Ayurveda is a holistic system of healthcare and preventative medicine which was 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. 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 places 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.
Currently SCU offers two levels of Ayurvedic certificate programs:
1. Ayurvedic Wellness Educator (600 hrs.)
2. Ayurvedic Practitioner (1500 hrs.)
Class Start Date is: Saturday, May 4, 2013
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.
Ayurvedic Wellness Educator
During this one year program, students will learn basic principles of Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Ayurvedic History, Ayurvedic preventive science, yoga, Ayurvedic nutrition, Ayurvedic pathology, Ayurvedic herbology and pharmaceutics/home remedies, Ayurvedic detoxification methods and bodywork, Ayurvedic rejuvenation and basic understanding of common diseases. Students also will receive supervised internship at the SCU health center.
Upon completion, students will receive the Ayurvedic wellness educator certificate. Students will be able to practice self-healing, and guide individuals and groups through educational seminars on the traditional principles and practices of the Ayurvedic way of life. Their scope of practice emphasizes education on prevention of imbalances and the promotion of wellness on all levels of being, using the life-enhancing modalities and philosophy of Ayurveda. Approaches include appropriate dietary, lifestyle, yoga, meditation, and health- promoting herbal recommendations. Assessment tools used by Ayurvedic Educators enable them to determine the individual’s body constitution, and the balanced and unbalanced states of the doshas (natural energy), agni (digestive fire), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste products).
COURSE OUTLINE
Program Breakdown
- In Classroom study 220hrs.
- Virtual class room: 75 hrs.
- E learning: 205 hrs.
- Clinic: 100 hrs.
Ayurvedic Practitioner
After completion of the Ayurvedic wellness educator program, students can complete an additional 900 hrs education and receive the certificate for Ayurvedic Practitioner. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of basic principles of Ayurveda, yoga, Ayurvedic pathology, History taking, Ayurvedic physical examination, Ayurvedic herbology and pharmaceutics, Ayurvedic detoxification methods and bodywork and marma points, Ayurvedic rejuvenation and Ayurvedic disease managements.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to determine the vikriti (imbalances) of an individual’s body and mind; will be able to design a treatment plan to realign unbalanced states of the doshas ( natural energy), agni (digestive fire), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste products).
COURSE OUTLINE for second year
Program Breakdown for second year
- In Classroom study: 240 hrs.
- Virtual class room: 75 hrs.
- E learning: 241 hrs.
- Clinic: 244 hrs.
- Projects: 100 hrs.
Why SCU
• We offer 2 levels of authentic Ayurvedic programs at SCU; Ayurvedic Wellness Educator and Ayurvedic Practitioner programs.
• We offer weekend and online education modules
• 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 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
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.
