How does HAC compare to other Ayurvedic institutions?
Many Ayurveda programs offer valuable learning experiences. What makes HAC at Kerala Ayurveda Academy distinctive is the combination of lineage, faculty, and learning environment.
First, lineage: Kerala Ayurveda Academy is part of Kerala Ayurveda Limited, an 80-year Ayurvedic organization with roots in Kerala, India, where Ayurveda has been continuously preserved and practiced for generations. Students learn within a living tradition rather than a modern interpretation developed outside of India.
Second, teaching: The program is guided by BAMS-trained Ayurvedic doctors from India who help shape the curriculum and teach key portions of the program alongside an experienced team of educators, mentors, and practitioners.
Third, integration: Kerala Ayurveda Academy and the Wellness Center operate under one roof in Milpitas, California. Students learn within an organization where Ayurveda is actively practiced, creating a close connection between study and real-world application.
Is HAC NAMACB-aligned? Can I sit for the certification exam after?
HAC is the foundational 300-hour program. The full NAMACB Ayurvedic Health Counselor exam requires the 600-hour AHC level. HAC graduates who continue into AHC qualify to sit for NAMACB at exam time. We're an Organizational Member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and our programs are designed to NAMA's competency standards in the U.S.
What's the actual time commitment per week?
The program is structured around six weekend intensives (one per module, in person or live streamed), twelve Tuesday evening virtual classes, five group mentoring sessions, and a one-day clinical practicum, plus self-paced recorded lectures and assignments through the eLearning portal. All live sessions are recorded for replay. Time per week varies by where you are in the program — peak weeks are weekend intensives, quieter weeks are self-paced. Plan accordingly with school, work, or family schedules.
I already do health coaching / yoga / nursing. Will I be bored at the start?
Probably not, but for an unexpected reason. Even students with health backgrounds tell us that the first module recasts what they thought they knew about the body — because Ayurveda's framework is fundamentally different from Western functional or biomedical models. The early modules aren't repetitive; they're foundational to a different way of seeing. By Module 3 you're applying it to your existing practice.
What can I do with HAC professionally? What's the scope?
As an HAC graduate you can offer Ayurvedic coaching — supporting clients with diet, daily and seasonal routines, lifestyle adjustments, and basic herbal recommendations within scope. You cannot diagnose, treat disease, or practice medicine. Most graduates use it three ways: for self and family, as a supplement to an existing wellness practice, or as the entry point to deeper clinical work via AHC and AP. If clinical practice is your end goal, HAC is step one of four.
How do hours transfer to AHC, AP, and AAP?
The first 6 modules of HAC are transferable directly into our Level I AHC (Ayurvedic Health Counselor) program, so you don't repeat foundational coursework. From there, each certification is a prerequisite for the next: AHC is required before AP (Level II), and AP is required before AAP (Level III). The credit ladder is the structural backbone of how Kerala Ayurveda Academy is built — you can pause, return, and continue at your own pace.
Can I attend live sessions, or is it self-paced?
Both. Live online sessions (Tuesday virtual classes, weekend intensives, group mentoring) are scheduled in real time with faculty and the cohort. All live sessions are recorded and available through the eLearning portal for replay, so you can stay on track if you miss one. Many students do a hybrid — attend live when possible, watch recordings during busy weeks. The cohort community itself is one of the things graduates mention most.
What's the refund and withdrawal policy?
Kerala Ayurveda Academy is a California-registered institution, and refund and withdrawal policies are detailed in the enrollment agreement and current course catalog. An advisor walks you through the full policy on the advising call, before you commit. Sabbaticals between cohorts are also available if life circumstances require a pause.
Are international students welcome?
Yes. International students enroll in HAC each cohort and study alongside U.S.-based peers. Live sessions are held on a U.S. Pacific Time schedule (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local), and recordings are available through the eLearning portal to cover any time-zone gaps. The program is fully remote, so location is not a barrier.
What are the admissions requirements?
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for HAC. No prior knowledge of Ayurveda, no medical background, and no other certifications are required. We begin with the fundamentals of Ayurveda and build from there. Students arrive from teaching, parenting, tech, healthcare, design, and dozens of other fields. Curiosity and a willingness to study consistently are the most reliable predictors of who finishes well.