About Us
Promoting Ayurveda education and practice.
The Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda offers the Best Ayurveda courses in Minneapolis, inviting you to explore the ancient science of healing. Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life” in Sanskrit, is a 5000-year-old holistic practice originating in India.
Rooted in the Vedic culture, this healing system was passed down through generations from spiritual masters to their disciples. Based on timeless principles of mind, body, and spirit, Ayurveda is perfectly suited for integration into today’s modern healthcare system.
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OUR MISSION
To bring comprehensive, evidence-based Ayurvedic education to the global community to promote health and wellness
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OUR VISION
To integrate the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with conventional healthcare to make it more accessible to people
Guided by expertise
Vaidya.Asavari Manvikar
Dr. Asavari Manvikar, a visionary leader in Ayurveda, brings over 20 years of expertise in holistic healing and education. As the founder and lead faculty of the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda, she is committed to integrating traditional wisdom with modern wellness practices. Read more about this.
She is a classically trained Ayurvedic doctor with over 20 years of experience. She holds a BAMS (1997) and a Master’s in Kayachikitsa (2000) from the University of Pune, India. In 2001, she received a Gold Medal for her thesis from the Institute of Indian Medicine.
From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Manvikar was a faculty member at BSDT’s Ayurveda College in Pune, contributing to research on integrative treatments for diabetes, obesity, and cancer. She has also authored numerous health journal articles.
Since 2011, she has taught "Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing" at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing. She is the founder and lead faculty at the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda, offering professional Ayurveda education.
A certified yoga teacher, Dr. Manvikar has practiced Ayurveda and yoga for over 20 years, conducting workshops to promote holistic health. She is a professional member of AAPNA and serves as the president of the Minnesota Ayurveda Association.
Meet Our Founders
The Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda was founded to provide a comprehensive and authentic Ayurveda educational experience, rooted in the ancient teachings of the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridayam. As one of the Best Ayurveda schools in the Midwest, we offer programs that enable students to deepen their knowledge of personal health or prepare for a professional career in Ayurvedic health care. With a focus on holistic wellness and ancient healing practices, we offer an unparalleled learning journey for those passionate about Ayurveda.
Vaidya. Asavari Manvikar
BAMS, Master’s in Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Doctor, Lead Faculty, Internship Mentor
Asavari is a classically trained Ayurveda doctor with over 20 years of Ayurveda practice. She has a deep affection for Ayurveda. Asavari has a clinical/consultative Ayurvedic practice, Ayuwellness. Her passion is to educate students about the holistic healing system of Ayurveda.
Meet Our Visiting Faculty
Tiffany Reintz
Pharmacist, Board Certified AP, Visiting Faculty, Internship Mentor
Tiffany’s wellness journey began in 2005 when she discovered Ayurveda while studying pharmacy, an experience that transformed her understanding of health. Integrating modern medicine with ancient healing traditions, she developed a holistic approach emphasizing prevention, balance, and whole-person care. She completed an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Practitioner from MNIA and is the owner of Om Shanti Wellness LLC, offering consultations, yoga, Reiki, and workshops. Alongside 20 years as a critical care pharmacist, she supports others in achieving deeper healing and balanced living.
Vaidya. Asmita Itkarkar
BAMS, Ayurvedic Doctor, Post-graduate Diploma in Panchkarma, Visiting Faculty, Internship Mentor
Dr. Asmita is a classically trained Ayurveda doctor with over 20 years of experience. An ardent Ayurveda believer, she has a Clinical, Consultative, Panchakarma, and Ayurvedic practice called Vedify Ayurveda. Asmita specializes in Infertility, Periconceptional counseling, and "Garbhasanskar." She has also worked with “Jiva Ayurveda” as a Senior Ayurveda Consultant.
She is a very passionate teacher and compassionate clinician. She is a prolific speaker and has talked and contributed to wellness podcasts for many years.
Matthew Kargleder-Jarvi
Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner, AyurYoga® Therapist - 500 hours YTT, Visiting Faculty, Specialty Nadi Pariksha, herbs
Matt graduated from the Ayurvedic Institute under the guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc. After 4+ years of study, Matt has garnered a deep devotion to the art and science of Ayurveda. Throughout his internship, Matt worked 1-on-1 with clients in person and remotely, primarily in the United States and at clinics in Pune, India. He completed 500 hours of AyurYoga® teacher training and studied in depth the Ayurvedic detox-and-rejuvenation therapy known as “Panchakarma”. Additionally, Matt studied “bio-regional Ayurveda” during a residency at the Banyan Botanicals Farm in Williams, Oregon, and is continuing his studies in Traditional Indian Music Therapy (Raga Chikitsa) with Acharya Ratna Vidushi Dr. Rajam Shanker.
Marcia Meredith
Ayurveda Practitioner and Nurse Practitioner
Marcia has a deep love for Ayurveda and its ability to help heal the human body. Marcia is a skilled Western medicine practitioner and has had a clinical/consultative Ayurveda practice for over 11 years with her business, Health Through Ayurveda. Her practice focuses on Ayurveda health consultations. She retired from the school a few years ago.
Vaidya. Marda Madangopal
BAMS, Master’s in Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Doctor, Visiting Faculty, Internship Mentor
Dr. Marda is a classically trained Ayurveda doctor with over 25 years of experience in Ayurveda practice. He specializes in cardiac care.
He is an experienced teacher, researcher, and consultant in Ayurveda with over a decade of research service at an Ayurveda Research Institute and as an honorary faculty member at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth in Pune. Since 2001. He has worked internationally as an Ayurveda consultant and educator across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. He has authored and edited books and journals on healthy aging, dietetics, diabetes, neurology, and mental health. His research focuses on heart disease, diabetes, obesity, autism-related mental health, and chronic pain. Awarded multiple honors, including the International Ayurveda Excellence Award (2019). He also leads educational initiatives and frequently presents at international conferences.
Meet Our Director of Admissions & Outreach
Tejashree Joshi
Tejashree Joshi is the Founder & CEO of Aayusara Wellness in New Jersey and Sangopan Tendercare Services in India, with a deep commitment to integrative and conscious healing. With a background that bridges technology, Ayurveda, and energy-based modalities, she brings a unique, multidimensional approach to well-being; combining traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with sound healing, biofield awareness, and Heartfulness meditation.
She is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and serves as a Director of Admissions & Outreach for the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda, where she also completed her training. In this role, she contributes to guiding aspiring students and aligning them with authentic Ayurvedic education and practice.
Meet Our Staff
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Disha Manvikar
Student Services and Marketing Specialist
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Kristi Fackel
Outreach Coordinator
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Rupali Panse
Visiting Instructor
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Karen Barry
Visiting Instructor
