Our Faculty
Susan Bass, MS, AD, C-IAYT - Founder, School Director, Lead Instructor
Susan Bass holds a Master of Science in Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine from Maharishi International University. She is National Ayurvedic Medical Association board certified at the Ayurvedic Doctor level of study as well as a NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist who founded The Sarasvati Institute of Ayurveda & Yoga Therapy and the Sarasvati Mission (a non-profit dedicated to preserving the Vedic Sciences). In addition to teaching at her school, she is currently working for Kaiser Permanente on a research study using Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy to support breast cancer survivors in their recovery process. Read more about Susan
Hiranyacharya Goverdanam, BAMS - Ayurvedic Pharmacology
Hiranyacharya Govardhanam received her Bachelor’s in Ayurvedic Medicine from Dr. NTR Health University, INDIA, in 2011. She is very committed to bringing awareness to ancient Ayurvedic Practice; she has been practicing Ayurveda for 8 years and awarded as Ayurvedacharya (Ayurvedic Professional) in India.
Mary Thompson, NAMA-CAP - Advanced Practicum Teacher
Mary Thompson has been an experienced educator and a heart-centered mentor to Ayurvedic practitioners for over two decades. Having taught Ayurveda for over twenty years, she finds joy in supporting her students as they step into their professional lives as Ayurvedic Health Counselors and Ayurvedic Practitioners. Mary is a lead teacher in our Advanced Practicum Module.
Arun Deva, , DASc, AP-NAMA, AYT, E-RYT500, C-IAYT , Ayurvedic Foundations & Psychology
Arun Deva is a NAMA āyurvedic practitioner, āyurvedic 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 Āyurvedic Associations’ Boards. He also chaired NAMA’s Committee for Āyurvedic Yoga Therapy, creating for the first time, an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist category. Born and raised in India where he began his yogic studies, Arun Deva has made his home in Los Angeles since 1977.
Vaidya Anita Misra, BAMS, MS
Vaidya Anita completed her Bachelor in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from India in 2001 as well as her Masters of Science in Integrative Medicine from Maharishi International University in the USA in 2015
She has been teaching as an Adjunct Professor and leading student clinical practicums at Maharishi International University since 2015.
Vaidya Anita is the chief consultant for Soul-Physio-Lifestyle Ayurvedic Center in Irvine, CA as well as the founder and director of Nature Natural Ayurvedic Life-care wellness and panchakarma center in Bhubaneswar, India. She also has a line of organic products comprising of herbs, oils, spices, cereals; since 2004 onwards.
David Crow, L.Ac., Clinical Herbalism & Meditation Teacher, Advanced Modules
David Crow is a plant medicine expert, clinician, medical consultant, researcher, educator and author. He is a specialist in Chinese, Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicines and their spiritual lineages.
Joy Du Pont, AHC-NAMA, AYT-NAMA, C-IAYT - Program Director & Practicum Supervisor
Joy du Pont is an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist who works with individual clients to help them find balance and take back control over their health, life, and wellbeing. Joy is a Board Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, AYT-NAMA, Certified Yoga Therapist, RYT500, and Reiki Master Teacher. Joy is the Program Director for the school, Supervisor in our Advanced Practicum Module, and a faculty member.
Anjali Wynkoop, Ayurvedic Chef & Cooking Teacher
Anjali Wynkoop is a chef and compassionate educator. She taught Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry for nearly twenty years at Le Cordon Bleu and Oregon Culinary Institute, as well as through community outreach at venues such as Bob’s Red Mill Cooking School
April Hansen, RN - Marma Therapy & Essential Oils
April Hansen is a Registered Nurse and an Ayurvedic Yoga Consultant. She has a background in Reflexology, Reiki, Pediatrics, and Trauma Surgery. She has specialized training in Ayurveda, Yoga, and Holistic Health Coaching and believes that helping individuals achieve their highest vitality is her life mission. April is a graduate of The Sarasvati Institute of Ayurveda & Yoga Therapy.
Dr. Sarah Gilman-Short, MD, Anatomy & Physiology
Sarah is a Family Physician at Neighborhood Health Center. She did her training at Oregon Health and Science University, Family Medicine Residency. Sarah is a graduate of the Sarasvati Institute 300-hour program. She teaches Anatomy & Physiology at the Sarasvati Institute.
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND-USA, MD-Ayurveda, BAMS, CYEd
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag is a California Licensed Naturopathic Doctor with 35 years’ experience as an Ayurveda MD, Professor & Best-seller Author. He is the Founder & Medical Director of Natural Medicine & Ayurveda Clinic & Pancha-Karma Center in San Jose, California. Dr. Shanbhag serves as the Founding Dean of the School of Ayurveda & Natural Medicine at University of Silicon Andhra in California. He is the best-seller author of “Intro to Ayurveda” by Keats Publishing. Recently, he won international Awards for Excellence in Ayurvedic Teaching and Practice. Dr. Shanbhag directs a team of seven experts in Ayurveda & Natural Medicine with a high success rate in treating chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, hormonal imbalances, digestive, respiratory, skin, sleep & stress disorders. As primary care doctors, his team uses advanced diagnostics & clinically proven herbal medicines with modifications in lifestyle & diet to prevent and treat chronic diseases. This clinic has a state-of-art Pancha-Karma Center and is highly rated on YELP & GOOGLE. www.YogaAyurveda.org.
Mamta Bhatt - Vedic Philosophy Lineage Teacher
Mamta Bhatt comes from a long line of Ayurvedic Vaidya’s in Gujarat, India. She has been teaching Vedic Philosophy at The Science of the Soul Center since 2015. Mamta is fluent in five languages, including Sanskrit. She is a graduate of the Sarasvati Institute of Ayurveda & Yoga Therapy.