjoying it to the fullest.

2)    What do you think makes Ayurveda attractive to the public?

Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It is a holistic healing science that focuses on identifying a person’s ideal state of balance, determine where they are out of balance, and offer interventions using diet, changes in the life style, herbs, aromatherapy, massage treatments, and meditation to restore balance.  I think, by bringing minor adjustments to our daily routine or dietary changes, profound results can occur.  Ayurveda teaches us to be aware of our own bodies, guides us to make wise choices, so that we can do what is required to maintain balance according to our body constitution.  Ayurveda stresses on self-healing and I think this is what makes it attractive to people.

3)    What do you think about the future of Ayurveda in the United States?

Ayurveda is gradually taking roots in the U.S. The fast pace of modern lifestyles has led to increased health problems such as Depression, Anxiety, Hypertension, Gastritis etc. Treatment for some of these diseases requires long-term drugs usage that can be very damaging to the body. This is where people should especially use ayurvedic treatments because it is natural, safer, and gentler. It provides holistic solutions to health problems by using natural processes and methods to address disease at its root, thereby reducing symptoms and curing human beings in the long term. It customizes the treatment as per individual person’s unique physical, mental and emotional constitution to promote wellness. I definitely see a great future for Ayurveda in the US.

4)    What is your favorite therapy in this traditional system of medicine from India?

My favourite treatment is Shirodhara. When a soothing stream of warm oil is poured luxuriously on the third eye, just above and between the eyebrows, it helps me in restoring balance to my nervous system. It washes away stress and brings a sense of clarity to my thoughts. It nourishes my soul and I feel amazing after it.

5) What does your path to Ayurveda look like?

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