Many factors should be considered when a student chooses the best college of ayurveda for his circumstances, including location, specific interests, accredation, cost, and length of program. Ayurveda, the “science of life,” is a whole health system developed in India. This discipline is thousands of years old. It covers the health of the mind, body, and spirit with treatments that encompass yoga, massage, diet, herbs, and an understanding of mind-body types, known a doshas.
The location of the ayurveda college will be an important factor for many students. Those who live in India or who are able to relocate to that country can take advantage of years of tradition in ayurvedic training in many of India’s colleges. Students who are not able to visit India for training will need to research the availability of colleges in their own region.
In regions where ayurveda is less common, coursework in ayurveda might be offered through a department that is focused on integrative or holistic healing, rather than an independent college of ayurveda. Local, regional, and national regulations are also a factor when choosing a college of ayurveda. Ideally, the college of ayurveda will be accredited by the agency in the region the student is interested in practicing. Some colleges might be accredited from an academic standpoint, but the degree might not allow the ayurveda students to practice.
When the student has a specific interest among the various aspects of ayurveda, he will want to find a college of ayurveda or other school that offers classes that pertain to his interest. For example, a holistic healing training facility might offer classes on ayurvedic massage, but not on ayurvedic herbs. If the student wished to focus solely on ayurvedic massage, this school may still help him achieve his goals as an ayurvedic practitioner. Conversely, if the student is interested in herbs, he will want to attend an ayurvedic college or holistic school that offers herbal gardens for students’ use. Students who are interested in developing an ayurvedic practice will want a program that offers extensive internships or clinical practices so that they develop skills in working with actual clients.
Along with location, regulations, accreditation, and course offerings, the cost of tuition and books must be considered. Travel, food, lodging, and incidental costs must also be evaluated. Once all applicable costs are determined, the student can decide which schools fit his budget and choose among those.
The student may also have a limited amount of time he can devote to going to a college of ayurveda or other holistic school. Some students might be able to devote five or more years to their education, but for others that length of time might not be feasible. If this is the case, the program length will be another factor to consider when choosing a college of ayurveda.