Program Description and AHC Scope of Practice
The Ayurvedic Health Counselor program provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of fundamental Ayurvedic concepts. Ayurvedic Health Counselors are competent in health promotion and disease prevention. They utilize the principles of Ayurvedic medicine to create diet and lifestyle recommendations according to their assessment of the client’s Ayurvedic constitution and imbalances, state of the doṣas, agni (metabolism), dhātus (tissues), malas (waste products), and manas (mind). They educate, motivate and counsel clients in order to support them to be successful in implementing the principles of Ayurveda into their lives. Ayurvedic Counselors refer clients whose disease state is beyond the third stage to Ayurvedic Practitioners or Ayurvedic Doctors.
Class Schedule 2023 School Year
Class Days and Times
- Enrollment period: 1/1/23-3/31/23
- Starting and finishing dates for weekly live online classes: 4/5/23-3/27/24
- Finishing date for in-person internship and all other requirements: 3/31/25
Online Classes
- The first class is Wednesday 4/5/23 from 6-9pm Central Time.
- All subsequent weekly classes are online on Wednesdays from 6-9pm Central, excluding holidays.
In-Person Clinical Internship in San Antonio, Texas
- 2/1/24-2/11/24 – 8am-12pm; 1-5pm daily
- 1/30/25-2/9/25 – 8am-12pm; 1-5pm daily
Deadline to finish all AHC requirements including the coursework, Anatomy and Physiology and the internship : March 31, 2025.
AHC Curriculum
MODULE 1
History, Philosophy and Language of Ayurveda
| History of Ayurveda, Eight branches of Ayurveda, the Four Vedas, Three Early Ayurvedic texts, Classical Texts |
| Ṣad Darśana – Six Schools of Indian Philosophy |
| Introduction to Sanskrit |
| The Four Puruṣārthas (Aims of Life), Three Pillars of Life, Three Causes of Disease |
MODULE 2
Bhūtavidyā / Manovijñāna – Ayurveda and the Body- Mind – Soul
| Ayurveda and Yoga – Concepts of the Body, Mind and Spirit: Sthūlaśarīra – the Physical Body, Sūkṣma / Liṅgaśarīra – the Subtle/Astral Body, Kāraṇaśarīra – the Causal/Karmic Body |
| Manas Prakṛti and Vikṛti The Mahāguṇas – Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, Three Subdoṣas of the Physical Mind (Cognition) – Prāṇa Vāyu, Sādhaka Pitta, Tarpaka Kapha |
| Prāṇa (vital energy), Tejas (radiance) and Ojas (essence of life) Vijñanam |
| The Three Methods of Manasika Cikitsā (Treatment of the Mind) |
MODULE 3
Mahābhūtas, Guṇas, Doṣas, Prakṛti, Vikṛti, Subdoṣas – Ayurvedic Anatomy and Physiology
| Pañca Mahābhūtas – 5 Elements; 3 Doṣas; Gurvādi guṇas – Ten Pairs of Opposing Qualities; Deha Prakṛti – Long-Term Physical State of Health; Short-Term Physical State of Health; Clinical Vikṛti – Significant Symptoms |
| Subdoṣa Introduction; Vāta Subdoṣas |
| Pitta Subdoṣas; Kapha Subdoṣas |
| Prakṛti, Vikṛti, Subdoṣa Practicum |
MODULE 4A
Agni, Āma, 3 Malas – Digestive Fire, Toxic Residue, Waste Products
| Agni – The Digestive Fire |
| Āma – Toxins; Three Main Malas – Waste Products |
| Agni, Āma and the 3 Malas Practicum |
MODULE 4B
Saptadhātus – The Seven Tissues
| The Dhātus – The Seven Tissues |
| Dhātu and Mala Vijñanam; Dhātus Practicum |
MODULE 5
Srotāṃsi / Srotasas / Channels
| Srotasas / Srotāṃsi / Channels |
| Sroto Vijñanam: Disorders of the Bodily Channels |
| Srotasas Practicum |
MODULE 6
Āhāra – Diet / Nutrition
| Dravyaguṇa Vijñāna, Ṣad Rasa – 6 Tastes; Rasa, Vīrya, Vipāka, Prabhāva |
| Āhāra (Diet) / Ayurvedic Cooking |
| Āyurvedic dietetic rules; Eating with the Seasons |
| Food Sādhana (Rituals of Eating); The microbiome: Pre and Probiotics |
MODULE 7
Auśadha / Bheṣaja – Medicine / Herbs / Spices / Minerals
| Introduction to Ayurvedic herbalism: year one herbs; Herbal Rasa, Vīrya, Vipāka, Prabhāva; Herbal Actions |
| Dose, Herb Sourcing, Sustainability, Safety, Herb-Drug Interaction, etc. |
| Vāta, Pitta and Kapha Tea Blends and Spice Mixes |
| Herb Practicum |
MODULE 8
Nidāna Pañchakam, Śad Kryākāla / Saṁprāpti, Vyādhi / Roga – Five Clinical Barometers, Six Stages of Pathogenesis, Disease
| Śad Kryākāla / Saṁprāpti; Vyadhi/roga Marga |
| Nidāna Pañcakam – The Five Clinical Barometers |
| Trividha Parīkṣā – Three-fold diagnostic method; Daśa Vidha Parīkṣā Tenfold diagnostic methodology; Vital Signs |
| Aṣṭavidha Parīkṣā – Eight-fold Diagnostic Method |
MODULE 9
Cikitsā, Vihāra – Treatment / Therapy, Sacred Lifestyle
| Dvididhopakramaṇīya – Laṅghanabṛṁhaṇīya – Two Kinds of Therapies Part I – Śamana – Doṣa Pacification |
| Dvididhopakramaṇīya – Laṅghanabṛṁhaṇīya – Two Kinds of Therapies Part II Rasāyana Vājīkaraṇa Cikistsā – Tonification and Rejuvenation |
| Vihāra Chikitsā – Dinacaryā – Daily Routines, Ṛtucaryā – Seasonal Routines |
| Intelligent Management of Energy: Sleep, Sex, Exercise, Five Senses, Work-Life Balance, Money / Finances |
MODULE 10
5 Sense Therapies
| Introduction to Cikitsā for the Jñānendriya (5 Sensory Organs) / Ūrdhvāñga Cikitsā / Śalakya Tantra ENT – Oral Hygiene, Care for Eyes, Ears, Mouth, Nose and Skin |
| Touch Therapy: Skincare, Massage Marma Therapy |
| Aromatherapy |
| Sound Therapy – Mantra, Meditation Visual Therapy – Color, Gems, Yantra |
MODULE 11
Introduction to Prasūti Tantra, Kaumārabhṛtya – Obstetrics and Pediatrics
| Introduction to Prasuti – Obstetrics / Āyurvedic Preconception |
| Āyurvedic Pregnancy and Postpartum |
| Introduction to Kaumārabhṛtya / Bālacikitsā – Pediatrics / Children’s Health |
| Yoga Cikitsā – Yoga Therapy Part I |
MODULE 12
Yoga / Tantra, Jyotiṣa – Ayurvedic Astrology
Vāstuśāstra – Architectural Science
| Yoga Therapy Part II; Tantra |
| Jyotiṣa – Ayurvedic Astrology |
| Vāstuśāstra – Architectural Science |
AHC Internship
Click here for the internship details.
The AHC Internship happens concurrently with the regular school year and may last up to one year (3/31/25) after the completion of the AHC coursework. If all AHC requirements (internship, anatomy and physiology and all Canvas assignments) are not completed by said date, the intern must pay a $1,000.00 extension fee for an additional 6 months to complete the requirements. Studies may not be continued after the 6-months extension (9/30/25).
Anatomy and Physiology Pre/Corequisite
AHC Students must fulfill at least four credits of a college-level Anatomy and Physiology pre/corequisite in order to obtain certification. The due date for completion is the same for the internship (3/21/25). Refer to this document for options for fulfilling this requirement.
National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board AHC Exam
For students on the NAMA track, there is an AHC board exam. The cost for registration for the AHC board exam is $375. For more information, visit the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) Website. Completion of the NAMACB AHC board exam, although highly encouraged, is not required by the Radiant Living Academy of Āyurveda in order to graduate.
AHC Tuition and Fees for Textbooks, etc.
- Full tuition is $5,000 and must be paid in monthly installments (at no monthly interest charge). An initial payment of $600 must be received via Venmo, Zelle, check or money order at least five days prior to the first scheduled class (9/2/22). 11 remaining payments of $400 will be assessed on the first of the month using the card on file.
There is a discount for the quarterly plan or one full tuition payment.
- Quarterly Tuition Plan – 5% Discount: An initial payment of $1,150 must be received via Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer, check or money order at least five days prior to the first scheduled class (9/2/22). Three remaining quarterly payments of $1,200 will be assessed to the card on file on the first of the month of each quarter (12/1/23, 3/1/23, 6/1/23). Total Tuition: $4,750 (at no monthly interest charge).
Full Tuition Upfront – 10% Discount: A full payment of $4,500 must be received via Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer, check or money order at least five days prior to the first scheduled class (9/2/22).
Estimated Fee for the in-person internship for students in the NAMA-recognized professional level Ayurvedic Health Counselor program: $1,950 per 11-day intensive. Travel is not included in this fee. Room and board may or may not be included depending on the number of attendees and venue.
Textbook and Other Fees
Students are required to purchase their textbooks. The estimated cost is $400. Purchase books and other supplies from any available store or online vendor. Click here for links to the correct editions of the classical texts. Radiant Living provides digital lecture notes, slides, worksheets, quizzes, exams and the internship forms via Google Drive and Canvas. Students should plan accordingly for additional costs related to their studies, including an internet connection, computer, travel, accommodations, etc.
Anatomy and Physiology Class Estimated Fee – $350
