Drawing on years of research and clinical experience specializing in digestive disorders, John Immel directs the Joyful Belly School 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
• He has introduced new models for Ayurvedic pathogenesis (samprapti) and a dictionary of common pathogenesis flowcharts
• John has formalized Ayurveda's theory of medicine as biocharacteristics, 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 by disease, ingredients, and herbs on the right biocharacteristics
• Provided diet tools to the public to make recipe and ingredient selection easier
• Collation of 75,000 quiz profiles to report statistics on 1,000 different imbalances, frequently not tracked by Western medicine
• Conducted group study food research on the pharmacological effects of over 100 herbs and ingredients, providing the results of these to the public.
• Developed technology that generates a complete Ayurveda body map and chart for clients

Jeremy Anderson has been joyfully teaching Ayurveda for over 15 years to students from around the world. She maintains her own practice, Inspired Life with Jeremy Ann Anderson, in the Lake Tahoe region, where she offers consultations, Ayurvedic body therapies, workshops, specializing in clinical Ayurveda, pancha karma, and nature therapy. In addition to her Ayurveda training, her clinical training includes a 2 year mentorship with a Naturopath.

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.

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, yoga, 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 yoga instructor (Aquarian Dance & Yoga), certified 20040
• 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

Susan Bass M.S. is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist. She has been training people in the Vedic traditions for over 16 years. Susan has taught Ayurveda at OHSU Medical School, University of Portland School of Nursing, Nike International and International Association of Yoga Therapy.

AP, E-RYT 500, Adjunct Faculty, NUNM

Rachael is an Ayurveda Health Counselor and Thai Yoga Therapist specializing in mental health & trauma. She is program manager for all Joyful Belly courses and also runs a yoga studio in the Charlotte, NC area. She began studying Ayurveda informally in 2009. She is a graduate of Joyful Belly's 2 year Ayurveda Health Counselor course. Her health & wellness practice allows her to focus on her true passion - authentic and meaningful connection with her community.

Alissa is an Ayurvedic Practitioner living in the foothills of Northern Colorado. Her interests in natural and herbal medicine began when she was a teen, hanging out after school at the local herb shop. Alissa got her undergraduate degree in theatrical design from Carnegie Mellon University. It was here that she fostered her love of the arts and studied the lives of people and cultures, from all times and places. Before finding her way to Ayurveda, Alissa worked as an herbalist and bread baker for 21 years.

Jeannine is a Holistic Nutritionist, Herbalist, Yoga Instructor and LMT, and has a master’s degree In Medical Education Leadership. She has been an instructor in various complementary therapies for 26 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, yoga, Ayurveda, cooking, and organic gardening. Jeannine is currently a student in Joyful Belly’s Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion and Nutrition.

• 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

Ashlynn is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor & Corporate Yoga & 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 School of Ayurveda
• 2021 - Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification at the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda
• 2017 - International Yoga Instructor Training (600 Hours)

Mori Leshem is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and cooking instructor. Through her own struggles with fertility, skin and digestive disorders, Mori discovered holistic health and went on to have 3 kids. She combines Ayurvedic knowledge with her passion for cooking and health to educate groups on diet and lifestyle that is properly suited to their Ayurvedic constitution. She leads Ayurvedic based cooking and education classes in Los Angeles.

• 2022 - Ayurveda Health Counselor Certification at the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda
• 2020 - Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition at the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda
• 2020 - Yoga Health Coach