Olga Louchakova
- Ph.D., Neuroimmunology, USSR Academy of Medical Science, 1989
- M.D., Medicine, St. Petersburg Pediatric Medical Institute, 1980
- Specialization in Dense Array EEG Methods for Cognitive Neuroscience (2009, Electrical Geodesics, Oregon), Psychotherapy (Bechterev Psychoneurological Institute, Russia, 1991), Verebroneurology (Institute of Professional Advancement of Physicians, Russia, 1991)
Olga Louchakova, M.D., Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Director of the Transpersonal Education and Research Specialization and the World Wide Learning Exchange program. Her Ph.D. is in Neuroimmunology from the USSR Academy of Medical Science, and her M.D. is in Pediatrics from St. Petersburg Pediatric Medical Institute. She is specialized in dense array EEG methods for cognitive neuroscience (Electrical Geodesics – Eugene, Oregon), in Psychotherapy (Bechterev Psychoneurological Institute), and in Vertebroneurology (Institute of Professional Development of Physicians in St. Petersburg, Russia).
Her early work as a senior scientist at the Pavlov Institute of the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, Russia, was focused on modeling and early diagnostics of the autoimmune diseases of the nervous system. At the same time (late 80s), she became a spiritual instructor in V. Antonov's underground School of Psychophysical Self-Regulation, based on Kundalini Yoga and other spiritual energy systems. Later Olga trained psychotherapists and registered nurses in gentle Therapeutic Breathwork, an approach she developed. She also conducted courses and retreats in the Hridayam® method of human psychospiritual development (which she trademarked). In 1992, Olga was invited to the California Institute of Integral Studies as a visiting professor (Philosophy and Religion program), and became adjunct research faculty at ITP. In 2001, she was appointed as ITP core faculty, where she developed two new successful programs (TERS and WWLE), and co-founded the Neurophenomenology Laboratory.
Olga is a scientist, and a phenomenologist. She conducts studies of constitution of consciousness, and a broad scale research of meditation and other states of heightened awareness. In regard to comparative religions, her focus is on historical phenomenology of the Heart-Self. A mandated spiritual guide in Kundalini yoga, Vedanta and Prayer of the Heart, she teaches courses in culture and consciousness, phenomenology, neuroscience, engaged spirituality and awakening, human development, Kundalini Yoga, Christian mysticism, and Sufism. She holds spiritual retreats, and has maintained a private practice in Kundalini process counseling in the Bay Area since 1994.
