Ayurvedic Studies Programs

The Ayurvedic Institute:
Leading Ayurveda school in the West

The Ayurvedic Institute is a school committed to providing the highest quality training programs to support its students in becoming competent and confident Ayurvedic counselors, practitioners, and doctors. Now in its 38th year, the Ayurvedic Institute is a highly respected school whose mission is to to ‘heal all beings through Ayurveda’. Over the years, thousands of students have passed through its classrooms and gone on to spread the healing message of Ayurveda all over the world.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge as a means to support your own healing or you’re interested in an Ayurveda Certification, we would love to be a part of your journey!

Download Our Academic Catalog

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The Ayurvedic Studies Programs

ASP 1

A one year, full-time program that yields an Ayurvedic Health Counsellor qualification

ASP 2

A one year, full-time program that can be done after completion of ASP1 (or equivalent) that yields an Ayurvedic Practitioner qualification

ASP 3

A two year, full time course that can be entered into upon completion of ASP2 (or equivalent) that yields the Ayurvedic Doctor certification

Take Classes Online & In-Person

Hybrid study is available for both our first and second year programs in the 2023/2024 academic year

Our full-time Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP1 & ASP2) will be available for both in person and a partial online study in the Fall of 2023!

Study to become an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (ASP1) and an Ayurvedic Practitioner (ASP2) from the comfort of your own space – wherever that may be!

Please note that for a portion of both the ASP1 & ASP2 programs there will be a minimum in-person requirement – but please speak to our academic counselors about this when you apply.

What’s the difference between online and in person study?

Not much! All classes will be live-streamed at the same time as the standard class schedule and students will have the ability to ask questions, observe best practices, and be a part of the larger student community. The standard cost of tuition includes materials that will be sent to your home and the in-person hours are the minimum in-person attendance our hybrid students need to follow, you are welcome to take more hours in person if you wish!

Our online study experience mimics the classroom – so your faculty will guide you through hands-on applications where necessary, while offering feedback remotely. We will also take a novel approach to some portions of the clinical training through this system and will share more on this during the application process.

Please note, that if you are intending to sit for the NAMA Certification Board exams you must honor the in-person hour requirements.

For more information on our courses, or to request a schedule of which classes are required to attend in-person, please reach out to us via email: admissions@ayurveda.com

Part-time Study available for ASP1 starting this Fall

Your first year of study can now be taken over 2 years

We are excited to launch our part-time offering for our ASP1 – first year Ayurvedic Health Counselor program! This part-time program begins this Fall for the 2023/2024 academic year, and will follow the standard academic calendar but allow students to take their classes and courses over a duration of 2 years.

Students will be free to decide which courses they take over a 2 year period. The classes will still take place at the same time as the standard classes on the ASP1 calendar with students either joining in-person or online through our hybrid program. You can still elect to take your part-time studies in the hybrid model – but the same amount of in-person hours would need to be honored, but of course you can also elect to spread this over the same 2 year period.

Please note students need to complete all the course requirements for ASP1 to graduate from that program and we cannot accept credits from other institutions for similar course work previously completed.

If you are ready to apply, you can do so here: https://www.ayurveda.com/asp-form/ – merely indicate in your Essay section that you are interested in the Hybrid program, Part-time program, or both!

For more information on this offering please reach out to us via email: admissions@ayurveda.com

Study Ayurveda with us

The Ayurvedic Institute gives its students the unique opportunity to learn directly with world-renowned teacher and practitioner of Ayurveda, Vasant Lad, BAMS, MA&Sc. Vasant Lad is the director and principal instructor for all program offerings. Having founded The Ayurvedic Institute almost four decades ago, his uniquely compassionate vision continues to shape the educational philosophy, program offerings, and curriculum. All of the other teachers and faculty members at the school have studied under Vasant Lad and are devoted to preserving his lineage.

All of our programs are full-time and immersive, five days a week, rain or shine! By choosing to study with us you will gain a depth of knowledge of the Science of Life that only such a program affords. We encourage our students to manage their other responsibilities such as work and family life, so that they are able to dedicate this significant time and attention to their studies and make the most of this amazing time in their lives!

Honoring the traditional roots of Ayurveda

Our Vedic classroom set-up honors the traditional roots of Ayurveda with Sanskrit prayers before and after each class, modest dress and etiquette as well as regular pujas and celebrations of important dates in the Vedic calendar.

Learning, living and walking together on the path of Ayurveda

We love our students! Studying and living closely with other students will enable you to truly embody the principles of Ayurveda whilst also building a community that will continue to guide and support you well beyond the duration of the course. Every year, we welcome many beautiful souls from across the world and watch beautiful relationships form, with powerful experiences of the discovery of Ayurveda and personal growth at their core.

Study in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains

The school is located in Asheville, North Carolina; a beautiful and vibrant town. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, opportunities to be immersed in nature abound. The great elements at the core of Ayurveda are beautifully represented here with pure mountain air, clear water in the many creeks, rivers and waterfalls as well as lush vegetation and fertile soil. Within an hour’s drive of Asheville, you’ll find world class hiking, with the Mountains to Sea trail and Appalachian trail passing directly through town as well as many lakes, mountains and biking options nearby.

The Ayurvedic Institute finds its home here amongst many other wellness ventures, the town being historically known for its health giving qualities. We share our campus with the Asheville Yoga Center, which offers students of the Ayurvedic Institute discounted rates on both classes and their renowned YTT programs.

Students will be able to find all the amenities of a well-supplied town, with farmers markets, organic groceries and a buzzing restaurant scene.

Known for its lively music and arts scene, galleries and music events are abundant in this town. Whether it’s blues, drumming circles, country or conscious music, you won’t have to work hard to find your jam here. We even have our own affiliated music venue, the Ayurprana Listening Rooms which regularly hosts conscious music and arts events.

For those planning to relocate their families to Asheville, the city is known for its fantastic schools and its very much child-friendly outdoorsy lifestyle. For our beautiful International students, Asheville is highly accessible, with easy connections to New York, Washington and Atlanta International Airports.

Currently, in addition to in-person classes and in a bid to make these teachings even more accessible, we are able to offer ASP1 and ASP2 online for those only able to access the courses remotely. For more information, see our FAQs section.

Education FAQs

Where is the school?

The Ayurvedic Institute is now located in Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, the environment promotes the Ayurvedic healing principles at the heart of our curriculum. Students enjoy the thriving, creative culture of this beautiful town as well as the ample opportunities to be immersed in nature.

When does the program run?

Our ASP1 program runs from September through June. Our classes are designed to complement and build upon each other and are the place where you and your classmates will learn both with and from each other. To foster continuity and community there is a set curriculum and schedule everyone follows.

Are there payment plan options or scholarships available?

Yes! We offer a range of payment plans for our students and some partial scholarships and grants. For more information and how to apply, email admissions@ayurveda.com.

Will I be able to work during the school year?

Our programme is full-time, immersive and academically rigorous. Alongside daily classes, the programs involve homework and reading outside of class. In each week of this program, an estimated 50-60 hours is dedicated to lecture, class, study, and practice including applied application outside of the classroom. We encourage all of our students to try and find a way to devote all of their time and attention to this programme for the period of their attendance, so that they may best absorb these important teachings, as well as minimize stress and increase their enjoyment of the studies.

I want to study with you, but I can’t attend the full time or hybrid programs.

We want to make Ayurvedic education accessible to everyone. We offer a range of webinars, immersions and other continuing education through AyurPrana with Vasant Lad and our amazing faculty. Follow this link to explore other ways to learn with us.