Marion Malle has been involved with Ayurveda since 2012. After her diploma studies in languages (Italian & Spanish), she worked for 10 years at an international level in project management before she started her training as an Ayurveda wellness practitioner. Since October 2022 she has been managing the representative office of the European Academy of Ayurveda in Austria and teaches Ayurveda massage. She has been working as an independent Ayurveda practitioner since 2016 and has been running her own practice with a focus on Ayurveda women's health in the center of Vienna since 2020. She is always amazed at how lively, contemporary and suitable for everyday use Ayurveda is and how much Ayurveda strengthens each individual in their individuality.
Marion, what fascinates you about Ayurveda? How did you catch fire?
I had a burnout in 2010 and at that time I was still unfamiliar with the connection between body and mind. Once I had worked through the burnout mentally, I had a physical breakdown. I've always had a strong connection to naturopathic systems, I grew up with homeopathy and herbs, I've always studied Eastern medicine and so this time my inner compass led me to an Ayurveda nutrition consultation. This was the absolute game changer for me and I immediately got involved, went for regular Ayurvedic massages, consulted an Ayurvedic doctor who supported me with phytotherapy, resumed my yoga practice and changed a few things in my life.
Three months later, I was well again - in fact, I was better than ever before. I had energy, joie de vivre, strength and was mentally and physically strong again. That really fascinated and impressed me. During my recovery process, I had already started to study Ayurveda more intensively and the decision to embark on a new path in life with Auyrveda was made quite quickly. That same year, I began training as an Ayurveda wellbeing practitioner in Austria. Sometimes it takes crises to realize that you have to change something. In hindsight, I'm grateful for my burnout, because without it I wouldn't be here now. With a job that I love, that I enjoy and that makes me happy.
What prospects do Ayurveda graduates currently have in Austria? Do you still see potential here?
The prospects are regulated in Austria. However, this also serves to ensure quality. Our Ayurveda wellbeing practitioners have in-depth knowledge and a high level of expertise. After all, there are 765 hours of training in a minimum training period of three years. This not only makes it possible to work in a hotel, Ayurveda resort or as a spa attendant, but also to run your own practice in Austria. In the meantime, I have noticed that Ayurveda itself no longer needs to be explained. The situations in which Ayurveda was confused with aloe vera are fortunately a thing of the past. And Ayurvedic cuisine is no longer a purely "Indian" subject. People's awareness has changed and this naturally also holds great potential for us practitioners.
Who are our training courses and seminars aimed at? What should our students bring with them?
You need to be interested and enjoy something new. Ayurveda opens your eyes and heart. It is like going back to the origins, back to nature. The knowledge of life, the knowledge of the connections between food and its effects on the body and psyche. The knowledge of touch and applications on the body. Anyone who is interested in their own health can find seminars with us that support them in life and make life a little more beautiful.
Ayurveda offers everything that we generally find attractive: wisdom that is thousands of years old, easy to use, sensual and rich in meaning and a great variety of flavors for connoisseurs. It is beneficial on all levels, benefiting body, mind and soul.
