Hello! I’m Akanksha

In creating Purnam Ayurveda, my deepest desire is to offer a nurturing space that helps you return to wholeness and remind you of the truth of who you are.

I was born and raised in India. I moved to the UK in 2008 at the age of 22.

Many of my daily routines and dietary habits learned from my parents were naturally Ayurvedic. Eating home-cooked warmly spiced foods, oil application to head and body, massage, tongue scraping, oil pulling and many other Ayurvedic practices have been a part of my daily routine since childhood.

My father, a retired pharmacist, has always been an advocate of Yoga and natural living. When I was a young girl, I would help him in his pharmacy. Despite being a pharmacist, I remember vividly that he always encouraged his patients to try Yoga or natural remedies first, and keep allopathic medicine as a last resort.

Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I was born with complete fusion and severe scoliosis of the lumbar spine. I refused surgery for it would not have been without complications with little chances of success. The pain caused by the fusion debilitates the quality of my life on daily basis to an extent that I couldn’t even walk.

I studied Engineering and Management and then worked in Corporate Consulting for several years. Though successful, I knew I needed to let go of this career as desk-based working was worsening my spine. After a while, it just wasn’t rewarding enough.

In 2011, I started practicing Yoga. Over the years, through a commitment to practice under the guidance of my teacher, Dan Burt of House of Ashtanga, Newcastle, , Yoga has strengthened me both physically and mentally. However, the pain in the spine did not go away.

In 2018, I had had enough of my corporate job. I was eager to switch careers. One day, at Yoga, in a conversation with my friend Jeanette Vasey of Yin Yoga, Newcastle, Ayurveda came up. This conversation sparked something. It brought back fond memories of my childhood years spent with my parents.

Searching for a place to study and came across Dr. Deepika Rodrigo of the Ayurveda Institute, UK. I enrolled at the institute whilst working my corporate job. Within 3 months, Ayurveda gave me the heart and courage to begin my journey on the path of service. I quit my corporate job and dived into the study of this awe-inspiring science of life for 3 years, completing both basic and advanced courses.

I experienced Ayurvedic treatments myself to support the healing of my spine. Over the years, I found myself looking for answers as to why I was born with these fused vertebrae. It wasn’t until I studied Ayurveda that was I able to accept that some questions have no answers. I acknowledged I have to work with what I have been given. I have come to the realisation that the fused vertebrae and scoliosis in my spine are there to help me understand pain and to help others. So, now I try to help as many people as I can. Each time I am able to help someone, the universe helps me.

'Arogya Parama Labha' - Health is your most precious resource.