Written by John Immel, Asheville, NCThe greatest obstacle to the success of new Ayurveda graduates is clinical support after graduation. Since 2008, the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda has provided premium Ayurveda education for clinicians. In 2020, Joyful Belly partnered with AABC, the American Association of Biocharacteristics Clinicians, to better promote the clinical success of our graduates.
Among Ayurveda associations, AABC has a unique focus on 1) patient centered care with cultural neutrality, 2) development and innovation, and an 3) analytic approach with focus on clinical outcomes.
AABC solves the obstacles to the success & growth of Ayurveda clinicians by
- Giving Ayurveda professional appeal
In the West, some associations and schools make Ayurveda appear magical as opposed to analytical. Bundling faith healing practices like astrology into Ayurveda goes against Indian and World Health Organization standards, and gives the impression that Ayurveda is not a legitimate clinical practice. While Ayurveda students may love a magical or inspired approach to medicine, clients and medical professionals simply want to know Ayurveda works, and evaluate clinical outcomes. Pitching Ayurveda as something fantastic or miraculous leads medical professionals to reject it.
- Focusing on the culture of the client, not the medicine
Many Ayurveda associations heavily emphasize Vedic culture. Cultural and religious branding makes Ayurveda unfamiliar and inaccessible to anyone lacking a Vedic cultural background. A patient centered practice focuses on the culture of the client, not the medicine. Medicine is universally human, and culturally independent. Note the success of the Chiropractor profession due to cultural neutrality.
Associations have a special responsibility to represent the culture and faith of every clinician who wishes to participate. Diversity is stifled when associations promote individuals who fit their vision of a culturally "authentic" practitioner, rather than advancing professionals on the basis of their clinical outcomes. Lack of cultural neutrality may cause some individuals to feel like they don't belong in the profession, or that the profession is cliquish or quirky. It can make Ayurveda appear inaccessible to clients of other faiths or backgrounds. - Encouraging innovation and development
In the West, Ayurveda was created by a few schools with a single, specific lineage and vision for Ayurveda. Despite claims to the contrary, these associations oppose innovation, and limit Ayurveda to their personal vision. They exist to protect their tradition instead of encouraging innovation. This greatly hampers the modernization and integration of Ayurveda into our nation's public healthcare system. Because of near religious devotion to ancient texts, associations may include obscure, confusing, or outdated paradigms that have very little clinical value. This devotional aspect frequently undermines the objectivity of the association's organizational culture. The side effect of this inflexibility is the lack of adoption into public healthcare institutions.
We recommend the following associations to Ayurveda clinicians because of their focus on 1) patient centered care with cultural neutrality, 2) development and innovation, and 3) analysis and clinical outcomes:
- American Association of Biocharacteristics Clinicians (AABC). AABC offers credentials in Biocharacteristics, Ayurveda, Unani Tibb, and Greek medicine that are suitable for integration with modern healthcare providers.
- American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Joyful Belly is accredited with the AADP and our graduates can apply to become a Certified Health Coach with the Association after passing their board certification exam.
- National Association of Ayurvedic Schools & Colleges. John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda, is the current president of the NAASC and Joyful Belly School is a recognized member of this Association.
For more information about starting a successful career in Ayurveda, read the Guide to Choosing an Ayurveda School. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the credentialing process in Ayurveda.
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About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
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