Panchakarma Technician Certification

Panchakarma is a purification process of the mind-body system. Using various bodywork techniques, client-customized oils, and special diets, Panchakarma therapies are customized for individuals based on their unique constitution and health conditions. This program enables Ayurvedic students of all levels the opportunity to learn the traditional Panchakarma philosophy and methodologies. Panchakarma’s healing results are often deeper and longer-lasting, thus leading to increased client satisfaction and eventually lowering healthcare costs. Ayurvedic students and health professionals from all backgrounds have a unique opportunity in this day and age to assist family, friends, and clients in targeting the root cause of their illness, leading to more balanced, fulfilling, and wholesome lives.

 

Who Should Take This Course

Prerequisites

  • Students must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • There are no additional prerequisites for this program for individuals who are licensed healthcare professionals undertaking this program to add value to their practice, and those who are taking this course to help themselves and their family, AHC is not required. To be an independent Panchakarma Technician with a professional membership from NAMA, it is required to have an AHC (level I) certification* in conjunction with the Panchakarma Technician Certification.
  • It is recommended to be an Allied Health Professional with a “license to touch” according to State regulations.

 

* Note AHC level is equivalent to Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program of Kerala Ayurveda Academy.

 

Scope of Practice

Upon completion, Panchakarma Technicians can:

  • Perform all Ayurvedic hands-on Shamana therapies in a clinic or private practice with an emphasis on utilizing the techniques for purposes of pacification. Shamana includes external calming procedures & regimen without internal cleansing.
  • Perform Panchakarma therapies in connection with a Panchakarma program, under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor, with an emphasis on utilizing the therapies for purposes of Shamana and Shodhana Chikitsa. Shodhana includes detoxification & purification procedures and requires the advanced clinical knowledge of an Ayurvedic Doctor.
  • Support and help deliver the Panchakarma treatment program designed by the Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor. The Panchakarma Technician is not trained to design a complete Panchakarma program with both Shamana and Shodhana therapies.

 

The individual’s scope of practice will be more specifically designated by local/state guidelines. It is the individual’s responsibility to be compliant. For more details, please see the complete Scope of Practice: Panchakarma Technician.

 

Professional Applications of Panchakarma

  • Licensed Healthcare Practitioners & Healers from all backgrounds can apply their Panchakarma knowledge to enhance their current practice.
  • Ayurvedic Wellness Professionals, Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and
  • Estheticians may enhance their treatments, services, and products.
  • Ayurvedic Professionals may open Panchakarma centers, wellness centers, spas or resorts offering Ayurvedic body therapies.
  • Entrepreneurs may develop Ayurvedic products for Panchakarma therapies or Panchakarma centers.

 

Please note: This certification is not a “license” to practice Panchakarma. Kerala Ayurveda Academy provides the knowledge and skill training necessary to become a competent Panchakarma technician. All students of this program must verify and comply with all local rules and regulations governing aspects of Panchakarma practice.

 

Program Overview

Panchakarma is a process of cleansing and rejuvenating the system based on the ancient system of Ayurveda. It works with the subtle flow of energy, incorporating various bodywork techniques to allow healing at the deepest level. Using natural ingredients, it is customized for individuals based on their constitution and health conditions. This course covers Panchakarma’s philosophy, principles, and methods of implementation, as outlined in the Vedic texts. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Panchakarma Technician Certificate.

The Panchakarma Technician Certification program covers both theoretical and practical training, including a blend of online learning, in person practical experience and clinical encounters. Classroom sessions consist of six weekend intensive modules, supplemented by recorded lectures on our elearning system and assignments. Three of the weekend intensives focus on lectures, theory, and applied learning demonstrations, and three provide practical training experience.

Format

  • 250 Total Hours
  • 5 Weekend Intensives Total – 8am-6pm Pacific
    • Three 2-Day Intensives In-Person and Live Streamed* – Sat-Sun
    • Two 4.5-Day Intensives In-Person Only – Wed-Sun
  • Online Recorded Lectures & Independent Assignments**

 

*Live Streamed Weekend Intensives are recorded for later viewing.
**Internet connection required.

 

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive education in the traditional Panchakarma methodologies as outlined in the Vedic texts.

Upon completion, students will:

  • Understand the ancient Ayurvedic theory of the elements, individual constitution, subtle energetics and how to apply them in a healing context.
  • Be able to assess the Ayurvedic constitution and imbalance of a client, communicate and document the findings with an Ayurvedic Doctor or Practitioner.
  • Discover the step-by-step process of cleansing and rejuvenation for all body systems, including the three phases of Panchakarma and the fivefold detoxification process.
  • Learn how to design a customized plan for simple Ayurvedic Panchakarma external therapies for an individual.
  • Learn how to create specialized, client-customized oils with natural herbal ingredients for therapies.
  • Learn how to prepare specialized food during Panchakarma.
  • Understand the purpose, function, indications, contraindications, and how to perform bodywork treatments including Abhyanga, Udvartana, Svedana, Pinda Sveda, Pizhichil, Dhara, Shirodhara, Takradhara, Ksheera Dhara, Kati Vasti, Valuka Sweda, Nasya, Netra Tarpana, Upanaha, Pichu, Choorna Sweda,
  • Marma Balancing.
  • Guide clients on the post-Panchakarma food and lifestyle practices to maintain health.

 

Curriculum

The Panchakarma Technician Certification is a blend of online learning, in person practical training experience and clinical encounters to ensure proper theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Classroom sessions consist of six weekend intensive modules, supplemented by recorded lectures on our e-learning system and assignments. Three of the weekend intensives focus on lectures, theory, and applied learning demonstrations, and three provided practical training.

We begin with introductory principles of Ayurveda and Panchakarma during the first two weekend intensives, providing the necessary foundation for both newcomers to Ayurveda and returning students. We’ll explore the Ayurvedic theory of well-being that helps us assess an individual’s state of health, including the elements, individual constitution, physiology, and key metabolic functions. The role of detoxification and rejuvenation will be introduced during weekend one and continued during weekend two for an in-depth look at the ethics, reasons, methods, and treatments during Panchakarma from beginning to end.

The following four weekend intensive sessions include practical training and advanced Panchakarma theory. During the practical sessions, live cases and case studies are incorporated to provide hands-on experience and practice for applied learning. Advanced principles during weekend 4 include more detailed theory and procedures, post-therapy convalescence such as dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as Rasayana: The Ayurvedic science of rejuvenation.

Weekend Intensive Modules

Foundational Principles of Ayurveda
(PK001) 2 Days in person or live streamed
Offered in person at our academy in Milpitas, CA and live streamed

Principles of Panchakarma
(PK002) 2 Days in person or live streamed
Offered in person at our academy in Milpitas, CA and live streamed

Advanced Principles and Practice of Panchakarma
(PK003) 2 Days in person or live streamed
Offered in person at our academy in Milpitas, CA and live streamed

Panchakarma Practicum 1: Prep & Purvakarma I & II and Shamana
(PK004) 4.5 Days in person
Offered in person at our academy in Milpitas, CA *in person attendance required

Panchakarma Practicum 2: Main Panchakarma and Specialty Therapies
(PK005) 4.5 Days in person
Offered in person at our academy in Milpitas, CA *in person attendance required

For more information about the curriculum, please consult the course catalog.

 

In Person & Convenient Online Learning

With a robust elearning system, Kerala Ayurveda Academy connects a global community of students of Ayurveda, providing them with ease and flexibility of home study. In person sessions are held at Kerala Ayurveda Academy & Wellness Center in Milpitas, CA, and satellite locations across the U.S.
All classes are live streamed and recorded for distance learning online. Whether students choose to participate in the program in person or only online, they may revisit the online archived classes later at their convenience.

 

Faculty

Kerala Ayurveda Academy offers a premier faculty of doctors and practitioners with vast clinical expertise and experience in teaching, research, and practice in several clinical settings, including Ayurvedic hospitals and centers in India.

For more information about our Faculty, please visit our Faculty page.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Panchakarma is a purification process of the mind-body system as part of the ancient holistic therapies of Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine. Using various bodywork techniques, client-customized oils and special diets, Panchakarma therapies are customized for individuals based on their unique constitution and health conditions. The first step of these therapies is to eliminate the accumulated toxins, wastes and blocked channels creating the imbalance. After this detoxification, rejuvenation methodologies are implemented to restore and strengthen the system for optimal functionality.
KAA offers this Panchakarma Technician Training Program as an enhanced version of our former 50 program. This program is 200 hours additional, for a total of 250 hours. It includes many additional Ayurvedic Therapies, additional hand-on training hours and more live cases for protocol creation than the previous program. These enhancements ensure the students’ competency in customizing each technique for the client with the following capabilities: making a plan based on Samprapti; enhanced knowledge of implementation of each bodywork technique; selection of appropriate oils and natural ingredients for the techniques; selection of the progressive flow of the therapy in a series of program. For graduates of our 4-day program, taking this 250-hour program will enable the student to become a more knowledgeable, capable and confident Panchakarma technician.
A college degree is not required, nor are prior licenses or certifications in any field for studying Panchakarma in this training program. KAA welcomes students from all educational backgrounds, without degrees, licenses or certifications in any field.
Yes.
  • The primary prerequisite for the Panchakarma program is a passion for Ayurveda. A health or medical training background is not required. KAA welcomes students with a high school diploma to any of our courses, in addition to other program-specific prerequisites or corequisites.
  • This program meets the competencies outlined by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). To be an independent Panchakarma Technician with a professional membership from NAMA, it is required to have an AHC (level I) certification in conjunction with the Panchakarma Technician Certification.
  • For those who are licensed healthcare professionals undertaking this program to add value to their practice, and those who are taking this course to help themselves and their family, AHC is not required.
  • The individual’s scope of practice will be designated by local state guidelines. (See Scope of Practice for more details.)
This course covers Panchakarma's philosophy, principles and methods of implementation, as outlined in the Vedic texts. Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded a Panchakarma Technician Certificate. Panchakarma Technicians can:
  • Perform all Ayurvedic hands-on Shamana therapies in a clinic or private practice with an emphasis on utilizing the techniques for purposes of pacification. Shamana includes external calming procedures & regimen without internal cleansing.
  • Perform Panchakarma therapies in connection with a Panchakarma program, under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor, with an emphasis on utilizing the therapies for purposes of Shamana and Shodhana chikitsa. Shodhana includes detoxification & purification procedures and requires the advanced clinical knowledge of an Ayurvedic Doctor.
  • Support and help deliver the Panchakarma treatment program designed by the Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor.
The individual’s scope of practice will be more specifically designated by local and state guidelines. It is the individual’s responsibility to be compliant.
Possibly, depending on your location and how you wish to practice. A license to touch refers to regulations for professions which involve physical contact with clients. These regulations are governed by each individual state in the U.S. Panchakarma involves a variety of bodywork therapies, some of which involve physical contact and some which do not. It is important for the student to check in with local state guidelines to understand which aspects of Panchakarma are compliant and which are not, and either adjust one’s practice accordingly, or pursue the required licensure.
Shamana includes therapies to balance the mind-body system energetics, or Doshas, without internal cleansing. All Panchakarma techniques which do not involve internal cleansing are called Shamana therapies, including various types of external oil applications e.g. Shirodhara, Kati Vasti, Udvarthana. Shodhana includes therapies for deep internal cleansing, requiring clinical knowledge of the disease process and body systems. In additional to individual U.S. state regulations, an individual’s training level in general Ayurvedic wellness will determine the scope of practice. In the U.S., Ayurvedic professionals are certified at three levels according to the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA): level I Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) equivalent to KAA’s Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC); level II Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) equivalent to KAA’s Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) and level III Ayurvedic Doctor (AD). The Panchakarma Technician (PKT) certification can be taken on its own or as an add-on to the primary three levels of Ayurvedic practice. As Panchakarma Technicians, all graduates of this program are qualified to design and implement Panchakarma plans including all Shamana therapies (abiding by local state regulations). To design and implement a Panchakarma plan including both Shamana and Shodhana, a level II or III Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor is required for conducting a clinical assessment. The Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor is capable of mapping the Samprapti, or disease process for the individual client, for customizing the Shodhana therapies. With this plan, the Panchakarma Technician may support, assist and perform the Shodhana procedures under the guidance of the Ayurvedic Practitioner or Ayurvedic Doctor (abiding by local state regulations).
Kerala Ayurveda Academy does not offer state or federal financial aid to students.

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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.


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