DIRECTORS
Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev)
Leonard (Ram Lev) is the founder and director of the American Meditation Institute, developer of The AMI Meditation® Foundation Course curriculum, and originator of National Conscience Month. He is an American spiritual teacher, noted educator, philosopher, and Yoga Scientist, as well as a direct disciple of mind/body medicine pioneer Swami Rama of the Himalayas and a living link to one of the world’s oldest health and wisdom traditions. Leonard is the author of the award-winning books The Heart and Science of Yoga®: AMI’s Empowering Self-Care Program for a Happy, Healthy, Joyful Life, YOUR CONSCIENCE and LIFE LIBERTY HAPPINESS: Why They Can Never Be Taken From You, as well as Transformation, The Journal of Meditation as Mind/Body Medicine. His AMI Meditation® entry-level course has received accreditation for continuing medical education credit from organizations including Albany Medical College, the American Medical Association, the New York Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses. A student of Yoga Science since 1975, Leonard is a rare and gifted teacher, enlivening his writings and classes with his inspiring enthusiasm, vast experience, wisdom, humor and a clear, practical teaching style and has presented courses at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, numerous medical colleges, Kaiser Permanente, the Commonwealth Club of California, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and The New York Times Yoga Forum with Dean Ornish MD.
Jenness Perlmutter (Devi)
Jenness is co-founder of The American Meditation Institute and is a world-renowned artist whose paintings have often graced the covers of the Transformation journal. She has been a student of Yoga Science since 1975, and is a direct disciple of mind/body medicine pioneer Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Jenness is a gifted senior teacher of Yoga Science who shares her practical understanding and insights into the similarities between Eastern and Western philosophies. She has worked alongside Leonard in presenting the practical application of AMI Meditation® and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to students seeking greater clarity, balance, and inner freedom. Jenness’s teaching emphasizes careful attention, compassionate understanding, and the integration of inner awareness into daily life. Her work has helped guide individuals in the development of self-reliance, emotional resilience, and the consistent application of Yogic principles.
TEACHING FACULTY
Amy Laskowitz
Amy began studying yoga in 2001 while living in India. While there, she immersed herself in the healing arts and became a certified yoga instructor. Holding a life-long passion for education, she returned to the US where she deepened her studies of natural therapies and directed two complementary health programs. Since discovering AMI in 2005, Yoga Science has become her life’s work. She holds deep reverence for this ancient spiritual tradition and finds great joy in sharing it with others.
André Tremblay
André was educated in Switzerland and has been a dedicated student at AMI since 2009. He currently serves as the manager of the AMI bookstore. His many years of dedicated study and earnest practice give André a sensitive perspective on all aspects of Yoga Science. In addition to teaching introductory meditation classes, André assists teaching easy-gentle yoga postures during AMI’s retreats and Physicians CME Conferences.
Jennifer Masters
Jennifer is a professional writer who has worked in multiple industries including healthcare, education, and the arts. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Jennifer is also a registered hatha yoga teacher and a dedicated student of Vedic chanting. She has studied Yoga Science at AMI since 2019 and served as book editor for YOUR CONSCIENCE.
FACULTY
Bernie Siegel, MD
Mind/body medicine pioneer Dr. Bernie Siegel did his surgery training at Yale New Haven Hospital. During his practice as a surgeon Bernie learned how powerful the mind can be in healing the body. Since the 1970s, he has worked with patients to help them heal––often teaching them how to deal with issues regarding disease and mortality. His first book, published in 1986, was the popularly acclaimed Love, Medicine & Miracles. As a member of the AMI faculty, Bernie has taught continuing medical education classes to physicians and healthcare professionals.
Susan B. Lord, MD
Susan graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and is in private practice in Great Barrington, MA focusing on prevention and treatment through mindful living and lifestyle changes. She served as Course Director for the Food as Medicine program at the Center for Mind/Body Medicine from 1996-2007.
Mark Pettus, MD
Mark is a triple-board certified internist, nephrologist, and integrative medicine physician with over 35 years of experience. He is a nationally recognized expert in wellness and population health, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer for Preventia Group. Dr. Pettus served as former Director of Medical Education, Wellness and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems in western Massachusetts and also a former Associate Dean of Medical Education at The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. He remains active as an Associate Professor of Medicine at The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and also serves on the advisory board for The University of Massachusetts School of Public Health. He is the author of two books, The Savvy Patient: The Ultimate Advocate for Quality Health Care and It’s All in Your Head: Change Your Mind, Change Your Health.
Beth Netter, MD
Beth is an holistic physician and acupuncturist in Albany, NY. She graduated from the University at Buffalo’s School of Biomedical Sciences, and completed her residency in anesthesiology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Beth is an AMI certified meditational therapist, and currently serves as Chair Emeritus of AMI’s Department of Medical Education.
Anita Burock-Stotts, MD
A student at AMI since 2003, Anita Burock-Stotts is board certified in Internal Medicine. She currently practices Functional Medicine in Guilderland, New York, and serves as a member of the AMI Department of Medical Education. Anita is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University (BS in pre-med, Phi Beta Kappa, 1976). She graduated Medical College of Pennsylvania (Alpha Omega Alpha, 1980). She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1983.
Anthony Santilli, MD
Tony received his medical degree from the University at Buffalo, having completed his fellowship at Weill Cornell University and his post graduate training at Brown University. He is board-certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine in Schenectady and Amsterdam, NY, and serves as Co-Chair of the AMI’s Department of Medical Education.
Jesse Ritvo, MD
Jesse graduated from Harvard College and received his medical degree from the Brown-Dartmouth Medical Program. Jesse is currently the assistant medical director of inpatient psychiatry at the University of Vermont Health Center-Central Vermont Medical Center, as well as an assistant professor of medicine at UVM.
Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD
Gustavo is a speaker, author, consultant and psychologist. After obtaining his Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology from Hofstra University, he completed post-doctorate degrees in both cognitive therapy and forensic psychology. He serves as Chair of The American Meditation Institute’s Psychological Education Department.
Kristin Kaelber MD, PhD, FAAP, FACP
Kristin graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves as a member of the AMI Department of Medical Education, and has been practicing Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine since 2015.
Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD
Renee is currently the medical director of the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. She recently served as chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine as well as President of the Medical Staff at Saratoga Hospital. Renee is board certified in Family Medicine offering the principles of Yoga Science to her patients in the form of a nutrition Rx and complementary pain management program. Renee serves as serves as Co-Chair of the AMI’s Department of Medicine.
Valerie Chakedis
Valerie has been a student at the American Meditation Institute since 2017. She has worked in both the public and private sector as a teacher, educator, consultant and manager. The common element in her life has been teaching and facilitating learning for others. Valerie earned her Doctorate of Education in Adult Learning and Continuing Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1992. In 2019 she led the development of the Yoga Science Lab® course. This class offers AMI students an entertaining, interactive environment to conduct Yoga Science experiments, and hone their skills with the practice of meditation-in-action. Valerie provides creative and technical support for AMI’s webinars, events and classes.
YOGA INSTRUCTORS
Melanie Gloeckner, RYT
Melanie initiated her study of Yoga Science and Philosophy in 1998 as a student at The American Meditation Institute. In 2012, she completed her advanced level, yoga teacher training 500 hour certification. A skilled and sensitive professional, Melanie is currently bringing the joys and therapeutic benefits of a daily yoga practice to the 50 plus community.