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.

In 2013, Martine graduated as an Ayurveda practitioner, marking a new chapter after a successful corporate career. Alongside offering workshops, she founded her own practice, Food for Change, where she has supported many clients on their journey toward better health and balance.

As a teacher, Martine is passionate about making Ayurveda more accessible and familiar in the Netherlands, sharing it as a powerful and practical system for healing and well-being. With many years of hands-on experience as a practitioner, she brings depth and authenticity to her teaching. Her approach is clear, down-to-earth, and often infused with a touch of humour, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply.

In 2012, she authored The ABC of Healthy Eating (Het ABC van Gezond Eten), a concise guide to the principles of Ayurvedic nutrition. She loves traveling to India to stay connected to the roots of Ayurveda, and at home she shares her passion for cooking with her three adult children — who have happily inherited her love for good food.

Currently, she is not actively involved in her practice or in teaching.

Liese was originally trained as a hatha yoga teacher in India. She intensely practiced and taught all aspects of yoga – including pranayama, philosophy and chanting – for several years in various countries across the globe before settling back in her home country – the Netherlands. 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!”.

Vaidya Alaknanda Rao already earned her stripes at the Academy as she has been a teacher and educational advisor for a long time already. She is passionate about teaching and loves her students.

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”.

From the desire to help people Vd. Kendarkar has dreamt of becoming a doctor since she was a child. At school she learnt Sanskrit where ayurveda was also a topic, this sparked interest and from there on she knew she wanted to go through with ayurveda. She studied at BSDT Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya near Pune in India. 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.