Dr. Marc Halpern, D.C., C.A.S., P.K.S. (Ayurvedacharya), Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda and the author of the popular book, Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda. A leader in the profession, he is the co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (USA) and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He also sits on the advisory boards of Light on Ayurveda Journal in the United States and the Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine in India. Dr. Halpern’s contributions to the field have earned him the highest level of awards in both countries. He has published hundreds of articles in popular journals and magazines of Ayurveda and Yoga and is a regular speaker at Ayurvedic and Yoga conferences. A Doctor of Chiropractic, a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, A certified Yoga Teacher in the Sivananda tradition, a Specialist in Holistic Medicine, an author and teacher, Dr. Marc Halpern gives 100% to his passion for healing and removing the causes of suffering.
Mary Thompson, C.A.S., P.K.S., (Ayurvedacharya), is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda and senior teacher with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karmai Specialist. Mary is a graduate of the first graduating class of the College in 1997. In 2008 she received the Charaka Award for Excellence in Ayurvedic Teaching and was given the title "Ayurvedacharya" (respected teacher of Ayurveda) by Dr. Halpern. She has been an invited speaker at several Ayurvedic conferences and is a founding member and former Secretary of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. She is also the founder of the non-profit organization, Everyday Ayurveda. Mary is in private practice in Grass Valley, California.
Brenda Igler, C.A.S., P.K.S., (Director of Herbalism): Brenda is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and a Pancha Karma Specialist. Brenda has continued her education with studies in India, focusing on herbalism and complementary treatments of cancer. As part of the teaching faculty at the College, she is involved in teaching all levels of the curriculum. As the Director of Herbalism, Brenda runs the Advanced Ayurvedic Herbal Apprenticeship course. Brenda conducts her clinical practice at the College's healtyh care center utilizing her compassion and inspiration to guide her patients in a creative way through their healing journey.
Jessica Hartley Litton, C.A.S., P.K.S., is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and a Pancha Karma Specialist. In addition to teaching, Jessica conducts her private practice at the College’s clinic and supervises interns. As a student, Jessica interned directly under Dr. Halpern’s supervision. She is a dancer and an artist, bringing creativity into every aspect of her work.
Ryan Phillip Strong, C.A.S., is a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist at the California College of Ayurveda. Ryan is also a Kriya Yoga practitioner, and has studied under Roy Eugene Davis, a direct living disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. Ryan is an ordained minister with the Center for Spiritual Awareness. He teaches meditation, and promotes the universal teaching of healthy conscious living through Ayurveda and Yoga. Ryan works to heal the root cause of disease in his patients, helping to create total balance in their mind, body and spirit. Ryan lives with his wife and daughter in Auburn California and gives frequent free lectures on Ayurveda and healing.
Ram Rao, PhD, CAS, RYT, comes from a family of Ayurvedic practitioners and Vedic teachers in India tracing back to the illustrious Vedic-acharya Rishi Kaundinya. A graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certification as Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Ram is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and certified teacher. He has published several articles in major Yoga and Ayurveda journals and has been a featured speaker in several meetings and symposia. Ram holds a doctorate degree in Neurosciences and works as a Research Associate Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, on various aspects of age associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Mary-Alice Quinn, C.A.S., graduated from the California College of Ayurveda with certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. She is a practitioner member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. She has completed a variety of advanced post-graduate Ayurvedic studies in the US and India and has been a practitioner of Yoga for more than fifteen years. Mary-Alice writes articles for popular yoga and Ayurveda publications, conducts public workshops and has an active private practice in Sacramento where she focuses on both preventative medicine and disease management.
Ragaia Belovarac, M.A., C.A.S., P.K.S., C.M.T., is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certifications as Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma Specialist. Ragaia is the past co-director of the College's Pancha Karma Center, where he worked closely with Dr. Halpern. This experience deepened his understanding of creating and holding sacred space in a way that facilitates the patient's healing journey. Ragaia teaches several of the body therapy courses at the College including the Pancha Karma Specialist trainings. He is also the director of Blue Sage Sanctuary in Nevada City, California, where he practices Ayurveda and Pancha Karma.
Sri Devi (Marisa Laursen), B.S., C.A.S., P.K.S., A.Y.T., C.M.T, is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Pancha Karma Specialist and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist. She has an active clinical practice in Chino, California and is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. Sri Devi has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, is a Certified Massage Therapist and has completed post-graduate Ayurvedic training in India as well as through the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta organization. Sri Devi received her spiritual name from Swami Swaroopananda of the Sivananda Yoga Retreat and considers herself a life-long student of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta.
Robert J. Talbert Jr., M.S., C.A.S., is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. Rob is in private practice in Laguna Beach, California. He completed a post-graduate one-and-one-half-year clinical internship with Vicki "Vijaya" Stern and participated in post-graduate study with Dr. Liladhar Gupta in Vrindavan, India. He is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, American Herbalist Guild, and American Botanical Council. He has been a life-long student of Yoga, Zen, Vipassana, and Tibetan meditation.
Devi Mueller, C.A.S., MAyu, is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. She completed the Master of Ayurveda program through the International Vedic Hindu University, with a focus on Samkhya and Yoga Philosophy in 2009. She served as President of the Board of Directors of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) from 2008 through 2010 and continues as a Member on the Board of Directors. Devi has been instrumental in producing many of the NAMA Conferences as well as supporting the work of CCA in Southern California. Devi is in private practice in Seal Beach, California. She has been studying and practicing numerology, astrology, meditation, and yoga for the past 25 years.
Vidya Venkatesh, C.A.S., P.K.S., is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with a certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. She received her Pancha Karma training from the Ayur Vaidya Pharmacy in Coimbatore, India. Vidya has studied yoga and pranayama at the Patanjali Yoga Peet in Haridwar, India, and has been a student of Advaita Vedanta at the Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles for over 15 years. Vidya is proficient in reading and writing Sanskrit. She is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and is in private practice in Irvine, California.
Sandhiya Ramaswamy, M.B.A., C.A.S., P.K.S., is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and a Pancha Karma Specialist. Born and having lived in India, she has had a lifelong and intimate connection with Ayurvedic healing. A member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, she has a private practice in Orange County, California. Sandhiya is also a certified Yoga Teacher and Thai Yoga Massage therapist. She studied yoga with Jonny Kest, Ganga White and Tracey Rich.
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