Āyurvedic Health Coach
Focus on diet and lifestyle for root cause resolution

Enrollment options  |  Eligibility  |  Instructors  |  Courses  |  Sample Classes  |  Schedule
Costs  |  Payments (Audit)  |  Payments (Certificate)  |  Books  |  Common Q&A

Level 1 

Svastha Āchārya

Āyurvedic Health Coach
330 hours (Audit)  |  630+ hours (Certificate)

Audit or Certificate Enrollment Options

Online with live class schedules for Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas
Weekly with Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS 

Enrollment options

Audit the Svastha Āchārya (SA) Program

Total cost, $4,877 USD

The Audit SA Program is for students who wish to deepen their understanding and knowledge of classical Āyurveda, but do not intend to practice as a Svastha Āchārya (SA), or continue with advanced professional training.

It includes:

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• All SA professional training course material

• Access to online course material for three enrollment years

• In the first enrollment year only:

  • Two hours of weekly live classes with Jessica Vellela, BAMS

  • One hour of weekly, individual mentoring with a practicing SA​

  • Additional access can be purchased in the second and third years

• No homework or examinations

• No internship, clinical or practical training

• No A&P prerequisite is required, however it is recommended

• No Certificate of Completion

2

Certificate of Completion for the Svastha Āchārya (SA) Program

Total cost, $6,877 USD

The Certificate SA Program is for students who intend to practice Āyurveda professionally as a Svastha Āchārya (SA), or continue with professional training.

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It includes:

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• Required minimum prerequisites of A&P and Sanskrit

• Attendance requirement for live classes of 80%

• Regular, active participation in live classes

• Regular study of 15-30 hours per week (or more)

• All SA professional training course material

• Access to online course material for three enrollment years

• Two hours of weekly live classes with Jessica Vellela, BAMS

• In the first enrollment year only:

  • One hour of weekly, individual mentoring with a practicing SA​​

  • Additional access can be purchased in the second and third years

• Required homework, written examinations and oral examinations

• Ten-week, intensive internship with live clinical and practical training

• Final Certificate of Completion

Requirements for all applicants

Be 18 years of age or older by August 15, 2022.

Requirements for Certificate Program applicants

STEAM, healthcare, relevant background or experience

College-level Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

Multilingual preferred

High learning potential, strong memorization, logical analysis, critical thinking

The main instructor for the SA Program is Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS. During Clinical Term, students train under Ayurvedic professionals at the SA and AA levels.

SA PREP

Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS

• Recorded lectures

  • AYU-100, ​28 hours

  • Sanskrit, 18 hours

• Live classes

  • Sanskrit, 12 hours

SEMESTERS 1 & 2

Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS

• Recorded lectures

  • 6 hours/week

• Live Q&A

  • 2 hours/week

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Practicing SA Mentor 

• Live, one-on-one mentoring

  • 1 hour/week

Practicing SA Mentor

• Live clinical preparation​

• Live case reviews and documentation 

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Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS

• Live intake sessions​

• Live case reviews (4 hours/week)

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Dr. Prasanth Dharmarajan, PhD (Ayu) 

• Guest Lecturer

The SA Program trains students on core principles of Āyurvedic Medicine to support diet and lifestyle interventions in clinical practice. 

The program includes 11 academic courses plus 2 clinical courses. Total hours vary between 630-700 based on time spent during clinical internship. Additional study hours are not included here.

SA Preparatory Study, 60 hours
Self-paced, plus live Sanskrit practice

SA PREP

Essential Sanskrit, Part One

Introduction to the language of Sanskrit through transliteration focusing on the Devanāgarī alphabet, syllables and phonetics. Practice live recitation and memorization with correction of pronunciation.

• Define Sanskrit, describe its history

• Define translation and transliteration

• Read, write and recite the transliterated Devanāgarī alphabet

• Explain phonetics of each syllable

SA PREP

Essential Sanskrit, Part Two

Practice Sanskrit word formation and dissection with examples. Learn and apply the concepts of schwa and virāma, akṣhara formation, half consonants, conjunct consonants and basic sandhi.

SA PREP

Essential Sanskrit, Part Three

Memorize 30 core Āyurvedic terms in transliterated Devanāgarī. Define each term, disambiguate meanings and explain concepts. Provide synonyms, antonyms and Anglicizication of Sanskrit terms.

• Learn terms in groups of five through six lessons in the workbook

• Discuss terms in live class, and practice pronunciation

• Explain word dissection of each term

SA PREP

Introduction to professional Āyurveda

A formal introduction covering relevant, general knowledge, history and sciences through local, national and international perspectives. Students prepare to bridge concepts between Āyurveda and Western sciences for clinical practice.

• Define Āyurveda and TAM, scope, purposes, branches, and development

• Explain Western science theories applicable to clinical Āyurveda

• Describe legalities of practice

Semester 1, 135 hours
Pre-recorded lecture, live Q&A, one-on-one mentoring

SEMESTER 1

Professional Āyurveda for the SA

Scope and practice of professional Āyurveda for the SA. Learn ethics, standards and expectations. Compare to similar healthcare professions through current academic journals and professional literature on national and global levels.

• Define and specify SA scope of practice

• Explain PC, AA scope of practice, referral procedures, collaborative practice

• Discuss current issues in professional Āyurveda nationally and globally

SEMESTER 1

Sanskrit for the SA

Build on Sanskrit knowledge with advanced rules for syllables, sandhi, dhātus, prefixes and suffixes with word dissection and formation. Master common terms for this professional level. Memorize key śhlokas through exercises of splitting words and sandhis.

• Demonstrate word formation, dissection, all basic sandhi splits in common terms

• Identify, define and explain dhātus, prefixes and suffixes

• Recite and write key śhlokas in transliterated Devanāgarī

45

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 1

The human body in Āyurveda (Śhārīra)

Explore and memorize classical perspectives of the human body and their clinical applications. Review prakṛti, manas, saṁhanana, nidrā, ātma, sṛṣhṭi utpatti in detail. Practice direct classical reading to increase experience and proficiency.

• Explain classical Āyurvedic anatomy, reproduction and life span

• Define, classify and detail prakṛti, manas, saṁhanana, nidrā, ātma, sṛṣhṭi utpatti with classical references.

SEMESTER 1

Semester 2, 135 hours
Pre-recorded lecture, live Q&A, one-on-one mentoring

45

SEMESTER 2

Therapeutic management in Āyurveda (Nidāna & Chikitsā)

Review the foundations of therapeutic management in classical Āyurveda with a strong focus on identifying causative factors for disease. Explore the wide range of Āyurvedic management protocols through internal and external interventions with their classical and current practices.

45

SEMESTER 2

Classical study I

Review key sections of the Charaka Saṃhitā, Suśhruta Saṃhitā, Aṣhṭāṅga Hṛdaya and Bhāva Prakāśha through English translations. Learn topics and concepts via the direct, classical perspective from the definitive text on Internal Medicine in classical Āyurveda. Synthesize cumulative knowledge from the program through classical presentations and enhance skills in clinical applications. 

• Read and review select chapters from sūtra-sthāna, nidāna-sthāna, vimāna-sthāna, śhārīra-sthāna, indriya-sthāna and chikitsā-sthāna (Charaka Saṃhitā).

• Read and review select chapters from sūtra-sthāna (Suśhruta Saṃhitā, Aṣhṭāṅga Hṛdaya) and pūrva khāṇḍa (Bhāva Prakāśha).

AYU-132

SEMESTER 2

Clinical Term, Internship, 300+ hours
Live case intakes, live case reviews, daily practice

only for Certificate students 

SA clinical orientation

Manage clinical cases online from screening through follow-up. Clinical orientation occurs live for 6.5 hours every day, Mon through Fri (with a break). Each student can reserve one-hour sessions for case introduction, live AA screen, care plan review and Q&A. All sessions are recorded.

• Complete a minimum of one case presentation with screening, intake, management plan and later follow-up.

• Record case encounters, session notes, management instructions, health tracking, and assessment of appropriate Āyurvedic clinical investigations.

SA clinical practice

Interns manage clinical cases online or in-person for 10 weeks using the same intake, screen and review process. Interns practice in individual and collaborative environments on classmate partner cases, known friends and family, and new clients, under supervision of an AA (Āyurveda Āchārya) or PC (Parichāraka), along with experienced SAs (Svastha Āchāryas). Interns are encouraged to charge nominal rates for services and earn income during internship.

• Complete and record a minimum of 50 case encounters (via telehealth, phone or two-way electronic communication).

• Record case encounters, session notes, management instructions, health tracking, and assessment of appropriate Āyurvedic clinical investigations.

• Perform case management independently and collaboratively.

Experience part of an interactive, online class. This clip is from AYU-120, Core principles of Āyurveda (Siddhānta) where we review questions from Volume 2, chapter 4, about the doṣhas in context of time at varying geographical latitudes.

Timelines and Schedules

Preparatory Study

• Start early

• Complete by August 20, 2022

• College-level Human Anatomy & Physiology, I and II (Certificate applicants only)

• 30 hours of Essential Sanskrit, in three workshops, plus additional study

• 30 hours of AYU-100 (Introduction to professional Āyurveda), plus additional study

• Watch lectures, read, attend live class, complete homework and exams

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Optional early start for Semester 1

• Students who enroll early can access all recorded lectures for Semester 1 and begin studying by paying Semester 1 tuition in advance.

• Highly recommended for all students who want to complete the program successfully on time

2

Welcome and Orientation

• Europe Americas: Friday, August 26, 2022 at regular class time

• Asia Pacific: Saturday, August 27, 2022 at regular class time

• With Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS

3

Semesters 1 and 2

• 15 weeks each

• 9 hours/week

  • 6 hours recorded lecture

  • 2 hours live class, with Jessica Vellela, BAMS

  • 1 hour mentoring, with a practicing SA

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Semester 1 Timeline

• September 2 - December 10, 2022

• Midterms, October 16 - 23, 2022

• Finals, December 4 - 10, 2022

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Semester 2 Timeline

• January 6 - April 15, 2023

• Midterms, February 12 - 19, 2023

• Finals, April 9 - 15, 2023​

4

Schedule for live classes with Jessica Vellela, BAMS

* Classes may change between these two schedules with at least one week advance notice

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Schedule A  (Asia Pacific)

• US time zones

  • Eastern Time: Fridays, 6p-8p

  • Central Time: Fridays, 5p-7p

  • Mountain Time: Fridays, 4p-6p

  • Pacific Time: Fridays, 3p-5p

• Australian time zones

  • Eastern Time: Saturdays, 8a-10a (AEST) / 10a-12p (AEDT)

Schedule B (Europe Americas)

• US time zones

  • Eastern Time: Fridays, 9a-11a

  • Central Time: Fridays, 8a-10a

  • Mountain Time: Fridays, 7a-9a

  • Pacific Time: Fridays, 6a-8a

• Australian time zones

  • Eastern Time: Saturdays, 6p-8p (AEST and AEDT)

5

Schedule for mentoring with a practicing SA

• Mentor checks progress with questions about the week's material

• One hour per week, 40 weeks total

  • Semester 1, 15 weeks

  • Semester 2, 15 weeks

  • Clinical Term, 10 weeks

• US time zones

  • Wednesdays​

• Australia time zones

  • Thursdays​

• Other days may be available upon request

6

Clinical Term, Internship

• 10 weeks total

• 27+ hours/week

• April 21 - June 23, 202

• For Certificate students only

1st week: Clinical Orientation

• April 21 (US) or April 22 (Australia)

• Two hour class at regular class time​

• One hour mentoring at regular time

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2nd week: Intake Sessions

• April 24 - 29, 2023

• 6 - 7 hours daily with breaks

• Class schedules will be announced during Spring 2023

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3rd to 10th weeks: Clinical Practice

• May 1 - June 24, 2023

• 27+ hours per week

• Flexible schedule​s for SA client sessions, documentation, research

• Two live classes per week for case presentations

  • US time zones

    • Mondays and Fridays, at regular class time​

  • Australia time zones

    • Tuesdays and Saturdays, at regular class time​

International students (outside the US) are encouraged to apply and request a tuition rate conversion to their local currency. We cannot guarantee that all requests will be approved, but we always work with serious students to make the knowledge and training accessible.

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Additional costs that are the responsibility of the student include
 

• Personal computer equipment

• Internet and connectivity costs

• Books and other learning tools not listed above

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Credits and Refund Policy

• Payments made can be credited toward future education

• No refunds for any payments

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Admissions interview fee

• Pay in advance to schedule the interview appointment

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Essential Sanskrit Workshops

• Paid separately through Teachable, prior to enrollment

  • Essential Sanskrit, Part One​

  • Essential Sanskrit, Part Two

  • Essential Sanskrit, Part Three

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Introduction to professional Ayurveda (AYU-100)

• Paid separately, prior to enrollment

  • AYU-100​

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Program Tuition

• Includes Semester 1, Semester 2 and Clinical tuition (if applicable)

• Semester 1 tuition is due at the beginning of the semester

• Semester 2 tuition is due at the beginning of the semester

• Clinical term tuition is due at the beginning of the term

• Students can withdraw from the program at any time

• Paid tuition can be applied to any future program if unable to complete in the registered year

• Students maintain access to all program materials including lectures, digital media and more until completion of the program, or three years of inactivity.

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Books and equipment, Variable

Textbooks, computer equipment, internet connectivity and other study materials are the sole responsibility of the student.

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Multiyear fee, $300 per year

Students who complete the program over multiple years pay tuition once. From the second year onward, an additional $300 annual administrative fee is required to continue enrollment.

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Late fee, $100 per incident

Late tuition payments for any portion of the program (beyond the grace period) are subject to a $100 late fee. Students can email in advance to request a payment extension and waive the late fee.

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Special circumstances and options

• Students can request alternate payment plans

• International students can request tuition conversion to local currency

Payments (Audit)

Electronic payments only with all major credit and debit cards. All amounts are in US Dollars.

Payment options for the Svastha Āchārya (Āyurvedic Health Coach) Audit Program include

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• One payment for complete program tuition of $4,000 USD

• Two payments for Semester 1 ($2,000) and Semester 2 ($2,000)

One Payment

Two Payments

Semester 1, $2,000

• Due one week after semester starts, with grace period

• Pay early to access recorded lectures

Semester 2, $2,000

• Due one week after semester starts, with grace period

• Pay early to access recorded lectures

Payments (Certificate)

Electronic payments only with all major credit and debit cards. All amounts are in US Dollars.

Payment options include
 

• One payment for complete program tuition of $6,000 USD

• Three payments for Semester 1 ($2,500), Semester 2 ($2,500) and Clinical tuition ($1,000)

One Payment

Three Payments

Semester 1, $2,500

• Due one week after semester starts, with grace period

• Pay early to access recorded lectures

Semester 2, $2,500

• Due one week after semester starts, with grace period

• Pay early to access recorded lectures

Clinical Term, $1,000

• Due on or before start of Clinical Term

Required: Foundations of Ayurveda Series

The Foundations of Ayurveda Series textbooks are used in sequence throughout the program. Volumes 4 through 6 will be available around the end of 2022.

A limited stock of Volume 1 with high quality binding, color cover and color charts is available. The Volume 1 price includes shipping and handling within the US only.

Volumes 1 - 3 available through Amazon do not have color covers or pages.

Students who enroll in the SA program early can access a digital copy of Volume 1 for AYU-100.

Required: Modern and Global Ayurveda

Required: Classical Literature

Classical literature textbooks typically come in sets of multiple volumes. They are most economical when ordered in a single shipment from India. Delivery times are generally 2-6 weeks.

These textbooks are used moderately in Semester 1 and heavily during Semester 2.

Question: How many hours of study are required each week?
Answer: This can vary widely, but usually is no less than 12 hours per week. It depends on the speed of memorization, reading, comprehension and research skills. Additional time for review and synthesis of knowledge only strengthens the student's grasp of the science. In previous years, students over the age of 50 required 25+ hours per week.

Question: I completed Ayurvedic education at another school. Does that count towards the SA program?
Answer: Education from New Age Ayurveda programs is often insufficient to count towards the SA program. Candidates who have thoroughly studied and memorized classical foundations and theory so they are confident to apply them in clinical practice will likely be at a similar level as an SA.

Question: After completing the SA program, will I be able to practice? If so, how?
Answer: The SA program prepares graduates to practice competently and confidently in the scope of diet and lifestyle interventions for healthy and unhealthy individuals with a single, predominant diagnosis. Cases with multiple, chronic pathologies are best supported by an SA in collaborative practice under a PC or AA. Graduates are able to practice according to their local laws and regulations.

Question: Does the SA program cover how to practice Ayurveda legally?
Answer: The SA program introduces students to common regulatory and legal issues in the practice of Ayurveda in the United States. International students are encouraged to research and learn about regulations affecting practice outside of the US as part of this portion of the program. In both cases, students learn clear boundaries for scope of practice and expectations at this level of practice. AYU Academy is the only professional training institution with advanced definitions for professional Ayurveda and scopes of practice based on classical standards.

Question: Does the SA program include training to setup my own business, business taxes, liability and insurance?
Answer: Yes, the SA program does include basic training on establishing, developing and running a business. Additionally, students should seek professional advice for this in their local area. During the SA program, students research business requirements and create an actionable business plan.

Question: I want to include classical herbal formulations in my Ayurvedic practice. What training do I need to do that competently and ethically?
Answer: Classical herbal formulations are introduced in Level 2: Paricharaka (Ayurvedic Doctor's Assistant) for use in shamana management only. At the SA level, students learn the mechanics of therapeutic substances and major examples in common foods which often overlap as common single herbs. The goal of the SA program is to be competent and confident with scientific dietary and lifestyle interventions in any geographical area and culture.

Question: Can I train to work at a Panchakarma center? If so, where?
Answer: At the SA level, all clinical training during the program is currently online. This training prepares students to work in clinical environments, including Panchakarma centers, Integrative healthcare facilities, and other healthcare settings. Students who have the ability to travel and live at a Panchakarma center can request special arrangements for onsite study during the Clinical Term of the SA program.

Question: Does the SA program train students to do Nadi Pariksha (pulse diagnosis), Jihva Pariksha (tongue diagnosis) or any other specialty form of assessment?
Answer: The SA program does not focus on highly subjective assessment methods like pulse and tongue diagnosis. These are not primary, classical assessment methods, but are supplementary to the foundations of symptomatology through direct assessment of doshas, dhatus, malas, agni and many other factors. The SA program focuses on mastering the fundamentals so graduates have a solid foundation for advanced training.