WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
Ayurveda uses an individual approach to health and wellness, holding a strong belief that no two people are exactly alike. According to Ayurveda, the body and our individual constitution is made up three doshas or energy systems: Vata, encompassing ether and air, Pitta, both fire and water, and Kapha, water and earth.
The doshas are influenced by our diet, lifestyle, environment and way of thinking, and their balance is offset in predictable ways. Imbalances of the doshas ultimately manifest as disturbance in the body, illness and disease. Balancing the doshas brings peace to the body, mind and senses, allowing us to heal.
ETHER + AIR
FIRE + WATER
WATER + EARTH
PRACTICING OUR BELIEFS
ACCESSIBILITY
PRESERVATION
SUSTAINABILITY
INTEGRATION
COLLABORATIVE
MISSION STATEMENT
Soma Ayurveda exists to serve the community and believes that health and wellness should be accessible to all people. By embodying the rich traditions of Ayurveda, Mary strives to uphold and preserve its ancient wisdom in every aspect of her practice.
She envisions a world where individuals achieve optimal health and vitality through holistic approaches that address the root causes of imbalances. Soma Ayurveda empowers and inspires individuals to take charge of their health journey through personalized Ayurvedic care, education, and lifestyle modifications.
After graduating from college, I found myself traveling around the world, looking for a meaningful career path and on an even deeper level, searching for myself. During that time, I was introduced to Ayurveda and felt intuitively drawn to its science. Within a month, I found myself driving across the country to New Mexico to attend the Ayurvedic Institute and learn from Dr. Vasant Lad, whose mission in life is to bring Ayurveda to the west. Immersed in deep study and self healing, I began to find myself. It is in Ayurveda that I found my purpose and where my heart wants to dwell.
Prior to living in Vermont, I worked at an Ayurvedic clinic and yoga studio in Philadelphia. Although I loved this work and the people I collaborated with, my soul yearned for the mountains, being surrounded by nature and a more quiet lifestyle. In 2019, I packed my Subaru and traveled to Vermont for the first time.. just me and my beloved dog Indra. It became very clear to me during this trip, Vermont was exactlly where I was suppose to be. I have always believed that if you follow your heart, it will lead you in the right direction.
Since that first trip with Indra, I have worked on a sustainable Vermont hillside farm, lived in a tiny house caring for sheep and chickens, worked in the wine and food industry and made many life-long friends along the way.
Ayurveda has been woven into everything I’ve done through my journey; caring for the land and animals, fostering the relationships I’ve built, as well as my own health and wellness.
Currently, I live on South Hill in Ludlow, Vermont with my partner, son, and of course, Indra. It is in our home where I practice Ayurveda and see clients.
You can often find me playing in our vegetable and flower gardens, hiking with my family, gravel biking, swimming in the lake, enjoying cross-country skiing & snowboarding in the winter or balancing stones by a trickling brook. For fun, I like to paint and dance.
I believe that life is short and it's important to have gratitude for the little things.
I listen intently to your health concerns and practices classical Ayurveda to help you achieve your goals by developing an individualized wellness program suited to your specific needs. It is the knowledge and wisdom of Ayurveda and the concerns voiced by the client that guide this work. I hope to see you soon!
- Mary Rider
CERTIFIED + TRUSTED
Mary is a NAMA certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. She received her training from the leading school for Ayurvedic Medicine in the US, the Ayurvedic Institute, where she studied with the renowned Ayurvedic Physician and Professor, Dr. Vasant Lad.
After receiving certification, Mary went on to do the Graduate Internship Program at the Ayurvedic Institute, where she received an exceptional amount of clinical and hands on experience.
Mary continues to study with Ayurvedic Clinician and Instructor, Kashyapa Fisher, diving deeper into the clinical application of panchakarma therapies and Ayurvedic herbalism, furthering her skills and level of expertise.
In 2022, she became certified and nationally recognized as an Ayurvedic Practitioner by NAMA, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association.
