Student Perspective
- Finding Ayurveda, by Shelli Thompson
- Building Credibility through Ayurvedic Research, by Wendy Weissner
- The Unexpected Benefits of Attending the NAMA Conference, by Wendy Weissner
- Peace in Your Scope of Practice - Understanding Akasha, by Adena Rose Harford
- Sister Sciences - Ayurveda & Jyotish, by Richelle Jarrell
- Bridging Yoga and Ayurveda in the Latino Community in Boston, by Sara R. Castaneda
- Connecting with Seasons, by Zita Resnais-Dattilo
- When Was the Last Time I Really Smelled a Rose?, by Catherine Robbins
- Global Perspectives: Ayurveda in the Caribbean, by Dr. Xenobia N. Delgado
Finding Ayurveda
By Shelli Thompson, Certified Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor
As a child I didn't have an understanding of how the world worked. I did, however, have an understanding of how I felt and why. I directly related it to the food and my environment. I was accused of being too sensitive by my family.
When I was able to make choices for myself and live the life that I knew worked for me, so that I felt balanced and healthy, it was very freeing. Most of that had to do with lifestyle and natural and organic foods.
I was 40 years old before I officially found Ayurveda and started to apply the new things I learned into my life. I wanted to take it deeper than reading books and researching on the Internet, because I knew that there was so much more.
With my background of almost 3 decades in the fitness industry, I started to realize that Ayurveda was the other side of health that I wanted to learn more about.
In my research on the Internet I found something that I didn?t know I was looking for - and that was Kerala Ayurveda Academy. I didn?t know that there were schools in the United States where I could learn about Ayurveda.
Enrolling in school was THE BEST decision I have ever made. The education is first rate, the teaching staff very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Ayurveda. The wisdom that was imparted in the first year was such a delight and made me hungry for more of the same.
I continue my journey this year in the Practitioners Program, and I am excited about attending class and seeing the family that was formed last year and bonding with new students. I look forward to visiting India this year as a student, and ultimately becoming an Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Being an Ayurvedic Practitioner means that I can educate people on their wellness by adding little beneficial things into their lives. I have had the joy of watching people improve their well-being, and Ayurveda will give me one more platform on which to be able to reach out and touch people's lives.
Yes, we can all learn so much about balancing the mind, body and the spirit by learning more about Ayurveda. It is beyond measure how valuable that information can be to a person's health; it could be the missing link. The really priceless gift to receive from Ayurveda is the personal growth that takes place by learning more about our own selves on a deeper level. When we truly learn to listen to our heart and follow our instincts, because we understand and know intrinsically what is right, things start to become effortless. That is when the real magic happens.
Shelli Thompson is a Certified Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, Fitness Expert and International Trainer and Speaker. She happened upon Ayurveda about 6 years ago in a bookstore. With her background in fitness she really felt this was a missing link for many people. She is pursuing her Ayurvedic Practitioner certification. www.healthpulse.org
