Curriculum
Ayurveda for Self-Healing
Pillars of health: a year of basic foundations and starting to 'live these foundations in your own life.
Main overview
In the first year, you will learn about the basic ayurvedic principles and lay a solid foundation in the field of ayurvedic nutrition, massage, daily routine & yoga. You will gain insights into a number of familiar ayurvedic healing herbs, to be used in the kitchen as well as in your own home pharmacy. Basic information on western anatomy and physiology will be provided, bridging western medical concepts and ayurvedic basic principles. The focus of the first year is equally divided between theory, practical and treatment skills plus experience-based teachings. It will inspire and guide you to think within the framework of ayurvedic science.
Start âlivingâ Ayurveda
You will receive a theoretical foundation and at the same time many practical tips and guidelines to live your life in a more ayurvedic way. Experiencing and living ayurveda will help you to guide others. It will be a year of practising self-healing through ayurveda which is essential before guiding others in this practice. You will be introduced to the benefits of an ayurvedic daily routine during the residential module, where you focus on regular lifestyle guidelines and why they work. This residential module also will help you integrate concepts introduced during the study year.
Classical texts and other highlightsÂ
You learn how to interpret and understand classical ayurvedic texts this year, which gives you a profound understanding of the ancient ayurvedic knowledge and wisdom. Through video classes and online learning, we will travel into the depths of ayurvedic classical works, under the guidance of one of our experienced teachers. This includes chanting ayurvedic sutras (verses from classical books) and understanding basic Sanskrit terminology used in ayurveda. You will also receive 8 home study assignments on herbology and diseases, in order to start creating your own database. These are presented in an 8-monthly Collect & Learn home study track.
The formatÂ
Year I will consist of 30 full class days, taught both during weekends and in 3- or 4-day modules including a weekend. There will also be a 4-day residential module and a series of online classes. You will be provided with a homework overview to keep track of your assignments. Our online Learning Management System will facilitate smooth progress during the first year.
Online classes for international studentsÂ
Due to the current situation there is a possibility to follow some theoritical classes online, aimed at students based abroad in order to ease the travel frequency of international students. The Academy is oriented towards in-person presence in class and there will always be practical, hands-on classes for which streaming will not be a possibility. In the case of online class, an agreement can be made and the student abroad can follow the class through a livestream setup. Connecting with the teacher will be possible before and/or after class. For now this will apply to the Foundation weekends (excluding the introduction weekend). Please contact us if you want to know more.
Ayurveda as Preventive Medicine
Understanding imbalance: a year of exploring disease and how to approach imbalance in an ayurvedic way.
Main overview
In the second APT year, tuition continues around the basic principles of ayurveda with an emphasis on ayurvedic nutrition, massage and yoga, while the student slowly develops tools to become an ayurvedic health counsellor in these fields. Students continue to expand their database of simple ayurvedic herbs and remedies. There will be additional focus on the qualities required of an ayurveda and healing counsellor so as to evaluate and advise clients. Students will start to work with practical cases and real clients. Students will continue to dive into basic classes in western anatomy and physiology, bridging western medical concepts to the ayurvedic basic principles.
Working with imbalance
You will receive many practical tips and guidelines to help you live your life in a more ayurvedic way and how to apply your knowledge in assisting and supporting others, especially when there is an imbalance. We will continue to approach you as a future Ayurveda Practitioner, preparing you to become an all-round advisor in the field of prevention. Prevention means: âTreating and curing diseases before they appearâ which is key in ayurveda and carried out particularly with a healthy lifestyle, daily routine, nutrition, and exercise (including yoga).
More therapy-oriented
The practical modules this year aim to deepen your understanding of the basic principles of ayurvedic nutrition and how to apply these in consultations â with both study cases and live clients in class. You will be taught more about ayurvedic massage, including some advanced techniques. In the ayurvedic yoga module, you will continue to explore practice and psychology â learning how to guide clients and yoga students.
Additional modulesÂ
You will be introduced to a number of home remedies and to ayurvedic herbology in special modules on this subject â consisting of theory and practice: preparing some of your own remedies on the spot. The residential module in this Year II will be about assessment principles: Rogi and Roga Pariksha. Learning how to interpret and understand classical ayurvedic texts is once again an important aspect of your studies, which will be supported by the video classes with online teachings from the Ashtanga Hridayam Samhita. This includes chanting ayurvedic sutras and expanding your understanding of basic Sanskrit terminology used in ayurveda. Continued Collect & Learn You will receive home study assignments on herbology and diseases â in order for you to expand your database on ayurvedic herbs and increase your own home pharmacy, now also with a little more complex disorders.
Ayurveda in Full Healing Practice
Healing diseases: two years of studying major diseases and their treatment options, including clinical training.
Main overview
In Year III of the APT, you will dive into more advanced principles that are essential to evaluate and ayurvedically diagnose clients as a Practitioner. You will start working at a clinical level with practical cases and real clients. In Year IV you will work towards completion of your training to become an Ayurveda Practitioner. The focus is on bringing theory into practice, through practical modules and assignments, a final thesis and exams.
Clinical skills
The emphasis is on ayurvedic remedies and treatment as an important addition to nutrition, massage and yoga - working towards becoming a clinically skilled Ayurveda Practitioner. The practical modules in this year are designed to bring theory into practice as an Ayurveda Practitioner. You can expect in-depth teachings about Dravyaguna (Ayurvedic Pharmacology) including many herbs, formulas and medicines. During these years, you will also develop your business & marketing skills, guiding you to tap into your true potential as a practitioner.
Classical sources and Collect & Learn
In Year III, learning how to interpret and understand classical ayurvedic texts continues to play an important role in your academics with a special series of video classes on the 7 Dhatus. This again includes chanting ayurvedic sutras and expanding your understanding of Sanskrit terminology used in ayurveda. You will continue to expand and grow your database on how to use simple as well as more complex ayurvedic herbs and remedies.
Internship in IndiaÂ
Year IV includes a 60 hour internship to India, the Ayurvedic cradle of the world and a 60 hour internship in our own Student Clinic in The Netherlands, guided by our team of Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners. We also offer the opportunity to do the whole internship in The Netherlands for those who prefer or when traveling abroad is not possible.
Thesis: clinical paper
In the last study year, you will be asked to write a clinical paper on a specific ayurvedic subject as your thesis project. This process will be guided and supported during study weekends by teaching staff.