Ayurveda for Massage Therapists 101 Online Course

Ancient Healing Arts for Modern Times

Ayurveda is the science of long life; of daily living; of digestion. Ayur: “life” Veda: “knowledge”. Based on Samkhaya’s philosophy, Ayurveda is ancient medical science that can help individuals make wise, conscious choices about daily living and staying healthy. It is a comprehensive medical system that includes, yoga, diet, bodywork, psychology, surgery, consciousness, herbs, gynecology, pediatrics, astrology and much more.

There are many forms of Ayurvedic bodywork, all rooted in the ancient Tibetan and Indian rejuvenation and purification modality called ‘Pancha Karma’. This course covers the various components of Pancha Karma in broad strokes. There are numerous methods, concepts and forms of ayurvedic massage and bodywork. No one really knows what the original method were thousands of years ago, hence, no one can claim their method is “authentic”. After years and years of searching for one method that resonated with me, I decided there is no “holy grail” of Ayurvedic Bodywork, but instead a plethora of many possibilities.  In lieu of that, to make this course as robust and powerful as possible, I have combined what I learned from Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Maribali Naina, Robert Sachs, Dr. Mishra, Kripalu and Dr. John Doulliard.

This course will teach massage therapists how to integrate aspects of Ayurveda into their massage practice. Students will learn step-by-step practical Ayurvedic techniques, moves, theories, concepts, philosophies, energy medicine and applications of sacred substances on the dermis. This information can easily integrate into western massage therapies. Learning and practicing this time-proven wisdom may open the doorway of consciousness for students, reactivating what they may already know as true in the healing arts.

Ayurveda is considered one of the top 3 medical systems in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Ayurvedic massage is becoming a standard on some of the most elite spa menus and is taught in some of the most progressive massage schools across the country. Over one quarter of the questions on the MBLEX national exam are on based eastern and ayurvedic principles. It is now becoming mandatory to know about the science of Ayurveda in order to be a nationally certified massage therapist.

Graduation from this home-study course with a grade of 75% or higher through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork signifies that you have professional training in Ayurvedic Bodywork. To qualify as a Registered Ayurvedic Health Counselor, you might be interested in enrolling in our online 1-year program found at this link.

Student Objectives

• • History of Ayurveda and pancha karma
  • Discover the 5 great elements, the gunas and the doshas
  • Ayurvedic self-massage
  • Seven sacred tissues in the body
  • Benefits of oil massage and all Ayurvedic bodywork
  • Precautionary measures
  • What oils are best for who and when
  • How to detox the entire body with lemon and salt on the feet
  • Learn the direction of terminal clearance
  • Overview of karna purna therapy (oil application in the ears)
  • Overview of nasya therapy (oil application in nose)
  • Overview of shirodhara therapy (oil/substances flowing over the head)
  • Overview of garshana therapy (raw silk glove friction modality)
  • Overview of swedhana therapy (steam tent thermo-hydrotherapy)
  • Overview of abhyana therapy (warm oil massage)
  • Overview of Shila abhyanga (hot stone massage)
  • Learn the massage moves taught at the Ayurvedic Institute in NM
  • Discover the marma points on the body
  • Learn about mudras and chakras
  • Ayurvedic nutrition and a purification recipe called kitchadi
  • Discover the 5 koshas (energy bodies)

Click Here for a Sneak Preview of the Ayurveda 101 Manual Table of Contents

Course Includes:

• • • Online enrollment
    • Access to the student dashboard with explicit, helpful step-by-step instructions
    • One PDF (digital) training manual approximately 130 illustrated pages (print or read online)
    • Tandem Abhyanga Massage Therapy eDVD
    • Sacred Stone Therapy: Concepts & Theory eDVD
    • Sacred Stone Therapy Classroom Demonstration eDVD
    • Shirodhara Therapy DVD
    • Swedhana-Garshana-Detox-Ayurvedic Treatment eDVD
    • Links and instructions on where to find oils, products and Ayurveda resource page
    • Sample Client Profile
    • Overview of the foundations of Ayurveda
    • Online course forms
    • Multiple-choice open-book exam with 53 questions
    • Transcripts are automatically enabled for printing with a passing score
    • Certification upon meeting the practicum material listed below
    • This course allows students to download the eDVD(s) and PDF manual(s) to their computer, for viewing at any time and as often as they wish. Once you download your course materials, they are yours forever.
    • We provide two ways to watch our mp4 E-DVDs:
      1. On our website using our FV Flow Player. No download needed
      2. Offline downloaded from our website to your computer

Steps to Complete the Course:

• • • View the e-DVDs and read the PDF Manual
    • Purchase Dr. John Doulliard’s book at this link: Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Massage.  It costs approximately $7 used printed or $19 for the kindle edition.
    • Submit Five Student Practicum Forms.
    • Complete Five Critical Essays for each of your five practicum sessions describing your favorite and least favorite parts of this therapy and how you executed it.
    • Complete The Student Essay Course Form.
    • Complete The Client Testimony & Evaluation Form.
    • To earn “Certification” status, attend a “live” on-campus one-day practicum exam with a certified ABS instructor.
      OR: Submit a youtube video link of your best “practice 75-minute session” from start to finish.

Important Details:

• • • Students have 1 year to complete, self-paced. We always allow extensions for extenuating circumstances.
    • Everyone learns at a different rate, but most students complete this course within three months while working a full-time job.
    • Practicum submissions will be graded as “Pass” or “Fail”.
    • Multiple-choice exam requires 75% passing grade. Take the exam as many times as needed for a passing score, no worries.
    • All e-DVDs and webinars can be downloaded and viewed as often as needed.
    • A “Document of Completion” will be awarded to all students who submit a Course Evaluation Form and meet the outlined criteria with passing scores, however, “certification” will only be awarded to e-Course students who either pass the in-person practicum exam in Newport, RI or with another Sacred Stone ABS certified instructor or submit a youtube practicum video.
    • There is no equipment mandatory to take this course since it is designed as an OVERVIEW of all the modalities ayurveda offers.
    • If you plan on practicing shirohdara or swedhana (steam tent) therapy, you will need some equipment. If you plan to just practice the abhyanga therapy, all you will need is some oil and massage table.

Equipment Options:

• • • Shirodhara Equipment
    • Steam Tent
    • Garshana Gloves
    • Massage Table
    • Tridoshic Massage Oil
    • Neem Lavender Coconut Butter
    • Nasya Oil for nasal application

Click here to view the live seminar version of this course and the schedule in Newport, RI

Click here to view our Ayurvedic Bodywork Specialist Online Certification Program