In the picturesque suburb of Eden Prairie stands a beacon of holistic healing – the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda (MNIA).
The genesis of MNIA is a story woven with threads of passion, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to Ayurveda. Dr. (Vaidya) Asavari Manvikar, a visionary healer and educator, envisioned a sanctuary where the students would learn the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and flourish in harmony with modern living.
She laid the institute’s foundation with this vision burning brightly in her heart. More than just an educational institution, MNIA is a lighthouse of hope and transformation for those seeking a deeper understanding of balance and harmony.
Born and raised in India, Asavari’s journey with Ayurveda began in her childhood under the loving guidance of her parents.Her dad planted seeds of Sanskrit, yoga, Jyotish (Vedic astrology), and daily routine while her mom cooked homemade healthy meals from scratch with spices and herbs from the backyard. Fascinated by the holistic approach to health and wellness, she delved deep into the study of Ayurveda, immersing herself in its timeless teachings and ancient practices.
Driven by a desire to share the transformative power of Ayurveda with the world, she embarked on a mission to bring this ancient science to the shores of America
inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. She began teaching courses and conducting workshops to proactively promote the community to live a healthy lifestyle. In 2011, she developed an introductory course based on Ayurveda with Dr. Ashlesha, and began teaching at the Earl Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing. Shortly after, she developed courses to cater to diverse audiences and started teaching at Normandale College and various yoga teacher training programs.
That same year, Asavari met another passionate Ayurvedic practitioner, Marcia Meredith, RN, and the dream of creating an institute started shaping up. They began meeting weekly over a few years to brainstorm ideas and develop curricula, handouts, and exams. The institute became a licensed post-secondary school in 2017, offering professional-level courses in the Ivy Building in South Minneapolis.
It initially started offering AHC (Ayurvedic Health Counselor) and Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) courses only in-person and slowly transitioned into the hybrid format. In 2020, Meredith retired, and Asavari took charge of MNIA entirely.
Both the courses are part-time; students meet one weekend a month during the AHC (Ayurvedic Health Counselor). A Level I course creates a solid foundation to promote health and wellness. During the 10-month course, students explore the principles of Ayurveda and yoga, different constitutions, what a healthy diet and lifestyle entails, and women’s health.
The students enjoy cooking classes and healthy recipes. They explore Vastu (Vedic architecture) and Jyotish (Vedic astrology) to create a healing environment and understand their effects on health.
AP (Ayurvedic Practitioner), a Level II course, is an immersion-based program where students meet for one week in Eden Prairie and ten to fourteen days in India to learn Ayurveda in depth. Students learn about the pathology of diseases, their causes, and the Ayurvedic management of various health issues. Students also explore a variety of herbs, their medicinal effects, their formulations, and how to use them to create balance in the system.
The Ayurveda Accreditation Commission (AAC) recognizes and approves of both courses offered by MNIA. AAC is a programmatic accrediting agency for clinically focused Ayurvedic medical programs. It covers educational and organizational aspects to support delivering quality programs, including faculty, student services, information services, finances, and administration.
MNIA’s students come from professionally and culturally diverse backgrounds, which makes the programs rich. The students and alums openly share new concepts and enjoy a safe and supportive environment.
Education lies at the heart of MNIA’s mission. Asavari and her seasoned instructors offer hands-on training, experiential learning, and clinical internships developing students’ skills and confidence. Whether studying the therapeutic properties of herbs, mastering the art of pulse diagnosis, or learning the intricacies of Ayurvedic nutrition, MNIA equips students with the tools to transform lives and promote wellness.
Community lies at the heart of MNIA’s ethos. MNIA offers workshops, seminars, and community events to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and support people on their journey of self-discovery and growth.
The institute organizes a special student clinic in partnership with Ayuwellness and other institutes where community members participate for free.Mentored by faculty, Ayuwellness offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments and therapies designed to restore balance and vitality to mind, body, and spirit.
As word of MNIA’s impact spreads, its influence extends far beyond the borders of Eden Prairie. Graduates of the institute carry the torch of Ayurveda to distant corners of the world, establishing practices, wellness centers, and healing sanctuaries embodying the principles learned at MNIA.
In the upcoming years, the institute plans to offer short courses for individuals who want to learn and improve their health. These short courses are intended to benefit learners and their communities. MNIA is excited to share that the 7th anniversary celebration in August will take their first batch of students to India toexplore International Training at AIIA, Delhi, supported by the AYUSH Ministry India.
Asavari Manvikar is a founder and lead faculty at the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda. The institute offers professional certificate programs in Ayurveda, in person and online globally. A leading Ayurveda expert, Manvikar has helped clients achieve health and wellness with hormonal issues, autoimmune diseases, chronic conditions, diabetes, skin problems, sleep issues, cancer, and many more at Ayuwellness in person and online over 15 years. She is a graduate faculty at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, and a gold medalist classically trained Ayurvedic Doctor from India.
Download the current issue of the magazine HERE.
