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Our Heritage

Ayurvedic practice is growing at an accelerated rate each year in the U.S. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) – the largest Ayurvedic organization in the U.S. — was launched in 1998 and now has over 1,000 members, and a new Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission. With impending licensure of the industry, Ayurveda is on the verge of becoming a mainstream alternative health care system.

Kerala Ayurveda USA opened its doors 17 years ago with wellness services and one educational program. Today, we offer professional certifications, workshops, continuing education programs, clinical internships, and an India Immersion program. KAA has served over 8,000 health seekers and students, including over 2,000 graduates of our professional Ayurvedic programs.

Dr. (Vaidya) Anil Kumar,  elder son of Kerala Ayurveda’s Founder, Vaidya K G K Panicker
Dr. (Vaidya) Anil Kumar, elder son of Kerala Ayurveda’s Founder, Vaidya K G K Panicker

OUR GLOBAL HISTORY

Kerala Ayurveda USA and Kerala Ayurveda Ltd (KAL)

Kerala Ayurveda USA is part of Kerala Ayurveda Limited, India, a full spectrum Ayurvedic company spanning academies, products, research, clinics, hospitals, resorts, and services. KAL has a successful operating record of over 75 years with a heritage connecting to the 5,000-year-old Ancient Indian tradition of Ayurveda. It was established in 1945 by the late KGK Panicker, a renowned Ayurveda Acharya, on the banks of the Periyar River in Kochi, Kerala, India.

KAL is the most awarded Ayurvedic company and one of the most reliable names in Ayurvedic healthcare today, owing to the rate of our technological advancement and the dedication of our staff. Our products and services are ever-expanding to reach global audiences and are highly acclaimed worldwide.

PIONEERING IN THE WEST

Students and Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath at Kerala Ayurveda, Seattle
Students and Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath at Kerala Ayurveda, Seattle

Kerala Ayurveda’s arrival to the United States

Kerala Ayurveda USA first opened its doors in 2006 as an academy offering one certification training program in Seattle, WA. The mission was simple: to bring traditional Ayurveda to a Western audience of health seekers and professionals. For the first six years, Kerala Ayurveda Academy (KAA) offered our level I and level II professional certifications – the Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor and Ayurvedic Practitioner programs, training the early pioneers in Ayurveda’s first wave of practice in the U.S.

In 2010, (Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath (BAMS) joined the team as Academy Director and Chief Ayurvedic Consultant after having served KAL’s AyurvedaGram Heritage Wellness Center for 10 years in Bangalore, India. Between 2010 and 2012, Kerala Ayurveda’s programs expanded to include the 4-day Panchakarma Technician certification, as well as live streaming academic courses technology so learners can join from any location. This exciting upgrade in technology enabled the academy to offer the traditional Ayurveda teachings from Kerala to an even wider audience across the U.S. and abroad.

A new home in the Bay Area, California

In 2013, KAA relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, our educational offerings expanded to better serve the growing population of Ayurvedic professionals in the U.S. A variety of specialty workshops and continuing educational opportunities were added to the repertoire, all eligible for PACE continuing education credits with NAMA.

Our new home in the Bay Area enabled the expansion of our Wellness Center, which hosts traditional Ayurveda services including Ayurvedic consultations, traditional Panchakarma therapies, traditional oils and formulations as well as other high quality Ayurvedic products. Led by Vaidya. Jayarajan, the team includes several experienced Vaidyas (clinicians with BAMS degrees), Ayurvedic Practitioners, and Panchakarma Specialists. The Wellness Center oversees a wide variety of clients, providing a rich learning opportunity for our level II Ayurvedic Practitioners in training to complete their Clinical Internship requirement. The Clinical Internship is also open to level II students from all schools of Ayurveda, as well as alumni and graduates from other programs seeking continued training and professional development.

To meet the new membership level set forth by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), the level III Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) program was added in 2019, now renamed the Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) program to meet the most recent designation. We are proud to offer one of just four level III programs recognized by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission in the U.S. and welcome students from all schools of Ayurveda to reach their highest potential as professionals. 2019 was also a special year for Kerala Ayurveda as it marked the 75th anniversary of Kerala Ayurveda Limited. To celebrate, we hosted our premier Academy Summit for students, alumni, and faculty.

LOOKING FORWARD

Students dance at the Kerala Ayurveda Summit 2019
Students dance at the Kerala Ayurveda Summit 2019

The future of Kerala Ayurveda Academy

Today, KAA is a leader in traditional Ayurveda education in the U.S. as well as abroad, offering some of the most authentic training programs for beginners and advanced students. All of our programs are based on the ancient Vedic texts and incorporate a robust curriculum designed by our expert team of Vedic scholars, practitioners, and faculty.

Kerala Ayurveda USA continues to expand our programming, such as our all-levels Marma Therapy for Energy Healing workshop and Principles of Ayurveda online course for beginners. 

Since 2020, our Kerala Ayurveda brand products are now available for purchase from our premier U.S. online store, and we continue to increase our herbal offerings. Our Affiliate Program was launched in 2023 to support Ayurvedic students and practitioners support their communities and grow their business.

KAA continuously strives to fulfill our commitment to our students in bringing academic excellence to Ayurvedic practices in the U.S. and abroad. We look to the future with great hope and optimism for the health of our planet thanks to our growing community of Ayurvedic enthusiasts and health professionals.

Vedas are the most ancient documentation of human knowledge, human experience. Vedic period is considered between 1000-4000 B.C. Minimum 5,000 years. When we say I’m talking about a science that is 5,000 years old, don’t think that it’s outdated. Ayurveda is more relevant today than ever before.

—Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath