Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Marc Halpern, Ay.D., D.C., C.A.S., P.K.S. (Ayurvedacharya) 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. For More Information

Jeremy Anderson, C.A.S., P.K.S. is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated as valedictorian of the 2005 Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist class. She also received her Panchakarma Specialist. In addition to these certificates, Jeremy has also studied at the American Institute of Vedic Studies and obtained a Certified Massage Therapist License. Jeremy continues to work with patients in her private practice where she combines her passion for Nisarga Chikitsa (Nature Therapy) with Ayurveda. Jeremy continues to spread the light of the profound science of Ayurveda through education and experiential learning to both students and her patients.

Elizabeth Carlisle, C.A.S., P.K.S., NAMA member. Elizabeth is an Intern Supervisor at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from in 2004. Since her graduation she has continued to study with other educators such as Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute and Vaidya Mishra at the Prana Center where she received training as a Marma Therapist, Massage Practitioner and specialized training in Autism, ADD and ADHD.
She is also an Advanced Pranic Healter and Medical Intuitive. Using this vast amount of experience and knowledge, she guides interns in both the AHCi and CASi internships.

Leslie Clohan, C.A.S. is a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and graduate of the California College of Ayurveda (CCA). Her main emphasis is in children’s health. She also has a BA Degree in Human Development with emphasis in Early Childhood Development. Leslie is a member of CCA Distance Learning Faculty, is an herbal technician in our herbal pharmacy, and an AHC intern supervisor. Leslie is a Northern California native who enjoys nature and the powerful healing it provides.

Dr. Laksmana Das (Lawrence Roehrig), Ay.D., P.K.S., E-R.Y.T is a Faculty Mentor and Instructor at the California College of Ayurveda. He teaches several classes including Ayurvedic Consultation and Evaluation, Nervous System, Dermatology, Chronic Disease as well as several classes throughout internships. He completed his studies in Ayurvedic Medicine at the California College of Ayurveda. His certifications include Ayurvedic Doctor, Panchakarma Specialist and Registered Hatha Yoga Therapist. He has completed post graduate programs at Greens Ayur Hospital in Kerala, India and additional studies with, Dr. David Frawley and Yogini Shambhavi. He has studied herbalism with Author Brigitte Mars, attended numerous Ayurvedic Cooking courses and studied Sanskrit Mantra therapy with Yogi Baba Prem. He has written numerous programs and curriculum for Yoga studios, cleanses and workshops.

Dr. Andrea Deerheart, Ph.D., C.L.E.: Dr. Andrea Deerheart is the passionate founder of The Heart Way, a non-profit foundation dedicated to Embracing life thru Honoring Death. She is an End-of-Life Practitioner, a 500hr RYT yoga teacher/trainer, and a Certified Yoga Nidra Master Instructor. She has her Doctorate degree in mythology with an emphasis in depth psychology, and comparative religions, death, dying, and beyond. She is a sought-after consultant, writer, and poet. 

Dr. Sandra Gutierrez, Ay.D.  is a Faculty Instructor and Intern Supervisor at the California College of Ayurveda where she teaches Ayurvedic Nutrition, Herbalism, Sensory Therapies, Diseases & Treatment of the Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat as well as specialty classes. She also supervises Interns who are in the Ayurvedic Doctor Program. Dr. Gutierrez completed her studies in Ayurvedic Medicine at the California College of Ayurveda, received a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology at the University of California at Davis and is a 500-Hour Certified Yoga Instructor. Dr. Gutierrez inspires and empowers her students to become effective Ayurvedic educators and practitioners by offering a clear understanding of the practical use of Ayurvedic principles to maintain health, prevent and treat disease. Dr. Gutierrez’s other interests include song, dance, mentoring, cultivating recipes, energy practices, hiking and exploring the wisdom of the natural world in its dynamic cycles. .

Dr. Marisa Jackson-Kinman Ay.D., P.K.S., A.Y.T. is a Faculty Instructor at the California College of Ayurveda where she teaches classes including Ayurvedic Philosophy, Psychology. She completed her studies in Ayurvedic Medicine at the California College of Ayurveda. She is a contributing author to various publications including the Ayurveda Journal of Health and is the author of a soon-to-be-published children’s book on Ayurveda. Marisa’s certifications include Ayurvedic Doctor, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, Panchakarma Specialist, Yoga Nidra Practitioner, and Sivananda Yoga Teacher, among others. Marisa teaches a variety of Ayurvedic workshops at various locations worldwide. Her life-long passion has been to bring sacred healing to her students, patients, and the global community.

Dr. Brenda Krulikowski, Ay.D., C.A.S., P.K.S., Director of Herbalism, faculty and an Ayurvedic doctor at the California College of Ayurveda. As the director of the college’s herbal pharmacy, she is committed to sustainability and offering only the highest quality medicines to the practitioners and their patients.  Part of the CCA faculty, Dr. Krulikowski teaches Advanced Pathology, Advanced Herbalism, Women’s Health 1 & 2 in the Clinical Ayurvedic Medicines course; and co teaches the Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist internship.  For over 15 years Dr. Krulikowski has been running the 9-month Herbal Apprenticeship program at the CCA, guiding students to gain confidence in both cultivation and preparation of a wide variety of medicines.  As part of the apprenticeship program, she manages a herbal teaching garden with over 85 medicinal plants from around the world.  Dr. Krulikowski brings her rich knowledge base to the students with humor and a deep reverence for the plants. Clinically she holds Ayurvedic Doctor, Marma Therapist and Panchakarma Specialist certifications and has spent time in India studying to deepen her knowledge in women’s health and herbalism.  In practice Dr. Krulikowski’s specialty is working with women’s health, and she is passionately dedicated to supporting her patients healing on all levels – mind, body and spirit.

Dr. Abbey Leigh, Ay.D.,P.K.S., E-RYT is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda where she is currently a Master Teacher and an AHCi and CASi Intern Supervisor.
For Dr. Abbey Leigh, the practice of Ayurveda, Yoga, and meditation has been a viable pathway to remembering and celebrating one’s own true nature and purpose. Having healed her own physical and spiritual diseases through these modalities, Dr. Abbey Leigh guides patients in her active private practice to access their innate healing capacities using Ayurvedic diet, lifestyle, herbology, body therapies and yoga. Certifications include: Doctor of Ayurveda, Panchakarma Specialist, Marma Therapist, Polarity Therapist, CCA Herbal Apprenticeship Graduate, and a registered YACEP yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. In Dr. Abbey Leigh’s spare time she likes to take dance classes, garden, and hike the desert mountains.

Kelsey Page, Ay.D. is a Faculty Instructor, Intern Supervisor and Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she teaches classes including Ayurvedic Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology. She graduated from the California College of Ayurveda with her Doctorate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Marma Therapist certifications. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada Reno with an emphasis in Ceramics and Art History.  She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and has completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Kelsey is enthusiastic about the Ayurvedic lifestyle and believes Ayurveda to be evolving and timeless. She appreciates the convergence of ancient medicine and modern science to inspire and empower people to experience balance and live life to their fullest potential.

Amanda Parish C.A.S., P.K.S. Academic Dean and teacher graduated from the California College of Ayurveda as a Certified Ayurvedic Specialist and Panchakarma Specialist. Before becoming the Academic Dean, she worked several years guiding patients through extensive panchakarmas at the California College of Ayurveda and before that coached patients in her private business. After experiencing the incredible healing power of ayurveda firsthand and watching patients change their lives using ayurveda, she is dedicated to sharing it with students and helping them to be successful personally and professionally. Amanda is also a Certified Yoga Teacher, Correct Exercise Specialist and Massage Therapist and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Mary-Alice Quinn, Ay.D., C.A.S. is a Faculty Instructor and Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from as the valedictorian in Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist in 2004. She currently teaches PK Theory, Digestive 1 & 2, Respiratory System, Urinary System, Cardiovascular System, and Chronic Disease. Mary-Alice has continued her education through trainings throughout the US and India in panchakarma, ayurvedic nutrition and herbalism. She continues to develop her private practice and share her experiences with students in class through real life stories and education.

Sandhiya Ramaswamy, C.A.S. is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from as a Certified Ayurvedic Specialist after spending many years in the corporate world. Born and having lived in India, she has had a lifelong and intimate connection with Ayurveda. It is through Ayurveda that Sandhiya found relief for her chronic asthma. Her own experience has provided her with a unique perspective and understanding of the daily work-life-family stressors that most people face, and she shares this experience with her students. Aside from teaching, Sandhiya is a chef and continues seeing patients in her private practice.

Rammohan Rao, Ph.D., C.A.S., R.Y.T. is a Faculty Instructor at the California College of Ayurveda where he has taught Ayurvedic Philosophy and Psychology since 2009. He comes from a family of Ayurvedic practitioners and Vedic teachers in India tracing back to the illustrious Vedic-acharya Rishi Kaundinya. Ram completed the academic training at the California College of Ayurveda and received his certification as Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Panchakarma Specialist. Ram is a dedicated Hatha yoga practitioner and is a RYT from Yoga Alliance USA. He has published several articles in major Yoga/Ayurveda journals and has been a featured speaker in several national and international meetings and symposia. Ram holds a PhD degree in Neuroscience and worked as a Research Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA, on various aspects of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases

Ryan Phillip Strong, C.A.S. is Faculty Instructor and Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where he graduated from with a certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. He teaches classes including Panchakarma and Digestive System 1 & 2. He is also a practitioner and teacher of Kriya Yoga. Ryan was ordained by his guru, Roy Eugene Davis (a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda), to teach Kriya Yoga, and is a minister for the Center for Spiritual Awareness. Ryan has spent 15 years studying yogic philosophy, including Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology (Jyotish). He runs an Ayurvedic Natural Healing Center in Sacramento.

Dr. Bobby Takhar Ay.D., C.A.S., P.K.S. is a graduate of the college with an Advanced Panchakarma Certification. She is a member of the teaching faculty and specializes in teaching the respiratory, urinary, and cardiovascular modules of the curriculum. She is also an intern supervisor and master teacher to DL (distance learning) students. Her deep knowledge and wisdom come from generations of living an authentic ayurvedic lifestyle. She weaves this knowledge into every part of her being to bring healing to all that come into her presence. She enjoys teaching Kundalini yoga as a service to her community.

Jill Talve, C.A.S., P.K.S. is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from as a Clinical Ayurveda Specialist and Panchakarma Specialist. She is a dedicated practitioner and continues a private practice Long Island, NY. She uses this experience to enrich her students’ studies by giving them real life examples.

Chelynn Tetreault, AY.D is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from as a Ayurvedic Doctor Chelynn has gained certification as a Panchakarma Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist. She maintains a private practice in Western Massachusetts and shares her 15 years of experience working in Ayurvedic Medicine with her Distance Learning students.

Vidya Venkatesh, C.A.S., P.K.S. is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from with certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. She also trained in Panchakarma in India and New Mexico. Vidya has also studied yoga and pranayama at Patanjali Yoga Peet in Haridwar, India, and has been a long-time student of Advaita Vedanta. Vidya is a holistic wellness practitioner and lifestyle coach and continues her private practice.

Michelle Warner C.A.S. is a Master Teacher at the California College of Ayurveda where she graduated from in 2007 with certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. She continued her studies with a clinical internship in India. She is also a certified Massage Therapist. Aside from teaching at CCA, Michelle has a private practice in Oakland, CA, and is currently working on a research project with UCSF integrating Ayurvedic therapies into the post-treatment care of cancer survivors. She enjoys sharing her passion and experience with Ayurveda to her students.