The California College of Ayurveda is pleased to introduce you to our Ayurvedic Health Practitioner Interns 2013-2014. Our Interns have completed their academic studies and are now working under the supervision of our experienced clinical instructors. The talented group of interns comes from throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

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

Dayna Brockman is an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner intern providing consultations in Nevada City, California.  To request and ayurvedic consultation, please contact the school at info (at) ayurvedacollege.com

Interview with Dayna from Northern California

1)  What inspired you to study Ayurvedic Medicine?

In 1995 I learned about Ayurveda for the first time and knew it was meant for me. I took a Deepak Chopra workshop in San Diego where I met David Frawley who has been a great inspiration to me. I continued to slowly learn about Ayurveda over the years, mainly through books. Two years ago I found out about CCA through two graduates giving a short class on Ayurveda in Hawaii. I was enrolled in CCA within the next month. It took many years to finally find a school that offered an Ayurvedic course that looked appealing.

2)    What do you think makes Ayurveda attractive?

Many people seem to be attracted to Ayurveda for its “spa-like” treatments. Though in India, Ayurveda is not really practiced in a “spa” environment, but rather Ayurvedic clinics and hospitals. The fact that Ayurveda is thousands of years old and can be still practiced today makes it attractive to westerners, as it as an alternative to allopathic medicine. Some of the practices are things that anyone can add to their daily life.

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

Ayurveda is growing more popular as people become familiar with the word and learning about what it is. Ayurveda is an ancient practice, yet it is seen as something new, to most. It is is considered an alternative medicine approach, which is a growing need and want for many people in our society. It is important for Ayurveda to maintain integrity in its practice, teachings, as it grows. Thus, keeping true to its original teachings, and practices will help to keep consistency with the original texts and intentions of this fascinating practice.

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

My favorite therapies that come from Ayurveda are: Yoga Therapies and the use of Anupana’s such as medicated ghees (a nice way to ingest medicine), or pippali in honey (relieves depression), and warm milk with specific herbs and spices, like golden milk — warm milk with turmeric and honey.

5) What does your path to Ayurveda look like?

I grew up in Kodiak, Alaska where my family is from. I come from a mixed background of: Alutiiq (Native Alaskan), Russian, and Danish. I went to college in Oregon where I got a Bachelors in Speech Communications from Northwest Christian College. Shortly thereafter, I discovered Ayurveda and then Yoga. I became a Yoga instructor and spent much of my time teaching or doing yoga in many places around the world. The practices of Ayurveda and Yoga are a big part of my life. I am so glad to come full circle at this point in my life and to be able to study Ayurveda full time right now. Though I have had to make sacrifices in order to be here, it is well worth it, for it has been my longing to study
Ayurveda for nearly 20 years.