Recent Newspaper Article

Press Release 24 th October, 2008

After success in USA & Japan, Dr. Vivek Shanbhag & GTDC boost Health Tourism & Ayurveda in Goa .

For the last 20 years, Dr. Vivek Venkatesh Shanbhag, MD(Ayu), ND(USA) has been at the forefront of Clinical practice and University teaching of Ayurveda in the USA. He is the Founder and Director of the AYU Ayurvedic Academy & Clinic in Seattle, Washington. Currently he divides his time between teaching in USA, Japan and development of the Goa Ayurved & Yoga Academy(GAYA) in Margao. Under the Directorship of Mr Elvis Gomes, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation(GTDC) has organized 3 events by Dr. Shanbhag in November 2008 to boost Health Tourism & Ayurveda in Goa.

Recently, in March 2008, the International Academy of Ayurveda Physicians honored Dr. Vivek Shanbhag with the prestigious Vishva Ayurveda Ratna Award during the World Ayurveda Congress in Udupi, Karnataka.

In June 2008, the Japan Ayurveda Association(JAA) appointed Dr. Shanbhag as their Advisor and Faculty. They organized a weeklong lecture tour of Dr. Shanbhag in Japan. JAA has arranged another lecture tour in Japan during February 2009 and are currently translating Dr. Shanbhag's book titled “Beginner's Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine”.

Recently, during the months of August, September and October 2008, Dr. Shanbhag toured various cities in the USA for Lectures, Clinical Training and Medical Consultations.

On October 19 th , Dr. Shanbhag spoke in Chicago at the Annual Conference of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association(NAMA) for whom he serves as a Member of Board of Directors for the last 7 years. He was also the Keynote Speaker at the Annual Complementary Medicine Retreat held from September 11 to 14 in Wyoming.

On 28 th August the Washington Ayurvedic Medical Association(WAMA) organized his lecture in Seattle. Dr. Shanbhag has been an Advisor and Member of WAMA since its beginning.

From 1990 onwards, Dr. Shanbhag was the Founder and Chairman of the Ayurvedic Medicine Department at the Bastyr University in Seattle. Currently he is a Senior Faculty at Bastyr University and the Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda in San Francisco where he is also the Masters Thesis Advisor for the students of Masters Degree in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Dr. Vivek Venkatesh Shanbhag did his early education in Margao at Bhatikar's Model English High School and Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College. After completing BAMS at Karnataka University, he did his MD(Ayu) at Pune University. In 1988, he was awarded the prestigious IIM Gold Medal for his MD(Ayu) Clinical Research Thesis on Ayurvedic Acne Treatment. From 1985 to 88 he was the Head of Jnana Prabodhini's Institute of Research in Ayurvedic Medicine in Pune.

Since 2001, Dr. Shanbhag has been bringing his students from the USA and Japan to Goa for courses in Advanced Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga. Now, he has established the Goa Ayurved & Yoga Academy(GAYA) in Margao. More information about GAYA and courses can be accessed by internet at www.GoaAyurveda.in or by calling 9860449728.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation(GTDC) under the Directorship of Mr Elvis Gomes, has organized 3 events by Dr. Shanbhag in November 2008 to fulfill its goal of boosting Health Tourism & Ayurveda in Goa and to take full advantage of Dr. Shanbhag's expertise. The first event is on Saturday, November 8 th at the Calangute Residency. Second event is on Saturday, November 15 th at the Colva Residency. Both these events are from 10 am to 12 noon and include Practical Experience & Demonstration along with entertaining & informative Slide Show.

The third event is a Yoga & Ayurveda River Cruise called “ WELLNESS ON WATER” by Santa Monica Boat on Kumbharjuva canal with Dr. Shanbhag on Sunday, 16 th November from 10am to 4pm. Each participant of this cruise will experience a mini Ayurvedic Anti-Aging Rejuvenation Treatment and will get a gift booklet “Yoga & Ayurveda for Wellness”. This cruise will also include Yoga Asana class, Pranayam & Meditation sessions, Slide Show of Ayurvedic Wellness Routines and Healing Herbs and Ayurvedic nutritious lunch. People interested in benefiting from these Health Tourism events can contact the GTDC at 9326111505 or 9881465776 or 9822160498.

The Goa Ayurveda & Yoga Academy(GAYA) in Margao

Dr. Vivek Shanbhag , ND(USA), MD(Ayu), BAMS, CYEd.

Director of Goa Ayurveda & Yoga Academy(GAYA), Professor at Bastyr University, USA

International Academy of Ayurveda Physicians honored Dr. Vivek Shanbhag with the prestigious Vishva Ayurveda Ratna Award in March 2008

Dr. Shanbhag lecturing at Japan Ayurveda Association(JAA), Tokyo in July 2008.

Dr. Vivek Shanbhag speaking at the Annual Conference of National Ayurvedic Medical Association(NAMA) in Chicago on 19 th October 2008.

Dr. Shanbhag with other members of the Editorial Board of The Light on Ayurveda Journal (LOAJ)