First Accredited Ayurvedic Doctor Program in the U.S.
The California College of Ayurveda (Nevada City, CA) has announces a newly developed, state-approved Ayurvedic Doctor Program, accredited by the National Council on Ayurvedic Education. This is the first time that such a program has been offered in the United States.
The Ayurvedic Doctor curriculum provides students with highly advanced course work and hands-on training, integrating classical ayurvedic medicine as it has been taught and practiced in India for thousands of years combined with a basic knowledge of Western medicine.
“California College of Ayurveda spearheaded ayurvedic practitioner training in this country 21 years ago, and now we are at the forefront of bringing Ayurvedic Doctors to America through our new Ayurvedic Doctor program,” said Dr. Marc Halpern, founder of the college. “This, along with our other programs, helps Ayurveda build the necessary infrastructure in the United States for universal recognition. We are honored to help promote the advancement of this profession, increasing the availability and benefits of Ayurveda in this country, and to be of service to humanity in this way.”
Established in 1995, the California College of Ayurveda is the oldest state-approved college offering ayurvedic medicine training. Ayurvedic medicine is both preventative and curative. As a preventative form of medicine, Ayurveda focuses on creating a state of balance and harmony in the body and mind that enhances the immune system and supports the body to heal itself. As a curative form of medicine, ayurvedic herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of diseases.
Ayurveda’s appeal is closely connected with yoga; in fact, they are considered sister sciences. Ayurvedic medicine is known as the healing side of yoga. Ayurveda incorporates the same philosophy and principles as yoga with a full system of preventive and curative medicinal principles.
“The fact that Dr. Halpern has created this program to further the field of ayurvedic education and health care in the United States is right in line with his internationally recognized stature in the field—he’s been instrumental in advancing the science in the U.S. for over 20 years,” said Heidi Wingo, school director.
The Ayurvedic Doctor program entails 3,100 hours of training. These hours include training in classical ayurvedic principles, clinical ayurvedic principles and an overview of Western medicine. Students also complete an 18-month-long internship. The total course work takes three years of full time study to complete, although the college also offers distance learning and weekend classes.
The college is now accepting applications for new students. Students begin in the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program and can continue on into the Ayurvedic Practitioner program leading up to the Ayurvedic Doctor Program.
For more information, visit www.ayurvedacollege.com.
