We recently connected with Elizabeth Swamy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Starting Vedic Wild Ayurveda was truly a heart project for me. I created it as a nonprofit because I firmly believe that healing should be accessible to everyone — not just those who can afford it. Through Vedic Wild, I offer clients the option to come either for free or at half price, depending on their financial situation. Right now, I am able to support 2–3 clients a month in this way, funded by my full-paying clients. I also make herbal medicine available at very affordable prices, because plants and healing should belong to everyone.

The real turning point came in 2023. I was rushing from my full-time job to meet an Ayurveda client, and it hit me — I could no longer split my time and energy. I had to fully commit to the work that was calling me. So, I put in my notice, opened the clinic doors, and Vedic Wild Ayurveda became a physical space in San Jose.

Setting up wasn’t fancy, but it was full of intention. We had a side entrance at our home that could be fully closed off, creating a private, serene clinic space. No rental fees meant I could get started immediately. I found a massage table and furnishings secondhand through Marketplace, and focused on creating an environment that smelled of medicinal oils, was full of plants, and felt like a sanctuary for healing.

One of the biggest early steps was creating a clear website with pricing and easy online booking. I worked hard to simplify how I described my services — Ayurveda is still an unfamiliar field for many people, and I wanted both my clients and their friends to easily understand and share what I offered.

Building a client base took about a year. But today, I have a steady book of clients and I’m seeing true results. One of my clients with ulcerative colitis started with me at just 60 lbs — weak and struggling. After 1.5 years of care, she is now almost 100 lbs, vibrant, and her last colonoscopy showed no signs of bleeding or inflammation. It was a huge victory.

Another client, a flight attendant struggling with sleep issues, weight gain, and a hectic schedule, implemented a few simple lifestyle changes we discussed in one session. Four months later, I ran into her, and she had already lost 10 pounds and was thriving. These moments remind me how powerful simple, consistent Ayurvedic practices can be.

If I could give advice to anyone thinking about starting their own practice, it would be: focus on networking. Relationships matter so much more than social media likes. Get to know the people in your community — especially those who work with the same populations you serve. Take them to coffee. Ask how you can support them. The best way to get a referral is to give one. For me, joining a business networking group and attending events focused on pregnancy, postpartum, and family health professionals has been key.

Social media, in my view, acts like a digital business card — it’s important, but most of my clients come from referrals and word of mouth. Authentic relationships and trust are the foundation.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Opening Vedic Wild Ayurveda in this simple, soulful way allowed me to stay true to my values: that healing should be personal, natural, and accessible for all.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Elizabeth Marie Swamy
Ayurvedic Doula + Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, MA

I discovered Āyurveda during my yoga teacher training — funny story, I missed the class on Āyurveda and ended up creating a digital brochure as a make-up project. What started as a simple project turned into something much more. Through my research, I found a language and practice that truly resonated with me, a way to understand the world and myself. It was then I found my true community — my sangha.

My journey led me to Kripalu School of Ayurveda, where I studied and earned my certification as an Āyurveda Health Counselor. Āyurveda is still emerging in the U.S., but its wisdom is timeless, having been refined over 5,000 years. I later completed my advanced studies with Dr. Anusha Sehgal of Boston Ayurveda and graduated as an Āyurveda Practitioner in 2022. I’m also on my path to earning my Āyurveda Doctorate under Dr. Anusha’s mentorship.

Here are my certifications and trainings:

Ayurvedic Doctor (in training) | Boston Ayurveda Inc.

AyurDoula | Ayurved Sadhana

Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner | Boston Ayurveda Inc.

Panchakarma Technician | Kerala Ayurveda

Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor | Kripalu School of Ayurveda

Pulse Practicum | Dr. John Douillard of LifeSpa

Pre/Post Natal Ayurvedic Care | Athreya Ayurvedic under Dr. Jayagopal Parla

DONA-approved Birth Doula | Doula School under Stefanie Antunes

Prenatal Yoga Teacher | Awakened Spirit Yoga under Julia Forest

Certified Yoga Instructor, 200-hour E-RYT | Shiva Shakti School of Yoga

MA Arts Management | NYU, New York, NY

BS Psychology | Edgewood College, Madison, WI

I was born in Michigan, raised in Wisconsin, and spent many years in New York City before moving to California. I hold a Master’s degree from NYU in nonprofit business and have a diverse career — from managing a booth at a major film festival to working in medical research, teaching yoga and meditation, and even running my own dance company. But at the heart of it all, I’ve always been driven by a desire to care for others.

In my practice, I listen carefully and meet clients where they are. I believe in healing through nature’s rhythms and aim to support each individual with love, compassion, and encouragement — no judgment or expectation. I treat others as I would want to be treated (which, by the way, is like royalty!).

I live in San Jose with my husband, Tushar, our French Bulldog, Pali, and our newborn Maya Clementina

Namaste,
Liz

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I believe the biggest keys to succeeding in this field are hands-on learning, mentorship, and personal experience. It’s one thing to study Ayurveda in theory — it’s another to actually apply it to your own life and see it work. That builds the deepest belief and trust in the practice, which naturally flows into how you support your clients.

I highly recommend working closely with your mentors and teachers. Ask lots of questions. Watch how they approach cases. Learn not just the “what” but the “why” behind their decisions. Try things yourself — create herbal formulas, practice pulse reading, cook Ayurvedic meals, offer small home therapies. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.

Ayurveda is a living science. You don’t learn it only from textbooks; you learn it by living it — noticing how the seasons, foods, and emotions impact your body and mind. The stronger your personal connection is to the medicine, the more powerful and authentic your offerings will be.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would absolutely choose the same path. No regrets. Every step of my journey — even the hard ones — led me here. Without that winding road, I wouldn’t have found Ayurveda, and I wouldn’t be able to serve others in the way I do now. It all happened exactly as it was meant to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vedicwild.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vedicwildayurveda/

Image Credits

headshot – https://trisharosephotography.com/