This is an outside view of the Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital.
Hallway to Steam Bath Rooms
During the tour of the Ayurveda hospital, the dark pathway to the steam rooms.
Joint Equipment Demonstration
As our tour guide showed us around the Ayurvedic Hospital, he demonstrated the equipment used to help with joint pain.
Hydro Bath Room
One of the rooms where warm water jets are used as therapy.
Ayurveda College Entrance
Both the college and hospital were within close proximity.
Founder of JSS Hospital
Their mission statement: to provide quality care to all strata of society.
Onsite Lecture
A lecture room on Naturopathy Treatment Modalities.
Clay Therapy Room
A room filled with clay that would be used to nurture the skin and calm patients.
Massage Therapy Room Sign
Signs were announced in both local language script and in English.
Male Spinal Spray Room
Male area of Ayurvedic hospital where these tubs would spray water to treat spinal injuries.
As a futue clinical psychologist, I aimed to expand my knowledge as much as possible about different forms of healthcare, treatment, and philosphies. Both my cultural and educational experiences in India provided me first-hand experience with Eastern methods and practices of medicine. To be more specific, Ayurvedic medicine appeared to be a popularized and a heavy influence on medicinal practices; it was the prioritized as the first step to healthcare among Indian citizens--even over Western practices. The following photographs include my field experiences of exploring an Ayurvedic College and Hospital.
Mysore & Delhi Landscapes - Environment
Coffee Bean Plantation
A pathway down a typical coffee bean plantation where rural farmers would work 12 hours a day.
Rural Area Scenery
Local wildlife being taken care of at a village resort.
View of balcony in Mysore
This is a balcony view from our host PHRII of a large house overlooking other Mysore housing areas.
Cows on the Street
A shot of sacred cows spread throughout the streets of India.
Incoming Sandstorm View
An unexpected sandstorm coming in suddenly in an excursion in Delhi, India.
Market street view
A frozen snapshot of a busy side street packed with local merchants and customers.
Village Classroom View
A rural village classroom that was cleared in order to set up a cervical cancer screening camp.
Rickshaw in Delhi
A common mode of transportation in India.
Men near Falls in Mysore
Near artificial falls, men bathed in these waters during a hot day.
Fruit Market
The fruit section of a local market in Mysore, selling everything at a bargained price.
Thinking like a social psychologist, I knew to look at how the environment impacted the well-being of the indivduals in India. I was focused on deconstructing the different aspects of my surroundings--the effects of culture, poverty, nature, and weather--and try to analyze how each either supported or disrupted the ways of life for Indian citizens. Unplanned or not, I was able to experience many of these effects from India's surroundings: from a sudden sand storm, to local shops, to the resident cows of the streets. The following photographs are my visual notes regarding my surroundings in India and what I deemed important to the well-being and culture of Indian citizens.
Cultural Humility - Traditional Fashion
Asha Worker with Child
Sample Text
Welcoming Flowers Ritual
Traditional Kurta
Fancy Kurtas
Trying on a Saree
Traditional Saree for Gala
Putting on Bindis for Gala
Sample Text
Traditional Indian Jewlery
A Borrowed Wedding Turban
Unique and Varied Sarees
As per my attempts to immerse myself as much as possible into Indian culture, I took advantage of the high temperatures to purchase and wear traditional Indian clothing that beared both fashion and comfort. As per the following photographs, I wore traditional Kurtas--long, loose shirts worn with loose pants that were a popular choice for general wear in India. For more formal occasions, traditional sarees were also common to see all throughout India, as seen in the first photograph where an Asha worker (low-tier medical professional in rural villages).
