Ayurveda in Tennessee: Consultations with Leah Kaplan

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 Leah from Tennessee
1) What inspired you to study Ayurvedic Medicine?
A meditation teacher of mine suggested I look into Ayurvedic medicine. I began by seeing an Ayurvedic Practitioner myself for chronic illness in 2010 and saw such amazing results that I had to know more about it. At the time, I was also completing my second yoga teacher training and the two perfectly complimented each other.
2) What do you think makes Ayurveda attractive to the public?
An Ayurvedic Practitioner paints a picture of you as an entire human being. We look at what is happening not only in the physical body, but in your mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies as well. The patient is a three dimensional, living being and all the aspects of who that patient is get considered in planning that patient's care. It is a completely personalized method of care. I think this is very attractive to people.
3) What do you think about the future of Ayurveda in the United States?
The future of Ayurveda in America is very, very bright. The booming popularity of yoga can only be followed by a rise in popularity of its very closely-related sister science, Ayurveda. Combine this trend with the sweeping reform in our health care system as a nation, which corresponds to our collective frustration with allopathic medicine, and I think the stage is set for Ayurveda to step into the spotlight.
4) What is your favorite therapy in this traditional system of medicine from India?
I am a Neti pot and Nasya oil devotee! After struggling with all sorts of sinus problems and allergies, I have found the daily practice of neti and nasya to be a life-changer!
5) What does your path to Ayurveda look like?
I was born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Performance Studies. I have also completed both 200-Hour and 300-Hour Teacher Trainings with YogaWorks, in Santa Monica, CA and New York City. It was during my first Teacher Training that I began seeing an Ayurvedic Practitioner for leftover symptoms of a chronic illness that had been ongoing for years. Within months, my symptoms were gone and I felt happier and healthier than ever before. While living in Brooklyn, I began studying with CCA through their Long Distance Learning program. Having scratched the New York City itch, and wanting to fully immerse myself in my studies, I moved to Nevada City in 2013 to study full-time on the campus of CCA. Living there provided me a connection to nature that I sorely lacked living in the city. Now based outside of Nashville, TN, I am thrilled to be able to share this life-altering knowledge with my community and I give many thanks to all my teachers for generously illuminating this path.
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