2009 - 2010 Curriculum

ACTA will offer two levels of certification: CAP - Certified Ayurveda Practitioner (16-weekend intensives) and AYS – Ayurveda Yoga Specialist or ATS – Ayurveda Therapeutics Specialist (6-weekend intensives).

There are four “core” intensives, required for all certification candidates. CAP candidates will take an additional twelve intensives. AYS candidates will take two additional intensives specific to yoga (must be in serial order). ATS candidates will take two additional intensives specific to therapeutics (must be in serial order).

Apprentice and/or clinical hours that will be required for certifications are not covered in the following curriculum list.

Core Intensives

Immersions Retreat – Living Ayurveda
Combining focused study, practical application and community building, we will study the tridosha within the context of nutrition, dinacharya (daily routine) and yoga, lightly touching on ritucharya (seasonal routine), to establish nourishment and self-care for the weekend. From this vantage we will explore the history of Ayurveda, its place in the Vedas of India and its place in Samkhya Philosophy. These foundations will be revealed by experienced Ayurveda Practitioners, bringing the concepts to life. You will go home with the tools needed to establish or deepen the use of Ayurveda in your life.

Anatomy and Physiology for Ayurveda, Part I Relationship of the individual body/mind complex to nature and the cosmos. Perspective of Ayurveda on the five tanmatras (elements), the twenty gunas (qualities), the three doshas (biochemistries), the seven Dhatus (tissues) and the three malas (wastes).

Anatomy and Physiology for Ayurveda, Part II Perspective of Ayurveda on the three doshas and each of their five subtypes. Exploration of the three subtle forces, ojas, tejas and prana as well as the body's organs and strotas (channels) and the agni (digestive power) of each.

Psychology for Ayurveda Perspective of Ayurveda on the manas (mind) and its relationship to the body and the personality. Exploration of the gunas and how they relate to the mind and the tridosha . We will cover therapeutic options and their affects on manas including yoga, mantra, mudra , meditation and body based therapies.  

Specialty Intensives - Yoga

Yoga and Ayurveda – Fundamentals In depth review of the principles of anatomy and physiology of Ayurveda that are activated by a sana and mudra practice. Designing an a sana sequence to pacify each of the doshas bringing to bear considerations of time-of-day, dinacharya (daily routine) and ritucharya (seasonal routine). The focus of this intensive will be class design and leadership.

Yoga and Ayurveda – Advanced Defining therapeutic goals and designing and a sana sequence, mundra or pranavama practice for individual client needs or for specific imbalances and discomforts. The focus of this intensive will be on individualizing suggestions during classes or working one-on-one. Prerequisite: Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200-hour level or permission of ACTA based on substantial progress toward such certification.

Specialty Intensives - Therapeutics

Therapeutics and Ayurveda – Fundamentals In depth review of the principles in Anatomy and Physiology of Ayurveda that are activated by specific therapeutic choices when doing body work. Defining therapeutic goals and designing a therapeutic session for the client. Covering basic abyanga (oiling techniques), head massage, foot massage, nasya, swedana (steaming techniques) plus oil selection and sequencing to pacify each of the doshas.

Therapeutics and Ayurveda – Advanced Defining therapeutic goals and designing a therapeutic session for specific imbalances and discomforts. Covering Marmachikjtsa (energy point therapy), additional Abyanga (oiling techniques), friction and pacing techniques, karana basti (ears) and Shirodhara (oil streaming). The focus of this intensive will be on individualizing client sessions.

Specialty Intensives - Practitioners

Doshas , Sub- Doshas and Gunas In depth exploration of the twenty gunas. The five sub-types for each dosha ; vata, pitta and kapha, their characteristics, roles in physiology, primary and secondary sites and fundamentals of their management.

Digestion and Nutrition The six rasas (tastes), their psychology and pharmacology and how they affect digestion. In depth study of agni (digestion), its products and by-products plus absorption and utilization. The thirty-six agnis (digestive powers), their roles in the body, and the nutrition cycles. How the Ayurveda food lists are created.

Dhatus (Tissues), Organs and Systems We will explore each of the seven dhatus in depth. These are Rasa, Rakta Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and Shukra/Artava The nutrition cycle of the dhatus.

Srotas (Channels) and Nadis (Meridians) We work from the super-subtle to the gross as we explore the body sheaths (myokoshas) and the channel definitions and their functions. Ojas, Tejas, Prana (Subtle Forces) the roles they play in both mind and body

Samprapti (Disease/Wellness Continuum)

Client Evaluation, Part I for specific imbalances

Client Evaluation, Part II for specific imbalances

Ayurveda Protocols and Herbology, Part I for specific imbalances

Ayurveda Protocols and Herbology, Part II for specific imbalances

Ayurveda Professional Practice Ayurveda Protocols for Common Western Ailments; Record Keeping, Ethical & Business Considerations

 

Additional Requirements for Certification

Certified Ayurveda Practitioner

  1. Certified Ayurveda Practitioner requires prior or concurrent completion of two semesters of college level anatomy and physiology
  2. In addition to the Sanskrit covered during various intensives, there will be a requirement to complete selected Sanskrit material. This will be done through audio and/or online tutorials or through attending a separate course that covers an overview of the Sanskrit language, chanting the alphabet, learning basic noun declensions and verb conjugations and the basic vocabulary of Ayurveda and Yoga.
  3. There will be a requirement for internship that can be met with clinical intensive attendance followed by one-on-one pairings with a CAP mentor to reach the required hours.
  4. Each ACTA CAP is responsible for applying for national standing with the professional association(s) of their own choosing, for example NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association).

Ayurveda Yoga Specialist

  1. Existing national certification/registration with Yoga Alliance , or equivalent, at the 200-hour level.
  2. In addition to the Sanskrit covered during various intensives, there will be a requirement to complete selected Sanskrit material. This will be done through audio and/or online tutorials or through attending a separate course that covers an overview of the Sanskrit language, chanting the alphabet, learning basic noun declensions and verb conjugations and the basic vocabulary of Ayurveda and Yoga.
  3. Completing required AYS Apprenticeship hours.

Ayurveda Therapeutics Specialist

  1. Existing state licensed massage certification or another therapeutic touch credential specifically approved by ACTA upon application to the program.
  2. Completing required ATS Apprenticeship hours.

 

 

 

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