Our team
Amandine GALTIER
Founder of the Ô BANYAN center
My discovery of Ayurveda over twenty years ago, followed by my encounter with yoga in 2011, profoundly transformed my understanding of health and the human being. I began my studies independently before continuing my training with schools and teachers specializing in Ayurveda, anatomy, yoga, and Jyotish. Through several stays in India, working in Ayurvedic clinics, I deepened my practice and enriched my knowledge.
Understanding the human being in their entirety is at the heart of my approach. I always study traditional texts, but also practical experience in the field, through contact with the people I support.
Jyotish (Vedic astrology) is also one of the disciplines I have been studying for several years. Used with discernment, it constitutes a complementary tool that enriches the understanding of the individual and how they function.
Today, this path continues in three complementary forms:
– Transmission, through the training of future practitioners, to whom I transmit Ayurveda and its body therapies with integrity and authenticity, in collaboration with qualified professionals, including Dr. Sankar, clinic director in Kerala, who has been involved in our school since 2017.
– Individual support, through consultations and Ayurvedic treatments in small groups, at exceptional locations in France and Morocco.
– The design of private and fully personalized Ayurvedic retreats, in France and abroad, with a highly qualified team.
Whatever form this support takes, my approach remains the same: to transmit Ayurveda and to support each person with accuracy.
Ô BANYAN was born from this desire: to transmit the knowledge that allows each person to regain their autonomy and evolve with more awareness, respecting their nature and their own path.
* Courses taught:
– Ayurveda: TAPOVAN schools, FYROM, Dr SANKAR, AHIMSA school, Dr Robert E.SVOBODA, Dr David FRAWLEY
– Anatomy and yoga: Stuart GIRLING, Caroline BOULINGUEZ, Petri RAÏSANEN, Mélanie COOPER, Arnaud KANCEL
– Vedic Astrology: Dr. David Frawley, François Leleu
Our speakers
Dr. SANKAR
Dr. Sankar is an Ayurvedic physician and director of the AYURTODAY family clinic in GURUVAYUR, Kerala (India), originally founded by Dr. KR PRABHAKARAN 150 years ago. He also specializes in Marma Therapy and teaches modules on Marma Therapy, Nadi Pariksha, Ayurvedic Nutrition, and Gynecology. He also offers consultations at our center during his visits.
Saïda BOUDINA
Saïda, a practitioner of Ayurvedic treatments and massages in Forcalquier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, trained at Ô BANYAN and provides her services with depth, expertise, and compassion. You can completely relax in her hands during our Ayurvedic retreats and private stays.
Sylvie VANNIER
A medical assistant in a gynecology practice for nearly twenty years, Sylvie trained in Ayurvedic body therapies at our school and has been part of our treatment team for almost six years. She also practices her treatments with passion in Lespignan.
Cathy GRAU
Cathy, an Ayurvedic body therapist practicing in Grabels and Montpellier, is also our invaluable translator during training sessions with Dr. Sankar and Javi de Gabriel. She also works as a therapist during our Ayurvedic treatments and private retreats.
Caroline Marizy
As a body therapist trained in Ayurveda at our school, Caroline offers professional and skilled treatments during your stay in Salles-d'Aude. She also practices in Valras-Plage, where she provides holistic care that considers both body and mind.
Laura TENSY
A practitioner of Ayurvedic body therapies and a yoga instructor in the Vaucluse region, Laura trained at our school and has been working with us during our retreats in the Ardèche and Salles-d'Aude for over seven years. You will undoubtedly appreciate her kindness and professionalism.
Lionel ZINGARETTI
A Qi Gong instructor and Shiatsu practitioner for 20 years, Lionel began his practice of Eastern martial and energy arts in 1985. After practicing and studying various Japanese and Chinese traditions, he now dedicates himself to the study, practice, and teaching of Qi Gong, Yi Chuan, and Shiatsu. He has been teaching the Hijama (cupping) technique at our school for 8 years.
Shreeni EDDAPURATH
Shreeni teaches Kalari massage at our school. Having begun practicing Kalaruppayattu (a therapeutic and martial art from Kerala) and yoga at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Shri Balan Gurukkal, Shreeni has over 20 years of teaching experience. Also trained in Ayurveda by Dr. Sankar, he continued his studies with renowned teachers in India.
After working with Cirque du Soleil for several years, he now teaches Kalarippayattu, yoga, and Ayurvedic massage.
Javi DE GABRIEL
A massage therapist for over 10 years, Javi trained in India and Argentina, his country of origin. He has been teaching "Deep Connection" massage at our school since 2017. His teaching is based on depth and awareness of touch, which he conveys with kindness and professionalism. He practices in Ibiza and also works as a therapist during our private retreats.
Christian RAVINEL
A chef who has run his own Michelin-starred restaurant, Christian Ravinel also trained in Ayurveda with Alex Duncan and offers inventive cuisine based on Ayurvedic principles. For the past six years, his talent has delighted our palates and those of our spa guests during their treatments in Lagorce, Ardèche.