 “Sanju” Sanjeev Kumar S.
Siddha Vaidya Therapist, Manager
Sanju does a great job making sure Rasa runs smoothly, but his real value comes from his twenty years experience as Siddha Vaidya therapist to patients from all over the world. (The Siddha Vaidya system of medicine is closely aligned with Ayurveda, native to Dravidian South India.) His background in Siddha Vaidya pharmacology and physiotherapy, along with his natural compassion, make Sanju a great teacher and insightful collaborator in patient diagnosis and treatment planning at Rasa Ayurveda.
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Sanju trained directly under his ashan, Raman Harichandran, the great and well-loved Siddha doctor and master Siddha therapist, and studied under Harichandran's senior students as well. During these years, Sanju learned the traditional guidelines for how and when to gather botanical ingredients, how to prepare treatment materials correctly, how to apply therapies to patients for the best results, and how to observe patients for clinical signs.
In the traditional gurukul style, Sanju studied the foundations of Siddha philosophy, pathology and diagnosis in Tamil Nadu with Natarajan, a senior student of Harichandran.
He learned to prepare complex Siddha medicines from original texts using traditional processing techniques, to produce high-quality internal and external formulas (tailam, kashayam, choornam, leyham, etc.), specific to the needs of each patient.
With a certificate from the Jayabharath Institute of Pancha Karma, Sanju continued to serve the Harichandran family, working for many years as Head Therapist and Siddha Pharmacist for the Indian Longevity Clinic and International Siddha Vaidya Institute, run by Harichandran’s son, Reghu, and his business partner Dr. Rajkumar Reghunathan.
While many in his family are professionally-trained vocalists, Sanju claims he is not a singer. But it’s a rare day at Rasa we don’t hear him spontaneously bursting into song, brightening everyone’s’ spirits!
V. Velayudhan Nair, BAM, MD(Ay)
Consulting Doctor
Dr. Velayudhan Nair is a pillar in Trivandrum’s Ayurvedic community. Currently Vice Principal at Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College, Dr. Velayduan Nair has 39 years experience in both clinical practice and research in the field.
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A mentor to more than 30 research scholars in the branch of Ayurveda known as dravyaguna (herbology, study of medicinal plants), he lead a scientific evaluation of medicinal botanicals in use by tribal people, and dedicated himself to the "Greenkerala" project, a collaboration between the students of Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College and the Forest Department of Kerala to promote herbal and cultural conservation while boosting the economic status of Kutumbhasree women near Trichur.
Skin disease is Dr. Velayudhan Nair’s clinical specialty, and he advises on related cases here at Rasa Ayurveda.
His main passion is teaching herbal plant identification and pharmacology and clinical application of the native medicinal plants of Kerala. He eyes sparkle as he speaks
Rajani Sunil, BAMS, MD (Marma)
Consulting Doctor
Dr. Rajani is a well-known Marmani (practitioner of marma, a speciality of Ayurveda). Her busy practice is dedicated to treating trauma and bone disease.
Dr. Rajani is very experienced in the fascinating traditional methods of bone setting, fracture plastering and other healing techniques in the field of marma.
Dr. Rajani consults on special cases at Rasa, and is an engaging teacher of marma and bone medicine.
S. R. Geetha, BAMS, ND
House Doctor
Dr. Geetha earned her BAMS from Trivandrum Ayurveda College in 1989. In both private and government sectors, she shows equal skill in curing patients, practicing prevention and educating others on authentic Ayurveda.
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Dr. Geetha has experience successfully treating arthritis, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, frozen shoulder, cervical problems, skin diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity and, many other conditions, including those caused primarily by stress.
She feels classical Ayurvedic medicine is best. “Hand-made herbal medicines are more effective than patent, bottled formulas, if all necessary ingredients are available and of high quality.”
“Whatever the disease may be,” she says, ”my fundamental approach is to balance the doshas by means of shaamana and shodhana methods to restore health.”
(Shaamana is mildtreatment dependent on followup care for long term effectiveness. Shodhana is deeper, longer-lasting treatment based on elimination, essentially, Pancha Karma.)
“Ayurveda treats the whole person,” she says, ”not just a single tissue, organ or organ system. Whether a patient’s pain is in mind or body, faith and confidence are important. Patient and doctor are always partners in the healing process.”
Dr. Geetha has extensive experience treating and educating Western patients and students with warmth and wisdom.
Saradabhai K.T.
Ayurveda Therapist
Saradabhai has 15 years experience as Panchakarma Therapist and Treatment Supervisor at Kerala Government Panchakarma Hospital in Poojappura, Trivandrum.
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Her certificate in Ayurveda Nursing and Panchakarma comes from the Government College for Ayurveda Nursing and Panchakarma. Saradabhai’s son also works as a Panchakarma therapist in Bangalore.
Sharadabhai has worked in the Middle East and is often called to work at the major hospitals of Trivandrum. She is a capable guide for the whole therapy team. In spite of having only a little knowledge of English, she connects well with patients in her care at Rasa Ayurveda.
Chitra Vijayan
Ayurveda Therapist
Chitra comes from an family of Ayurveda therapists; her mother is an excellent therapist who continues to work today. Chitra’s family has a tradition of making herbal oils and medicines in their home.
With many years experience working with foreigners and Indians alike, Chitra has her diploma in Ayurveda Nursing and Panchakarma from Kerala Institution, Chalakudy under Bharath Sevak Samaj National Development Agency.
Chitra brings an abundance of positive energy to healing work she offers at Rasa Ayurveda.
Sudha Kumari R.
Ayurveda Therapist
As a child, Sudha learned traditional remedies from her Grandmother, treating migraines, sprains and other conditions with mantras and energetic medicine, following Kerala’s old ways.
Sudha earned her Panchakarma certificate from Sree Krishna Ayurveda Panchakarma Hospital in Alapuzha.
With many years experience treating European and Japanese patients,
Sudha’s ways are both calming and energizing, a perfect balance for the deep healing offered at Rasa Ayurveda.
Manju Viswam
Ayurveda Therapist
Manju was trained by a very old Ayurvedic doctor who was completely devoted to traditional practice. Her years as therapist at the Bhavani Hospital in Nalanchira gave her an appreciation for Ayurveda’s potential to heal serious conditions.
Manju has her Panchakarma certificate from Amritha Ayurveda Center in Varkala, and passed lab technician and x-ray courses as well. Manju engages everyone with a sweet smile and makes people happy with her presence here at Rasa Ayurveda.
Vyshak
Assistant Manager
With a diploma in hotel management, Vyshak knows how to take care of Rasa’s patient-guests very well. Vyshak was Assistant Manager at the Indian Longevity Clinic for two years. And also worked at a resort hotel in Thekkady.
He makes sure every patient-guest gets their medicine on time, serves dinner and breakfast, and keeps an eye on the general goings on at Rasa Ayurveda from evening until morning. He also assists Sanju with inventory management, shopping government-required paper work.
Vyshak is often found enjoying a good laugh with a patient-guest. His attention to detail and friendly personality make him yet another contributor to the positive, healing atmosphere at Rasa Ayurveda.
Jalaja Suresh
Cook
Jalaja is very skilled and comfortable in her culinary world, having 19 years experience cooking traditional and medicinal Kerala cuisine. Jalaja comes from a family of traditional healers, so she is naturally flexible in the kitchen, adjusting meal preparation according to doctor’s instructions to meet the healing needs of each patient-guest.
Jalaja keeps the kitchen organized and scrupulously clean. A delightful presence, Jalaja’s personality blossoms forth most when she teaches Kerala-cuisine cooking classes here at Rasa Ayurveda.
Rema
Sous Chef & Cleaner
Silent as a mouse, Rema appears in the dining room and disappears into the kitchen again, only to reappear with another steaming serving dish of tasty luncheon cuisine. She makes the morning tea, helps Jalaja prepare vegetables.
Rema’s favorite job is actually outside of the kitchen. She helps with what she calls “The Superclean,” the deep, thorough cleaning performed once a week around Rasa.
Rema’s brilliant smile helps light up Rasa Ayurveda every day.
Subhash
Driver
Subhash has been driving for 10 years. With his previous experience driving heavy trucks, he has a great sense of the sometimes hard-to-decipher “rules of the road” in India. His caution and care make him a truly trustworthy chauffer.
Subash’s quiet, respectful nature lends a peaceful note to the “orderly chaos” that characterizes auto travel in Kerala. When he’s not on the road, he helps out with groundskeeping at Rasa Ayurveda.
Rajan
Watcher
Early every morning, Rajan hangs colorful hammocks from coconut palms in Rasa’s backyard, ready for another day. He does the laundry and keeps a careful eye on the front gate.
Rajan prepares the bathing water for patient-guests, and provides daily care for Rasa’s growing collection of medicinal botanicals and organic vegetables.
Rajan enjoys meeting and looking after the patient-guests who come from all over the world to Rasa Ayurveda.
Manju
Cleaner
With a great attitude of service, Manju sweeps, mops and cleans Rasa Ayurveda’s main and annex buildings. She does her job quickly and well.
On occasion, Manju finds her way into the kitchen to whip up a delicious biryani.
When she has time, she enjoys tying jasmine blossoms into garlands, and making handicraft toys to give away as gifts. She brings a youthful energy to Rasa Ayurveda.
RASA Ayurveda is operated by MayaShakti Pvt. Ltd. India
MayaShakti is dedicated to socially-conscious and ecological business principles. |
A. Niika Quistgard, CAS