Introducing NAMA VEDAtalks

For the first time ever, NAMA is putting together a closing session with TED-style talks. This session will take place at the conclusion of the on-site Annual Conference, on Sunday, April 24, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We have invited seven current members to share their stories and experiences. Our community comes from all walks of life and we hope that you will find inspiration and encouragement while you learn from these first-hand accounts of their Ayurvedic journeys.

the presenters

We are delighted to hear from Kadiatou Sibi, CAP, Jeannine Rashidi, CAP, Anjali Deva, CAP, Elizabeth Eisenberg, CAP, MSG, Sisira K Amarasinghe, PhD, Naomi Uchida-Boas, and Laila Jewayni, CAHC. Learn more about the presenters below and don’t miss this special closing session presentation!

Kadiatou Sibi, CAP (she/her), is a NAMACB board certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and a Reiki Practitioner and founder of Los Angeles-based AWOW, A Web of Wellness.

Jeannine Rashidi, CAP, founder of Goodbye Tension and Doctor student at Kerala Ayurveda Academy, has been practicing for 19 years, guiding others towards physical, mental, emotional, and digestive relief. Her best-selling book, Abundance Beyond Trauma, showcases the EDHIR® process that she developed for Sattvavajaya Chikitsa.

Anjali Deva, CAP, is an Ayurvedic practitioner currently residing in Los Angeles. Her private practice, Rooted Rasa, specializes in an integrative and trauma-informed approach to Ayurveda. Anjali founded Mādhya Way, a school for Ayurveda. She is dedicated to sharing the Wisdom of Ayurveda for the benefit of all living beings.

Elizabeth Eisenberg, CAP, MSG, apprentice in Chinese Medicine, is a seasoned healthcare practitioner. She blends evidence-based practice with intuitive awareness of her client's needs. She’s dedicated to finding solutions that are customized to the physical and emotional uniqueness of the individual.

Sisira K Amarasinghe, PhD, is a Biomedical Engineering specialist currently heading up a next generation Robotics Surgery Software platform in a leading global healthcare organization. He became interested in Vedic astrology a few decades ago and was recently honored by American College of Vedic Astrology with the title of Jyotish Navaratana. He is currently pursuing his Ayurveda Practitioner certification with Kerala Ayurveda Academy, USA.

Naomi Uchida-Boas, CAP, is Clinical Faculty in the Ayurveda Program at the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), and is founder of HEAL Ayurveda in West Los Angeles. Naomi is a board certified Ayurveda Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Jyotishi/ Vedic Astrologer, Reiki Master, and Biomagnetic Therapy Practitioner. Naomi is passionate about empowering individuals with the tools to live optimally through Ayurvedic nutrition, herbs, lifestyle, energy healing and therapeutic body treatments.

Laila Jewayni, CAHC, MA, RYT-200, is an Afghan-American holistic wellness educator, humanitarian & writer. For nearly a decade, she worked in refugee resettlement & international development. Laila has lived in seven countries & traveled to over forty, spending much of her time learning about the problems that the most vulnerable face.

 
 

Join Us For Our 18th Annual Conference! April 22- 24, 2022 + Post conference event april 25

 

Reminder: If traveling to Arizona will not be possible for you, we’ve also developed a Virtual Conference Day on Saturday, April 23! You will see one Featured Presentation live, and receive access to the other two after the event. You will also have access to the recording of this very special Closing Session. Learn more →

Latest Article Publication: Teaching the Full Wealth of Ayurveda in the Modern Western World

by Nidhi Pandya, CAP

“I consume ashwagandha, thus I practice Ayurveda.”

“I follow Ayurveda. I have taken a dosha quiz online.”

“I like what Ayurveda has to offer, but I find it very restrictive and daunting.” 

I have lost count of the number of times I have heard such statements. Given its vast scope and accessibility, it’s surprising how completely misunderstood and underutilized Ayurveda is here in the West. To put it into perspective, 36 million Americans practice or have tried yoga and 65 million have explored Traditional Chinese Medicine, while only 250,000 Americans have dabbled in Ayurveda. Given the potential that Ayurveda holds, this number boggles my mind.

Upon investigation and introspection, I found that Ayurveda is often presented in a very dogmatic and counterintuitive form. How did a health preserving and nurturing science that was meant to be intuitive, get so far removed from its original intent? This question led me to look back into my own childhood. My grandfather, being an Ayurvedic healer in Mumbai, introduced me to Ayurveda when I was still a baby. As a result, I was taught this natural healing science like one learns a first language, effortlessly through immersion. This approach eventually brought me to an epiphany: Ayurveda needs to be passed on as a science, not with a list of practices or prescriptions. Rather, it should be passed on as a complete set of principles that can be applied to all aspects of one’s life.  

Join Us In Tucson, Arizona!

Our 18th Annual Conference Ayurveda for Family Health will be held April 22-24, 2022 in sunny, beautiful Tucson, Arizona. We will be gathering at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, which offers luxury amenities and access to the gorgeous landscape. It is located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert National Park in a pristine setting studded with the famed saguaro cactus and dappled with the vivid colors of southwestern sunrises and sunsets.

In addition to the pool and fitness center, the full-service spa offers relaxing treatments such as body wraps, facials, eye treatments, massages, manicures, and pedicures.

Each of the resort rooms feature plush bedding, marble bathrooms, sitting areas, and flat-screen TVs — perfect for relaxing and resting between sessions. The best part? NAMA has negotiated a special discounted rate for conference attendees!

Learn more about the Conference Venue →

 
 

Join Us For Our 18th Annual Conference! April 22- 24, 2022 + Post conference event april 25

 

Reminder: If traveling to Arizona will not be possible for you, we’ve also developed a Virtual Conference Day on Saturday, April 23! You will see one Featured Presentation live, and receive access to the other two after the event. Learn more →

Apply Today to Become a NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist

NAMA is excited to announce that the Interim Application period for the NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist (AYT) designation is now open.

To apply, you must be a NAMA Professional Member who has been integrating Yoga Therapy into your Ayurvedic practice and client protocols. Applicants must be able to document their training and experience in the integration of Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy to earn the NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist designation. 

To qualify for this designation, Professional Members will need to provide the following:

  1. Current C-IAYT certification or documentation of completion of a 650-hour Yoga Therapy training program (i.e., 650 hours beyond the 200 hours completed during Yoga Teacher training). Please see the list of accredited Yoga Therapy programs as an example of the education needed.

  2. Professional letters of reference

  3. Case studies

  4. Payment of the $25 application fee

Once earned, the AYT designation requires annual payment of $25 in AYT dues in addition to NAMA Professional Membership dues (i.e., AHC dues are $170; AHC AYT dues are $25 for a total of $195 per year). 

The application process will remain open until at least February 15, 2023. 

AYT application questions can be sent to Jolynne Flores, NAMA Membership Manager. 

If you are interested in becoming a NAMA Professional Member or would like to verify your membership, please contact Jolynne Flores, NAMA Membership Manager.  

Free Viewing Period for All Conference Attendees

Did you know that on-site Annual Conference registration (Ayurveda for Family Health: April 22-24, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona) includes a 14-day viewing period of ALL the presentations?

Because we want to offer more to onsite attendees and many live sessions are offered concurrently, we will provide all onsite attendees access to the fantastic sessions and presenters they may have missed and those they want to hear again.

Post Conference: Viewing Period and Purchases

After the conference has concluded, recordings will be posted on the NAMA website and access instructions will be provided by email to onsite attendees. Professional Members can earn even more PACE credits for watching the recordings and passing the corresponding quizzes during the 14-day viewing period. 

Videos will be available for purchase after the viewing period ends – and, as always, attendees will receive a big discount on recordings.

PACE and Conference

  • NAMA Professional members will automatically earn 15 PACE credits for attending the onsite conference. Staff will post credits to your account.

  • Three additional PACE credits will be awarded for each pre-and post-conference practicum session registration.

  • Professional Members can also earn up to 12 pace credits (1-2 credits per session, depending on length) by watching the recording and passing the corresponding quizzes during the 14-day viewing period.

  • Credits will be applied to the 2020-2021 cycle if your requirements are not yet fulfilled. If you have completed the requirements for 2020-2021, you will earn credits for the 2022-2023 cycle.

Don’t forget the 2020-2021 PACE cycle deadline has been extended to June 30, 2022!

 
 

Join Us For Our 18th Annual Conference! April 22- 24, 2022 + Post conference event april 25

Reminder: If traveling to Arizona will not be possible for you, we’ve also developed a Virtual Conference Day on Saturday, April 23! You will see one Featured Presentation live, and receive access to the other two after the event. Learn more →

Introducing the Insights Blog

new membership platform

We are proud to announce that NAMA’s new Insights Blog has launched! This is the culmination of many hours of work from the Board, Communications and Membership Committees, and NAMA Staff. Insights is the new home of our popular Articles series, as well as two new types of posts: Member Guest Blogs and Member Spotlights. The new page features in-depth articles for our audience of experienced practitioners, introductory and foundational-level resources written by current NAMA members, and inspiring interviews with our diverse and talented membership.

Click on INSIGHTS in the top bar menu and get in touch if you’d like to contribute or get involved!

Ayurvedic Doctor Board Certification Beta Exam Launch

The NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) is pleased to announce the launch of our Ayurvedic Doctor Board Certification Beta Exam!

This highly anticipated exam will take the Ayurvedic profession in the United States to new heights as it will be the highest-level certification possible for Ayurvedic professionals. The NAMACB has worked tirelessly, with the help of generous volunteers, to ensure that the exam is fair and credible and will establish an acceptable standard for Ayurvedic Doctors practicing in the U.S.

The live AD Board Certification Exam comes in two parts—the first part testing foundational principles and the second part testing Ayurvedic Doctor specific competencies. For the AD Beta Exam, we are testing only the second part of the AD Board Certification Exam.  

We would like to invite those who are eligible to sign up for the exam at a reduced rate of $100!

Ayurvedic Practitioners who have been practicing Ayurveda for at least 5–10 years and have received additional training in either formal or informal ways may be eligible to sit for the Ayurvedic Doctor Board Certification Beta Exam. Please refer to the AD Beta Exam criteria to see if you qualify.

The AD Board Certification Beta Exam will be a pass/fail exam, meaning that applicants will find out whether they passed only after the number of exam takers has reached a critical mass and we have established the cut-off for a passing score. If you fail the AD Beta Exam, you will have an opportunity to retake the exam for $100 once it goes live (as opposed to the full price of $200).

You can apply here today: https://www.namacb.org/schedule-exam.

Here is the AD Study guide – this page also provides a link to a recording of our AD Beta Exam info session, which was held on January 17, 2022. As part of your exam preparation, you should also review the AD Reference Guide.

The deadline to apply for the Ayurvedic Doctor Board Certification Beta Exam is June 30, 2022. Once you have applied, you will have three months to schedule and take your exam.

Thank you for helping set a solid foundation for our profession to flourish in the United States! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to Laila Jewayni (NAMACB Administrator) at namacb@ayurvedanama.org.  

 

It’s Black History Month – Spotlighting Some of NAMA’s Black Members

diversity equity inclusion nama ayurveda

In celebration of Black History Month and its 2022 theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” NAMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is spotlighting some of our Black members.

Black History Month is a special time of year to recognize and acknowledge those in the Black community who are making a difference in their homes, their communities, and the world. And as an organization devoted to equity and inclusion and to bringing attention to the profiles and voices of people of color, we want to take this opportunity to spotlight some of NAMA’s Black members and the work they are doing in the world.

So, we asked them to share their stories and what practicing Ayurveda and living its truths means to them.

Waverly Pierce-Kemp, CAP

black history month ayurveda nama

Waverly Pierce-Kemp, CAP, of Sacramento, CA, is a NAMACB board certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Panchakarma Specialist, and licensed Esthetician. She helps others navigate the myriad of choices for anti-aging treatments, health and skincare therapies, and lifestyle recommendations. She is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda and Citrus Heights Beauty.

At a young age, I felt a connection between the environment, diet, lifestyle, illness, and disease. Certain times of the year triggered my brother’s asthma attacks. I suffered from certain foods that I ate. I watched sadness overcome my grandmother after the passing of my grandfather. Studying diseases from an Ayurvedic perspective later helped me bring clarity to what I observed and experienced.

As a licensed Esthetician, I often marvel at how during a facial, some people drift off to sleep; while others just laugh and talk or become impatient and eventually share how difficult it is for them to relax. It wasn’t until I attended an Ayurvedic skincare training that I discovered how the doshas inform behavior. I wanted to learn more and soon discovered the California College of Ayurveda.

During my internship, I met a doctor who was also a spiritual healer. My mother had “terminal” cancer, and I was told I should take her home and put her affairs in order. Instead, we went to have her seen by this doctor/spiritual healer. He and I talked and prayed about my Ayurvedic journey. As we prepared to go home, I asked him; “So. This is it? What should I do after we get home?” He smiled and said, “You know what to do.” He was right. I had a good Ayurvedic education. My mother celebrated her 90th birthday in April 2021.

For quite some time there’s been a “forgetting” in this world of our connectedness with God/Spirit. A sensory overload about what’s right and wrong, leading to challenging emotions and “failure of intelligence.” If each one of us completed a comprehensive Ayurvedic Assessment early in life, we could use this knowledge to better understand ourselves, others. and the world around us.

Tesia Love, CAP, LMT

Tesia Love, CAP, LMT, 500-RYT, is a NAMACB board certified Ayurvedic Practitioner from Charlotte, NC, and a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda, Duke Integrative Medicine’s Integrative Health Coach training, and numerous other programs. She served as chair of NAMA’s Membership Committee, Continuing Education Subcommittee, and Diversity & Inclusion Committee (www.tesialove.com @tesialovewellness).  

Complete this sentence: Ayurveda is…

Ayurveda is wisdom. Ayurveda is beauty. Ayurveda is a path and an approach that is for anyone anywhere, because it is for humanity, and that's one of the things that I love about it.  

What inspired you to practice and share Ayurveda?

Ayurveda’s simplicity and Ayurveda’s beauty are what inspire me to practice and to share Ayurveda. And by that I mean when people are out there looking for solutions to better health and well-being, it can be really confusing because there are so many different approaches and so many different aspects . . . whether it’s nutrition, herbs, bodywork, et cetera.

I've found that people get confused, but Ayurveda brings together all the different aspects of wellness and makes it make sense for YOU . . . for the individual. So, it (Ayurveda) has a way of bringing clarity to how one can get and achieve better health. So that's definitely one of the things that inspires me to share Ayurveda. 

 
 

Ray Booker, CAP

black history month ayurveda nama

Ray Booker, CAP, native to Louisiana, is a NAMACB board certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, graduate of The Ayurvedic Institute, and holder of Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy and Food as Medicine certificates. He is a professional musician and founder and director of the Jazz Fighting Hunger Project, which has helped to serve over 450,000 meals.  

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

One of my musical mentors, Mr. Clon Von Fitz said, “If you don’t know what to play, don’t play anything.” This perspective may seem to be counterintuitive when we are faced with challenging or unknown situations. We often have a compulsion to DO something. There is a saying that “Nature abhors a vacuum.” So does Grace. By creating space within and without, we allow for the flow of Grace, which is life changing. Compulsive and ego-driven behaviors are dissolved in the simple act of Surrender. Sometimes you just don’t play anything. 

What book, website, or person MOST inspires your life and practice?

Roy Eugene Davis, the founder of Center for Spiritual Awareness and a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, has most inspired my life and approach to Āyurveda. The 25 years I spent with Roy observing and experiencing how he lived his life, taught, and shared his knowledge with others freely (purely on a donation basis), and how he was a living example of Truth were truly a gift. His inspiration and influence are profound, and my gratitude is joyful and endless. His book, Life Surrendered in God (The Philosophy and Practices of Kriya Yoga), is my “rock” when questions arise and for continued study. It is also a wonderful commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. 

What inspired you to practice and share Ayurveda?

When I discovered that many of my practical and spiritual approaches to living were based in Āyurveda, I was hooked. After spending two years at The Āyurvedic Institute I knew that Āyurveda would be woven into the fabric of my life.

Kadiatou Sibi, CAP

Kadiatou Sibi, CAP (she/her), is a NAMACB board certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and a Reiki Practitioner and founder of Los Angeles-based AWOW, A Web of Wellness.

I founded A Web of Wellness, a health and wellness practice that helps people achieve and sustain optimal health because these practices help my family thrive.

My roots are held in Julangel, The Gambia, West Africa. and reached the U.S. via New York City. I am a mother of three children, two of whom have special needs. My lineage of healers originates from my family in Mauritania and The Gambia, West Africa.

In college, I found my voice (literally) and traveled the country as the lead singer for the band Belizbeha. Following a successful career in media, entertainment, and teaching, I focused on entrepreneurism to launch A Web of Wellness.

The journey of recovering from childhood trauma led me to formally study Ayurveda at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Currently, I am inspired to codify Traditional African Medicine.

My practice is located in the Historic Landmark, Leimert Park Village, in Los Angeles, CA.

 
 

Chara Caruthers, CAP, C-IAYT, ERYT-500

Chara Caruthers, CAP, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP; Level 2 Yoga Teacher (Yoga Australia), is a passionate and outspoken voice for the power of living your truth. She has studied, practiced, and taught yoga and Ayurveda around the globe and has inspired a global community of people to live juicier, more connected lives by embracing the responsibility we all have to know and love ourselves.

Ayurveda is…

Ayurveda is empowerment. I believe that what’s missing in our approach to healing and well-being the world over is a sense of agency. Ayurveda is a framework for empowering individuals to know and love themselves. At its core it offers a sense of empowerment to all that live and practice its principles. There’s nothing more inspiring to me than that! 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

The best advice I’ve ever received is to live in the questions. One of my favorite yoga teachers told me this at the end of my yoga teacher training. At the time (a long time ago) I didn’t know what she meant. Now, years later, it’s something that I endeavor to do every day and something that I invite my clients and students to do as well. 

How do you believe Ayurveda can shape or change the world?

I believe Ayurveda has the potential to change the face of healthcare as we know it. I often call it the ancient healthcare of the future. Given the current state of health around the globe, a shift in the way we look at well-being and longevity will be required to change the trajectory that we’re on. Moving from a symptoms management mind-set to a prevention mind-set will require an approach and set of tools that start with getting curious about who we are as individuals, what we care about, and how and why we make the choices we do. Ayurveda is the perfect blueprint for supporting this way of thinking, living, and being in action, starting with small things that we do every day.

 
 

get involved

A fair, equitable and diverse world starts with YOU. NAMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee invites you to join us in our efforts to promote and reflect equality, empathy, allyship, and love in the ways that we live and work. You can take a step toward embracing anti-racism awareness and action by taking our free DEI training for NAMA Members. 

Thank you.

2022 Conference Volunteer Application Is Open

NAMA Members who register for the full conference and would like to be more involved with its execution are invited to serve as conference volunteers. Volunteers will receive a $100 rebate on their conference registration fee, upon completion of your assignment, after the conference.

What’s the process to become a volunteer?

  1. Register for the conference!

  2. Review the volunteer roles (below), and consider which one(s) you'd like to play.

  3. Complete and submit the conference volunteer application (below)

  4. The volunteer manager will follow up with you.

  5. Attend the conference volunteer orientation on March 21 at 5 PM Pacific (online).

  6. In the weeks leading up to the conference, you'll be prompted to review and finalize the volunteer schedule.

  7. Arrive at the conference early to check in as a volunteer and receive in-person volunteer trainings as needed.

How much time is required?

During the conference, volunteers should expect to devote approximately 4 to 12 hours.

What skills are required?

In addition to effective verbal communication skills, the ability to adapt to schedule changes is helpful. Leadership skills can also be helpful, as volunteers often serve as guides who direct the flow of traffic during the conference. We believe every NAMA Member already has the sufficient skills to volunteer. If any additional skills are needed, then we can train you.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

  • Use your skills to help execute a safe and worthwhile Ayurvedic conference.

  • Receive a $100 rebate.

  • Connect more with Ayurvedic leaders, speakers, staff, and fellow volunteers.

  • Exercise your leadership skills.

What volunteer roles are available?

  • Registration Monitor: Help register/check in attendees and answer basic questions about the conference. This role is performed before and after sessions, never during.

  • Session Monitor: Arrive at the session 30 minutes early to inform the presenter that you'll be monitoring their session by doing the following:

    • Keep track of time to ensure that the session does not go overtime.

    • Take responsibility for the laptop assigned to the session.

    • Respond to any needs that may arise during the session and serve as a liaison between the session room and the hotel management.

  • Meal Monitor: Check badges at the lunch/dinner entrance to ensure that only registered attendees enter the meal space. In other words, be a sattvic bouncer.

  • Videographer Assistant: Arrive at your session 15 minutes early to set up the recorder and record the session. You'll be trained prior to the conference to use the recorder. No previous experience is necessary.

  • Floater: Assist the volunteer manager in ensuring that all volunteer needs are met and be available to fulfill any volunteer needs that arise.

  • Sponsors & Exhibitors Assistant: Work directly with the Sponsors & Exhibitors manager to support the conference sponsors and exhibitors.

 

Apply to Become a NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist

nama ayurveda yoga therapy professional

NAMA is excited to announce that the Interim Application period for the NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist (AYT) designation will start on February 15, 2022.

To apply, you must be a NAMA Professional Member who has been integrating Yoga Therapy into your Ayurvedic practice and client protocols. The applicant must be able to document their training and experience in the integration of Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy to earn the NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist designation. 

To qualify for this designation, Professional Members will need to provide the following:

  1. Current C-IAYT certification or documentation of completion of a 650-hour Yoga Therapy training program (i.e., 650 hours beyond the 200 hours completed during Yoga teacher training); please see the list of accredited Yoga Therapy programs.

  2. Professional letters of reference 

  3. Case studies

  4. Payment of the $25 application fee

Once earned, the AYT designation requires annual payment of $25 in AYT dues in addition to NAMA Professional Membership dues (i.e., AHC dues are $170; AHC AYT dues are $25 for a total of $195 per year). 

The application process will open on February 15, 2022, and will remain open for at least
one year. 

AYT application questions can be sent to Jolynne Flores, NAMA Membership Manager. 

If you are interested in becoming a NAMA Professional Member or would like to verify your membership, please contact Jolynne Flores, NAMA Membership Manager. 

Can’t find what you are looking for?