Be a Certified Ayurveda Practitioner
Ayurveda is a holistic system of health care and preventative medicine that developed in India more than 5,000 years ago. The term “Ayurveda” combines two Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda is quite literally “the science of life.” The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to integrate and balance the whole person: the body, mind and spirit in order to promote wellness and prevent illness. Ayurveda fosters an understanding of an individual’s unique mind-body constitution or dosha. According to Ayurveda, there are five master elements that make up our world and ourselves: space, air, fire, water, and earth. Each element carries inherent qualities, such as fire – hot and transformational or earth – solid and stable. Ayurveda groups these elements into three basic energies or doshas: Vata (Air and Space), Pitta (Fire and Water), and Kapha (Earth and Water). As most individuals are a combination of these doshas, ayurvedic treatments work to restore balance to our bodies and minds and return us to our true constitutions for optimal health, balance, and happiness.
Ayurvedic science aims at the prevention and management of disease by establishing balance through nutrition, herbal medicines, ayurvedic therapies, pranayama or breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and daily and seasonal routine. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is considered under complementary and alternative medicine.
SCU Mission
The mission of the Southern California University of Health Sciences is to educate students as competent, caring and successful healthcare practitioners of integrative medicine.
SCU Vision
Southern California University of Health Sciences will be recognized as the premier educational institution for complementary and alternative medicine in the United States.
SCU Values
Excellence, Leadership, Integrity, Learning Effectiveness, Evidence-based.
Why SCU
- We offer 900 hrs of in classroom ayurvedic studies.
- Faculty members are ayurvedic doctors with years of research, clinical and teaching experience.
- Our curriculum is based on the ayurvedic curriculum in India.
- Access to an extensive library containing over 9000 health division books and 77 print journals
- Research databases with access to full-text articles
- Students have access to acupuncture, oriental medicine, chiropractic; massage therapy and ayurveda treatments at our University Health Center.
- SCU is a WASC accredited university.
- Curriculum includes 100hrs of hands-on supervised internship training at the university health center.
- Financial Aid and payment plans are available.
- Students can participate in dozens of on campus clubs including healing hands for humanity and medicinal herb club.
- Beautiful herb garden for meditation.
- Students will be able to experience integrative medicine right on our beautiful 38 acre campus.
- Convenient weekend and evening classes.
Who can benefit from the Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner program?
For any health care professionals (M. D, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Naturopaths, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, Nurses, Yoga Instructors), ayurveda will allow you to offer additional services and expand your practice. This program will also benefit those who wish to make a career change or improve their quality of life.
Course Description
Total 900 hrs in class room teaching that includes 100 hours of supervised clinical internship at the University Health Center.
Basic principles of Ayurveda (75 hours)
The course is designed to impart detailed knowledge of Ayurvedic fundamental principles and theories. Students will have in depth understanding of the TRIDOSHA, their locations, subdivisions and prime functions including Psycho-somatotypes. Students will also gain firm knowledge of DHATUS (tissues) and MALAS (wastes) along with their normal functions and concept of OJUS (Vital fluid), Agni and Srotas. Basic explanation of the working principles of operation – SHAREERA (Body), INDRIYA (Sense organs), SATVA (Mind) and ATMA (Soul) will be presented. This course also explains theories of evolution from various prospects such as VEDA, SANKHYA, YOGA and other schools of philosophy. Students will learn to distinguish, compare and contrast ATMA (Soul), BUDDI (Intelligence), and AHANKAR (Ego).
Basic Ayurveda terminology (30 hours)
This course introduces students to oldest literary language – SANSKRIT. The course is devoted to the study of the basic SANSKRIT terms that are employed in Ayurvedic principles, patho-physiology, dietetics, nutrition, herbology, diagnosis and therapeutics. Comprehensive meaning of words used in other courses will be presented in detail.
Ayurvedic Psychology, Yoga and Lifestyle (60 hours)
This course also provides the knowledge of yoga which includes breathing practices, sun salutations, rhythmic and dynamic exercises and relaxation techniques from a theoretical and experiential perspective. A brief introduction about the Chakras and Meditation will also be provided. This course will discuss the basic concepts of Ayurvedic psychology which comprises of concept of Mind, sense organs and consciousness, mental constitution, process of perception, emotions and their effects on the body, classification of mental disorders and their therapy. Additionally, this course will offer an adequate knowledge to determine the ayurvedic constitutional types and suggest proper daily/seasonal diet and lifestyle based on individual's body type and seasons.
Ayurvedic History and Philosophy (30 hours)
This course explores the 5000-year history that has contributed to the orderly development of the science of Ayurveda. This course imparts in depth knowledge of different medicinal and therapeutic information in VEDAs and its special relation between Ayurveda and ATHARAVANA VED. Detailed knowledge of various spiritual influences, deities and sages along with their philosophical contributions to development of Ayurveda and the legendary origin of Ayurveda from various classical texts will be presented. The course is designed to inform the students about the Archeological and Manuscripts in support of the historical events.
Ayurvedic Herbology (90 hours)
Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine discusses all the fundamental principles essential for understanding various substances used in Ayurvedic therapeutics. Characteristics such as Tastes, Qualities, Potencies, Post-digestive actions, Special attributes along with their actions and indications are the contents of the subject. Various classifications of medicinal substances, dosage forms, methods, vehicles and time of administration are also explained in detail. This subject also comprises detailed explanation of 70 commonly used individual herbs and spices. Properties of medicinal substances based on tastes, qualities, potencies, post-digestive actions and special actions are detailed. Individual herb actions on various systems of the body and imbalances in which indicated is elucidated.
Ayurvedic Dietetics and Nutrition in Health and Disease (45 hours)
This course investigates the principles of Ayurvedic dietetics and nutrition and their role in health and disease. Students will learn how to identify the properties of various types of foods and recommend ayurvedic nutrition programs based on the unique constitutions (prakruti) and dosha imbalances and seasonal variations. Students will also learn varieties of Ayurvedic recipes with interactive classroom cooking demonstration.
Ayurvedic Pathology and Diagnosis (90 hours)
This course is designed to provide basic knowledge of pathological processes involving DOSHA, DHATU, MALA and SROTAS in causing various ailments. Students will understand various causes of disease, manifestation stages and disease pathways, classification of disease and its prognosis. Students also will be learning various diagnostic methods of Ayurveda and constitutional analysis.
Rasayana (45 hours)
This course informs students about the unique health promotive and rejuvenatory concepts of Ayurveda. Students gain knowledge about the methods that support healthy aging and staying fit at any age. The methods described for enhancing the body's resistance against disease causing factors and preventing advancement of chronic diseases. Herbs and dietetic substances that enhance memory, voice, eyesight, energy, strength, general health and complexion will be highlighted.
Marma and Panchakarma (90 hours)
Panchakarma is a unique detoxification and rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda. Students will get a hand on experience and training under experienced Ayurvedic Physician. Students will learn theoretical and experiential aspects of different treatment procedures such as Abhyanga (Ayurvedic body work), Kati basti (Back Treatment), Janu basti (Knee treatment), Netra basti (Eye treatment), Hrudbasti (treatment for cardiac conditions ), Shirodhara (rhythmic oil dripping on head), Shashtika shali pinda sweda (herbs and Rice treatment), Patra pinda sweda (Leaf treatment), Nadi sweda (herbal steam bath), Nasya (Nasal oil drop) and basti (introducing herbal preparations into a colon) . Students will also learn to prepare different herbal oils that are commonly used in the treatment. Marmas are vital points in the body, the knowledge of which is beneficial to diagnose and treat many neuro-muscular conditions. In this course student will also learn to locate, classify the Marma points and its therapeutic and applied aspect. It is a special program geared to train students to improve their professional healing skills as well as personal health.
Ayurvedic Disease Management I (60 hours)
The course is designated for Ayurvedic management of common ailments. The course combines all the students have learned and involves critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Case histories and therapeutics are reviewed, with class and group interactions. Case taking, differential diagnosis, diet, and herbs for common Neuro muscular, Circulatory, Respiratory and Urinary system conditions are explained in detail.
Ayurvedic Disease Management II (60 hours)
This course is designed to teach the students the ability to develop record, implement and adapt a patient management plan from an Ayurvedic perspective for specific diseases based on the needs of the patient. Case taking, differential diagnosis, diet, herbs, for of Digestive system disorders, Skin diseases, Reproductive system disorders and Psychological disorders are explained in detail.
Anatomy / Physiology I (60 hours)
This course comprehensively presents a study of human anatomy including the organization of the body and the skeletal and muscular systems. It provides the study of the anatomy oflymphatic, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems.
Anatomy / Physiology II (60 hours)
This course provides a study of the physiology of the musculoskeletal, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems and a discussion of fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, genetics and growth and development.
Internship (105 hours)
This course offers the students an opportunity to receive hands-on training in clinical practice. They develop the knowledge and skills for clinical practice under the supervision of an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner.
Advanced standing
Students from AOM, DC and all other health professionals will receive advanced standing credits for Anatomy and Physiology classes provided they have completed 120 hrs of classes.
Classes are offered every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5pm-9pm and on Sunday 9am-6pm. The programs can be completed in one year including online components for course work.
Faculty
- Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS (Ayurveda), MAOM, L.Ac, PhD(c)
- Bharathi S, BAMS (Ayurveda)
- Beth Dominicis, BA, DC
- Manjusha Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda), MAOM, L.Ac.
- Parla Jayagopal MD (Ayurveda), MAOM (c),
- Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda), MAOM, L.Ac, MPH
Financial Aid Available!
For more information, please contact us at 562.902.3360
