About Dylan Smith

Dylan Smith is a devoted Ayurveda Practitioner, holistic health educator and passionate proponent of Vedic wisdom, rooted in the lush Byron Bay Shire, NSW, Australia. Since launching Vital Veda in 2014, he’s been on a mission to bring the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to life through hands-on treatments, immersive courses, rejuvenating retreats, and his popular Vital Veda Podcast. Dylan’s journey has been deeply shaped by the Raju family of South India—legendary Ayurvedic doctors whose healing traditions span generations. He continues to learn from and collaborate with them while diving deeper into the rich realms of Sanskrit and classical Ayurveda.

Known for his grounded and relatable approach, Dylan’s expertise spans continents. He connects with a global audience through online consultations, international tours, and engaging courses that transform beginners into enthusiasts and practitioners into masters.

As co-founder of One Eleven Health, Dylan inspires the daily use of precious rasayanas—herbal longevity elixirs—to elevate the way people nourish themselves. Beyond organic or high-quality food, One Eleven Health invites individuals to add a layer of sophistication to their lives by embracing the unparalleled power of these precious and refined Ayurveda formulations.

With a playful yet profound and authentic style, Dylan’s passion is helping individuals unlock the timeless principles of Ayurveda, weaving them into their lives—wherever they are in the world. Whether teaching, treating, or inspiring, Dylan’s vibrant energy and heartfelt wisdom make him a trusted guide in the art of holistic health.

Dylan Smith is a devoted Ayurvedic Practitioner and holistic health educator, rooted in the lush Byron Bay Shire, Australia, yet nearly omnipresent—thanks to the wonders of the interweb—as he consults and teaches online to a global audience. Founder of Vital Veda, Dylan blends ancient Vedic wisdom with a grounded, relatable style to help people unlock vibrant health. Trained under the legendary Raju family of South India, he shares Ayurveda through authentic treatments, immersive courses, and his popular Vital Veda Podcast, inspiring people worldwide to integrate this timeless knowledge into their lives.

The most important aspect when treating a patient is the physician (Vaidya/Bhishek).

Next in importance is the herbs (dravya), then the staff/helpers (upastata), then the patient (rogi) (their ability to surrender and adhere to the treatment plan).

This is a core Ayurvedic principle and one that I appreciate and experience.

What makes a treatment effective and profoundly change the physiology at a deep level with lasting effects is the energy, attention, purity and flow of consciousness from the physician (“Sattvic Soma”).

I love exchanging my “Sattvic Soma” with clients and witnessing profound change, from subtle to gross, in their health, wellbeing and vitality.

At Vital Veda, we are particular about only using superior herbal preperations in our recommendations and treatments for clients.

This means hygienic, purified and tested herbs that are gentle and harmonious with the body and mind while being potently effective and healing.

“I discovered Ayurveda while doing Panchakarma (an Ayurvedic detox and rejuvenation program) in India.

While undergoing my treatment in-residence, I was reading a book and came across the Vedic notion of “Dharma,” which translates to “contact.” This means acting in accordance with the need of the time. Taking today’s need and placing it in contact with my consciousness. From here actions which support the flow of evolution spontaneously occur. Actions that are the most relevant thing one could be doing, Now.

Just reading this chapter on Dharma was a significant turning point in my life, and my slight reluctance towards continuing to study architecture at university became more certain. I wanted to contact the need of the time in a more functional and profound manner.

I had loved practising Yoga, and toyed with the idea of becoming a Yoga teacher. But then I met my current Guru (teacher). His name is Vaidya Dr. J.R. Raju (Vaidya means Ayurvedic physician). He is the senior doctor at his family clinic (that I was staying at) in South India. He knew my situation and simply suggested, “Come study Ayurveda here. Krishna (his younger brother and the main Dr. at the clinic) will teach you. Don’t study anywhere else, just here.”

When someone that you respect and admire immensely, someone that when you are in his presence your nervous system resides in supreme contentedness and heart feels sensations, someone that you perceive as enlightened, when they make an offer as I received, it is not by chance. You most probably will listen, surrender and leap into action towards their direction with security from their guidance and mastery.”

Dylan studied with Australasia’s most experienced; Dr. Ajit (BAMS), at the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies (AIAS). After successfully graduating as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant (Certificate IV/Diploma), he opened the Vital Veda clinic in May 2014.

A few months after the clinic was up and running, he spent six months training and working at the Raju Family Clinic in South India, an internationally renowned family of Ayurvedic doctors. This revolutionised his Ayurvedic practice and increased the effectiveness and success rates of his treatments and prescriptions profoundly.

Since then until today, he continues to travel back and forth to the Raju Clinic in India annually to work and receive advanced teachings and initiations.