Kerala Ayurveda Academy
- Our authenticity and heritage - Kerala Ayurveda Academy is part of Kerala Ayurveda Ltd (KAL), an award-winning India-based, seed-to-shelf company. Kerala's global footprint spans academies, clinics, hospitals, products, research and resorts. We teach the traditional principles straight from the Vedic texts with a comprehensive curriculum overseen by Academy Director Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath, a Kerala native from an Ayurvedic family. Our faculty is comprised of Indian Doctors and highly experienced practitioners. Learn more about our unique heritage here.
- Our flexibility - we call it "deep roots, modern voice" - our programs are designed to be convenient for the modern professional. Our robust elearning system and live streaming technology enables students to attend classes online, and all classes are recorded & can be viewed later.
- Our alumni benefits - We offer the most generous alumni benefits you will find! We wish to welcome students into the Kerala family and support their continued learning - our students are for life. Alumni receive continued access to course content, including live access to the Weekly Virtual Classes. Discounts on continuing education short programs, wellness services and products. Learn more on our Alumni Services page.
- Our commitment to advanced professional education - we offer all three levels of professional training in Ayurveda according to U.S. competency standards by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) as well as NAMA-approved "PACE" programs for continuing ed (Professional Ayurvedic Continuing Education). Students have an opportunity to study in the birthplace of Ayurveda at all levels through our India Immersions and Internships.
Workshops & Continuing Education
- Several of our short programs have no prerequisite required, including: Ashtanga Hridayam, Introduction to Sanskrit for Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Skin & Beauty and our India Immersion trips.
- For Ayurvedic Assessment & Pulse Diagnosis and Ayurvedic Formulation Making, and Vedic Formulations: Clinical Applications, students are required to have a knowledge of the fundamentals of Ayurveda including Subdosha (equivalent to KAA 101 & KAA 102 in our AHC program).
- Clinical Case Discussions are appropriate for currently enrolled students or graduates of a level II Ayurvedic Practitioner or level III Ayurvedic Doctor program.
Certification Programs
Financial Aid: Kerala Ayurveda Academy does not offer state or federal financial aid to students at this time. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund. If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds. If a student is eligible for a loan guaranteed by the federal or state government and the student defaults on the loan, both of the following may occur:
- The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan.
- The student may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government assistance until the loan is repaid.
NOTICE - Any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses that the debtor could assert against the seller of the goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds hereof, recovery hereunder by the debtor shall not exceed amounts paid by the debtor hereunder. Kerala Ayurveda Academy does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession, has not filed a petition within the preceding five years, and has not had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.).
- The level I Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program is 600 hours.
- AHC is a prerequisite for the level II Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program, which is 900 hours.
- AP is a prerequisite for the level III Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) program, which is 2,500 hours.
- Holistic Ayurvedic Coach (HAC) can be taken entirely online via live streaming. In person attendance is optional.
- Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) offers a one 5-day in person practicum. The rest of the program can be attended in person or online via live streaming.
- Ayurvedic Practitioner and Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) certification programs require partial in person attendance. They cannot be taken entirely online.
- Completion of the AHC, AP or ACS allow graduates to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) or Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS). The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) sets competency standards for professional Ayurvedic education.
- For all of our Training Porgrams, students are required to possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Holistic Ayurvedic Coach (HAC) and Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) certification programs: no licenses or certifications in any field are required.
- Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) requires an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) certificate or equivalent.
- Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) requires a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.
- Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP), and Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) all require Anatomy & Physiology as a corequisite. This means that the A&P requirement can be fulfilled during the course and must be completed prior to completion to meet the graduation requirements. Learn more about the Anatomy & Physiology requirements here.
Practice of Ayurveda in the U.S.
What's the difference between an Ayurvedic Counselor/Practitioner/Doctor and Panchakarma Technician?
- Competencies for the Panchakarma Technician (PKT) level of training are pending from NAMA.
- PKT can be taken on its own or as an add-on to the primary three levels of Ayurvedic practice.
- Our PKT program's primary purpose is to provide education and hands-on training in the traditional Ayurvedic bodywork methodologies, going into more detail than the level I, II and III Counselor, Practitioner and Doctor certifications.
- The primary role of a Panchakarma Technician is to implement and perform the Panchakarma therapies. Depending on the Panchakarma Tehcnician's other certifications in Ayurveda, the scope of practice will vary in terms of breadth and the ability to design Panchakarma programs. As with general Ayurvedic practice, Panchakarma must be performed in compliance with local and state guidelines. For more detail, please see the complete Scope of Practice: Panchakarma Technician.
We might say that Ayurveda’s current status in the U.S. is analogous to the Chinese medical profession during its early years in the 1970s. While each state does not regulate the practice of Ayurvedic medicine itself, some aspects of Ayurvedic practice may fall within the scope of professions that are regulated. Students and graduates of the academy should be careful not to allow their practice to overlap one of those regulated professions unless they are licensed in that particular profession. Please contact your local state representative for more information about regulations in your area.
While none of the U.S. states currently have Ayurvedic practitioners or physicians as primary care physicians, many of these well-trained professionals utilize their education and skills in combination with other healthcare related credentials.
Yoga Instructors, Massage Therapists, Registered Nurses, Nutritionists/Dietitians, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Medical Doctors and other healthcare professionals are recognizing and utilizing the benefits of educational training in Ayurveda.
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) is currently working on developing educational standards, scope of practice, and related materials to support future licensing initiatives throughout the US.
Many Academy graduates use their Ayurvedic education to enhance pre-existing professional careers.
Student & Alumni Services
Upon request, KAA can provide contact information of students for networking or informational purposes. Many of our students and alumni are happy to talk to prospective students and share their experiences. Please contact +1 (888) 275-9103 x20 or support@keralaayurveda.us for assistance.