Gabriel Sigal, Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor (Photo by Brad Eels/Submitted to Media News Group)
Twenty years ago, Suzanne Lang of Philadelphia was about to apply to medical school after studying pre-med at Dartmouth College when she had a change of heart.
“I wanted to be a healer, but everyone I knew who worked in Western medicine was miserable,” Lang said. “I wasn’t feeling well, so I turned around.”
As she sorted out her career path, she decided to start practicing yoga and train as a teacher. Through her training, she was introduced to Ayurveda, a traditional medical system native to India.
“Most people are familiar with Ayurveda when it comes to diet and nutrition, and it’s a good foundation, but it’s much broader than that,” she said. “Treatment options include not only diet but also yoga, herbal medicine, mindfulness techniques, and massage therapy.”
As she immersed herself further into the study of Ayurvedic medicine, her wheels began to turn again.
“The seeds for my next work were planted there,” Lang said. “It was another path to healing that I felt was a better fit for me.”
put you in control
She was drawn to the uniqueness of this style of medicine, which gave her the power to take control.
“It awakens your inner wisdom so you can find happiness on every level. It is a holistic form of healing that addresses body, mind and spirit,” she said.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Ayurveda, translated as “knowledge of life,” is based on the idea that illness is caused by imbalances in a person’s consciousness and stress.
“Ayurveda encourages specific lifestyle interventions and natural remedies to restore balance to body, mind, spirit, and environment,” Johns Hopkins University says on its website.
Lang spent two years studying at David Frawley’s Vedic Institute of America with Ed Zadro, a pioneer practitioner who brought Ayurvedic concepts to America. She also studied with Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, a descendant of ancient Ayurvedic physicians.
“Most of the books on Ayurveda are thousands of years old and written in Sanskrit. So I started spending time studying the language to delve deeper into the meaning of the philosophy,” she says. said.
focused on prevention
Ayurvedic medicine differs from Western medicine in that it primarily focuses on prevention rather than treatment of disease. It is intended to serve as a means of livelihood, and not just for use when you are sick.
“If you have a health problem, you need to get to the root of it and change what’s making your life unbalanced,” Lang said, adding that customized health plans are key. .
Lang currently consults as an Ayurvedic counselor through his business, Rock Star Ayurveda. Her clients come to her with a variety of issues, including the need to reduce their anxiety, help with digestive issues and insomnia. She said some people are ready to completely redo their lives, while others want to change one thing at a time.
“I work one-on-one with people about diet, mindfulness practices, yoga therapy, natural remedies, herbal supplements, and more,” she said.
separated from nature
Many of her clients are glued to computers and screens in their daily lives, which she says is bad for their minds.
“We are so disconnected from nature that people need reminders to look at the night sky, walk barefoot on the ground, and stop and listen to the songbirds,” she says. . “Everything in nature is very soothing.”
Laura Geiger of Spring City, Chester County, has been a Lang’s customer for many years.
“I went to her for various health concerns,” Geiger said. “What I appreciate about her style is that she uses food to heal and balance the body. Suzanne took the time to listen and understand my needs and health concerns. , provides a well-thought-out, easily accessible, nutritious plan for stability and well-being.”
seasonal workshop
Three years ago, Lang and her friend and colleague Gabriel Sigal, who specializes in Iyengar yoga and owns a yoga studio in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, began offering two-hour workshops on a seasonal basis.
“They are sister sciences, with the same pedigree and philosophical background,” Lang says. “Yoga has exploded in popularity, but Ayurveda is less well known.”
Yoga focuses on enlightenment of the mind, and Ayurveda serves to lay the foundation for health and enable you to enter higher spiritual states, and they work very well together.
“Working with Suzanne has helped me expand my horizons,” Segal said. “It opened up all sorts of possibilities for me beyond asana.”
enriched her life
Seeing how Ayurveda enriched her life and helped her grow, Shigal wanted to share it with others.
“I wanted to offer this so that people understand this, so they can become more aware and learn how to take care of themselves,” Sigal said. Ta. “It improves digestion, clarity, concentration, and helps you get better sleep.”
At the workshops, people spend time doing yoga poses, chanting, learning Ayurvedic principles, and receive kits containing special tea blends, recipes, oils, spice mixes, and more. You can take home what you have practiced. they.
“It’s about learning the whole lifestyle, and I use 5,000-year-old wisdom to help guide them on their journey,” Lang said. “Ayurveda has changed my life on so many levels that I now live my happiest, healthiest, and most fulfilled life.”
Rock Star Ayurveda offers one-on-one consultations and group workshops on the Ayurvedic lifestyle. For more information, please email suzannelang@rockstarayurveda.com. The next Ayurvedic “Summer Reset” workshop will be held on Saturday, June 8th at Gabriel Sigal Iyengar Yoga, 1639 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia. To register, please visit www.gabriellesigalyoga.com.
