At your appointment, you will fill out a questionnaire to help determine your constitution (your physical and psychological tendencies and the way your body works to stay healthy) and system imbalances. The doctor will examine you, do pulse diagnosis and then give you a personalized management plan that may include one or more Ayurvedic approaches.

In Ayurveda, dietary recommendations are personalized to your individual constitution and any imbalances in your system.

Prana is considered the vital force of life. Pranayama includes breathing practices that aim to balance or increase your life force. These exercises are personalized to suit different people. Pranayama helps your health and all aspects of life by enhancing your vital force.

Hari Sharma, MD, of the Ohio State Center for Integrative Health teaches Spontaneous Meditation, which helps you get in touch with your inner Self. You do not need to change your behavior, diet, religion or belief system to practice Spontaneous Meditation, which aims to strengthen and support both the mind and body to enhance health and well-being. In this program you will also learn a breathing exercise.

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Ayurveda is extremely safe when provided and supervised by an experienced practitioner.

More health plans are paying for Ayurvedic care when a licensed physician provides it. The Ohio State University employee health plan, for instance, covers Dr. Hari Sharma’s office visits. Check with your insurer to find out your coverage.

An FSA or HRA may be utilized for Ayurveda as well. An FSA is an account that you put money into and spend as needed on self-pay health care expenses – such as acupuncture – tax-free. If you are interested in signing up for an FSA, consult your insurance provider or employer. Additionally, some employers offer an HRA for their employees. This is an employer-funded, tax-free health benefit that reimburses employees for expenses not covered by insurance.