Accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year
Accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year
Imagine a life where you possess the profound wisdom of aligning one’s internal environment towards vibrant health and holistic well-being. Ayurveda offers a holistic path to transformation that is simple yet deep by addressing root causes to empower individuals to lasting wellness.
Studying Ayurveda opens doors to profound self-discovery and the power to heal.
For over 5,000 years, Ayurveda has stood as a testament to the enduring power of natural healing. This ancient science of life, originating in India, offers a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
At the heart of this enduring wisdom lies a rich tradition of knowledge transfer, passed down directly from teacher to student. This sacred tradition ensures the purity and depth of Ayurvedic teachings and continues here with the guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad.
For over four decades, The Ayurvedic Institute has stood as a beacon of authentic Ayurvedic education. Here, you have the unparalleled opportunity to study directly with Dr. Vasant Lad, a world-renowned master whose wisdom and experience are unmatched
This is your chance to learn from a living legend and become part of a legacy of healing.
We understand that every student comes with unique aspirations and life circumstances. That’s why The Ayurvedic Institute offers a flexible range of programs designed to meet you exactly where you are on your journey:
Ready to become a skilled life coach? This program provides the essential framework and techniques to confidently guide clients using Ayurveda. We teach a systematic, structured approach – designed for your success and your clients’ – focusing on incorporating Ayurvedic principles into daily living. Graduate with the competence to build a successful coaching practice centered on practical wellness solutions, differentiating it clearly from programs designed for achieving full mastery and depth in traditional Ayurvedic study.
Our in depth study programs are designed for those ready to dive deep into clinical Ayurvedic practices. You will receive a breadth of mastery that includes:
These programs immerse you in traditional Ayurvedic knowledge for the modern world. Build unshakeable confidence in your understanding of Ayurveda’s profound wisdom.
Continue your professional development and gain mastery in niche areas with our advanced certification program. This program features:
This course is for those ready to delve to the deepest level of Ayurvedic healing arts. Acquire the advanced knowledge and refined clinical skills needed to truly master your chosen specialization.
Ready to become a skilled life coach? This program provides the essential framework and techniques to confidently guide clients using Ayurveda. We teach a systematic, structured approach – designed for your success and your clients’ – focusing on incorporating Ayurvedic principles into daily living. Graduate with the competence to build a successful coaching practice centered on practical wellness solutions, differentiating it clearly from programs designed for achieving full mastery and depth in traditional Ayurvedic study.
Our in depth study programs are designed for those ready to dive deep into clinical Ayurvedic practices. You will receive a breadth of mastery that includes:
These programs immerse you in traditional Ayurvedic knowledge for the modern world. Build unshakeable confidence in your understanding of Ayurveda’s profound wisdom.
Continue your professional development and gain mastery in niche areas with our advanced certification program. This program features:
This course is for those ready to delve to the deepest level of Ayurvedic healing arts. Acquire the advanced knowledge and refined clinical skills needed to truly master your chosen specialization.
In-Person, Online or Hybrid
Part Time or Full Time
4 months to 4 years
We believe that your passion for Ayurveda should translate into a thriving and fulfilling career built on genuine connection and service. That’s why we emphasize heart-centered business practices throughout our educational programs.
We’re committed to ensuring you graduate with the skills to heal and to build a business rooted in compassion and purpose.
Regardless of whether you aim to offer introductory wellness guidance or establish a comprehensive clinical practice, we aim to equip you with the foundational business knowledge and the heart-centered principles to take your passion and turn it into a successful and sustainable career.
+ Heart-Aligned Offer Clarity
+ Business Basics
+ Authentic Sales and Marketing
+ Compassionate Client Management
Learning Ayurveda is not just about theory; it’s about application. Regardless of which program you choose, you will have the invaluable opportunity to work on real cases with expert support, developing your clinical skills and confidence.
With the full time programs, you will gain practical experience working in our student-run clinic. Expert teachers provide supervision to hone your abilities. Each student has dedicated hours in clinic where theory is brought into practice.
You can get knowledge anywhere, we are here to make sure that knowledge is actionable, implemented and practical.
At The Ayurvedic Institute, our commitment extends to your professional success. We provide valuable support to help you confidently launch your Ayurvedic practice, including guidance on business setup essentials, practical marketing insights to reach your clients, and opportunities to connect with our established network of practitioners. We equip you with more than just clinical skills – we help you build a thriving career.
Whether you’re looking for a focused 4-month introductory program or an extensive 4-year journey to become a highly skilled clinical practitioner, The Ayurvedic Institute offers a pathway to match your desired level of expertise. Invest in your future and unlock your potential to become a true agent of transformation.
At The Ayurvedic Institute, you’ll delve into time-honored, traditional principles of Ayurveda. But we also recognize the importance of integrating modern wellness approaches. Our curriculum provides a balanced education, equipping you with a deep understanding of traditional theory alongside contemporary perspectives on health and well-being.
The Ayurvedic Institute offers multiple paths to study Ayurveda, depending on your goals and available time, ensuring everyone called to this path has access to world-class training. For flexible, accessible training focused on core principles and clear coaching structures, you can choose the AyurLife Wellness Coach Program, a focused 4-month program. If your goal is deep clinical mastery and a career as a fully credentialed practitioner, the Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP) offer comprehensive, multi-year journeys with full-time, part-time, inperson, online and hybrid learning options available.
The Institute offers two primary routes for professional certification. The AyurLife Wellness Coach Program is a 300-Hour Professional Certification course designed to empower you to launch a thriving practice within four months by merging Vedic wisdom with modern coaching methodologies. The Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP) follow a multi-level structure: ASP Level 1 prepares you as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC); ASP Level 2 trains you as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) with deep clinical emphasis; and ASP Level 3 focuses on advanced clinical observation and research to certify you as an Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner. Note all programs are available with a 100% online option.
The ideal course depends on your personal or professional aspirations. If you are a yoga teacher, health coach, or wellness practitioner seeking to integrate authentic Ayurvedic approaches and start a coaching business quickly, the AyurLife Wellness Coach Program is your ideal, success-focused path. For those aiming for a high level of clinical knowledge, hands-on experience, and eligibility for NAMA’s highest professional certification, the multi-year Ayurvedic Studies Program is the journey designed to build unparalleled clinical mastery.
Alternatively, many people are drawn to the study of Ayurveda purely for personal development and self-healing.. In this case, flexible options like the 4-month AyurLife Wellness Coach Program or the part-time format of the Ayurvedic Studies Program Level 1 are often the best fit for their schedule and focus on personal transformation.
Enrollment is broadly open to all individuals who are genuinely called to this healing path. The student body is diverse, attracting people from various ages, professional backgrounds, and all over the world. To apply, you must have received a high school diploma or GED and display English-language competency. More importantly, the Institute looks for individuals who demonstrate an attitude of openness, compassion, curiosity, and integrity, along with an enthusiasm for living the wisdom of Ayurveda and aspiring to support health and well-being in the world.
Yes. The Ayurvedic Institute has been the premier institution for authentic Ayurvedic education in the West for over four decades. Our curriculum meets the educational competencies established by the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC), and graduates are eligible to sit for the respective certification exams of the NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB). Furthermore, the school is authorized under federal law to enroll international students who are eligible for an M1 visa, enriching our global community and fulfilling our mission of spreading Ayurveda.
Yes! All programs are available 100% online if travel or moving to Asheville is not possible. The Institute offers flexible learning options that allow for 100% virtual, 100% in-person or a blend of the two. The AyurLife Wellness Coach Program utilizes Independent Self-Study and Live Coaching & Mentorship sessions, providing unlimited lifetime access to materials via the AyurPrana+ learning platform and mobile app. This program is 100% in person. For the multi-year Ayurvedic Studies Programs, online and hybrid options allow you to be present with your teachers and classmates virtually via livestream. It is important to note that the Hybrid program is a synchronous (live-study) experience, meaning there are no recorded calsses or self-paced class options, and hybrid students must complete a required set of in-person hours.
Studying Ayurveda at The Ayurvedic Institute offers a path to both personal transformation and professional fulfillment. You receive the depth of authentic traditional knowledge directly inspired and guided by Dr. Vasant Lad, combined with the teaching mastery of senior faculty for practical application. Graduates gain the ability to conduct thorough client assessments, create individualized wellness protocols, and launch or expand their careers in a growing field. The training also includes comprehensive business development training and ongoing mentorship support to help you build a successful, heart-centered practice.
The time commitment varies with your program choice. The accelerated AyurLife Wellness Coach Program has a total duration of 16 weeks of active learning. The in-depth Ayurvedic Studies Programs span multiple years: Level 1 (Ayurvedic Health Counselor) is typically 1 year full-time; Level 2 (Ayurvedic Practitioner) adds 1 year; and Level 3 (Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner) requires 2 additional years.
No, a prior medical background is not required as the programs are open to all levels. The curriculum systematically builds competency, starting with the Foundations of Ayurveda. Even if you are a beginner, the program is designed to guide you through all necessary understanding, including a course on Western Anatomy & Physiology in the first level of the ASP. The depth of the program allows various healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, therapists) to integrate Ayurveda into their existing practices.
Professional education is an investment. While you need to contact your Ayurvedic Education Ambassador for the current pricing of the AyurLife Wellness Coach Program, the tuition for the Ayurvedic Studies Programs (ASP) for the 2025-2026 academic year are: ASP1 Full-Time is $15,995, ASP2 Full-Time is $16,995, and ASP3 Full-Time is $26,000 (split over 2 years).
There are some scholarship opportunities and several payment plan options available. Your admissions advisor can guide you on the details.
Moving to Asheville to study at the Ayurvedic Institute has been a profound experience of coming home to myself after working over a decade in a corporate career. The most amazing thing about this course is that every aspect contributes to my own personal healing journey in such a meaningful way! Being in community with this diverse and beautiful group of fellow students and faculty while learning the wisdom of Ayurveda is a gift every day, and I cannot imagine being anywhere else than right here, now.
The Ayurvedic Institute has exceeded my expectations for what a school can be. Dr. Lad and the faculty breathe life into ancient Vedic wisdom, making it accessible and practical in modern life. Their commitment to compassion and healing radiates not just through the depth of knowledge but the vitality of the culture and community around it. The Institute truly is a village where people from all over the world and all walks of life come together to learn, share, and explore the spiritual science of life.
Initially, the Ayurvedic Institute (AI) was simply a means to learn Ayurveda and it quickly blossomed into so much more. The curriculum challenged me to broaden my way of thinking. The teachers and staff encouraged and motivated me to deepen my understanding. The student body and the extended community provided a safe space to practice and embody the knowledge. Deep gratitude for the gift of Dr. Lad’s teachings and for AI cultivating such a magical experience.
The months I’ve spent as a first-year student at the Ayurvedic Institute have been truly transformative. The program offers countless invaluable opportunities for challenge, community, growth, and peace. I am confident there is no better place to study Ayurveda; the experience here can profoundly change your life.
Stepping into the Ayurvedic Institute has been like stepping into a whole new world of love, growth, friendship, and healing. The words to describe the immense love and gratitude I feel towards this community, who have quickly become cherished family members, are beyond my vocabulary from this world. Experiencing all these new layers of the universe with all these insanely radiant souls that I have been fortunate enough to connect with allows me to truly state, there is absolutely no other place I would rather be than right here right now.
I really loved integrating Western and Ayurvedic sciences via pathophysiology and Srotamsi classes in ASP2. Now, in ASP3, I am enjoying discovering the art behind reading medical labs and understanding the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs. I am forever grateful for Dr Lad’s wisdom as it has been a deeply transformative experience to study at the Ayurvedic Institute.
The Ayurvedic Studies Program (ASP3) at The Ayurvedic Institute has been truly transformative. This journey has deepened my understanding of what it means to be human from a holistic perspective. Studying under Dr. Vasant Lad has been an extraordinary privilege – his profound wisdom and deep understanding of Ayurveda have touched my life and heart profoundly. The knowledgeable and compassionate faculty creates a learning environment that nurtures both professional development and personal growth. The comprehensive knowledge of Ayurvedic principles I’ve gained through this program has shaped my path as a future practitioner while fostering deep personal growth. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Lad and the entire Institute for this life-changing experience that has reshaped my understanding of healing and wellbeing.
Studying at the Ayurvedic Institute has been nothing short of a magical journey. The school is an incredibly vibrant and transformative place. Thanks to the beautiful community, authentic teachings, and deeply inspiring faculty, every week here has been a profound exploration of life in all its dimensions. I wouldn’t exchange my time here for anything in the world.
When you choose The Ayurvedic Institute, you’re not just enrolling in a program; you’re becoming part of a warm and supportive community of like-minded individuals passionate about Ayurveda. Our students come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of experiences, creating a rich and collaborative learning environment. You’ll forge lasting connections with your peers and instructors, building a network that extends far beyond the classroom. This is fostered both online and in the classroom.
For those who choose to study in person, our location in the vibrant city of Asheville, North Carolina, offers a unique and enriching student life experience. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a hub for natural health, arts, and culture. You’ll find a welcoming and open-minded community, abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, a thriving culinary scene with a focus on local and organic food, and a palpable energy of well-being that complements your Ayurvedic studies.
Becoming an alumni of The Ayurvedic Institute means something. You are connected to a deep tradition of Ayurveda that has been handed down for centuries and comes through Dr Vasant Lad. As a result, you have an immediate connection to anyone that has also studied at The Ayurvedic Institute. This network provides ongoing opportunities for connection, mentorship, shared learning, and professional growth. Whether you’re seeking advice, looking for collaborations, or simply wishing to stay connected with the heart of the Ayurvedic Institute, our alumni network is a powerful resource.
Schedule a complimentary clarity call with one of our experienced education advisors today. Let’s explore your aspirations and chart a course for your transformative journey into the world of Ayurveda.
