Conferences and gatherings are powerful.
Anyone who desires to know more about the science of Ayurveda would greatly benefit from attending the annual National Ayurvedic Medical Association- NAMA conference. Let’s look at five great reasons to attend NAMA 2015.
- Four days of varied educational classes, practice sessions, panel discussions, question and answer sessions and networking opportunities that include Ayurveda-specific continuing education credits. This year’s topics include: Ayurveda as a Lifestyle Science, an Ayurvedic Approach to Alzheimer’s Treatment, Empowering Change (the skill of speaking to your clients for potent results), The Interaction of Food and Skin (Correlating Ayurveda and Inflammation), Ayurveda in the Spa Industry, Integrating Ayurveda into Home Life, and more.
- Featured presentations from renowned Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners on varied topics related to Ayurveda and yoga. Some noteworthy highlights for 2015 include: Dr John Douillard speaking on Proving Ayurvedic Wisdom with Modern Science, Dr. Christine Horner speaking on Bringing Ancient Healing Wisdom to our Modern Culture, Dr Kevin Spelman speaking on Science Meets Ayurveda, Dr. Marc Halpern speaking on Bringing Ayurveda to the West, and Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary speaking on Creating Your Personal Relationship with 5,000 Years of Knowledge.
- The opportunity to gather with a like-minded community (the sangha) eager to learn more about all aspects of Ayurvedic teachings. From practicing yoga together to breaking bread during vegetarian meals, we experience powerful moments to connect with old friends and meet new ones.
- Part of the benefit of Ayurveda is found in all the forms of practice—from morning yoga to joyous and fun evening social events.
- A marketplace of herbal remedies, Ayurvedic supplies, tasty tea, and other products to sample and buy.
The conference is scheduled from April 9-12 in Newport Beach, California. The sessions are geared toward students and practitioners of Ayurveda, yoga teachers and yoga therapists, as well as people interested in learning more about Ayurveda. For more information, visit: ayurvedanama.org/page/NAMA15Anniversary
“There is no end to learning Ayurveda. You should carefully and constantly devote yourself to its study. Increase your skill by learning from others without jealousy. The wise regard the whole world as their teacher, while the ignorant consider it to be their enemy.”
—from the Ayurvedic textbook The Charaka Samhita
Personally, I’m looking forward to the 2015 conference. This year marked a milestone for me as an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist. It is now a decade since I learned about the science of Ayurveda and subsequently completed a degree in Ayurvedic Health Sciences from a leading Ayurvedic College. At the same time, I also completed The Center For Yoga’s teacher training and began to teach yoga both privately and in many corporate yoga studios. This was the beginning of my commitment to teach and educate others about health and wellness through these ancient and remarkable sciences. My commitment includes studying through the first two levels of the Yoga Therapy RX program at Loyola Marymount University. Anyone working as a yoga teacher or alternative health practitioner knows that education is ongoing, and a must for all of us wanting to be at the forefront of these emerging professions.
Guy Gabriel is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and Ayurvedic educator based in the Los Angeles area. He is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and a longtime contributor to LA YOGA.
