Faculty

  • Aparna Bapat

    Aparna Bapat, BAMS

    Bapat is the College’s senior faculty member and Academic Dean. She has been a dedicated international Ayurvedic Specialist (Vaidya), consultant, and educator since 1990 and is a member of the Board of Directors, National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA).

    She studied Ayurvedic medicine at the University of Pune, faculty of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery. She was a Senior Lecturer at the College of Ayurveda in London, U.K. Bapat is the author of numerous articles on Ayurvedic medicine and related themes, has made multiple television appearances, and is one of the premiere lecturers, scholars and practitioners of Ayurveda in the West today. She is also on the faculy of the New Jersey Institute of Ayurveda, in Montclair, New Jersey.

  • Bill Courson

    William Courson, CH, BVS (Ayu), D. Ayu.

    Bill Courson is director of the New Jersey Institute of Ayurveda/Dhanvantari School of Ayurvedic Sciences, of which he is a graduate. Bill is Sai Ayurvedic College’s Dean for Institutional Development.

    A retired accountant, he has been a lifelong student of and writer on the themes of alternative medicine, spirituality and eastern and western alchemy. In addition to his role as an ayurvedic practitioner, he is a certified herbalist, Bach flower essence therapist and Reiki Master and has authored numerous professional and popular articles in these fields. He has taught professional level courses in all of these disciplines, and most recently trained aspiring physicians in Reiki at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. He is active in a number of professional organizations, and is on the National Ayurvedic Medical Association’s professional standards and schools committees, and of the Indian-government sponsored Ayurvedic Advisory Council of the US.

  • Lina Turnes

    Lina Turnes, ND, AVS (Ayu), CHt

    Turnes received her degree in Doctor of Naturopathy from Clayton College of Nature Health. She has also received professional degrees in various alternative therapies such as an Associate in Vedic Studies from Sai Ayurvedic College and she is a Certified Hypnotherapist.

    As an Ayurvedic Practitioner her passion resides in creating custom herbal formulations and making medicated ghee. She developed the first Ayurvedic curriculum for one of the local colleges and has focused on nutritional and lifestyle changes.  As Founder/Director of Ancient Synergy, Inc. she is currently focused in spreading recognition of Ayurveda through lectures and workshops to the general public and health professionals. She has been personally involved with holistic medicine for over 10 years and in her own words, “Ayurveda is a science that benefits all – mind, body, spirit and nature”.

  • Ashlesha Raut

    (Vaidya) Ashlesha Raut, BAMS., MD Ayurveda (India), NC, BCIM

    (Vaidya) Ashlesha Raut is a Consulting Ayurvedic practitioner and Nutrition, Health Educator. She is a classically trained in Ayurveda M.D. from the prestigious Mumbai University in India with specialty in Rasashastra (Mineral Medicine) and Bhaishajya Kalpana (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics). Her expertise also includes research in Ayurvedic product formulation and branding for global markets. She was a Medical Director of L’amar Natural Products (a division of CIPLA India) and Ayurvedic Advisor for Pharmaceutical companies in India. Raut was awarded a prestigious “Shiromani Award” by Indian Board of Alternative Medicines for her contributions towards the alternative medicine in the industry. Ashlesha is a General member of NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association – USA), Life time member of NIMA (National Integrated Medical Association-India), and Treasurer & Executive member of AHWS (American Hindu World Services organization). Raut has been practicing Ayurveda for more than a decade and has been an integral part of the global healing community with a mission towards providing a Holistic Path for Wellness and Optimal Health through Ayurveda and integrative medicine.

  • Vivek Shanbag

    Vivek Shanbhag, ND (USA), MD (Ayu), BAMS, CYEd.

    Shanbhag is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, professor, researcher, author & entrepreneur. For more than 30 years, he has successfully run various businesses and institutions for promoting Ayurveda in India, USA & Japan. He is a sought-after popular speaker and has been a keynote speaker at many international conferences. He is the best-seller author of “Beginner’s Introduction to Ayurveda” by Keats Publishing and recipient of many prestigious awards that include the I.I.M. Gold Medal for his MD (Ayu) Research Thesis in 1988, the Vishwa Ayurveda Ratna Award in 2008 by the International Academy of Ayurveda Physicians and the Award for Excellence in Ayurvedic Teaching by the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America in 2010.

  • Anay Abreu

    Anay Abreu, Yoga Siromani, E-RYT, LMT, FS, AVS (Ayu).

    Anay Abreu studied hatha yoga and is certified as a teacher of yoga by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in India where she was invested with the title “Yoga Siromani”, signifying “jewel of the crown of yoga”.  She has offered authentic teachings from the lineage of this tradition for groups and individuals with specific health challenges. In her yoga practice, Anay employs numerous styles of hatha yoga, meditation practice and pranayama. She has also been practicing as a Massage Therapist and Skin Care Specialist for over 11 years and is a Certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner, and has extensively studied Yoga Therapeutics. She is a graduate from Sai Ayurvedic College of Miami’s degree program in Ayurveda and is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the Yoga Alliance.