Suzanne Lang of Philadelphia was on the verge of applying to medical school 20 years ago after studying pre-med at Dartmouth College when she had a change of heart.
“I knew I wanted to be a healer, but everyone I knew who was working in Western medicine was miserable,” Lang said. “I wasn’t feeling good about it, so I took a swerve.”
As she was sorting out her career path, she started practicing yoga and decided to pursue teacher training. Through her training, she was introduced to Ayurveda, a system of traditional medicine native to India.
“Most people are familiar with Ayurveda in relation to diet and nutrition, which is a good foundation, but it’s much larger than that,” she said. “Treatment options include yoga, herbal medicine, mindfulness techniques and massage therapy, as well as diet.”
As she got more immersed in the study of Ayurvedic medicine, her gears began turning again.
“The seeds of my next work were planted with that,” Lang said. “It was another pathway to healing that I felt more aligned with.”
Empowers you to take control
She was drawn to the uniqueness of this style of medicine which she describes as one that empowers you to take control.
“It’s awakening your inner wisdom to be able to find well-being on every level,” she said.“It’s a holistic form of healing that addresses the body, mind and spirit.”
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Ayurveda translates to ‘knowledge of life’ that is based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness.
“Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment,” Johns Hopkins states on their website.
Lang spent two years studying at David Frawley’s American Institute of Vedic Studies with practitioner Ed Zadlo, who she noted is a pioneer in bringing the concept of Ayurveda to America. She also studied with Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, whose descendants were the original Ayurvedic doctors of ancient times.
“Most books on Ayurveda are thousands of years old and are written in Sanskrit, so I started devoting my time to studying the language, so I could go deep into the meaning of the philosophy,” she said.
Focused on prevention
What makes Ayurvedic medicine different from Western is that it’s primarily focused on prevention, rather than treatment of disease. It’s intended to serve as a way of life — it’s not just there for you to utilize if you get sick.
“If you do have a health issue it looks for the root of the cause and what needs to change that’s out of balance in your life,” Lang said, adding that it’s centered on a customized wellness plan.
Today, Lang consults through her business, Rock Star Ayurveda, as an Ayurvedic counselor. Clients come to her with various issues, including a need to reduce anxiety or resolve digestive issues or insomnia. She said some are ready to fully revamp their lives and others want to modify one thing at a time.
“I work one-on-one with people on diet, mindfulness practices, yoga therapies, nature therapies and herbal supplements,” she said.
Disconnected from nature
Many of her clients are stuck on computers and screens in their daily lives, which she said isn’t good for the spirit.
“We are so disconnected from nature that people need to be reminded to look at the night sky, walk barefoot on the earth or stop to listen to a songbird,” she said. “Anything in nature is so healing.”
Laura Geiger of Spring City, Chester County, has been a client of Lang’s for many years.
“I’ve gone to her for a variety of health concerns,” Geiger said. “What I appreciate about her style is the use of food to heal and balance my body. Suzanne takes time to hear and understand my needs and health concerns, and provides a well-thought-out, easily accessible and nourishing plan to bring stability and well-being.”
Seasonal workshops
Three years ago, Lang began offering seasonal two-hour workshops with her friend and colleague Gabrielle Sigal, who specializes in Iyengar yoga and has a yoga studio in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
“They are sister sciences, and have the same lineage and philosophical background,” Lang said. “Yoga has exploded, but Ayurveda is much less known.“
Combined, they work very well together, with yoga focused on the enlightenment of the mind and Ayurveda serving to set a foundation of good health to enable one to go into higher spiritual states.
“Working with Suzanne helped me broaden my horizons,” Sigal said. “ It opened me up to all the possibilities beyond the asanas.”
Enriched her life
The way in which Ayurveda enriched her life and helped her grow inspired Sigal to want to share it with others.
“We wanted to offer this to help people understand this, so their awareness also grows, so they can learn how to take good care of themselves,” Sigal said. “It can help you improve digestion, clarity, focus, and get good sleep.”
In the workshop, people spend time doing yoga poses, chanting, and learning principles of Ayurveda and receive a kit to take home that includes things like a special tea blend, recipes, oils and a spice mix, so they can bring their practice home with them.
“It’s learning a whole lifestyle and I help guide them through the journey using wisdom from 5,000 years ago,” Lang said. “Ayurveda has transformed my life on every level, so I’m now living my happiest, healthiest and most content life.”
Rock Star Ayurveda offers one-on-one consultations and group workshops on an Ayurvedic lifestyle. For more information, email suzannelang@rockstarayurveda.com. The upcoming Ayurvedic “Summer Reset” Workshop will be held on Saturday, June 8, at Gabrielle Sigal Iyengar Yoga, 1639 North Hancock St., Philadelphia. To register, visit www.gabriellesigalyoga.com
Source: Berkshire mont
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