Katie Ziem

While traveling through India many years ago I was intrigued by the integration of health of the body and health of the mind through a vast spiritual, herbal, sensory, dietary and yogic approach. I, myself had been fighting an infection that I had picked up in New Zealand. This infection wasn’t responding to the usual antibiotic treatment and I stumbled upon an Ayurvedic doctor. He looked at me, took my pulse, looked at my tongue, asked many questions and then handed me a vile of very small pellets to take internally.

Within a few days I was well and in disbelief. I continued my travels around India staying in monasteries and ashrams, practicing yoga, listening to philosophy and eating a very balanced diet. I had never felt so light, open hearted and healthy.

I came home, back to the US, and attended an Ayurvedic workshop. I kept up with my own yoga practice for sometime but over time forgot about the wholeness I felt. I had reverted to old dietary patterns and a day to day routine that lacked a whole mind and body health. Over time I eased back into old habits and life moved on. I started to experience many ailments: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, hormone imbalances, anxiety, digestive upset, depression, weight gain and weight loss.

A conversation with a friend up on a mountain top hit me… I was reminded of how wonderful I had once felt and how I wanted to feel that again. I found the California College of Ayurveda and began my studies under Dr. Marc Halpern. I have also attended workshops with Dr. Lad and am a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association.