Renowned Ayurveda master Pankaj Naram Passes away

Renowned Ayurveda master Pankaj Naram Passes away Mumbai Feb 19 

from United News of India and Cynthia Copple

Renowned Ayurveda Master Pankaj Naram who treated people like St. Teresa and the Dalai Lama as well as celebrities worldwide, passed away on Wednesday following heart failure, his family said on Saturday. 

He had arrived in Mumbai from Dubai and suddenly collapsed while going through the check-out at Mumbai Airport.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital and all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, his wife Smita and son Krushna—both Ayurvedic doctors, said in an official statement. He was 65.

 He treated hundreds of thousands of patients around the world, in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, South Africa and the Arab nations.

In 1988 NAMA co-founder Cynthia Copple met him in Mumbai and sat with him as he read pulses and gave herbal remedies to 400 plus patients a day. She took each pulse after him, as he taught his pulse reading technique. 

She sponsored Dr. Naram for his first US trip in 1989 and he came to her clinic several times a year for a few years, then returned under various sponsorships several times a year for around 30 years, treating many thousands of patients.

His wife Smita was a Presenter at a NAMA conference.

In 1988 Ayurveda was in disrepute in India, and he determined to change that. He had a national TV show on Ayurveda in Mumbai, was interviewed and wrote many articles world-wide and continually traveled, taught and treated patients to spread the knowledge of Ayurveda. He was small in stature and huge in ambition and accomplishment.

His father, a Naturopathic Doctor, told him he should become a politician or lawyer. But he chose a field that was not well respected among the well-educated, and he made it respectable. He learned business strategies from Tony Robbins as well as from international experts and combined the wisdom of Ayurveda with good business practices to become financially and personally very successful. He always said it was not he who was successful, but he was simply there as a conduit to bring Ayurveda world-wide. He was a very spiritual man, as are most Ayurvedic doctors.

 We are lucky to have had such a charismatic and ambitious Ayurvedic doctor spreading the word world-wide. It is a great loss.

Why I will never miss a NAMA conference

by Maria Radloff

Chair – NAMA Students Subcommittee

It was through yoga that I discovered Ayurveda, and every time I practice, I think of my first teacher and all the doors he opened for me. Today I still practice ashtanga yoga, study Sanskrit, participate in a weekly Ayurvedic philosophy class, and am working on completing my AP training at Kerala Ayurveda Academy.

Ayurveda was an instant attraction for me, but it took many years to solidify my dream of attending a NAMA-recognized school. During that time, however, I did discover NAMA and longed to attend their conferences, featuring famous speakers and so many interesting topics. I was so smitten, but I was too afraid to go since I had no formal education in Ayurveda.

Fast forward ten years to when it became my dream to study Ayurveda. Not only am I now a NAMA Student Member, I am an active on a NAMA Students committee, and I have already attended two conferences and am registered for a third in April!

Community

I was a little nervous about going alone to my first conference, but a dear friend hooked me up with a roommate, and I had a few friends from other cities that would also be attending. I knew my teachers and some classmates would be there, which was also comforting.

After having attended two conferences, I can say that I have always felt included because everyone there is very friendly and welcoming. I met people at meals with whom I shared a table and at workshops, and I met other students. I now feel confident about going because there will be many familiar faces from my growing circle of friends who study and practice Ayurveda.

Spending an entire weekend with passionate Ayurvedic professionals and students is great support for me because I feel a bit isolated in my Ayurvedic community in Utah. Spending the weekend learning and sharing with such a variety of people really helps me stay connected to both the greater vision of Ayurveda and my purpose in studying it.

Good Eats

When I talk to people about Ayurveda, the subject I’m most passionate about is Ayurvedic cooking. I love food and I love encouraging people to cook and use spices. Let me tell you about eating at NAMA conferences! There is no greater joy than that of sharing an Ayurvedic meal, especially when the food is sublime. NAMA brings recipes to the chefs who prepare the meals, and the magic that happens in the kitchen produces unforgettably delicious results. There are three daily vegetarian meals that even for a snacking vata like me are fully satiating. The food is seriously the best!

Friends and teachers from Ayurveda school, 2019.

Panchakarma panelists, 2018

Friends that I knew from Phoenix who also love Ayurveda, 2019.

Learning

Because my knowledge of Ayurveda is still at the student level, I was nervous that the workshops might be over my head. That wasn’t the case. My feeling is that we hear is what we can understand, and we all get something a little different. The presentations are useful for students and  practitioners at all levels. What I enjoy most is hearing from a teacher who broadens my understanding of a topic by presenting it  in a new way. 

I can also continue my studies after the conference by purchasing recordings of the workshops. I listen to them on my iPod while hiking, dog walking, or traveling. Knowing that I can get the recordings means that I can be fully present to the speakers and not have to worry about taking notes.

Relevance in the Modern World

The conference is the best place to hear about the role of Ayurveda in the real world, complete with real-world data and studies. This material shows why the ancient practice of Ayurveda is a practical healthcare approach for modern society. Presenters share current data about health and cultural trends. For example, during last year’s conference on Ayurveda for the Mind, the topic of social media’s psychological impact came up frequently. We were given stats on how social media affects mental health and how we can use Ayurveda to manage its effects. If you want to learn about how Ayurveda is being used as a modern healthcare tool, the conference is the place to go.

Conferences really inspire me each year to study, practice, and invest in Ayurveda as an student, because it is there that I get to experience Ayurveda through the lens of NAMA. This perspective helps me truly appreciate NAMA’s vision and purpose. I am so excited that there is work being done to create a licensed Ayurvedic career pathway in this country. NAMA is needed to help our community eliminate the legal and other barriers to the growth of Ayurveda in the U.S. It was because of my first conference that I was inspired to join NAMA as a volunteer. 

Ayurvedic celebrities!, 2019.

Of course I’m sharing the photo with Robert Svaboda. Can you see my giddiness?!, 2018.

Ayurvedic Celebrities

And lastly, one of my favorite things about the NAMA conference is the chance to enjoy “celebrity sightings”! I see the authors of my favorite books and the famous Ayurvedic teachers—all of the big names in Ayurveda. Robert Svoboda was the keynote at the first conference I attended, and I am his biggest fan! He was as charming and smart in person as he is in his books. I was mesmerized. I tried to be nonchalant when I got a photo with him, but as soon as I felt my feet walking toward him, all giddy hell broke loose and I couldn’t stop smiling like a lunatic. I have since gotten my demeanor around Ayurvedic celebrities under control, but I have to admit, seeing them in person is still quite glorious!

Big Break for NAMA Student Members

If you’re a NAMA Student Member like me, you get the benefit of the biggest pricing discount NAMA offers. If you’re not, you can sign up (make sure you complete steps to become a Student Member). 

After you’re all signed up as a Student Member, you’ll want to take advantage of your discount and register for Conference.  

In Conclusion

Attending the NAMA conference had been a dream for so long that I do everything I can to make it happen each year. I have to plan early and budget, which can sometimes be intimidating, but I wouldn’t miss the yearly conference for anything. My experiences there are what inspires me to continue studying and practicing. As a student, I get to see what is possible. I learn from the best. I discover Ayurveda in new ways. I think it’s important for anyone studying or practicing Ayurveda to be able to attend as many conferences as possible in order to connect with other  students and practitioners, share ideas, and stay in the know.

I will be attending the NAMA conference in 2020 and look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces, especially the other students!

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About Author

Maria Radloff is currently an AWP student at Kerala Ayurveda Academy. Besides studying ayurveda, Maria practices and teaches Ashtanga Yoga as well as Sanskrit. She has taught at a variety of yoga studios for over ten years and has taught at many yoga teacher training programs. She also offers a regular online Sanskrit class. Besides her passion for yoga, she loves design and writing and works as a graphic designer, specializing in non-profits and yoga businesses. Her greatest love, though, is introducing Ayurveda to anyone she can reach through writing articles and teaching workshops.

Call For 2020 Silent Auction Donations

It is that time again! We are now accepting donations for our Annual Conference Silent Auction. We are excited to announce this year we will be conducting our silent auction a bit differently then years past. This year we will be hosting a gala on Saturday April 25th after our Keynote speaker Deepak Chopra. At the gala we will be celebrating our 20th year as an organization and durning this time we will be announcing the winner of each wonderful action item and the company that donated the item. 

Because of this we are asking for specific donations with a higher donation value then years past. Please see below the follow donation categories we are soliciting for: 

Products: Product bundle worth $250 dollars or more. This is a perfect opportunity for a product company to offer our attendees a sample of the many wonderful products they have that will be useful for their practice.

Books: Educational book bundle worth $250 dollars or more. If you are a school or book company, this is your chance to showcase what you got by designing a bundle of Ayurveda and sister sciences educational books.

Ayurvedic Education or Professional Continuing Education: We would love for our schools/PACE Providers to show our community a peak into your offerings. We would love for you to donate an educational program/continuing educational program of $500 dollars or more. 

Retreat Center/Panchakarma Center/Spa: Because retreats, spa services and panchakarma is such a large part of Ayurveda we ask at this time to share your services with our attendees by offering a package of $800 or more. This will not only bring awareness to our attendees about your offerings, but it will allow for the lucky winners to experience your offering and when it comes to marketing, first hand experience is the best. 

We are also changing the way will will be accepting donations. This year we are asking for an information flyer of the offering you are donating and a certificate we will be giving to the winner. The winner will then contact you directly using their certificate to redeem their winnings. 

• Flyer Specs: 8.5 x11 full color advertisement of your donation. 

• Certification/Gift Card Spec: 8.5 x 11 certification /gift card with complete instructions on how the winner will receive the item.

• Description: Please include a 42 word or less description of your offering and company information that we can read at the time of the winning announcement. 

The flyers will be displayed in a lanyard on our Silent Auction table all day on Saturday starting at 8:00 am. The certificate will be given to the winner durning the announcement at our gala. Providing apple exposure to your company and your generous donation. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. We will be only accepting 12-18 donation bundles this year, so please get back to us soon if your organization would like to participate.  Please contact Sophia@ ayurvedanama.org for submissions.

Warmly- NAMA conference committee

Thank you and Congratulations! Together we Celebrate this Landmark Event

Namaste Professional Member,

Greetings—and thank you for taking the time to complete your board certification and NAMA Professional Membership requirements. On December 31, 2019, NAMA reached another milestone, and congratulations are in order because you are part of the 80 percent of our Professional Members who met the deadline and completed your mandatory board certification requirements. Together we can celebrate this landmark event in your career and in our mutual efforts to advance the Ayurvedic profession. 

[Note that AD members are not yet board certified, though they were held to the same requirements. Board certification for AD members is coming soon.]

Completing your PACE credits and paying your membership dues means you are a board-certified NAMA Professional Membership. Thank you for the time and effort you have invested in your Ayurvedic continuing education and in our goal of raising the stature of the Ayurvedic profession in the United States and around the world. NAMA, and the Ayurvedic profession, could not be where it is today without the support of every one of you.

As a NAMA Professional Member you are entitled to some incredible benefits:

• Access to NAMA’s library of over 80 Seminars in Ayurveda

• Complimentary subscription to the Ayurveda Journal of Health

• Professional listing on NAMA FIND AN AYURVEDIC PROFESSIONAL page 

• Opportunity to become a PACE Provider and list your PACE course offerings 

• Opportunity to present a Seminar in Ayurveda 

• A chance to volunteer on a NAMA committee or subcommittee  

• Access to partnered discount providers

• Discount for NAMA’s annual conference

 You can always reach out to staff you have any questions about your Professional Member benefits. 

2020–2021 PACE Cycle

We suggest submitting your credits for continuing education to NAMA as you earn them. Doing so will keep your profile updated with all of your training in Ayurveda, wellness, and Ayurveda’s sister sciences and all of the experience in teaching, publishing, and volunteering that you’re gaining out there in the world. 

The 2020-2021 Ethics Quiz will be available soon. You must pass this quiz and submit 28 course credits by 12/31/21, as well as pay your dues annually to remain a board-certified Professional Member. 

For those of you who are coming to NAMA’s 2020 Annual Conference, you will earn 15 PACE credits for attending. Our annual event is a great place to complete your continuing education and network with other Ayurvedic professionals. We are planning an incredible event at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. We hope you will be able to join us for this upcoming Conference, Ayurveda and Spirituality. 

We will be offering videos from Annual Conferences prior to 2019 for PACE credits—as well as from our 2020 Conference, later this year. Remember, 2019 conference videos are available for your enjoyment and as a convenient way to earn PACE credit. 

Watch for other PACE courses that may interest you from the new PACE listings.

As mentioned above, you, as a NAMA Professional Member, have the opportunity to offer a PACE-listed course ($50 per submission; $75 for a featured submission). PACE-listed courses may only be offered by NAMA Professional Members or vetted Organizational Members. 

For more information on PACE or on maintaining your board certification, please see your NAMACB Certification Handbook. 

Please reach out to staff with any questions or comments on how we can better serve you and our community. 

Thank you again for joining us on this incredible journey. 

Margrit Mikulis, ND AD
President

Yoga For Cardio Metabolic Disorders Panel Presentation

Saturday, April 25, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

FOUNDATIONAL TRACK – The practice of various yogic & Ayurvedic techniques has been shown to aid in the prevention and reversal of heart disease as well as the wide spectrum of associated metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Panelists will present an overview of the subject as well as relevant case studies that provide evidence of the benefits of yoga & Ayurveda for people with these conditions that has been validated by medical research.

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Durga Leela, CAP, NAMA-AYT, C-IAYT, eRYT 500, YACEP

Founder of Recovery, a comprehensive program that integrates Ayurveda and yoga with recovery tools for those affected by addiction and self-destructive behaviors. She is a person in long-term recovery (20 years). She has been the Director of the Ayurveda Programs at the Sivananda Yoga Farm since 2003 and is a faculty member at several IAYT-accredited schools.

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Erin Koehler, RN

Erin is a registered nurse and holds advanced certificates in Ayurvedic health and yoga. She offers consultations in Mammoth Lake, CA, and blends the timeless wisdom of these ancient sciences with the evolving knowledge of Western medicine.

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Dilip Sarkar, MD, FACS, C-IAYT, CAHC, D.Litt.(Yoga)

Dilip is an MD; FACS; C-IAYT; D.Litt. (Yoga); Chairman of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Yoga, Taksha Institute; and a retired vascular surgeon turned yoga acharya. He has authored a DVD and a recent book, Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda and Western Medicine: A Healthy Convergence.

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Arun Deva, CAP, C-IAYT, AYT-NAMA

Panel Moderator: A NAMA Board member and Chair of the NAMA Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy Subcommittee, Arun is committed to uniting yoga and Ayurveda for therapeutic purposes. He writes about, lectures on, promotes awareness of, and teaches the subject.

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Don't Miss out on the 2020 Conference Advanced Rate! Ends February 15th!

Join Us For Our 16th 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. Last year’s event was a significant achievement, with the highest number of attendees to date. Join us in 2020 for an event brimming with educational experiences and community spirit at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina!

Featured Presenters

Deepak Chopra, founder of The Chopra Foundation and co-founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolism.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians; Clinical Professor at UCSD Medical School; Researcher, Neurology and Psychiatry, at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH); and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. The World Post and The Huffington Post global internet index of influential thinkers ranked Chopra #17 in the world and #1 in Medicine. Chopra is the author of more than 86 books translated into over 43 languages, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. 

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Vasant Lad is a native of India and served for three years as the Medical Director of the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune, India. He was a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years. He holds a BAMS degree from the University of Pune and a Master's of Ayurvedic Science (MAsc) degree from Tilay Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya. His academic and practical training include the study of allopathy (Western medicine) and surgery as well as traditional Ayurveda. He traveled to the U.S. in 1979 and started the Ayurvedic Institute in 1984. The author of numerous books, Vasant Lad is respected throughout the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda. His work, which comprises over 500,000 copies of his books in print in the U.S., has been translated into more than 20 languages.

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Maya Tiwari is an Ayurveda pioneer and best-selling author working in the field for more than 30 years. She established one of the first Ayurvedic school in North America in 1981, the Wise Earth School. Through her humanitarian work of Living Ahimsa and Peace Mandala, participants are taught to create inner harmony. Maya is a regular featured speaker at the Parliament of World Religions and other inter-faith conferences worldwide.

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Dilip Sarkar is a retired vascular surgeon turned yoga acharya, Certified Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, and Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor. He serves on local and national healthcare boards, such as the American Heart Association, Hampton Roads Chapter, VA, and Life in Yoga Institute. In January 2019 he was awarded a Doctor of Letters degree in Yoga by the best yoga university in the world, SVYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anushandhana Samsthana) of Bengaluru, India. His latest book was published in 2017, Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, and Western Medicine: A Healthy Convergence. Dr. Sarkar is a lifetime member of NAMA.

Ayurveda for Millennials

NAMA Seminars in Ayurveda - February 24, 2020 with Manas Kshirsagar, AD

“Ayurveda for Millennials” offers you simple, powerful, and effective strategies for bringing more awareness to the root causes of health issues and discontentment. And, if you currently feel great and as though you’re in the prime of life, learn how to maintain that vitality and health so that you never give away your power to energy-depleting influences. Manas feels confident that “If we teach this generation how to heal, we can cure the next generation.”

Manas Kshirsagar is a NAMA board-certified Ayurvedic Doctor. He comes from a Rig Vedic Brahmin tradition with an extensive Ayurvedic background. He graduated from Aloha Ayurveda Academy and completed his MS in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine from Maharishi University of Management. For the last five years, Manas has traveled the nation setting up protocols for Ayurvedic medicine in yoga studios, hospitals, and integrative wellness clinics. He is currently a resident practitioner at Ayurvedic Healing in Santa Cruz, CA.

CALL DETAILS

5:00 P.M. PACIFIC | 6:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN | 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL | 8:00 P.M. EASTERN - CALL (712) 770-5603 AND ENTER ACCESS CODE 683432#

Google Calendar  ICS

Ayurveda and Yoga for PTSD

Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM at the 2020 NAMA Conference For Ayurveda and Yoga for PTSD PANEL

ADVANCED TRACK – Post-traumatic stress disorder is as old as time, yet its frequency seems to have reached an unprecedented level in today’s world. Explore the teaching tools available to help individuals manage this sometimes crippling disorder. The panel will address how to use specific Ayurvedic and yogic techniques and practices to create a positive rehabilitation experience for those who struggle with this condition.

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Alana Greenberg, CAP, MA, AYT, E-RYT 500, and CIAYT

Alana has been conducting presentations on the topic of Ayurveda and yoga for trauma for over 10 years and has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. She received her master's in Trauma Counseling. After graduating from the Ayurvedic Institute, she continued her studies in Kerala.

Lisa Bolden, CAP, MSW, MBA, TCTSY-F, RYT

Lisa is the Coordinator of the International TCTSY Certification Program. She received her master's degree in Social Work with a Trauma-Informed Care Concentration from the University of New England. She owns Sama Tal, LLC, in Hampton, NH.

Shiksha Thakur, BAMS, AD

Shiksha has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner for over 9 years. She completed her BAMS in India as well as additional trainings in nādi parīkṣā, craniosacral therapy, and ayur jagruti at Sri Sri Ayurveda College in Bangalore.

Dhanada Kulkarni - BAMS, MD AD, LMT, RMAS, BCIM,

Panel Moderator: Ayurvedic doctor, Vedic astrologer, and vastu consultant VedAcharya Dhanada Kulkarni is an internationally known speaker, teacher, and yoga expert representing her Yajur Vedic Brahmin lineage. A NAMA Board member, she is the founder of Texas’s authentic Astanga Ayurveda and Panchakarma Wellness Center.

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Become a 2020 Conference Volunteer!

Are you a NAMA Member attending the 2020 Conference? We are now organizing our roster of volunteers for the upcoming NAMA Conference. The help of volunteers is essential to accomplishing all the steps required to ensure the event flows smoothly and efficiently. We invite any NAMA members to participate as volunteers.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

• Meet new friends.

• Mix with old friends.

• Work behind the scenes to make a difference.

• Help your association.

• Experience the Joy of Seva.

• Get some money back—you’ll receive a $100 rebate after the Conference!

Join the Pre-Conference Practicum: Ayurveda for Daily Living: Five Sense Therapy

with Suhas Kshirsagar and Anupama Kizhakkeveettil

Practicum is a separate registration. Earn 5 PACE credits for attending. Cost: $95 Members; $115 Non-members

Friday, April 24, 1:00pm - 4:00 pm

FOUNDATIONAL PRACTICUM: This practicum will cover the basic rituals of caring for our five senses in support of our health as well as the prevention of disease. We will look at common health conditions that can be improved by these focused techniques. Demonstration and practice of special techniques, such as jala neti, abhyanga, tongue scraping, oil pulling, and nasya, will be included in the session.

Suhas Kshirsagar, BAMS MD (Ayu), AD

Suhas is a classically trained Ayurvedic Physician, with 30 years of experience in the field. He is a best-selling author and an insightful medical astrologer. He has been instrumental in designing curriculums for Ayurvedic programs and has published many research papers.

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Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, AD

Anupama is an Ayurvedic Doctor, LAc, yoga teacher, and Program Director at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. She has been teaching and practicing Ayurvedic medicine for 19 years. She is involved in complementary medicine research and contributes to peer-reviewed journals.

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