This course introduces students to the 6,000-year-old tradition of Ayurveda, its aims and objectives, basic principles, concepts of health and disease, methods of examining clients, and treatment methods. Students will gain a solid foundation in the science, history, and philosophy of Ayurveda. They will be introduced to the concepts of individual nature and dosha imbalance as the basis for assessment of health and disease, as well as the pancha mahabhuta theory. 

Ayurvedic Anatomy & Physiology I (Sharir Vignyan). A lecture discussion of the Ayurvedic conception of anatomy; the inner, central, and outer pathways; the dhatus, kalas, and doshas. Topics dealt will include classification of various agni, their characteristics, constitutional status versus present health state, and types of tissue/dosha interactions; gross digestion and tissue micro digestive processes; sapta dhatus and tissue differentiation.

Sharir Vignyan: A lecture discussion of the Ayurvedic conception of anatomy; the srotas and energetic anatomy (chakras, koshas and nadis). Includes an in-depth treatment of Ayurveda’s physiological conceptions, focusing on the doshas, agni (digestive capacity), prakruti versus vikruti, and traits of optimal versus pathological functioning of biological systems.

Ayurvedic Psychology (Manasa Vignyan) This course comprises a detailed discussion of the principles of Ayurvedic psychology and mental hygiene - manas vidya. Topics dealt with include the structure and functioning of the mind, processes of mentation (dhi, dhruti and smruti), ego-gratification via the senses vs. long term survival (preya vs. shreya), habituation, mental constitutions, mental health vs. pathology, etc. 

This course is an in-depth approach to the Ayurvedic science of food and nutrition. Ayurveda has always viewed the diet as a 'first line of defense' in supporting optimal health. In Ayurveda’s view, diet is the best preventive and, when applied sufficiently early on, the most effective means to ensure the avoidance of disease. Topics dealt will include classification of various types of food, their properties, and characteristics, constitutionally appropriate vs. inappropriate diets, food compatibilities and incompatibilities, and the specific uses of foods in the treatment of disease.

Ayurvedic Pharmacology (Dravya Guna Rasa Shastra) – Class/Webcast Course only This is an introductory course in Ayurvedic pharmacology. The course includes an overview of the history of Ayurvedic pharmacology and drug development, the study of qualities, actions, effects, applications, indications, and contra-indications, anupanas, toxicity and means of ascertaining proper dosages of Ayurvedic medicines, mostly of plant derivation.

Ayurvedic Materia Medica I (Dravyaguna Vignyan I) is a course wherein students are exposed in detail to the correct, appropriate, effective, safe, ethical, and legal use of a selection of 39 herbs and 12 multiherbal formulations, consisting of the most widely used, broadly therapeutically applicable, affordable, and easily available medicines of predominantly plant origin.

This course examines the disease process in Ayurvedic medicine, including Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, the cause of disease, formation of tissues, and stages and classification of disease. Students will learn the process of constitutional analysis.

An introduction to the physical assessment of the client on the basis of Darshan (observation), Sparshan (auscultation and palpation) ) and Prashna (interrogation) comprising: Overview of Rogipareeksa & Rogapareeksha; The Client as a whole; Temperament, Discipline & habits, Digestive capacity and intelligence; Hereditary traits, Emotional set, Economic status & concerns, Social/familial support system, Desire to heal, Constitutional types; Prakruti; Vikruti; Observation of the Dhatus; Observation of the Upadhatus; 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); Ashtavidha pariksha (Eight-fold" Ayurvedic examination); Examination of the complexion; Examination of the eyes; Examination of the speech and voice; Examination of the tongue; Examination of the stool; Examination of the urine; Examination of the pulses (survey).

This course is an in-depth approach to the Ayurvedic detoxification strategies and modalities. Ayurveda's sophisticated and highly effective detoxification theories and therapies remain among its most distinctive features, and among its least understood facets in the Western world. Topics dealt with include palliative (shamana) and radical cleansing (shodhana) measures as determined by the client's condition and Ayurvedic protocols.

This course is a detailed and practical discussion of widely available and simply applied remedies (i.e., “home remedies”) that might be utilized in treating everyday ills and injuries. Commonly used herbs, spices, oils, foods, and topical applications will be among the topics dealt with.

Ayurvedic Colloquium This course comprises a survey of issues of interest to aspiring practitioners, including, illustratively, legal, ethical, and commercial aspects of practice development, Ayurveda and public health, Ayurveda and environmental issues, pain control in Ayurvedic practice, etc.