Draṣṭā // Course

Introduction to Āyurveda

This course highlights the fundamental principles of healthy life based on teachings of Āyurveda, how to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and diet according to individual constitution and how to care for one’s health in a proactive way.

13 Nov - 29 Nov 2023 Completed
About the Course Session Recordings Takeaways and Audience Know your Instructor

Overview

The Caraka Saṃhitā, one of the foundational texts of Āyurveda, eloquently states:

हितहितं सुखं दुःखं आयुषतस्य हिताहितम्। मानं तच्च यत्रोक्तं आयुर्वेदः स उच्यते॥

"What is beneficial or harmful for life, what is pleasant or unpleasant for life, and the measure of life itself—where all these are described, that is called Āyurveda." 

This profound wisdom encapsulates the essence and objective of Āyurveda. In a world marked by rapid advancements, ever-changing dynamics, and a pace that often leaves us breathless, the ancient wisdom of Āyurveda emerges not just as a beacon of light, but as a reminder of our intrinsic connection to nature and to ourselves. The millennia old principles of Āyurveda are profoundly relevant in addressing the modern-day challenges we face.

Āyurveda, at its core, is the art of balance. It is not merely a system of treating ailments but a comprehensive guide to life, emphasizing preventative care and balanced living. This course will delve deep into the multifaceted nature of Āyurveda, shedding light on its fundamental principles, from the determinants of health and disease to the profound understanding of emotional well-being. It will explore the nuances of a balanced diet, understand the power of kitchen herbs, delve into the wisdom of daily routines aligned with diurnal variations, and demystify the diagnostic and treatment processes employed by Āyurvedic physicians. 

Join us on this transformative journey, as we rediscover the art of living well, the Āyurvedic way.

Contents

Module 1

Understanding Life through Āyurveda: From Macrocosm to Personal Wellness

This session will focus on life, goals of life, lifestyles, types of life attitudes, definition of health and disease and determinants of health and disease. It will also discuss the macrocosm and microcosm - Āyurveda as a nature centred medicine, Āyurveda as a mirror to understand oneself and Āyurveda as a person centred medicine.

Module 2

Āyurveda's Guide to Daily and Seasonal Wellness: Emotions, Routines and Natural Balance

This session will cover how Āyurveda works as a user’s manual of life, emotional health and good conduct. It will also serve to understand the diurnal variations and developing a healthy daily routine, understand the seasonal variations and modifying daily routines, seasons and seasonal affective disorders, seasonal bio-cleansing and prevention of diseases, natural urges and general preventive measures.

Module 3

Nutritional Nuances in āyurveda: From Food Classification to Dietary Choices

This session will help the learner to build an understanding on classification of foods, liquid foods, solid foods and understanding nutritional properties of food. It will also cover the impact of vegetarianism versus non-vegetarianism, alcohol in diet, dairy products in diet and greens and salads in diet.

Module 4

Crafting a Balanced Āyurvedic Diet: From Food Combinations to Individualized Choices

This session shall focus on principles of balanced diet, combination of food items, incompatible food combinations, processing of food items etc. The principles of cooking, foods for seasons and places, food timing, quantity and quality of food, individualised balanced diet, food safety and junk food shall also be covered.

Module 5

Herbal Delights: Integrating Kitchen Herbs, Spices and Healing Recipes for Everyday Wellness

The session will shed light on the usage and utility of kitchen herbs, spices and condiments, herbal remedies for common ailments, healthy cooking and simple food recipes.

Module 6

Deep Dive into Āyurvedic Practices: Diagnosis, Treatment Efficacy and Safety Explained

This session will answer basic questions such as: How an Āyurveda physician diagnoses and treats diseases? What evidence is available for Āyurvedic treatments? Discussion on the scope of Āyurvedic treatments with case studies. Safety of Āyurvedic medicines and interventions. Are Āyurvedic medicines toxic and contain heavy metals?

Module 7

Graceful Aging with Āyurveda: Cognitive Preservation, Self-Reliance, and Holistic Care

This session will cover the following topics: How can one age gracefully? Preserving cognitive function and self-reliance in old age. Care in the end-of-life stages. Lifestyle, diet and herbs for healthy aging.

Module 8

Mental Health and Āyurveda

This session will cover mental health and well-being, the mind-body continuum, emotions and mental health, early diagnosis of mental health issues, lifestyle, diet and herbs for mental health and higher states of awareness and spiritual health.

Session Recordings

Understanding Life through Āyurveda: From Macrocosm to Personal Wellness

Module 1

Understanding Life through Āyurveda: From Macrocosm to Personal Wellness

Āyurveda's Guide to Daily and Seasonal Wellness: Emotions, Routines and Natural Balance

Module 2

Āyurveda's Guide to Daily and Seasonal Wellness: Emotions, Routines and Natural Balance

Nutritional Nuances in āyurveda: From Food Classification to Dietary Choices

Module 3

Nutritional Nuances in āyurveda: From Food Classification to Dietary Choices

Crafting a Balanced Āyurvedic Diet: From Food Combinations to Individualized Choices

Module 4

Crafting a Balanced Āyurvedic Diet: From Food Combinations to Individualized Choices

Herbal Delights: Integrating Kitchen Herbs, Spices and Healing Recipes for Everyday Wellness

Module 5

Herbal Delights: Integrating Kitchen Herbs, Spices and Healing Recipes for Everyday Wellness

Deep Dive into Āyurvedic Practices: Diagnosis, Treatment Efficacy and Safety Explained

Module 6

Deep Dive into Āyurvedic Practices: Diagnosis, Treatment Efficacy and Safety Explained

Graceful Aging with Āyurveda: Cognitive Preservation, Self-Reliance, and Holistic Care

Module 7

Graceful Aging with Āyurveda: Cognitive Preservation, Self-Reliance, and Holistic Care

Mental Health and Āyurveda

Module 8

Mental Health and Āyurveda

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Key Takeaways

Learn to prevent

Discover the proactive role of bio-cleansing therapies and Āyurveda's holistic scope in preemptively managing and mitigating common diseases.

Learn to cure

Explore the potency of herbs and primary care solutions, gleaning Āyurvedic practices that serve as natural interventions for common ailments.

Gain awareness

Grasp the essentials of self-care, understanding the intricate interplay of body and mind to cultivate a vibrant, healthy life.

Who is this course for?

  • This course welcomes anyone with a keen interest in exploring the rich world of Āyurveda, be they a complete novice or someone with prior knowledge. In an era where holistic well-being is gaining paramount importance, Āyurveda shines as a system that considers the entire spectrum of human experience, from physical to spiritual. Beyond health professionals looking to enrich their practice, this course serves as an enlightening journey for anyone aiming to lead a more balanced life. Whether you're a student, a practitioner or simply a curious soul, if you're drawn to harmonizing modern life with age-old wisdom, this course offers you a comprehensive introduction to the transformative world of Āyurveda.

Know your Instructor

Dr. P. Rammanohar

Dr. P. Rammanohar

Dr. P. Rammanohar is the Research Director at Amrita School of Ayurveda. A renowned expert in the field, he brings three decades of deep exploration and contributions to Āyurvedic research.

A proud alumnus of Bharathiar University and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, his academic journey in Āyurveda began with a BAMS degree in 1991, culminating in an MD (Ay) in 2001. He has received numerous accolades such as the Ayurveda Ratan Award from the UK's Houses of Parliament and the Dhanvantari Award from Nature Fit in 2022, alongside the Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar Healing Honor and the Bhishak Bhushan Puraskaram in 2021.

He played a pivotal role in the NIH-funded study that clinched the Excellence in Integrative Medicine Research Award in 2012. This study has found its esteemed place in reputed journals such as the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology and Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

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