Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system which has been at the forefront of the country’s approach to wellbeing for over five thousand years. It is founded on the belief that illness or disease is caused by an energy imbalance within our mind, body, or psyche.
In Sanskrit, ‘ayur’ means life and ‘veda’ is knowing or knowledge, so Ayurveda can be summed up as ‘knowing life’ and being connected to the planet.
Though as Anita Kaushal, founder of Ayurveda brand Mauli Rituals notes, the pandemic has led it to gain serious pace in London. “When we launched in 2015, few people understood Ayurveda, but we carried on staying true to our belief that prevention is far better than cure. As our health service could not cope I believe people finally realised the answer is within. We are all unique and by studying what works for us, we can take charge of our health.”
Plus, the principles of Ayurveda are currently being thrust further into the limelight as several high-profile celebrities have spoken about living by them. On her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Markle said she had an Ayurvedic doctor during her pregnancies with children Lilibet and Archie, which she says taught her to see “food as medicine.”
While Oprah is known to work with high-profile Ayurvedic practitioner Deepak Chopra, and to have headed to the Himalayas to visit Ananda, which hosts a renowned Ayurvedic Rejuvenation and Immunity Booster Programme.
Like the host and producer, plenty of Londoners who are dissatisfied with mainstream medicine’s ability to help with woes caused by modern living have begun to travel specifically to seek out Ayurvedic doctors. They’re heading in droves to health and spa hotels in India and Sri Lanka, or to new retreats founded on Ayurvedic principles everywhere from Tuscany to Mallorca.
As a city we’re no strangers to burnout, stress and illness, so it’s no wonder so many people are looking for alternatives to Western medicine. Plus, when an ever-growing number of high-tech and AI-powered treatments are emerging, hands-on care and face-to-face interaction can feel like a reassuring alternative.
“In an age of information overload and quick-fix wellness trends, Ayurveda is gaining attention from A-listers and health-conscious Londoners alike. Its growing appeal reflects a wider shift: people are turning to more thoughtful, natural, and personalised approaches to wellbeing,” says Anu Paavola, founder of Jivita Ayurveda Clinic & Spa in North London.
“Ayurveda strips away the noise and offers something refreshingly simple, wellness that works in rhythm with your body and the world around you,” she adds.
“Rather than prescribing rigid diets or one-size-fits-all plans, it is built on common sense: eat with the seasons, live in tune with your environment, and create daily habits that support long-term health. It’s not about restriction or guilt, but about understanding yourself and making choices that feel both balanced and joyful,” explains Paavola.
And unlike the many restrictive diets or biohacking treatments out there she says it “offers a grounded, intuitive way to feel better and live better.”
So if you want to start your Ayurveda journey without making a pilgrimage a la Oprah, these are the expert-approved clinics and treatments to try in London. As Paavola, points out: “Ayurveda works best when it’s local, lived, and woven into your everyday routine, not when it feels like something you have to escape your life to experience.”
Jivita Ayurveda Clinic & Spa, Kensal Rise
Plenty of fellow specialists sing the praises of Paavola’s clinic. With 20 years’ experience, she specialises in chronic diet and lifestyle related conditions and founded the Jivita Academy of Ayurveda in 2017. Her centre in North London offers Panchakarma detoxification and rejuvenation programmes, which make Ayurveda easy to integrate into daily life.
You can also book in for beauty and body treatments to help you find balance, from full-body lymphatic drainage to detox massages.
89 Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3ND. jivitaayurveda.com
Kama Ayurveda, Notting Hill
Run by Dr Shivani Misr, who has more than 17 years experience in Ayurveda and a bachelor's in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery gained in India, Kama is a beautiful West London spa space offering treatments and consultations. Think hair and neck oil massages and consultations with the team which delve into your dosha. You can also book these sessions online to learn how to start pursuing better health via Ayurvedic principles.
207 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE. kamaayurveda.com
Triyoga, multiple locations
Yoga and Ayurveda go hand in hand, and as one of the city’s most established schools, Triyoga has treatment rooms offering massages rooted in its principles. Try a revitalising abhyanga massage to soothe the nervous system with a steady stream of warm oil poured over the forehead. Or book in for a Uzhichil Kalari deep-tissue treatment.
Alternatively, try Ayurvedic oiling at home. Dr Misri explains the principles here.
