Marek Sawicki,
BA. C-AP, C-AYT, C-IAYT, LMBT (NC Lic. #7858) e-RYT 500
Marek Sawicki is a highly trained international educator and experienced clinician in the fields of Ayurvedic Medicine, Yoga Therapy and Medical/ Orthopedic Massage. He has over 25years of experience in his successful private healthcare practice Living Alchemy Ayurveda, in Asheville, NC and over 9000 contact hours of teaching college / private school level programs in the Southeast region and internationally.
Marek is the lead Instructor and program developer for Yogaveda Institute’s online Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist Programs. Core Teaching Faculty at The Ayurvedic Institute in Asheville, NC’s ASPII and ASPIII Programs, Core teaching faculty in The Boston Ayurveda Schools AWC Trainings, As well as previous core teaching faculty at Asheville School of Yoga and Massage’s In- Person Ayurvedic Health Councilor Program and Joyful Belly‘s online Ayurvedic Health Councilor Program and Subtle Yoga’s Yoga Therapist / Teacher Trainings at both RYT500 and RYT200 levels. He spent 9 years as the Director, Curriculum Creator, and Lead Faculty Instructor of the 2300 hr. Associate Degree of Massage Program at AB-TECH Community College from 2008-2017. Over two decades of college level / private school and workshop teaching contributes to his effective, comprehensive, passionate presentations inspiring students to love and value their education and choice of serving through the art of healing.
His comprehensive education includes being a graduate of The Ayurvedic Institute of Albuquerque, N.M. under the guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad with the most comprehensive Ayurvedic training available in the US. This training is reinforced with two years of clinical internship under Dr. Alakananda Devi of Alandi Ayurvedic Gurukula specializing in Internal Herbal Medicine, Clinical Pancha Karma, Digestive Disorders, Parasitology, Stress Management, Women / Men’s Health, Chronic Illness, Autoimmune Conditions and Chronic Pain Management.
Marek draws from a firm therapeutic training and teaching of Ayuryoga, Viniyoga, and Iyengar approaches as an IAYT certified yoga therapist creating individualized healing and practice routines. His personal teachers include T.K.V. and Kasthub Desikachar, Gary Kraftsow, Lillah Schwartz, and K. Pathabhi Jois.
From extensive training in advanced Neuromuscular (NMT American Style – Judith Delany), Myofascial (Barnes style), and Craniosacral (Upledger Institute) therapies Marek’s approach to medical/orthopedic and rehabilitative massage combines the best in evidence based and skillful manual therapies. He is an expert anatomist and enjoys educating clients during sessions so that a deeper sense of embodiment can take place. His sessions incorporate and draw from the full spectrum of Ayurvedic therapies to unwind deep seated tension, toxins and keep a trauma informed space for diverse clientele.
Marek has spent over seven years travelling in the Far East studying with master teachers in the fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Therapeutic Massage and is deeply knowledgeable of Buddhist, and Hindu traditions of spirituality and the healing arts. He has over 28 years of experience in mindfulness / tantric meditation practice and offers guidance in personal and private practice.
Integrating these approaches under Ayurveda, Marek Sawicki attends to the needs of all levels of body, mind, and spirit with individualized herbal, dietary, lifestyle, detoxification, rejuvenation, manual and yoga therapy programs. He has been described by long term clients as “sensitive, respectful, compassionate and having the hands and heart of a true healer.
Amy Uma Thompson
BA. C-AP, LMBT, CAPPD.
Uma Thompson is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Pancha Karma Clinician and Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Yoga Instructor and Herbalist. She has been practicing holistic health care for almost two decades with deep passion to support wellness on an individual and planetary level. She and her husband Marek are Co-Directors of Living Alchemy, an integrative wellness practice dedicated to balanced health, through Ayurveda, herbal medicine, and bodywork.
Uma began her study in Ayurveda in 1998, when she completed a year long intensive at The Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda, in Boulder,CO. During the program Uma studied with many great teachers including Dr. John Douillard, Dr. Sarita Shrestha, Sarasvati Bhurman, Ysha Oakes, and Terra Rafael. During this study Uma specialized in women’s health and became a certified Postpartum Ayurvedic Doula. In 2003, Uma spent a year abroad in India, studying Ayurveda at the source. Upon return, Uma graduated from The Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M in 2007. where she studied under Dr. Vasant Lad. Uma also completed a private internship with Dr. Alakananda Ma of Alandi School of Ayurveda, in Boulder, CO in 2008.
Uma has been a massage therapist and yoga instructor since 1996, when she graduated from The New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts and Rising Mountain Yoga in Santa, Fe, NM. In her bodywork practice Uma specializes in blending profound relaxation with deep tissue pain relief with Neuromuscular Therapy, Thai Massage, and Crainosacral therapy. Uma is also a skilled yoga therapist, offering personalized yoga therapy and yoga instruction, drawing from a rich background in Sivananda, Integral, Iyengar, Women’s Yoga, and Ayuryoga.
Uma specialty is women’s health. She helps women to naturally balance their hormones and honor their body rhythms for a smoother menstrual cycle. She also helps women to enhance their fertility for for a happy and healthy conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Additionally, Uma specializes in overall health and vitality through cleansing and renewal programs, including Pancha Karma.
Uma believes that true health and wholeness comes from a connection with the natural world, she is also a wilderness guide, through Sacred Passage, in Crestone, CO. It is Uma’s deeper intention to help reweave the web of planetary interconnection and wholeness with all of life.
Uma lives in Weaverville, NC, outside of Asheville, NC, and tends her garden, and communes with the land. She is also the mother of an amazing, magical girl named Carena.
–