“A kinder, more conscious way of living is possible.”
My Story
My journey into Ayurveda, Yoga and conscious living was never part of a grand plan.
Prijith P
Ayurveda Practitioner • Marma Therapist
Founder, The Inner Civilisations
Chapter One — Varkala, Kerala
I was born and raised in Varkala, a small coastal town in Kerala, India. Today, Varkala is known around the world for Ayurveda, Yoga and spirituality, but growing up there, I had very little interest in any of these traditions. I would see visitors arriving from different parts of the world searching for healing, Yoga and inner peace, never imagining that these same traditions would eventually shape the direction of my own life.
The First Turning Point
As a young man, I developed a persistent skin condition. Conventional treatments had not resolved it satisfactorily, and eventually I visited an Ayurvedic doctor.
The approach was different from anything I had experienced before. Rather than looking only at the condition itself, the consultation considered my diet, lifestyle and overall health. I was given herbal preparations together with dietary and lifestyle guidance. Gradually, the condition disappeared.
At the time, I didn't understand Ayurveda deeply enough to explain what had happened. But the experience stayed with me.
It was the first time I had encountered an approach to health that seemed interested not only in the symptom, but in understanding the person experiencing it.
My First Experience of Yoga
During my younger years, I had struggled with asthma. At times, my breathing difficulties were severe enough to interfere with school and ordinary daily activities. Then, almost by chance, a simple book about Yoga came into my hands.
That curiosity eventually led me to a traditional Yoga teacher in Varkala. He lived a remarkably simple life — he wasn't interested in building a reputation or presenting himself as a spiritual personality. He simply practised Yoga, meditation and disciplined living, and taught those who genuinely wanted to learn.
Over time, my breathing improved significantly. Eventually my asthma symptoms disappeared and did not return.
What is the human body capable of when we begin to understand it differently?
A Curiosity That Never Left
I continued with my education and lived an ordinary young person's life. But something had changed — I became curious. Alongside my university studies, I began reading about Ayurveda, Yoga, philosophy, astrology and palmistry. I wanted to understand why these systems had survived for generations.
It remained a personal interest rather than a professional ambition. After completing my studies, I entered the corporate world and eventually worked in Human Resources in Dubai. From the outside, everything seemed to be progressing normally. But internally, I increasingly felt that something was missing.
Returning to India
Eventually, I returned to India. During this transitional period, I spent time at a Narayanji temple reflecting on life, work and what I actually wanted to do with the years ahead of me. There was no dramatic revelation, but the period gave me space to think.
My long-standing curiosity about Ayurveda gradually began turning into a professional direction. I decided to study formally and successfully completed a Diploma in Holistic Spa Therapy.
Sometimes, it is in the stillness that we begin to understand what truly matters.
Discovering Marma
While in Goa, I met a traditional Visha Vaidya from Kerala who came from a respected family tradition of healing. He was also an accomplished Kalaripayattu Guru, Yoga teacher and Marma practitioner. What impressed me most was not the number of things he knew — it was the way he lived. He was calm, disciplined, humble and deeply committed to his tradition.
Through Marma, I began looking more closely at touch, movement, sensitivity, physical tension and the traditional Ayurvedic understanding of vital points within the body.
What impressed me most was not the number of things he knew. It was the way he lived.
Building an Ayurveda Centre
In Bangalore, I helped build and operate an Ayurveda treatment and training centre with friends. What had previously been mostly personal study suddenly became everyday professional life — we built the centre, worked with people, organised treatments and training, and managed everything from administration to marketing.
Those three years showed me how people actually approach Ayurveda — for specific health concerns, for treatment, for prevention and to understand themselves better.
Books taught me Ayurveda. People taught me how Ayurveda meets real life.
A New Chapter in Britain
I completed an MSc in International Spa Management at the University of Derby and continued my training and professional experience as an Ayurveda Practitioner — across consultations, treatments, Marma Therapy, education, administration, marketing and business development.
During my early years in Britain, my sister became one of the most important people in my journey, supporting me through visa struggles, professional transitions and beyond.
“Through changing circumstances, difficult decisions and new beginnings.”
Read more →
2020
Her passing changed the questions I asked about life, relationships, and how I used my time. I returned more deeply to meditation, breathing and spiritual practice — not as intellectual subjects, but because I needed them.
“This time, I wasn't studying them intellectually. I needed them.”
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2022 · Thirunelli, Kerala
Time for silence. Time for prayer. Time to look honestly at where my life had been and where I wanted it to go. What I returned with was something quieter: clarity.
“Body. Mind. Emotions. Relationships. Habits. Environment. Meaning. Direction.”
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The woman who later became my life partner first entered my life as a friend. Sometimes we agreed. Sometimes we didn't. And those differences were equally valuable.
“Could ancient systems of knowledge be presented in a way that genuinely helps ordinary people living modern lives?”
Read more →The Next Chapter
Ancient Knowledge. Modern Intelligence.
The Journey Continues
Inner Civilisations is the next stage of a journey that is still unfolding — a space for consultation, treatment, education, practice, workshops, programmes and retreats built around one continuing question.
How can we understand ourselves more deeply — and use that understanding to live better?
Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.
