Speakers of the Ayurveda Symposium 2023

Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, MD (Ayu), PhD, is Director of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, one of the world’s leading academic and clinical institutions for Ayurvedic Medicine. Internationally, she is recognised as one of the leading voices for evidence-based Ayurveda, integrative medicine, and the strategic development of Traditional Medicine within modern healthcare systems.

Before joining ITRA, Prof. Nesari served as Director of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, where she significantly expanded international collaborations, interdisciplinary clinical research, and integrative healthcare initiatives. Her work strongly focuses on connecting classical Ayurveda with modern biomedical science, public health, preventive medicine, and translational research.

Prof. Nesari is particularly respected for building international academic and scientific networks linking Ayurveda universities, WHO-related initiatives, research institutions, and global health organisations. She actively contributes to international dialogue on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), including collaborations related to the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.

Her scientific work includes research and publications in the fields of Rasayana, neurocognition, medicinal plants, chronic diseases, resilience, preventive medicine, and integrative healthcare. As editor and author, she contributed to international scientific publications and landmark works on evidence-based traditional medicine and global health. Together with Kerstin Rosenberg, Prof. Nesari also published the successful German Ayurveda book “Ayurveda heilt”, which has become one of the best-known German-language works on Ayurvedic nutrition therapy and integrative health promotion.

Her current research initiatives at ITRA also include innovative projects in geriatric medicine, longevity research, and integrative veterinary Ayurveda.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Prof. Nesari will speak on “Rasayana and Longevity in Ayurveda – Prevention, Regeneration and Mental Stability” as well as “Cholesterol, Metabolism and Ghee – Ayurvedic Perspectives on Lipid Regulation”, contributing her profound expertise in Rasayana therapy, metabolism, prevention, and integrative health sciences.

Prof. Dr. Shivenarain Gupta, MD (Ayu), FRAV, is one of India’s most respected Ayurveda physicians, professors, and academic leaders. As Vice Chancellor of the Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University (MAM University), Gujarat, he plays a key role in shaping modern Ayurvedic education and academic exchange internationally. He also serves as Head of the Academic Advisory Board of the European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA), Germany.

After completing his doctoral studies at the renowned Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar, Prof. Gupta specialised in Ayurvedic Internal Medicine and Panchakarma therapy. Today, he heads the Department of Internal Medicine at the P. D. Patel Ayurveda Hospital and serves as Professor at the affiliated J. S. Ayurveda College in Nadiad.

Over many years, Prof. Gupta has built one of India’s most respected integrative Ayurveda and Panchakarma clinics, where patients from India, Europe, and many other countries receive treatment. His work combines profound classical Ayurvedic knowledge with extensive clinical experience and a remarkable ability to translate Ayurveda into modern medical and educational contexts. Alongside his clinical work, Prof. Gupta has been actively involved in Ayurvedic research, particularly in the field of chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, where he has explored integrative Ayurvedic treatment approaches for complex chronic disorders.

For his achievements in Ayurveda education, research, and clinical practice, Prof. Gupta has received numerous honours, including the IASTAM Award for Excellence in Teaching in Ayurveda, the title Fellow of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (FRAV) awarded by the Ministry of AYUSH, and the “Ayurveda Shiromani” Award from the All India Ayurveda PG Association. He also serves as Vice President of IASTAM (India).

At the European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA), Prof. Gupta has been one of the most important senior teachers and academic mentors for many years and has significantly shaped Ayurveda medical education in Europe.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Prof. Gupta will speak on: “The Importance of Understanding Dharma, Artha and Kama in Daily Life for the Prevention of Modern Health Disorders” and contribute his profound clinical and philosophical perspectives on resilience, psychosomatic medicine, and the deeper principles of Ayurveda.

Practitioner of alternative medicine
Hans Heinrich Rhyner, MD, PhD (Alternative Medicine), Dipl. NHP Ayurveda Medicine, is a recognized expert and pioneer of Ayurvedic medicine in Europe. He lived in India for 25 years and ran his own clinic in Bangalore. He looks back on 40 years of clinical experience and is the author of textbooks on Ayurveda. He applies his knowledge in his swiss clinic in Teufen, in Munich, Vienna and on Mallorca as well as in his manufacture of Ayurveda products in Austria.

Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), University, Jaipur

Prof. Sanjeev Sharma is Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), a leading Ayurveda University in Jaipur. He is a scientist, author and is one of the leading Ayurveda and Marma experts. Under his leadership, NIA has become one of the most advanced Ayurvedic training institutions in the world.

Physio- and Ayurveda therapist, alternative practitioner (physiotherapy)
Karin Bachmaier is an Ayurveda, Kalari and Sukshma Marma therapist as well as a non-medical practitioner for physiotherapy. As a lecturer, the trained physiotherapist enriches the European Academy of Ayurveda with her over 25 years of experience in manual therapy patient care, including from her own practice in Eichendorf/Lower Bavaria.

Master of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine, certified educator, alternative practitioner
Oliver Becker has been practicing Ayurvedic medicine in his own clinic for many years. At the European Academy of Ayurveda, he works as a lecturer, module leader, educational coach and interpreter in the Ayurvedic Medicine course. In addition, he teaches in various other training courses of the Academy. His professional focus as a lecturer includes pharmacology and internal medicine of Ayurveda. In addition to Ayurvedic medicine, he has profound knowledge of yoga, Vedic knowledge systems and Sanskrit.

Gynecologist
Federica Brunetti, MD, is a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics; since 2020, she has mainly dealt with gynecological problems of chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia and endometriosis. She works at Casamedica Medical Center in Bergamo, Italy, in the team of Dr. Chiara Marra, who specializes in chronic pelvic pain and women's health care with an integrated approach. Dr. Brunetti has been a doctor-in-training at the Ayurveda Point School in Milan for two years under the direction of Professor Antonio Morandi and Carmen Tosto. By studying Ayurvedic medicine, she hopes to find a new way to treat women's health in its entirety and complexity, where Western medicine often fails.

Dr. med. Ananda Samir Chopra is Head of the Ayurveda Department at the renowned Habichtswald Clinic Kassel and one of Germany’s most experienced physicians in the field of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. His work combines classical Ayurvedic Medicine with modern scientific medicine in a holistic and patient-centred therapeutic approach.

Dr. Chopra studied Medicine and Indology at Heidelberg University. After receiving his medical license, he spent one year in Kolkata, India, studying Ayurveda intensively. Since 1996, he has served as leading physician of the Ayurveda Clinic Kassel and has played a major role in establishing Ayurveda within integrative inpatient medicine in Germany.

From 2009 to 2011, he worked as scientific researcher in a project on the modern history of Ayurveda at Heidelberg University. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Chopra remains scientifically active in the field of medical history. He is also Chairman of the German Medical Society for Ayurveda Medicine (DÄGAM e.V.).

Known for his profound knowledge, clinical clarity, and authentic teaching style, Dr. Chopra represents a deeply humanistic understanding of Ayurveda as a medicine of body, mind, and consciousness. Since childhood, he has also studied and practiced classical Indian music (Hindustani Sangit).

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Dr. Chopra will speak on “Treating Chronic Inflammation with Āyurveda – A Promising Perspective”, exploring integrative Ayurvedic approaches for chronic inflammatory disorders and their relevance for modern healthcare.

Professor and head of Svasthavritta
Dr. Mihir Hajarnavis MD (Ayu) is professor and head of the department of Svasthavritta and deputy headmaster at Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya in Pune. He is also a member of the study commission PG Paraclinical Subjects at the Ayurved Maharashtra University of Health Science in Nashik. He has been teaching in his special field of Svasthavritta for two decades and has extensive experience in research.

Ayurveda therapist, coach, yoga teacher, gong therapist
Tanja Hettich earned her Master of Ayurvedic Science from the European Academy of Ayurveda in cooperation with Middlesex University London in May 2023 and further gained clinical internship experience in Nadia and Kerala. Throughout her career, she held various senior positions as Head of Design and Brand Manager in the fashion industry before focusing on the field of Ayurveda from 2015. She has been practicing as an Ayurvedic Nutritionist since 2017 and teaches classes in Ayurvedic spice lore as well as Ayurvedic oil treatments and massage. Her own style of yoga developed from various trainings and observing the needs of sick and stressed patients. Gong treatment for humans and dogs was added to reduce emotions, trauma and stress as quickly as possible. With coaching Tanja supports individuals as well as practices in conflict management, practice organization, knowledge transfer and welcome culture. Since 2013 she has been sharing practices of embodiment, mindfulness and awareness. "Everything begins with awareness. It is your choice to open your eyes and live!" She is grateful for advice and support to earn her PhD.

Holistic dentist, Ayurveda specialist
D.M.D. Annette Jasper has been running her own practice in Munich for 20 years. Already at the beginning of her career she decided to work holistically and, if possible, not to use metal. Her special expertise lies in the fields of implantology and CMD (cranio-mandibular dysfunction). She deals with functional disorders and their effects such as tinnitus, back problems and headaches. Accordingly, she regularly lectures on the topic of tinnitus as a guest speaker in ENT clinics. In Dr. Japser's practice, factors from naturopathy and Ayurveda flow into the highly modern dental medicine.

Master of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine, Certified Health & Medical Nurse, Yoga Therapist and Certified Mental Trainer
Gabriela Karall runs her own practice for Ayurveda and Yoga therapy in Austria. Her special expertise is in the field of chronic neck pain. Regular Ayurveda & Yoga practice with Dr. Ajit Mandlecha and Dr. Shirish Deshpande in Pune and in Kerala (India). Development of a seminar series "Sound of Ayurveda" with Peter Hess.

Professor at Southern California University of Health Sciences
Dr. Anupama Kizhakkeveettil is a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine, licensed acupuncturist, professor, researcher, and founding program director of the Ayurvedic Medicine Department at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Her contributions to the field of complementary and alternative medicine include extensive travel to propagate Ayurveda worldwide, numerous research presentations at national and international conferences, and publications in various peer-reviewed research journals. Dr. Anu serves on the boards of directors of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, and the National Ayurvedic Accreditation Council. She is the co-founder of Athreya Ayurvedic Integrative Health Center and Athreya Herbs, a U.S.-based provider of Ayurvedic herbal supplements.

Ayurvedic doctor and music therapist
Dr. Shubham Ram Kulkarni MD (Ayu) is practicing as Ayurvedic physician and music therapist in Pune and Mumbai, India, both in a renowned palliative care hospital and in his own private practice. In addition to his medical studies, Dr Kulkarni holds master's degrees in palliative care and psychology. He is furthermore a neurologic music therapist and a vocalist for classical Indian music. With the benefit of these qualifications, he has successfully conducted clinical researches in the field of Ayurveda and music therapy ranging from insomnia, stress, depression, dementia and cancer to pregnancy care. Dr. Kulkarni share his knowledge as an international speaker and has launched two mobile apps for training in music therapy.

General practitioner
Chiara Mariani, MD, has been a general practitioner since 2010 and was a member of the Italian Society of General Medicine (SIMG) until 2021. Since 2023 she has been an Ayurvedic Physician (Ayurvedic Point, Milan) and is attending a specialization in Ayurvedic Panchakarma Therapy (Ayurvedic Institute Asthavaidyan Thaikat Mooss', Thrissur). She has published papers on general medicine and teaches palliative care and chronic pain management to students of GP schools.

M.Sc.ayur., alternative practitioner and health care nurse
Isabelle Mertens works as a naturopathic therapist in the Clinic for Integrative Oncology and Supportive Medicine under the direction of Clinic Director PD Dr. med. Petra Voiß at Essen Mitte Clinics. As part of a large team, she helps to make the side effects of cancer disease and therapy more bearable for patients and to strengthen both physical and psychological resilience. In addition, she is a member of the 'Working Group Integrative Nursing in Oncology' coordinated by Prof. Dr. Mahler of the Faculty of Nursing Science in Tübingen, which aims to establish international expert standards in oncological nursing. She regularly gives lectures and workshops on this topic in the continuing education series of the Working Group for Gynecological Oncology (AGO/ AGImed). She also works since 2019 in her own practice in Essen with Ayurveda, acupuncture and other naturopathic methods.

Ayurveda doctor, former professor for postgraduate studies at the Gujarat Ayurved University
Prof. Dr. S.K. Mishra MD (Ayu) PhD was for several years professor and physician at the Faculty of Internal Medicine at the renowned Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar (India). As a founding member of various Ayurveda colleges and associations, he looks back on a long and successful teaching and practice of Ayurvedic medicine. At the European Academy of Ayurveda he lectured on his specialties of Kaya-Cikitsa and Rasa-Shastra as part of his studies of Ayurvedic Medicine.

Indologist and religious scholar
Prof. Dr. Martin Mittwede is head of the Master of Science in Ayurveda Medicine at the European Academy of Ayurveda. The indologist and religious scholar habilitated already in 1996 with a research project on Ayurveda and has many years of experience in further medical training. He also teaches at the University of Frankfurt/Main and has published numerous works on Ayurveda medicine.

Dr. med. Antonio Īśvara Morandi, MD, PhD, is physician, neurologist, Ayurveda expert, and one of Europe’s most influential pioneers of Integrative Ayurvedic Medicine. For more than three decades, he has dedicated his work to building bridges between classical Ayurveda, modern medicine, neuroscience, psychotherapy, and consciousness-based healing approaches.

As Co-Founder and Co-Director of Ayurvedic Point Milan, one of Europe’s leading Ayurveda institutions, he helped create an integrative model combining clinical practice, scientific research, education, and international collaboration. Through longstanding partnerships with India — especially with the SNA Oushadhasala Institute in Thrissur, Kerala — he has contributed significantly to authentic Ayurvedic education and intercultural exchange between India and Europe.

Dr. Morandi is internationally respected not only for his scientific work, but also for his deeply humanistic understanding of Ayurveda as a medicine of consciousness, resilience, adaptation, and inner transformation. His work focuses particularly on psychosomatic medicine, healthy ageing, meditation, neurocognition, and the relationship between body, mind, and awareness.

He has served as consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in expert groups related to Ayurveda terminology, training standards, and Traditional Medicine. For his contributions to Ayurveda research and international collaboration, he received several honours, including the title Āyurveda Acharya and the prestigious IASTAM Zandu Award for Research in Ayurveda.

As lecturer, author, and keynote speaker, Dr. Morandi is appreciated worldwide for his inspiring and deeply reflective teaching style, which makes complex Ayurvedic principles understandable and relevant for modern life.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Dr. Morandi will speak on “The Art of Living Longer through Better Adaptation”, exploring resilience, adaptability, consciousness, and healthy ageing from both Ayurvedic and modern scientific perspectives.

General practitioner and Ayurveda physician
Since 1998, Dr. med. Annette Müller-Leisgang has been working with her own practice for Ayurveda and nutritional medicine in Munich. In addition, she specializes in travel and occupational medicine. She has more than 30 years of experience in Ayurveda and heads the Ayurveda Institute Munich.

Dr. med. Kalyani Nagersheth is a specialist in Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, medical psychotherapist, Ayurveda physician, and one of Germany’s most experienced experts in integrative Ayurvedic phytotherapy. For more than two decades, she has combined modern medicine with classical Ayurvedic diagnostics, therapy, and herbal medicine in a holistic and patient-centred approach.

After studying medicine in Frankfurt, Dr. Nagersheth completed extensive studies in Ayurvedic Medicine in Germany and India. Since 2000, she has been practising as an Ayurveda physician in Frankfurt am Main. From 2009 onwards, she headed the Ayurveda Department at the renowned Habichtswald Clinic Kassel and significantly contributed to the development of integrative inpatient Ayurveda medicine in Germany.

Today, she leads her own Ayurveda medical practice in Frankfurt and serves as senior consultant for Panchakarma therapies at the Rosenberg Ayurveda Health & Treatment Centre in Birstein. Her work focuses particularly on psychosomatic medicine, women’s health, chronic disorders, rehabilitation, and the integration of Western medicinal plants into Ayurvedic phytotherapy.

Dr. Nagersheth is internationally active as lecturer, author, and educator. Her books and publications focus on Ayurvedic phytotherapy, psychosomatics, nutrition, medicinal plants, and integrative medicine. With her recent book “Ayurveda Medicine with Native Plants”, she has become one of the leading experts bridging Western herbal medicine and Ayurveda.

As a senior lecturer at the European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA), she has shaped Ayurveda education in Europe for many years through her profound clinical experience and practical teaching style.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Dr. Nagersheth will speak on “Hormones and Women’s Health – The Effects of Hormone-Stimulating Plants on Body and Mind” and contribute her extensive expertise in Ayurvedic phytotherapy and integrative women’s health.

Ayurveda Physician
Dr. Sandeep Nair is a research associate and Ayurvedic physician in the Department of Neurology and Complementary Medicine at Augusta-Kranken-Anstalt Hattingen, Germany since September 2011. He is working with Univ. Prof. Dr. med. Przuntek on various research projects such as the influence of Vasthi and Ayurveda diet on microbiomics and the influence of Nasya on hyposmia of Parkinson's disease patients. His main responsibilities include diagnosing and treating patients with extrapyramidal movement disorders and other neurodegenerative diseases using complementary methods, training neurologists, therapists, and nurses on complementary medicine, and conducting clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews of various treatment approaches for Parkinson's disease. Dr. Nair is a former assistant professor of panchakarma at MVR Ayurveda Medical College Kannur, Kerala. He completed his BAMS and MD in Panchakarma at Government Ayurveda College Trivandrum, his MSc in Neurorehabilitation Research at Danube University Krems, Austria, and his specialization in Clinical Research and ICH GCP at Pharma Academy Leipzig, Germany. Dr. Nair is one of the board members of IFAD (Indian Professional Association of Ayurveda Germany).

Ayurvedic Practitioner, Aromatherapist

Ayurveda Physician
Manish Patel MD (Ayurveda), PhD in Kayachikitsa, works as Professor and Head of the Postgraduate Department of Kayachikitsa, J. S. Ayurveda College, Nadiad, India, where he works closely with Prof. Dr. S.N. Gupta. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience and has been actively teaching since 2007. Among other things, he gives practical/clinical training to students of the European Academy of Ayurveda and other institutions from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Numerous publications about his research in areas that were only sporadically present in Ayurvedic clinical research, such as chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis, diabetic neuropathy and Parkinsonism.

Ayurveda doctor and pharmacologist
Dr. Rammanohar Puthiyedath MD (Ayu) is a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine and specialised in Ayurvedic pharmacology. He is currently working as Director of Research at Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kollam, Kerala. He is a Visiting Professor at Southern California University of Health Sciences, USA and Co-Chair of the Special Interest Group (SIG) for Ayurveda, Society for Integrative Oncology. He is a part time member of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, Government of India. He serves as Research Advisor for Indian National Science Academy and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Government of India. He is particularly interested in Integrative Medicine as well as Psychology and spirituality from an Ayurvedic perspective.

Kerstin Rosenberg is one of Europe’s leading experts in Ayurvedic nutrition, dietetics, psychology, and culinary practice. She is a co-founder and senior lecturer at the European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA) and has played a key role in shaping the teaching of Ayurvedic nutrition, health counselling, psychology, and lifestyle medicine in the DACH region.

With more than 30 years of practical experience, she specialises in translating classical Ayurvedic principles into contemporary therapeutic and everyday applications. Her work focuses on the therapeutic use of nutrition, the strengthening of digestive fire (Agni), and the connection between food, psyche, constitution, and long-term health.

Kerstin Rosenberg is the author of numerous books on Ayurveda, nutrition, women’s health, and holistic living, including “Die Ayurveda-Ernährung,” “Das große Ayurveda-Buch,” “Ayurveda kompakt,” “Ayurveda für alle,” “Ayurveda heilt – Ernährung als Medizin,” and “Mit Ayurveda durch die Wechseljahre.”

She is also the initiator and conceptual developer of the India study program “Food as Medicine”, an immersive learning journey connecting participants with the roots of Ayurvedic nutrition, cooking, and clinical application in India.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Kerstin Rosenberg will speak on the role of Agni in the context of longevity, showing how digestive intelligence, dietetics, and Ayurvedic psychology can support vitality, resilience, and sustainable health.

Mark Rosenberg, Dr. h.c. (MAM University, India), is one of the leading pioneers and thought leaders for Ayurveda education and integrative health concepts in Europe. He is the founder and director of the European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA) in the DACH region and the Rosenberg Ayurveda Health and Treatment Centre in Germany, institutions that have played a key role in establishing high-quality Ayurveda education and clinical practice in Europe.

The Rosenberg Ayurveda Health and Treatment Centre has received international recognition for its integrative approach and high standards of care, including the DACH Spa Award.

For more than three decades, he has been actively involved in the development, professionalisation, and international networking of Ayurveda. His work focuses on building bridges between classical Ayurvedic knowledge and modern healthcare systems, with a strong emphasis on quality standards, education, and clinical application.

Mark Rosenberg serves as Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Vedic Sciences, MAM University, India, and was awarded an honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.) in recognition of his contribution to the international development of Ayurveda. In addition, he is a sought-after lecturer in the field of Vastu and holistic architecture, as well as a consultant and developer of integrative healing health retreat concepts, combining Ayurveda, environment, and conscious design.

Through his teaching, publications, and international collaborations, he continues to shape the development of Ayurveda in Europe and beyond.

Ayurveda Physician
Dr. Sukumar Sardeshmukh (BAMS) comes from a long line (more than 11 generations) of Ayurvedic physicians known for their ability to diagnose disease through pulse diagnosis (nadi pariksha). Along with his father and grandfather, Dr. Sardeshmukh has experience in the clinical treatment of cancer patients at India's first "Integrated Cancer Research Hospital," which is recognized both nationally and internationally for its success in the comprehensive treatment of cancer. He also has several Panchakarma centers across the country that receive patients from all over the world for a process of complete regeneration and healing. He is a trustee of Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust, which is involved in various activities such as Ayurvedic Medical College, Ayurved Hospital, Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research, Panchakarma Hospital and Sanjeevani Medicinal Plantation Unit.

Neurologist and senior hospitalist
Dr. Sandra Szymanski is the head physician of the Department of Neurology and (Ayurvedic) Complementary Medicine at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattingen, which was founded in 2008 by Prof. H. Przuntek, initially as an outpatient center. From 2009, she worked as a senior physician in the department and played a key role in developing and expanding inpatient care before taking over as overall director in 2020. Her neurological training previously took place over many years at St-Josef-Hospital, Klinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum. With its unique, holistic and integrative concept, the certified special department for Parkinson's treats about 600 patients per year, very successfully combining Western and Ayurvedic medicine, also in the field of multiple sclerosis. In addition to clinical activities, she develops scientific projects together with the Ayurvedic physicians of the department, cooperation partner is among others the AYUSH Ministry / CCRAS (MoU), and gives lectures for patients and professional audience in Germany and India.

Consul General, Consulate General of India in Frankfurt
Dr. Amit Telang assumed the post of India's Consul General in Frankfurt on July 30, 2020. He graduated with a master's degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur and briefly served as a medical officer and lecturer before joining the civil service in 2004, first in the Indian Revenue Service and from 2005 in the Indian Foreign Service. Previously, he was head of the political wing at the Indian Embassy in Berlin and then head of the economic and trade wing at the Indian Embassy in Moscow. In the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, he served in the Public Relations Division, the Administrative Division, and the East Asia Division.

Carmen Durgā Tosto is Ayurveda therapist, Yoga teacher, author, and Co-Founder and Co-Director of Ayurvedic Point Milan, one of Europe’s leading institutions for Integrative Ayurvedic Medicine. For more than three decades, she has worked internationally in the fields of Panchakarma Therapy, Marma Therapy, Ayurveda Yoga Therapy, and integrative body-oriented approaches combining Ayurveda and Yoga.

She completed her Ayurveda training at the SNA Oushadhasala Institute in Thrissur, India, as well as at the Joytinat International College of Ayurveda under the guidance of Swami Joythimayananda. She further specialised in Panchakarma and Marma Therapy in Kerala and has accompanied many international study groups to India over the years.

Her work focuses especially on touch, subtle body awareness, regeneration, resilience, and the therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic body therapies. Through her calm, intuitive, and deeply mindful approach, she has inspired many therapists and students throughout Europe.

As lecturer, author, and international speaker, Carmen Tosto has contributed to numerous congresses, educational programmes, and international Ayurveda collaborations. She also teaches Ayurveda at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Milan.

Known for her profound therapeutic sensitivity and deep understanding of healing through touch and presence, Carmen Tosto is regarded as one of Europe’s most experienced teachers in Ayurvedic body therapies and Marma treatment.

At the Ayurveda Symposium 2026, Carmen Tosto will lead the workshop „Marma and Longevity – Massage and Marma Therapy for Healthy Ageing“, exploring the relationship between Prana, touch, regeneration, and resilience in Ayurvedic therapy.

Ayurveda Physician
Prof. Hitesh Anantray Vyas MD (Ayu) PhD (Ayu) started his academic education at JS Ayurveda College, Nadiad, before he acquired his postgraduate degrees at IPGT & RA Hospital and Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar. During his career he worked in various leading positions, most recently as Deputy Hospital Superintendent and Head of Department of Swasthavritta of IGPT & RA. Meanwhile, he looks back on 23 years of teaching experience and has a vast experience in guiding research works of his students. 80 research papers on his scientific work have been published so far in peer reviewed national and international journals.

Specialist in neurology, Ayurvedic physician
Dr. med. Nadine Webering worked for a long time in a leading position in acute neurolgy in various clinics before she decided to study traditional Indian medicine at the Chair of Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Most recently, she worked in the Department of Neurology and Complementary Medicine (Ayurveda) at the Protestant Hospital in Hattingen as a senior physician. Today, she runs her own online company where she offers Ayurveda consultations online, among other things, making Ayurveda accessible to people who do not want to travel far to see an expert. Her main focus is the treatment of neurological diseases with Ayurveda and her first book "Migraine holistically treated with Ayurveda" was published on this topic. She is also a lecturer in Ayurvedic medicine.