ABOUT US

Established in 2001 by Richard A. Masla with a mission to share the wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga in the spirit of health, love, transformation, and service. Through all of our offerings, we are dedicated to supporting your journey into total wellness, so that you may feel truly inspired in living your most fulfilling life, every moment of every day.

The Ayurveda Health Retreat is located in the small historic town of Alachua, in north-central Florida. In your free time you can take a relaxing stroll down charming Main St. or visit the freshwater springs, parks, and rivers nearby. Nothing encourages relaxation and recovery like quality time spent reconnecting with Mother Earth. There are many clear springs, rivers, and lakes for swimming and canoeing or kayaking, as well as a wide range of walking and hiking trails for any level of expertise.

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Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing rooted in the ancient culture of India. More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge), guiding you not only towards vibrant physical and mental health, but also a deeper connection to your spiritual nature.

It offers a body of wisdom designed to help you stay vital while realizing your full human potential.

Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of your senses, Ayurveda reminds you that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between your body, mind, spirit, and environment.

Ayurveda is a science that helps you understand the nature of this world and how the elements work together to create harmony or dissonance, health or dis-ease.

It guides you towards understanding yourself, your own material makeup, so that you can interact with the world in right relation.

It supports you in navigating life consciously, making choices that support your health and balance so that you can begin to expand your perspective and seek the deeper, big-picture questions in life—What is my purpose? Who am I? Why am I here?

Ayurveda and Yoga are considered to be sister sciences as they are meant to be practiced together. Yoga is the study of spirit, or the Soul. It is a science meant to help you understand the nature of your mind and cleanse your heart so that you may awaken to the truth of who you really are. Ayurveda is the study of matter, guiding you towards understanding the nature of this world and the elements that it is made of.

Practiced together, Yoga and Ayurveda guide you toward a way of living in this world that is made of matter while staying connected to your Soul.

Panchakarma

The ancient healing practice of Panchakarma is a unique experience that leaves the body and mind relaxed and rejuvenated. Many illnesses result from the build-up of toxins that can impair the body’s natural defenses. Panchakarma promotes healing and restoration by eliminating these toxins from the body. However, unlike other detoxification programs, Panchakarma is a gentle individualized process that achieves deep cleansing without discomfort, allowing the rejuvenating energies of the body to flow freely.

During the course of our lives, we may occasionally feel out of balance, stressed and out of touch with our inner knowing. At such times a Panchakarma Retreat can work wonders, improving the overall condition of your body, mind and soul.

To gain maximum benefit from your Panchakarma experience, we recommend a stay of 5 -10 days. For more serious or chronic conditions, a stay of 14-21 days can be of huge benefit. However, if a lengthy stay isn't possible, even three days of Panchakarma can have life-changing results.

Potential Benefits of Panchakarma

Removes root cause of illness
Eliminates toxins, both physical and mental
Restores constitutional balance, improving health and promoting an overall sense of well-being
Improves the immune system
Reverses the negative effects of stress and pollution

Promotes rejuvenation on the cellular level
Increases longevity
Enhances energy, vitality and mental clarity
Brings about deep relaxation and stress reduction
Brings about clarity and spiritual insight

Meet Our Team

Richard Masla

Owner Founder & Ayurvedic Practitioner

Vira Tansey

Owner Director & Marma Therapist

Jose Waitinene

General Manager

Omkar (Omi) Czenstochouski

Ayurvedic Practitioner

Emily Snyder

Senior Guest Services Specialist

Dan Kriya (DK)

Guest Services Specialist

Shrinam Vanamali

Vedic Astrologer & Guide

We are a group of dedicated health professionals who offer traditional Kerala Ayurvedic therapies. We have Ayurvedic Practitioners, coaches, healers, massage therapists, and yoga and meditation teachers.

Richard Masla founded the Ayurveda Health Retreat in 2001 and is a dedicated Yoga teacher and Ayurvedic educator. Since opening its doors, he has helped thousands of people seeking healthy living with knowledge from the Ayurveda. He began his Yoga and Ayurveda studies at age 17 and traveled to India at 20 with his spiritual teacher Swami Prabhupada. He studied Ayurveda with Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico and has traveled to India over 40 times. In 1994 he graduated Clayton College with a degree, Doctor of Naturopathy.

Vira Tansey is Richard's son in law, co-owner and managing director of the Ayurveda Health Retreat. He was born in a family of dedicated Yoga Practitioners and has trained and lived with masters of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Conscious Living throughout his life. He lived and learned with masters (Dr. Madhusudhana Ray & Damian Hagglund) of Ayurveda & Marma Therapy (Ayurveda's body pressure point healing system) and went on to practice throughout the world conducting over 5000 treatments, consultations. He serves as an Ayurvedic Coach, Trauma Counselor, Healer, Community builder and Educator. He and his wife Dhyana Masla have led retreats and trainings around the world since 2011, dedicated to supporting people to experience transformative healing and learn how to live the lives they are meant to live.

Omkar (Omi) is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, specializing in health consultations and ayurvedic cooking. He has studied under Dr. Jayarajan K. of Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Vishnu Dass of Blue Lotus Ayurveda. He is also a Certified Yoga Teacher through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. In India he immersed himself in the study of traditional Vedic culture, receiving his Bhakti Sastri degree in philosophy and spiritual literature. He is offering consultations, customizing Panchakarma protocols, and creating specialized formulations used during treatments. He also offers online consultations in English and Spanish.