OUR TEAM
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Ishani Lauren Naidu holds the role of Program Director for The Vedic Way - Acharya Shunya’s global wisdom classroom for learning, embodying and awakening to a whole new level of wellbeing, joy and authenticity. In this capacity, Ishani coordinates teachers and themes for each month and supports members of the platform as they immerse themselves in the circular curriculum.
Ishani also supports Acharya Shunya’s Sovereign Self Paradigm course as second teacher. Communicating with students of this course and facilitating weekly exercises and discussions in the live Assimilation Circles, Ishani has the privilege of engaging with global seekers on this time-tested path to inner sovereignty. Ishani immersed herself in the Vedic path and quest for the true Self under her teacher Acharya Shunya’s guidance, via a deeply held, one on one mentoring and grooming process, and study of source texts beginning in 2009.
Vimala Devi is a traditional Ayurveda physician known by the title Vaidya. She graduated from Vedika Global’s School of Ayurveda in 2012 as Certified Ayurveda Clinical Practitioner A.C.P (Vaidya Bhushana) after completing a 5-year program of study and clinical training. She learned in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and science of Ayurveda along with clinical skills, understanding, diagnosing and caring for humanity in wellness and in disease. From 2015-2019 Vimala trained and graduated more than 60 students in Ayurvedic Clinical Medicine from Vedika Global’s 2.5-year Specialists Diploma in Ayurveda Prevention Medicine & Public Health.
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Vaidya Vimala has studied with Acharya Shunya since 2007 and served in various capacities at Vedika Global and in the Ayurvedic community, including serving on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM) for seven years, where she contributed on various committees for the promotion of Ayurveda in California.
Aparna Amy Lewis has been a dedicated student of Acharya Shunya since 2009. She earned the title of Vaidya Bhushana, (Ayurvedic Clinical Practitioner), after completing 5 year studies from Vedika Global’s School of Ayurveda in the year 2013. Aparna's private clinical practice focuses on Ayurveda Psychology and Vedic Counseling.
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Aparna has studied Vedanta, Yoga and allied Vedic source texts under Acharya Shunya in a traditional gurukulam manner and has special affinity with the Advaitan works and commentaries of Adi Shankaracharya, including Tattva Bodha, Viveka Chudamani and the Bhagavad Gita. Aparna has supported Acharya Shunya's mission of Empowering Health and Elevating Consciousness in many ways, both at the Awakened Self Foundation and its affiliated non-profit organization, Vedika Global, and in the larger world community.
Lakshmi Tracy Cunningham currently holds the position of Admissions Counsellor for the Alchemy through Ayurveda Course - Acharya Shunya’s global wisdom classroom using classic forms of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta to awaken continuous health and well-being. Lakshmi makes herself available at any time through inquiries@acharyashunya.com to chat and answer questions about how Acharya Shunya’s lineage teachings may benefit personal situations and needs.
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Lakshmi feels deeply grateful to Acharya Shunya for helping her transform 5 years of severe hives, prediabetes, high cholesterol, and many other ailments. She holds a profound sense of self-acceptance and mental peace and clarity after hearing Acharya Shunya’s teachings and working with her in a deep and meaningful process.
Sanjai Mathur, popularly known as Chef Sanjai, co-founded Vedika Global with his life partner Acharya Shunya in 2007. He has served as Vedika Global's board member since inception, and has also played an active role in disseminating Ayurvedic wellness as teacher of Paak Vijnana – The Science of Cooking as per classical Ayurveda principles, as encoded in Ayurveda source texts.
Over these years, he taught and archived over 200 classical recipes to thousands of Vedika Global’s international students, who came from far and wide, to learn Ayurveda philosophy, science and cooking, in its pure and undiluted true. To maintain Vedika Global’s dedication to classical and pure Ayurveda, Chef Sanjai deployed his knowledge of the Sanskrit language, and researched ancient Ayurvedic source texts dating as far back as 2 BCE, on qualities of foods, seasonal recommendations and less commonly used spices, and resurrected forgotten ancient recipes for modern kitchens.
Marcus Atmajyoti has been a student of Acharya Shunya since 2008. He was formally initiated into her lineage through traditional Upanayanam ceremony in 2009, and feels blessed to have studied Ayurveda, Yoga and Advaita Vedanta in a classical Gurukulum context. He is a passionate and engaged visual artist, caregiver and community educator. A descendant of mixed heritage, spanning West Africa and western Europe, Marcus Atmajyoti was raised in a culturally Black American household, encircled and influenced by a vibrant multicultural community. Throughout his life, he has connected with a wide variety of people and cultural experiences, including various marginalized communities. He carries forward Acharya Shunya’s teachings, as a Community Educator for elders, youth, BIPOC communities, and in partnership with LGBTQIA organizations and folks with developmental disabilities. Marcus Atmajyoti serves his teacher, lineage, and community through highlighting the interconnection between visual art and the ‘artistry of health’. He has a deep affinity with Acharya Shunya's Goddess teachings, and holds the sacred relationship of divine feminine and masculine as central to his art and life.
