Ayurvedic Ambassadors

Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar BAMS, MD (Ayurveda)

Dr. Suhas is a classically trained Ayurvedic Physician with over 32 years of Clinical Experience.

He is a gold medalist for his research thesis at Pune University.

Dr. Suhas is a Best-Selling Author, Motivational Speaker and an acclaimed Educator in the field of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine. He has traveled around the globe popularizing Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation & Natural Medicine. He has Chaired & designed curriculums for several Ayurvedic schools including Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda, Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Maharishi University. He is an adviser to National Ayurvedic Medical Association.

Dr. Suhas has formulated some very successful herbal products generating multi-million dollars in revenues.

He was featured in many popular Podcasts, Radio & Television shows.

He is an Adviser to the Chopra Center and is the Director of Ayurvedic Healing, an Integrative Wellness and Pancha Karma Clinic in Santa Cruz, CA. He specializes in Personalized and Lifestyle Medicine.

His popular books are: “The Hot Belly Diet”, “Change Your Schedule Change Your Life”, “Panchakarma” & “The Art & Science of Vedic Counseling”.

Dr. Manisha Kshirsagar BAMS, DY&A, Esthetician

Dr. Manisha is an experienced Ayurvedic Doctor who specializes in Women’s Health, Skin & Beauty. She has traveled over 30 countries teaching Yoga & Ayurveda. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher and was also trained at Indian College of Naturopathy. She has conducted numerous workshops on Ayurvedic Home Remedies, Beauty from Within and Herbal Formulations.

She teaches regularly at numerous Ayurvedic schools and has formulated a product line of Herbal Teas, Supplements, Spice Mixes & a line of Skin Care.

Her popular books include “Enchanting Beauty”, “Ayurveda: A Quick Reference Handbook” and “Panchakarma- The Ayurvedic Science of Detoxification & Rejuvenation”.

Shekhar Annambhotla, B.A.M.S., M.D.-Ayurved, LMT, RAD, AD, RDAM, ERYT-500, YACEP, NCBTMB-CEP, BCIM, FAAPNA, CRH, CPH, CEH

He is an ayurvedic specialist who was trained in India and has been practicing and teaching ayurveda worldwide since 1988. Ayurveda is not just a system of alternative medicine, but is actually a comprehensive and ancient science of health.

It is Shekhar’s belief that due to the open nature of ayurveda and its timeless principles, it is a boon to those of us living in the modern, stressful world. Shekhar’s mission is to educate and help people live healthier lives with ayurveda.

Since 2002, Dr. Shekhar has been the Founding Director of Ojas LLC, (website) Ayurveda Wellness Center, in Pennsylvania, USA. He is the Founder, President and Chairman of the Board of Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA) (website).  He is director of Global Ayurveda Conferences, LLC (website) offering various international and national conferences around the globe.  Dr. Shekhar also established Global Ayurveda Academy (website) and created various MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) from various Colleges and Institutions in India and other countries to foster and promote Ayurveda education to common person, health professionals, yoga teachers and massage therapists. He established Dosha Botanicals, LLC (website) to offer various herbal formulations according to doshas, sub doshas, dhatus, malas, agni, ama, srotas etc., Dr. Shekhar served on the Board of Directors for National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) from 2005-2010.

Learn more about Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla on our blog pages in Men in Healthcare. Follow on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram!

Michelle Reum, Ayurvedic Bodyworker and Integrative Nutritional Coach

Michelle's wellness journey began over 15 years ago with motherhood, inspiring her path in self-care practices. Raised in Salem, MA, her affinity for self-nurturing traditions runs deep. Yoga and Ayurveda became her soul's focus. She shifted from fashion to health and wellness, completing a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018, followed by Ayurvedic training at the Kripalu Institute.

Michelle holds various certifications, including Ayurvedic Integrative Nutrition Coach, Reiki Level 2 Practitioner, and 500 RYT certification. Outside her professional pursuits, she enjoys crafting skincare remedies and spending time in nature soaking in the elements. For more information visit: Mind Breath Bodywork

Kendra, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Yoga Instructor

Hi, my name is Kendra! I am a mom of a 5 year old son and an NYU graduate with a masters in dance education. I have been an educator with the Department of Education since 2001. 

My journey through education and dance has been extraordinary, but my true passion is helping others find balance and understand the amazing benefits of Mindfulness through Yoga & Ayurveda. Through my own personal practice I came to realize that there was much more to learn about these ancient practices. 

My completion of a 500hr yoga teacher training certification was between 2006-2011.

In 2017, I became a certified Ayurveda health counselor through the Himalayan Institute and became a registered health counselor with NAMA, the National Ayurveda Medical Association. 

Guiding people in Mindfulness, Yoga and Ayurveda allows me to provide a way for you to be happier, healthier and Live Your Practice.

For more information visit: K.R.J Yoga & Ayurveda

Jaya Daptardar

Dr. Jaya Daptardar is an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert, licensed Esthetician, writer, entrepreneur, healthcare executive, and speaker. She holds a Master's degree in healthcare administration and management in the USA and is also an Ayurvedic doctor. She was the winner of the director's choice title in the Mrs. India Connecticut beauty pageant and has been recently interviewed by MediQueen, a doctor's beauty pageant in India, and other countries. She also served as a Jury for the MediQueen 2021 contest.

Dr. Daptardar is passionate about beauty care in Ayurveda and Ayurveda for behavioral health and addiction. She has authored three books, namely "Aging Gracefully," "Ayurveda's Wisdom for Management of Pain and Addiction," and "Be Beautiful Inside Out." Her contributions have been acknowledged in magazines, newspapers, and television in the USA.

She is a show host, anchor, music enthusiast, actor, fashion designer, and artist. Dr. Daptardar has received the DHARMA award from the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America for her work in Ayurveda and wellness. She has also received an international women's empowerment award from Ayush Darpan India, New Delhi, for her work in the women's health and wellness field.

Dr. Daptardar has been practicing and teaching Ayurveda in the USA for 25 years. She has been a speaker for global conferences for 20 years. Besides her work in Ayurveda and the wellness world, she also serves on multiple boards and works with non-profit organizations. She is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in the healthcare service field by the Physician's Association in CT.

Dr. Daptardar believes in prevention and lifestyle management as better tools for wellness and longevity. Besides her work in the health and wellness field, she is the CEO of Active Ayurveda and Yoga LLC and has an Ayurvedic beauty product line, Ayurvedic herbs, therapy oils, and a food product line. She is a faculty at AAPNA, Global Ayurveda Conferences, and Counsel Academy. She is also an executive healthcare business consultant for multiple companies and works as a Chief Strategy and Compliance officer of Bridges Healthcare in CT.

For more information visit: AyurBeautyandLifestyle

Maria O'Connell

My career began as a registered dental hygienist in the state of Michigan where I grew up as the second of three sisters.  When my eldest son was one, I returned to school to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in thermal and fluid systems.  I had the wonderful opportunity to work as an automotive engineer until 2007 when I moved to Cypress, TX to begin a career in the Oil and Gas Industry performing computation fluid dynamics research in erosion modeling.  My roles enabled me to work with some wonderful individuals and mentors providing a variety of assignment with my final opportunity serving as Vice President of Quality until I retired in April of 2020.   After leaving the corporate world I set out to enhance my education to better be of service to others.  I started by studying yoga at the Houston Yoga and Ayurvedic Ashram in Cypress, TX then went on to study Ayurveda under Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute.  With gratitude this has led me to obtain a NAMA certification as an Ayurvedic Practioner, License Massage Therapist in Tennessee, Holy Fire Reiki I & II, and owner of The Waxing Heart, integrative wellness in Cookeville, TN.  I feel blessed with this new opportunity and continue to approach this new path with curiosity, love, and appreciation.

Learn more visit The Waxing Heart.