Ayurveda Health Counselor Course Outline |
Written by John Immel, Asheville, NCThis page contains a brief outline of the Joyful Belly Ayurveda Health Counselor Course.
Get the detailed syllabus / curriculum description
Introduction Module: This module presents all the fundamentals of the body from an Ayurvedic perspective and all the necessary skills to work independently with clients in the field of integrative health care. Graduates will be proficient in fundamental Ayurvedic concepts, Ayurvedic clinical assessment, Ayurvedic management of imbalances via diet, lifestyle and herbs as well as meeting with clients and maintaining client paperwork.
Gunas Module: This module introduces Ayurveda's foundational analytical tools - the gunas or qualities. The student will understand what each guna is, beneficial functions, pathogenesis of each, causes of aggravation. Students will be able to use this information to balance client's gunas using diet, lifestyle and herbs.
Tastes Module: This module will introduce the 6 tastes. Students will understand the qualities and elemental makeup of each taste, its effect on the doshas as well as its rasa, virya and vipak. Students will be able to apply the 6 tastes therapeutically.
Elements Module: This module will introduce the 5 elements. Students will learn the qualities of each element in the body, diet, lifestyle and herbs that increase or decrease an element, pathological conditions caused by each element's excess or deficiency. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbs to therapeutically increase and decrease each element in the body.
Dosha Module: This module will introduce the 3 doshas. Students will learn the characteristics and disorders associated with each dosha, each dosha's locations and functions in the body, how to identify the doshas of a person, and causes of dosha aggravation. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbal therapies for balancing each dosha.
Subdoshas Module: This module will introduce the 15 subdoshas. Students will learn the characteristics and disorders associated with each subdosha, each subdosha's locations and functions in the body, how to identify the subdoshas of a person, and causes of subdosha aggravation. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbal therapies for balancing each subdosha.
Dhatus Module: This module will introduce the dhatus. Students will learn each of the 7 dhatus, their upadhatus, malas, associated tissues, function, causes of dhatu imbalance, and assessment of dhatu imbalance. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbal therapies for balancing each dhatu.
Digestion Module: This module will introduce the concept of digestion in Ayurveda. Students will learn how to assess agni and ama, the different types of agn, how to build agni, cleanse ama, and common pathologies associated with each. Students will be able to apply diet, lifestyle and herbal therapies to balance agni and ama.
Malas Module: This module will introduce the concept of waste products (mala). Students will learn the beneficial functions of urine, sweat and feces as well as the causes of imbalances and common pathologies associated with imbalances in each. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbs to support the health of each of the body's waste products.
Qualities of Tissues Module: This module will introduce the concepts of ojas, tejas and prana. Students will learn characteristics of ojas, tejas and prana, how to assess them, their functions and locations, their relationships to the doshas, common pathologies and causes of imbalance. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbs to balance ojas, tejas and prana individually.
Srotamsi Module: This module will introduce the concept of srotamsi. Students will learn each of the 14 srotamsi as well as the 2 srotamsi unique to women. Students will learn the mula, marga and mukha of each, the functions of each, assessment of each, and common pathologies and causes of imbalance in each. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbs to balance each of the srotamsi.
Dinacarya / Rtucarya Module: This module introduces the concept of daily and seasonal routines. Students will understand the benefits of a daily and seasonal routine. Students will be able to create daily and seasonal guidelines for each dosha and season.
Diet Module: This module will introduce the concept of diet in Ayurveda. Students will learn about Ayurvedic nutrition of the dhatus, food combining, and how to use rasa, virya, and vipak for assessment and treatment of imbalanced energies. Students will use this knowledge to recommend diets for clients' health and wellness.
Management of Dosha Module: This module will introduce how to manage each dosha using diet, lifestyle and herbs. Students will learn the best means to support the health and remedy the imbalance of each dosha. Students will be able to put together a holistic plan including diet, lifestyle and herbs for addressing common doshic imbalances.
7 Forms of Palliative Therapy Module: This module will introduce Ayurveda's 7 forms of palliative care and the indications for using each of them. Students will learn how each of the 7 forms of palliative care ( sunbathing, windbathing, fasting from food, fasting from liquids, kindling digestion, and burning ama) affects the dhatus and dosha, indications and contraindications for each as well as signs that each is effective or ineffective. Students will be able to choose effective recommendations for palliative therapies for individualized client care.
Philosophy Module: This module will introduce the fundamental spiritual philosophies commonly associated with Ayurveda's origins. Students will learn the origins & basic tenets of Ayurvedic philosophy and ways of thinking, including Sankhya philosophy, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta and Buddhism. Students will learn how each influenced Ayurveda, where Ayurveda differs from each, and benefits and criticisms of each philosophy. Students will be able to identify and understand the cultural context from which Ayurveda came and how to adjust Ayurveda for broader appeal in a western cultural context.
Nidana Module: This module reviews the concept of causes and etiology (nidana) presented throughout the course. Students will learn the importance of identifying causes, the different types of causes, prodromal signs & symptoms, cardinal signs & symptoms, therapeutic guidelines & the two types of treatments (agnostic / similar) and the implication of cause in the disease process. Students will be able to effectively trace symptoms and pathologies back to their causes.
Samprapti Module: This module reviews the concept of Ayurvedic pathogenesis of disease (samprapti) presented throughout the course. Students will learn Ayurveda's model of how diseases develop from minor imbalances to major disorders including an overview of each of the 6 stages of disease, how to detect each of the 6 stages clinically and the movement of the doshas in the disease process. Students will be able to apply this model clinically.
Meeting with Clients Module: This module will introduce all of the skills and logistics that need to be considered when meeting with clients. Students will learn the legalities, intake and assessment methods, questioning and counseling skills needed to meet with clients. Students will learn approaches to planning client care over time. Students will be able to provide the proper paperwork and meeting space to see clients. Students will be able to ask insightful and effective questions and implore the Ayurvedic means of assessment when working with clients. Students will be able to create a recommendations regime that addresses client concerns and sets them up for success in meeting their health goals.
Trividha Pariksha Module: This module will introduce the 3 means of examination (trividha pariksha) in a clinical setting which provide a basic format for a consultation. Students will learn an overview of each of the three categories of clinical examination: visual examination (darshanam), palpation (sparshanam), questioning (prashnam). Students will learn some specific examples of palpating of various organs. Students will be able to effectively assess clients within their legal scope of practice.
Dashavidha Pariksha Module: This module will introduce 10 facets of client health that must be examined to ensure comprehensive client assessment. Students will learn 10 clinical factors that must be assessed (dosha & dhatu, local environment, disease, season, digestive strength, constitution, age, mental state, lifestyle, and diet), the benefits of each and what each can tell you about bodily imbalances. Students will be able to comprehensively assess each of these factors to form a total opinion of client health and wellness.
Ashtavidha Pariksha Module: This module will introduce an 8 methods of clinical assessment implored together in Ayurveda to ensure a full client assessment. Students will learn 8 means of clinical assessment (pulse, urine, feces, tongue, voice, palpation, eyes, and general body build), the benefits of each and what each can tell you about bodily imbalances. Students will be able to assess client health and imbalances using these methods.
Herb Usage Module: This module includes basic training on the use of herbs For each herb and herb formula, students will learn the benefits, tastes, gunas and effect on the doshas, as well as the ideal dose, vehicle, timing and storage. Students will be able to recommend herbs to clients to support clients in meeting their health goals.
Specific-Herbs Module: This module introduces 20 single herbs as well as 4 commonly used Ayurvedic formulas. Students will understand the qualities of each herb or formula, its rasa, virya, vipak, prabhav as well as its effect on the doshas. Students will be able to apply common therapeutic uses of each herb.
Senses Module: This module will introduce the different forms of sense therapy. Students will learn an introduction to each of 5 senses & their significance, a brief breakdown of the anatomy of each sense organ, an overview of different therapies for each of the senses and specific practices to keep each of the 5 senses functioning optimally. Students will be able to recommend to clients appropriate practices and therapies for keeping the senses functioning optimally.
Yoga Module: This module will introduce the relation of yoga to Ayurveda as a means of therapy. Students will learn the history of yoga, beneficial & contraindicated postures for each dosha, and considerations of recommending yoga to clients, including clients with a different spiritual background. Students will be able to identify and refer out clients who may benefit from yoga.
Specific Tx Module: This module will introduce specific treatments which may be helpful to add to a clinical practice provided the student has the necessary qualifications which go beyond the scope of this course. Students will learn how to take blood pressure, the importance of tonics (rasayana), and marma therapy. The student will be able to design, implement and manage a program of tonification for strengthening the body and mind. Students will learn an introduction to marma points and how they work, functions of marma therapy and how to use them as well as an overview of specific marma points and their benefits. Students will be able to discern when it is appropriate to refer clients out for marma therapy.
ENT Module: This module introduces the head and neck region and special considerations to be given to the ears, nose, and throat. Students will learn the anatomy and functions of the skull, neck, lymphatic system, ears, nose, mouth, throat and specific pathogenesis for common ailments in each area. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbs to support health and healing in these areas.
Pregnancy Module: This module introduces the Ayurvedic approach to conception, pregnancy and postpartum care. Students will learn how to increase fertility, imbalances a woman is likely to face throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and management of pregnancy from an Ayurvedic perspective. Students will be able to recommend diet, lifestyle and herbal recommendations for self care to support a woman in her pregnancy as she works with a qualified medical professional in monitoring her health and the health of her baby.
Pediatrics Module: This module will introduce Ayurveda's perspective on pediatric care. Students will learn general dietary and lifestyle guidelines for children, common herbs recommended for children as well as how to administer them, common disorders and imbalances experienced at different stages of childhood. Students will be able to offer appropriate health & wellness recommendations for children.
Cooking Module: This module introduces the principles of Ayurvedic cooking. Students will learn basic principles of Ayurvedic cooking, basic cooking equipment, health effects of food processing, how to set up an Ayurvedic kitchen & pantry, how to plan and prepare meals, how to design Ayurvedic recipes, and how to prepare Ayurveda's signature healing dishes
Exam Time Module: Students will complete a cumulative, open book, multiple choice 3 hour midterm and final exam each year. Students will demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying modules covered up to that point.
Buddy Consults (as Practitioner & Client) Module: Students will complete 30 consultations with fellow students. In 15 they will be the practitioner and in 15 they will be the client. Students will be able to apply the skills and concepts learned over the course to begin working with clients. Students will practice and refine their approach to conducting consultations in a safe and supportive setting.
Live Coaching Buddy Consultation Module: Teachers will demonstrate the consultation process by doing consultations with students in class. Students will be able to compare the teacher's approach and findings in meeting with clients with their own and ask questions throughout the process.
Personal Encounters Module: Students will meet in person with 25 volunteer clients to conduct a full intake and assessment. Following the appointment they analyze the clients imbalances in relation to their health goals and come up with recommendations for the client. After review and approval, students will present their recommendations to clients via phone, email or in-person. Students will refine their skills in applying all that they have learned to effectively meet with clients. Students will be able to effectively conduct Ayurvedic consultations and provide safe and effective Ayurvedic recommendations to clients.
Personal Encounter Supervision Module: Students will present volunteer client case studies to teachers in one to one phone call (with student observers) for feedback and review, before presenting recommendations to the client. Students will continue to refine applying the concepts and assessment skills learned over the course of the program. Students will be able to effectively conduct Ayurvedic consultations and provide safe and effective Ayurvedic recommendations to clients.
Clinical Observation Module: Students will observe classmates presenting 25 client cases to a mentor for clinical review. Students will refine their skills in applying all that they have learned to effectively meet with clients. Students will be able to effectively conduct Ayurvedic consultations and provide safe and effective Ayurvedic recommendations to clients.
Supplements & Support Module: This portion of the program offers students Q&A style classes for additional support on subjects and questions where students have had difficulty in classes. Students will receive additional support and correction of mistakes and misconceptions, to greatly improve their skills in key areas of deficiency.
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About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
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