Past Events
Ayurveda in BC Community Lunch
A community gathering focused on professional standards, education, and the pathway toward regulation and licensing of Ayurveda in British Columbia.
The Ayurveda in BC Community Lunch brought together practitioners, students, and members of the public to discuss the future of Ayurveda in British Columbia, with a focus on professional standards, education, and the pathway toward regulation and licensing. This informal gathering created space for meaningful dialogue around the development of a structured and recognized Ayurvedic profession in BC.
Focus: Building a Regulated Framework
Key topics included:
- • Defining scope of practice and professional titles for Ayurvedic practitioners
- • Establishing standardized training and competency requirements
- • Aligning Ayurveda with BC healthcare regulatory frameworks
- • Ensuring public safety, accountability, and clinical competency
- • Supporting long-term goals for Ayurveda licensing and professional recognition in Canada
Strong Community Alignment
A key outcome was clear alignment among attendees on the need for:
- • Structured professional standards for Ayurveda in BC
- • A unified practitioner base through the Ayurveda Association of British Columbia
- • Defined educational pathways through the Ayurveda College of British Columbia
Discussions were constructive and solution-oriented, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing Ayurveda as a credible and regulated complementary healthcare system in British Columbia.
Next Steps
- • Expanding AABC membership to demonstrate professional representation
- • Continuing community and practitioner engagement
- • Strengthening education and training pathways through ACBC
- • Advancing a regulatory model for Ayurveda in British Columbia
Ayurveda Day Victoria 2025
A full-day celebration of Ayurveda in British Columbia with inspiring talks, a panel discussion on licensing & regulation, and community networking.
About This Event
On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Ayurveda Association of British Columbia (AABC), the Ayurveda College of BC, and Samya Spa came together at Samya Spa (Victoria, BC) for a full-day celebration of Ayurveda's heritage, its evolving place in modern health, and its future in British Columbia.
From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the event combined an open house, practitioner meetups, clinical displays, and a strong slate of presentations and a panel discussion. The open-house format allowed attendees to drop in throughout the day — to explore Samya Spa's offerings, meet practitioners, learn about the Ayurveda College, and enjoy refreshments.
Expert Panel Discussion
"Ayurveda Licensing & Regulation in British Columbia: Pathways, Challenges, and Opportunities"
The day culminated with a panel discussion and Q&A that invited robust discussion among practitioners, the audience, and AABC organizers about the future of Ayurveda's place in BC.
Key Themes & Reflections: Regulation, Opportunities & Challenges
Pros / Potential Benefits
Public safety and consumer protection — Ensuring practitioners meet minimum educational, ethical, and competency standards.
Professional legitimacy — Helping Ayurveda gain recognition within the broader health ecosystem.
Quality assurance — Preserving classical Ayurvedic heritage, avoiding "watered-down" versions.
Pathways for education and accountability — Enabling structured continuing education and recertification.
Challenges & Objections Raised
Concerns about bureaucratization — Worries that regulation might stifle the unique, individualized nature of Ayurveda.
Potential exclusion of practitioners — Resistance from those who fear not qualifying under stricter frameworks.
Risk of capture by medical-industrial interests — Skepticism that regulation could be co-opted by conventional biomedical stakeholders.
Implementation complexity — Scopes, standards, oversight bodies, and certification processes all require careful design.
Lessons & Takeaways
The event affirmed strong interest among practitioners and the public in an organized Ayurvedic presence in BC.
The panel debate underscored the urgency of having clear governance, transparent standards, and broad participation in designing regulation.
Those most grounded in authentic training and clinical practice must help build the system, so that Ayurveda remains true and accessible.
Professional Dialogue Framework: Future conferences and panels will be structured so that only registered members and invited speakers present perspectives, while the public is welcome through questions and inquiries.
This helps preserve constructive dialogue and protects the focus of professional exchange.
The day fostered networking, inspiration, and renewed commitment among attendees to collaborate on the next phase of Ayurveda's growth in BC.
Thank You to Our Speakers & Panelists
Shaughn Jenson
Registered Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner
Vaidya Sebin Johny
BAMS, MD (Panchakarma), MA (Leadership)
Vaidya Saloni Chibber
BAMS
Vaidya Shabana Noushad
BSc, BAMS, YIC, MA (Leadership)
Vaidya Anusha Mathew
BAMS, MPH
What's Next & How to Get Involved
For Practitioners
- Join AABC to participate in shaping professional standards
- Apply for faculty or advisory positions
- Participate in upcoming governance discussions
For Public & Students
- Attend future AABC events and workshops
- Explore educational opportunities at Ayurveda College of BC
- Stay informed about Ayurveda developments in BC
Ready to Get Involved?
Join the Ayurveda Association of British Columbia and help shape the future of Ayurveda in our province.