MANJU KOLLI
“Being a clinical pharmacist drew me to Ayurveda. My health recommendations as a pharmacist were always symptom-based and included only medicines, while diet and lifestyle was never in the picture.
This did not feel like healthcare to me, as we were masking the symptoms rather than actually taking care of them. I wanted to bring a change for myself, away from the culture of masking symptoms.”
Manju is a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner based out of San Francisco, Bay Area. She is the founding director of Ayurhitam, an Ayurvedic wellness clinic. Manju also has over 15 years of experience serving as a clinical pharmacist in the allopathic medical field. She is a trainer and teacher with international experience in Ayurveda and has held multiple seminars, workshops and classes at various venues. She has helped hundreds of clients suffering from a variety of illnesses. Her areas of expertise are women and kids’ health, gut problems, skin conditions, mental health and allergies. Her vision is to bring Ayurveda its lost glory and prove its effectiveness as a proper science.
Follow Manju:
Website: Ayurhitam
Instagram: @ayurhitam
“A curveball life throws at me can be easily dealt with using Ayurvedic principles.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
Ayurveda means everything to me. It has helped me grow as a human being and connect many dots in my life.
The basic understanding of the cause and effect principle blew my mind and I apply it to everything that comes my way. It invoked the detective inside me to find out the cause for any happening.
When did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
I unknowingly have practised it all my life growing up in India as common household practices. I truly discovered it and started embracing 10 years ago.
I have been a practitioner for the past five years and have my own clinic near San Francisco, California.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
Being a clinical pharmacist drew me to Ayurveda. My health recommendations as a pharmacist were always symptom-based and included only medicines, while diet and lifestyle was never in the picture.
This did not feel like healthcare to me, as we were masking the symptoms rather than actually taking care of them. I wanted to bring a change for myself, away from the culture of masking symptoms.
Has it helped you with anything major?
It has given me a lot more control over my family’s health. Although I luckily did not have any big health concerns to begin with, the Panchakarma procedure that I went through 7 years ago was an incredible experience. It showed me how much clarity there can be in the thought process as well as after the cleanse.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
Ayurveda is the only way we live now. A curveball life throws at me can be easily dealt with using Ayurvedic principles.
Most often people around me are very inspired by the level of balance that can be achieved quickly even after rocky weekends, busy vacations or any unexpected events. This itself is a living example for many to follow the path.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Eat only when you are hungry.
Early to rise and early to bed.
Not indulging in any one sense (taste, touch) for a longer time.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
Its effortless yet elaborate mention of principles that can be easily interpreted by people with any level of knowledge.
There are many hidden truths in the sutras that can be extrapolated to the modern day’s problems.
Its eternity and principles that never changed for many centuries amaze me.
Did you integrate it gradually or overnight for any particular reason?
Gradual change – introducing one practice at a time even though many of the practices were already in my daily routine growing up in India.
Do your children/family eat an Ayurvedic diet? And if they do, do they know it’s Ayurveda or do they just think of it as home cooking?
Yes, my family does eat an Ayurvedic diet. We definitely cook tasty food but include all Ayurvedic principles. They very well know that these are all Ayurvedic practices.
We try to balance out if they eat heavy meals and I am impressed that my kids teach their friends the few Ayurvedic principles they know. They are now very familiar with incompatible foods and other basic principles.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Ghee gets the first prize for its nourishing qualities and delicious taste.
Hot rice with cooked mung dal and ghee on top is just heavenly. My whole family can just literally live on this.
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
From waking up at Brahma Muhurta to eating a big meal for lunch and exercising in the morning, Ayurveda has seamlessly been integrated into my life.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
Basic knowledge about Ayurvedic principles would actually make it much easier.
The second thing is that, coming from pharmacy background, I do know how much health insurance rules the healthcare system [especially in the US]. If insurance started covering consultations and bodywork a lot more people would benefit from it.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
I am surprised that I don’t have to spell out Ayurveda or introduce it as an “Indian medical system” (as it is really universal and its principles are valid globally) anymore.
A lot of awareness has been created in the past decade and more and more people are turning towards Ayurveda for their healthcare.
What’s the one thing you would encourage everyone to try or you think would benefit the majority of people’s health for the better?
Wake up at Brahma Muhurta, around 5:30am, to be able to reap the benefits of Sattva and serenity that is present in the environment at that time.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Ayurveda is a science and not just a belief. The depth and vastness of this science must be protected and passed onto our next generations. This responsibility lies with all the practitioners.
It is important for all practitioners to come together and spread the goodness of this science.