NANCY A. SMITH, N.C.T.M.B., Director Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Pachakarma Specialist
Nancy’s passion and love is to help people with integrative and complementary approaches to health and wellness.
Nancy is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner through the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), a nationally certified Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Therapist through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, and Level III Reiki Teacher.
Nancy received her Yoga and Ayurvedic certifications from the Kripalu Schools of Ayurveda and Yoga (MA). She received her Marma certification (Ayurvedic Acupressure) from the Ayurvedic Institute (NM), her Integrative Massage certification from the Lehigh Valley Healing Arts Academy (PA), and her Level III Reiki from Dogca Wellness Center (NJ).
Nancy became a Panchakarma Massage Specialist at Greens Ayurvedic Hospital, Mahe, Kerala, India in 2007. This experience in India allows her to apply the essence of authentic Indian panchakarma massage modified for the optimal American experience. She has been a dedicated Yoga Instructor and Reiki Master since 2001 and continues advanced Ayurvedic studies with Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla (www.ojas.us) and advanced Yoga Studies with MeriLynn Blum, MA, MAT, RTY (www.peacefulyoga.com).
Nancy is founder and director of Essence of Self Ayurveda Wellness Center (NJ) and founding member of Dosha Botanicals and AyurVideo Productions, LLC (www.doshabotanicals.com).
Nancy is a practitioner member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association and the Yoga Alliance. Nancy also ministers as a Seton Associate through the Sisters of Charity in Convent Station, NJ.
DR. SHEKHAR ANNAMBHOTLA, B.A.M.S.,
M.D. (Ayurveda), C.M.T., R.Y.T.-500
Shekhar Annambhotla is an internationally known Ayurvedic physician (Vaidya) and has been practicing and teaching Ayurveda worldwide since 1988. He is the Founder and Director of Ojas LLC (Ojas Ayurveda Wellness Center-www.Ojas.us), Lehigh Valley, PA, and co-founder of Ayurvideo Productions, LLC and Dosha Botanicals. Founding Medical Director of International Institute of Integrative Medicine (I3M) in Tangutur, Andhra Pradesh, India. He serves on the board of directors of National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and as a faculty member of various Ayurvedic schools in the USA.
Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla visits our center often and interprets Ayurveda in terms that westerners can relate to.
The first of a series of Dr. Shekhar’s educational DVD’s ”The Weekend Cleanse” by Ayurvideo Productions, LLC and Dosha Botanicals, has been released in September 2008. Visit www.DoshaBotanicals.com
NICOLE MARIE ANTAL Yoga Instructor
Nicole Marie Antal, a special education teacher, received her certification in yoga healing therapy from a healing institute in 2005. She brings this energy-based yoga into her classes along with Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. Nicole has been in the special education field since 2000. She has introduced the benefits of yoga through workshops and classes in local elementary schools. Nicole is also Reiki II certified. She continues to express her ardor for yoga and Reiki through classes given in Ridgewood.
WILL SMITH Certified Personal Trainer
Will Smith attends William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, with a declared major in Professional Movement Science. Will received his personal trainer certification from the International Sports Medicine Association (AAAI-ISMA). Will practices Mix Martial Arts (MMA) in Mahwah, NJ. MMA combines Jujitsu, Kickboxing and Wrestling. Will wrestled all four years of high school and served as captain of the Lakeland High School wrestling team his senior year 2004-2005.
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