Curriculum: Ayurveda Personal Wellness Course | Institute of Integrative Ayurveda

Introduction: Why Ayurveda?

Stuart Rothenberg, MD

Research evidence that preventable mistakes in lifestyle and diet are the main cause of chronic disorders
Definition of Ayurveda
Source of Ayurveda knowledge
History of decline and recent revival of Ayurveda
Overview of the unique Ayurvedic approach to health
Outline of the course

Lesson 1: Basic Principles; Understanding Your Body Constitution

Stuart Rothenberg, MD

The Ayurvedic approach to enliven the inner intelligence and healing ability of the body.
Introduction to body type (Prakriti) and imbalance (Vikriti)
Introduction to the organizing principles of all bodily functions – the three doshas ( Vata, Pitta and Kapha)
Dosha qualities and symptoms of balance and imbalance
Body Type and Personalized Medicine
Body Type determination and use of the body type questionnaire

Lesson 2: Overview of Diet and Digestion, Lifestyle Medicine, and Mind-Body Balance

Stuart Rothenberg MD

Diet effects on gene expression
Evidence on dietary mistakes at the basis of a chronic conditions
The need to personalize diet
General dietary recommendations for all body types
Spices – research and use
Diet recommendations for Vata, Pitta and Kapha types
Digestion: How we digest is as important as what we eat.
Introducing and discussion of “Ama” – toxins, impurities and blockages cause by poor diet and digestion.
Introduction and discussion of “Soma” – biochemical products of proper diet and digestion that enhance health and longevity
Ama symptoms and use of Ama questionnaire to determine levels of ama buildup
Bowl regularity Ayurvedic recommendations

Lesson 3: It’s Not Just What You Eat-It’s How You Digest

Nancy Lonsdorf MD

Introduction to Agni – the digestive fire
Types of Agni and their locations in the body
The 7 bodily tissues and the keys to their proper development
Signs of Vata, Pitta, Kapha balanced and imbalanced digestion
Factors that disturb Agni
The “Hot water” recommendation to enhance Agni and removes Ama
Program for healthy digestion – all body types
Herbs and spice recommendations to enhance Agni
Introduction to Ayurvedic in-residence physiological purification procedures – Panchakarma
Ayurvedic recommendations for proper food preparation

Lesson 4: My Digestive Type – Gut Health is Personal

Nancy Lonsdorf MD

Introduction to determining your digestive type
How to use the Digestive Type questionnaire
Determining the dosha imbalance at the basis of digestive problems

Lesson 5: My Ideal Day: Chronobiology and Optimal Daily Schedule

Nancy Lonsdorf MD

Understanding the cycles in nature
Our Biological Clocks: Nervous system changes during natural cycles
Effects of disruptions of Circadian rhythms on health
The Vata, Pitta and Kapha times of day
Time of day to eat the largest meal
Time of day to eat less to avoid Ama and overweight
Timing of sleep for maximum rest and rejuvenation
Research on Circadian rhythms and cancer and overweight conditions
Circadian rhythm effects on gut bacteria – Ayurvedic approach to a healthy gut biome
Circadian rhythms and gene expression
Fertility and Circadian rhythms
The health benefits of the experience of timelessness – The TM Technique

Lesson 6: Self-Pulse Reading for Self-Healing

Nancy Lonsdorf MD

Healing benefits of the Ayurvedic self-pulse taking experience
The technique Ayurvedic pulse technique for self-healing

Lesson 7: Course Summary: Creating Your Personal Wellness Journal

Stuart Rothenberg MD

Introduction to the Personal Wellness Journal – Tracking your Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle and its effects on your personal health
Review of the use Ayurvedic self-assessment questionnaires
1. Body Type
2. Digestive Type
3. Ama score
4. Eating Habits score
5. Lifestyle Habits score
Review of general dietary recommendations
Creating your personal dosha specific diet program
Purification diets for use when Ama and overweight conditions are present
Review of use of spices
Determining Ama levels and procedures to remove Ama
Seasonal modifications of diet and behavior
Herbal preparations for sluggish digestion
Best behaviors for good digestion
Review of Ayurveda bowl regularity approach
Ayurvedic approach to good sleep
Key points for a healthy Ayurvedic lifestyle
Ayurvedic approach to mental and emotional effects on health
Ayurvedic Mind-Body Medicine – the TM technique
MAPI products and code for purchase discounts
Health coach options to support the online course

Additional 3.5 hours – Maharishi AyurVeda Self-Pulse Assessment

1. Review from Ayurveda Personal Wellness Course – Ayurveda Self-Pulse for Healing

This lesson reviews the mechanics of Ayurveda Self-Pulse Assessment and the effects it has on enhancing the mind-body connection and enlivening the inner intelligence of the body.

2. Vedic Sound, Daily Pulse Taking, Self-Pulse Documentation

Describes the rationale for listening to Gandharva Veda music and Sama Veda recitation during pulse taking.
Explains the value of taking the pulse several times a day for learning and healing.
Introduces the forms to log pulse experiences in during the course.

3. Qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in the Pulse

This lesson describes the shape of the impulses created by Vata, Pitta and Kapha under our fingers as we take the pulse.
This knowledge is the start in being able to determine the state of balance and imbalance in Vata, Pitta and Kapha through Ayurvedic Self-Pulse assessment.

4. Feeling the Qualities of Vata in the Pulse

This lesson describes in greater detail the shape of the balanced and imbalanced impulses of Vata felt under the fingers during pulse assessment.

5. Feeling the Qualities of Pitta in the Pulse

This lesson describes in greater detail the shape of the balanced and imbalanced impulses of Pitta felt under the fingers during pulse assessment.

6. Feeling the Qualities of Kapha in the Pulse

This lesson describes in greater detail the shape of the balanced and imbalanced impulses of Kapha felt under the fingers during pulse assessment.

7. Location of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in the Pulse

This lesson reveals the specific locations on the wrist where the impulse of Vata, Pitta and Kapha are best felt.
This lesson reveals where on the wrist to place each of the three fingers used to perform pulse assessment.
Each finger is placed so as to be able to best feel one of the three doshas.

8. Feeling Ojas in the Pulse

The state of Ojas is determined by the strength of the overall balance, resistance and immunity in the body.
Learning how to determine the state of Ojas lets you moniter the positive effect of your Ayurveda Personal Wellness program.

9. How to Feel Ama in the Pulse

Ama is the composed of the blockages, obstructions in the chanels of circulation and buildup of toxicity in the system
Using Ayurveda pulse assessment to determine the status of ama helps monitor the progress of your Personal Wellness Program and show if ama reducing techniques need to be used in greater measure.

10. Qualities of a Balanced Pulse

This lesson reveals the shape of the impulse under the Vata, Pitta and Kapha fingers when the corresponding dosha is balanced or imbalanced.

11. Imbalance in the Pulse: Part 1 – Amplitude; Increase or Decrease of a Dosha

Imbalance of Amplitude – the strength and height of the impulse – is the first type of dosha imbalance that can be felt under the fingers

12 .Imbalance in the Pulse: Part 2 – Doshas Moving Out of Their Home

Imbalance of Location – impulses of one dosha moving to appear under another doshas fingers is the second type of pulse imbalance that can be felt under the fingers

13. Effect of Vata Moving Out of its Own Place

This lesson describes the impulses we feel and the physiological effect that occurs when the Vata dosha impulse is found under the Pitta or Kapha fingers

14. Effect of Pitta Moving Out of its Own Place

This lesson describes the impulses we feel and the physiological effect that occurs when the Pitta dosha impulse is found under the Vata or Kapha fingers

15. Effect of Kapha Moving Out of its Own Place

This lesson describes the impulses we feel and the physiological effect that occurs when the Kapha dosha impulse is found under the Pitta or Vata fingers