The student is ready

For as long as I can remember I have always admired and respected my teachers. Looking back and remembering those who made the most impact in my life I largely recall my people in this role as educators. Later in life this role is met by professors and mentors. I am also very blessed to have a variety of health advisors I call upon when I am not feeling well, or when my personal wellbeing can use a little refinement.

As a student myself, I'd often find my peers I could relate to mostly often were Ph.D students, or researchers. It is slightly alienating to not be able to really identify with some of the other students in my class, though I found ease in the alliance with professors and other mentors to really feed my spirit. And occasionally I will meet "peers" that are teaching and can critique their approaches. I try not to delve too much in that mindset, but instead celebrate those I can and do relate to, those who can offer advice, and those whose advice and wisdom I am capable of really putting to heart.

I came across a man at the marketplace one day, who shared with me a special bit of information. I am firm believer in "there are no coincidences" and when "the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I had been looking into Ayurveda a bit, and had just barely scratched the surface of what the various doshas were, and how I could identify along with the constitutional manifestations of these types.

Peter shared in the most gentle voice that my constitution "was a gift." I was delighted to hear this of course, since I had associated some of my "constitution" as a negative trait. We often identify with the negative aspects of our personality and body type. He shared with me he was an Ayurvedic Doctor. I wanted to learn more and asked if he'd be willing to consult.

I had no idea the depth of insight i'd be able to achieve about myself with an hour and half long consult. The questionnaire was the most personal and insightful piece of information i've ever come across.

Peter Malakoff, having studied extensively in India is a wise storyteller, http://www.petermalakoff.com/ a founder of an amazing ghee company, http://www.ancientorganics.com and an incredible physician as well as a man with a delightful sense of humor. For patients, he explains things in depth yet simply. He makes Ayurveda tangible and takes it out of the realm of trendiness, into an ancient art form that has profound results. Prior to meeting with me, he had a vedic astrologer take a look at my chart to determine a little more about my nature and various influences and potentials in my life. I have since developed a relationship with "my chart" and find it to be like a parent in a way.

My world opened up when I learned more about my constitution. Now instead of being so wrapped up in an emotion, food craving or lifestyle habit, I understood it as an imbalance in a certain part of my dosha. The goal of understanding the way these phenomenon relate is not only causal as I had previously understood, but a way of achieving and maintaining balance whether about weight or mood.

Balancing a dual dosha isn't easy to do. So luckily I can call on Peter as needed to refine my approach or ask questions about another bit i'm now ready to include in my regimen. His advice is not just for preventative as I had previously considered the discipline to largely be associated with. Instead, even in acute circumstances, I've found Ayurveda's advice to be incredibly useful. And it's not always simple.

I've found Ayurveda to be very successful at helping with heartache and relationship troubles as well as headaches (all types), insatiable appetite, and low energy. Ayurveda is not only about learning how to live in accordance with the seasons, which can not always be controlled with today's environment but mainly within the realms of understanding our constitution and working continuously on this road of self improvement. To prevent and and eliminate disease, we must look at the cause. Ayurveda is the most comprehensive approach to any manifestation of an imbalance in mind body or spirit. Working with a trusted practitioner like Peter is such a blessing and incredible opportunity.