Yoga and Ayurveda: Session Two Details and Presenters

Yoga and Ayurveda: Appreciating the Essence of Vedic Wisdom in the Noise of Modern Life

Sunday, October 23, 2022 | 9 am - 12:30 pm (Pacific)

Each year, NAMA celebrates the historic significance of Ayurveda as one of the world’s oldest models of natural, holistic healthcare by hosting an Ayurveda Day Summit. This year, eight renowned Ayurvedic professionals will explore the theme live in two, 1.5 hour panel sessions on Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Session Two

The second session will explore the question: How do we preserve these practices so that they are meaningful, applicable and impactful? Facilitator Margrit Mikulis, ND, AD, will guide the conversation with panelists Stephen Cope, Hansa Knox, and Maria Eugenia Garré, M.Ed, C-IAYT, CAP, AYT, E-RYT 500, offering their valuable insight. They will discuss how we can maintain the integrity of the teachings while aligning to what is happening in today's world, how we may be able to overcome the barriers of language and culture to preserve these practices in a way that is meaningful to western society, and more. The session will conclude with time for live Q&A, so bring your questions and join the conversation!

Registration is required; the event is open to all with a pay-what-you-can donation to NAMA.

Moderator

Margrit Mikulis, ND, AD, is the owner of Living Natural Inc., an established center of natural healthcare in Brattleboro, Vermont and Amherst, New Hampshire. She is a Naturopathic Doctor and an Ayurvedic Doctor and has been in medical practice since 2006. She utilizes naturopathy, Ayurveda, classical homeopathy and the European traditions of anthroposophical medicine, supporting the health needs of families throughout the USA.

panelists

Stephen Cope is a best-selling author and scholar who specializes in the relationship between the Eastern contemplative traditions and Western depth psychology. and has written over five books on the subject. Stephen is the founder and former director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living—one of the world’s most influential research institutes examining the effects and mechanisms of yoga and meditation. Stephen is the recipient of both a Telly and an Apple award for his work. Learn more at www.stephencope.com.

Hansa Knox is the owner of Gentle Touch Body Mind and Spirit Connection and PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala. She is a Holistic Lifestyle Facilitator and her therapeutic work integrates Yoga Therapy and Massage. She is on the board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, was involved in Unity of Yoga which was the precursor to Yoga Alliance, and is a past president of both Yoga Alliance and Yoga Teachers of Colorado. She is on the board and acts as the Executive Director for SANGA, an educational non-profit organization.

Maria Eugenia Garré, M.Ed, C-IAYT, CAP, AYT, E-RYT500, is an integrative health expert sharing her wisdom as an educator, therapist, coach and wellness retreat curator. She’s dedicated over 15 years to the study, instruction and practice of Ayurvedic Yoga to train and work with individuals for complete healing and well-being. www.nmschoolofyoga.com 

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Yoga and Ayurveda: Session One Details and Presenters

Yoga and Ayurveda: Appreciating the Essence of Vedic Wisdom in the Noise of Modern Life

Sunday, October 23, 2022 | 9 am - 12:30 pm (Pacific)

Each year, NAMA celebrates the historic significance of Ayurveda as one of the world’s oldest models of natural, holistic healthcare by hosting an Ayurveda Day Summit. This year, eight renowned Ayurvedic professionals will explore the theme live in two, 1.5 hour panel sessions on Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Session One

The first session will focus on the challenges Yoga and Ayurveda face in the modern world. We are excited to dive into this complex topic with facilitator John Douillard, DC, CAP, and panelists Anjali Deva, CAP (see her recent Member Spotlight here!), Amy Wheeler, and Arun Deva, CAP, AYT. They will start with questions such as, How has Yoga changed over the generations?, How do we contain the essence of Yoga in classes today and cultivate pratyahara?, and many more. The session will conclude with time for live Q&A, so bring your questions and join the conversation!

Registration is required; the event is open to all with a pay-what-you-can donation to NAMA.

Moderator

John Douillard, DC, CAP, has authored seven Ayurvedic health books, and the creator of lifespa.com and LifeSpa Products—where ancient Ayurvedic wisdom meets modern science. His 10M+ YouTube views and 105k+ newsletter subscribers attest to the breadth and enthusiasm of his audience.

panelists

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.

Amy Wheeler is certified to teach Yoga/ Yoga Therapy in the Tradition of T. Krishnamacharya. Amy also helped the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) set standards for Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. She served as the President of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (2018-2020).    

Arun Deva, CAP, AYT, is an Ayurvedic practitioner, Ayurvedic Yoga therapist, Yoga therapist, and a certified teacher of vinyāsa krama yoga. He has had the privilege of serving on both the national and state Ayurvedic associations’ boards. He also chaired NAMA’s Ayurveda Yoga Therapy subcommittee. www.yogarasayana.com

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Welcome, NAMA’s 2022 Directors-Elect

NAMA’s 2022 election to fill four positions on the Board of Directors has concluded. Thank you to all NAMA members who cast their votes. It is our pleasure to announce our 2022 Board of Directors-Elect. Each Director-Elect has been elected to serve a three-year term extending from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2025.

Please start to get to know them. Below are their statements to the membership, in order of their appearance on the ballot.

Sushma Jakkula, BAMS, AD
Florida

It took a few years for me to start Ayurvedic practice in the U.S. after we moved here, since I was not aware of the scope of practice of Ayurveda in the U.S. until I found NAMA. I joined NAMA in 2016 as a Professional Member. It is my passion to spread this ancient science using different avenues to accelerate awareness, acceptance, and adoption in the United States. I see NAMA as one of those powerful stages, and I am trying to increase my participation in NAMA every year.

Jayarajan Kodikannath, BSc, BAMS, AD, AYT
California

Being a classically trained Ayurvedic Doctor from Kerala, India, I am passionate about propagating Ayurveda as a consciousness-based natural healing system that can provide sustainable solutions to various global health concerns. As a representative of the lineage tradition of Ayurveda, I feel continuing on the board of NAMA and giving leadership to the efforts to build the Ayurvedic profession and to make it a legalized profession in the U.S. is my dharmic path. My life is dedicated to Ayurveda.

Rucha Kelkar, PT, BAMS, AD, AYT, DPT
California

Namaste dear friends! As you know, Ayurveda is in a period of major transition, moving from the stage of obscurity to one of general recognition and respect. The path forward to establishing Ayurveda as a legitimate healing science presents varied challenges; it is therefore essential that we work together, using our collective experience and skills to promote and safeguard the interests of our precious field of study. NAMA has played an indispensable role in this process, and much work still lies ahead. For years, I have strived to promote awareness of the gift of Ayurveda, which is unparalleled in so many of its aspects, and I feel honored to serve on NAMA's Board of Directors to further advance the various efforts of this organization. 

Heather L. Grzych, CAP
California

After being on NAMA's board for three years, I see how we need all Ayurvedic professionals to be succeeding more in the U.S. NAMA has done over 20 years of very hard work to lay the U.S. foundation for Ayurveda, and I believe it is about to pay off. As NAMA’s current Board Secretary, I will continue to do my part to help NAMA enable our Ayurvedic professionals to collectively achieve greater prosperity and recognition for the profession right now in the U.S. I'm here to serve, so reach out to me!

The board will work to continue growing and establishing the structure of what it means to be an Ayurvedic professional, while expanding partnerships with donors and sponsoring organizations, yet also focusing on reasonable, balanced operations that will ensure NAMA can continue to exist for the Ayurvedic profession. Much work lies ahead.

Thank you,
Nominations & Elections Committee

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

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

NAMA is proud to announce its newest board certified and Ayurvedic Doctor Professional Members. During the February 2022 to July 2022 period, 34 candidates were awarded CAHC, CAP, and AD membership.

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

NAMA is proud of its newest Ayurvedic Doctor members. The NAMACB opened its AD Beta exam, a precursor to the live (actual) AD board certification exam. Applicants have applied and have begun taking the AD Beta exam. During the beta phase, only those who are graduates of a NAMA recognized Ayurvedic Doctor programs or a BAMS degree program may enter NAMA Professional Membership as an Ayurvedic Doctor. Once the beta phase closes, then Ayurvedic Doctor board certification will begin. At that time, Ayurvedic Doctor graduates will go through the same process to enter Professional Membership as Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner examinees.

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

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Ayurvedic Practitioners

Betty Brown

Ohio
California College of Ayurveda

Meridith Consor

Florida
Sampoorna Ayurvedic College

Siara Fulton

California
Southern California University of Health Sciences

Ami Hirschstein

New York
Radiant Living Online School of Ayurveda

Megan Hively

North Carolina
Yoga Veda Institute

Julie Hope

Nebraska
Maharishi International University

Pamela Locke

Ohio
California College of Ayurveda

Erica McQuown

Arizona
Yoga Veda Institute

Leah Moss-Parham

Minnesota
Maharishi International University

Kari Nolan

Kentucky
The Ayurvedic Institute

Marie-Josephine Royall-Schreck

New Hampshire
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Katherine Yannucci

Florida
California College of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic health counselors

Athena Edmonds

Massachusetts
Boston Ayurveda School

Kellie Ettori

Vermont
Boston Ayurveda School

Sarah Frederiksen

Massachusetts
Boston Ayurveda School

Rebecca Haverstick

Indiana
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Sandra Lamerson

California
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Julee Mason

Iowa
Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Mayuri Mukka

Georgia
Southern California University of Health Sciences

Ashley Paul

Kentucky
Asheville School of Massage & Yoga

Elizabeth Pinel

Vermont
Kripalu School of Ayurveda

Kimberly Rioux

Massachusetts
Boston Ayurveda School

Wendy Sergeant

Vermont
Boston Ayurveda School

Sarah Teeple

Kentucky
Asheville School of Massage & Yoga

Haley Tompsett

California
Mount Madonna Institute

Neeta Verma

California
Institute for Ayurveda

Giovana Zelesnikar Batistella Malufe

Massachusetts
Boston Ayurveda School

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Registration Open! Join Us for Yoga and Ayurveda: Appreciating the Essence of Vedic Wisdom in the Noise of Modern Life

2022 ayurveda day summit

Yoga and Ayurveda: Appreciating the Essence of Vedic Wisdom in the Noise of Modern Life

Sunday, October 23, 2022 | 9 am - 12:30 pm (Pacific) | Noon - 3:45 (Eastern)
All are welcome. Registration is required. NAMA Professional Members can earn four (4) PACE credits.

How do we teach ancient practices in a way that resonates with the world today without watering down the wisdom that brought us to Yoga or Ayurveda in the first place? Through our conversation with our esteemed panelists, we will unravel the connections between Yoga and Ayurveda and its pertinence in the modern world.

To honor Ayurveda Day this year, eight renowned Ayurvedic professionals will explore our theme live in two, 1.5 hour panel sessions on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Bring your questions, there will be a live Q&A session at the end of each panel so you can join the conversation. Registration is required; the event is open to all (sliding scale registration fee). Registered attendees will also have a 14-day viewing period following the event.

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Survey for Professional Members: How Do You Practice?

Hello, NAMA Professional Members!

Hello from NAMA’s Professional Members Subcommittee, a volunteer group of your Ayurveda peers whose role is to listen to and represent our voice, the voice of the Professional Member. We issue the annual How Do You Practice? survey to seek meaningful NAMA content, offerings, and opportunities that will help us grow and thrive in our profession. Will you spend five minutes completing our 2022 survey? 

Take the Survey

From the data and thoughtful feedback we have received over the last few years, we have pioneered programs such as the Business of Ayurveda Conference and the Professional Member Mingles and have worked with the BAMS Task Force, who will be rolling out NAMA Grand Rounds, a high-level clinical case presentation roundtable, this November. 

Zooming out, this survey will help us see how the profession of Ayurveda evolves over time in the United States. Your participation in the survey is crucial—and very deeply appreciated. Those who complete the survey will have the option to receive the results once the survey period has ended.

Will you take a few minutes to complete our 15-question survey today?

Sincerely,

Professional Members Subcommittee
Ellie, Nicole, Beena, Sina, and Madison

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We did it!

We were able to close the 2022 NAMA Board of Directors election as planned, on July 31st, with over 25% participation from membership. Huge thank you to all of our current members who took the time to vote and help us reach the threshold by the end of the month. This record engagement of our membership ensures that we find the right people to lead the organization and to take Ayurveda into the future.

Coming soon: keep an eye out for the election results and our newest board members!

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Do you follow NAMA on social media?

Did you know that NAMA regularly posts events, updates, offers, news, and links to our social media accounts?

Follow, like, and engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn today!

We hope to build our audience and reach more of our Ayurvedic community in the United States and around the world. We’d love to get to know you — follow us now!

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AD Board Certification Beta Exam Deadline Extended

NAMACB has recently approved a deadline extension for the AD Board Certification Beta Exam — you can now apply until September 30, 2022!

With the 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 September 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 Why, NAMACB Administrator.  

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2023 Conference Call for Presenters

Would you like to be a conference presenter at the 2023 NAMA Annual Conference?

Each year our board, committee, staff, and volunteers work tirelessly to bring an annual event that delivers an abundance of valuable tools and education to NAMA members and the community at large. The theme this year is Ayurvedic Science in Modern Times, and the conference will be held April 28-30, 2023, in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, at the Art of Living Retreat Center.

We are now accepting applications! We kindly ask you to please read the session topics and guidelines on our website with care before submitting your presentation application. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 5, 2022.

The 2022 conference was a great success and we are looking forward to another inspirational event in 2023.

Thank you!