TEACHERS AT JOYFUL BELLY

Teacher: John Immel

John Immel is the founder of Joyful Belly and the director of its professional certification programs. Through years of research, clinical practice, and teaching, John brings Classical Metabolic Theory (CMT), the classical framework that unites the constitutional insights of Ayurveda, Greek humoral medicine, and related traditions into a clear and practical model for modern audience.

John specializes in the natural, metabolic approach to complex digestive disorders. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Harvard University and completed formal Ayurvedic training and certification in 2008. His clinical interests were shaped in part by his own recovery from a complex digestive disorder developed during years of international travel.

The Joyful Belly website and clinic translate CMT into practical tools for everyday health. Drawing on ingredients familiar to Western kitchens, John developed thousands of recipes designed to make constitutional eating approachable for the household.

Today, Joyful Belly serves both the public and a growing community of practitioners through its educational programs and clinic. John’s work continues to focus on making the principles of classical medicine clear, practical, and relevant for modern health challenges. His straightforward teaching style and practical approach have helped thousands of people better understand their bodies and take an active role in their own health.

John's accomplishments include:

• As a prolific writer, John has authored 1000s of novel integrative, experiential articles on constitutionally-based nutrition and herbs.
• John has formalized Ayurveda & Greek medicine theory using biocharacteristics, and natural law theory, allowing him to introduce new models for pathogenesis, as well as evaluation by the scientific community
• Created a vast database with over 150,000 cross references to help the public filter food & recipes by disease, ingredients, and herbs on the right biocharacteristics
• Provided diet and food tools to the public to make recipe and ingredient selection easier
• Reports on 1,000s of different imbalances, frequently not tracked by Western medicine. Example: Tongue Coating
• Novel food reports on the effects of many herbs and ingredients.
• Developed technology that generates a complete Ayurveda body map and chart for clients
• Developed Intelligent Herb - a clinical consultation organizer that provides smart suggestions for recommendations.

Teacher: Andrew Appello

Andrew is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, clinical herbalist, and Family nurse practitioner. He has been in private practice for more than 16 years and a teacher of herbal medicine for more than a decade. He integrates modalities and knowledge from his training in east Asian medicine, western/eclectic herbal medicine, ayurvedic herbal medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, holistic nursing, and the martial arts. Andrew believes that the path to health and wellness is unique to every individual and that body, mind, and spirit can be integrated into a healthy whole.

• NJ licensed acupuncturist and herbalist
• NJ licensed registered nurse
• NJ licensed advanced practice nurse
• Board certified family nurse practitioner (AANP)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, inducted 4/21/18
• American Holistic Nurses Association, joined 3/11/14
• Certified Registered Herbalist [American Herbalist’s Guild: RH(AHG)], certified 2009
• Certified personal trainer (NESTA), certified 2007
• Certified practitioner of facial rejuvenation acupuncture (Virginia Doran), certified 2007
• CCAOM certification in clean needle technique, certified 6/3/06
• Certified martial arts instructor (Kukkiwon, Seoul, South Korea), certified 2001
• Pi Delta Phi, French Honor Society, inducted 3/27/2001
• Phi Beta Delta, Honor Society for International Scholars, inducted 3/27/2001

Teacher: Jeremy Anderson

Jeremy has been joyfully teaching Ayurveda for 20 years, dedicated to training the next generation of Ayurvedic professionals. At Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda she teaches the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program, the Ayurvedic Nutrition & Digestive Health Coach program, the Clinical Ayurvedic Herbalist program, and the Pancha Karma Specialist program. She specializes in women with chronic inflammation. Her unwavering belief in the body’s innate capacity to heal continue to inspire a growing community of Ayurveda enthusiasts.

Teacher: Rachael Harper

Rachael is an Ayurveda Health Counselor and Movement / Mobility Specialist focusing on support for clients living with neurodivergence, anxiety, and mental health challenges. She is program manager for all Joyful Belly courses. She began studying Ayurveda informally in 2009, graduated from Joyful Belly's 2 year Ayurveda Health Counselor course, the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition Program in 2025, and runs her own clinical practice. Her health & wellness practice allows her to focus on her true passion - authentic and meaningful connection with her community.

Teacher: Sandhiya Ramaswamy

Sandhiya Ramaswamy has been promoting Ayurveda for over 15 years. She is an Ayurveda health & lifestyle coach and an inspired Ayurveda plant-based chef. Prior to her wellness career, she spent many years in the corporate world. Her well-rounded perspective makes her approach to Ayurveda pragmatic, relatable, joyful and most importantly, very effective. Sandhiya is passionate about making Ayurveda accessible and available to Everybody. She also serves as a Board member of CAAM (California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine).

Teacher: Cathy Antoniewicz

Cathy Antoniewicz is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Clinical Herbalist, Wellness Educator and Natural Foods Chef. She is a graduate of Joyful Belly's Ayurvedic Health Counselor & Clinical Ayurvedic Herbalist Programs and is currently continuing her education with Joyful Belly as a Panchakarma Specialist. She is the owner of Balanced Body Ayurveda, offering 1:1 health consultations, guided seasonal cleanses and personalized culinary services. She has her own line of botanical products including dosha specific herbal teas and digestive spice blends. Cathy offers a unique approach to working with clients focusing on food as medicine and how to take charge of their health one meal at a time. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Education from State University of New York, Albany.

Teacher: Ashlynn-Williams

Ashlynn is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor & Corporate Wellness Instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Science-Economics degree from the University of Houston & an MBA in Business Management from Texas Woman's University. She is a graduate of Joyful Belly’s 2 year Ayurvedic Health Counselor & 1 year Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition courses. She is currently pursuing her certification in Ayurvedic Herbalism. Ashlynn offers a unique experience-based approach to helping professional women overcome stress & burnout. She is a mom of 2 and a former oil & gas corporate professional of 11 years who now spends her time guiding her clients in Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle, and teaching & mentoring students at Joyful Belly.

• 2022 - Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda
• 2021 - Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda

Teacher: Susan Bass M.S.

Susan Bass M.S. is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with over 16 years teaching experience. Susan has taught Ayurveda at OHSU Medical School, University of Portland School of Nursing, Nike International.

AP, E-RYT 500, Adjunct Faculty, NUNM

Teacher: Roxanne-Baribeau

Roxanne brings over 20 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, more recently with a clinical specialization in Ayurveda. She holds a Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition and Ayurvedic Health Counselor certification, completing both with honors. She was valedictorian of her Clinical Ayurvedic Herbalist class. Roxanne educates her community through group workshops, retreats, and personalized metabolic patterns analysis. She holds a diploma in Social Service Work and has a strong interest in psychology.

• 2025 - Ayurvedic Herbalist: Advanced Strategies, Formulas, & Pharmacology
• 2024 - Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda
• 2022 - Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda

Teacher: Jeannine-Love

Jeannine is an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Coach, Holistic Nutritionist, Herbalist, LMT, and has a master’s degree In Medical Education Leadership. She has been an instructor in various complementary therapies for 27 years and is the owner of Healthy Living with Jeannine Love. In addition to her clinical practice, she sells herbal products, and blogs about health, herbalism, Ayurveda, cooking, and organic gardening. Jeannine completed Joyful Belly’s Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion and Nutrition program and is currently completing the Clinical Ayurvedic Herbalist program.

• 2023 Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion and Nutrition Certification
• 14 years as lead instructor teaching anatomy, physiology, pathology, business, ethics, Swedish massage, therapeutic massage, sports massage, spa techniques, Asian theory and bodywork.
• 2021 Holistic Nutritionist Certification
• 2014 M.S., Medical Education Leadership
• 2001 Herbal Apprenticeship
• 1998 600Hr Teacher Training Program in Alternative Medicine