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Foundations
of Ayurveda
(45-65 hours) This
introductory offering is intended for the student with no previous
exposure to Ayurveda. It is both a freestanding course for the individual
interested in Ayurveda to care for themselves and their families
as well as a basis for further study. This course is a prerequisite
to all other courses in the program. Students who complete the course
and a final examination will be awarded a Certificate in Ayurvedic
Self-Care & Health Maintenance. Topics covered include: History
of Ayurveda; basic concepts; terminology and nomenclature; basic
concepts of the Dosas; Sankhya philosophy; mind-body-spirit connections;
Vedic cosmology; creation and nature of matter, the elements and
life processes; Ayurvedic physiology: the 3 Dosas, 7 Dhatus, 3 Malas
and 20 Gunas; Mind-Body-Spirit Constitution, orPrakriti; Prakriti
& Vikruti Origin and elaboration of disease process (pathogenesis);
6 stages of Samprapti/satkriyakala; applications; Self-analysis
and preventive health care; daily diet, exercise and yoga; mental
and emotional hygiene; Healing properties of foods; diet therapy;
common remedies.
Manipulative
Therapies: Marma Vidya & Abhyanga
(15-20 hours) The
Marma Points are positions on the body where flesh, veins, arteries,
tendons, bones, and joints meet. They are also points where Vayu,
Pitta and Kapha meet, where sattva, rajas and tamas meet, and have
direct connection to their corresponding pranas, and directly affect
the organs and systems of the body. Traditionally, there are 108
Marma Points on the human body. The study of the Marma Points is
a part of both Ayurveda and the ancient South Indian Martial Arts
tradition, Kalaripayat. A brief presentation on the simultaneous
development of these traditions will be given, explaining their
similarities and differences. The Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic
text, deals extensively with the marmas, particularly for the surgeon.
Many other forms of bodywork involving pressure points, such as
Qi Gong and Shiatsu, are believed by many to have been derived from
Marma Chikitsa. After covering the historical and scientific background,
the course will be devoted toidentifying the 108 Marma Points on
the body, including which organs, which systems, which pranas, and
at times which planets and celestial influences they activate, along
with their size, locations, and the effects of various types of
touch. There will be a detailed manual to assist in keeping track
of this information, and to keep as a reference. It is suggested
that students of the distance learning format course supplement
their reading by hands-on work with a partner, utilizing learning
materials to identify sequences of Marma Abhyanga for individual
health problems, as well as general sequences for tonic and prophylactic
use. A discussion of other forms of Ayurvedic manipulative therapy
will be inlcuded.
Ayurvedic Diagnosis & Physical Evaluation
(25-35 hours) An
introduction to the physical assessment of the patient on the basis
of Darshan (observation), Sparshan (auscultation and palpation)
) and Prashna (interrogation) comprising: overview of Rogipareeksa
& Rogapareeksha; The Patient as a whole; temperment, Discipline
& habits, Digestive capacity and Intelligence; Hereditary traits,
Emotional set, Economic status & concerns, Social/familial support
system, Desire to heal, Constitutional types; Prakriti; Vikriti;
Observation of the Dhatus; Observation of the Upadhatus; The Malas;
Structure & function; Intellect and Emotions; Vikriti: Quality
of the Tissues (Sara); Compactness of the Body (Samhanana); General
Stature and Physical Proportionality (Pramana); Physical Strength
(Vyayama Shakti); Adaptability (Satmya); Digestive Capacity (Ahara
Shakti); Rate of Aging (Vaya). Prasna (Interrogation); Panchendriya
pariksha (Physical examination) including Sadangas (major regions);
Head, neck, chest, abdomen; Upper and lower extremities; Srotas
(channels) and dhatus (tissues); arshana ( inspection); parshana
(palpation). Ashtavidha pariksha (Eight-fold" Ayurvedic examination):
Examination of the complexion; Examination of the eyes; Examination
of the speech and voice; Examination of the tongue. Ashtavidha pariksha:
Examination of the skin;. Examination of the stool; Examination
of the urine; Examination of the pulses (survey).
Ayurvedic
Nutrition & Food Theory
(25-35 hours) Introduction
to the Ayurvedic Medical System; the Modern Nutritional Situation;
Biochemical Nutrition Uses a Mechanical Model; the Holistic Nutritional
Model; Review of the Tri-Dosha Theory with Physical & Psychological
Profiles; physiology of Digestion and Food Assimilation; Environmental
Issues; Food Quality; Local Food; When to Eat - Understanding Time
inlcuding seasonal Foods and Diets and Daily Rhythms of Time; Food
Combinations, Individually Structured Diets with Food Lists, survey
of Ayurvedic Diagnosis - Determining Constitution; the Five Elements
and Six Tastes: Toxic Accumulation and Metabolic Imbalance in Nutrition;
Effects of Dieting and Poor Nutrition; How to Correct Digestion
and Metabolism; Descriptions of Foods by Category - fruits, veg's,
grains, etc.; How to Treat Disease Nutritionally; List of Diseases
with Food Cures; Clinical Practice; Case Studies.
Ayurvedic
Botanical Medicine
(45-60 hours) History
of Indian botanical medicine; Current developments; System of classification;
Herbal energetics (Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, Prabhava); the Six Tastes;
Methods of preparation (Pancha kashaya); (Session Commonly used
single herbs (approximately 40 varieties); Commonly used multiple-herb
formulations (Chandraprabha, Goksuradi Gugglu, Hingvastak, Kaishore
Gugglu, Shilagit, Sitopaladi, Triphala, Trikatu, and Yograj Guggulu,
inter alia); Herbs and herb formulations classified by actions &
systems affected (alternatives, astringents, bitters, diaphoretics,
diuretics, emmenagogues, demulctents, expectorants, nervines, antispasmodics,
stimulants, tonics, soporifics, sudorifics, relaxants, analgesics,
antipyretics, antiparasiticals & antihelminthics, antibiotic
herbs, carminatives, laxatives & purgatives, digestives). Management
of the Dosas; Management of Aam; Detoxification; Additional methods
of herbal; preparation (medicated oil, medicated ghee, routes of
administration, times of administration, compounds, dosages, herbs
for external application); Mineral, metallic, and gemstone medicinal
preparations; Survey of Current Western Pharmacology (drugs, toxicities
& contraindications) in relation to Ayurvedic materia medica;
Select topics in Ayurvedic pharmacology; Further select topics in
Ayurvedic herbal medicine.
Ayurvedic
Energy Healing
(12-15 hours) This
is a study of the vedic roots of such energy therapies as Reiki,
Jin Shin Jyutsu and Pranic healing; origins, methodologies and applications,
and their vedic progenitors. Energetic anatomy, including the koshas,
chakras and nadis. Developing sensitivity to subtle energetic imbalances,
blockages and deficiencies. Treatment protocols, mental-emotional
healing, and distance healing. (This course includes Level I (Usui)
Reiki training and attunement). There will be discussion covering
the basic aspects of the subtle therapies as they are employed in
Ayurveda, including chakra, crystal and color therapies and the
use of mantra, yantra and mudra.
Vedic Medical Jyotish
(16-20 Hours) This
is a first course in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) for persons without
a background in that area, with a focus on issues of medical concern.
Some degree of familiarity with Western astrological concepts may
be helpful, but they are not necessary. It is suggested that students
register for this program at their earliest opportunity, as preparatory
reading for this intensive course is of significant quantity. This
course is intended to introduce the Ayurvedic student to the fundamental
concepts of Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology, and to impart a basic comprehension
of its medical applications. Subjects to be covered include: basic
conceptions of celestial mechanics; Vedic vs. Western conceptions;
tropical vs. siderial zodiacs; equal house system; the place of
the ascendant, natal sun and natal moon; the moon-chart; the nakshatras.
aspects; degrees of exaltation and debilitation; planets, signs
and houses: medical and general significances; the role of the Vaidya
and the role of the Jyotish practitioner. the role of Jyotish in
darshanic diagnosis Jyotish conformation and selected pathologies:
doshic vitiation, prakruti/vikruti, fertility; life cycles. In addition
to its being a required component of the Ayurvedic Practitioner
program, this intensive course will be of interest and usefulness
to Western astrological practitioners and students seeking a degree
of familarity with Jyotisha concepts, to medical practitioners and
other health professionals seeking a more detailed knowledge of
the conceptual framework of Vedic medical astrology, and to Ayurvedic
practitioners seeking to freshen their knowledge and understanding
of this important but complex diagnostic tool.
Panchakarma & Detoxification Therapies
(12-15 Hours) A
lecture course outlining the indications and contraindications,
constituent modalities, theories, treatment planning and therapy
outcomes and applications underlying Ayurveda's preeminent detoxification
therapy are discussed.
A
general survey of non-PKT detoxification strategies is included.
Ayurvedic Psychology & Counselling
(20-25 Hours) Principles of Manasa Shastra: the mental
doshas, their function, location and origin, aspects of mind, principles
of the koshas (five sheaths), Kundalini, the chakras, their importance,
Three gunas and their characteristics, Mental Constitution. Mental,
emotional and behavioral disfunctions and an ayurvedic approach
to their prevention, treatment and management. Spiritual dimensions
of mental hygiene.
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