INSTITUTE
DIVE DEEPLY INTO AYURVEDA
at Mount Madonna, California
Ayurvedic Health
Counselor
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
Certification
Come build your career as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, supported by world-renowned professors of Ayurvedic medicine. Mount Madonna Institute’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program is offered over a 12-month period and consists of successful completion of the six-month Ayurveda Educator (AE) curriculum – where you will experience interactive lectures, yoga (asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation), clinical observations, and integration sessions – followed by an additional three-months of lectures, yoga, clinical observations and integration sessions, plus a 65 hours of in-person practicum.
The practicum includes seven days of in-person courses designed to give you supervised practical knowledge, where you will apply theory to practice through a variety of hands-on learning experiences in Ayurvedic Diagnosis, Applied Nutrition & Herbology, Ayurvedic Therapies, and Clinical Internship. After the in-person practicum, you will meet monthly for 3 months and complete your online client consultations with ongoing supervision before coming back for a final online weekend to present case studies.
The AHC curriculum is the foundation for further studies, including Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy or a Masters Degree in Ayurveda.
Apply for the Ayurveda Educator program, noting your desire to continue into the AHC program. Later, you will have an opportunity to apply for the AHC Practicums through a separate application.
What You Will Learn
Classical Ayurvedic Knowledge
- Constitutional Assessment
- Ayurvedic Lifestyle Management
- Yoga (asana, pranayama, and meditation)
- Sanskrit
- Ayurvedic Anatomy, Physiology and Biology
- Ayurvedic Nutrition and Herbology
- Ayurvedic Psychology
- Ethics, Counseling, and Western Interface
- Ayurvedic Therapies
- Vedic Sciences
- ENT and Sense Therapies
- Women’s and Children’s Health
- Case Study Presentations
- Clinical Internship
What You Can Do
Motivate, educate, and support clients
- Start a clinical practice
- Join an integrative healthcare practice as a diet and lifestyle counselor
- Work as a personal or restaurant Ayurvedic chef
- Integrate Ayurveda into other healing modalities and your yoga instruction
- Corporate wellness coaching
- Develop Ayurveda-inspired products
- Write blogs, articles and books on Ayurveda
DATES
Enrollment for Winter & Spring 2024-25 is paused. Stay updated on Summer and Fall 2025 programs.
TUITION
Estimated Total: $9,650
See full details below.
See our 2025 Catalog
More Information
For more information regarding our programs and admissions, please email us at info@mountmadonna.org or call (408) 846-4060.
Ayurvedic Health Counselor
Sample Online Monthly Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Thursday Evening | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Integration | 2 hr |
| Friday – Sunday | ||
| 7:00 am - 8:30 am | Yoga | 1.5 hr |
| 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Lecture | 3 hr |
| 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Lecture / Integration | 4 hr |
| Tuesday Evenings | ||
| 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Lecture / Integration | 2 hr |
| Thursday Evening (1 per month) | ||
| 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Sanskrit | 2 hr |
| *Pacific Time Zone |
Sample In-Person Daily Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Daily | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am - 8:30 am | Yoga | 1.5 hr |
| 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Lecture / Practicum | 3 hr |
| 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Lecture / Practicum | 4 hr |
| 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Lecture / Practicum | 1.5 hr |
| *Pacific Time Zone |
Prerequisites
- High school graduation or equivalent
- Six college-level credits of Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)
OR
- Applicants unable to complete A&P before the application deadline may join our Foundations program and complete A&P concurrently
Content Delivery
- Each online extended weekend module begins on a Thursday at 5:00 pm PT and continues through Sunday 5:30 pm PT with Friday and Saturday evenings off. Modules include yoga (asana, pranayama, and meditation), coursework, time for questions, sharing and regular breaks
- Classes also meet weekly online on Tuesday nights from 5:00-7:00 pm PT
- Sanskrit meets monthly on Thursday night from 5:00-7:00 pm PT
- In person practicums and clinical internships are scheduled over one 7-day practicum, with continued clinical work online
Where your certificate can lead you
Ayurvedic Practitioner
A 19-month program: 15 modules of coursework, 11 modules are hybrid (option to choose online or in-person), 4 modules are required to be in-person and 3 months to complete clinical consultations online.
Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy
After completing the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program and the Advanced Yoga Studies (YTT 300) program, attend six months of online Yoga-Ayurveda Integration, one 6-day in-person practicum, and one year of clinical practice.
Master of Arts
Ayurveda
A 20-month program: 15 modules of coursework, 13 modules are required to be in-person, 2 online modules and 4 months to complete supervised clinical consultations online, plus a Clinical Apprenticeship and Research Journal Club. You must have a BA or BS to enroll in this program.
Tuition & Fees
Academic Year 2025
Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC)
Tuition Cost Only
$9,670
NEW Reduced Tuition Price
$9,000
Application Fee*
$150
Estimated Textbooks
$500
Total Estimated Academic Charges
$9,650
Studying Affordably
Financial Aid opportunities for your education
- Alumni Discount: Ask us about our Alumni Discount when you submit your application.
- Scholarship: Check the scholarship box on your application.
- Payment Plans: Available to all students. Talk to an admissions counselor for more information!
Ayurveda Faculty & Staff
Rucha Kelkar,
BAMS, DPT
Manas Kshirsagar,
MS
Krista Farey,
MD, MA
Course Descriptions
Yoga & Meditation
Course No. AY 100. Prerequisites: None
This course introduces the practice of yoga. Students are required to learn and perform yoga postures, breathing practices, and meditation practices. This course is taken concurrently with AY 101, AY 102, AY 103, AY 104, AY 105, AY 106, AY 107, AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 113, AY 115, AY 130, AY 150.
Introduction to Ayurveda Course
Course No. AY 101
Description: This course introduces students to the 5,000-year-old tradition of Ayurveda, its aims and objectives, basic principles, concepts of health and disease, methods of examining patients, and treatment methods.
Students gain a solid foundation in the science, history, and philosophy of Ayurveda. They are introduced to the concepts of individual nature and dosha imbalance as the basis for diagnosis of health and disease, as well as the five-element theory.
Ayurvedic Anatomy & Physiology
Course No. AY 102
Description: This course examines the disease process in Ayurvedic medicine, including Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, the cause of disease, the stages of disease, formation of tissues, and classification of disease. Students learn the process of constitutional analysis.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Management
Course No. AY 103
Description: This course introduces the student to Ayurvedic recommendations for creating healthy lifestyles, daily and seasonal routines, yogic cleansing practices, and self-care. Students also learn therapies focusing on the five senses.
Yoga & Ayurveda
Course No. AY 104
Description: This course teaches yoga philosophy and practice and its benefits in health and disease prevention. Students learn the Ayurvedic effects of different styles of yoga practice, yogic cleansing for disease prevention, and meditation and breathing practices to restore healthy balance to mind and body.
Ayurvedic Nutrition
Course No. AY 105
Description: This course introduces the principles of Ayurvedic nutrition and digestion. Students will learn the use of diet and nutrition programs in health and disease, individual guidelines for diet, and a balanced diet for the seasons, while exploring the Ayurvedic approach to the energetics of food.
Ayurvedic Psychology (Ayurveda & the Mind)
Course No. AY 106
Description: This course introduces the student to the energetics of consciousness, the Ayurvedic description of the mind, and therapies to support the mind. Fundamental concepts of manas, prakruti and vikruti, the effects of sensory input on the mind, and approaches to managing mental health are explored.
Ayurvedic Herbology I
Course No. AY 107
Description: This course continues to study nutrition and introduces the traditional use of herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. Students learn the therapeutic use of food and spices, using food as medicine. The course introduces Ayurvedic foods to balance the doshas and maintain health.
Students will study Ayurvedic herbal philosophy and practices, the Herbal Materia Medica, and the terminology of herbal actions. They begin to understand the use of Ayurvedic herbs to restore physical and psychological balance.
Ayurvedic Assessment
Course No. AY 109
Description: Students are introduced to modes of diagnosis including pulse reading, tongue diagnosis, face-analysis, assessing the mental state, and dhatus, malas and srotamsi. Students practice these modes during outside assignments, practicum and clinic.
Western Interface
Course No. AY111
Description: This course offers the opportunity to explore the interface between Ayurveda and allopathic medicine, helps students understand healthy client practitioner relationships and boundaries, and clarifies scope of practice and the code of ethics for all Ayurvedic Health Counselors.
Ayurvedic Therapies
Course No. AY 112
Description: The theory of Pancha Karma cleansing techniques and Five-Sense Therapy will be introduced. This course explores the Ayurvedic rejuvenation process called Rasayana. Students will learn strategies for Rasayana using herbs, diet, and nutritional support with the goal of slowing or reversing excessive aging, building immune strength, and preventing disease.
This course offers an introductory view of Ayurvedic anatomy of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. This cursory understanding of the head and neck region allows students to study and address common disorders of the head and neck through diet and bodywork recommendations.
Women’s Health, Pre & Post Natal, Pediatrics
Course No. AY 113
This course introduces students to the foundations of women’s health including fertility, menstrual cycle, and menopause, offering recommendations to support imbalances. The course also covers Ayurvedic recommendations for supporting healthy conception, prenatal and postnatal care for expectant mothers, and care for young children.
Ethics and Professional Practices
Course No. AY 115
This course examines the Mount Madonna Code of Ethics as it applies to Ayurvedic Practitioners. Students are introduced to counseling practices as they pertain to client interactions and goal setting. Students explore the business skills involved in setting up and sustaining a professional practice. Topics include marketing, finance, and legal considerations.
SUBTLE THERAPIES: JYOTISH, HASTA, VASTU
Course No. AY 116
Description: Students are introduced to the subtle sister science of Ayurveda, Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Students learn the fundamental concepts of Jyotish, how it can complement client care, and when clients may be referred to an experienced Jyotish practitioner. Students are introduced to the Vedic practices of Hasta (palmistry) and Vastu (science of structures and their energetics), and how these practices can complement client and personal care.
Sanskrit
Course No. AY 130
Description: This course introduces the student to the ancient Vedic language of Sanskrit. Students learn to read, write, and chant Sanskrit. This course is taken concurrently with AY 100, AY 101, AY 102, AY 103, AY 104, AY 105, AY 106, AY 107, AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 113, AY 115, AY 150.
Ayurvedic Foundational Integration I
Course No. AY 150
Description: Students spend time integrating the content of the courses of the weekend while engaging in practical applications of the principles covered. This course is taken concurrently with AY 100, AY 101, AY 102, AY 103, AY 104, AY 105, AY 106, AY 107, AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 113, AY 115, AY 130
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS
Course No. AY 159
Description: Students will have the opportunity to observe experienced Ayurvedic Practitioners in consultations in the classroom. This course runs concurrently with AY 100, AY 101, AY 102, AY 103, AY 104, AY 105, AY 106, AY 107, AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 113, AY 115, AY 130.
APPLIED YOGA AND AYURVEDA
Course No. AY 151
This course applies yoga philosophy and practices through the lens of Ayurveda for disease prevention and to bring healthy balance to mind and body. This course runs concurrently with AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 115, AY 152, AY 154, AY 155, AY 157, AY 158, AY 159, AY 160
APPLIED NUTRITION & HERBOLOGY
Course No. AY 152
This course applies the principles of Ayurvedic nutrition and the therapeutic use of food and herbs to balance the doshas and promote proper digestion to maintain health. Students explore Ayurvedic herbs and spices in preparing dosha-balanced meals and formulations. Seasonally appropriate ingredients will be used for meal preparation. This course takes place during the 7-day practicum.
AYURVEDIC THERAPIES & SELF CARE
Course No. AY 154
Students experience first-hand the practices and effects of sense therapies and Rasayana to support their personal health goals. Students gain knowledge of these practices through personal experience and application to enhance the support of clients. This course takes place during the 7-day practicum.
DIAGNOSTICS LAB
Course No. AY 155
Students build practical experience using modes of diagnosis including pulse reading, tongue diagnosis, face-analysis, assessing mental state, and dhatus, malas and srotamsi. Students will learn to take vital signs. This course takes place during the 7-day practicum.
SANSKRIT II
Course No. AY 157
Description: Students continue to learn to read, write, and chant Sanskrit. Students practice chanting Sanskrit mantras for the benefit of health and overall wellbeing. This course is taken concurrently with AY 109, AY 111, AY 112, AY 115, AY 151
AYURVEDIC FOUNDATIONAL INTEGRATION II
Course No. AY 158
Description: Students spend time integrating the content of the courses of the weekend while engaging in practical applications of the principles covered. This course is taken concurrently with AY 151, AY 152, AY 153, AY 154, AY 155, AY 156, AY 157, AY 159, AY 160
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP
Course No. AY 160
Description: Students will have the opportunity to observe experienced Ayurvedic Practitioners in consultations in the classroom. Students begin to develop diagnostic skills under the supervision of skilled Ayurvedic Practitioners. In addition, students will work in groups to meet clients through Clinical Internship. This includes an initial intake with follow ups for each client, under supervision. Clinical Internship takes place during the 7-day practicum and runs concurrently with AY 151, AY 152, AY 154, AY 155, AY 157, AY 160.
CASE STUDIES
Course No. AY 161
Description: Students are introduced to Ayurvedic Case Study, the analysis and systematic description of a client to promote a detailed understanding of their circumstances and subsequent treatment plan. This course is taken concurrently with AY 151, AY 152, AY 153, AY 154, AY 155, AY 156, AY 157, AY 159.
Populi
Secure and Intuitive
Populi is a web-based learning management system (LMS). It covers academics, admissions, billing, people, reporting, library, integrated email and calendar. MMI uses Populi as its student information and learning management system, where all student and classroom activity is recorded. Application, enrollment, course work, lessons, assignments, quizzes, grades, transcripts, and financial balances are all located in Populi.
Open House & Info Sessions
Join us for an In-Person Open House or an Online Information Session to learn about upcoming Yoga & Ayurveda Programs.
More Information
Contact Us
For more information regarding our programs and admissions, please email us at info@mountmadonna.org or call (408) 846-4060.
FAQS AYURVEDA
Frequently asked questions about our Ayurveda programs.
