Unit 1: Ayurveda Medicine
Ayurveda, the science of life, is the mother of all medical systems. As such it will enhance your understanding of any medical discipline and how we interact with our universe. A study of Ayurveda provides a firm foundation on which to build your knowledge of health and disease. With this foundation you will understand how to support your clients in their return to health.
In this unit you will learn about the history and philosophy of Ayurvedic medicine (Sankya philosophy, the three Gunas, the Five Great Elements of Panchamahabhuta), the Tri Dosha theory (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, tongue diagnosis, Ayurvedic diet and nutrition, Ayurvedic Samprapti (the course of disease) and balancing techniques.
Interest in Ayurvedic medicine has substantially increased in the last 20 years. In this course you will learn how you can incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your current practice, regardless of your discipline. The course will teach you how to understand your clients, both from an emotional and physical perspective and give you the tools to provide your clients with a diet and lifestyle to correct and balance their symptoms. It will also provide you with an in-depth understanding of the disease process.
Ayurveda Medicine Course
Units: 1
Study Hours: 40 - 60
Credits: 6
Time: Estimated 2 months (timing up to you)
Enrolment period: 4 months (with option to extend)
Books: Purchased separately
Certification: Certificate in Ayurvedic Medicine
Study Options: E-learning (online) or Correspondence (paper)
Aims of the Course
- To provide an in depth understanding of Ayurvedic medicine, which will act as a firm foundation for any medical discipline
- To provide a basis for naturopathic philosophy and understanding
- To introduce the concepts of energetic nutrition and to be able to incorporate this into clinical practice
- To have a deeper understanding of health and disease and to provide the tools to support clients in their return to health via Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle
Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing that has its roots in the depths of Indian antiquity. It is the oldest medical system on the planet and most other medical traditions have their roots in Ayurveda. Thousands of years ago ‘India’ covered a vast area, from Afghanistan to China.
Ayur means ‘Life’ and Veda means ‘knowledge’. Ayurveda then is ‘the knowledge of life’. It is a system whic helps us to understand our true nature and our relationship with everything around us. Ayurveda gives us the knowledge for a long and healthy life by offering a deep understanding of each person’s unique body. Ayurveda allows us to recognise the true essence of a person and that we are totally unique. This is unlike modern western medicine, which likes to place people in categories, name their diseases, and rely upon trials, assuming that everyone is essentially the same.
Historical evidence shows that Ayurveda has influenced almost all medical systems of the world. The Egyptians learnt about Ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in the 4th Century BC through their sea trade with India. Greeks and Romans came to learn of Ayurveda after the invasion of Alexander. It was through this connection that Unani medicine came about, which has its origins in Greek, Ayurvedic and Persian cultures. From AD100-300 Ayurveda spread to the East through Buddhism and influenced Chinese and Tibetan medicine. The Islamic physician Avicenna, who helped to form the European medical tradition via Unani medicine, strictly followed Ayurvedic principles. Even Paracelsus, sometimes considered to be the father of modern Western medicine, followed the basic teachings of Ayurveda. Greek medicine is very similar to Ayurveda and we will look at those similarities later in the course. Hippocrates is quoted as saying ‘foolish is the physician who despises the wisdom of the ancients’. His many sayings clearly show his understanding of Ayurvedic medicine.
Content
1. Introduction
Historical origins
Divine origins:
Recorded history of Ayurveda
Ayurveda today
2. Ayurvedic philosophy
The six philosophies of Ayurveda
Sankhya Philosophy
- Purusha: Pure consciousness
- Prakruti: the divine mother
- Mahad: The cosmic Mind, or supreme intelligence
- Ahamkara: “I am”
- Buddhi: the individual intellect
- Manas -the individual mind
The three Gunas
- Sattva
- Rajas
- Tamas
Panchamahabhuta: the five great elements
- Akasha (Ether or Space)
- Vayu (Air)
- Agni (Fire)
- Jala or Apas (Water)
- Prithvi (Earth)
3. The Five Great Elements of Ayurveda
The twenty attributes of Ayurveda
The elements and ‘constitution’ types
- Ether
- Air
- Fire
- Water
- Earth
The five elements in relation to the human body
4. The Tri Dosha Theory
The three Dosha: Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Like increases like
Attributes of the tri Dosha
- VATA
- PITTA
- KAPHA
Dual types
Prakruti and Vikruti: the concept of balance and imbalance
Prakruti, our basic nature
Vikruti ‘our imbalance’
The concept of Ojas, Tejas and Prana
Ojas
Tejas
Prana
5. Ayurvedic Anatomy and Physiology Part 1
The sub Doshas
Sites of the Doshas in the body
The Doshas and their subtypes
6. Ayurvedic Anatomy and Physiology Part 2
“Agni and Ama”
The concept of Agni
The four main states of Agni
Agni and the Doshas
The 40 main types of Agni
The concept of Ama
Faulty food combinations
Correction of Ama
Signs of Ama
The three stages of Ama formation
Treatment for Ama is as follows
7. Ayurvedic Anatomy and Physiology Part 3
“The seven Dhatus”
Formation of the seven tissues (Dhatus)
Rasa Dhatu
Rakta Dhatu
Mamsa Dhatu
Medhas Dhatu
Asthi Dhatu
Majja Dhatu
Shukra Dhatu
Srotas and Malas
8. Tongue diagnosis
Vikruti (current imbalance)
Elements
Ama
Agni
Cracks and organs
Vata imbalanced
Pitta imbalanced
Kapha imbalanced
General imbalances
Immune system and the tongue
Pulse diagnosis
9. Ayurvedic diet and nutrition
The six tastes
Vata
Kapha
Pitta
Virya and Vipaka
Sweet
Sour
Salty
Spicy
Bitter:
Astringent
Effects of the tastes on the Doshic balance
Sweet
Sour
Salty
Spicy
Bitter
Astringent
Faulty food combinations
Vata reducing diet
Pitta reducing diet
Kapha reducing diet
AMA and AGNI
10. Ayurvedic Samprapti: the course of disease
The daily cycle
Seasonal Dosha changes
The six stages of disease
Stage 1: Accumulation
Stage 2: Provocation
Stage 3: Spread
Stage 4: deposition
Stage 5: Manifestation
Stage 6: destruction and degeneration
Entry of Doshas into Dhatus (from Vasant Lad)
Rasa Dhatu
Rakta Dhatu
Mamsa Dhatu
Medhas Dhatu
Asthi Dhatu
Majja Dhatu
Shukra Dhatu
Artava Dhatu
The first three stages of Samprapti and Dosha Gunas
The pathways of disease
Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
Herings Law of Cure
Movement of Dosha
11. Balancing techniques
Lifestyle recommendations “Rasayana”
Diet:
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Detoxification: Ayurvedic detoxing
Ayurvedic Panchakarma
Nasya
Vamana
Raktamokshana
Virechana
Basti
Mini Panchakarma
Massage
Vata massage
Pitta massage
Kapha massage
Self-massage
Nasya therapy
Oil pulling
Case study
Assessment methods
Synopsis Of Current Presenting Symptoms
Diet
Medication
General
Ayurvedic interpretation
Yoga balance for the Doshas
The four main aims of performing Yoga
General guidelines for Yoga practice
Yoga postures for Vata body type
Guidelines for Pitta predominant type
Guidelines for Kapha predominant type
Chakras
Chakra one: Root chakra
Chakra two: sacral
Third chakra: solar plexus
Fourth chakra, the heart chakra
Fifth chakra the throat chakra
Sixth chakra: the brow chakra
Seventh chakra: The crown chakra
Assignments
Conclusion