The Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor (AWC) Program is based on the first goal of Ayurveda: To preserve the health of the healthy. In this course, we introduce students to the concepts upon which all life depends and how this knowledge can restore health and prevent disease. The AWC program includes a comprehensive Ayurvedic education that focuses on nutrition, daily routines, practices and preparations that maximize well-being. Students will gain a clear understanding of the mind, thought processes and their relationship to physical health. Graduates are able to take the tools learned in the Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor program to better serve their practice, families and community at large.

COURSE OUTLINE

KAA 101—AYURVEDIC FOUNDATIONS (30 HOURS)†
Tarka Sankhya & Sharir

The Ayurvedic Foundations course introduces students to the basic concepts of Ayurveda, including its philosophical origins, the five elements, three governing energies and twenty qualities that comprise all living things. Ayurvedic Foundations also provides an introduction to the three qualities of consciousness and their role in the process of creation.

KAA 102—PHYSIOLOGY (30 HOURS)
Dosha Dhatu Mala Vigyan

Physiology extends the basic information provided by Foundations into the physiological structures of the body, revealing the five sub-energies of the three biological humours, seven physical structures and three waste processes. Physiology also provides an in-depth exploration of individual constitution and simple tools to accurately identify it in every person you meet.

KAA 103—PSYCHOLOGY (30 HOURS)
Manasa Shastra

Psychology builds even further on the two prior topics to provide insight into the illuminating principle of the physical world: The mind and the subtle body. Each of the mental qualities is explored in depth, along with the various states of mind, mental illusions or sheaths, energetic bodies, energy centers or Chakras and subtle energies. Psychology also provides practical tools to create psychological balance, strengthen the life force and begin to live more actively in the present moment.

KAA 104—PREVENTION (30 HOURS)
Swastha Vritta

Prevention carries the physiological and psychological foundation of the first part of the program into our environment to explain the energetic and elemental operation in the world around us. Prevention also provides detailed daily, nightly and seasonal routines tailored to the seasons, life cycles and phases of the day that will boost your immunity and increase vitality.

KAA 105—NUTRITION (30 HOURS)
Ahara Vigyan

Nutrition takes the information taught in the prior courses and begins the healing process with our food or nutrition. We are introduced to the unique concept of Agni, or the digestive fire, as well as the six tastes and their effect on the body. This class also provides students with the qualities, elements and energetic properties of over 150 fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, oils, animal products and sweeteners. Additionally, Nutrition discusses the importance of the five senses in the nutritional experience and describes over 35 well-loved Ayurvedic recipes with an interactive classroom cooking demonstration.

KAA 106—HERBOLOGY (30 HOURS)
Dravya Guna Rasa Shastra

Herbology extends Nutrition into the realm of therapeutic herbs. Comprehensive analysis of most modern and traditional herbs as well as the concepts of taste, potency, post-digestive effect, their qualities and effects on the body and how they can dramatically benefit your health. Herbology also describes several Ayurvedic.

KAA 107—Yoga
Yoga Vigyan

Yoga therapy begins to describe several practices to bring the physical body into total alignment. Topics covered in-depth include postures to balance each body constitution, the science of breathing and mantra. The student will learn a comprehensive approach to the science of Yoga including its many branches and modalities.

KAA 108—Bodywork
Panchakarma

Bodywork goes beyond the discipline of Yoga to provide a host of healing therapies that nourish the body and nurture the mind and spirit. These practices include Ayurvedic head, foot and body massage, sound therapies and aromatherapy. Bodywork indentifies the different energy points and channels of the body and how their stimulation leads to healing and a host of health benefits. This class also describes how to prepare several therapeutic oil and herbal decoctions using ingredients from your own home.

KAA 109—Astrology
Jyotish

Astrology takes a look at the individual as a unique cosmic participant. Several aspects of Ayurveda are represented in the eastern Astrological systems, including the role of the planet in our natal body constitution and astrological configurations that may be impacting our health. This class will help the student gain personal insight into their own potential health challenges as well as how to distinguish these by briefly reviewing someone’s birth chart. Astrology also briefly touches on several subtle therapies, including gem, sound, mantra and aromatherapy.

KAA 110—Pathology
Nidan Kayachikitsa

Pathology extends the wisdom of the first nine classes into the realm of counselorship, providing several methods of observing various clients and ailments and providing effective feedback. Treatment addresses several common ailments with detailed solutions and describes several of the unique diagnostic tools of Ayurveda.

KAA 111—Clinical Management

Clinical Management teaches each student how to build and run a professional business practice using the principles taught throughout the program. This class also investigates Ayurveda’s application in modern times and how this science applies to the business model. Clinical intake forms, spreadsheets and business proposals are all provided in this comprehensive final course.

PROGRAM BREAKDOWN

The Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor program takes place twice annually, in the spring and fall.