Dr. Akil Palanisamy

Dr. Akil Palanisamy, M.D is a Harvard-trained integrative medicine physician. He is known for combining his knowledge of Western medicine along with functional medicine and Ayurveda to procure optimal results.
Additionally: 

• Dr. Akil studied Biochemistry at Harvard University, received his degree in medicine from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his residency at Stanford University.
• He serves as the Physician Director for Community Education at the Sutter Health Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco.
• He has also been a consultant with The Medical Board of California for several years.

Cate Stillman

Along with being an accomplished Ayurvedic Medicine practitioner and a yoga teacher, Cate is also the founder and the mastermind behind the Worldwide Association of Yoga Health Coaches. Along with having been found several yoga and wellness websites, she is also: 

• A Certified Clinical Ayurvedic specialist and Pancha Karma specialist since 2001.  
• A Graduate of Dr. Vasant Lad’s Gurukula Program in Pune, India in 2004.  
• A benefactor of the Pancha Karma Intensive Training in Kerala, India.  
• A certified Anusara Yoga teacher.
• A recipient of the 2-year Iyengar Yoga teacher training in 2001.

Robert Sachs

Robert Sachs is not only a licensed Clinical Social worker, a certified LifeLine practitioner, and an author with a Master's in Social Work from the University of Kentucky, but also an expert in Asian healing systems.
He received his B.A. in Comparative Religion and Sociology from the University of Lancaster. Having achieved remarkable education and subsequent experience, he is truly an asset to the Ayurveda Experience team. He is: 

• A trained Mental Health Counselor with the Richmond Fellowship.
• A Licensed Clinical Social Worker focusing on addictions, relationships, and palliative care.
• A student of Macrobiotics at the Kushi University along with Michio Kushi and Rex Lassalle. He also completed Shiatsu training with Rex Lassalle.
• A certified Hatha Yoga instructor with the All India Board and Inner London Education Authority since 1978. He studied Hatha Yoga under the guidance of Jonathan O’Dell and Johanna Auld. 
• An instrumental figure in initiating Community Health Foundation’s ‘Growing Family Centre’ in London.

Melanie Sachs

Known worldwide for her book ‘Ayurvedic Beauty Care’, she is a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. Her skills as a teacher and therapist have made her a sought-after resource person by leading spas and beauty schools.
Her book is considered a must for those interested in an in-depth engagement with the field of natural and conscious body care. 

• Her articles have been featured in acclaimed magazines such as Skin Inc., Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, and Natural Health.
• She has also been a featured presenter at the International Esthetics and Cosmetics Conference in Las Vegas, the International Congress of Esthetics in Miami and Long Beach, The Face and Body show in the California Bay Area.
• Along with her career in the field of beauty, she has also been a featured teacher and consultant at distinguished organizations such as The Chopra Center, The Greenhouse Group, and The International Dermal Institute.

Todd Caldecott

Todd Caldecott is a medical herbalist and practitioner of Ayurveda, in practice since 1995. He is the Executive Director of the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine.

Additionally:   

• Caldecott is the co-editor of Ayurveda in Nepal: The Teachings of Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharyaalong with Madhu Bajra Bajracharya and Alan Tillotson.
• Published in 2009, this book summarizes the clinical practice of Ayurveda according to the late Vaidya Mana's hereditary tradition of Ayurvedic physicians and Buddhist priests in the Kathmandu Valley.
• Todd Caldecott is also author of Food As Medicine: The Theory and Practice of Food (2011), which describes the preventative and therapeutic application of food and dietary therapy, drawing upon the traditions of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and other traditional systems of healing.
• In 2012, Todd Caldecott founded the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine, which offers distance learning programs and a gurukula-style, mentorship training program for aspiring practitioners.
• Todd Caldecott also maintains an extensive website containing free content on natural health and wellness including a blog where he regularly posts.

Mary Thompson

Known worldwide for her book ‘Ayurvedic Beauty Care’, she is a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. Her skills as a teacher and therapist have made her a sought-after resource person by leading spas and beauty schools.
Her book is considered a must for those interested in an in-depth engagement with the field of natural and conscious body care. 

• As a teacher at the California College of Ayurveda for many years, she introduced Ayurvedic principles to adults who wanted to become practitioners.
• She left teaching there in 2018 to develop her own business supporting and mentoring practitioners.
• Never far from the classroom, she now collaborates with several schools and programs, preparing curriculum and teaching both on site and online.
• She served on the board of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine as a director and officer at its inception.
• She returned to the CAAM board to continue the effort to spread awareness of the Ayurvedic profession, to advocate for it to gain its rightful place in the complementary health field in the US, and to support Ayurvedic Health Counselors & Practitioners to their individual and collective success.