Hi, I’m carissa collinge.
I discovered Ayurveda because I was ready to take my healing into my own hands. After years of debilitating chronic illness, Ayurveda gave me my life back, and allowed me to thrive in a way I’d never known before.
Through practicing this ancient, intuitive system of medicine, I am the healthiest and most fulfilled I’ve ever been. This is why I’ve chosen to make it my life’s work to be a messenger of the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. I am passionate about helping others reclaim their birthright to vitality and bliss.
I am presently in my final semester of a Masters of Science in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, and spent two years in a clinical setting helping survivors of cancer and chronic illness restore their health. You can count on me to be fully invested in your wellbeing, but the true key to healing lies with you. If you’re ready to show up fully for yourself, I hope you’ll cross the bridge to wellness with me.
What is Ayurveda?
Literally meaning “science of life,” Ayurveda is a time-tested system of medicine that originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago. It is one of the world’s oldest medical systems, still traditionally practiced in India and quickly gaining traction in the West. It is a holistic approach to health that considers the whole person—mind, body, spirit, community, and environment. With a foundational understanding of Ayurveda, individuals become empowered to understand how to align themselves with nature’s rhythm and enliven the body’s innate intelligence and repair mechanisms.
A central concept in Ayurveda is that everything in existence is composed of some combination of the five elements (space, air, fire, water, earth). Once we understand how these elements interact with our physiology, we can use this knowledge to bring balance. Like increases like, and opposing elements temper each other. For example, too much fire/heat in the body (inflammation, burning, anger) can be pacified with foods, herbs, and activities that are cooling to the body and mind. The elements are organized into three doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Ayurveda deepens and strengthens connection to the Self, so that you are empowered with the tools and wisdom you need to live your most healthy and fulfilling life. It is not a one-size-fits-all system. It is designed to be highly personalized to each individual based on their unique elemental composition. What is medicine for one person may be harmful to another, and vice-versa. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by the over-saturation of information about health and wellness that we have access to in the modern age. It can feel challenging and frustrating to navigate the ocean of contradictory information and determine which approaches are worth your time and energy. Ayurveda takes the guesswork out of healing by providing a framework for wellness that has survived the test of time.