If you would like to discuss your condition before scheduling an appointment feel free to take advantage of our complimentary 10 minute consultation, available either in person or over the phone. (310) 375-HEAL (4325)
Dr. Mark Vinick has been an Ayurvedic practitioner for more than 25 years. He is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda, and also is a long time student of the renowned Ayurvedic physician, Vaidya RK Mishra. He is considered a leading practitioner in the SVA Ayurveda tradition. He is a certified practitioner by the National Association of Ayurvedic medicine, and the California Association of Ayurvedic medicine, where he served as president for 3 years, and was on the board of directors for over 8 years. He is also certified by the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, at their highest level of certification, as a master registered Ayurvedic practitioner.
I first heard the term “Ayurveda” in the Spring of 1973. I had just completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology the year before. In January ’73 I left the States, solo, intending to hitchhike through Europe and eventually end up in India, in search of a spiritual teacher. Through an amazing chain of events I ended up working on the TM Teacher Training Courses in La Antilla, Spain, studying with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who two years later would also certify me as a Transcendental Meditation Teacher, a 1500-hour training program.
It was in Spain that I began the study of Vedic Philosophy and Science, and I was introduced to the world’s oldest, most comprehensive system of healing, Ayurveda. It was basically an introduction to the subject as there was nowhere outside of India to actually study it. (On a side note, I did end up hitchhiking by myself from Portugal to Istanbul during this trip. I also eventually made it to India, ten years later where I traveled with the Spiritual Adept M.K. Gandhi, of London, for almost three months).
In 1984, Dr Vasant Lad, the first Ayurvedic Physician to teach in the U.S., published his first book, “Ayurveda-The Science of Self-Healing”. Within a few months I had read it and also listened to a cassette tape course on Ayurveda by Dr. Robert Svoboda, the first westerner to graduate from an Ayurvedic College in India and also practiced in the U.S. The subject fascinated me, as I knew from my previous studies of Vedic Science that this knowledge was both profound, and complete. But since I was at that time enrolled in Chiropractic College, all of my time, and spare time, was consumed in attending classes and studying, not giving me any time to study Ayurveda.
It wasn’t until the early ‘90’s that I took several training classes in Ayurveda presented by Maharishi Ayurveda, followed a few years later with several training courses by Dr Deepak Chopra. In 1998 I taught a 15-month course in Ayurveda out of my office, using the teaching materials of Dr. David Frawley. At this time, I also met my main Teacher of Ayurveda, the renowned Ayurvedic Physician and product formulator, Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra. He was a direct descendent of the ancient Shaka Vansiya Ayurvedic (SVA) Lineage whose ancestors are mentioned in the ancient texts, the Puranas, and who has contributed invaluable insights as to how this ancient science is best adapted to our current physiologies given the exposure to modern stressors not encountered in the past. Many of these “gems of knowledge” are not known outside his current circle of students, or taught in any Ayurveda Colleges in the U.S., or India.
In the year 2000 I began a two-year course of study at The California College of Ayurveda, led by Dr Marc Halpern, where I received my Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist Degree (CAS).
I am also a Certified Practitioner through the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM), the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and certified with The Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA) at their highest level of certification, Ayurvedic Doctor.
According to Ayurveda, we are all born with a specific body type (Prakruti or Nature). Over time, due to errors in diet, lifestyle, thinking, etc., we move away from our true nature and become imbalanced (Vikruti). Gradually, these imbalances produce symptoms, and if allowed to progress, they eventually result in disease. Determining our true nature, and identifying where we are imbalanced, and what created these imbalances is what allows the Ayurvedic Practitioner to give specific recommendations to bring us back to our true balanced state of Being.
Patients visit us from all over Greater Los Angeles including: Torrance, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Orange County, Whittier, Seal Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Pasadena, Malibu, West Los Angeles, La Mirada, South Bay, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Venice Beach, Lomita, Rolling Hills, Lawndale, Gardenia, San Pedro, Carson Inglewood, and Huntington Beach.
Read below to learn more about Dr. Vinick's Ayurvedic phone consultation if you live out of reach of the Redondo Beach office.
The full initial consultation consists of two appointments, approximately one hour each.
First Visit: Initial History, Ayurvedic Examination, and Ayurvedic Pulse Reading.
Second Visit: Report of Findings, including Prakruti (your specific psycho-physiological body type) and Vikruti (your current imbalance). General and also Specific Recommendations are given to correct your imbalance and create and maintaining optimal health.
Follow Up Visits: To be determined as needed. Approximately 30 minutes.
If you would like to discuss your condition before scheduling an appointment feel free to take advantage of our complimentary 10 minute consultation, available either in person or over the phone.
Specifically for those who are not within traveling distance of the office in Redondo Beach.
Dr. Vinick has been teaching and practicing Ayurveda since 1996 and is considered one of the most knowledgeable practitioners in the US. As a result of his extensive training with many different Ayurvedic authorities, and over 25 years of clinical practice, he has gained the experience necessary to offer an accurate diagnosis and treatment via phone consultations.
During the phone consultation, Dr Vinick takes a full history, and a detailed interview with each patient and determines the underlying imbalance. He then prescribes a treatment protocal to bring the mind and body back into its natural state of health and balance.
Available in either 30 or 60 minute phone consultations.
Question: What is the best diet?
Eat when we are hungry. Different body types vary as to what they require. Breakfast should take you to lunch. Lunch at 12- 1, when Pitta is high is best time for lunch. This should be largest meal, but don't overeat. if you eat till you are full, that is too much. Eat 50% solid food, 25% room temp or warm water, and 25% empty. (The video mistakenly says 75% solid food). Don't force children to eat all on their plate if they are already satisfied. Best to use small plates so we aren't programmed to overeat all the food on a large plate. Use of wide mouth Food Thermos for meals on the go. Dinner should be finished 3 hours before bed, so best to finish by 7, as in bed by 10 is ideal. Dinner should be much smaller than lunch. Don't continually eat throughout the day. Need time to digest the previous meal before eating or snacking again. The food we eat becomes our physical body, literally.
Ayurveda is the world’s most ancient health care system. It derives from ancient India and is commonly referred to as the “mother of all healing systems.” It’s purpose being to re-align our physiologies with the rhythms of the universe. The literal meaning of the word, however is “the science of life” (ayur = life, veda = science or knowledge). Ayurvedic practices are meant to heal — and more importantly prevent disease, increase the overall health and vitality of the body, and increase longevity. This is accomplished by rebalancing pranic life forces acting within the body mainly through dosha specific diet, meditation, and daily activity harmonized with the cycles of nature. Also utilized are rejuvenative herbal remedies, mineral and gem elixirs, and bodywork such as Ayurvedic massage, detoxification methods, herbal steam treatments, calming practices, yoga, and marma point therapy (balances our “vibrational” circulatory channels, the nadis). Ayurveda’s herbal-based medical tradition uses plants with special potencies for pacifying doshic imbalances and re-establishing natal prakriti — the state of peace.
The exact origin of Ayurveda cannot be traced, but archeological evidence has indicated a complex working medical knowledge in ancient India such as dentistry, plastic surgery, and even brain surgery as far back as 9,000 years ago (7,000 BC). The original texts of Ayurveda are a part of the Vedas — the world’s oldest texts of knowledge — specifically the Atharva Veda. Within the Vedas, it is described that the knowledge was first handed down by Sri Dhanvantari, who is usually pictured carrying the vessel of immortality. Thus the essential knowledge of Ayurveda is eternal, and the evidence of this can be seen in its continuing usefulness even as the world situation changes.
Ayurveda has two main goals:
The ultimate aim of Ayurveda is to always maintain good health and well-being. And health, according to Ayurveda, is not merely eliminating the physical symptoms of a disease, but also restoring the happiness of the person’s mind and soul. Often people may not be suffering from physical problems but they may be very unhappy and disturbed mentally. According to Ayurveda, such a person would be in a state of ill health (dis-ease or dis-order).
Problems like depression, anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia, originate mainly from our disconnection with our essential natures. Unfortunately, most of our actions and activities today are related to materialism and our physical body. We rarely pay attention to our other half, which is equally important–the soul. Ayurveda gives the example of a parrot in a cage. If the cage is taken care of very nicely, but the parrot is neglected then its life is ruined. Similarly if we take care of the body but neglect the soul, our life is ruined.
The diets and lifestyles we follow for achieving peace and happiness may also not be healthy for our inner selves. Since we are no longer taught the importance of mental and spiritual health–we remain unhappy, depressed, anxious and insecure, despite our best efforts. This is clearly indicative of something being wrong in our approach towards self-actualization and our relationship with matter and spirit.
Ayurveda helps us in our endeavor to find happiness in life by recommending lifestyle adjustments. It teaches us how to live in natural balance by following a path that flows with nature rather than against it.
Ayurveda is the perfect solution for all our health issues. Not only does it help people understand themselves and their needs, but it also provides guidelines on diet, lifestyle, exercise regimens and much more. But above all, Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony within our society, with nature and with the universe at large, without disturbing the delicate natural balance. Above and beyond this, Ayurveda points one towards an understanding of the soul — which is our true self and above any physical or mental influence. While Ayurveda can bring one to physical and mental well-being, knowledge of the soul will bring one to ever-increasing happiness regardless of material condition.
According to Ayurveda, the five basic elements in physical nature are, space or ether (akash), air (vayu), fire (agni), water (jala), and earth (prithvi). In our bodies, health is a state where these elements remain completely balanced. Conversely, imbalances lead to disharmony, which ultimately leads to disease. Ayurveda teaches that the three main causes of imbalance in our biological functions are over-eating or eating the wrong foods for one’s constitution, uncleanliness both externally and internally, and stress caused by not understanding man’s relationship to natural law. These are the seeds that appear on the gross level, which gradually manifest into what we name specific disease conditions.
Over and above the elements, Ayurveda gives mention of the modes of nature: sattva (goodness), raja (passion), and tamas (ignorance). All aspects of nature can be explained in terms of these modes, including seasons, times of the day, and even more subtle aspects like emotions. For instance, in the Bhagavad-Gita (considered the essence of Vedic knowledge), it states, “Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are wholesome, and pleasing to the heart. (Bhagavad-Gita, Ch27 Verse8)” Similarly, such things as faith, sacrifices, charity, austerity, religion, etc are all explained according to these modes of nature.
According to Ayurveda, the elements are represented in a human being as vata, pitta and kapha, known as the three doshas or biological forces.
Vata is comprised of the elements air and space and is responsible for all movement related functions in the body, such as respiration, circulation and thought. On an emotional level it is responsible for such positive emotions as creativity and flexibility and its’ negative aspects are fear and anxiety.
Pitta is composed of fire and water and is responsible for metabolism, including digestion of food and life’s experiences and for hunger and thirst. Emotionally it is connected with courage, ambition, anger and pride.
Kapha is comprised of water and earth and is responsible for cohesion; it provides the body’s structure. It governs emotions such as love and devotion, greed and jealousy.
Everybody is born with a unique combination of these three doshas and this is termed as their prakriti or constitution. Apart from these Ayurvedic body energies, there are also other elements:
These are the basic tissues which maintain and nourish the body. There are seven dhatus–plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluid. The quality and quantity of each dhatu and its balanced functioning is very important for good health.
These are the waste materials produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body. The main mala are urine, feces and sweat. Proper elimination of mala is equally important for good health. Accumulation of mala causes blockages in the body, resulting in diseases.
These are channels, which are responsible for transportation of food, dhatus, malas and doshas. Proper functioning of srota is necessary for transporting different materials. Blockage of srota causes many disorders.
‘Agni’ means fire. According to Ayurveda, there are 13 types of agni in the body, which carry out different metabolic activities. This may be compared to different types of enzymes responsible for digestion and metabolic activity in our body.
Toxins fall into four categories: ama, amavish, garvish, and indravajrabijanyavish. Ama is the product of incomplete digestion. A sticky, malodorous substance, ama clogs the shrotas (channels) and cellular membranes, disrupting tissue nutrition and producing illness. Amavish is ama having reactive properties with the tissues and shrotas. Garvish is ama acquired from sources that never should have entered the body: chemicals, heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, fumes, etc. Indravajrabhijanyavish comes from electromagnetic sources, like computers and cell phones. The ongoing build-up of all these types of ama disturbs dosha, dhatus, and malas. Disease itself is called Amaya — born of ama. To re-establish prakriti, one must regularly purify the physiology.
The detrimental effects of stress. The harmful effect of video games on young children. The importance of setting boundaries in children. The five elements within nature and ourselves. The goal of Life, Yoga, and Ayurveda. Who are we really, according to Yoga Philosophy. Efficiency versus .busyness. The importance of self nuturance, especially in the early morning. The best time for yoga and meditation.
Becoming older is inevitable; aging is optional. Ayurveda says that 100 years is a normal life span. Today people are living longer; but what good is longer life in infirmity and ill health? Insidiously, aging brings about a gradual loss of connection with our own prakriti. Decade by decade we lose growth, luster, complexion, intelligence, skin health, vision, virility, discrimination, and the use of the senses. Over time the body’s channels lose flexibility, becoming clogged and dry, as occurs in arteriosclerosis, for example. Staying young at heart means preventing psychological aging, which begins earlier in life than one would suspect. Ayurveda provides special substances called Rasayanas that promote mental and physical health, maintain youthfulness, and slow aging. Top
Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine in the world today. It is found at the root of Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Medicine and the Early Greek Medicine of Hippocrates. Here are six principles for understanding Ayurveda:
Pulse diagnosis is the ancient art and science of detecting the existing status of a person’s body, mind, and soul. Nadi or pulse is that vital flow of energy or life that courses through as a subtle channel all over the body, and enables the practicioner to feel the way the blood streams from the heart. This helps an experienced ayurvedic doctor to diagnose or treat various ailments, or to prevent their occurrence.
Pulse reading can be learnt through continuous practice, focus, awareness, and under the guidance of an experienced guru. It is like playing the vina, a musical instrument akin to the violin. On striking, each string produces a different musical note. Similarly, an expert pulse reader by touching, pressing, and “feeling” the different combinations of the pulse, is able to diagnose the imbalances within a person’s body.
Ayurveda states three barometers of diagnosis: darshana (see and observe), sparshana (touch), and prashna (inquire by asking questions). Successful pulse reading involves touching, feeling, observing, and experiencing not only the rate, rhythm, and volume of the pulse; but also its movement, amplitude, temperature, force, and consistency in the body.
Dr. Vinick has been teaching and practicing Ayurveda since 1996 and is considered one of the most knowledgeable practitioners in the US, and is acknowledged as a leading Practitioner of SVA Ayurveda. As a result of his extensive training with many different Ayurvedic authorities, and over 25 years of clinical practice, he has gained the experience necessary to offer an accurate diagnosis and treatment via phone consultations.
During the phone consultation, Dr Vinick takes a full history, and a detailed interview with each patient and determines the underlying imbalance. He then prescribes a treatment protocol to bring the mind and body back into its natural state of health and balance.
To make an appointment, or for additional information, please visit this page: Make an Appointment
Dr. Vinick is one of the top Ayurvedic Specialists in Los Angeles County.
