Dr. Scott Gerson M.D., Ph.D., Founder,
Chief Āyurvedic Consultant and Physician
Dr. Scott Gerson founded his private medical practice in 1982, and since that time has integrated Āyurveda with conventional allopathic medicine. Currently, Dr. Gerson is the only Westerner to hold both the postgraduate M. Phil. (Ayu) and a Ph.D. degree in Āyurveda--the highest level of Āyurvedic education--and the only physician in the United States to have complete formal training in both conventional and Āyurvedic medicine.
Dr. Gerson is proud to be a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine where he helps develop and teach aspects of Āyurveda and integrative medicine to medical students and faculty. He does not travel extensively except for trips to India once a year. He prefers to remain as quiet and still as possible and to assist his patients with their understanding of their health conditions. The primary activity in his life is to be available as an Āyurvedic consultant and physician for his patients in his office, which is now in Dunedin, Florida. He also travels to New York City offering consultations several times a year.
For Dr. Gerson’s extensive biography, please visit our “About” page.
Alma Harrison, Senior Āyurvedic Therapist, Therapist Supervisor, Senior Administrator
Formerly Alma Manzo Valencia, Alma’s interest and training in holistic healing, plant medicines, and human energetics are deeply rooted back to four generations of Healers (a.k.a. “Curanderos” or “Sobadores”) from Mexico on her father’s side of the family. From an early age she learned and assisted her father in the treatment of patients, diagnosing and treating the root causes of disease through traditional and natural methods. Alma received her BA degree from Meredith College in North Carolina, in Psychology and Religious and Ethical Studies, and subsequently began work as a licensed massage therapist for many years.
Alma’s exceptional natural abilities, compassion, and deep love of plants has led her to work alongside Dr. Scott Gerson at the Gerson Institute of Āyurvedic Medicine, where she continues her passion to help people heal on all levels of their being. Alma, like all selected GIAM therapists, was personally trained by Dr. Gerson in the traditional guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition). She has passed rigorous theoretical and practical exams to earn the position of Senior Āyurvedic Therapist.
Apart from her career, Alma thoroughly enjoys practicing yoga, organic gardening, hula dancing, raising her two sons, and spending time with her family.
Lindsay Samuels, Senior Administrator
Director of Marketing and Social Media
Lindsay has been passionately pursuing the study and practice of holistic and natural healing since 2009. Formerly an instrumental music teacher and conductor, she spent 11 years working on small organic farms and immsersing herself in the study and teaching of yoga and meditation. Lindsay has a great interest in and reverence for Āyurveda and its emphasis on the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Having completed two yoga teacher trainings, including the 500-hour HTTC at Hridaya Yoga in Mazunte, Mexico. Lindsay spent two years there, teaching Hatha Yoga and meditation, as well as participating in and facilitating many 10-day silent meditation retreats. Lindsay served in a similar capacity at the Hridaya Yoga France location for two winter seasons. One of her most deeply transformative experiences was serving as the chef/caretaker for 13 retreatants in a 49-day silent retreat, 39 days of which the retreatants were in solitude. She considers her primary path to be Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless service and mindful action.
At the Gerson Institute of Āyurvedic Medicine, Lindsay serves as a Senior Administrator. It is her great joy and honor to facilitate and participate in the healing journey of every patient.
Heather Stuart, Director of Yoga
Heather Stuart is an experienced Āyurvedic Yoga Therapist and the Director of Yoga for the Gerson Institute of Āyurvedic Medicine. Her lineage of teaching is based on Krishnamacharya’s Yoga Therapy and the principles of Ayurveda. She began her studies in 1996 and has been teaching yoga since 2000 both privately and publicly. Heather has a broad background in Holistic Medicine, specializing in Āyurvedic Yoga. She is a Classical Homeopath and is currently studying Tibetan Medicine.
Heather’s approach is both simple and powerful, bringing awareness to our mind-body connection in a therapeutic manner. She guides each student with ease and grace allowing for the true healing potential of Yoga to awaken within.
Sabina Dekanski, Senior Āyurvedic Therapist, Ayurvedic Patient Educator, Director of Operations
Sabina obtained her BA in Human Development from Eckerd College and MA in Cross - Disciplinary Studies from Nova Southeastern University. After her traditional studies, Sabina felt guided to learn the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda.
Sabina received the gift of advanced authentic yoga teachings and certified trainings in Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs directly from Gurudev Amrit Desai and Kamini Desai. She is an experienced and passionate facilitator of the Integrative Amrit Method Yoga, Amrit Yoga Therapy and Yoga Nidra.
Sabina also attended the Florida Academy of Ayurveda and has followed the principles of Ayurvedic living in her own life as well as has been passing it onto her students and clients.
Sabina has been sharing the timeless Yogic and Ayurvedic wisdom for the past 12 years in the local community. Her classes are unique in the emphasis on realizing the power of relaxation and conscious living.
Sabina's purpose and passion is helping others to return back to their inner harmony, on all levels of their being. Sabina values being a part of GIAM team's mission and continuing her journey under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Gerson.
Kayla Smith, Senior Āyurvedic Therapist
Kayla started pursuing holistic healing modalities several years ago when she was introduced to meditation and crystals. As the years went on, Kayla knew that she wanted to pursue a career in holistic healing and felt an innate pull towards massage therapy. She studied Spa Therapies at Sunstate Academy, and then received her Massage Therapy and Facial Specialist Licenses. After graduation, Kayla began looking into different healing avenues and discovered Ayurveda. The energetic balancing of Ayurveda coupled with its use of herbal medicines in treatments piqued Kayla’s interest and led her to work alongside Dr. Gerson. She’s very grateful for the opportunity to expand her knowledge of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine!