Complementary medicine expert, Malynn Utzinger takes time out to talk to Wahanda
August 21st, 2008
In the hot seat this week is Malynn Utzinger, a journalist turned doctor, and friend and wellness advisor to Wahanda. Instrumental in pushing the boundaries of complementary medicine, both in developing and teaching the first degree course of its kind at the University of Wisconsin, and in her current guise as founding member and Medical Director of Charym Integral Health, she aims to bring together the best of modern, western medicine with ancient healing traditions from around the world.
Malynn, you’ve had a full and varied career, initially studying journalism, what was it that made you enroll in medical school?
While studying journalism, I was drawn to questions of how the media affect our health and body image. My dad, a dentist, started bringing nutrition and biofeedback into his practice in the mid-70s, and my mom, an elementary school teacher, was interested in human potential—basically what would happen to kids if you treated them with respect right from the start. Eventually it became clear to me that I wanted to not only to write about health, but to sit down with others and help them make better decisions. So, after working in several health-related jobs, I went back to medical school and promised to make a difference in how medicine was taught and practiced.
The last few years have seen you work with some of the most esteemed professionals in their field, including the legendary Deepak Chopra. What did you take away from your experience with him?
Deepak Chopra is extraordinary—a man with vision and the courage and energy to support it. He also has a great sense of humor, which I’ve come to appreciate as a sign of true ‘advanced consciousnesses’. Of all the important things I took from him, I would say that he has taught me the most about simply trusting life.
You recently left Deepak Chopra to start an exciting new venture – Charym, tell all…
Charym comes from the Bhutanese word for ‘Beauty and Balance’ and is an idea, and an ideal, about health and beauty. It’s also a physical place where a person might go for a host of services related to health and beauty.
Our first location is in Litchfield, CT, where we have a yoga studio for classes that bridge yoga, pilates, and other types of movement. We also have a small spa, and a medical practice we call Integral Health. The beauty is that these services are all interconnected. People can come for a facial, for a consult for a serious disease, for a yoga class—or all of these. We’re also in the process of building in a specific track for people interested in Ayurveda —the ancient system of medicine in India.
Our ultimate goal is to develop a program that we can take to the inner cities - when we’re touching all elements of society, we’ll know we are making a difference.
Do you think society has finally accepted that Eastern and Western medicine can sit comfortably alongside one another?
Fifteen years ago, it was a struggle to explain that I was interested in holistic medicine. These days, it feels as though the door is wide open and demand is high. Even in traditional settings like hospitals and medical schools, there are programs in Integrative Medicine. Most western doctors know that even if they don’t become experts themselves in a ‘complementary’ approach, it might be helpful to understand some of the available options.
As an advisor to Wahanda, what was it that attracted you to the site?
Wahanda does a lot of things right. I love the fresh approach—not overly steeped clichéd language about the importance of mind-body-spirit, but rather using humour, lightness, and the simple presentation of really useful information. It’s designed to get right into the head of the person seeking the service, and anticipate what he or she would want to know.
I also love that Wahanda is built on the awareness that people these days are simply seeking wellness—even in their vacations! Having a site like Wahanda will help feed this cycle forward in a positive way, meaning that even more people will think of wellness first as a gift option, vacation, or quick lunch-hour treat. The more we can help people find creative ways to pursue wellness, the better off we’ll all be globally. Finally, I love the space Wahanda has created for user-driven content. You’re igniting a global conversation, and that’s fantastic.
Do you think Wahanda will face any challenges in becoming as accepted by therapists and professionals as it will be by consumers?
Well, of course some professionals can be a little threatened by the idea that a lay person is evaluating the efficacy of their therapy. At the same time, I’d say more therapists and professionals are actually interested in what people have to say. In a time when we still need more research on every aspect of medicine (traditional and holistic) it’s important to gather feedback from the people actually receiving these therapies. It is a form of research itself.
How do you unwind at the end of a long and stressful day?
A good walk is my best therapy. Sometimes a jog, but a brisk walk is my number one. I also love to cook - the more fresh veggies, herbs, olive oil and garlic, the better!
Finally, what advice or tips would you give to business owners and therapists to help improve the consumer experience?
At Charym we’ve tried to eliminate or cut down on unnecessary paperwork and replace it with genuine human interaction. I also think that although people crave a bit of pampering at a spa, it doesn’t have to be stiff or over the top. Spas can spend so much money on lavish spaces when there is a simpler version that might be just as striking and effective. And good food, I can’t say how quickly a spa experience can go downhill when the food is less than fresh and healthy. We have to remember to feed the inside as we feed the outside.
