Vaidya Somya is not just a qualified Ayurveda practitioner, but also a lifelong scholar of the discipline. She is in awe of Ayurveda for the benefits and wisdom it holds for everyone. She is also a prolific writer and sportsperson. Read on as she shares her Ayurveda journey with this centuries-old medical science and pours in some personal anecdotes.

Please tell us about your educational background and professional qualification briefly.

I’ve been fortunate when it comes to education. When we talk about education, it begins right from the very first day of our lives. So, there has always been the biggest role of my father and mother in getting me the right education. Up to the senior secondary level, I received my education at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Public School (DAVPS), Kotdwar. after that, I competed in the All India Entrance Test and I was offered a place at Bharati Vidyapeeth University’s College of Ayurved (BVUCOA), Pune. I also had the privilege of learning things from my Guru, the honorable Vaidya Ghanshyam Dongare Sir at Sudharma Ayurved Chikitsalaya, Pune.

So, there has always been a Vedic touch! after learning Ayurveda for 5½ years, I was awarded a degree of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and that is what makes me an Ayurveda physician today. I’m the creator of Ᾱyurdeepak Cikitsā Bhavana (Delhi), the place where I practice. I’ve been an active participant in various seminars, conferences, and CMES. Recently, I participated in the training-cum-workshop on ‘assessment and clinical application of Prakriti in the light of Evidence-based treatment’ held at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Nasya and Nirogstreet organized that workshop really well.

Why did you choose Ayurvedic practices?

Well, it’s not a one-sided affair! Ayurveda chose me and I chose Ayurveda. It’s like being in love with someone. And, when something like that happens, does it matter that who proposed first? The authentic medical knowledge, its insights about the balance of body, constitution, etc., and its perspective on being in harmony with the universe are simply extraordinary. How can one fail to appreciate its merits and depth?

What is your experience when it comes to treating patients? Do they trust the treatment?

Of course, they do. it’s the illness of the patients that makes them visit an Ayurveda physician. They experience the efficacy of Ayurveda and that makes them trust the treatment. Ayurveda explains the role of ‘Chikitsa Chatushpada’ (the four limbs of treatment), namely Bhishak (physician), Dravya (drugs), Upasthata (attendant), and Rogi (patient). I firmly believe in that.

Any challenge that you face as a practitioner?

It’s 2018, still, there are people in our society who are unable to accept the fact that a millennial girl can be a vaidya! it’s kind of outrageous. It’s not just my age or my gender that brings me here; it’s the time and effort that I put into learning and practice.

Any out of ordinary situation that you have faced while treating a patient?

During one of my counseling sessions, there was this enlightening conversation between an eighteen-year-old and her mother. it goes like this:

Daughter: Why didn’t we initially go to an Ayurveda physician? Why were we not taking Ayurveda treatment in the first place? Why is it that we are coming here today?

Mother: In those days, Ayurveda was not much of a trend.

Daughter (*surprised*): Mamma? Do the trends decide the treatment we should go for?

And, this eighteen-year-old had a point!

In your experience, how effective is traditional medicine as a cure?

I can only talk about Ayurveda and I know that it is absolutely effective.

What do you think of Ayurveda’s future and its role in integrated medicine?

Ayurveda is eternal. It’s the future of our nation that should be considered here. Adulteration has never done any good for anyone. To me, integrated medicine sounds pretty similar to the concept of ‘Vruddhahara’ and I strongly discourage the idea.

Do you think Nirogstreet is making a difference with its technology platforms connecting and empowering the Ayurveda community as well as patients?

Thank you for asking that. You folks are doing a wonderful job!

Any hobbies or activities you engage in, outside your professional life?

I’m an author, a reader, a dancer, a basketball player, a poet, and an explorer. I’m a lover of nature, music, fashion, and photography. I also love to cook. I do crafts. I watch movies.

I’m the most-viewed writer of the topics ‘bachelor of Ayurvedic medicine and surgery degrees’ and ‘health education’ on quora. Also, one of the answers I wrote in the year 2017 was featured in a quora digest. I’ve been a national level basketball player. I won ii prize in a college-level girls' (singles) badminton tournament and was a runner-up in a college-level girls' (doubles) badminton tournament. I’ve been a winner in a college-level tug of war as well. I’ve also been a ramp model in a number of fashion shows held during the annual social gatherings of my college. I’ve been a bronze medal winner twice at the Interstate taekwondo championships. I also won ii prize as a ‘young scientist’ for presenting a working model of ‘the circulation of blood in the human body’ at an inter-school science exhibition.

Even though my profession consumes most of my time of late, I somehow make sure that I do not lose touch with my hobbies.

What message would you like to convey to the people on well-being?

Eat well and sleep well; you will surely do well.

Read More► Dr. Sugeeta Mutreja speaks about her Ayurveda journey