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
- Body Type
- Digestive Type
- Ama score
- Eating Habits score
- 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