Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP)
Highly respected around the world, The Ayurvedic Institute has been teaching Ayurveda since 1984. Steeped in Vedic tradition, our Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP), now in their 35th year, are full-time immersive journeys into Ayurveda.
Ayurveda states that the purpose of life is to realize our true nature, and to express this in one’s daily life. The Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP) integrate the practical, philosophical, and spiritual insight of Ayurveda into professional training programs that support you in becoming an Ayurvedic professional capable of serving others in realizing their true nature and the expression of it in their daily life.
Ayurveda is the science of self-healing. Here, we recognize, that in order to support others in their healing, we must authentically engage in our own. As a student at The Ayurvedic Institute you will be asked to engage in self-inquiry, grow in your understanding of self through an Ayurvedic perspective, and apply what you are learning to your own life. It is a program that will transform who you are, support you in realizing your true nature, and help you express that nature in the world.
Study In Person or Online
Our full-time Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP1 & ASP2) will be available for both in person and a partially online study in the Fall of 2022!
Study to become an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (ASP1) and an Ayurvedic Practitioner (ASP2) from the comfort of your own space for a portion of the program (there will be a minimum in person requirement for all programs).
What’s the difference between online and in person study?
Not much! All classes will be live-streamed and students will have the ability to ask questions, observe best practices, and be a part of the larger student community. The standard cost of tuition includes materials that will be sent to your home and our online students will be required to visit the campus in Asheville to attend a portion of their classes in person. See details here
Our online study experience mimics the classroom – so your faculty will guide you through hands-on applications where necessary, while offering feedback remotely. We will also take a novel approach to some portions of the clinical training through this system and will share more on this during the application process.
A note about online attendance
Just like any school or college course, it is important for prospective students hoping to study online to know that you will be required to attend the live-stream of all classes. Unfortunately, classes will not be recorded. This is to keep the integrity of our training and ensure important questions can be addressed in the immediacy of the class itself.
If you are interested in studying online please begin your application process and when you speak with an admissions counselor you can indicate your interest in online study.
Please note that the following in-person attendance hours are required for all online students:
ASP Level 1: a minimum of 180 hours must be attended in person in Asheville, NC.
ASP Level 2: a minimum of 360 hours must be attended in person in Asheville, NC.See the details of the classes and date requirements for the in person component at the campus in Ashevillehere.
For more information on our courses, or to request a schedule of which classes are required to attend in-person, please emailadmissions@ayurveda.com.
Ayurvedic Studies Program, Level 1
The Ayurvedic Studies Program, Level 1 (ASP1), is the foundation of the educational programs offered at The Ayurvedic Institute. Students acquire a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle, Sanskrit, Ayuryoga, anatomy and physiology, and client relationships. ASP1 is also considered a time to increase self-awareness, self-nurturance, community building, and rigorous study of Ayurvedic knowledge and practices. In each week of this program, an estimated 50-60 hours is dedicated to lecture, class, study, and practice including applied application outside of the classroom.
Please Note: this program is available for both in person and online study
There are two ways to participate in ASP1
1. Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 1
ASP1 trains you to have the ability to assess and address general imbalance within the constitutional framework of the Ayurvedic paradigm.
Ayurveda is unparalleled in its ability to give specific recommendations appropriate for the individual. As a student in our Level 1 Program, you will give diet and lifestyle recommendations to support your clients move towards greater health and well-being.
You will learn the foundational theory of Ayurveda, practice assessment techniques, apply these in practical hands-on ways with extensive feedback from faculty, and acquire a diverse repertoire of simple and profound recommendations to support your clients.
2. Audit Track
This is intended for students focused on their own personal enrichment and who are not looking to develop a professional practice of Ayurveda. Audit Track students take all of the same classes as the Professional Track students. Audit Track students are under the same standards and guidelines for attendance. They do not receive assessments; for example, they do not take exams or receive grades.
Our ASP1 program runs from September through June. Our classes are designed to complement and build upon each other and are the place where you and your classmates will learn both with and from each other. To foster continuity and community there is a set curriculum and schedule everyone follows.
Ayurvedic Studies Program, Level 2
The second year of the Ayurvedic Studies Program builds upon ASP1 with an emphasis on increasing depth and breadth of knowledge and application in a clinical setting. Graduates are competent in a scope of practice that includes being able to assess an individual’s unique constitution and elements of physiological imbalance according to dosha, agni, ama, gati, and srotas.
Graduates of ASP2 are able to create recommendations using dietary, lifestyle and contemplative practices along with customized herbal protocols and Ayurvedic treatments to encourage healing and a lifestyle in balance with nature. They will also be able to work with other healthcare professionals to develop recommendations and implement treatments for clients with established pathologies.
Please Note: this program is available for both in person and online study.
2. Audit Track
Through ASP2 you build upon your understanding of ASP1 to expand the depth and breadth of your knowledge, application, and Ayurvedic practice.
IIn ASP2 you gain a more thorough understanding of Ayurvedic theory with emphasis on how imbalance develops, root cause, contributing factors, disease process, and treatment. This understanding is an integrated approach. During ASP2 you refine your ability to understand the nature of imbalance as it manifests within an individual through developing the use of known srotamsi assessment techniques and learning additional techniques.
ASP2 expands the treatment methods available to you in practice. You build upon the understanding of food as medicine to learn how to use Ayurvedic herbs in an Ayurvedic practice and to build customized herbals formulas for clients. You’ll learn various hands-on body therapy treatments and expand your use of yoga practices like pranayama (breathing techniques), mantra (chanting), and mudra (specific arrangements of the hands).
ASP2 is oriented towards daily application of Ayurvedic principles and theory from all paradigms. All your learning becomes grounded in application during your weekly Ayurvedic practicum, observation opportunities with Vasant Lad, MASc, and case reviews with senior practitioners. ASP2 is a comprehensive training program with classroom and supervised practicum time.
Ayurvedic Studies Program, Level 3
ASP3 trains its students to strengthen practical experience through dedicated observation and practice and explore the integrative approach.
Geared towards an experiential learning environment, the student furthers understanding of Ayuryoga® in a clinic setting, learns the nuances of Ayurvedic therapies in a panchakarma setting, and creates personal relationships with herbs through farming and formulations—all of which culminates in their thesis project.
“Feeling the pulse is an art. Awareness should be passive and one should let that awareness act upon the mind… to use a machine as a diagnostic tool is alright to quantify perception, but to qualify perception requires the sensitivity of the human fingers. Use the tips of the fingers to feel the nature or gati of the pulse and bear in mind the three basic pulses.” – Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc