Upcoming Events from Our Affiliate Organizations

NAMA is proud to promote the enriching events of our State & Affiliate Associations. The following organizations will be hosting events in the coming months:

**NOW 30% OFF

The California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM) is hosting an online International Conference, Conscious Health with Ayurveda Masters, July 23-24, 2022. All attendees will have access to the recordings for one year, NAMA members receive a 20% discount (see the Discount Provider page for more details) and Professional Members can get PACE credits!

Learn More →
Download Conference Information →

CAAM is also offering Ayurveda Professionals an Investment in your Future, supporting you to grow your Ayurveda Business to its next level.

AYURVEDA BUSINESS LIFESTYLE DESIGN'
June 17-Sept 30th - 4 month Course
Fridays 8am-9.30am, with recordings

Learn more →

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The Colorado Ayurvedic Medical Association (COLORAMA) is organizing its Annual Conference:

AYURVEDA & INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES TO MENTAL HEALTH
This event will be hosted in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, October 8-9, 2022 at the Millennium Harvest House in Boulder.

Learn more →

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The Texas Ayurveda Professional Association (TAPAS) will be celebrating the International Day of Yoga!

Join TAPAS & Kamalesh Ginger Hooven on June 25, 2022. This event is free for all NAMA and TAPAS members.

Learn more →

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Visit NAMA’s Find An Affiliate Organization page to learn more about all of our affiliate and state organizations. Check their websites often for upcoming events, programs and conferences!

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AD Board Certification Beta Exam Is Open – Apply Today

With the February 1, 2022, launch of the Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) board certification beta exam, the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) is finally in the last phase of creating a path to board certification for Ayurvedic professionals!

Apply today.

Ayurvedic Doctor board certification constitutes the highest level of certification possible for Ayurvedic professionals. With the help of generous volunteers, the NAMACB has worked tirelessly to ensure that the exam is fair and professionally credible. Ayurvedic Doctor board certification will establish an acceptable standard for ADs practicing in the U.S.

Once the beta phase is complete, the live AD board certification exam will launch. It will come in two parts—the first part testing foundational principles and the second part testing Ayurvedic Doctor–specific competencies. It will cost $525.

The AD beta exam is testing only the second part—Ayurvedic Doctor–specific competencies.  

Those who are eligible for the AD beta exam can apply at the 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 beta exam is a pass/fail exam. Applicants will find out whether they passed only after there is a critical mass of exam takers and the cutoff score has been established.

If you fail the AD beta exam, you may retake the exam for $100 (versus the full price of $200) once the live AD exam is launched.

Apply for the AD beta exam today.

There is an AD exam study guide and link to a recording of our AD Beta Exam info session available. As part of your exam preparation, you should also review the AD Reference Guide.

The deadline to apply for the AD board certification beta exam is June 30, 2022. Once you are qualified to sit for the exam, you will have three months to schedule and take it.

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 Seva Van Way, NAMACB Administrator.  

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Announcing DEI Conscious Conversations | Join Us June 9

NAMA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is thrilled to announce the launch of Conscious Conversations, a NAMA community town hall–style event on subjects that are vitally important to us all. DEI invites you to engage in these conversations to listen, learn, contribute, and actively create positive change. We will explore questions/topics like these:

• What does it mean to be inclusive?

• How do we celebrate diversity and build social cohesion and harmony?

• What can we learn from each other as we move toward creating a more inclusive culture and where and how can we do this?

  • Organization (NAMA)

  • Practice as Ayurveda practitioners

  • Ayurveda focused businesses and schools

  • Communities

Join us for these conversations that will help us all collectively raise our social consciousness and foster connections with one another.

What Are DEI Conscious Conversations? 

Conscious Conversations will collectively explore the landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion within NAMA and our Ayurvedic community. They are an opportunity to ask questions, share stories, and learn from each other about the elements, processes and opportunities of creating change together. 

Our hope is to support NAMA members in understanding what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean, look, and feel like for those living, studying, and practicing Ayurveda in the world today. We want to create a safe space for asking questions and sharing experiences in a supportive and intentional container of community. Participating in Conscious Conversations is an opportunity to take steps toward bringing about the change we wish to see in the world. 

When Do We Begin?

Join us June 9 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time for a Conscious Conversation about 

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IN AYURVEDA 

We’ve invited Ramkumar Kutty, BAMS; Robert Svoboda, BAMS; and Claudia Welch, DOM; joint authors of a November 2021 article entitled “Appropriation in Ayurveda”, to join us in our exploration of this theme.

We would highly recommend reading this article before the talk.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear their thoughts and questions and share your own! We will have ample time for Q&A and discussion. This event is open to all NAMA members and professional members may earn 2 PACE credits for attending the full session.

NAMA Grand Rounds Coming: Call for Speakers May 1–31

NAMA’s BAMS Task Force is excited to announce a Call for Speakers for NAMA’s inaugural Ayurveda Grand Rounds, which will be held virtually on November 1, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. NAMA Ayurvedic Doctor Professional Members may apply.

All NAMA members are welcome to attend, so please mark this date on your calendar.

What is NAMA Grand Rounds?

Grand Rounds is a formal meeting of Ayurvedic vaidyas and doctors showcasing the art and science of Ayurveda in a case presentation and clinical discussion. This event will incorporate clinical discussion of two cases on the topic of Annavaha Srotas vyadhi (“gastrointestinal disorders”), which will highlight the complexity and high standards of clinical Ayurvedic practice. 

Speaker Presentations

Speaker presentations will need to be supported by classical Ayurveda references and must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the disease process (pathogenesis), diagnosis (nidana), explanation of the appropriate treatment (chikitsa), and research if applicable. Each presentation will be allotted 45 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session.

Speakers will present at the Ayurvedic Doctor level. All NAMA members are invited to attend the Grand Rounds. Two (2) PACE credits will be awarded to Professional Members in full attendance.  

Application Window: May 1–31, 2022
Submit: Apply here
Speaker Education Requirement: AD, BAMS, MD (Ayu), or PhD (Ayu)
Speaker Membership Requirement: Applicants must be NAMA Professional Members/Ayurvedic Doctor
Questions: Jolynne Flores, Membership Manager

We look forward to reviewing your applications.

NAMA’s BAMS Task Force     

(pictured, left to right)
Rucha Kelkar, Chair, PT, DPT, BAMS, AD AYT
Dhanada Kulkarni, BAMS, AD
Madison Madden, AD
Monika Manohar, BAMS, AD
Purvi Vyas, BAMS, MD (Ayu), PhD (Ayu), AD
Rasika Sonaji, BAMS, AD
Sheena Sooraj, BAMS, AD
Vandana Baranwal, BAMS, MD (Ayu), AD

Nominations Open for NAMA’s Board of Directors: May 1–31

NAMA Member:

Have you recently been an active NAMA volunteer and want to devote your service at the highest level to NAMA’s next era of growth and engagement and its advancement of Ayurveda in the United States? That opportunity arrived on May 1, 2022, when NAMA began accepting nominations for the 2022 NAMA Board of Directors election.

Serving on the NAMA Board of Directors offers the opportunity to have a significant impact on the future of the Ayurvedic profession in the United States.

Nominees eligible to run for the Board include all NAMA members with active memberships as of May 1, 2022, who meet the following requirements, as stated in NAMA’s bylaws:

• Membership in NAMA for at least one year

• Permanent residency in the U.S. (living in the U.S. for a minimum of 183 days in a calendar year)

• Active participation on a committee or subcommittee or in a workgroup now or at any time during the past two (2) years 

You can nominate yourself or recommend a fellow member. 

All nominations must be submitted via the online form by 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, May 31, 2022.

Learn about NAMA’s history and goals here.

Check out who is on the Board now. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Nominations and Elections Committee

Jolynne Flores, Chair, Membership Manager
Monika Manohar, BAMS, AD, Director
Susan Weis-Bohlen, Director

Save the Date!

April 28th - April 30th, 2023

Join Us For Our 19th Annual Conference!

Each year our board, committee, staff, and volunteers work diligently to bring an annual event that delivers an abundance of valuable tools and education to NAMA members and the community at large. Our gathering in 2023 will take place in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, at the Art of Living Retreat Center. Join us for a weekend of learning, networking and community growth!

Yoga & Meditation at the Annual Conference

As always, the NAMA Annual Conference registration includes several opportunities to connect mind and body with yoga and meditation. This year, we are offering two sessions on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We will be led by Nishita Shah, CAP, Kamalesh Ginger Hooven, CAP, and Larry Redhouse. See their bios and read about the morning yoga and meditation sessions on the Presentations page and the Conference Schedule.

yoga & Meditation sessions

ALL-LEVELS AYURYOGA® MORNING FLOW

Saturday, April 23 | 6:45 - 7:45 AM | Nishita Shah, CAP

Come and join this 1-hour all-levels class taught in the lineage of Vasant Lad BAMS, MASc. We will explore as asana practice with an Ayurvedic lens. This class will include pranayama, asana, and meditation to get you going for the rest of the day!

GENTLE VATA-REDUCING PRACTICE

Sunday, April 24 | 6:45 - 7:45 AM | Kamalesh Ginger Hooven, CAP

Join like-minded seekers and prepare for your journey home. Begin the day with gentle vata-reducing asana, move into balancing the prana vayus with the Four Purifications (as taught by Baba Hari Dass) and complete the practice with a short panchamahabhuta meditation.

MORNING NATIVE AMERICAN CEREMONy

Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 | 7:00 - 7:45 AM | Larry Redhouse

Mitakuye Oyasin (Mee-Tah-Kay Awe-Sin) is a traditional Native American ceremony and unique Sonoran Desert experience. Welcoming a higher perspective into your life should be on everyone's list of important things to do.The ancient people accomplished this via the warming sunrise, the Native American Flute, burning a sage prayer tie and an eagle feather blessing. Begin each day by reflecting on the connection we all have with nature and each other, finding focus and creating lasting memories. In a ritual that is centuries old, you will have the opportunity to make your intentions known to the universe through the traditional burning of sage. Experience this morning ritual and discover "Mitakuye Oyasin." This session is offered by the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort.

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

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Reminder: If traveling to Arizona will not be possible for you, we’ve also developed a Virtual Conference Day on Saturday, April 23! Learn more →

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Congratulations to NAMA's Newest Board Certified Professionals and Ayurvedic Doctor Members

NAMA is excited to announce its newest board certified and Ayurvedic Doctor Professional Members. During the December 2021 – February 2022 period, 18 candidates were awarded CAHC, CAP, and AD membership.

NAMA’s newest Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner Professional Members successfully completed a rigorous education that qualified them to sit for, and pass, the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam. NAMA thanks them for elevating the Ayurvedic profession and choosing to distinguish themselves as a board certified professional and a NAMA Professional Member.  

NAMA is proud of its newest Ayurvedic Doctor members. Each is a graduate of a NAMA recognized Ayurvedic Doctor program or a BAMS degree program. They are the last group of AD members to enter prior to the beginning of the last phase of Ayurvedic board certification: the launch of the Ayurvedic Doctor board certification exam process.

On February 1, 2022, the NAMACB began accepting applications for the AD Beta exam. The NAMACB held an information session on the exam in January and another for the BAMS community in late-March. The NAMACB will use the results of AD beta exam to develop the forthcoming live AD exam. At this time, all those seeking NAMA AD membership must first take the AD Beta exam.

Those granting permission for their name to be shared are listed below. Congratulations to all.

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Ayurvedic doctors

Anusha Kulkarni

India
KLE Shri B M Kankanawadi Ayurvedic College and Research Institute

Claudia Flores Ibarra

Colorado
Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula

Emily Kernen

Colorado
Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya

Gia Lisa Krahne

New York
Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya

Sarabjeet Kaur

India
Government Ayurvedic college Patiala

Savitha Murgesh

Pennsylvania
TSPS Ayurvedic Medical College

Ayurvedic Practitioners

Anne Barrett

Washington
Yoga Veda Institute

Anuradha Gupta

California
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Georgina DeLeon

California
Southern California University of Health Sciences

Jennifer Rand

California
Mount Madonna Institute

Portia Harris

California
Southern California University of Health Sciences

Shiela Dimof

Indiana
Northwest Institute of Ayurveda

Terry Munoz

California
Southern California University of Health Sciences

Ayurvedic health counselors

Kimber Scavo

North Carolina
Asheville School of Massage & Yoga

Meenakshi Bhaskar

Maryland
Boston Ayurveda School

Priti Chanda Klco

Colorado
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Shanna Behrje

Massachusetts
Boston Ayurveda School

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Virtual Conference Day Is April 23

It’s not too late to register for the Virtual Conference Day on April 23!

Don’t forget that NAMA’s 2022 Annual Conference (Ayurveda for Family Health) has a full-day, online option on Saturday, April 23 featuring twenty different presenters! See all the presenters →

Virtual Conference Day registration includes SEVEN total sessions (we just added NAMA VEDAtalks to this package!). Four presentations will be live-streamed so attendees can share the experience with on-site conference participants, plus each registration includes a 14-day Viewing Period during which the remaining Featured Presentations and Closing Session VEDAtalks will be available.

14-DAY VIEWING PERIOD

All registrants will have access to the seven included sessions (4 live + 3 recorded presentations) for two weeks. These recordings will be posted on the NAMA website and access instructions and details will be provided by email after the conference weekend has concluded.

PACE CREDIT

Professional Members: You will automatically receive up to 8 PACE credits for attending the virtual conference (based on attendance records, 2 credits per session). You will also be able to earn an additional 2 PACE credits by watching your bonus Featured Presentation recordings and passing the corresponding quizzes.

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Meet the Authors and Book Signing Event

We are so excited to feature SIXTEEN published authors at the upcoming Ayurveda for Family Health Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona.

These member-authors dig deep into Ayurveda, many with their personal stories of challenges and triumphs, and how Ayurveda helped them heal and thrive. To highlight these NAMA members and provide an opportunity for everyone to meet the authors and get books signed, we have created three book purchasing and signing opportunities in the Exhibitor area of the conference venue. Authors will have a limited number of books to sell onsite, or you can bring your own copy along and have it signed.

Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 10:00-10:30 AM, 1:00-1:30 PM, and 3:00-3:30 PM

Here are all of the books that will be featured at the book signing event (scroll down for a list):

Suhas Kshirsagar

Hot Belly Diet
Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life
Vedic Counseling

Manas Kshirsagar

Pañcakarma

Manisha Kshirsagar

Enchanting Beauty

Anisha Durve

Marma Points of Ayurveda
The Power to Break Free

Madison Madden

Mind Body Food: Redefining Your Relationship with Food

John Douillard

Perfect Health for Kids
The Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Massage
Eat Wheat Book
The Three Season Diet
Body, Mind  and Sport

Heather Grzych

The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility: A Natural Approach to Getting Pregnant

Jean Bokelman

Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care: An Evidence Guided Refrence for Healthcare Providers

Jeannine Rashidi

Abundance Beyond Trauma: Discovering Your Courage for Change and Commitment to Yourself

Michael Mastro

Altars of Power and Grace
Making Room for Mr. Right
The Way of Vastu

Terra Rafael

Journey to the Great Midwife

Cynthia Copple

Know Your Blueprint
Why Weight Loss Isn't About Weight

Sondra Rubin

Ayurvedic Practitioner's Resource Guide - A Mind Map Guide

Jayarajan Kodikannath

The Parent's Complete Guide to Ayurveda: Principles, Practices, and Recipes for Happy, Healthy Kids

Laura Plumb

Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners: An Ayurvedic Cookbook to Balance and Heal

Ameya Duprey

Mama's Menu: Ayurvedic Recipes for Postpartum Healing

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

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Reminder: If traveling to Arizona will not be possible for you, we’ve also developed a Virtual Conference Day on Saturday, April 23! Learn more →

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