Teacher: John Immel
Drawing on years of research and clinical experience specializing in digestive disorders,
John Immel directs the Joyful Belly
College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion.
He is the founder of Joyful Belly, an educational Ayurvedic health care website, and oversees the Joyful Belly Clinic.
John specializes in the advanced treatment of digestive tract pathology.
He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
He first discovered Ayurveda while working on a public health project in Bangladesh.
He received his Ayurveda training and certification in 2008.
John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel.
After witnessing Ayurveda's compelling efficiency and practical ease in treatment of his own digestive disorder, John was convinced others could benefit.
He sought a way to introduce Ayurveda to the broader American public and make it more culturally accessible.
This was the genesis of Joyful Belly.
Using ingredients familiar from his childhood, John created thousands of Ayurvedic recipes for the average American.
Joyful Belly proves Ayurveda is a practical way to improve everyday health & wellness.
His simple, direct and familiar approach has helped thousands on their journey to health.
John's Ayurveda accomplishments include:
- As a prolific writer, John has authored 1000s of novel integrative, experiential articles on specific Ayurvedic topics
- John has formalized Ayurveda's theory of medicine as biocharacteristics,
including new models for pathogenesis (samprapti) so that it can be evaluated 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
- Reporting statistics on 1,000s of different imbalances, frequently not tracked by Western medicine.
Example: Diabetes
- 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: 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.
Through her private practice, Inspired Life Ayurveda, she offers 1:1 consultations, mentorship, international retreats, and leads a healing collective for women with chronic inflammation.
Guided by a deep belief that true wellness comes from aligning with the rhythms of nature, her dedication to community, compassion for those she serves, and unwavering belief in the body’s innate capacity to heal continue to inspire a growing community of Ayurveda enthusiasts.
Teacher: Vanashree Belgamwar
Vanashree holds a BAMS degree (Bachelor's of Ayurvedic medicine and surgery) from the Maharashtra university of health sciences, India.
She has also been extensively trained in Nadi Pariksha (Ayurvedic Pulse diagnosis).
She has been practicing Ayurveda since 2012.
Her goal has always been to globalize Ayurveda so people all over the world can benefit by this ancient science.
Vanashree taught Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis at the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda and also hosts workshops around the twin cities on various topics on Ayurveda.
She is the owner of Vanashree Ayurveda LLC and also has a Youtube channel that educates people on how Ayurveda can help to live a healthy lifestyle.
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: 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,
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, a faculty member at many Ayurveda schools, 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 is certified at the Ayurvedic Doctor level. 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 wife & 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.
In the last 5 years she has been specializing in Clinical Ayurveda.
She holds a Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition and Ayurvedic Health Counselor certification,
completing both with honors.
Roxanne educates her community through group workshops, retreats, and personalized metabolic patterns analysis.
She holds a diploma in Social Service Work and has completed substantial coursework toward a degree in psychology.
- 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
