January – June 2023
Program Description
Join us in 2023 on a new adventure–the six-month “Āyurveda for YOU” course. Be a part of an intimate circle of people on a vitality tour! I designed this program to lovingly support you in learning about Āyurveda by living it. It is for those who are seeking Āyurvedic methods for physical, mental and spiritual health to fill the current universal longing for inner stability and peace. In addition to group classes, it includes personalized, step-by-step guidance for establishing Āyurvedic nutrition and lifestyle routines.
“Is this Course For Me?”
This course is for people who:
- Want to participate in a 6-month online introduction to Āyurveda course for personal enrichment and community support and/or
- Are considering getting certified as an Āyurvedic professional and would like to test the waters.
Get Organized Before January
To begin, I meet with you one-on-one in November or December for a two-hour Āyurvedic intake appointment. You share with me your intentions for the New Year as well as your complete health history. I guide you through a doṣa questionnaire to discover your prakṛti (Āyurvedic constitution) and your vikṛti (your current significant symptoms). Then I create an Āyurvedic program with nutritional and lifestyle recommendations specific to you, including a daily spice and tea blend to digest toxins and optimize your metabolism, absorption and utilization of the nutrients in your food. Next, we meet for a one-hour appointment to get you all set to begin your plan in January! In addition to the weekly group sessions (see below) from January-June, you and I meet once a month for one-hour appointments to discuss how you are doing.
Weekly Zoom Classes
Group Zoom sessions are from 6:30-8:30pm Central Time every Tuesday, from January 3rd through June 27th. The education you receive in these classes deepens your understanding of yourself through the Āyurvedic lens. You also learn the logic behind the recommendations in your personalized program. The momentum of the community inspires you to try new recipes and daily routine practices. We have a GroupMe chat so that we can share our experiences and ask each other questions during the week. You have access to the class recordings if you need to miss a class or if you are unable to attend live. Students on the AHC track (see below) are required to attend live classes.
Weekly “Invitations”
I will provide you with a
- Recipe of the week
- Daily routine practice
I call these “invitations” and not “assignments” or “challenges” because I want this to have a different feel than a guilt-inducing self-improvement operation. You choose from week-to-week what resonates with your spirit and allow the process to unfold in a graceful progression.
Learn from the Classical Texts
Radiant Living’s curriculum is based on the teachings of the original physicians/authors of the classical texts. What difference does that make? Speaking from my own experience, I completed my AHC, AP and Pañcakarma Technician certifications at a school where we used textbooks by modern authors. The classical concepts were over-simplified and blended with Allopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, social media myths, etc. The ideas were distorted to the point where I had to unlearn and relearn Āyurvedic Medicine when B.A.M.S. Doctors began teaching me and our students from the classical texts. I can see that our students who have started studying from the classical texts from the get-go are ready to be the most effective clinicians. This is to the greatest benefit of our clients. It also elevates the entire tradition and profession of Āyurveda when students go directly to the source for their learning. An added bonus is that studying the classical texts and memorizing the Sanskrit terminology prepares students who are certifying as Āyurvedic professionals to pass the National Āyurvedic Medical Association Certification Board exams.
Tuition
- Early Bird paid in full by December 1, 2022 – $3,000.00
- After December 1 – First payment due by January 1, 2023
- $3,300.00 paid in full or
- 6 monthly payments of $550.00
Additional Fees
- Approximately $50 per month for your personalized tea and spice mix, including shipping
- Textbook costs if you are doing the weekly assignments
Textbooks
The following information is for students who decide at any point during this program to apply their AFY hours and tuition to the Āyurvedic Health Counselor professional certification program. This does not apply to students who are taking this course for personal enrichment.
Transition to our Āyurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) Program in the fall of 2023 – Optional
The Āyurveda for YOU (AFY) course is an ideal way to explore if you would like to progress to our National Āyurvedic Medical Accreditation Council (NAMAC)-recognized and licensed (by the Texas Workforce Commision) professional certification programs. The six modules of this program, as well as tuition, are transferable to Radiant Living’s 600-hour Āyurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program. These trainings qualify you to add Āyurveda to your current professional offerings or establish an Āyurvedic career. The AFY and AHC programs count as prerequisites to our more advanced Āyurvedic Practitioner (AP) and Āyurvedic Doctor (AD) certification programs. Again, for those who plan to continue to the AHC certification, attendance at the weekly online classes is required. In addition, there are homework assignments (readings from the classical texts) and quizzes that go beyond the non-professional track weekly invitations. For those who are taking the course for personal enhancement, the reading assignments and quizzes are optional.
In-Person Clinical Trainings for the Āyurvedic Health Counselor Program
Following is a long-term vision of how your education will unfold when you choose to transition from the AFY program to the professional certification program(s) (AHC, AP and AD). We will take a break for the summer (2023) and resume our online AHC studies from September 2023-February 2024. Radiant Living follows the educational standards established by the National Āyurvedic Medical Accreditation Council. Professional certification requires 180 hours of in-person clinical training. We will determine the timing of these in-person trainings based on participant schedules and the availability of our venue–Inspiring Oaks Ranch–which is a beautiful retreat setting in the Texas Hill country. Tentatively, there will be one 9-day training in the spring of 2024 and one 9-day training in the fall of 2024. At this point, you can choose to continue to the Āyurvedic Practitioner certification program which begins in January of 2025. Students on the AP or AD track have the option of attending the Āyurvedic Body Therapy Training. This prepares you to guide clients through an American adaptation of pañcakarma.
Time Commitment
Personal Enrichment Students
- 1 hour orientation
- 2-hour one-on-one intake
- 1-hour Report of Findings appointment
- 6 1-hour monthly one-on-one follow-up appointments
- 52 hours – 26 2-hour group classes
- Optional hours for “homework” (preparing meals, self-care, reading, etc.)
Total = 62 hours minimum
AHC Track Students
Additional 188 hours – 26 weeks of 7+ hours of homework per week including cooking, daily routines, reading and quizzes.
Total = 250 hours
Schedule
Orientation
Meet on Tuesday, November 10th from 7:30-8:30pm Central Time to learn about the AFY program and get all your questions answered.
If you miss November’s orientation, meet on Tuesday, December 6th from 7:30-8:30pm Central Time.
SYLLABUS
PREPARATION MODULE
Organize
| Date | Topic |
| 11/10/22 and/or12/6/22 | Orientation |
| Nov or Dec | One-on-one intake with Patricia |
| Nov or Dec | One-on-one Report of Findings Appointment with Patricia |
| 12/1/22 | Early bird tuition due date |
| 1/1/23 | Non-early bird tuition due date |
| 1/2/23 | Day one of your personalized 2023 Āyurvedic program |
MODULE 1
Mahābhūtas (5 Elements) and their Guṇas (Qualities)
Doṣas (Humors), Prakṛti (Constitution) and Vikṛti (Imbalance)
Mahāgūṇas (Chief Qualities/Energies) – Sattva (Balance), Rajas (Hyperactivity), and Tamas (Inertia)
| Date | Topic |
| 1/3/23 | Opening ceremony Why do I want to study and live Āyurveda? Who are my classmates? What are my intentions in participating in this course? What are my classmates’ intentions? Why is now not the ideal time to suddenly detox from the holidays? |
| 1/10/23 | The Three Physical Doṣas – Vāta, Pitta and Kapha How do the pañca mahābhūtas (5 elements of earth, water, fire, water and space) show up in my body? Which of the gurvādi guṇas (ten pairs of opposing qualities) are predominant for me? What is my deha prakṛti (long-term physical constitution)? What is my current state of balance of the three doṣas? What is my clinical vikṛti (significant symptoms / imbalance)? What are the nidānas (causes for imbalance) of the doṣas for me and how do I stay in balance or rebalance? |
| 1/17/23 | Āyurveda and the Mind – The Three Mental Energies How do the mahāgūṇas (chief qualities/energies) of sattva (balance), rajas (hyperactivity), and tamas (inertia) manifest for me? What is my manas prakṛti (long-term mental constitution)? What is my current state of balance of sattva, rajas and tamas? What is my manas vikṛti (significant mental and emotional symptoms / imbalance)? What are the nidānas (causes for imbalance) of the doṣas of the mind (rajas and tamas) for me and how do I rebalance them? |
| 1/24/23 | Agni (the digestive fire / metabolism) Āma (Toxins) Why and how is healthy digestion and metabolism the source of all healthy tissue formation and function, immunity and vitality? What is the state of my agni (high, low, variable or balanced)? What are the signs and symptoms of āma and do I show any of them? Why is drinking hot water in the morning so important? Dīpana/pācana (spices that kindle agni and digest āma). Why am I taking a spice mix and drinking a personalized tea? |
MODULE 2
Āhāra – Diet / Nutrition
| Date | Topic |
| 1/31/23 | Āhāra (Food) Which of the ṣad rasas (6 tastes) are most balancing for me? Which vīrya (heating or cooling effect) is most balancing for me? What is vipāka (post-digestive effect) and what does it matter to me? What is prabhāva (special, unexpected effect) and does it matter for me? |
| 2/7/23 | Āyurvedic Cooking How do I get my kitchen set up for Āyurvedic cooking? What does Āyurveda have to say about pre and probiotics? How do Āyurvedic dietary guidelines and sādhanas (rituals for eating) help balance my doṣas, kindle agni, burn āma and enhance my psychological and spiritual functioning? |
| 2/14/23 | Valentine’s Day – Independent Study Menu Planning Create a 7-day meal plan for yourself that is optimal for your doṣas and your agni. Invent ways to address the various needs of your family members where applicable. |
MODULE 3
Dinacaryā – Daily Routines and Ṛtucaryā – Seasonal Routines
| Date | Topic |
| 2/21/23 | Dinacaryā and Rātricaryā – Daily and Nightly Routines What are Āyurvedic daily and nightly routines and which ones are most beneficial for me? Which types of exercise are most balancing to my constitution? What does Āyurveda have to say about sex? What are the indications and contraindications for each one of the daily routines? |
| 2/28/23 | Ṛtucaryā – Seasonal Routines How does adapting my nutrition and lifestyle to the season balance my physical and mental doṣas and optimize my overall health? What is the plan for modifying my program throughout the year? |
| 3/7/23 | Spring Monodiet Preparation Why is spring “Nature’s New Year?” What is a monodiet and what do I need to do to prepare for a week-long digestive reset? When is the best time for my schedule and climate to do my spring reset? |
| 3/14/23 | Spring Break – Independent Study Dinacaryā and Ṛtucaryā Practicum Firm up your spring reset plan. Create your Āyurvedic daily routineWrite down your seasonal adaptations. Gather all of your supplies and groceries for your monodiet week. Get your groceries later if you are not doing the monodiet in the coming week. Start your monodiet. Proposed dates: March 18th-24 (modify the dates if needed). |
| 3/21/23 | Monodiet Sharing For students who are in the middle of the monodiet: How is it going? How do you feel? What is challenging? What are your Āyurvedic triumphs? |
MODULE 4
Parīkṣā – Āyurvedic Diagnostic Methods
| Date | Topic |
| 3/28/23 | What does my poop say about me? |
| 4/4/23 | What does my tongue say about me? |
| 4/11/23 | What does my pulse say about me? |
MODULE 5
Auśadha – Medicine
Spices
| Date | Topic |
| 4/18/23 | Spices Tell me about each one of the digestive spices. Which spices pacify vāta, pitta and kapha? |
| 4/25/23 | Spice Practicum How do I create spice blends for myself and my family? What are the doses and directions for use for different people in my family? |
MODULE 6
Āyurvedic Skincare
Body Therapies
Pañcakarma
| Date | Topic |
| 5/2/23 | Āyurvedic Skincare Which skincare regimen is best for my skin type? What are the best Āyurvedic skincare products? What does Āyurveda say about essential oils? |
| 5/9/23 | Āyurvedic Body Therapies What are the finer details of abhyaṅga (warm oil application)? What is svedana (sweat therapy)? What is śirodhāra? What is marma therapy? What is udvartana? What is nasya therapy? |
| 5/16/23 | Pañckarma What is pañcakarma? Would I benefit from going through it? Why or why not? Where do you recommend I go for pañcakarma? |
MODULE 7
Āyurveda’s Allied Sciences
| Date | Topic |
| 5/23/23 | Yoga and Āyurveda What is Āyurvedic yoga? Are there yoga āsanas (postures / movements) that are more balancing for my doṣas than others? Are there prāṇāyama practices (breathing techniques) that will harmonize me more than others? Are there mantras that are more helpful for me than others? |
| 5/30/23 | Vāstuśāstra – Vedic Architectural Science What is Vāstu? What are Yantras? What are some simple measures I can take to enhance my well-being by organizing my living space according to Vāstu principles? |
| 6/6/23 | Jyotiṣa – Āyurvedic Astrology What is Jyotiṣa? How can Jyotiṣa shed light on my life? Can an Āyurvedic Astrologer predict my future? |
MODULE 8
Āyurveda for a Healthy Mind
| Date | Topic |
| 6/13/23 | The Three Methods of Manasika Cikitsā (Treatment of the Mind) What are the methods for enhancing mental and spiritual health in Āyurveda? Are there certain colors that are more balancing for me than others? Are there certain metals and/or gems that balance the doṣas of my mind better than others? |
| 6/20/23 | Prāṇa (vital energy), Tejas (radiance) and Ojas (essence of life) What are prāṇa, tejas and ojas and how do I enhance them in myself? |
| 6/27/23 | Final Class What was most helpful for you about this course? Did your intentions come to fruition? What is your plan with regards to Āyurveda moving forward? |
Grades
For students on the professional track: Keep up-to-date regarding your grades which are all housed in the Canvas classroom. Canvas automatically calculates your grades.
Refund Policy
Students receive a full refund of all money paid if you cancel within three-business-days after enrolling. If you decide to drop the course within the first 30 days after class starts and you have paid in full at the early bird price, you will be refunded $2,250.00. If you have paid the non-early bird tuition, you will be refunded $2,500. If you pay monthly tuition, you will not receive a refund for the first month and you will owe $250 for the initial one-on-one appointments. After the first month of class, there are no refunds and no withdrawals. If a life situation arises that prevents you from participating in the course, you will have all the materials and recordings to do independent study at a later time.
Honor this Ancient Science
The “Āyurveda for YOU” course is offered through Radiant Living Yoga and Āyurveda and not the Radiant Living Academy of Āyurveda. It is not licensed or regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) nor recognized as a professional certification program by the National Āyurvedic Medical Accreditation Board (NAMAC). This training is for personal enrichment and is not meant to prepare you to assist clients. Students who continue to the Radiant Living professional programs transfer their credits and apply their AFY tuition to the Radiant Living Academy of Āyurveda which is licensed and regulated by the TWC and recognized by NAMAC. There are myriad choices for Āyurvedic schools in the U.S. “Professional” programs that are not recognized by NAMAC are not cooperating in the process of advancing Āyurveda toward being a licensed profession. By choosing Radiant Living and other NAMAC-approved professional programs you are following the highest of industry standards and contributing to the progression toward Āyurveda becoming a licensed profession. Most importantly, you are honoring this sacred medical science and its culture of origin as well as cultivating the clinical skills that are of highest benefit to your clients.
