Home of Consciousness-Based Education Accredited

An accredited non-profit university
with on-campus & online degrees >

Visit Us > Apply > Request Info >

Request Info > Apply > Visit Us >

Department of Physiology & Health

Name: Costs & Aid
Start: 2021
End: 2022

Programs

About us

MIU is the only university in the United States offering Maharishi AyurVeda^SM – a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach to health care based on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s revival of ancient ayurvedic knowledge, the traditional system of natural medicine of India. Ayurveda or “Science of Life” is a complete science of natural health care addressing mind, body, and environment.

The goals of the programs offered by the Department of Physiology and Health:

To train students interested in providing individualized healthy lifestyle education and natural health care services rooted in the knowledge and application of the clinically effective, side-effect-free diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available in Maharishi
To introduce major systems of natural medicine.
To introduce the applications of integrative health care in a scientific, evidence-based framework.

Physiology & Health Faculty

Keith Wallace, PhDDean of the College of Integrative Medicine, Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Robert Keith Wallace received his PhD in Physiology from the University of California at Los Angeles and did his postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. His seminal papers published in Science, the American Journal of Physiology, and Scientific American, showed that the Transcendental Meditation® technique produced a fourth major state of consciousness different than waking, sleeping, or dreaming. Dr. Wallace was the founding President of Maharishi International University and established the first Maharishi AyurVeda clinics in the United States. He is the author of Gut Crisis, The Rest and Repair Diet, The Coherence Code, and Total Brain Coaching.

Carol Paredes, MSCo-Chair of the Department of Physiology & Health, Instructor of Physiology and Health

Carol Paredes is an integrative health coach, yoga teacher, and educator. She became a certified health coach after working more than 30 years in technology as a senior level engineer. Now she is responsible for managing the operations of the Department of Physiology and Health and assists in the development of the curriculum for the MS in Maharishi AyurVeda & Integrative Medicine and the MS in Aromatherapy and Ayurveda in addition to working on her PhD in Physiology in Health. Carol has a passion for helping clients, students, and staff integrate and benefit from the knowledge and practices of Maharishi AyurVeda.

Carol graduated from Kaplan University with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems, (summa cum laude) and a B.S. in Software Development (summa cum laude) and an MS in Maharishi AyurVeda & Integrative Medicine from MIU where she was designated "Outstanding Student" within her graduating class. During her career as an engineer, she also became a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), and a Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA).

Charles Elder, MD, MPH, FACPChair of the Department of Integrative Medicine, Executive Director of the Fellowship MS in Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda for Doctors and Advanced Practice Providers

Charles R. Elder received his MD and MPH degrees from Boston University School of Medicine, and completed residency training in internal medicine at the University of Michigan hospitals. He has served as a primary care internist at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) for 28 years, and has been the physician lead for the complementary and integrative medicine program at KPNW for 20 years. In this capacity, Dr. Elder offers a referral based integrative ayurvedic clinic for Kaiser patients, advising patients in the areas of diet, exercise, herbal medicine, mind-body practices, and other complementary medicine modalities.

He has also provided leadership in shaping and implementing policy related to management of chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy, and other complementary medicine benefits. Dr. Elder holds a Senior Investigator appointment at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, where he has served as principal or co- investigator on a range of federally funded studies evaluating mind-body and other complementary medicine interventions in the setting of chronic disease management.

He also has a clinical faculty appointment at Oregon Health and Science University, and for over 2 decades has mentored and taught residents and students in both internal and integrative medicine settings.

Liis Mattik, PhDDean of Undergraduate Studies, Associate Chair of the Department of Physiology & Health, Director of the On-campus BA in Ayurveda Wellness & Integrative Health, Associate Professor of Physiology and Health

Liis Mattik is a natural, holistic, preventive health care practitioner-educator-scientist. She has been teaching, training, educating, overseeing curricula, and consulting people in methods of Maharishi AyurVeda for more than 30 years in university and public sectors.

Professor Mattik has been giving individualized recommendations for maintaining or improving health by utilizing pulse diagnosis, diet, digestion, nutrition, herbs, minerals, essential oils, color therapy, yoga asanas – body postures, pranayama – breathing therapies, prevention of disease, seasonal purification programs including panchakarma and the Transcendental Meditation® technique. She has been overseeing and developing the curricula for Maharishi AyurVeda Wellness Consultant Training.

Professor Mattik loves to interact with students and teach them life-altering wisdom of our ancestors which has become scientifically verified in this age of modern science and technology. She enjoys seeing how students are benefiting from Maharishi AyurVeda – the Science of Life, and growing in happiness and health in their personal lives. Students have given her two awards for her efforts. Curriculum Vitae >

Robert Schneider, MD, FACCDirector of the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, Professor of Physiology and Health

Robert Schneider is an internationally recognized physician-scientist-educator and a leader in mind-body medicine and integrative medicine. He is a specialist in preventive medicine and preventive cardiology and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

He did his postgraduate training in internal medicine and hypertension at the University of Michigan Medical School. Beginning in 1984, Dr. Schneider was one of the first physicians in the United States to practice, teach and research Maharishi AyurVeda, an ancient and comprehensive system of prevention-oriented natural medicine. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Schneider had directed or co-directed more than $25 million in grant support from the US National Institutes of Health and other government agencies for clinical research on mind-body medicine, aging, and cardiovascular disease. The results of these studies have been published in 150 peer-reviewed articles, including those published by the American Heart Association, American Medical Association and featured in more than 1,000 television, radio, magazine, and newspaper reports, including ABC’s 20/20, CNN Headline News, the Discovery Channel, the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal and Time magazine.

He has been a consultant to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Presidential Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the US Congress’ Prevention Coalition. Dr. Schneider is a frequent lecturer at academic medical centers, professional societies and public forums on four continents.

Based on his groundbreaking research and clinical experience, he authored the popular book: Total Heart Health: How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health published by Turner Publishers in 2006.

Currently, Dr. Schneider is Professor and Director of the Institute for Natural Medicine & Prevention and Dean of the College of Integrative Medicine at Maharishi International University. He is Medical Director at the award-winning Raj Ayurveda Health Spa in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa USA.

See the list of research studies conducted by Dr. Schneider and other members of the Institute for Natural Health and Prevention.

Sanford I. Nidich, EdDDirector of PhD in Physiology and Health, Director of the Center for Social and Emotional Health and Consciousness, Research Director in the Dr. Tony Nader Institute for Research in Consciousness and Applied Technologies, Professor of Physiology and Health, Senior Investigator for the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention

Sanford Nidich received his BA Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development, MA Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development, and EdD in Educational Psychology, all from the University of Cincinnati. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles. Curriculum Vitae >

Paul J. Morehead, PhDDirector of the MS in Maharishi AyurVeda & Integrative Medicine, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Paul J. Morehead is an educator and practitioner of Maharishi AyurVeda. Dr. Morehead helped develop the undergraduate programs in physiology and health at MIU and taught many of the courses, including Self-Pulse Reading, Maharishi Yoga Asanas, Diet Digestion and Nutrition, Prevention, Human Physiology and Veda in Human Physiology. After completing his PhD in Physiology, Dr. Morehead began developing the MS in Maharishi AyurVeda & Integrative Medicine, working with leading Ayurvedic physicians from India. Curriculum Vitae >

Natasha Durand, MSDirector of the Online BA in Ayurveda Wellness & Integrative Health, Instructor of Physiology and Health

Hello! I am Natasha Durand, the Director of the Online BA in Ayurveda Wellness & Integrative Health. With my background in program development, leadership, and Ayurvedic wellness education, I am devoted to contributing to organizations that prioritize holistic health and innovative approaches to well-being, which is why I chose MIU for my education and later, my career.

My expertise lies in academic leadership, curriculum design, and community engagement, allowing me to drive forward the mission of consciousness-based education with both proficiency and passion. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Physiology and Health, building upon my foundational knowledge gained from an MS in Maharishi AyurVeda & Integrative Medicine from MIU, and a BS in Psychology from the University of Vermont.

My career journey has encompassed many diverse roles which all have helped me develop my leadership and organizational skills. My path stated in the United States Air Force where I honed my leadership and technical skills, earning recognition for outstanding performance and contributions to mission success. There, I found I had a passion for working with people. I volunteered my time as the “Booster Club” President where I worked to maintain the wellbeing and morale of soldiers and their families through times of high deployments. To better serve the people around me, I became certified as a Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocate and Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention counselor. This later led me to serve as a Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention Counselor at the Vermont National Guard, providing crucial support on the suicide hotline and ensuring the safety and well-being of soldiers, veterans, and their families. I wanted to be able to do more for those in need and this drove me to pursue higher education which is what brought me to MIU.

Upon graduating from the MS in Maharishi Ayurveda and Integrative Health program, I was hired as a developer and instructor of the Life and Wellness Coaching Track at the same institution, I crafted and delivered a comprehensive curriculum focusing on holistic development, empowering students with practical skills in wellness coaching. Later, I was promoted to Assistant Program Director and then Program Director of the BA Ayurvedic Wellness and Integrative Health Program. Here I have had the honor to pick up the torch of fostering an inclusive educational environment that highlights the unique qualities of each of our students.

My experience also extends to managing successful annual conventions at SC Horror Convention. Alongside my husband, we work to bring a family friendly and inclusive weekend full of fun. Working alongside local artists, vendors, businesses, and nonprofit/charity organizations such as the Trevor Project, we have helped to gather a community of people who all share a love of pop culture and all things spooky. We also use this platform to promote anti-bullying and consent messages to help make our community, and the wider world, a better and safer place.

On my “days off”, I like to spend time with my husband, children, pets, and plants in my garden.

Malte Hozzel, PhDExecutive Director of the MS in Aromatherapy & AyurVeda, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Malte Hozzel was born in Germany and received his PhD from Heidelberg University in comparative literature and linguistics. His interest in self-knowledge via meditation led him to study and research essential oils. Over the last 30 years, he has organized and participated in international Aromatherapy conferences and speaks about holistic aromatherapy at international conferences and seminars. He has published numerous articles, blog posts, and books on holistic aromatherapy.

Dr. Hozzel's interest in the essential nature of plants took him on many journeys through numerous countries around the world, meeting with traditional healers and the greatest practitioners of Ayurveda. As a result, he founded the Ayus Essential Oils International company in Germany with the OSHADHI Aromatherapy line and then founded the Aromatherapy Seminar Center, Orto de Prouvenco, in High Provence/France in 1992.

Dr. Hozzel has also lectured on the TM programs in various European and overseas countries since 1972, established several TM-Centers and TM-Retreat-Academies in Germany, France, and Belgium, and published several articles and books on the collective transformation of modern society.

Diane Malaison, MSCo-Director of the MS in Aromatherapy & Maharishi AyurVeda, Adjunct Instructor of Physiology and Health

Diane Malaison is a graduate of the Institut d’Aromathérapie Scientifique in Québec, Canada and has learned from Dr. Daniel Pénoël (Osmobiose, France), Dominique Baudoux (Pranarom, Belgium), Lucie Mainguy (Aliksir, Canada), and Maurice Nicole (Hunzaroma, Canada). She has taught Maharishi AyurVeda and aromatherapy in the United States, Canada, India, and the Netherlands and will teach aromatherapy courses and provide clinical training. Diane earned her B.Sc. Biochemistry and M.Sc. Microbiology-Immunology at Laval University, Québec, Canada, and is a NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist^®.

Mahmooda Hotak, MSCo-Director of the MS in Aromatherapy & Maharishi AyurVeda, Adjunct Instructor of Physiology and Health

Mahmooda is a Ph.D. candidate in the Physiology and Health program at Maharishi International University (MIU). She holds dual master’s degrees from MIU – one in Aromatherapy & Maharishi AyurVeda and another in Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an ICF-certified Holistic Health Coaching certificate from the Holistic Coaching Institute (HCI).

Mahmooda’s professional journey includes serving as the Director of Training and Education for a prominent dental laboratory in New England, where she developed curricula and educational seminars for new dental technicians and delivered lectures to dentists to enhance collaboration between dental practices and laboratories. After a 16-year career hiatus to focus on raising her family, she returned to academia as a graduate instructor for the MS in Aromatherapy & Maharishi AyurVeda at MIU.

Currently, Mahmooda is the Co-Director of the MS in Aromatherapy & Ayurveda. She teaches courses in Maharishi AyurVeda, Vedic Psychology, wellness coaching, and entrepreneurship training. Alongside her academic role, she is a Certified Professional Aromatherapist and Maharishi Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner helping women with hormonal imbalances achieve harmony through the principles of Maharishi AyurVeda and Aromatherapy with a touch of Vedic Psychology.

Manohar PalakurthiClinical Professor of Physiology and Health

Vaidya Manohar Palakurthi, BAMS, PhD, is a highly respected Ayurvedic expert in the western world and India and has taught Maharishi AyurVeda courses, including Maharishi Nadi Vigyan, self-pulse, diet, and Yoga in Europe, Japan, and the US. He has provided consultations to over 50,000 people in his 40 years of practice in Maharishi AyurVeda. He has created and taught physician courses in the US and worldwide and has trained over 1,000 medical doctors.

Vaidya Manohar worked directly with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for three decades. He was trained by, and worked with, world experts such as Vaidya Balraj Maharishi, the world’s leading expert in Dravya Guna, Rajvaidya Brihaspati Dev Triguna, the world’s leading expert in Nadi Vigyan, and Vaidya V.M. Dwivedi, former Vice-chancellor of Jamnagar Ayurveda University, the world’s leading expert in Ayurvedic mineral and metal preparations. He was mentored by two great dignitaries of Ayurveda in India: PR Krishna Kaumar Varrier (Founder Ayra Vaidya Pharmacy and premium Ayurveda Center at Coimbartore and NPP Namboothiri MD Sreedhareeyam, Kerala, Koothattukulam (Ayur Eye Ophthalmology Institute.)

Vaidya Palakurthi is an expert in Keraleeya Panchakarma and Maharishi’s consciousness-based Panchakarma. He was a clinical director of the chronic disease eradication program in the US under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He is a certified consultant and teacher of Maharishi Aromatherapy (France), a certified expert in Marma and Varma therapy from Kerala, and is trained in Ayurvedic Netra Kriyas (ophthalmology).

Vaidya Palakurthi is a founding technical director of MAPI (Maharishi Ayurveda Products International) Ayurved products – India. He is one of the founding Clinical Directors of the Raj, Fairfield, IA. He was also the clinical director of the Panchakarma programs in Lancaster, MA, and Pacific Palisades, CA. He was the clinical director for Maharishi AyurVeda Center in Japan. He researched and formulated 100 Ayurvedic products in Italy. He introduced the Veda Herbal program in the US. He received the Maharishi Award six times and the Dhanwantari award twice by AAPNA and MERU. He also received the Teacher Appreciation award and Lifetime Achievement award from Maharishi International University in 2018. Vaidya Manohar is the first professor to teach Maharishi AyurVeda as an integrative medical approach for medical students in Curacao and St. Martin medical colleges.

Vaidya Palakurthi earned his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), an integrated Indian Degree in the medical field. This degree program is conferred to those students who studied modern medicine and traditional Ayurveda. His PhD dissertation was in object validation of Maharishi Nadi-Vigyan and co-factors of cholesterol, insomnia, and state of mind.

Sangeeta Sharma, BAMS, PhDClinical Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Sangeeta Sharma is the mother of two children, wife of a physicist, an Ayurveda Vaidya, PhD in Panchakarma, researcher, and academician. She comes from a rich Vedic cultural background and inherited strong values like sincerity, self-discipline, kindness, and gratitude. Her father inspired her to pursue Ayurveda, the holistic science of life and kindled the dream of representing Ayurveda at an international Level. Vaidya Sangeeta is a dedicated professional with 15 years of experience in practice and 5 years in teaching during postgraduate studies and a PhD in Ayurveda.

Vaidya Sangeeta is a dedicated Professional Practicing Ayurveda since 2007 and had done 5years of teaching during her PG and PhD in Ayurveda and now teaching in MIU since 2021. She specialized in Panchakarma and successfully treated patients with a variety of ailments, including metabolic and lifestyle disorders. She is also certified in nutrition and health education and astromedicine and uses a holistic approach, including all the modalities of Maharishi AyurVeda. She is an avid learner and has attended many workshops and conferences to update herself on new developments and different approaches to treating disorders.

In her endeavor to share knowledge with others, she co-authored the first book exclusively on Vamana Karma (therapeutic emesis) in 2018 and has presented many papers and published many articles. She is passionate about giving back to society and has done a lot of work with NGOs and community development. She has conducted many camps and awareness programs to educate people on the Ayurveda way of living.

She has done her BAMS (Graduation) from Dr. BRKR Govt. Ayurveda College, Hyderabad, India, and was at the top of her class. Later she pursued her MD (Ayurveda) and PhD from National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India. She was All-India 4th Rank in post-graduate studies and All-India 2nd Rank in PhD entrance. She has done research on dyslipidemia in her MD (Ayurveda) and Hypothyroidism in her PhD. She is a Guinness Book of World Records holder for being the trainer and key participant in the “Largest number of people receiving Nasya therapy” during RAYM held at the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, on September 15, 2017.

Before joining Maharishi International University, she worked as Research Head for Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable trust, an NGO in India, working on the management of malnutrition through Ayurveda, and as a Panchakarma Consultant in Guna Ayurveda, Hyderabad. She has a number of articles published both in India and International Journals and has presented many papers and talks on health to corporations.

At present, she is Director of Clinical Training for the MS in Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Health at Maharishi International University and Consultant Vaidya at MIU's Integrative Health Center. Curriculum Vitae >

Amandeep Kaur Negi, BAMS, MHSClinical Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Vaidya Amandeep Kaur Negi is an Ayurveda Physician whose practice includes Panchakarma and Marma therapy treatments. She has over 12 years of clinical and teaching experience. She earned her BAMS degree from a prestigious government college in Punjab, MHA (Masters in Hospital/Health Administration) from RGUHS, Bangalore, Karnataka; Post-Graduate certificate course in Panchakarma from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, and currently is pursuing a PhD degree from Maharishi International University. She has been practicing Maharishi AyurVeda since 2017. Currently, she is working as an Ayurveda Physician at the Integrative Wellness Center at MIU and teaches Maharishi AyurVeda in the Department of Physiology and Health.

Over the past 12 years, she has been treating patients with diseases of acute to chronic nature, with detailed analysis through Naadi Vigyaan (Pulse Diagnosis). She has been successfully treating cases with metabolic disorders (like diabetes), skin disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, mental health, pain management, etc. with Ayurvedic approaches including Herbs, Panchakarma, Agni Karma, Marma therapy, etc. She has a firm belief in a holistic approach to treating the body, mind, and soul.

She has been giving lectures, training sessions, and seminars throughout her career on promoting Ayurveda into the daily lives of many in residential societies, corporations, and schools in India. She has also been providing the public with basic Ayurvedic lifestyle recommendations and Ayurvedic management of diseases. She has been a visiting Ayurveda Physician in many Ayurvedic clinics in India, Europe, and the USA. Vaidya Amandeep's mission in life is to spread Ayurvedic wisdom around the world.

Sanjeev Kalra, BAMS, MSClinical Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Vaidya Sanjeev Kalra is an Ayurveda Medicine Physician and Specialist in Neuro-Psychiatry who has over 15 years of experience in Ayurveda clinical practice. He post-graduated from Sri Dharamsthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital in Hassan, India. He also earned a master's degree in Hospital Management and Finance. He served as principal in several leading Ayurveda medical colleges in India where he taught master’s level students. He has been associated with the Maharishi AyurVeda Clinic and Hospital in New Delhi as Chief Consultant and also at Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in New Delhi.

He was a visiting Senior Ayurveda Consultant at the Greek Institute of Ayurveda in Greece for many years. He is one of the few Ayurveda Neuro-Psychiatrists in India with a special interest in doing research on the effects of treating with Transcendental Meditation children who have autism, ADHD, or learning disorders. The treatment and research are conducted at his advanced Centre for Special Abled Children and Neuro-Psychiatry, called “Niramaya”, in Noida, India.

Michael Olmstead, DDSAssistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Michael Olmstead has been professionally involved in health care for over 50 years, with an educational background in Anatomy & Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Histology, Microbiology, Embryology, Biochemistry, Organic & Inorganic Chemistry, and Physics. He also has a strong understanding of alternative health modalities, including certifications in Maharishi Ayurveda, Cranial Sacral (a branch of Osteopathy), and Maharishi Marma Therapies. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree with Honors and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing professional development courses. He is licensed to practice in New Zealand, California, Iowa, the Pacific Islands, and is eligible by credential in 46 US States.

Andrew Stenberg, MAInstructor of Physiology and Health

Andrew Stenberg has more than 20 years’ experience performing 11,000 Ayurveda consultations. He also has teaching experience as a senior lecturer at Maharishi Vedic College in Melbourne, Australia. In his private and corporate practice, Andrew often uses essential aroma oils therapeutically, along with the many different approaches found within Maharishi AyurVeda. He also has several years of experience teaching self-pulse reading, and his courses are known for their depth and informal approach. Andrew will train students in Maharishi AyurVeda Pulse Diagnosis.

Abraham Bornstein, MDAdjunct Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Abraham Bornstein, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, currently holds a faculty appointment as an adjunct professor of integrative medicine at Maharishi International University where he is working to reconcile the principles of allopathic medicine with the essential fundamental teachings of integrative medicine, and specifically Maharishi Ayurvedic Medicine. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor of Science Education at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, a newly established medical school with a unique experimental medical curriculum.

His educational area of interest includes the use of multimedia to enhance medical education, content development, medical curriculum development, and medical education research. Before that, he formerly held the position of Assistant Professor of Public Health and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.

As a specialist in preventive cardiology, valvular heart disease, and adult congenital heart disease, as well as health information technology, he developed telemedicine-based applications in order to improve healthcare delivery and practical personal health education for underserved medical communities in the New York tri-state area. This included medical education geared toward the members of the lay population that may find themselves functionally illiterate when it comes to healthcare and/or health (medical) terminology.

At Weill Cornell Medical College, he had been extensively involved in many areas of graduate medical education including training the pediatric house staff, medical house staff, and cardiology fellows. During this time, he also taught the Problem Based Learning (PBL) course, the Medicine, Physicians and Society (MPS) course for the first year and second-year medical students, as well as evidence-based medicine as part of the Public Health educational curriculum for medical students at Weill Cornell Medical College. He has also served on the board of evidence-based medicine at the New York Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Bornstein earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine, graduating Cum Laude in 1973. From 1973 to 1978, he went on to do his subspecialty training in Internal Medicine, followed by a Cardiology Fellowship, at The Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. After formally completing his cardiovascular training, he did an extra year of cardiovascular research in the areas of electrophysiology, pacemaker insertion, and congenital heart disease, spending time on the pediatric cardiology service as well.

Upon completion of his training, Dr. Bornstein joined Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County PC, a private practice consultative cardiology group, where he became a principal partner and practiced invasive/interventional cardiology for 20 years, from 1978-1998. During that time, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Heart Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stamford, CT where he was appointed Associate Director. While in clinical practice, he served as a member of the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Advisory Committee. He also served as a member of the Connecticut Hospital Association Panel of Clinical Excellence in Cardiology, where he was intimately involved with the establishment of clinical guidelines and other quality of care initiatives.

After leaving private practice, Dr. Bornstein trained in cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in 1999, and Nuclear Cardiology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in 2000. He has more than 30 years of clinical practice experience in both the private practice setting, as well as in the academic environment. Throughout his career, he has participated extensively in the medical education process, believing this to be the cornerstone for achieving ongoing clinical excellence. He has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards.

In recent years, he has focused on the use of information technology to facilitate medical education, patient care, and to provide access to medical information at both the professional and lay levels. He has also developed content for the medical school curriculum, as well as for CME and teleconferencing. Yearly, he is responsible for the entire Adult Congenital Heart Disease curriculum for the Cardiology Fellowship Training Program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. He also has expertise in invasive/interventional cardiology as well as noninvasive cardiac imaging, including nuclear cardiology, cardiac positron emission tomography, cardiac ultrasound, cardiac CT and MRI. He has published papers in peer-reviewed journals as well as chapters in textbooks in his areas of expertise.

Charlotte Bech, MDAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Charlotte Bech graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Copenhagen. She has worked as a surgeon in Gentofte Amtssygehus in gastrointestinal surgery, and as a medical doctor in the area of hematology at the most renowned referral hospital in Denmark (Rigshospitalet), and in the field of internal medicine/obstetrics in Tennessee, in the USA. She taught at a medical school in Copenhagen for several years and is currently managing a private clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark, supplementing modern medicine with Maharishi Ayurveda, and has given more than 30,000 ayurvedic consultations.

She writes as a columnist in several national magazines and is the author of several books on topics of ayurveda. She is a presenter to the government in Denmark and has been selected as the foremost representative of ayurveda from Denmark to India where she has collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is Vice President for the European Ayurveda Medical Association (EURAMA) and has been awarded the PANACEA international excellence award from Vanaushadhi Vidyapeetha, International Conference on Ayurveda and Holistic Healing, from Government of Maharastra, India.

Charlotte teaches courses for other medical doctors on Maharishi Ayurveda. She holds the degree Doctor of the Science of Creative Intelligence and has taught the Transcendental Meditation® technique to almost 1,200 people.

Christoph Streicher, PhDAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Christoph Streicher holds a Master's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wurzburg, Germany, and a PhD in Physiology from Maharishi International University. He was mentored in aromatherapy by France's world-renowned Jacques Paltz, a foremost authority on using essential oils both internally and externally for healing, and in skincare. He also studied with a number of well-known Indian Ayurvedic physicians, learning the time-tested therapeutic use of essential oils for increasing vitality and balance.

In 1989, Christoph founded Amrita Aromatherapy, Inc. Being an outspoken advocate of the importance of essential oil purity to guarantee therapeutic benefits, he personally researches, sources and conducts gas chromatograph analysis on essential oils. With his background in biochemistry and human physiology, he is in an ideal position to evaluate essential oil chemistry in relation to therapeutic effects. He conducts product development not only for Amrita Aromatherapy but for a large number of other companies.

He teaches aromatherapy certification classes to nurses and other health professionals. He also travels internationally speaking on the art and science of aromatherapy. His special field of study is the self-regenerating influence of plant intelligence on human consciousness, specifically how pure essential oils can enhance higher states of consciousness.

From 1996–2000, he served on the executive committee of The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting aromatherapy education and the benefits of true aromatherapy. He is a professional member of NAHA.

Tim Carr, MDAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Tim Carr graduated in medicine with honours at Sydney University in 1976 and completed postgraduate studies in ayurveda at the MIU Institute of Ayurveda Studies, Iowa, USA, and the Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar, India from 1984 to 1985. He furthered his studies at the World Centre for Ayurveda, Delhi, India and the Maharishi Vedic University, Holland. Dr. Carr has been integrating Maharishi Ayurveda in his medical practice since 1985. He has worked with some of the foremost ayurvedic physicians of India.

He has lectured Australia-wide and has conducted training courses in Maharishi Ayurveda for doctors and health care professionals. He has authored and co-authored several articles on Maharishi Ayurveda which have been published in reputed medical journals including the International Clinical Nutrition Review.

From 2002 to 2008 Dr. Carr served as Expert Advisor on Ayurveda to the Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee of the Australian Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration. He is currently President of the Maharishi AyurVeda Association of Australia, and National Director and CEO for Maharishi Foundation Australia.

Saipriya Gowrishankar, MD, MSAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Gowrishankar is a medical doctor trained in India with a medical degree from Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. She has a professional medical license from Tamil Nadu Medical council. She received further training in women's health and fertility and worked in primary care, fertility clinics, and prenatal and postpartum maternity care. Dr. Gowrishankar has extensive experience in improving the preventative health of prenatal to perimenopausal women, including screening for breast and cervical cancer, health education, and contraceptive counseling.

Dr. Gowrishankar's research work, centered on preventing cardiovascular events in the elderly with kidney dysfunction, was presented at the American College of Physicians (ACP) national meeting in San Diego and the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) national conference in New Orleans. She worked on patient safety and quality program at Case Western Reserve University Hospital, where she trained pre-med student volunteers, focusing on the prevention of hospital readmissions and incident delirium in the elderly population to enhance cognitive and functional independence.

In addition to her extensive clinical and research background, Dr. Gowrishankar is dedicated to promoting integrative health and delivers presentations that seamlessly blend Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary healthcare practices. She holds an MS in Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine and is currently pursuing a PhD with a focus on perimenopause.

Her vision for the future is to bridge the gap between traditional Ayurvedic wisdom and modern medical science to create a truly integrative approach to healthcare. She aspires to empower individuals, particularly women navigating perimenopause and menopause, to achieve optimal health and well-being through personalized, evidence-based interventions. Through education, clinical practice, and research, she is committed to nurturing a healthcare paradigm that respects Ayurvedic wisdom while embracing scientific innovation enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities worldwide.

Marc Edwards, MDAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

A native of Seattle, Dr. Edwards graduated from the University of Washington where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, earned his MD degree from the University of Colorado, trained in Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and later completed an MBA at the University of Connecticut. 30 years of his career was focused on healthcare management and consulting including service as the senior physician executive in both community and university teaching hospitals. He operated a federal Patient Safety Organization conducted healthcare management research to help physician leaders improve quality and safety.

Dr. Edwards has also studied and practiced Maharishi Ayurveda since 1984 as an outgrowth of his practice of Transcendental Meditation. In 2017, he relocated to North Carolina from Connecticut. He now lives in Chapel Hill and contributes as adjunct faculty to the Integrative Medicine program at the University of North Carolina.

Vaidya Prathmesh Vyas, Ayurvedacharya (BAMS)Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Vaidya Prathmesh Vyas, a fifth-generation practitioner from a distinguished Vaidya family in the Kingdom of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is a celebrated authority in Maharishi Aromatherapy. As a vital member of the Maharishi Global Family, he has served at Maharishi Vedic University in the Netherlands, where his insightful interviews on Global Chat and lectures on Ayurvedic Aromatherapy are regularly featured on the Maharishi Channel.

His work has taken him across Europe, the Middle East, and Russian-speaking countries, sharing his profound knowledge and expertise with diverse audiences.

In 2014, Vaidya Vyas joined the Maharishi Ayurveda Clinic in Bad Ems, Germany, further expanding his clinical practice. Since 2021, he has been a part of Maharishi International University (MIU), offering virtual lectures and clinical supervision in Maharishi Aromatherapy and Ayurveda to students in the Master’s program in Aromatherapy and Maharishi Ayurveda.

Rajiv Pathak, PhDAdjunct Assistant Professor of Physiology and Health

Dr. Rajiv Pathak is a distinguished professor of Physiology at the Municipal University of Malaysia, renowned for his robust academic background and extensive teaching experience. He earned his Ph.D. in Biophysics with a specialization in Endocrine Toxicology from Punjab University, Chandigarh, India, where he also completed an integrated M.Sc./B.Sc. Honors program in Biophysics within the Basic Medical Sciences Block

His academic training encompasses diverse disciplines, including Medical Physiology, Electrophysiology, Hematology, Neurobiophysics, Cellular Biophysics, Radiation Biophysics, and Medical Physics.

Dr. Pathak is currently expanding his expertise through the Medical Neuroscience Certificate Course offered by Duke University, USA, via Coursera. Over his career, he has taught Physiology at several universities in India and Malaysia. In October 2022, he joined MIU to teach Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I & II for the Master's program in Aromatherapy and Maharishi AyurVeda, reflecting his commitment to advancing education in integrative health sciences.

Anita Misra, BAMS, MSAdjunct Instructor of Physiology and Health

Anita Misra is the chief consultant for the Doshi Center for Integrative Medicine in Los Angeles and Adjunct Professor of Physiology and Health. Anita is a vaidya. This designation is given to one who studies Ayurveda, the science of life, a branch of Atharva Veda. Anita completed her Bachelor in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery in India and her Master’s in Integrative Medicine in the United States. She has been a sincere advocate of TM and yoga because on the level of consciousness, we are all one and our inherent potential is supreme health.

She is the founder and director of the Nature Natural Ayurvedic Life-Care Wellness and Panchakarma Center in Bhubaneswar, India. She also has a line of organic products comprising herbs, oils, spices, cereals.

Anita currently lives in Folsom, California with her husband, 2 young daughters. She enjoys hiking the Sierra mountains and loves her garden with succulents, herbs and flowering plants.

Kenneth Walton, PhDAssociate Research Professor, Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention

Dr. Walton’s interest in research on “the chemistry of life” began in high school. He went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in zoology with a minor in chemistry at the University of Georgia where he developed an interest in the chemistry of brain function. In 1970 he completed doctoral training in Molecular Biology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (Major Advisor, Sidney Fleischer) investigating the relationship between energized transport and morphological changes in mitochondria. This was followed by postdoctoral training in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience in the laboratory of Paul Greengard, Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine.

This research training focused on the mechanism of effects of hormones on transport of ions across biological membranes. His second postdoctoral training experience, in Psychobiology, mentored by Ross Baldessarini at the Psychiatric Research Laboratories, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, focused on possible relations between neurotransmitter-stimulated cyclic-AMP generation, functional neural development, and psychiatric health.

Before joining the faculty of Maharishi International University in 1979, Dr. Walton was Instructor in Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Cell Biology Laboratory at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts. Research during these years involved the development of cyclic nucleotide mediated functions in brain tissue from fetal rodents and in brain cell cultures derived from the fetal rodent brain.

At MIU, Dr. Walton established the Neurochemistry Laboratory and was founding chairman of the Department of Chemistry. Research in the Neurochemistry Laboratory centered on changes in hormones and neurotransmitter metabolites related to stress and on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on these changes. Some of these hormonal changes relate to risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

In 2000, Dr. Walton joined the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention at MIU and fulfilled a five-year program as Senior Postdoctoral Researcher focusing on clinical studies of components of Maharishi Ayurveda for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Dr. Walton is currently Associate Research Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Physiology and Health at MIU where he advises graduate dissertation research, and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Prevention Research. His latest focus is on metabolic effects of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs and on gene expression effects related to aging, stress, and disease. Dr. Walton lists over 100 scientific publications and presentations.

Next Steps

Get your questions answered
and download our free booklet.

Request info >

Learn more >

Our next entries:
Aug 2025 • Feb 2026

Apply > Apply >