Team & teachers

Coen is the founder of the Academy of Ayurvedic studies in 2004, which has transformed over the years into the Ayurveda Academy The Netherlands. His sharp mind, knowledge, extended library and dedication are the foundation of what the academy is now.

Coen has an academic background in Greek and Latin Languages and Culture. His MA thesis was on ancient Greek gynaecology with a comparison between Hippocratic and Ayurvedic Medicine. This was the start of his interest in and study of ayurveda and he has dedicated his life to understanding and teaching this science Coen has meanwhile published an impressive list of books and articles in the field of ayurveda, including an international bestseller.

He was privileged to have studied with the most renowned and inspirational teachers in the field of ayurveda and yoga, including Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Sunil Joshi, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. Claudia Welch, and Vd. Atreya Smith, (who were all visiting faculty at the AAS), as well as 3 years at the Ayurvedic Institute with Dr. Vasant Lad, in the USA and hands-on experience in India.

She has been a consulting physician (BAMS) practising ayurveda for over 30 years. She is practising in Amstelveen but is also still involved in her clinic in Pune, India. She is treating and advising patients and Ayurveda students from all over the EU, USA, Latin America and the Far East as well. She specialises in ayurvedic gynaecology, pre- and post-natal care, chronic ailments, autoimmune diseases, and ayurvedic dietetics.

She is associated with several leading institutions in Europe, delivering lectures and conducting workshops on various topics. She has presented research papers at International Conferences and has also co-authored the book “Open your Eyes to Ayurveda”.

Martine is in charge of overseeing the whole operations and, together with Coen, works towards the future based on a shared vision. She is good at building bridges and aligning interests. Her driving force was crucial in the past years for the academy.

As an ayurveda practitioner (graduated in 2013 after a corporate career) she focuses on the more practical part of the curriculum and has an outspoken vision on spreading the word of Ayurveda in the Netherlands. As a teacher she contributes to increasing familiarity with Ayurveda as a healing system in the Netherlands that can serve many.

Martine has many years of practical experience as a practitioner that she takes up in her teachings. She likes to approach things in a simple way with a dose of humour. 

In 2012 she wrote the book ‘Het ABC van Gezond Eten’, which concisely outlines various aspects of ayurvedic nutrition. She loves to travel to India in order to experience the cradle of ayurveda. She has three adult children who inherited her love for cooking.

After completing her BAMS studies and internship in a government hospital, she opened a small clinic. Since 2018 she works at Kaldenbroeck giving consults, ayurveda lectures, cooking workshops, Garbhasandskar workshops, Panchakarma and much more.

One of her sayings is: “If you dream something from your soul, no one could obstruct you to fulfil those dreams, destiny will help you to fill in empty places” . Her biggest dream is to spread Ayurveda worldwide, cure patients, release everyone from their pain and guide them in their path.

Ombretta co-runs the Mysore Program at the Yoga Circle, teaching Ashtanga Yoga and other yoga styles. Her education in Ayurveda (HBO level) is completed by 2 years of Medische Basiskennis (Basic Medical Science). Furthermore, she completed a pre-yoga teacher training (TT), a 200-hr yoga TT and several courses on adjustment techniques, pranayama and yoga philosophy. Since 2016 the path of self-inquiry deepens with the work of the Satori Process and more recently with the important work done in different Sharing Groups.

In 2017 she moved to India for one year to study and practice under the guidance of exceptional Ayurvedic doctors: since then she specialised and gained experience in Ayurvedic Nutrition, Gynaecology, Obstetrician, Postpartum and Panchakarma procedures. She supports women as a Birth and Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula and Postpartum Professional Practitioner (BIA Doula Amsterdam, Sacred Postpartum Window, Midwife Cafe).

Kirsten invites her students to become aware of repetitive and habitual patterns that cause pain and unbalance. She guides them through the physical body with a creative flow of classical yoga poses while engaging the breath.

Since 2017 she is a teacher at the Academy where she is honoured for her knowledge and relaxed style of teaching. Kirsten has two children and enjoys boat rides in the summer with her family.

Susan moved to the Netherlands to teach for the Academy of Ayurvedic Studies in 2008. Before Ayurveda, she studied women’s use of medicinal plants in India rural villages and remains an avid herbalist with a passion for using European herbs with Ayurvedic principles. A long-time classical Hatha yogini (since 1999) and instructor (2005), she also trained in Ayurvedic Yoga, which uses yoga asanas according to the medical condition and Ayurvedic body type to restore optimum health.

“Ayurveda and Yoga have become so valuable to me, truly a source of personal investigation and healing. I take great joy in sharing whatever I have been fortunate enough to learn and integrate into my life. I try to make the teachings of Ayurveda accessible to clients & students in real, practical ways.”

How can I distribute my energy wisely and in a way that it supports me in doing the things that
give me joy? In essence this is the main question that has kept me occupied over the years and that I
observe with my clients as well.

In my opinion it’s all about continuously balancing between the amount of energy that we have and
how we (ideally) want to spend it. The immense wisdom and knowledge of ayurveda have guided me
profoundly to find answers to these questions. I found in the science of Ayurveda guidance to
awaken my awareness and at the same time also very practical tools to transform my energy in a way
that I feel nourished, supported and grounded.

In the past 12 years of my journey with the science of ayurveda I have learnt how to practically apply
its tools and guidelines in modern daily life. I feel a strong calling that I need to share this knowledge and experience with the world. This is why I started my clinic, Sattvic Balance, from where I guide people to reconnect with their
life fire and teach them how to manage their life force in a way that they feel nourished, supported
and grounded. When we feel properly established within ourselves (the definition of health
according to Ayurveda) we can be part of a world full of life fire and vitality. This is sincerely and humbly my Sankalpa.

Alongside her teaching roles, Janneke manages her own practice, drawing upon Yoga and Ayurveda as a way to connect with herself and others. In her practice, she guides clients towards heightened awareness and a deeper connection with their bodies.

Janneke has further enriched her expertise through mind-based training and extensive education in energetic bodywork (Reiki Practitioner). Janneke will be teaching part of the Dutch ‘Jaaropleiding’ and some practical components of the Ayurveda Practitioner Studies.

By this time, she had experienced that Yoga & Ayurveda are two sides of the same coin and practising both has a deep and powerful effect. In 2006 she officially commenced studying Ayurveda and graduated in 2010 from the Academy of Ayurvedic Studies.

With a passion for yoga, nutrition and women’s health; Liese teaches these subjects from an Ayurvedic viewpoint. At our Academy Liese teaches advanced principles and nutrition. Liese also has a clinic in Ede where she gives consultations and treatments. Liese’s motto is “Ancient wisdom made practical for you!”.

After his degree in Ayurveda, he did his postgraduate studies in Panchakarma and further specialised in Garbhasanskar, Yoga, Pranayama and Asanas. 

Besides running his own clinic in Pune, he writes articles for several newspapers and magazines on a regular basis.

She has successfully completed vegetarian chef training with Femke van der Heuvel and happily shares her culinary tips and dishes on socials! Since 2005, Mariëlle has been teaching ayurveda at Saswitha Yoga and we are thrilled to have her teaching online cooking classes for our students.

Her deep engagement with yoga and ayurveda have bestowed upon her a new awareness and profound sense of connection. Eva is wholeheartedly dedicated to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and offers ayurvedic treatments and massage courses.

Together with Nicholas Lewis, Gudrun founded the German association for Vedic Astrology (DGVA) and the two were among the pioneers of Online Teaching. They introduced, in cooperation with India, an examination for Vedic Astrologers in order to help maintain a high standard in Europe.