Search Testmonials
"I made this the other morning for my toddler and I and we couldn't stop eating it , it was so good! We loved it. My mother used to put sugar on our grapefruit growing up...this is so much better!
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"it only makes sense that knowledge that is over 4 thousand years old, designed to work harmoniously WITH our bodies and the natural world is effective, with minimal (ACTUALLY NONE!) negative effects. The PRICE for this is that the *patient *has to accept responsibility and *actively participate *in his recovery--(rather than the horrific 'Take this pill, and never mind the side effects' method of 'modern' medicine)"
"Dear John,
Thank you for all of your email support. I'm feeling a lot better, much more grounded, balanced and am digesting better but still not putting on weight…just being patient w/ this and trying not to focus too much on it. My energy levels are much better. A friend suggested some rice protein for muscle gain. I'm doing a lot for digestion mentally, physically, and spiritually; studying Yoga of Herbs a lot and sticking to simple, easy to digest foods. If you have any ideas for weight gain I'm open to them. Thank you again so much for all the time, energy, and wisdom you've offered! I hope you're having a beautiful week!
Love and light,
Anonymous"
"One of the best things about the course is knowing that the Joyfulbelly team cares and is more than accommodating to your personal schedule. I found the experience deeply enriching and it has inspired me to go further on this holistic path. I would recommend the Joyful Belly Ayurveda Health Counselor Course to anyone looking to further their education in the ambition to help people transform their health naturally and effectively."
"Just a comment
The new website is excellent. Thank you, John.
It is my intention to be more active.
Mary Anne"
"I have a success story that I just had to share. Last week a man came to see me ready to change his diet. He has a history of excess alcohol/liver heat, excess weight (not a lot but more than he would like), a lot of cold in the GI tract, dry colon with inflammation, lincoln log stools which sometimes purge yellow stools after doing yoga. He also has a history of indigestion with acid reflux which the doctor gave him Nexim for.
The Nexium did not help at all which he told his doctor, but the doctor insisted he keep taking it.
I gave him a vata/kapha diet with no solid foods after 2pm. Lemon/honey/ginger drink in the morning plus CCF tea during the day, I asked him to use certain spices in his cooking and practice mula bhanda to help with the stress he has been feeling. That's all, no herbs.
I spoke with him today and he is feeling fabulous. He said that he is feeling a warm heat throughout his body that he hasn't felt in a very long time. His bowels started to regulate very quickly and his body is starting to sweat during yoga which doesn't usually happen. He has lost a lot of weight, is feeling much lighter, more energetic, and his ankle is starting to heal itself.
If I had not taken the joyful belly course I would not have known that acid reflux can be caused by indigestion/lack of fire. I would have assumed that with his liver being hot that his stomach was too acidic as well and I would not have understood why his bowel movements were alternating.
I would have been nervous to treat him and likely would have treated him similar to the doctor instead of treating his case as having too much cold.
I am in tears at having helped someone and hearing the excitement in this man's voice from how good he feels. He's coming back next week for another consultation"
"Hi John,
I would like to thank you for an amazing program. it was challenging for me because of my personal situation but I really enjoyed it.
I officially finished all the assignment yesterday night and I am very happy. Part of me wanted it to last forever, but everything has to have an end.
If by any chance, you are passing by Virginia, you have an open invitation for you and your family to stay with us.
Have a wonderful day,"
"LOVED this recipe. So happy I tried it!"
"I love your classes, John! I find you very inspirational. You have a glowing passion and simple wisdom about you. I love that your business is called Joyful Belly. That goes back to that cosmic giggle thing. I feel like your smile and enthusiasm is like a joyful belly - the radiance makes others smile and laugh! Your ability to pinpoint reality and human nature is just amazing. True medicine, and I truly appreciate you sharing!"
"thanks so much for the wonderful class last night! Learned a lot and it's good right now for me to hear some things again and again, it's sinking in. You have a very light and playful way of presenting and you're funny! Makes the material, especially in an evening class, very easy to digest (hey, nice pun, eh?)!"
"As I continue to work on my paper, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for what I Ave learned this past nine months. Honestly, it is just amazing. John Joseph Immel, how can I even create a thesis that is more or better than the lecture you gave us regarding constipation? How?? When I read your words, I can visualize what is happening in the gut, I can feel the anguish and the straining of the intestines, and I can vision the alarm of the heart and nerves as they frantically call out forcrelief. I do not mean to be dramatic, but I truly just want to have a half-page Thesis that says, \"What John said.\""
"Your experience shines so brightly in this class and I so appreciate it/you!"
"This is my second attempt to understand the Ayurvedic way of life. I get it. It seems like so much but I am now feeling it. Thank you. WOW.
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"I am Thankful and Grateful for you and the creation of Joyful Belly and the MID program. You have a stellar group of teachers, yourself included and I feel truly blessed to have been lead down this path as part of my journey. I will share and have shared the information of Joyful Belly with others that may be seeking this path or any other classes or help in healing you have to offer."
"Oh wow, so many things about this course inspire me, and my family! Just simply the privilege of acquiring such deep knowledge of this science is a huge inspiration. I am certainly inspired to continue the journey beyond AHC as well. This has been a terrific start. I'm enjoying all of it. I just need to balance my Pitta (and Vata) sometimes because I love reading all things Ayurveda and listening to podcasts too (daily), on top of the course materials! I would really love to go for a PhD. "
"Thank you so much for last night's class. The food was absolutely delicious and the wonderful chutney you made topped it off. Thank you for making and sharing that! Your teachings are so insightful and passionate, it is obvious that you walk your talk. I'd probably attend the same class again, it was a really, really good introduction overall."
"I began working with John in November 2011. I pursued Ayurveda in an effort to help remedy bouts of significant inflammation in my gums and oral tissue. In those 7-10 years I had seen multiple physicians, dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists and rheumatoid specialists; had 3 rounds of biopsies, blood work, hormonal tests and autoimmune spectrum workups done and got nothing back but "You are the picture of health! Its a mystery. We are happy to put you on steroids for the inflammation."
Treating the symptoms and not the cause didn't make logical sense to me, so I just lived with the pain, discomfort and embarrassment of severe redness in my gums that would come and go and sometimes relocate to different parts of my mouth.
When I had finally reached my limit and was feeling emotionally heavy due to the situation, I reach out to John. Within the first few meetings, I began modifying my diet under the initial impression that there was a years old yeast imbalance in my system. Small modifications started to show significant results. The burning was going away and the redness was greatly reduced within a month. Though not the initial goal, I found I lost 13lbs within 2 months of diet modification due the extra bloat caused by wheat and dairy based products that had previously been staples of my diet.
After a cleanse, guidance from John, some herbal remedies and patience, I can truly say that I have never felt better! I would have considered myself a healthy person prior to this experience, when in fact, I have been sick for 18-20yrs with a yeast imbalance that ultimately surfaced as inflammation of oral tissue.
After working with John, determining the roots of the problem, and following a prescribed, yet not significant, change in diet and routine, the issue is 100% gone and hasn't recurred since November 2011! The best part is that since being cured I don't have to be militant about maintaining a specific diet, nor do I feel burdened or deprived of special foods. In the end it came down to allowing the problem to go dormant, flushing it out and then regaining my systemic balance. Now that balance has been achieved, I eat in moderation and listen more intuitively to my own body. I find I am more capable of making adjustments if I begin feeling out of sorts.
Working with John has brought to light a new level of consciousness about food and its tremendous healing effects on the body. John is exceptionally knowledgeable in his field and very realistic about lifestyle and the social and cultural nature of food. If you are willing to approach your health with an open mind and patience, John can work with you to create balance regardless of your situation."
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
