Expert Guidance for Professional Excellence
The AABC Advisory Board comprises distinguished Ayurvedic experts who provide strategic guidance on educational standards, professional development, and clinical excellence. Our board members bring decades of experience in traditional Ayurveda, ensuring our association maintains the highest standards of professional practice.
The Advisory Board reviews qualification standards, guides curriculum development, and helps establish best practices for Ayurvedic wellness science in British Columbia. Their expertise ensures our members receive world-class education and maintain professional standards that honor both traditional wisdom and modern scientific understanding.
Our Advisory Board Members
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag is a naturopathic doctor, Ayurvedic expert, professor and best-selling author. He is the founder and director of the Natural Medicine Clinic, Academy & Wellness Spa which has two clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Shanbhag specializes in integrating Ayurveda, naturopathic medicine and yoga to treat acute and chronic diseases.
Pioneering Leader: For more than 30 years, he has successfully run various Ayurveda institutions in India and the U.S. He was founder and director for 17 years of AYU Academy & Clinic, Seattle. In 2006 he sold this successful institution to Kerala Ayurveda.
During 1991-96, he was chairman of the Ayurveda Department of Bastyr University. During 1985-88 he was head of the Ayurvedic Research Institute, Pune. Dr. Shanbhag is currently on the faculty of Bastyr University, MMI Ayurveda College, Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Vedika Global.
International Recognition: He is the best-selling author of "Beginner's Intro to Ayurveda" by Keats Publishing. In 1988 he was awarded the prestigious I.I.M. Gold Medal for his MD-Ayurveda research thesis. In 2010 and again in 2013, he won International Awards for Excellence in Ayurvedic Teaching and Practice.
He has been a sought-after keynote speaker at national and international conferences in the fields of Ayurveda, naturopathic medicine, yoga, wellness and nutrition. As a member of the AABC Advisory Board, Dr. Shanbhag brings his extensive international experience in Ayurvedic education and practice, contributing to the association's mission of promoting excellence in Ayurvedic education and professional development in Canada.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla
Dr. Annambhotla began his Ayurvedic training with a BAMS (1982–1988) at Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, followed by an MD-Ayurved (1988–1991) in Kayachikitsa from Gujarat Ayurved University. He is also a Licensed Integrative Massage Therapist, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT-500), and certified in pranic, reiki, and energy healing methods.
Global Impact: Following early teaching roles in India, he lectured internationally (1994–2001) in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Canada, and the U.S., making Ayurveda accessible across cultures.
Since 2002, he has led multiple institutions from Pennsylvania—Ojas Ayurveda Wellness Center, AAPNA, Global Ayurveda Conferences, Global Ayurveda Academy, and Dosha Botanicals—alongside leadership roles in related non-profits and educational bodies.
A seasoned educator, he has taught Ayurveda at medical and nursing schools including UPenn, Hershey, Jefferson Medical College, UMDNJ, Penn Nursing, and others. His professional roles include faculty and emeritus positions across Indian universities, editorial board memberships in Ayurveda journals, and past board service with NAMA.
International Recognition: Dr. Annambhotla has received awards such as the Tathagat International Excellence Award (2011, Dubai), Ayurveda Khandantara Sthapanacharya, and the "Outstanding Corporate Award in Health and Community Service" (2015).
As a member of the AABC Advisory Board, Dr. Annambhotla brings his extensive international experience, academic leadership, and lifelong commitment to advancing Ayurveda to support the association's mission of promoting Ayurveda education and awareness in Canada. Now residing in Pennsylvania, he continues to educate, innovate, and foster cross-border knowledge and networks in Ayurveda.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Dharmesh Kubendiran
Dr. Dharmesh Kubendiran is an Ayurveda physician and researcher based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Coming from a family lineage of Ayurvedic practitioners, he pursued a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) at Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, followed by postgraduate training in herbal manufacturing, sports biomechanics, and kinesiology. His expertise spans Ayurveda, sports medicine, and integrative wellness practices.
Dr. Kubendiran's career bridges traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern medical and scientific approaches. He has worked in the pharmaceutical field, developed Ayurvedic formulations still in circulation in India, and conducted research in reproductive health and sports performance. His practice emphasizes preventive care, wellness planning, and holistic approaches to supporting vitality and resilience.
Canadian Connection: From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Kubendiran worked with Samya Ayurveda in British Columbia, Canada, where he consulted with over 2,000 clients, taught courses and workshops, and contributed to the development of Ayurvedic spa protocols and wellness products. This experience strengthened his connection to Canada and to the advancement of Ayurveda in North America.
In addition to clinical practice, he has served as faculty in sports science, earned certifications in kinesiology and manual therapies, and continues to consult internationally. As a member of the AABC Advisory Board, Dr. Kubendiran brings deep expertise, cross-cultural experience, and a commitment to advancing the understanding and practice of Ayurveda in Canada.
Areas of Expertise
Shaughn Jenson
Shaughn completed his Certificate of Yoga Education at Gujarat Ayurved University in India (2001) and was certified as an Ayurvedic Pancha Karma Practitioner in Colorado (2003). He continued his studies at the Ayurvedic Academy in Seattle (2003-2006), becoming a certified Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner with extended internships in Bangalore and Chennai, India.
Canadian Pioneer: In 2005, Shaughn became the first Canadian to be accredited by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, pioneering the introduction of Ayurvedic medicine to Canada.
From 2006-2009, he completed a residential internship with Dr. Dharmesh Kubendiran, including certification in Advanced Ayurvedic Marma Therapy. In 2006, he established Samya Ayurveda and began offering internationally accredited Ayurvedic certification courses, developing organic Ayurvedic spa and wellness products.
International Recognition: In 2014, Shaughn was sponsored to present at the International Congress on Renaissance in Sports Medicine in Tamil Nadu, India, sharing research on "Revival of Ancient Ayurvedic & Yogic Applications in Modern Sports Medicine."
As a member of the AABC Advisory Board, Shaughn brings his unique perspective as a Canadian pioneer in Ayurveda, combining traditional training in India with practical experience establishing Ayurvedic standards and education in British Columbia. His leadership of Samya Ayurveda and dedication to authentic Ayurvedic practice supports AABC's mission of promoting excellence in Ayurvedic education and professional development.
Areas of Expertise
Vaidya Shabana Noushad
Vaidya Shabana Noushad is an Ayurvedic medical practitioner and certified yoga instructor with over a decade of international experience. She completed her Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Science, Bangalore, a Bachelor of Science in Botany at Mahatma Gandhi University, and a Master of Arts in Leadership (Healthcare) at Trinity Western University in Canada.
Healthcare Leadership Expert: Vaidya Shabana brings vital healthcare leadership expertise to the Advisory Board. With her Master of Arts in Leadership (Healthcare) from Trinity Western University and extensive institutional experience, she provides essential guidance on professional standards and organizational excellence.
Her professional journey has included internships at government Ayurvedic institutions in India, service as Chief Medical Officer and Director at Diva Ayurveda Hospital in Kerala, and voluntary work supporting individuals with special needs. Over the years, she has guided clients toward healthier lifestyles through Ayurveda, yoga, and mindful living.
Dual Expertise: Vaidya Shabana's unique combination of traditional Ayurvedic medicine and modern healthcare leadership ensures that AABC's standards and educational programs reflect both authentic practice principles and contemporary professional accountability standards.
As a member of the AABC Advisory Board, Vaidya Shabana Noushad contributes her specialized knowledge in healthcare leadership and Ayurvedic practice, supporting the association's mission to promote comprehensive Ayurvedic care and education. Her expertise helps ensure that AABC maintains the highest standards of professional practice while advancing the integration of traditional Ayurveda within modern healthcare frameworks.
Areas of Expertise
Board Responsibilities
Professional Standards
Review and establish qualification standards for all membership levels, ensuring practitioners meet rigorous educational and experience requirements.
Curriculum Development
Guide educational curriculum development to ensure comprehensive training that integrates traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific understanding.
Strategic Planning
Provide strategic guidance for long-term organizational development, helping shape AABC's vision and ensuring sustainable growth of Ayurvedic practice in British Columbia.
Innovation & Research
Support research initiatives and innovative approaches that advance the field of Ayurveda while maintaining traditional authenticity and modern relevance.
Connect with Our Advisory Board
For questions about professional standards, educational guidelines, or to submit proposals for board consideration, please contact us through our official channels.
Contact Us