“Seva as an act of compassion and caring for others without attachment or expectation, yet taking care of your basic needs first in order to be of service , & to give freely. Seva, selfless service, is the fastest way to clear samskara (karmic impressions from the past)”
About Seva
Seva Van Why, LMT, PKT, AP, HHP, E-RYT
In the early 90’s I moved to San Diego and soon found a position at The Chopra Center for Well Being. I began in the kitchen helping to prepare special meals for guests in the Pancha Karma program, until my heart led me to become an apprentice to the therapists.
I was pleased to learn that methods I was being taught were from Dr. John Douilliard who was the former director, and came from the Maharishi lineage where Dr. Douilliard also was a director. Dr. Chopra was on site often back in those days and would hold Satsangs once a month, teaching us about Ayurveda and spirituality. This experience sparked the beginning of my path as a healer.
I enrolled in a 1000 Hr Holistic Health Practitioner program where I was trained in several massage modalities as well as Herbs and Nutrition (Ayurvedic Body Therapy classes were not available then). Upon completing I became an Intern at The Optimum Health Institute, and gained more experience facilitating guests that were undergoing intense cleansing and regaining their health and vitality and eventually became staff for 2 years.
Soon following, I managed a private practice of holistic massage and teaching Yoga classes for 16 years in San Diego. I also trained and practiced as a Holistic Midwife for 10 of those years and acquired more skills such as organic farming of vegetables and medicinal herbs, which I used to create an apothecary for my clients and myself. During that time I also raised two beautiful sons.
I moved to Nevada City, Ca in the spring of 2016 to return full circle to my path in Ayurveda. I have been trained at the California College of Ayurveda in all the classical Ayurvedic Body Therapies for Pancha Karma and for Day Spa. I quickly joined the team at The Ayurvedic Healthcare Center becoming the lead therapist for Pancha Karma and Day Spa therapies until opening my own practice in 2019. As well as providing therapies, I am an experienced Ayurvedic chef, & educator.
As a perpetual student, I have gained the following certifications From 1999-2024
- 1000 Hr Holistic Health Practitioner
- Pre/Post Natal Care - Ayurdoula
- Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Lymphatic Massage)
- Shirodhara
- Swedena
- Ayurvedic Facial Rejuvenation
- Dough Basti - Chakra Basti - Enema Basti
- Nasyam
- Pancha Karma Therapist
- Marmani & Pranic Healing - 200+ Hours - Traditionally taught from the system of Sushutra as written by Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Avinesh Lele, Dr Vasant Lad - Continuing education with: Anisha Durve, Amadea Morningstar, Cory Tixier, and Indu Arora.
- Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner - Kerala Ayurveda, Jai Dev Singh, Hindu University of America
- Ayurvedic Obstetrics and Fertility from Arya Ayurveda in Pune, Maharashtra India
- Foundational Integrated Herbology of Western & Eastern herbs with a speciality course in Ayurvedic Herbs for Women from KP Khalsa of the International Integrative Educational Institute
- Ayurvedic Culinary Training with Divya Alter
- Medical Cannabis Clinician - The Medical Cannabis Institute
- 200 Hr E-RYT
- The Art & Science of Vedic Counseling - Dr. Frawley
In 2019 I was honored to be hired by Ayurway LLC, Hyderbad, India - to work with the staff of therapists to merge the east/west application of treatments, and to upgrade the spa therapy environment and processes. I spent 6 amazing weeks learning, sharing, and growing with the team!
From 2022 - 2024 I became the Author of :
“The Ayurveda Spa Therapy Manual”
“Dough Basti: The Ancient Healing Art of Ayurveda”
“Savor the Flavor - Ayurvedic Recipes for Tea and Spice Blends”
“The Ayurveda Spa Therapy Manual”
“Dough Basti: The Ancient Healing Art of Ayurveda”
“Savor the Flavor - Ayurvedic Recipes for Tea and Spice Blends”
And I was graciously given endorsements and forewards from Dr. John Douillard, Amadea Morningstar, Melanie Sachs, Susan Weis-Bohlen, Madison Madden, and more!
As founder and lead faculty of Seva Ayurveda Academy, (view mission statement) I continue to teach live trainings, speak at conferences, and run 3 Online Courses, with several individual classes that are eligible for CE's to licensed massage therapists, yoga therapists and instructors, and ayurvedic professionals. Check out my courses page for more details!
I have held staff positions at The Chopra Center for Well Being, The Optimum Health Institute, California College of Ayurveda, and currently the Ayurveda Body Therapy instructor for several US Ayurveda schools, and serving as the Education manager for Ayurvedic professionals at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and the Certification Manager at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board.
I continue to take Ayurvedic courses in women's health related issues and autoimmune diseases from Mary Thompson, Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Frawley, Dr. Svoboda, and Claudia Welch. Last but not least, I am pursuing Jyotish, Vedic Astrology, to further assist clients in understanding their health.
I would be honored to grow with you on your learning journey if you are inspired to pursue the ancient healing arts of ayurveda with me! Reach out anytime if I can be a resource or in service to you in any way.
In Service,
Seva
