The wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga has influenced the last 2 decades of my life.
Slowly but surely, this wisdom from the East has given me the framework with which to design my life for the better. In the last two decades, I've seamlessly built its philosophies into my day-to-day routine without having to sacrifice on life's pleasures — that's the beauty of it all. Ayurveda isn't an exclusive club; it's a deep understanding of life that helps me to live more in harmony with both my nature and the nature around me. It doesn’t define me and doesn’t interfere with my Western life, unless I want it to. I feel better when I put the things I’ve learnt into practice, and for those off days — or even weeks — when my routine goes out the window, I am equipped with so many techniques that can bring back some balance into my day or remedy what I might be lacking.
Welcome to My-urveda: I want to introduce you to some of my friends who have benefited from Ayurveda or whose knowledge and commitment to this science of life runs deep. These legends are from all corners of the globe and have inspired, influenced and supported my journey. Over the coming weeks, months, years, I will share their take on Ayurveda and how they incorporate it into their Western lifestyles, in the hope that seeing Ayurveda through somebody else's eyes might help fuel your passion for the practice, and enrich and empower your journey as you navigate this ancient science in our modern world.
I never tire of hearing about people's experiences with Ayurveda, so please email hello@jasminehemsley.com or DM me on Instagram @jasminehemsley to share your story and, if it's OK with you, join the My-Ayurveda series!! Jaz xx
FRIENDS OF AYURVEDA + EAST BY WEST
Kirti is a dedicated Ayurvedic therapist, speaker and the founder of bettergreenhealth, based in New York. Her mission is to inspire individuals to seize control of their health and well-being, and lead a life of balance and fulfillment. Kirti also integrates 14 years of experience in beauty with Ayurvedic principles and modern techniques to find, non-toxic, and efficacious beauty products.
Dr Sam Watts, Ayurvedic clinician and founder of Mind-Body Medical, previously worked in cancer research, developing and implementing survivorship initiatives. Sam has published numerous research papers relating to integrative medicine and presented at internationally acclaimed medical conferences, and continues to share his passion for integrated medicine.
Angela Schroeder is a Himalayan Hatha and Prana Kriya yoga teacher and sound therapist. She is a reflexologist and Ayurvedic massage therapist with over a decade of experience giving treatments both privately and in the corporate world. Most recently, Angela studied Ayurvedic Nutritional Lifestyle and now teaches for corporate clients in London, plus in person classes locally in Surrey.
Mimma Viglezio has had a long career as a fashion executive and since 2010, has dedicated her knowledge and network to scout and advise young talented creative entrepreneurs. “Ayurveda changed my life for the better.” 20 years ago Mimma found herself overworked and highly stressed. Her first Ayurvedic experience was so transformative that she has never looked back.
Puravi Joshi is an ex-banker turned yoga teacher and women's holistic health coach, celebrated as one of the best breathwork teachers on Instagram and one of the Top 10 South Asian Yoga Teachers to practice in London. Puravi is the Founder of community and connection inspired Mysa London, with its newest offering “The Meditation Library” launching soon.
Amish Shah, a thriving entrepreneur, yoga and meditation expert, and an award-winning filmmaker, encountered a pivotal health obstacle that served as the catalyst for a profound voyage into the realm of ancient sciences.
Natalie is an Ayurvedic Therapist regularly celebrated as one of the UK's Best Spiritual Practitioners (Tatler, The Telegraph, Forbes, Condé Nast). She trained across London, India and Japan and combines Ancient Ayurvedic Massage Rituals with Reiki Energy Healing and Crystal therapy.
Constantin is a multicultural entrepreneur, board advisor and creative brand consultant who has had a remarkable well-being journey. A transformative encounter with Ayurveda and Panchakarma in India ignited his curiosity and sparked an exploration of ancient Eastern wisdom and healing practices.
Shirin began her journey in Ayurveda after looking for holistic support away from conventional medicine. This led her to train in Ayurvedic Medicine (and then later in skincare) which was followed by the creation of her own brand Bourii.
Oxana Weber trained as an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle consultant at the Ayurveda Pura Academy in London in 2018 and completed an extensive two-year yoga and meditation teacher training at the Mandala Yoga Ashram in 2017. Prior to this, Oxana had a successful career in the public sector - supporting people through life's challenges, motivating and helping them facilitate change, for nearly two decades.
Dipti Arora is the founder of Thankfully Healthy Teas. The entrepreneur's knowledge of Ayurveda and yoga inspired her to experiment with her diet and daily routine, incorporating ancient wisdom into her modern life. This journey led to the creation of her brand Thankfully Healthy Teas.
Belinda Sly is an expert Facialist who blends Ayurvedic practices with her unique sustainable and 100% natural wellness treatments. She has worked for many years delivering her unique Indian Head Massage treatments to corporate clients within their offices.
Deborah Rose is a mother, doula and women’s Ayurvedic health guide. Deborah’s entrance to holistic healthcare came via a former job as an international model.
Virginia Compton is a yoga and Ayurveda teacher who shares the ancient philosophies and benefits of these practices to help others find peace of mind and wellbeing in the modern world.
Kavita Khosa is a former Wall Street firm lawyer and Director, who after feeling a deep desire to reconnect with her native land of India created Purearth. Purearth is an Indian artisanal skincare brand which fuses her extensive Ayurvedic expertise with the use of organic, Vedic and biodynamic farming.
Angela Perger is a nature-loving mama of two beach babies, an Ayurveda practitioner and a holistic health professor. She holds a Master of Science in Education and is the founder of The Simple Ayurveda School where she facilitates an intimate Ayurveda health counsellor training program.
Rachel Cox is the founder and creator of Om and Bass festival. Om and Bass is a festival that draws upon the discipline of traditional yoga and combines it with modern music.
Anja Brierley Lange is the author of Teaching Yoga for the Menstrual Cycle - an Ayurvedic Perspective. She began her yoga teaching journey in 2005 in venues and studios across London. Whilst building her community through various classes, workshops and lectures, she became increasingly aware of the limitations of standardised yoga teaching and training. Specifically relating to menstrual cycle awareness, female anatomy and health.
With nearly 30 years of experience working in front of and behind the camera, Nick’s career spans the worlds of food, fashion, lifestyle and travel where his role is equally varied from photography, brand building and art direction to acting and modelling.
Emilie is the Ayurvedic Health Counsellor, Yoga & Breath-work Teacher and Aromatherapist behind The Holistic Initiative, a company that helps women thrive in their personal and professional lives. Emilie advocates Radical Health by offering a truly holistic approach that involves body, mind and soul.
Angelica Neri has been an intuitive healer for a decade. She is trained in all forms of yoga such as vinyasa, kundalini, breathwork, meditation and kriya, has led over ten yoga teacher training and received her 500-hour certification in Rishikesh India. Angelica is also a certified Ayurvedic Health Specialist and certified Reiki Master, guiding over 100s of women to successfully heal holistically.
Deepti Sehgal is an Ayurveda Lifestyle practitioner and a Master Yoga Instructor (RYT 500) trained & certified in traditional forms of Yoga including Hatha yoga from the traditional lineage of Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, India. She is a certified Macrobiotic Nutritionist, an ICF-certified Wellness coach, and an author & founder of an Indian skincare brand ‘Svarasya’. She deeply incorporates Yoga & Ayurveda together in her personal practice co-joined with dietary principles coming in from Macrobiotics & Raw Food principles.
With over two decades of experience as a pioneering entrepreneur, Mr Nikhil Kapur an Ironman Tri-athlete is the Founder and Director of Atmantan Wellness Centre - one of a kind, luxury wellness clinic committed to transforming the body mind and soul through holistic practices.
Dimple Amani was introduced to the healing benefits of Ayurveda by her grandmother who shared her beauty secrets and the profound connection between the body, mind and soul. This inspired Dimple to create her own bespoke treatment culminating 18 years of expertise; The Amani Method - a unique combination of Brazilian and Ayurveda Techniques. Delivering the very best massage experience with transformative, instant results.
To kick off the new year with plenty of inspiration I’ve been perusing the Myurveda interviews. A Q+A that started in 2017 shortly after launching East by West the book and this website, it’s a platform celebrating the people who have lived and loved the ancient Indian health philosophy of Ayurveda.
David Azkue is one half of the husband and wife team at Moksha Ayurveda in Mallorca. After many hours of practising and studying Ayurveda including pulse reading; it is now his life, and now teaches his three small children about the world of Ayurveda.
Pegah Khoei was born in Tehran, Iran and studied Yunani medicine in Iran and finished her Graduate degree in Media and Cultural studies in Cyprus. Since then she has cooked in eco-conscious community centres in Turkey, France, Spain, and India and is currently cooking at Moksha Ayurveda in Mallorca.
Nathalie Azkue Moukom is a Vaidya in Ayurvedic medicine, who has spent years working at their family-owned centre Ashoka Ayurveda in Madeira island.
With over 25 years of experience and a passion for helping women with Ayurveda and holistic health modalities, Vaidya Seema Datta runs a busy clinic in central London, Keyajee.
YOUR STORY
Everyones journey through Ayurveda is unique, we love hearing stories about how Ayurveda has enriched people's lives. To share your story with us simply email us as hello@jasminehemsley.com and with your permission we will share with the East by West community.