Courses
1st
and 2nd Year Courses
Ayurvedic
Astrology 1
Students will be introduced to jyotish (“divinity of
light”),
the form of astrology that is part of Ayurveda. Succinct, medically relevant
examples will light the way to amazing insight into the human condition
as well as the health of the client.
Ayurvedic
Diet, Nutrition and Culinary Arts
In our unique culinary and nutritional program, students cook, experience
and discuss 180 different Ayurvedic menus, receiving a recipe manual with a rich
collection of dishes. Menus and dietary learning are tailored to each srotas
in turn and the cooking and diet course is integrated with case-based studies
in its sequence of topics.
Business Development
This course is designed to teach the “nuts and bolts” of organizing,
running, developing and promoting a successful healing practice.
Case-based Studies
In line with the new medical curriculum, this is a problem
based, student directed approach designed to provide participants with
the tools needed to garner and evaluate knowledge and information.
Working with real life cases, students will research and study the
features of anatomy, Ayurvedic physiology, classical pathology, Western
pathophysiology, herbology, nutrition, recipes and therapeutics appropriate
for the cases. Targeted lectures and tutorials help provide direction
and conceptual framework for student-directed learning. Students at
various levels of knowledge participate in the course together, enhancing
opportunities for peer mentoring. The course is designed based on the
sixteen major srotansi, with one module for each srotas.
Clinic Roundtable with
Alakananda Ma
During a weekly meeting, Ma and the senior students will discuss
the clients seen that week and consider their treatment plans. Second,
third and fourth year students participate together, creating a rich
and diverse learning environment.
Clinical Clerkship
Students enter their clinical clerkship (internship) from the
outset of the program, gradually developing their abilities in diagnostic
skills, clinical interview and diet and lifestyle counseling. Students
see the patients before Ma does, taking vital signs and filling out a
prakruti questionnaire. They also take the opportunity to practice their
diagnostic skills. From the second semester, students begin conducting
supervised diet and lifestyle counseling sessions. First year and second
year students are paired in the clinical clerkship to allow for peer
mentoring. Students are gradually prepared for their final semester,
in which they will conduct the entire diagnostic interview themselves,
receiving supervision from Alakananda Ma and managing their own patients
under her guidance.
Diagnostic Skills
This in depth course develops skills in pulse assessment and
ashtavidha pariksha, the eightfold examination. Each class
is preceded by a meditation class designed to cultivate the mindfulness
and compassion necessary for pulse diagnosis and is followed by practice
time. During practice time students will have ample opportunity to
develop their pulse reading skills with Ma’s supervision.
Principles of Dravyaguna (herbology)
We will study the principles of dravyaguna as laid
out in Charak Samhita including a detailed survey of herbs according
to karma or mode of action.
Environment and Health
This class will introduce students to critical thinking, problem
solving and systems theory and will develop their ability to assess
the health impacts of occupational and environmental challenges. We
will study toxicology according to Sushruta Samhita and engage in case
based studies.
Ethnopharmacology
We will cover the ethnobotany of fifteen herbs used in the
pre-Vedic era as well as ethnopharmacological herbs for respiratory
tract, cardiovascular agents, hepatoprotective herbs, digestive herbs
and rasayana drugs. Studies
will be complimented by practical aspects of making gutikas, vatikas,
asavas, arishtas and avalehas.
History, Philosophy and Sutras of Ayurveda
We will engage together in some deep study of key sutras in
the Major Triad (Charak, Shushruta, and Vaghbhat) as well ac considering
historical aspects such as: Beginning of Ayurved since pre-Vedic era,
Vedic culture and the development of early Ayurvedic philosophy,
contributions of Charak, Shushruta, and Vaghbhat, Medieval period,
Ayurveda under the Moghul Empire and the British Raj and Ayurveda
in modern times.
Lifestyle Counseling Skills
Introduces students to methods for getting care plan compliance
from different doshic types, how to change habits, how to
package information and create handouts and how to conduct a lifestyle
counseling session.
Medicine Making
This practical class is rooted in the Sharngadhara Samhita. Students
will learn how to prepare and use herbs within the traditional pancha vidha
kashaya–the
five methods of processing herbs—including swarasa (fresh
juices), kwatha ( decoctions), ushna kashaya (hot infusions), hima kashaya (
cold infusions), kalka ( pastes/pulps), as well as churna (powders), avaleha (confections),
medicated and ghee and oils, and herbal wine. They will also
learn some traditional preparations—Gandharva
Haritaki, Shatavari Kalpa and Ashwagandha Rasayana.
After taking this course, students will gain in depth experience by working
in our educational pharmacy.
Meditation
This course introduces specific practices designed to enhance pulse
reading skills and teaches the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the art
of self-enquiry. Second year students then develop compassion through the Four
Immeasurables and the bodhisattva teachings.
Our Plant Allies
We will first learn some fundamentals of plant morphology and physiology,
which will complement our studies of the ecology of plants. Ecology, the study
of the homes and relationships of living organisms and their environments,
will include principles of landscape structure and function. This will complement
our direct experiences, field trips and understandings of wildland plants and
their human uses.
Pancha Karma Treatments, Basic and Advanced
This two week course is focused on diving deep into specialized techniques
traditionally used in the purification process of pancha karma.
First we will learn the fundamental treatments used in a pancha karma program,
including: snehan/abhyangha (oil massage), swedan (full
body steam therapy), nasya (nasal
treatment), shirodhara (pouring oil/milk/yoghurt to third eye
region) and Netra Basti. After these treatments have been absorbed we
will move on to learn more specialized treatments not commonly taught
in the West such as nadi swedana (localized steam), patra/churna/shastika
shali pinda swedana (hot bolus massage), sarvangadhara (warm
oil bath), kadhi/griva
basti (lower back/neck treatment and udvartana (dry
powder massage).Through gaining knowledge of these treatments, one
will be able offer the patient a complete pancha karma experience.
This course is followed by a 150 hour onsite supervised internship
in administering pancha karma therapies.
Portfolio
Students will maintain a portfolio of their studies, including
an integrative essay written at the end of each semester. Portfolios
will be reviewed periodically by faculty.
Satsang
Satsang with Ma is a unique opportunity to sit at the feet of a spiritual
teacher and delve into the philosophy of the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita,
as well as to learn Ayurvedic ethics through the yamas, niyamas and paramitas.
Sing the Sutras
Sing, sing a song. Become a child again as we learn the major Ayurvedic sutras in
the classic way. Light grammar and vocabulary, as well as analysis of Ayurvedic
content, will be addressed. Memorization of these sutras in
Sanskrit is required knowledge for more advanced study.
3rd
and 4th Year Courses (Postgraduate)
Advanced Clinical
This level of clinic will be focused on teaching differential
diagnosis, employing special worksheets and pedagogy to this end as well
as building skill, confidence and experience beyond the two year level through
continued patient exposure and peer mentoring.
Ayurveda in the Community
This full day class will include lecture/classroom
work with Dr Vaidya in the mornings and student-directed fieldwork in the
afternoons. Students will come to understand the principles of community
medicine through conducting a needs assessment in a designated community,
carrying out an Ayurvedic lifestyle intervention in the community surveyed
and assessing the results of the intervention.
Case-based Studies in Family Practice
In line with the new medical curriculum,
this is a problem based, student directed approach designed to provide participants
with the tools needed to garner and evaluate knowledge and information. Working
with real life cases, students will research and study Ayurvedic approaches
to the diagnosis and management of gynecological, pediatric, psychiatric
and geriatric patients, thus equipping themselves for Ayurvedic family practice.
Clinic
Roundtable with Alakananda Ma
During a weekly meeting, Ma and the senior students will discuss
the clients seen that week and consider their treatment plans. Second,
third and fourth year students participate together, creating a rich
and diverse learning environment.
Biomedical Tests
Students will learn how to understand and make use of laboratory
tests, pathology reports and medical imaging
Evidence-based Medicine
Students will learn how to support their diagnostic leading hypothesis
via evidence based medicine. They will understand the different types of
study, be able to critique a study to determine if it provides valid evidence
and be informed consumers of medical literature.
Grand Finale—putting it all together
Two week field trip to Wind River
Reservation to make Ayurvedic health interventions and combine all the
skills learnt in the program in a challenging and stimulating environment.
Madhav Nidan
Through textual study of Madhav Nidan, students will gain an
in-depth appreciation of classical Ayurvedic differential diagnosis and
be able to compare this with current Western differential diagnoses for
similar symptom pictures.
Nighantu, pharmacology and phytochemistry
Through detailed study of nighantu
texts students will know how to use the nighantu texts and become familiar
with nighantu descriptions of seventy commonly prescribed Ayurvedic herbs.
They will become skilled users of medicinal herbs, able to understand basic
principles of pharmacology including therapeutic index, toxicity, safety
and efficacy, appreciate the mechanisms of herb administration, absorption,
transport, metabolism and excretion, and understand the issues of herb
drug interactions.
Musculoskeletal complaints
Students will learn differential diagnosis of complaints
of musculoskeletal pain and will be able to make an informed referral to
yoga therapist, massage therapist or pancha karma therapist..
1st
and 2nd Year Courses
Ayurvedic
Astrology 1
Ayurvedic Diet
Business Development
Case-based
Studies
Clinic
Roundtable with Alakananda Ma
Clinical Clerkship
Diagnostic Skills
Principles
of Dravyaguna (herbology)
Environment
and Health
Ethnopharmacology
History, Philosophy
and Sutras of Ayurveda
Lifestyle Counseling
Skills
Medicine Making
Meditation
Our Plant Allies
Pancha Karma
Treatments
Portfolio
Satsang
Sing the Sutras
3rd
and 4th Year Courses (Postgraduate)
Advanced Clinical
Ayurveda in the Community
Biomedical Tests
Case-based Studies in Family Practice
Clinic Roundtable with
Alakananda Ma
Evidence-based Medicine
Grand Finale—putting it all together
Madhav Nidan
Musculoskeletal complaints
Nighantu, pharmacology and phytochemistry