Our Vision
At the heart of our ethos lies the conviction that Ayurveda ought to be within reach for all, regardless of location or circumstance. Our Vision is to revolutionize the landscape of mind-body medicine, rendering top-tier Ayurvedic education readily available worldwide. Committed to dismantling barriers, we strive to foster a diverse global cohort, welcoming learners from all walks of life—embracing varied cultures, faiths, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds—to study under Authentic Vidyas (Instructors) the profound art and science of Ayurvedic Medicine. Above all, our vision is to democratize Ayurveda, ensuring accessibility for our global community, irrespective of financial means.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to ensure quality Ayurvedic education is accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Our Culture
The culture at Yoga Veda Institute is a direct reflection of the Ayurvedic Model of Care. It permeates through our teaching philosophies, methodologies, and the professional conduct we instill in our students. We are devoted to shaping practitioners who are enlightened and self-actualized, encouraging meaningful dialogue and fostering relationships anchored in integrity, honesty and trust. Our educational model is not just about transferring wisdom—it’s about igniting a lifelong passion for Ayurveda in our students, influencing their journey during their time with us and far beyond.
Our Story
Founded in 2010 with a core belief in the democratization of Ayurveda and Yoga, Yoga Veda Institute emerged as a beacon of accessible education. We firmly hold that these ancient practices are rights and should not be restricted to the privileged few. Since our inception, our mission has been to provide quality education to all, regardless of background or circumstance.
Over the years, we have evolved into the world’s largest community of Ayurvedic seekers, having served over 2000 students and counting. Despite our growth, our founders remain unwavering in their commitment to these foundational beliefs. As we continue on our journey, we are dedicated to empowering individuals worldwide with the transformative wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga.
Our Leadership
Meet Coach Andy
Co-founder of the Yoga Veda Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine
Andy Allen “Coach Andy” is the visionary Founder of Yoga Veda Institute, the nation’s premier leader in Mind-Body Medicine. Aligned with our mission to make holistic education accessible to all, Andy established the institute to bridge the gap between ancient eastern teachings and modern functional western medicine. His strategic leadership and profound understanding of both eastern wisdom and contemporary mind-body health challenges have been instrumental in shaping the institute’s mission and curriculum, ensuring that quality education in this field reaches a diverse global audience.
Yoga Veda Institute is highly sought after by medical professionals, coaches, and performance experts who are eager to deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection and integrate eastern teachings into their practice. As a “coach’s coach,” Andy Allen brings over two decades of experience in performance psychology, neuro-linguistics, and mind-body medicine, making him a trusted mentor to elite experts and high achievers. His commitment to merging ancient wisdom with modern scientific approaches has positioned Yoga Veda Institute as a trailblazer in holistic health education, providing top-tier resources and guidance to those dedicated to mastering the art of mind-body integration.
Andy’s vision resonates with our core values of democratizing Ayurveda and mind-body medicine, making them accessible regardless of financial means or background. By empowering practitioners to master the integration of these worlds, he advances our goal of fostering a global community of diverse learners who can carry forward the transformative wisdom of eastern medicine, enhancing the landscape of mind-body health worldwide.
Meet Jacky Rae
Co-founder & Director of the Yoga Veda Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine
Jacky Rae’s journey to founding Yoga Veda Institute began with a simple yet profound realization: truly accessible, high-quality Ayurvedic education was hard to find. Many programs were expensive, location-bound, or offered only a surface-level understanding of Ayurveda. Jacky knew there had to be a better way.
Driven by her own challenges in finding an education that fit her life, Jacky set out to create a program that broke down these barriers. She envisioned an Ayurvedic school that would be accessible to people from all walks of life, offering flexibility and affordability without sacrificing depth or authenticity.
In 2015, alongside her husband Andy Allen, Jacky co-founded Yoga Veda Institute. Their mission was clear: to provide an inclusive, flexible, and high-quality Ayurvedic education for those who couldn’t attend traditional schools. YVI’s virtual campus allowed students from around the world to engage with world-class educators, and its practical hands-on experiences, through retreats and clinical immersions, ensured students could apply their learning in real-world settings.
Jacky’s passion for accessible education has shaped every aspect of YVI. Her commitment to creating a space where students can transform, discover their calling, and confidently walk the Ayurvedic path remains at the heart of the Institute.
Today, YVI is a beacon for those seeking more than just academic knowledge. It’s a place for transformation, healing, and community—driven by Jacky’s unwavering belief that Ayurveda should be accessible to everyone who hears its call.
Meet Brittany Woodard
Dean of Education of the Yoga Veda Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine
Brittany’s fever for the healing arts was ignited during her academic pursuit of Anthropology, where she unearthed the profound influence of spiritual well-being and the art of healing. This revelation propelled her towards her true calling, leading to her graduation from the Ayurvedic Practitioner Program at Yoga Veda Institute.
Today, she stands as a dedicated Ayurvedic Practitioner and holds certification as a Yoga Instructor. In her role as the Dean of Education at Yoga Veda Institute, Brittany’s entire being is devoted to the timeless principles of Ayurveda and yoga. Her heart is unwaveringly committed to guiding and nurturing her students on their transformative journey towards optimal health and holistic wellness.
Meet Raine Beckett
Community Concierge at the Yoga Veda Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine
Raine is a passionate advocate for balanced, holistic health and wellness. Her journey into the realm of natural medicine commenced over two decades ago when she recognized the profound disconnect that has separated humanity from our innate essence and our interconnectedness with the universe.
Raine extends her knowledge and expertise as she facilitates Ayurvedic trainings, retreats, and yoga and meditation workshops across India and South Africa. With her commitment to holistic well-being and deep-rooted wisdom, she endeavors to guide others toward a more profound understanding of their authentic selves and their connection to the universe.
Our Educators
Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, A.D.
Khalsa is President Emeritus of the American Herbalists Guild, Director Emeritus of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and your mentor in Ayurvedic Herbalism for Self Healing.
Dr. Sheila Patel, M.D.
Dr. Sheila Patel, M.D., is renowned for her expertise in integrative medicine, blending the wisdom of Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga with modern medical practices. With years of experience and a dedication to holistic health, she offers a unique and personalized approach to healing.
Dr. Resmi BAMS
Dr. Resmi practices Ayurvedic Gynecology & Pregnancy Care and has published research papers in renowned journals. She specializes in Yoga & Naturopathy and is your mentor in Panchakarma & Ayurvedic Detoxification.
Marek Sawicki
Marek Sawicki is a professional instructor and a highly trained and experienced clinician. His comprehensive education includes being a graduate of The Ayurvedic Institute of Albuquerque, N.M. under the guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad. Marek is your mentor in Ayurvedic in clinical assessment.
Dr. Scott Roos ED.D
Teacher Scott studied upper division Sanskrit at UC Berkeley and Ayurveda at the Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in New Zealand and the Ayurvedic Institute under Dr. Vasant Ladd. Teacher Scott is your mentor in Sanskrit and Mantra for Ayurvedic Practitioners.
DR. Pratibha Shah, BAMS
Pratibha Shah is an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert. Intensely trained in Traditional Health Sciences as well as Public Health, Pratibha Shah distils Eastern wisdom with an understanding of Western principles, for the best care of her clients.
Kaya Mindlin
Kaya is an IAYT certified Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Practitioner and Teachers’ Teacher. She’s logged over 10,000 hours credentialed study and wor k in Vedic therapies – Restorative Yoga Therapy, Clinical Ayurveda. Kaya is your mentor in Ayurvedic Nutrition.
Terra Raffael
Terra Rafael is a positive and inspirational holistic women’s health practitioner, writer, and instructor on women’s health, focused on helping women find balance and your mentor in Self Healing for Women's Health.
Christine Devlin Eck
Christine is the Director Sacred Window Center founded by the late Ysha Oaks. She has a background as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Educator, Group Facilitator and Birth and Postpartum Doula and is your mentor in Ayurvedic Pregnancy, Birth and the Sacred Window.
Our Students
Kruti Thakore
Kruti Thakore specializes in guiding and supporting those dealing with lifestyle-related conditions to break free from lifelong medication dependency and avoid further complications. She empowers individuals to reclaim their vitality, cultivate...
Sophia Quzi
Sophia is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with a passion for holistic healing. She specializes in providing personalized Ayurvedic consultations, herbal remedies, and lifestyle recommendations to help clients achieve optimal health. Sophia is dedicated...
Sita Severson
Sita Severson is a clairvoyant, energy worker and gifted empath with a direct, loving and transformational approach. In her years of experience, and her work with thousands of people, she has become exceptionally well versed in transformative...
Casey Roberts
Casey Roberts, AHC, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Founder of Peak Balance Wellness, serves as Director of Sevanti Wellness Center where he oversees the departments of Ayurveda Counseling and Yoga Therapy, and is an independent film Producer. He has...
Sandy Morales
With a lifelong passion for natural health stemming from a transformative encounter with severe peritonitis, I embarked on a journey to understand the profound interplay between diet, mind, and the body's innate healing capacity. Disinclined to...
Charlotte Legrand
I am Charlotte, a yoga teacher and ayurvedic guide, but first of all, a student of life. My path with yoga and Ayurveda began when I was 18, and I discovered yoga by walking into a gym studio. Since I kept falling in love with this wisdom. In 2021,...
Anna Ladowski
A bridge between the old world and the new earth. I am a first-generation immigrant from European descent born in Venezuela. I speak Polish, Spanish, English, French and am learning Portugues and Italian. Reiki and Sivananda yogini. Panchakarma,...
Isabella Koepf
Isabella is a yoga therapist, clinical herbalist, holistic nutritionist, Ayurvedic practitioner, 500-hour certified yoga teacher, and health coach with a B.Sc. in psychology, biology, and religious studies and a current master’s student in clinical...
Margaux Justice
Heyo! I’m Margaux. I’m a certified Yoga guide, budding herbalist, and third year student of YogaVeda Institute’s Ayurvedic Practitioner program. I’m a healing artist on a mission to empower YOU to take charge of your story, restore your joy, and...
Shilpi Jain
Shilpi Jain graduated magna cum laude with a Masters' degree in Chemistry from the University of Toronto She was involved in anti-cancer drug research using thioureas, obesity drug research on Lorcaserin at Arena Pharmaceuticals and has co-authored...
Sabine Horner
As a registered Nutritionist and Yoga Therapist who lost her partner to leukaemia, my mission is to support those struggling after a profound loss so that they feel better again, using the power of food and breath as their ‘medicine’. As part of...
Kate Hanssen
Kates passion for all things connected to Vedic traditions is evident when you speak with her. Whilst still discovering and exploring this lifelong learning, Kate takes people on tours to Nepal. Nepal is steeped in ancient wisdom, mysteries from...
Johanna Guerillot
I am Johanna, an Ayurvedic practitioner deeply dedicated to women's health, holistic medicine, and the profound wisdom of ancient traditions. My journey with Ayurveda began seven years ago on a solo adventure to India. There, I found myself at the...
Nathalie Gajdos
Nathalie Gajdos is a dedicated holistic wellness practitioner who combines the principles of Ayurveda and Yoga with her formal education in psychology and human behavior.Her journey toward holistic wellness began at a young age when she greatly...
Saara Elsayed
Saara was born in Kuwait city from an Egyptian family and successfully graduated in Ayurvedic Practitioner Diploma Program from Shadanga ayurveda Gurukul - New Delhi.Saara knew she had a vocation for Naturopathy and Holistic therapies since her...
Amy Eldredge
Amy Eldredge enthusiastically offers teachings from the heart with sweetness, authenticity, and humor using intuitive healing. Amy has 20+ years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner caring for and teaching people at all stages of life. In 2016 she...
Natalie Durham
As a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (June 2024) Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Ayurvedic Body/Beauty Work Specialist, Western Herbalist and Licensed Aesthetician I specialize in Ayurvedic Skin Therapy. I work with clients both online and in person...
Anne Desjardins
Anne has healed herself from many things including long-term Lyme and tick-borne illness as well as HPV and near cervical cancer. After Western medicine left her with no alternatives, Anne began exploring more holistic modalities. Through the grace...
Magistra Vella Catania
A native to Western NY, Vella Catania is an Ayurvedic Practitioner whose experience is seated in Education, Energy Medicine, Alchemy, and the ancient esoterica of Ayurveda, Yoga Technology, Pranayama and Meditation as well as Psychosynthesis. At...
Our Testimonials
Our DEIB Commitment
Yoga Veda Institute (YVI) ardently upholds our pledge to champion diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and belonging (B) within the realm of Ayurvedic Medicine. We are committed to nurturing an ethos of inclusivity and community among our staff and collaborators, with the goal of contributing to the broader narrative of health equity on a global scale.
At YVI, we regard each person as a treasured component of our collective, acknowledging their inherent worth and contributions to our mission. We strive to create a welcoming space where mutual respect and a sense of belonging are the cornerstones, where the diverse identities, experiences, viewpoints, and talents of each individual are valued and celebrated. It is through this lens of diversity and unwavering commitment to equity that YVI aspires to effectively meet the needs of our ever-growing and multifaceted network of practitioners and clients in Ayurvedic Medicine.
At Our Core - We're All About Connection
Connection lies at the core of our mission, shaping every aspect of our journey together. To discover if Yoga Veda Institute resonates with your Ayurvedic aspirations, we invite you to connect directly with our program director.