Teachers

Doug Hyde

Co-Founder & Programme Director

Doug Hyde is the founder and academic director of Satmya, where he has been teaching Ayurvedic education programmes since 2007. His teaching focuses on making traditional Ayurvedic principles practical, relevant, and applicable to modern life.

A former international swimmer who represented Ireland and received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Denver, Doug discovered Ayurveda during his time in the United States. He later completed his formal Ayurvedic training in Australia before returning to Ireland to establish Satmya.

His work is strongly influenced by sustainability, traditional knowledge, and connection to place, reflected in the natural straw bale training centre and biodiversity projects developed at Satmya.

Yvette Hyde

Student Services & Residential Programme Coordinator

Yvette supports the academic programmes through course administration, student support, and coordination of the residential experience. As a qualified naturopath, she brings a strong focus on wellbeing and practical health support for students during their training.

She also prepares the nourishing meals provided to students, an important part of the immersive learning experience and community atmosphere Satmya is known for.

Dr. Meghana Haradanahalli Rajendra
Ayurveda Lecturer and Practitioner
BAMS, MD Ayurveda – Dravyaguna | Researcher

Profile Overview
Dr. Meghana Haradanahalli Rajendra is an Ayurveda lecturer and practitioner with a strong academic foundation and hands‑on clinical experience. With a passion for classical Ayurvedic knowledge and modern scientific validation, she is committed to educating future practitioners and contributing to evidence‑based research in Ayurveda.

Educational Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at SDM College of Ayurveda, Udupi
  • Master’s Degree in Ayurveda – Dravyaguna Vijnana at Government Ayurvedic Medical College (GAMC), Bengaluru

Academic Achievement
Secured a Top 10 Rank in Dravyaguna from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) during her MD studies.

Teaching Experience
During her postgraduate training, Dr. Meghana actively taught undergraduate students in

  •  Panchakarma procedures
  • Medicinal plant identification
  • Herbal pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
  • Ayurvedic formulation science

Her teaching approach integrates classical Ayurvedic principles with practical, clinical application, helping students develop a strong conceptual and experiential understanding of Ayurveda.

Clinical Experience
Ayurveda Physician – Shathayu Ayurvedic Hospital, Bengaluru

  • Managed patient care, diagnosis, and treatment planning
  • Hands‑on experience with Panchakarma therapies
  • Exposure to holistic healing and lifestyle‑based interventions

Research and Publications

1. In‑vitro Experimental Study on the Hyaluronidase Inhibitory Activity of Butea monosperma

2. A Critical Review of Sandhana Karma

She has also authored a research‑based book derived from her experimental study on Butea monosperma.

Areas of Expertise

Integrative Ayurveda Education

Dravyaguna (Ayurvedic Pharmacology)

Panchakarma Therapy

Herbal Medicine and Formulation Science

Medicinal Plant Identification

Gary O’Toole – Vedic Astrology

Gary developed a passion for Vedic astrology at an early age, which has grown into a lifelong dedication to study and practice. Since 1996, he has trained with several renowned teachers, including Pearl Finn, Komilla Sutton, and mentor Visti Larsen.

Alongside his astrological studies, he trained in counselling and studied Ayurveda with the American Institute of Vedic Studies and the International Academy of Ayurveda.

He is a member of the British Association of Vedic Astrology (BAVA), where he has also lectured, and has presented at the Astrological Association (AA) conferences. In addition, he is a founding member of the International Sidereal Astrology Association (ISAA).

Gary will be teaching Vedic Astrology as part of the Ayurvedic Diploma course, bringing decades of experience and insight to students.