Indian Ayurvedic Medicine with Dr. Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc:
Ven. Losang Jinpa's Formal Training at the Ayurvedic Institute

Consultations are held at our Downtown Berkeley clinic at 2210 McKinley Avenue, #4, (1 block west of Martin Luther King at Allston Way) Berkeley, 94703 - a 6 minute, 3 block walk from the Downtown Berkeley Shattuck BART (Allston Avenue Stairs Exit) station

Mailing Address: 2210 McKinley Avenue, #4, c/o Ksitigarbha Buddhist Monastery, Berkeley, California 94703 / TDC  USA

Director: Ven. Losang Jinpa (formerly Michael Reid Kreuzer), D.Ayur, M.A.H., Ph.D Buddhist Ayurveda   (1) 510-292-6696  Call to Book Appointment
www.Ayurveda-Berkeley.com     Please CALL US, no e-mail available.

 

Ayurvedic Studies Program: Ven. Losang Jinpa's Core TrainingDr. Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, Ayurvedic Physician. Dr. Lad is the primary teacher of both Vijaya Stallings, M.A. and Losang Jinpa, D.Ayur, and is a practitioner of Ayurveda in its original form. His strong background in Vedic philosophy and spiritual faith is the foundation for his commitment to treating patients and teaching Ayurveda in its true and holistic form. Dr. Lad brings a wealth of classroom and practical experience to the United States. A native of India, he served for three years as Medical Director of the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune, India. He was Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor’s of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) degree from the University of Pune and a Master’s of Ayurvedic Science (MASc) degree from Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya. Dr. Lad’s academic and practical training include the study of Allopathy (Western medicine) and surgery, as well as traditional Ayurveda. Beginning in 1979, he has traveled throughout the United States sharing his knowledge of Ayurveda. In 1984 he came to Albuquerque as Director, principal instructor and founder of the Ayurvedic Institute. Dr. Lad is the author of several books and is respected throughout the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda. He personally teaches most of the Ayurvedic topics at the Institute, where both Michael and Vijaya graduated. This graphic is either reprinted with permission or is made available under the "fair use" provision (17 USC §107) of the U.S. Copyright Act for research and non-profit educational and religious purposes only. Picture source: http://www.ayurveda.com

Renowned author and Ayurvedic Physician Dr. Vasant Lad's Ayurvedic Studies Certificate Program, where Vijaya Stallings, M.A. (Class of 1991), Ven. Losang Jinpa, D.Ayur. (Class of 1998),  and Sarada Von Sonn, P.K.S. (Class of 1995) studied, is the most comprehensive clinical training in Ayurveda offered in the United States and is the only program taught full time by an actual Doctor of Ayurveda (B.A.M.S. and M.A.Sc.) with 39 years of clinical experience.  Dr. Lad, a renowned author,  has been recognized since 1984 as the foremost expert of Ayurveda in the United States.

The Ayurvedic Studies Program is the foundation of the educational programs offered at the Ayurvedic Institute, founded by Dr. Vasant Lad in 1984 as the premier college of Ayurveda in the USA. It is designed as a thorough introduction to the medical science of Ayurveda for lay persons and medical professionals. The program is likely to be a challenge for the layperson. While a background in anatomy and physiology, biology, and medical terminology are quite helpful, the required anatomy and physiology course work supports the layperson’s comprehension. Additionally, there are many Sanskrit terms and new concepts in this program. The first quarter covers basic principles and concepts. The second quarter addresses Ayurvedic philosophy, nutrition, the causes and progress of imbalance and disease and client assessment. The third quarter examines Ayurvedic management, treatment and rejuvenation.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see the broad level of formal classroom Ayurvedic training that Vijaya Stallings, M.A. and Losang Jinpa, D.Ayur received with Dr. Lad, please check out the Ayurvedic Institute's Academic Catalog:

2001-2002 Ayurvedic Institute Academic Catalog in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The file size is 475 KB.  (needs Adobe Acrobat)

2001-2002 Academic Catalog in Microsoft Word .DOC format. The file size is 918 KB.

 

 

 

Ayurvedic Studies I

Introduction to Theory
Orientation/Vedic Philosophy, and Dinacharya (daily routine).
Brief introduction to Sankhya theory and the gunas as an expression of consciousness; Gunas (universal attributes) and doshic theory (functional principles in biologic systems).
Vata dosha (the air principle), its subtypes, and the effects when increased and decreased.
Pitta dosha (the fire principle), its subtypes, and the effects when increased and decreased.
Kapha dosha (the earth principle), its subtypes, and the effects when increased and decreased.
Prakruti (balance).
Vikruti (imbalance).
The concept of Agni, its subtypes, and the six tastes and the process of digestion.
Introduction to Dhatus, (bodily tissues); Introduction to the seven dhatus and transformation of the dhatus: rasa (plasma), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscle), meda (fat), asthi (bone), majja (nerve) and shukra/artava (reproductive) tissues.
Introduction to the functional and subtle systems of the body; the concept of Srotas, the functional systems of the body, ojas, tejas and prana (the subtle refined essences of the tissues), and spirituality in daily life and the aims of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

Ayurvedic Studies II

Introduction to Philosophy and Theory
Sankhya philosophy and shad darshan, (six philosophies of life).
The Ayurvedic concept of health: Physical constitution and disorders, Manas Prakruti (mental constitution) and Vikruti (disorders).
Ayurvedic Nutrition
Nutrition and the Functional Relationship between Srotas and Dhatus: prana (air), ambu (water) and anna (food) vaha srotas, rasa (plasma), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscle), meda (fat), asthi (bone), majja (nervous) and shukra/artava (reproductive) vaha srotas, sweda (sweat), mutra (urine) and purisha (feces) vaha srotas, mano (mind) vaha srotas, and ojas, tejas and prana (the subtle refined essences of the tissues).
Digestion and assimilation, agni (jathar agni, bhuta agni, dhatu agni, cellular agni), rasa (taste), virya (energy), vipak (post-digestive effect), and prabhava.
Ayurvedic Pathogenesis and Etiology
Nidana-Panchakam, nidanam (etiology), purva-rupa (prodromal symptoms), rupa (cardinal signs and symptoms), upashay (suitability), samprapti (pathogenesis), and dosha gati.
Introduction to Ayurvedic Assessment
Trividha pariksha (methods of acquiring information), academic, direct perception and inference, prashna (questioning), darshan (observation), sparshan (tactile perception).
Ashtavidha pariksha (eight-fold examination), nadi (pulse), jihva (tongue), shabda (voice), sparsha (palpation), drig (eyes), akruti (form), mutra (urine), mala (feces).
Marmas (Ayurvedic energy points).

Ayurvedic Studies III

Introduction to Ayurvedic Management
Chikitsa (managing disorders utilizing various methods).
Sapta shamanam (seven palliative measures).
Shodhan (panchakarma cleansing measures), purvakarma, pradhanakarma (panchakarma), paschyatkarma, rasayana.
General management of vata.
General management of pitta.
General management of kapha.
Rugna patrakam (client assessment form).
Diseases with examples of nidana (etiology), samprapti (pathology), and chikitsa (treatment).
Practicum and individual cases.

 

The Ayurvedic Studies Certificate Program is divided into a core curriculum and electives. Required core curriculum classes consist of approximately 670 class hours and include Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Anatomy and Physiology, and Yoga. There are an additional 50 to 65 class hours of electives required in the Certificate program. These may be made up from Yoga, Herbology, Ayurvedic Ancient texts and Meditation.

Sanskrit

The vast and profound literature of the ancient Indian culture is recorded in the Sanskrit language. Sanskrit at the Ayurvedic Institute is taught with the aim of preparing the student to gain personal access to the classical literature of Ayurveda and Vedic studies. Certificate students of the Ayurvedic Studies and Gurukula Programs are required to attend and successfully complete the Sanskrit course and are tested at the end of the year to assess their learning.

It is essential that students spend some time each day outside of class studying and reviewing material presented in class so as to develop the study habits so crucial to learning this beautifully subtle and orderly language. Presentation of the language is systematic and cumulative. Moving ahead requires mastering the fundamentals step-by-step at a pace that is challenging and stimulating to the mind.

Most students find themselves being drawn into the study of Sanskrit as their growing concentration and clarity of mind allows them to enter into the body and spirit of the original texts. Proficiency in Sanskrit is essential when the student chooses to pursue advanced study at the Ayurvedic Institute.

Yoga

The purpose of the AyurYoga Courses that Jinpa and Vijaya attended at the Ayurvedic Institute is to enrich the understanding of Ayurveda through the practice of Hatha Yoga, and to understand the effects that yoga has upon doshic imbalance. The course is designed to assist and inspire those wishing to develop a home practice, and enhance and deepen the understanding of those who are already accomplished yogis and yoginis.

The classes covers Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutation), approximately thirty basic asanas (postures), various levels of pranayama (breathing practices), restorative postures and dhyana (meditation). Special Course classes for learning about vata, pitta and kapha with respect to yoga are taught as well as other aspects of Ayurveda as they relate to and are found in yoga. Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, mudras (symbols) and bandhas (locks) are also taught. Students are required to attend the course classes and one yoga practice class per week, and will be tested at the end of the year for both their intellectual and practical understanding of Yoga.