Karen Barry
Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner

My interest in Ayurveda began in the ’90s when a friend loaned me a book entitled Mind, Body and Sport by Dr. John Douillard. I was completely taken by it because, quite frankly, I saw myself in that book, it was as if aspects of the book were written specifically with me in mind. The book is about achieving one’s potential as it relates to fitness and discovering the zone but what Dr. John did so masterfully was he wove in the ancient science of Ayurveda. My interest, my passion, my connection with Ayurveda began right then and there.

But…life was busy. I had small children at home. My husband was on the road as a professional musician and was gone for long stretches of time. Health and wellness became a huge component of my life especially in handling the unconventional lifestyle we had carved out. When I decided to jump back into the work world, I opted for corporate sales rather than alternative health in an effort to balance the yin and yang in our home.

After 15 years along that journey, it was time for another change. This time was the right time. The deep calling of health and wellness took a definite turn toward Ayurveda. I enrolled at the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda and graduated with a certification as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor. I continued my studies in Chicago and graduated as a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner from Ananda Ayurveda Academy.

To quote David Mitchell: “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”

In addition to my own practice, I teach Ayurveda at the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda alongside Dr. Asavari Manvikar and her team. To learn more about studying this ancient medicine, click here for further information: