Ashtanga Hridayam On-Demand Series

Study the Heart of Ayurveda, One Verse at a Time

The Ashtanga Hridayam — the “Heart of the Eight Branches of Ayurveda” — is one of Ayurveda’s most important classical texts and remains a foundational source for Ayurvedic philosophy, diagnosis, and treatment.

In this immersive series, Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath guides students through the text word by word, illuminating the deeper principles of Ayurveda while bringing the ancient teachings to life through traditional sloka chanting. Whether you are new to Ayurveda or deepening an existing practice, this course offers a strong foundation and a rare opportunity to study directly from one of Ayurveda’s essential root texts.

Select the topics most relevant to your interests, or begin at Part 1 and journey through the text step by step
Each part includes approximately 22 hours of in-depth recorded teachings and guided study
Access hundreds of hours of in-depth recorded teachings at your own pace
Learn directly from an Ayurvedic scholar and master clinician
Discover the layered meaning within each Sanskrit sloka and its application to Ayurvedic understanding
Build an authentic foundation in traditional Ayurvedic knowledge
Continue your studies live with new parts added regularly as this ongoing series unfolds in real time

22 hrs

Duration

Self-paced

Starting Date

Online

Format

Ashtanga Hridayam - 21 Parts kerala-ayurveda-academy

No Prerequisites

This series is designed for Ayurvedic students, professionals and enthusiasts. There is no prerequisite to join, though we recommend a foundation in Ayurvedic principles (like our Principles of Ayurveda all online course) to support your comprehension of the material.

If you are new to Ayurveda, this series will set a stellar foundation for your studies. We recommend starting from the beginning: Part 1 – The Quest for Longevity: Foundational Principles of Ayurveda.

If you have already commenced your studies in Ayurveda, journeying into the root text will allow you to further immerse yourself and become truly outstanding in the field.

Curriculum Overview

The Ashtanga Hridayam, the “Heart or Essence of all the Eight Branches of Ayurveda,” is one of the primary ancient root texts of Ayurveda. Today, the Ashtanga Hridayam continues to serve as a root source for Ayurvedic philosophy and protocol, providing clear guidelines in all aspects of health.

As an Ayurveda student, practitioner, or enthusiast, you know how important it is to use the authentic teachings of the ancient Vedic texts. During this series, you will be guided through the Ashtanga Hridayam word-by-word, illuminating the deepest aspects of the Ayurvedic principles. You’ll learn to chant the slokas, experience the richness of the beautiful ancient verse and feel the healing vibration of the words - the heart of Ayurveda!

Part 1: The Quest for Longevity

Part 2: Daily Regimen for Health and Longevity

Part 3: Seasonal Regimen and Guidelines for Disease Prevention

Part 4: Ayurvedic Principles of Nutrition

Part 5: Properties of Food Ingredients & Healing Herbs

Part 6: Natural Medicinal Ingredients, Food Combining & Preserving

Part 7: Dietary Guidelines and the Impact of Foods on the Mind-Body

Part 8: The Keys to Balanced Doshas and Vitality

Part 9: The Doshas & Disease Management

Part 10: Healing Ingredient Classification, Oleation & Sudation

Part 11: Panchakarma & Detoxification from Preparation to Practice

Part 12: Panchakarma & Cleansing Procedures

Part 13: Instruments, Eye Therapies and Bloodletting

Part 14: Wound Care and Skin Interventions

Part 15: Reproduction from Preconception to Postnatal Care

Part 16: Pregnancy Complications, Healthy Development and Expressions of Mind-Body Systems

Part 17: Marma Classification, Injury Management & Dreams

Part 18: Disease Indicators and Auspicious Signs

Part 19: Understanding Disease

Part 20: Respiratory Disorders and Alcoholism in Ayurveda

Part 21: Alcoholism & Digestive

Hear from Our Students

Frequently Asked Questions

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How much do your certifications cost?

Do you offer financial aid?

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:

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.

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 (11 U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.).

How many hours are required to graduate as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner?

Do I need to take the Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program before the Practitioner program (AP)? Can I go straight into level II AP or level III AAP programs?

Can I take your programs entirely online?

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 Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAP) certification programs require partial in person attendance. They cannot be taken entirely online.
Completion of the AHC, AP or AAP program allows graduates to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) or Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAP). The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) sets competency standards for professional Ayurvedic education.

Do I need a college degree or a prior license/certification to study Ayurveda at the professional level?

A college degree is only required for our level III certification. Program-specific requirements are as follows:

For all of our Training Programs, 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.
Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAP) 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.

I’m not a healthcare professional; can I still earn a certificate and practice Ayurvedic medicine?

What if I miss a class - what is your makeup policy?

General Policy: Attendance is monitored via attendance taken in-class and during live streamed sessions. Each certification program has a unique Attendance Policy. Please consult the most recent course catalog for details. If a student is absent from an in person or live streamed session, they may make it up at any KAA training location or via live streamed session, free of charge. If a student wishes to retake an in-class session, a make-up fee may apply. To make arrangements for all make-up or retake sessions, please contact Student Support at support@keralaayurveda.us.

What materials do I need to bring to class and what should I expect in the classroom?

Are there tests?

Please try not to feel anxious about the tests. The testing is conducted online in our elearning system at the student’s pace. There are three (3) attempts available for taking the test, and the highest score is recorded. The tests provide the student and the academy an opportunity to verify learning benchmarks are achieved for successful course progress.

If I enroll for Ayurvedic Health Counselor, will I get a Holistic Ayurvedic Coach certificate?

Are there books for the class and what do they cost?

What should I do for meals during class times?

For students attending on-site, complementary water and tea is available at our center. Classes are scheduled between 8:00am-6:00pm U.S. Pacific Time. A 1-hour lunch break is provided. Students may bring lunch and are welcome to eat in our classroom. A breakroom is available in the building with a refrigerator, sink and microwave. KAA can provide recommendations for local restaurants.

I am an Ayurvedic Doctor in India with a BAMS degree. Are there any prerequisites for me to join this program?

What does the “Vaidya” mean, and can I use the designation “Vaidya” once I earn this certification?

Vaidya is a Sanskrit word which translates to healer. It has been used as a designation for Ayurvedic physicians for thousands of years and signifies an Ayurvedic lineage. You may notice that many of our faculty hold this designation, in addition to their BAMS degrees, and this is due to their personal lineage, coming from families of Ayurvedic healers. Out of respect for the Ayurvedic family lineages, the title Vaidya is not used based on degree alone.

Can I use the designation “Dr.” once I earn my certification?

After I complete the Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAP) program, will I be able to practice as an Ayurvedic Doctor in India?

This program is designed to satisfy the Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner (AAP) scope of practice in the US, as determined by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). It does not qualify you for practice in India as a BAMS Ayurvedic Doctor, nor does it qualify you to practice in any other location. Please check in with the regulations of your local state or country to determine your available scope of practice and whether this program will meet your needs

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