Panchakarma Retreat

A native of India, Vasant Lad’s illustrious 40+ year career includes his service as Medical Director at the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune, India, for 3 years and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor’s of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAM&S) from the University of Pune and a Master’s of Ayurvedic Science (MASc) degree from Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya. Vasant Lad’s training includes the study of Allopathy (Western medicine) and surgery. He established The Ayurvedic Institute in 1984 – the first Ayurvedic School in the U.S. – which is training Ayurvedic professionals in Asheville, NC. He is the author of 12 books (with over 700,000 copies in print in the U.S. alone), and his work has been translated into more than 20 languages. Vasant Lad is considered to be the premiere authority on Ayurveda outside of India.

Vrinda’s dedication to empowering women towards vibrant health and living shines through in her practice as a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and as an Ayurvedic Practitioner. After studying under Vasant Lad, Vrinda followed this passion to Nepal, where she studied Ayurvedic women’s health with Dr. Sarita Shrestha. Vrinda believes in unfolding the human body’s potential through a blend of complementary and allopathic medicine, and so her approach to healing is always extraordinarily well-rounded and compassionate. If she’s not speaking or writing for various prestigious audiences on the intricacies of women’s health, you might find her in the middle of a flow, as Vrinda is also a lover (and certified instructor) of Ayuryoga.

Mitesh’s passion for Ayurveda was first cultivated while studying to become a certified practitioner under Vasant Lad. An enthusiastic and unyielding seeker of knowledge, Mitesh studied Indian philosophy at the Tattvajnana Vidhyapeeth in India, Jyotish with Hart deFouw, holds a Reiki Level 1 certification, and has undertaken intensive clinical immersion programs with Vasant Lad in India. These days, Mitesh is busy being the Executive Vice President of the Ayurvedic Institute, but before that, he co-founded a highly successful real estate and hospitality company. When not studying, teaching, or practicing, you can find Mitesh playing his bass guitar or enjoying the limitless beauty of nature.

Prior to becoming the Dean of Education at the Ayurvedic Institute, Sneha had a remarkable journey as an executive of a thriving hospitality business. Luckily for us, Sneha now focuses all her energy on developing the next generation of Ayurvedic Practitioners and providing thoughtful care for her clients. While practicing as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Sneha combines her early experience as a Physical Therapist with extensive classroom and clinical study under Vasant Lad in the US and India, Yoga Teacher Certification, and Reiki III Certification. When she has a free moment, Sneha is most often found experimenting with fresh ingredients, applying the deep wisdom of Ayurveda to all her delectable creations.

Most of her life Sandy has grappled with a number of medical concerns and after exhausting the solutions Western Medicine could offer, Sandy began exploring more holistic approaches to health and wellness. On her healing journey, Sandy traveled to India where she had the honor of being treated by and learn from world-renowned Ayurvedic physician and author, Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc. After this experience Sandy has devoted herself to the two sister sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga.

Sandy received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from George Mason University before launching a successful marketing and sales career and is now putting her years of experience to work in making self-healing more accessible and relatable to a wider audience.

Sandy is passionate about healthy living practices, spirituality, chakra work, travel, marketing, and animals. She is a 200hr Yoga certified Teacher and she is currently studying to become an Integrative Healthcare Practitioner and an Ayurvedic Consultant. Sandy currently lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband and her golden retriever Bonnie.

Julia started working at the Ayurvedic Institute in 2015. She discovered a passion for bodywork and studied massage at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics. She then worked as a therapist and operations manager for the Panchakarma department. Julia also worked as the program director and instructor at New Mexico School of Massage. In this position, Julia developed and taught a 40 hour ayurvedic bodywork course for massage therapy students. Julia has brought her passion for teaching to SoHum as the wellness director, where she trains massage therapists in traditional ayurvedic and panchakarma therapies. When Julia is not training new therapists, you will find her working on clients or hiking on the trails on the SoHum property.

Kami is a dedicated Ayurvedic practitioner, and a certified 200HR AyurYoga Teacher who has studied under world renowned Ayurvedic Practitioner Vasant Lad, MASc at The Ayurvedic Institute. As Operations Director at SoHum Mountain Healing Resort, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every aspect of the wellness journey. Her passion for Ayurvedic therapies is evident in her role in the creation of treatments, designed to rejuvenate the body and mind. When she’s not immersed in her work, she finds solace in nature, spending quality time with her fur babies or exploring the breathtaking mountain trails.

Nishita’s first foray into Ayurveda and Yoga began at a young age. Being raised in a traditional Indian household in the middle of the deep South, she was always trying to find a balance and connection between Eastern and Western cultures. After college, her curiosity deepened for these traditional Vedic sciences. She was blessed with the opportunity to study under Vasant Lad, MASc at The Ayurvedic Institute where she completed her formal studies in Ayurveda and Yoga. Nishita is passionate about sharing these sciences, and is excited to continue this at SoHum, both as an instructor with our various programming and supporting clients with their Panchakarma. She also currently teaches at The Ayurvedic Institute as the lead yoga instructor, supports the yoga training programs at Asheville Yoga Center, and sees Ayurvedic clients with AyurPrana. If you don’t find Nishita with clients or teaching, you’ll find her outside hiking or in her kitchen–cooking and baking for those she loves.

Dr. Erika Czerwinski, a Licensed Psychologist, brings over two decades of heartfelt dedication to her clinical practice. With a profound expertise in depth-oriented psychotherapy, attachment theory, trauma healing, group therapy, and the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy, she offers a sanctuary for those seeking deeper connections and healing. Dr. Czerwinski’s approach is enriched by wisdom traditions, rites of passage ceremonies, yogic philosophies, and the stillness of meditation.

As a certified psychedelic therapist, she has earned respected certifications from MAPS, the Integrative Psychiatric Institute, and the Living Medicine Institute. In her serene private practice in Asheville, NC, she offers individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Beyond her practice, she passionately serves on the board of the Western North Carolina Psychologists Association and provides invaluable educational trainings and supervision for fellow clinicians and practitioners.

In her free moments, Dr. Czerwinski finds joy and rejuvenation in nature’s embrace, staying active, and expressing her soul through the graceful movements of Argentinian tango.

Evan is a licensed therapist with a focus in Somatic, Jungian, and Transpersonal approaches to health and healing. He trained at Pacifica Graduate Institute and completed the two-year comprehensive Hakomi program – a somatic approach to therapy, grounded in mindfulness. 

In his approach, Evan listens to the in-between spaces that hold what is not spoken but still present, helping to recognize and shift old narratives that may be keeping you stuck. Usually, this involves a process of identifying and befriending what blocks you from being in alignment with your whole Self. Evan combines his experience from Hakomi, depth psychology, and shamanic healing – tailoring it to respond to each person and their unique needs.