Gurukula — "Family of The Teacher"
Ayurvedic Home School
In our "home school" founded in 1997, we combine the best of new paradigm medical education with the best of the ancient gurukula contemplative pedagogy. Our apprentices, attending on a donation basis, acquire the knowledge and tools needed to administer Ayruvedic healing techniques.
"We focus on graduating a few excellent and compassionate healers who are able to connect to their patients on a deeper level," says our spiritual teacher, Alakananda Ma (www.alandiashram.org/alakananda). "We provide truly holistic support to our student's development. This means rigorous intellectual and clinical training, as well as a deep immersion in the spiritual and Vedic context of Ayurveda."
"Alandi Ashram is one of the best centers in America for learning Ayurveda in a spiritual and Vedic context, emphasizing Ayurveda as a yogic discipline for students to both live and practice. Its director, Alakananda, was one of the first western physicians to teach Ayurveda, starting in 1980, and
brings her extensive medical background into the work as well." |
| Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) Yoga and Ayurveda; Director of American Institute of Vedic Studies |
We cultivate the seeds of stillness, altruism and compassionate service in our apprentice's hearts. Honoring the multiple gifts brought by our student's diversity of learning and experience, we see our students as both teachers and learners. We encourage the creation of a community of sharing and support on all levels. Through the nurturing and rich atmosphere of a gurukula, students will blossom in their personal understandings, interpersonal skills and spiritual practice, as well as in their competence in Ayurveda.
Students enjoy close personal attention from our teacher Alakananda Ma. By sharing meals, taking walks together, and spending abundant time in clinic and pharmacy, our program fosters community and camaraderie among students, with senior students mentoring the newer arrivals. Meditation plays an important part in our learning journey, while chanting, fire ceremonies, movie nights and organic gardening are available as extra-curricular opportunities.
The small, simple, and intimate environment of Alandi provides the benefits of small class learning at the fraction of the cost per credit of other programs. Students truly participate in a family style environment – studying in the home of the teacher and working together to support the school and each other. Our multi-modal, experiential, whole-person learning journey is designed to support practical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth. Each facet of the program contributes to the holistic development as a healer. Our unique apprenticeships, offered on a donation basis, consist of a combination of small-group education, experiential study, hands-on practice and daily interactions under the guidance of a compassionate and experienced practitioner who will share her heart and wisdom with each student.
General Program Outline
The academic year is divided into two semesters, 15 weeks each, with typical holiday schedules observed. Students attend four days per week for an average of 24 credits per semester. These include two classroom days (16 hours) and two clinic days (16 hours). After the end of the spring semester, required clinic days continue until mid-June.
The program is limited to 8 full time students per year. Class sizes are small, with mixed levels to maximize discussion, individual attention, and to increase learning potential. This is an intensive higher education program; so come prepared to study, work hard and learn a lot of great information. Students should expect to do 1-2 hours per class per week outside of school on assignments, homework and studying.
Students gain their clinic experience within a busy Ayurvedic general practice seeing patients of all ages with every kind of condition. Their clinic rubrics are designed to ensure they have gained experience in the various branches of Ayurveda prior to graduation
After completing three semesters as apprentices and lifestyle counselors with our practitioners, students then spend 5 semesters seeing their own patients with supervision of clinical findings and chikitsa for a total of at least 270 encounters (of which at least 150 are one-on-one).
Program Highlights
- Small class sizes with individual attention and student directed learning.
- Integrated mixed-level classes with peer mentoring.
- Extensive clinical internship culminating in a supervised student clinic.
- Ayurvedic lunch and nutrition program – features a unique menu each classroom day over the course of 2 years with targeted lecture and a complete recipe manual.
Programs Offered
- Ayurvedic Practitioner – 2,000+ contact hours (140 credits)
- Ayurvedic Doctor – 4,000+ contact hours (260 credits)
- Continuing Education Credits
See detailed class listings for these programs under course descriptions.
If you would like to learn more about our gurukula program, please contact our administrator at info@alandiashram.org or 303-786-7437 to receive a complete catalog.
The application deadline for Fall 2016 has passed. If you are interested in being put on the waitlist or in learning more about our preliminary program, please contact the administrator at info@alandiashram.org or 303-786-7437. The preliminary program prepares two to three students for admission the following year.