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Meet the Publisher of Light on Ayurveda Journal
Ayurveda Interview
Genevieve Ryder
Publisher: Light on Ayurveda Journal
SAM: How did you get introduced to Ayurveda?
GR: As a registered nurse, I was actually very imbedded in the Western sciences and refused to even consider alternative modalities. However, I developed a health problem that Western medicine could not identify or fix. There was the unspoken verdict that my problems were all in my imagination. However, my life was reduced to only a few hours a day that I could function well as a mother and wife; I became open to an alternative approach. I tried a naturopathic doctor before turning to a highly recommended practitioner who happened to offer Ayurveda. I had no idea what “Ayurveda” was- all I wanted was a solution to my problem. This was the beginning of an incredible journey. Immediately the Ayurvedic practitioner recommended dietary changes which astonished me since I always prided myself on eating a healthy diet. The path to health restoration moved quickly at first and since then has been a continuum of learning and applying the appropriate Ayurvedic principles. I was amazed that an alternative health system could produce such dramatic results and signed up for a year-long course in Ayurveda.
SAM: What was your profession before practicing ayurveda?
GR: Registered nurse with a concentration in public health services.
SAM: How did you come to develop Light on Ayurveda Journal?
GR: My Ayurvedic class bonded well during our year of study. When the course finished, we decided we should keep in touch via a newsletter. I began the newsletter which we called Ayurvedic Update. Subsequently, I was approached by the American Ayurvedic Association (AAA) to upgrade the newsletter to a journal that would go out to its members as well as to my subscribers. The journal appeared to be a need and I was eager to give back to Ayurveda for the health it had given me. After two years, it appeared we were not going in the same direction and I began to search for an alternative. I decided to publish an independent journal to serve the needs of Ayurveda without ties to any individual organization, school, or lineage. In that way, I felt I could serve all of Ayurveda without being drawn into political or provincial bias.
SAM: What is the vision of LOAJ? (What will readers find in each issue)?
GR: The vision is to provide cutting edge information and clinical application of Ayurvedic theory. Each issue has its own theme. In addition to the feature articles, there are case studies and herbal articles. Columns include Ayurvedic Cooking, Book and Conference Reviews, Ayurvedic News, and published Abstracts. Although the journal is dedicated to meeting the needs of Ayurvedic practitioners and students, there are always articles included for the Ayurvedic novice.
SAM: Is the journal available outside the?
GR: The journal is available by subscription internationally. It is also available as an e-journal and will very soon be available through our new web site, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com , where every subscriber can access the issue or an article even while traveling. Reference and advertising links will be active, bringing the reader instantly to the desired web site or email address.
SAM: Recently you transformed/expanded the Journal into a foundation. What inspired this vision?
GR: There are two main reasons we formed the non-profit, Light on Ayurveda Educational Foundation (LOAEF). One is the desire to expand our vision and bring the message of Ayurveda to the general public; to those searching for a practical, affordable, efficacious way to meet their health needs. We wish to see the knowledge of and about Ayurveda reach into every household. The mission of LOAEF is to promote Ayurvedic healthcare, to provide the essential communication and networking needed for Ayurveda to expand, and to support Ayurvedic education and research. The mission of Light on Ayurveda Journal is focused on meeting the needs of those who already have the basic knowledge of Ayurveda.
Our second reason is financial. We need more financial support. Creating a non-profit 501(c)(3) enables individuals to give their support and yet receive tax relief. Working through a non-profit lets others know we are serious about our mission - that our primary concern is not about making money, but about making a difference.
SAM: Do you feel your work purposeful/meaningful?
GR: Absolutely! It is most rewarding to bring the work of Ayurvedic writers into a publication that reaches people throughout the world. I love to talk with subscribers to find out what their interests are so the journal can better fulfil their expectations.
SAM: What aspects of your work bring you the greatest joy?
GR: Receiving a variety of articles, steering them through the peer review process, and crafting them into an organized whole brings so much satisfaction.
SAM: Can you discuss one instance from your work that has particularly moved you?
GR: It is difficult to single out one instance. There are amazing and sustaining instances of unselfish dedication to the production of this journal. Two individuals immediately come to mind – Dr. Martina Ziska who gives untiringly of her time to review each article that comes to my desk and who freely shares her publishing knowledge to guide the journal. William Milham has offered his talented services to develop an new web site, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com to reach out to the general public, thus assisting LOAEF with its goal of bringing Ayurveda to every home.
SAM: What dreams/visions do you have that you feel you are working toward?:
GR: The dream of helping to establish Ayurveda as a well-accepted, viable healthcare system. The dream that one day the majority of people will know and be guided by its basic principles and enjoy the resultant reward of health.
SAM: How important are other holistic/Vedic aspects in your life? (e.g., Ayurveda, Jyotish, Vastu, Sadhana, Yoga asanas, Organic, Vegetarian, Ecology, Social causes, alternative education)?:
GR: Sadhana practice and Yoga in its totality is a foundation for my daily life. Ayurveda keeps me healthy and balanced, jyotish guides me through difficult times and provides specific guidance for the development of the journal and the foundation. I have found the immense value in eating and utilizing organic foods and products – in fact, this was part of the puzzle to regain my health. About two years ago, I was finally shown how to successfully be vegetarian, a long-held desire. The state of our environment, the care of the people of this world, all concern me. I love to be in the company of like-minded people, but am aware that when I mingle with those who are unfamiliar with conscious living, I have the opportunity to spread seeds for discovery.
SAM: What is your prayer for the world?
GR: My prayer is for peace in all hearts and minds. This can happen when we establish respect and care for the earth and all its creatures.
SAM: Do you have any ‘new’ (creative) ideas to help the world in some way?
GR: We need to develop tolerance for those with other ideologies. Even those of us on fire with desire to see Ayurveda move into a more prominent place in people’s lives need to be open and respectful of other philosophies and sciences.
SAM: Anything else you wish to say?
GR: Genevieve Ryder, R.N., B.S., D.Ay.
Secretary , Light on Ayurveda Educational Foundation (LOAEF)
Editor, Light on Ayurveda Journal
P.O. Box 450
Cotuit MA 02635
Voicemail/Fax: 508-539-9288
Email: ayurveda@comcast.net
Web sites: www.loaj.com, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com
Genevieve Ryder
Publisher: Light on Ayurveda Journal
SAM: How did you get introduced to Ayurveda?
GR: As a registered nurse, I was actually very imbedded in the Western sciences and refused to even consider alternative modalities. However, I developed a health problem that Western medicine could not identify or fix. There was the unspoken verdict that my problems were all in my imagination. However, my life was reduced to only a few hours a day that I could function well as a mother and wife; I became open to an alternative approach. I tried a naturopathic doctor before turning to a highly recommended practitioner who happened to offer Ayurveda. I had no idea what “Ayurveda” was- all I wanted was a solution to my problem. This was the beginning of an incredible journey. Immediately the Ayurvedic practitioner recommended dietary changes which astonished me since I always prided myself on eating a healthy diet. The path to health restoration moved quickly at first and since then has been a continuum of learning and applying the appropriate Ayurvedic principles. I was amazed that an alternative health system could produce such dramatic results and signed up for a year-long course in Ayurveda.
SAM: What was your profession before practicing ayurveda?
GR: Registered nurse with a concentration in public health services.
SAM: How did you come to develop Light on Ayurveda Journal?
GR: My Ayurvedic class bonded well during our year of study. When the course finished, we decided we should keep in touch via a newsletter. I began the newsletter which we called Ayurvedic Update. Subsequently, I was approached by the American Ayurvedic Association (AAA) to upgrade the newsletter to a journal that would go out to its members as well as to my subscribers. The journal appeared to be a need and I was eager to give back to Ayurveda for the health it had given me. After two years, it appeared we were not going in the same direction and I began to search for an alternative. I decided to publish an independent journal to serve the needs of Ayurveda without ties to any individual organization, school, or lineage. In that way, I felt I could serve all of Ayurveda without being drawn into political or provincial bias.
SAM: What is the vision of LOAJ? (What will readers find in each issue)?
GR: The vision is to provide cutting edge information and clinical application of Ayurvedic theory. Each issue has its own theme. In addition to the feature articles, there are case studies and herbal articles. Columns include Ayurvedic Cooking, Book and Conference Reviews, Ayurvedic News, and published Abstracts. Although the journal is dedicated to meeting the needs of Ayurvedic practitioners and students, there are always articles included for the Ayurvedic novice.
SAM: Is the journal available outside the?
GR: The journal is available by subscription internationally. It is also available as an e-journal and will very soon be available through our new web site, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com , where every subscriber can access the issue or an article even while traveling. Reference and advertising links will be active, bringing the reader instantly to the desired web site or email address.
SAM: Recently you transformed/expanded the Journal into a foundation. What inspired this vision?
GR: There are two main reasons we formed the non-profit, Light on Ayurveda Educational Foundation (LOAEF). One is the desire to expand our vision and bring the message of Ayurveda to the general public; to those searching for a practical, affordable, efficacious way to meet their health needs. We wish to see the knowledge of and about Ayurveda reach into every household. The mission of LOAEF is to promote Ayurvedic healthcare, to provide the essential communication and networking needed for Ayurveda to expand, and to support Ayurvedic education and research. The mission of Light on Ayurveda Journal is focused on meeting the needs of those who already have the basic knowledge of Ayurveda.
Our second reason is financial. We need more financial support. Creating a non-profit 501(c)(3) enables individuals to give their support and yet receive tax relief. Working through a non-profit lets others know we are serious about our mission - that our primary concern is not about making money, but about making a difference.
SAM: Do you feel your work purposeful/meaningful?
GR: Absolutely! It is most rewarding to bring the work of Ayurvedic writers into a publication that reaches people throughout the world. I love to talk with subscribers to find out what their interests are so the journal can better fulfil their expectations.
SAM: What aspects of your work bring you the greatest joy?
GR: Receiving a variety of articles, steering them through the peer review process, and crafting them into an organized whole brings so much satisfaction.
SAM: Can you discuss one instance from your work that has particularly moved you?
GR: It is difficult to single out one instance. There are amazing and sustaining instances of unselfish dedication to the production of this journal. Two individuals immediately come to mind – Dr. Martina Ziska who gives untiringly of her time to review each article that comes to my desk and who freely shares her publishing knowledge to guide the journal. William Milham has offered his talented services to develop an new web site, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com to reach out to the general public, thus assisting LOAEF with its goal of bringing Ayurveda to every home.
SAM: What dreams/visions do you have that you feel you are working toward?:
GR: The dream of helping to establish Ayurveda as a well-accepted, viable healthcare system. The dream that one day the majority of people will know and be guided by its basic principles and enjoy the resultant reward of health.
SAM: How important are other holistic/Vedic aspects in your life? (e.g., Ayurveda, Jyotish, Vastu, Sadhana, Yoga asanas, Organic, Vegetarian, Ecology, Social causes, alternative education)?:
GR: Sadhana practice and Yoga in its totality is a foundation for my daily life. Ayurveda keeps me healthy and balanced, jyotish guides me through difficult times and provides specific guidance for the development of the journal and the foundation. I have found the immense value in eating and utilizing organic foods and products – in fact, this was part of the puzzle to regain my health. About two years ago, I was finally shown how to successfully be vegetarian, a long-held desire. The state of our environment, the care of the people of this world, all concern me. I love to be in the company of like-minded people, but am aware that when I mingle with those who are unfamiliar with conscious living, I have the opportunity to spread seeds for discovery.
SAM: What is your prayer for the world?
GR: My prayer is for peace in all hearts and minds. This can happen when we establish respect and care for the earth and all its creatures.
SAM: Do you have any ‘new’ (creative) ideas to help the world in some way?
GR: We need to develop tolerance for those with other ideologies. Even those of us on fire with desire to see Ayurveda move into a more prominent place in people’s lives need to be open and respectful of other philosophies and sciences.
SAM: Anything else you wish to say?
GR: Genevieve Ryder, R.N., B.S., D.Ay.
Secretary , Light on Ayurveda Educational Foundation (LOAEF)
Editor, Light on Ayurveda Journal
P.O. Box 450
Cotuit MA 02635
Voicemail/Fax: 508-539-9288
Email: ayurveda@comcast.net
Web sites: www.loaj.com, www.HealingWithAyurveda.com
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