In this week’s article of our Rediscovering Ayurveda series, we interviewed Sarah Kucera.
Sarah is an Ayurveda Practitioner and Chiropractor based out of Kansas City, USA. Along with running Sage Healing Arts, a center for Ayurveda, Chiropractic, Massage, and Holistic Care, she is also the author of the book titled The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook!
Although she likes to describe herself as a doctor, teacher, mover, and health sleuth, Sarah is also known for curating healthy and tasty recipes for all the natural life enthusiasts. Ruminating her journey of pursuing Yoga and Ayurveda full time, she tells us how her everlasting love for bodily movement and health piqued her interest in Yoga. “I came to Ayurveda through Yoga, and to Yoga out of the pure curiosity of how moving my body in different ways could bring a sense of calm to my mind,” says Sarah. Ayurveda is known to bring transformational changes into one’s body but it does require a certain degree of patience and perseverance of which Sarah is a brilliant example.
“Ayurveda gave me a way to bridge all of my practices together and I knew it would complete what I had to offer to my patients and students and I am glad I was right!”
Sarah went on to pursue a master’s degree at Mount Madonna Institute in California and has since been integrating Ayurveda into her life and work. Her first experience with Yoga and Ayurveda was, as she describes, an instant love. Both these practices offered her a distinct way of self-study and learning to be patient with herself during the process of getting to know the self. She goes on, Ayurveda has added even more intention and purpose to my life and has helped me stay healthy as I strive to become the best version of myself.
While most professionals find ways to stay motivated to do what they do, Sarah is astounded by the question and says that it would be impossible to not be motivated when you see the incredible ways people improve and change their lives with the help of Yoga and Ayurveda.
“I have seen patients’ entire demeanors change after becoming more aware of how different foods, activities, and interactions affect them. This is the greatest reward and will always remain the ultimate motivator!”
Being an Ayurveda practitioner is both intriguing and rewarding, and involves a humongous degree of hard work and problem-solving. Sarah sees and consults about 10 patients per week and for each person, she prefers to work with as a team to find the best possible treatment plan or lifestyle changes. These could include dietary modifications, herbal supplements, breathing practices, bodywork and more. Sarah is vigilant about offering Yoga that is accessible to everyone despite their physical condition or trail marker on the Yogic path. She also believes that it is essential for practitioners to be mindful of their capacity as seeing people who might be struggling with life and health can be energetically taxing.
On a broad spectrum, Ayurveda provides us the ability to assess how we feel in each moment and respond to that feeling uniquely. Things like what we choose to eat and what our physical activities are like – all hinge on what we need in a specific instance. At the same time, Sarah points, she could possibly never give up her tongue cleaner, dry brush, or abhyanga oil.
“I view Yoga as being our path to self-realization or union with the Divine or higher power, as few like to call. Ayurveda, while sharing philosophical concepts with Yoga as a practice of mind, is more of a medical system that accompanies it.”
Contrary to popular belief, Sarah believes that Yoga is a practice of the mind, whereas Ayurveda is the practice of the body. Ayurveda is not just a school of medicine but a style of living. It helps in channeling the energies from within to cleanse the body and mind. Maybe the modern world isn’t fully aware of it yet but there is a growing need for slowing down, tapping into our parasympathetic nervous system and making choices that serve us for the long term. It seems it is only a matter of time before awareness of each is increased as people are becoming more open to the idea of more holistic medicines and also recognizing the importance of mindful practices.
For all the Ayurveda and healthy living enthusiasts, Sarah has a message:
“Congrats! You’re on the right path. It is always incredible to lead by example and the better you treat yourself and the better you feel should also be reflected in how you act in the world.”
Sarah cannot wait to try to Nari Sondarya Oil from Amrutam’s list of holistic products as she uses oil every day and is always keen on discovering specific formulas for her varying needs!
We are grateful to have Sarah as part of our #AmrutamFamily!
