Posted on March 1, 2024March 5, 2024

Best Ayurveda Certification Courses

Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic healing practices rooted in India. The word literally means Science Of Life, ‘ayus’ meaning life, and ‘veda’ meaning science. It’s a complex and extremely fascinating system that connects each individual’s constitution, unique energetic combinations that circulate within one’s body, with food and lifestyle that can prevent that individual from experiencing diseases.

Ayurveda has become a recognized field of study as people all over the world discover its wisdom and practical healing tools. Trained Ayurvedic Professionals are now working in many avenues of healthcare including ND, MD, RN, NP, LMT, LAc, PT, PTA, DC, RDN, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy, Counseling, Skin Care, Wellness Spas, Yoga Teachers, Fitness Coaches, School Teachers, Wellness Coaches, Holistic Health Coaches, Life Coaching, Herbalists, Professional Chefs & Caterers.

Navigating Ayurveda certification options is complex and overwhelming. This is a great article that should help you digest your options and process for certification.

Below is a list of the top schools to choose from so you can get started on your Ayurvedic path.

What’s Important When Choosing an Ayurveda Program?

There’s a number of factors you’ll want to consider before choosing a program. Programs range significantly, from basic, uncertified introductory courses all the way up to 3-year masters programs at large universities. Here’s a few things to consider when choosing your school:

1. The Certification & Credentials:

The National Ayurvedic Medical Association is the primary certifying body in the world of Ayurveda. Although it is not a legal requirement to be certified to practice Ayurveda, it is an increasingly recognized field that develops more industry standards with every passing year. Because yoga is often included in Ayurveda programs, some programs are also certified by the Yoga Alliance and IAYT, however, these organizations are not necessarily intended to be Ayurveda certification bodies.

2. Budget

You’ll have to consider pretty quickly if you’re ready to invest in a 3-year, $30,000 master’s program from a major university. If not, there’s plenty of good options below for shorter introductory courses to get your feet wet before diving into a masters program.

3. The Vibe

Because it’s an unregulated field, and Ayurveda is still largely unknown to most, the most important thing is the vibe you get from the school. Make sure you select a program that inspires you and you feel that deep intuitive draw towards. The most important thing is that you set yourself up for a long, inspired career.

Sarasvati Ayurveda Institute

This school is a great option if you don’t feel drawn to the big, academic environments, but also want credible professional certifications through the National Association of Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga Alliance.

Learn and experience how it is to truly embody Ayurveda at the Sarasvati Ayurveda Institute in your everyday life. Susan Bass, Ayurvedic expert and founder of the institute, will work closely with her team to ensure you get a great understanding of ancient science combined with the modern world.

Take the first step by signing up to the Ayurveda Foundations training and receive a 300-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Certification training as a part of the program. A typical day on the training would involve pranayama and meditation in the mornings, followed by lectures, yoga, and more. The training is also accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapy, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the Yoga Alliance.

- Certification: Ayurveda Foundations And 300-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Certification
- Price: $4950.00
- Duration: 12 months
- Website: https://www.sarasvatiayurveda.com

Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health Training

Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health has 5 decades of training experience to offer to anyone eager to learn about the art of healing. The center combines the teachings of Swami Kripalu from the East, with new innovative learnings from the West, to offer you in-depth Ayurvedic trainings filled with back-up research and hands-on experience. Explore the 200-Hour Foundations of Ayurveda Training, and to advance your learning you can sign up for a 300-Hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training, and finally a 650-Hour Ayurveda Health Counselor Program. Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health has endless learning opportunities for the curious learner.

When you sign up for the 200-Hour Foundations of Ayurveda Training, world class faculty will take you through important concepts like the doshas, Ayurvedic cooking, Ayurvedic psychology, yoga, and even an introduction to Sanskrit.

The cool thing is that you can experience a life-changing training at the comfort of your own home with the center’s online platform.

Certification: 200-Hour Foundations of Ayurveda Training
Price: $2950.00
Duration: 7 months
Website: https://kripalu.org

Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda Training

The Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda, another NAMACB approved training, offers analytical knowledge readying you to understand and apply the complex aspects of Ayurveda.

The fully online Ayurveda Health Counselor Training found here has a great reputation for leaving students feeling full knowledge and confidence. The program includes plenty of live classes, workshops, research assignments, clinical setting experiences, and in-depth learnings on Ayurveda and the human body. It’s the whole package really.

After 10 months, you’ll be able to offer guidance around unique constitutions, dosha states and imbalances, intelligent dietary modifications, and other healing tools one can apply to their everyday life.

Certification: Ayurveda Health Counselor
Price: $6400.00
Duration: 10 months
Website: https://mnayurveda.com

Ananda Ayurveda Academy

The Ayurvedic programs offered here are heavily focused on teaching a holistic view to healing that can be applied to the learner’s and their client’s path to a healthier life. Ananda Ayurveda Academy is so committed to helping the community learn, that they even offer scholarship programs and hybrid teaching formats.

When you enroll in the Ayurveda Wellness Counselor Program, you’ll touch on all the important aspects of ancient Ayurvedic sciences and how they can complement current modern world lifestyles. Some of the modules include learning pulse evaluation, rejuvenation and detoxification therapies, learning how to apply lifestyle plans for disease prevention and much more.

Certification: Ayurveda Wellness Counselor Program
Price: $5500.00
Duration: 12 months
Website: https://www.anandaayurvedaacademy.com

Boston Ayurveda School Certification

Boston Ayurveda School, one of the Down Under School of Yoga schools, is known for its blend of very knowledgeable Western and Eastern doctors, health practitioners, yoga professionals and more wellness-focused faculty that are there to help you grow. They got you covered at every step of the way on your path towards a healthier lifestyle.

With this school, you’ll learn about the must-know Ayurveda principles, philosophy, herbology, psychology, imbalance management, and all the good stuff starting from your own personal experience.

The process of getting certified as an Ayurveda Health Counselor starts with a Personalized Ayurveda Immersion, and once completed you can start the Ayurveda Health Counselor program. This is a great way to ensure you are well equipped with first-hand knowledge about your own personal health, so you are prepared to learn how to counsel others with theirs.

Oh! You can also drop in to their website to take a mini quiz and learn about your dosha before you get started.

- Certification: Ayurveda Health Counselor
- Price: $7868.00
- Duration: 14-18 months
- Website: https://www.bostonayurvedaschool.com

California College Of Ayurveda

The California College of Ayurveda is considered by some to have the highest academic standards in the United States. Dr. Halpern, the founder of the college, focuses on providing authentic and professional learning to his students. He also has some ties with Indian Ayurvedic clinics so that students can opt-in for a potential internship once they’ve graduated.

The college Ayurveda offers a high-level introductory program for those interested in learning the Principle of Ayurvedic Medicine. Through 11 modules, across the span of 8 months, you’ll learn everything from Ayurvedic Physiology to Sound Therapy.

Students have felt a sense of deep healing and growth on a personal level, while confident in the professional tools they’ve learned so that they can consult clients into a better lifestyle.

- Certification: Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine
- Price: $6500.00
- Duration: 8 months
- Website: https://www.ayurvedacollege.com

Southern California University of Health Services Ayurveda Certification

Ranked #1 three years in a row by universities.com, the Southern California University of Health and Sciences has provided students with high quality education through various types of degrees and certificates. In a nutshell it, the university keeps innovative course designs, expert faculty, and an environment that focuses on nurturing the students with all they need to know as an Ayurvedic and holistic healer.

If you’re looking for heavily evidence-based and learning about many Ayurvedic therapies, then this Ayurvedic Wellness Educator training might be for you.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Wellness Educator Certificate
- Price: $8981.00
- Duration: 12 months
- Website: https://www.scuhs.edu

Ayu Academy

Ayu Academy is an accessible online platform that can help you learn about your own health through one on one coaching sessions, and gives you the opportunity to become an Ayurvedic Health Coach yourself with its professional certifications.

To start off, you could look into the Level 1 Ayurvedic Health Coach online training of 11 months. The training is divided into 4 periods with a detailed list of what you will learn i.e. Sanskrit terms, Ayurveda and Western science concepts, Ayurvedic techniques for various geographical locations and cultures, etc.

You can hop on to their website for the detailed curriculum to learn more.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Health Coach
- Price: $6550.00
- Duration: 11 months
- Website: https://www.ayu.academy

Sampoorna Ayurvedic College

Sampoorna in Sanskrit means whole, and this is what the college’s approach is with its approach to educating. Sampoorna Ayurvedic College focuses on bringing to life Vedic Sciences through methods that work in current times.

The first training of three, is the 12 month Ayurvedic Health Counselor program. It leaves you with what you need to know to get started as a counselor so you can start helping yourself and clients right away. The curriculum includes Ayurvedic physiology, herbology, body work, detoxification, and more applicable concepts.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Health Counselor Program
- Price: $6200.00
- Duration: 12 months
- Website: https://sampoornacollege.com

Uma-Sri Ayurveda Institute

Uma-Sri Institute seems to be the one-stop-shop for Ayurvedic knowledge and healing methods. The Institute offers plenty of workshops online, teaching tools, personalized reports for unique constitutions, and patient management systems for practicing therapists.

You can also learn more with Uma-Sri through the 10-module Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Health Consultant Program. The program includes foundations of Ayurveda, disease prevention and treatments, internships, in-depth Vedic Sciences, discovering Jyotisha the Hindu Astrology system and more.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Health Consultant Program
- Price: $5000.00
- Duration: 600 hours (TBC month duration)
- Website: https://uma-sri.com/education

Narayana Ayurveda & Yoga Academy

This Ayurveda school has a love for community and bringing people together for the greater good. Narayana Ayurveda & Yoga Academy offers so many resources to help educate you on how Ayurveda can help you live in harmony with the world around you. They even have free community workshops throughout the year.

With this academy, you can expect a wholesome, supportive and nurturing environment as you study to become an Ayurvedic professional. The school’s philosophy includes concepts such as wholeness with nature and earth, cultivating inner awareness, and Ahimsa, living in harmony with nature without harm to the environment or creatures.

The school offers an 11 month Ayurveda Counselor training with curriculum around the history and mythology of Ayurvedic medicine, five elements, the nadis, and much more.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Counselor
- Price: $3910.00
- Duration: 11 months (TBC)
- Website: https://naya-ayurveda.com

The Ayurvedic Institute

Founded by Indian Native and medical doctor Vasant Lad, The Ayurvedic Institute is known as one of the leading Ayurvedic Schools outside of India. Vasant’s vision is to integrate Ayurveda with all aspects of existence and to encourage harmony by blending Vedic traditions with other Hindu disciplines like yoga and Jyotisha. There is so much depth one can into in their learning experience, and this is a great school for that.

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You can choose to join the Ayurvedic Health Counselor program, where you’ll learn to understand yourself and others through an Ayurvedic lens. For instance, you’ll be trained to observe your clients’ eyes, facial lines, tongue and pulse so that you can make a conscious and effective remedial recommendation.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Health Counselor
- Price: $13955.00
- Duration: 10 months
- Website: https://www.ayurveda.com

Kerala Ayurveda Academy Certification

If you’ve ever been to Kerala India you would have probably felt the natural healing properties surrounding you, it’s truly magic. With the Kerala Ayurveda Academy you could experience a similar magic with how deeply rooted their trainings are with the authentic Ayurvedic traditions born in Kerala. Their website has so much for you to explore, including some free programs you could start right away.

For all aspiring healers and those looking to transform on personal level, the Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certification may just be for you. You’ll learn how to conduct an Ayurvedic analysis with a full set of tools, and you’ll be able to offer guidance around Pranayama (breathing methods) and Meditation.

- Certification: Ayurvedic Health Counselor
- Price: $8750.00
- Duration: 12 months
- Website: https://www.keralaayurveda.us

Maharishi AyurVeda and Integrative Medicine

Maharishi University offers an online Bachelors’s program for Ayurveda and Integrative health. In this program, you’ll learn from a basis of scientific knowledge as applied to the Ancient Wisdom of Ayurveda. Expect larger classroom sizes and more of a traditional University learning environment.