A Living Bridge Between our Modern world and Ayurvedic Wisdom

Dr. Vasant Lad does not merely teach Ayurveda as a system of medicine — he illuminates it as a science deeply rooted in the understanding of the fundamental laws governing the universe. To him, Ayurveda is the study of life itself — a holistic framework that connects every individual to cosmic rhythms, natural laws, and consciousness.

His teachings reveal how Ayurveda seamlessly integrates ancient metaphysical insights with practical guidance for health, mind, and spirit, showing the interconnectedness of body, psyche, and cosmos. This vision transcends medicine, unfolding as a path of self-discovery and transformation aligned with the very fabric of existence.

A Legacy of Teaching and Healing

For over 40 years, Dr. Vasant Lad has been the heart and soul of The Ayurvedic Institute, training thousands of students and serving tens of thousands of patients. His graduates and patients span the globe, embodying his vision of Ayurveda as a universal path.

Beyond the Institute, Dr. Lad continues to personally see patients at the Sohum Mountain Healing, Vasant Institute of Ayurveda and Pranav Clinic. The city clinic in Pune, India operates on a pay-as-you-can model with no fixed fees, ensuring Ayurvedic healing is accessible regardless of income. 

What truly distinguishes Dr. Lad is that his rich clinical practice is the foundation of his teaching. With more than 50 years of direct experience, he not only knows and can recall the classical Ayurvedic texts fluently, but he also deeply integrates this timeless theory with the realities of modern practice. This rare fusion yields profound insights and practical knowledge that are rarely found elsewhere.

Early Life & Spiritual Foundations

Born and raised in a traditional Indian family steeped in spiritual and healing arts, Dr. Lad’s early years shaped his lifelong commitment to Ayurveda.

As a child, an encounter with his father’s Guru, Hambir Baba, who planted the seeds of a visionary path — foretelling his role as a healer, teacher, and ambassador of Ayurveda.

Despite significant challenges, his resilience and spiritual nourishment propelled him through rigorous Ayurveda training within the guru-shishya tradition, combined with a modern collegiate education culminating in a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medical Sciences (BAMS) degree.

Training, Integration and Early Career

Dr. Lad completed his formal training in India, mastering not only the classical Ayurvedic texts and therapeutic techniques but also deep philosophical studies including Sanskrit and Ayurveda’s spiritual roots.

Dr. Vasant Lad’s early career was marked by his role as Medical Director at the Ayurvedic Hospital in Pune, India. In this important leadership position, he managed patient care and treatments, gaining extensive clinical experience.His dedication to accessible healing was evident, as many patients were from underserved communities with limited resources.

This role allowed him to blend classical Ayurvedic knowledge with practical application, laying the foundation for his lifelong mission to integrate Ayurveda with modern health sciences.

A Pioneer in the West

Answering the call to spread Ayurveda globally, Dr. Lad journeyed to the United States in the 1970s and established one of the first Ayurvedic schools outside India.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, he founded The Ayurvedic Institute from the ground up, with the support of his students. Over 40 years of operations, the school has graduated over 1000 students and served thousands more through workshops, masterclasses and intensives. The school moved in 2022 to Asheville, North Carolina under his continued leadership.

Dr. Lad has cultivated a learning environment where ancient Ayurvedic wisdom thrives alongside modern science, embodying the spirit of true integrative medicine. Despite early skepticism and cultural challenges, his authenticity, humility, and repeated clinical successes have earned deep respect and wide admiration.

Spiritual Vision & Approach

Dr. Lad’s work transcends the physical aspects of healing to emphasize the spiritual foundations of wellbeing. He teaches that true health arises from recognizing ourselves as pure consciousness beyond body and mind.
He incorporates Ayurvedic knowledge together with Yoga, meditation, and vedic energy sciences, inviting students to awaken and realize their highest potential. Compassion and humility permeate his practice; he reminds all that the healer is but a conduit for universal healing energy, the true source of all transformation.

Attending any of his programs, whether for a 2 hour online class or a four year study program, is a journey into your own self. Most students share that they did not realize what positive impact studying Ayurveda would have on their own journey of self inquiry. 


Enduring Contribution

Today, Dr. Lad continues to inspire, teach, and heal — focused on his time between Pune, India and Asheville, NC, mentoring new generations of practitioners, and deepening the world’s understanding of Ayurveda’s universal truths.

"Ayurveda is not only for curing illness — it is the science of living in alignment with the universe, illuminating the path to health, happiness, and self-realization.”

His life’s work remains a luminous beacon, bridging ancient wisdom and modern needs, inviting all to enter the sacred art of holistic living.

Books Written by Vasant Lad

Foundational Books

  • Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing

  • The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies

  • Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing

For Deep Study - Textbooks

  • The Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume One: Fundamental Principles

  • The Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume Two: A Complete Guide to Clinical Assessment

  • The Textbook of Ayurveda, Volume Three: General Principles of Management and Treatment

Specialized Topics

  • Secrets of the Pulse: The Ancient Art of Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis

  • Marma Points of Ayurveda

  • Ayurvedic Perspectives on Selected Pathologies

  • The Yoga of Herbs