Ayurvedic Doctor and Founder of Surya Spa
Could you tell us a little bit about Martha’s background?
Internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic Panchakarma expert, Ayurvedic Chef, Herbal Rasayanist and master Ayurvedic Pulse diagnostician, Martha Soffer is the original founder and Ayurvedic Practitioner of Surya, who is now recognized as the western leader of modern Ayurveda. Martha’s focus on “Ayurveda for Everyday Life” is achieved through a system of practical and easy self-care, which helps each individual attain balance and wellness through healing retreats, restorative beauty, wellness and food products, and through educational guidance and support.
Working with her accomplished and gifted team of Ayurvedic therapists, Martha and the Surya team bring long-term wellness, vitality and health to clients that range from next-door neighbors to the most well-known stars of the film and entertainment industries. Surya’s reputation also draws clients from as far as Athens, London, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Moscow, all benefiting from Surya’s transformative Ayurvedic cleansing series. Martha is a recognized leader in restoring Ayurveda to its authentic, spiritual and most effective roots, and is a leading innovator in reintroducing Ayurveda as a viable modern and complementary system of wellbeing, wellness and health.
A frequent guest on the CBS talk show “The Doctors,” Martha also works with western doctors who refer patients when western medicine cannot deliver a satisfactory solution, and who often come themselves for seasonal treatments. Martha teaches and lectures, most recently for yoga luminary Shiva Rea’s Prana Flow Vinyasa Teacher Training Program, and frequently speaks on the subjects of fertility and postpartum care, as part of Surya’s Mother Baby Program.
Martha and Surya have been featured in prominent magazines and journals such as Vogue, In Style, Allure, the L.A. Times, New York Magazine and LA Yoga. Martha has appeared on many television shows, featured in leading podcasts, and has been endorsed by influential bloggers and clients such as Kourtney Kardashian, Shiva Rose in The Local Rose and Gwyneth Paltrow in Goop. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Martha is excited to bring Surya’s magic to a new Kelly Wearstler designed luxury hotel, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, currently under construction in Santa Monica, as the first of a series of planned new locations.
What is Ayurveda and which is its origin?
“Ayurveda,” meaning the science and wisdom of life, is a comprehensive system of health and well-being, born in India over 10,000 years ago. Ayurveda covers practices such as yoga, meditation and natural medicine, all of which work together to create balance and health in body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda understands and treats discomfort and disease by understanding the imbalances in our constitutions, which, in Ayurveda, are comprised of three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Derived from the elements, our doshas are the three biological energies that govern our physical and mental processes. Vata is associated with wind and air; Pitta with fire; and Kapha with the solidity of earth and water. We are all born in a perfect balance, but when any of our doshas slip out of balance, we begin to feel uneasy, and that unease, unless dealt with, will ultimately manifest as disease. Luckily, according to the ancient principals of Ayurveda, each person’s doshas can be easily rebalanced, and health and wellbeing can be restored.
Surya helps rebalance with traditional therapies and diet modifications, and allows guest to find lasting relief from issues such as excess weight, skin problems, poor digestion, restlessness, lethargy, and even more serious conditions such as Lyme’s Disease, Lupus, neurological and psychological disorders, and chronic gastrointestinal issues. However, Ayurveda is for everyone, and is extremely beneficial as general detox or seasonal preventative practice to treat imbalances before symptoms arise. One always feels remarkably energized and clear after a seasonal cleanse.
Ayurveda began with the Tamil Siddhas of Southern India, who sought a path to promote longevity. Today, Ayurveda’s value and efficacy has never been more relevant. While Western medicine is valuable, and lifesaving, Western medicine tends to treat symptoms in an attempt eradicate them. Ayurveda seeks to discover the root of the disturbance that has given rise to the symptom, understanding that any symptom is a manifestation of a core imbalance. For example, a Western doctor might treat a rash on one’s arm with the application of a steroid cream. When the rash disappears, the doctor and patient consider the problem solved.
However, in Ayurveda, the core imbalance is diagnosed, and that imbalance is treated with herbs, diet and a range of therapies, all of which are profound, restorative and healing, in a lasting way. When the fire of an aggravate Pitta is cooled, or the sluggishness of Kapha is stirred and activated, or the overstimulation of Vata is calmed, discomforting symptoms and associated disease naturally vanish, and, more importantly, so do their underlying causes.
How can Ayurveda help against the Covid pandemic? Have you seen an increase of your services since it started?
Given our current environment, here is Martha’s advice and tips for easing anxiety and boosting immunity: Stress is one of the primary factors that reduces immunity, so the absolute best thing you can do for your wellbeing right now is to soothe your nervous system. Meditation is my daily nervous system reset— at Surya we love the simplicity of Transcendental Meditation, which we do twice a day every day. It’s hugely helpful. For herbal help, I crafted a blend of soothing Anti-Anxiety Tea. Sipping on warm liquid throughout the day helps keep mucous membranes moist which fortifies your body against pathogens. One of my favorite immunity tools is Thieves Oil, a blend of antibacterial and antiviral essential oils. I apply it to my palms, cup my hands around my face, and inhale deeply. I also like to apply it to the soles of my feet and the top of my head before going to sleep so I’m fully enveloped in the scent and the protective immune benefits. I also love boiling a pot of water on the stove with antipathogenic herbs like eucalyptus, rosemary, and thyme. It smells incredible and helps to add a bit of humidity to the air. If someone feels a little itch in their throat, it can’t hurt to gargle with a hydrogen peroxide solution to kill any pathogens.
Our overall health begins with the health of our digestive system, so in Ayurveda we always begin with the most nourishing diet. When we feel stressed, our Vata (air element) is out of balance, so it’s important to eat foods that ground and warm us. When we’re feeling that stress, It’s best to avoid cold and dry foods like smoothies and popcorn, and instead opt for warm and easy-to-digest soups and sauteed vegetables. It’s also best, during those times, to avoid too much inflammatory gluten, or dairy or sugar. In Ayurveda, we often recommend Kitchari, which is made with rice, mung beans and balancing spices— it’s the ultimate Ayurvedic comfort food, delicious and easy to digest.
What is the general procedure on a treatment at Surya Spa? Could you tell us a little bit about the treatment you offer at Surya Spa?
Ayurvedic consultations are a great way to begin your journey. In a consultation, Martha, Surya’s Ayurvedic doctor, can assess your body’s core nature and imbalances, and create a plan for your unique situation, which may simply be some diet changes and herbal recommendations. For first-time clients starting a Panchakarma series, consultations are also highly advised. Martha will spend an hour and a half with you, taking your Ayurvedic pulse, starting a conversation and helping you understand what can be done to make things better, both at Surya an with easy changes at home.
Panchakarma (or PK) is the ancient Ayurvedic series of nourishing, detoxifying and restorative treatments, which, typically occur over the course of 5-21 consecutive days and dramatically improve health and wellbeing by returning balance to the body. Using the best and simplest aspects of Ayurvedic medicine through a combination of simple diet changes, herbal remedies, warm oil and other transformative daily therapies, Panchakarma lets the body rest, and open and heal. Accumulated toxins naturally fall away, health improves, longevity and wellness are strengthened, and disease is averted.
At Surya, each day of Panchakarma starts with an Abhyanga (four-handed oil therapy using individually herbalized oils) and finishes with a Shirodhara (warm herbalized oil or fresh coconut water, poured in a healing stream over the third eye to provides deep rest and restoration to the nervous system). There is also a customized basti (a light and traditional enema of oil or herbalized tea, depending on your health concerns), which helps gently remove toxins from the body. In between the warm oils of an Abhyanga and Shirodhara, you will also receive an additional healing therapy, based on your concerns and the progress in your panchakarma treatment.
Each day of Panchakarma treatment is profound and immersive, lasting about 4 hours, with sessions starting at 9:00am or 1:30pm. An organic Ayurvedic Lunch of traditional dhal, basmati rice and farmer’s market vegetables is included each day. Breakfasts and dinners can also be arranged.
Does Martha have any other projects coming soon that she would like to share with us?
Martha is excited to bring Surya’s magic to a new Kelly Wearstler designed luxury hotel, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, currently under construction in Santa Monica, as the first of a series of planned new locations.
Martha – Wellness Guide
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An amazingly restorative and truly natural face cream that nourishes & balances your largest organ — your skin — for inner and outer beauty.
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Affectionately known as liquid gold, this deeply nourishing and herbally healing Ayurvedic face oil helps your skin not only look young, but be young.
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Warm and creamy, this deeply restorative calming formula soothes, nourishes, and moisturizes.
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This calming massage and body oil helps restore mental and physical balance.
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Spiced ghee makes Ayurvedic cooking simple and delicious.
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These diagnostic urine strips provide immediate, medically-accurate results for 12 FDA-approved bio-markers.
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