recognized program handbook ayurvedic practitioner (ap)

Recognized Program Handbook

Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP)

Revised 08/20/20(edit corrections 10/08/20) NAMA Recognized Program Handbook

PART ONE – BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. Purpose of the NAMA Recognized Program Handbook

The NAMA Recognized Program Handbook serves as the principal source of information for applicants of NAMA Recognized Ayurvedic programs and for existing NAMA Recognized programs. This handbook contains the most recent information on NAMA recognition and all support documents required for the schools to apply for and maintain their NAMA recognition status.

1. Mission of NAMA

Founded in 1998, The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) represents the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA’s mission is to preserve, protect, improve and promote the philosophy, knowledge, science and practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of humanity. More NAMA information can be found at www.ayurvedanama.org.

To further its mission, NAMA established the NAMA Standards Committee and Program Review Sub-committee to

• Develop and revise standards, policies, and procedures for recognizing Ayurvedic professional programs;

• Process and review program applications; • Oversee the administration of program recognition and • Award NAMA program recognition.

2. Standards Committee

The members of the NAMA Standards Committee and the NAMA Program Review Subcommittee are composed of select NAMA board members, NAMA’s Executive Director and NAMA volunteers. The committee meets at least once per month.

The NAMA Program Review Committee currently recognizes the following Ayurvedic programs:

• Ayurvedic Health Counselor • Ayurvedic Practitioner • Ayurvedic Doctor • Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist


NAMA program recognition demonstrates that a program has met current program standards approved by NAMA’s board. These standards and support documents, in the accompanying appendixes, include:

• Appendix A: Legal Proof of Operation • Appendix B: Educational Requirements including pre-requirements • Appendix C: Definitions document (coming soon) • Appendix D: Sample school transcript • Appendix E: Education Outline for Competencies in each specific program • Appendix F: Scope of Practice for each specific category of professional

(support document for the Outline for Competencies) • Appendix G: Annual Program Review Form • Appendix H: School Acknowledgement • Appendix I: NAMA Certification Board and Certification Exam information • Appendix J: New Requirements

B. Non-Discrimination Policy

The NAMA board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs, handicap, marital status, national origin or ancestry.

C. Contacting NAMA

Most information needed by NAMA recognition program applicants is available on the NAMA website http://www.ayurvedanama.org. The information assists applicants moving through the application processes. Applicants are encouraged to use the resources available, and to contact NAMA with specific questions if they cannot find the information they need.

NAMA staff may be reached at (213) 628-6291 or [email protected]. Correspondence and document hard copies may also be mailed to 8605 Santa Monica Blvd, #46789, Los Angeles, CA 90069

PART TWO – APPLICATION PROCESS


A. Indicate Program Recognition Interest

Schools begin the process by indicating to NAMA that they would like their program to become NAMA Recognized on the Apply for Program Recognition form.

When a school is ready to apply for program recognition, school representatives are presented with a link to this handbook and sent an email invitation to an orientation session.

B. Orientation Session

Program recognition orientation sessions are held quarterly or biannually, depending on interest. After you indicate your interest by sending NAMA the above-mentioned form, staff will inform you of the next information session. School representatives are required to attend a session to hear an overview of the program recognition process, ask questions, and benefit from the questions of others. The schedule for information sessions will also be posted on NAMA’s website.

The session will explain the following:

• NAMA’s Scope of Practice document, which encompasses what each level of program education can and cannot do;

• Our Educational Competency Guidelines (Appendix E) that dictate the curriculum all NAMA Recognized programs must meet;

• NAMA’s Educational Requirements (hours, patient encounter requirements, anatomy and physiology requirements, etc.);

• Definitions; • Best practices for setting up your school (e.g., legal standing in your state,

catalog, website, student policies); • What it means to be NAMA Recognized and what is expected of both NAMA and

the school; and • The NAMA Certification Board exam (NAMACB) and what it means for your

graduates to become NAMA Professional Members.

C. Application Process


After attending an orientation session, you can indicate your intention to apply for recognition to NAMA staff, and you then will be forwarded a link to the application form and information about the application process.

PART THREE – ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for NAMA recognition, Ayurvedic Health Counselor programs must meet the following requirements:

• Provide 600–1,000 hours of Ayurvedic education as laid out in the “AHC Educational Outline for Competencies” (see Appendix E)

• Provide proof of legal operation in the state where the program legally does business

• Require Western Anatomy & Physiology prerequisite/corequisite—above and beyond the 600-hour minimum (see Appendix B)

*All of the above can be found in the Educational Requirements (Appendix B).

PART FOUR – BEST PRACTICES

1. Review and understand all national guidelines for education as laid out by NAMA and/or the National Ayurvedic Medical Accreditation Council

a. Educational Competency Guidelines—NAMA b. Educational Competency Guidelines—NAMAC

2. Set up the school to operate legally within your state educational departments—through either the department that oversees degree-granting institutions or the department that oversees post-secondary and trade schools

3. Review and understand all educational requirements, including pre-requirements and guidelines for patient encounters

4. Suggest securing funding to manage your school for the first 1–2 years without full reliance on tuition

5. Prepare a well-designed yearly budget 6. Aside from meeting the specific Ayurvedic educational requirements, your program

should provide students with the following: a. Full current PDF catalog that provides the following:

i. Student policies ii. Details of course including objectives and outcomes iii. Clear course schedule and expectations iv. Grading policy v. Refund policy vi. Grievance policy vii. Faculty bios, including professional designations and what they mean viii. Course hours and modes of delivery


ix. Materials/books required x. Clear written documentation of path to completion of the program and

what is required to sit for the NAMA board certification exam b. Website that provides the above-mentioned catalog information c. Proper listing of program affiliations in the catalog and on the website

i. State licenses ii. Recognition status iii. Accreditation status if applicable

d. A location for physical classes and or clinical sessions that has been inspected by local authorities and that meets all building and fire code requirements

e. Online classroom that is easy to use, reliable, and HIPAA compliant f. Staff and faculty support throughout the full program for all students

including virtual or on-site office hours 7. The programs should also provide the following:

a. HIPAA-compliant storage of all student and client personal data b. Permanent recordkeeping system for all student applications, faculty

contracts, yearly catalogs, and student transcripts c. Support for faculty throughout program

i. Proper outlines for courses faculty members are teaching ii. Supportive teaching environment iii. Additional staff support for classes as needed iv. Clearly defined employment contract

PART FIVE – DUES & FEES

Payment of $250 nonrefundable application fee

Payment of $750 upon approval that serves as the program’s first year listing (“Program Listing Fee”) on the NAMA website as a NAMA Recognized program ($250 annually thereafter).

Schools applying for NAMA Recognized program status and those with NAMA Recognized program status are required to be Organizational Members/Education (annual dues $400). [URL = https://www.ayurvedanama.org/organizational-membership]

You do not need to be an Organizational Member during the application process. If your program is approved you will then be prompted to join as an Organizational Member and pay the fee.

Staff will prorate the initial program listing fee so that the school’s dues and program listing fees fall on the same date each year.


PART SIX – PROGRAM RECOGNITION REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

A. Application Time Frames

NAMA informs an applicant within a week of receipt of the application. If the application is incomplete, NAMA will contact the applicant regarding any information and/or documentation that is missing and is needed to complete the application. NAMA holds all properly identified documents that arrive before the actual application and fee payment is received for a period of up to one year.

Applicants have a one-year timeframe from the time they submit their application form and fee to submit all required documentation; in the event that the applicant fails to submit all required documentation within the one-year timeframe, the application lapses and the applicant forfeits the application fee.

Applicants should allow six to eight weeks for NAMA staff and review committees to review completed applications and generate the NAMA Recognition Letter if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Actual processing time may vary significantly in individual cases.

Applicants can appeal a denial, and a secondary review can be conducted, including a review with the Program Review Subcommittee; additional documentation may be required to support your position.

B. Issuing the Recognition Status

A program is not considered recognized—and may not represent or advertise NAMA program recognition—until he or she has received official notification from NAMA of having been recognized. Processing of the recognition status takes one to two weeks once all of the documentation is completed.

When recognition is awarded, candidates will receive a NAMA program recognition certificate suitable for framing, and a letter specifying the date the program was recognized (i.e., the actual certification date), as well as information on how to access and display the NAMA program recognition service mark. This letter will also contain the official recognition expiration date as well as the amount of the renewal fee and the date when it is due.

C. Use of the Program Recognition Mark


The following program recognition mark and approved statement are authorized for use for NAMA Recognized Ayurvedic Practitioner programs.

(Name of program) has been reviewed and recognized as providing training at the professional membership level of Ayurvedic Practitioner by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. Graduates in good standing are eligible to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board exam at the Ayurvedic Practitioner level and upon passage may apply for NAMA professional membership.

Use of the NAMA program Recognition marks are limited to NAMA Recognized programs in good standing. Each NAMA Recognized program is authorized to use only the recognition mark that represents the specific program it has been awarded and continues to maintain, and is responsible for using and displaying the recognition mark on their website and marketing materials as long as the program remains in good standing.

D. Approved Program Orientation Call with Staff

An orientation call will be set up once the program has been fully approved to go over the following details:

• Use of logo and statement • Explanation of dues and listing fees • PACE provider options • Discount provider program for members • NAMA student membership • Exam process and preparation

E. Maintaining Membership and Recognition Status

The NAMA Program Review subcommittee will set up yearly program annual review interviews prior to the due date of renewal. A form and updated NAMA Recognized Program handbook will be sent at least 30-days prior to the annual review interview with the program director or designated program staff. The interview is conducted to ensure that all program details are current and meet NAMA program recognition standards and that any program updates or changes have been documented and approved by NAMA.


If the program is found to have minor compliance discrepancies with NAMA program recognition requirements, the program agrees to a specified time frame set by the program review committee to remedy and come into full compliance.

If the program is found to have major compliance discrepancies, NAMA will have the right to place the program on probation until the program comes into complete compliance with NAMA recognition requirements. The program may be removed from the website or noted that it is under probation until compliance is completed. The school can no longer communicate that it is a NAMA recognized program. All current students must be informed that the program is on probation. (Refer to Appendix G)

The Organizational Member will be sent an organizational membership renewal email 30-days prior to being due and another 7-days prior. It is incumbent upon the Organizational Member to ensure that the account is maintained with an active email address.

To maintain recognition, the Organizational Member must pay their dues and program listing fee no later than the Organizational Member’s dues date and meet NAMA’s program requirement (see below).

*NAMA will pro-rate program listing fee as needed

F. Eligibility Decision Appeal Process

NAMA will deny an application for program recognition from an applicant who does not meet NAMA’s published eligibility requirements. An applicant who fails to meet the eligibility requirements for program recognition is notified in writing by email and is informed of the reason(s) for the denial. Applicants may appeal a decision to deny if they believe the decision is mistaken.


To initiate the appeal process, an applicant must submit a written appeal letter along with any supporting documentation within 30 days of the notification of denial of the application; the appeal letter should state with specificity why the applicant believes she or he does, in fact, meet the eligibility requirements. As a first step in the appeal process, the NAMA Executive Director (or designee) will review the appeal letter and documentation for any potential inaccuracies and/or miscalculations in determining the applicant’s eligibility. If based on this review the denial is reversed, the applicant will be allowed to continue in the program recognition process.

If the denial of the application is upheld based on NAMA’s eligibility requirements, the appeal will be presented to the NAMA Program Review Subcommittee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Program Review Subcommittee will review the candidate’s appeal, qualifications, documentation, and any other pertinent materials and will make a determination on the applicant’s eligibility for NAMA recognition. The Program Review Subcommittee may, at its discretion, refer the matter to the full NAMA Board of Directors for its review and decision. The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision within 30 days of the meeting, and the reason(s) for the denial will be provided. The decision of the Program Review Committee (or NAMA Board of Directors, if applicable) is final and cannot be appealed.

APPENDIX A: LEGAL PROOF OF OPERATION

Prior to submitting your application, you must obtain authorization from your state to operate as a degree-granting institution or post-secondary trade school. As part of your program application, you will be required to submit proof of such authorization, by submitting a copy of your state license or other state authorizing document or information. If no license or other legal authorization is required to operate a degree-granting institution or post-secondary trade school in your state, or you are otherwise exempt from such licensure or authorization, you must provide a letter from your state indicating such is the


case and that pursuant to state law, you are permitted to legally operate your school without a state license or other comparable state authorization.

We understand that each state has a different governmental agency and process for approving and regulating schools. Here are links to several state agencies responsible for the approval and oversight of schools in their state:

• California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education: http://www.bppe.ca.gov/ • Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure:

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-professional-licensure • New Mexico Higher Education Department – Private Postsecondary Schools

Division: http://www.hed.state.nm.us/programs/private.aspx • Florida Department of Education – Commission for Independent Education:

http://www.fldoe.org/policy/cie

Contact your state if you have questions about the applicable agency and approval process in your state.

APPENDIX B: EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

NAMA Program Hours Requirement

Effective July 1, 2021

All NAMA Recognized programs are required to be in full compliance by 7/1/21 and to show graduated adjustments starting 1/1/20 through 6/30/21 via their annual NAMA

review.


Program Total Minimum

Program Course Hours

Total Minimum In Person

Hours*

Total Minimum

Synchronous Hours**

Total Maximum

Asynchronous Hours***

AHC Program only 600 180 120 300

AHC+AP

Programs 600+900=1,500 180+360=540 120+180=300 300+360=660

AP

Program only 1,500 540 300 660

AHC+AP+AD

Programs

600+900+2,500

=4,000

180+360+1500

=2,040

120+180+500

=800

300+360+500

1,160

AP+AD

Programs

1,500+2,500

=4,000 540+1500=2,040 300+500=800 660+500=1160

AD

Program only 4,000 2,040 800 1,160

*In-person hours: Hours spent live and in person in classrooms or clinics with faculty physically present. This category includes practicums and clinical sessions. †Synchronous hours: Hours spent in virtual classrooms where students and teacher are online at the same time and are able to interact in real time. ‡Asynchronous hours: Time devoted to asynchronous online learning through the use of digital platforms. Participants are not required to be online at the same time. Coursework is delivered via web, email, and message boards. Students do not have instant contact with teachers.

Anatomy & Physiology Prerequisite/Corequisite


• In person: usually two sequential semesters of an Anatomy & Physiology sequence at a local university or community college.

• Online: Anatomy & Physiology course that is accompanied by a certificate of completion to be provided to the school upon enrollment or before the AHC program awards the final certificate of completion for their program.

• A laboratory component is not required. • Courses must cover the terminology, structure, and function of the human body and include:

o Overview of Cells o The Nervous System o The Cardiovascular System o The Respiratory System o The Digestive System o The Renal System o The Endocrine System o The Musculoskeletal System o The Immune System o The Reproductive System o The Skin o Medical Terminology o An emphasis on pathophysiology is encouraged but not required for AHC but will be

required for AP and AD programs. • This prerequisite can be met through previous A&P coursework. Schools are responsible for

certifying that previously taken courses meet the guidelines as demonstrated by course syllabi and must obtain certificates or transcript details from the previous program to verify the coursework was completed. This information should be retained in student records within the school.

• Final AHC/AP/AD program transcripts provided to the NAMACB for exam application must include verification that the A&P pre-/corequisite has been completed along with all other required coursework for the AHC/AP/AD program as stated in the Educational Outline for Competency Guidelines.

• If the course is offered as a corequisite, it must be in addition to the minimum hours of Ayurvedic education per the Educational Outline for Competency Guidelines as published.

Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: 4 credits (1 credit=15 course hours) of college-level Anatomy & Physiology or equivalent

Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) and Ayurvedic Doctor (AD)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: 6 credits of college-level Anatomy & Physiology or equivalent

• For students considering further education in Ayurveda, a college-level, or equivalent, A&P course (6–8 credits) will be required for both Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) and Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) training. Schools should be prepared to guide students


into the best choice of A&P courses based on the student’s ultimate career goal at the time of initial student application and interviews.

CLIENT/PATIENT ENCOUNTER GUIDELINES

Definition of Client/Patient Encounter (PE): A client/patient encounter refers to each encounter: initial and follow-up. Schools are encouraged to provide the opportunity for long-term follow-up by which students can experience outcomes. A client/patient encounter is defined as a combination of the following: a) Experience histories and/or outcomes of clients/patients in order to acquire significant clinical

knowledge and experience. This experience can be gained in a variety of ways, including observation, internship, externship, small group work, or apprenticeship (working under and alongside the practitioner in a graduated responsibility model).

b) Carrying out procedures such as history taking; prakṛti and vikṛti assessment; pulse, tongue and nail diagnosis; and other appropriate methods in order to gain assessment fluency. This experience cannot be acquired by passive observation, but can be gained in a variety of settings, including internships, small group work, or apprenticeships (working under and alongside the practitioner in a graduated responsibility model).

c) Carrying out clinical application of Ayurveda as per category designation. *Refer to the “Scope of Practice for the Ayurvedic Profession,” “Ayurvedic Health Counselor: Educational Outline for Competency,” “Ayurvedic Practitioner: Educational Outline for Competency,” and “Ayurvedic Doctor: Educational Outline for Competency” documents for details.

d) Three Settings for Client/Patient Encounters

1. Observation: Witness preceptor working with a client/patient with limited student involvement 2. Student/client encounter with direct supervision of preceptor. This type of encounter includes

working one on one or in small groups of two or three. 3. Student/client one-on-one, in a more intimate setting with student doing complete intake,

recommendations, and follow-up; to be supervised directly or via externship. All but five initial encounters should be in person. It is acceptable to experience follow-up encounters through a HIPAA-compliant medium such as VSee (www.vsee.com).

Client/Patient Encounter Requirements by Category

Ayurvedic Health Counselor

Requires a minimum of 50 client/patient encounters. • A minimum of 25 client/patient encounters must take

place in a one-on-one setting*


Ayurvedic Practitioner

Requires a minimum of 150 client/patient encounters. • A maximum of 50 client/patient encounters

conducted at the AHC level of training may be added toward the 150 client/patient encounter requirement.

• A minimum of 50 client/patient encounters that take place in a one-on-one setting* must be completed in addition to the 25 one-on-ones required for AHCs (for a total of 75 one-on-one encounters)

Ayurvedic Doctor

Requires a minimum of 150 client/patient encounters beyond the AP level. • A minimum of 125 client/patient encounters in a one-

on-one setting* that are reviewed by senior faculty and/or senior Doctor of Ayurveda

*One-on-ones may include groups of two or three students, all of whom are fully engaged in all aspects of diagnosis and chikitsa, as long as each student provides a chikitsa plan reviewed by faculty. Only the “primary” students plan will be offered directly to the client.

Definition of Supervised/Supervision: Every client/patient encounter a student has is supervised by one or more of the methods outlined below. Schools offer a variety of valid methods of supervision, including but not limited to the following:

a) Preceptor physically present

b) Preceptor physically absent and checks student work afterward

c) Preceptor present by live internet feed via a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform (e.g., VSee www.vsee.com) d) Use of local mentors affiliated with the program

Professional Level Client/Patient Encounters Required

Ayurvedic Health Counselor

50

Ayurvedic Practitioner 150 Ayurvedic Doctor 300


Recording Client/Patient Encounters: For schools with on-site clinics, students can fill out a form or worksheet that is signed by the clinic for verification. For schools where the students are being mentored from a distance, an online recording system may be used. Some schools might choose to retain the client/patient encounter forms, while others might record the patient encounters on spreadsheets and return them to the students for their portfolio.

Inclusion on Transcripts: When the student applies for the NAMA Certification Board certification exam, the school must document that the required client/patient encounters have occurred on the student transcript, just as the school must document that the student has completed the other educational requirements.

APPENDIX C: DEFINITIONS DOCUMENT – COMING SOON

APPENDIX D: SAMPLE SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

SCHOOL NAME FINAL TRANSCRIPT

LOGO Total Hours = 625

Student:

Enrollment began: [date] Graduation: [date]

Total Modules Completed

Code Date Course Name Hours Grade

AYU 101 Fall 2019 Introduction to Ayurveda 6 Pass

AYU 102


Client Encounters

50 Completed 125 Pass

Transfer Courses Accepted

A&P Local Univ (A&P transfered if not in

curriculum) 6 A


Signed - School Director

Date

APPENDIX E: Āyurvedic Practitioner: Educational Outline for Competency

SECTION 1: FOUNDATION OF ĀYURVEDA

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner has a strong understanding of the history, philosophy, fundamental principles and basic vocabulary of Āyurveda.

• Understands Definition of Āyurveda, History of Āyurveda, Aṣṭāṅga Āyurveda(Eight branches of Ayurveda), Bṛhat trayī (Three primary texts of Ayurveda), Laghu trayī (Three secondary texts of Ayurveda)

• Understands Sāṁkhya Philosophy

• Prakṛti (Primordial nature), Puruṣa (Eternal cause) • Mahat (Causative Intelligence) • Ahaṁkāra (Ego Principle) • Manas (Mind) • Pañca tanmātras (Five subtle elements) • Pañca jñānendriyas (Five sense organs) • Pañca karmendriyas (Five organs of action) • Pañca mahābhūtas (Five gross elements)


• Relationship of jñānendriyas(Five sense organs), karmendriyas(Five organs of action), tanmātras(Five subtle elements) and mahābhūtas(Five gross elements)

SECTION 2: CONCEPTS OF ĀYURVEDA

Twenty Qualities (Guṇas)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner has skills and competence in determining which guṇas(qualities) are predominant in prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition) and demonstrates the following ability/abilities:

• To determine the role and influence of the 10 pairs (or 20 total) of opposing qualities (gurvādi guṇas) in the prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition) through the data received from the history and examination of the client.

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge of:

• The 10 pairs of opposing qualities (gurvādi guṇas) associated with the five elements (pañca mahābhūtas) and the three doṣas and those that vitiate the doṣas.

• The guṇas (qualities) causing doṣas to accumulate and become aggravated. • How diet, climate, season and age impact the guṇas (qualities) and subsequently

contribute to the cause of disease • What constitutes excess, deficiency and the imbalance of the guṇas (qualities) in

doṣa vikṛti (pathological condition) • The theory of similar and dissimilar and balancing the guṇas (qualities) through

proper daily and seasonal routines for a person of each constitutional type

Prakṛti (Individual Constitution) and Vikṛti (Pathological Condition)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner has the skills required to assess the physical and mental prakṛti (individual constitution) and doṣic imbalance using Āyurvedic methodology (trividha[three-fold diagnostic method] aṣṭavidha[eight-fold diagnostic method] and daśavidha parīkṣā [ten-fold diagnostic method]), aṣṭavidha and daśavidha parīkṣā)

The practitioner has knowledge of:

Three-fold Diagnostic Method (Trividha Parīkṣā)

• Observation (Darśana)


• Touch (Sparśana) • Questioning (Praśna)

Eight-fold Diagnostic Method (Aṣṭavidha Parīkṣā)

• Pulse Assessment (Nāḍī Parīkṣā) • Urine Assessment (Mūtra Parīkṣā) (theoretical knowledge only) • Stool Assessment (Mala Parīkṣā) (theoretical knowledge only) • Tongue Assessment (Jihvā Parīkṣā) • Speech and Voice Assessment (Śabda Parīkṣā) • Skin Assessment (Sparśa Parīkṣā) • Assessment of Eyes (Drika Parīkṣā) • General Appearance of external features - Face, Nose (Ākṛti Parīkṣā)

Ten-fold Diagnostic Method (Daśavidha Parīkṣā)

• Dūṣyam- Structural and functional abnormalities of the body • Deśam -Geographical nature of the place where client lives • Balam -Physical strength • Kālam- The season and climatic conditions • Analam -The digestive system of the client • Prakṛti – Constitution • Vayas -Age of the client • Sattvam- Psychological nature of the client • Sātmyam- General and personal habits of the client (ie. smoking) • Āhāram- Nature of the patients diet and sensory intake (e.g. vegetarian or non-

vegetarian) Additional items:

• Quality of Dhātus (Sāra) • Physical Build (Samhanana) • Measurement of Body- Height, Weight, Posture, (Pramāṇa). • Sātmya or client’s ability to adapt to Āhāra (Diet), Dravya (Herbs), Vihāra (Lifestyle

and Behavior) • Ability to Digest (Āhāra Śakti) • Stamina, endurance and capacity to exercise (Vyāyāma Śakti)


• Tridoṣa theory including the 10 pairs of opposite qualities (gurvādi guṇas) • Physical and mental attributes in a prakṛti (individual constitution), including but not

limited to height, weight, color of eyes, skin, mental abilities, memory, intellect, diet,


tastes, digestive fire, quality of skin, temperature, hair, appetite, elimination, stress factors

• Physical and mental attributes that change with time: diet, climate, season, stress and environment

• Changes in vikṛti (pathological condition) due to changes in agni (digestive fire), guṇas (qualities) resulting in digestive disorders, appetite and elimination changes

• Attributes (guṇas) that cause the doṣas to accumulate and become aggravated • Diet (āhāra) and lifestyle (vihāra); how diet, climate, season and age impact the

prakṛti (individual constitution) and subsequently contribute to doṣa vikṛti (pathological condition) and cause of disease

• What constitutes excess, deficient and the imbalance of doṣas within their own site • Theory of similar and dissimilar and balancing the doṣa vikṛti (pathological

condition) through a proper daily routine, seasonal routine and basic six tastes (rasas) for a person of each constitutional type

Doṣas, Sub-doṣas, Dhātus (Tissues), Srotas (Pathways)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner is able to show skill and competency in determining the state of doṣas, sub-doṣas, dhātus (tissues), upadhātu (by products of nutrition) and srotas (pathways), then able to assess the following:

• The practitioner is able to assess the state of doṣas, and sub-doṣas, dhātus (tissues), upadhātus (by products of nutrition), and srotas (pathways) involved through observation (darśana) asking questions (praśna) and palpation (sparśana) and is able to interpret the information received.

Interview/Questioning (Praśna)

• Asking questions about the current state of digestion, elimination, sleep, stress level, energy level and emotional level.

Observation (Darśana)

• The ability to interpret information that has been received upon observation (darśana) to determine the involvement (vitiation) of doṣas, sub-doṣas, dhātus (tissues) and srotas (pathways).

Palpation (Sparśana)

• The ability to interpret information that has been received upon palpation (sparśana) to determine the involvement (vitiation) of doṣas, sub-doṣas, dhātus (tissues) and srotas (pathways).



• Healthy dhātus - tissues (dhātu sārata – signs of ideal tissues). o How to properly examine the client utilizing the methods of trividha (three-

fold clinical assessment), aṣṭavidha (eigh-fold clinical assessment), daśavidha parīkṣā (ten-fold clinical assessment) (note: not required to physically examine urine or stools)

• Definition, qualities, locations, actions and functions of the three doṣas and 15 sub-doṣas

• Causes of imbalance, signs of imbalance of the three doṣas and 15 sub-doṣas • Definition, location and function of the dhātus (tissues) and how they are formed. • Definition of upadhātus (by products of nutrition) and dhātu malas (waste products

of nutrition) • Relationship between dhātus (tissues), upadhātus (by products of nutrition) and

dhātu malas (waste products of nutrition) • Definition, types, qualities and functions of ojas (essence of life) • Relationship of doṣas and dhātus (tissues) • Definition, origin and function of the srotas (pathways) • Factors causing abnormality of dhātus (tissues) • Aggravation (vṛddhi) and depletion (kṣaya) of the doṣas and dhātus • Normal and abnormal functions of strotāṁsi (pathways)

Agni- Āma-Malas

NAMA Scope of Description: The practitioner is able to assess the state of the malas (waste), agni (digestive fire) and āma (undigested material) through questioning (praśna) and observation (darśana).

The counselor has the following skills:

• Ability to determine the state of agni (digestive fire) by questioning the client upon intake (rugṇa patrakam).

• Questioning about appetite, digestion and elimination • Ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of āma (undigested material) in the

body • Questioning about digestion • Observation of tongue, stools and body odor • Ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of normal and vitiated mala • Questioning about urination, elimination and sweat patterns • Observation of the urine stools and sweat to include color, volume, odor, clarity


• Symptoms and signs of the four states of agni (digestive fire)


• Definitions of āma (undigested material), agni (digestive fire) and mala (waste) • How āma (undigested material) is formed • Types agni (digestive fire) and āma (undigested material) • Functions of agni (digestive fire) • Signs and symptoms of the altered states of agni (digestive fire) • Signs and symptoms of āma (undigested material) in the urine (mūtra), feces

(purīṣa), sweat (sveda), on the tongue (jihvā), eyes (netra), nails, skin, etc. • Functions of the malas (waste) • What constitutes the normal and abnormal quantity and qualities of malas (waste)

Prāṇa (vital energy) –Tejas (radiance) –Ojas (essence of life)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner is able to determine the state of prāṇa (vital energy), ojas (essence of life) and tejas (radiance)

The practitioner is able to assess the following:

• The state of prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) through observation and the interview process (consultation), which explores the state of prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life).


• Definition of prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) • Relationship of prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) to

vata, pitta and kapha • Signs of healthy or balanced prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas

(essence of life) • Symptoms high ojas (essence of life) • Symptoms of low ojas (essence of life) • Displaced ojas (essence of life) • Factors causing imbalance in ojas (essence of life), tejas (radiance) and prāṇa

(vital energy)


SECTION 3: SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES SECTION

COUNSELING SKILLS

NAMA Scope of Practice: The practitioner should have the necessary skills to provide counseling

In order to be competent, the student should have the following ability / abilities

• Asks questions which gather the appropriate information necessary to understand the prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client.

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge:

• What the chief complaint is, based on initial consultation and the importance of mitigating factors such as: origin, duration, progress and factors that aggravate and relieve the symptoms.

• Past medical history, including: Illness, injuries, surgeries, hospitalizations • Family history affecting vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client • Social history affecting vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client • Roles of work relationships and home environment affecting vikṛti (pathological

condition) of the client • Medications and supplements a client is taking • Any allergies or intolerances the client has to drugs or foods • Client’s nutrition habits • Good listening skills, eye contact and develops rapport with client • How to ask open ended questions with each client • The importance of obtaining a good health history and demonstrates this ability • Accurate assessment and plan of action • Client’s satisfaction of Āyurveda methodology • Improving the understanding of the consultation • Improvement of client compliance to any suggestions or guidelines given

Personal and Family Health History

NAMA Scope of Practice: The practitioner should have the necessary skills to be able to effectively take a detailed current and past, personal and family health history

In order to be competent, the student should have the following ability / abilities

• Asks questions which gather the appropriate information necessary to understand the prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client and refers a client for disease management care, when necessary.



• What the chief complaint is, based on initial consultation and the importance of mitigating factors such as: origin, duration, progress and factors that aggravate and relieve the symptoms.

• Past medical history, including: Illness, injuries, surgeries, hospitalizations • Family history affecting vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client • Social history affecting vikṛti (pathological condition) of the client • Roles of work relationships and home environment affecting vikṛti (pathological

condition) of the client • Medications and supplements a client is taking • Any allergies or intolerances the client has to drugs or foods • Client’s nutrition habits • Good listening skills, eye contact and develops rapport with client • How to ask open ended questions with each client • The importance of obtaining a good health history and demonstrates this ability • Accurate assessment and plan of action • Client’s satisfaction of Āyurveda methodology • Improving the understanding of the consultation • Improvement of client compliance to any suggestions or guidelines given

Vital Signs

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner should have the skills to be able to effectively taking basic vital signs such as blood pressure (raktacāpa). These abilities are demonstrated by:

• Taking a client’s measurements: (Requires a description of measurements) • Assessing a client’s height and weight • Taking a client’s pulse • Taking the blood pressure


• Pulse o Able to interpret pulse rate, rhythm and volume o Taking pulse at appropriate sites o Normal and abnormal pulses

• Blood Pressure o Determining what is blood pressure The systolic and diastolic pressure

(normal, abnormal, physiology)


o Measuring blood pressure

• Respiration o Determining respiration o Normal and abnormal respiration

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS (Nidāna)

NAMA Scope of Practice: The practitioner should be able to determine the etiological factors (nidāna) responsible for the doṣic imbalance and the disease In order to be competent, the practitioner should have the ability to

• Interprets and understands the case history of the client • The ability to interpret the case history to determine the specific etiological factors

associated with each symptom and disease Additional Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge:

• The three fundamental causes of disease: Asātmyendriyārtha saṁyoga (abnormal interaction of senses and their objects), prajñāparādha (intellectual transgression) , pariṇāma (change due to time)

• How the senses might be misused (over-used, under-used or wrongly used) in a manner that causes the doṣas to become aggravated

• How daily and seasonal routines impact the flow of the doṣas • Qualities that cause the doṣas to go through the six stages of pathogenesis • How constitution, climate, season and age impact the movement of the doṣas • Additional causative factors (nidānas) in the disease process • How the suppression of natural urges contributes to the disease process • Knowledge of the specific etiological factors of each symptom and disease.

Vikṛti Vijñāna (Pathology)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner should be competent to be able to understand the pathogenesis of various diseases and diagnose them accurately.


(PLEASE NOTE: The translations of the Sanskrit disease names are broad correlations of conventional diagnoses but not exclusive to those pathologies. Other conditions which present with similar symptoms and pathologies may also be included under some of the Ayurvedic disease names. There are many recent pathologies that may not have specific names in Ayurveda, but can be understood by the pathological changes in the dosas and root cause etiology)

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to: • Identify doṣa vṛddhi (increase) and kṣaya (decrease) • Identify dhātu vṛddhi (increase), kṣaya (decrease), and duṣṭi (abnormality)

• Identify mala vṛddhi (increase) and kṣaya (decrease) • Understand doṣa gati (movement of dosas):

o Ūrdhvaga (upwards), adhoga (downwards), and tīryak (horizontally) o From koṣṭha (GIT) to śākha (extremities) and from śākha (extremities) to

koṣṭha (GIT) o In the 6 stages of samprāpti (Pathogenesis)

• Understand causes of doṣas moving from koṣṭha (GIT) to śākha (extremities) and from śākha (extremities) to koṣṭha (GIT)

• Understand relationship between the doṣas, dhātu (Tissues), and malas (waste) • Knowledge of srotāmsi (pathways):

o Causes of srotovaiguṇya (abnormalities in the qualities of the pathways) o Causes and signs of sroto duṣṭi (pathological conditions associated with the

pathways) • Knowledge of āvaraṇa (Aggravated doshas or ama blocking the functions of vata)

pathology and its signs • Knowledge of various vyādhis (disease conditions):

Identify vyādhi lakṣaṇas (signs of disease) o Identify vyādhi avastha (stage of pathology): sāma (with ama) or nirāma

(without ama) state of doṣa, dhātu(tissues), and malas(waste) o Knowledge of vyādhi (disease) classifications:

1. Nija (internal), āgantu (external), and mānasika (psychological) 2. Santarpaṇa (Diseases due to over nourishment) and apatarpaṇa

(diseases due to under nourishment) janya (generation) 3. According to roga mārga (disease pathways): Bāhya (external),

ābhyantara (internal), or Madhya (intermediate) 4. Sāmānyaja (General classification) or nānātmaja (specific

classification – by specific doshas ie. 80 vata conditions, 40 pitta conditions and 20 kapha conditions)


5. Prognosis: Sukha sādhya (Easily curable), kaṣṭa sādhya (Curable with difficulty), yāpya (Manageable but incurable), or asādhya (incurable)

o Knowledge of the following diseases: § According to srotas:

- Prāṇavaha Srotas (Respiratory system): Kāsa (Cough), Śvāsa (Asthma / difficulty in breathing), Hicca (hiccups)

- Annavaha Srotas (digestive system): Ajīrṇa (Indigestion), Aruci (Ageusia/ inability to taste), Cardi (vomiting), Amlapitta (Peptic ulcers), Ānāha (heartburn), Udara śūla (colic pain), Kṛmi (infection / parasites), Grahaṇi (Spru / IBS/ Celiac disease), Atisāra (Diarrhea), Arśhas (hemorrhoids)

- Ambuvaha Srotas (Pathway for fluids): Tṛṣṇa (Morbid thirst), Prameha (Urinary disorders including diabetes), Śotha (Swelling / edema)

- Rasavaha Srotas (Pathway for plasma): Jvara (All types of fevers), Pāṇdu (Anemia)

- Raktavaha Srotas (Pathway for blood): Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders), Dāha (burning sensation), Vātarakta (Rheumatoid arthritis / Gout), Kāmala (Jaundice)

- Mamsavaha Srotas (Pathway for Muscle tissue): Granthi (Aneurysm), Galaganda (Goiter), Gandamala(mumps / Scrofula)

- Medovaha Srotas (Pathways of fat): Staulya – obesity (Medo roga – disease of fatty tissue)

- Asthivaha Strotas (Pathways of the bony tissue): Asthigata vāta (Abnormal vata localized in the joints), Sandhigata vāta (osteo arthritis), Āma vāta (Rheumatic fever)

- Majjavaha Srotas (pathways of the bone marrow): Pakṣāvadha (Paralysis associated with stroke), Ākṣepaka (Spasm / convulsions), Kampavāta (Parkinson’s disease), Apasmāra (epilepsy), Gṛdrasi (sciatica)

- Śukravaha Srotas (pathways of the reproductive tissue): Klaibya (impotency)

- Ārtavavaha and Stanyavaha Srotas (pathway for female reproduction): Yoni vyāpat (disorders of the uterus), Pradara (Leukorrhea), Stanya rogas (disorders of the breasts)


- Manovaha Srotas (Pathways of the mind): Unmāda (Insanity), Smṛtibhramṣa (memory loss, lack of cognition)

§ According to organ: - Hrid roga (Heart Disease) - Tvak (Skin): Visarpa (Erysipelas), Kaṇdu (Urticaria), Kuṣṭha

(Skin Disorders) - Vṛkka (Kidneys): Aśmari (Kidney calculi)

*Additional diseases: Gulma (Abdominal tumors), Arbuda (All types of Cancers)

PATHOGENISIS (Samprāpti)

NAMA Scope Description: The practitioner should be competent to be able determine the full samprāpti (pathogenesis) of disease conditions.

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to: • Describe the pathology in terms of the stage of disease along with the involvement

of the doṣa, sub-doṣa, dhātu(tissues) and srotas (pathways) an in the disease and also determine the state of agni (digestive fire) in the disease.

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge: • Knowledge of all stages of disease (śaḍ kriyā kāla) • Knowledge of the signs of disease at each stage including relocation, manifestation

and diversification. • Knowledge of the specific pathology related to disease conditions.

COUNSELING SKILLS

NAMA Scope of Practice: The practitioner has the necessary skills to provide counseling with the following ability/abilities:

• Conveys information and ideas correctly (to educate) • Listens and understands


• Supports a client to make positive changes in his/her life • Earns the client’s trust


• Communicating effectively • Demonstrating effective skills for counseling • Recommending changes in diet and lifestyle as necessary, due to doṣic tendencies

and how they relate to challenges • Supporting each person to make successful changes based on their constitutional

type • Supporting a rājasika (action and passion) and tāmasika (ignorance and inertia)

client to make changes • Demonstrating good bedside manner • The following areas of knowledge are generalized and no specific methodology has

been determined. Schools are encouraged to include their own methodologies in their curriculum. No competencies will be evaluated in these areas:

o Understanding body language o Understanding tone of voice o Asking relevant questions o Ability to paraphrase and summarize o Demonstrates active listening o Discern nonverbal communication o Referring clients to theory references including books and other reference

materials that support self-learning

Client Strengths and Assets

NAMA Scope Description: The Practitioner should be able to assess and determine the client’s strengths and willingness to follow recommendations

In order to be competent, the student should be able to: • Assess the client’s compliance


• Assess the memory of the client

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge: • How the qualities noted above influence the outcome of a case.

Research Skills

NAMA Scope Description: Āyurvedic Practitioners should be capable of writing articles, contributing to professional conferences and presenting case studies.

In order to be competent, the student should be able to: • Write an article using proper methods of citation • Develop a presentation • Give a clear and articulate presentation

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge • Knowledge of how to organize a presentation • Knowledge of how to properly cite references from books, journals and websites • Knowledge of proper English grammar and spelling • Knowledge of presentation software and how to use it.

SECTION 3: RECOMMENDATIONS, TREATMENT AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS

Food/Diet

NAMA Scope Description: Recommendations Practitioners should be able to recommend or prescribe the appropriate food choices and proper eating behaviors (āhāravidhi) in accordance with the prakṛti (individual constitution), vikṛti (pathological condition), guṇas (qualities), rasa, season (ṛtu), digestive strength (agnibala) and age (vaya) of the patient.


NAMA Scope Description Treatment and Intervention: Practitioner should be able to demonstrate the selection and preparation of appropriate foods and spices according to prakṛti (individual constitution), vikṛti (pathological condition), guṇas (qualities), rasa, season (ṛtu), digestive strength (agnibala) and age, and demonstrate proper eating behaviors (āhāravidhi)

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to

• General Knowledge of the six tastes

o Six tastes, their elemental make up and qualities o Rasa (6 tastes), vīrya (potency) and vipāka (post digestive effect) of the

tastes o The 10 pairs of opposite qualities (gurvādi guṇas) of each taste o Effects of each taste on doṣas, dhātus and malas o Tastes that are nourishing (bṛṁhaṇa) and those that are purification

(laṅghana) o Effect of the tastes and foods on agni and āma o Elemental make up of foods (mahābhoutika āhāra)

• Dietary Guidelines

o Suggests proper guidelines for healthy eating

• Specific Foods and Spices

o Foods in each major category (Grains, meats, dairy, etc) and their effect on their actions on the three doṣas

o Spices and their effect upon the doṣas • Fasting

o Fasting able to offer types of fasting o Liquid, juice, fruit, one meal per day

• Preparation of Food

o How processing food changes its qualities o How to prepare basic foods such as kichari, ghee and buttermilk

• Rituals of Eating

o Importance of saying grace before meals

• Other


o Importance and intake of warm water in the mornings (uṣāpāna)

Lifestyle

Nama Scope Description. Skills and Competencies: Practitioners should be able to recommend or prescribe appropriate daily (dinacaryā), seasonal (ṛtucaryā) and life cycle routines according to prakṛti (individual constitution), vikṛti (pathological condition), and guṇas (qualities). The practitioner should also be able to recommend at-home preventive and promotive (svasthavṛtta) measures, and positive conduct (sadvṛtta) measures.

Scope of Practice Description Treatment and Intervention Practitioners should be able to demonstrate the appropriate daily (dinacaryā), seasonal (ṛtucaryā) and life cycle routines according to prakṛti (individual constitution), vikṛti (pathological condition), and guṇas (qualities). Demonstrating at-home preventive and promotive (svasthavṛtta) measures, and positive conduct (sadvṛtta) measures

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to recommend, prescribe or demonstrate the following:

• Recommend daily routines (review techniques with client)

o Recommend proper oral hygiene (tongue cleaning, teeth brushing and flossing)

o Taking care of Eyes (eye wash) o Self abhyaṅga(Oil application) o Drinking warm water in the morning (uṣāpāna) o Tongue cleaning o Eye washes o Self abhyaṅga (oil application) o Netī (Nasal salve) o Activities to promote sleep before bed

• Recommend adjustments to the daily routine based on season

• Support the client to make life style changes

o Adjusting bed times and wake up times according to dosha, as well as season

o Times to take food o Instruct the client in modifying lifestyle in accordance with the seasons

• Proper conduct (sadvṛtta)

o Encourage devotional and spiritual practices


o Encouraging mindfulness throughout the day o Encourage to cultivate loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity

• The practitioner should be able to modify the daily, seasonal and lifecycle

routines of the patient in accordance with their underlying disease.


• Doṣas increasing or decreasing during different times of the day and season • Age affecting the doṣas and agni (digestive fire) • Influence of appropriate physical, devotional, spiritual practices on doṣas and

guṇas (qualities) • Twenty guṇas (qualities), doṣas, agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material),

ojas (essence of life) • Three Primal States (Mahāguṇas - sattva, rajas, tamas) • Drinking warm water in the morning (uṣāpāna) • Lifestyle impacting digestion and elimination • A regular routine influencing the doṣas • Practice of abhyaṅga (oil application), the oils to be used for abhyaṅga (Oil

application), different types of abhyaṅga (oil application) • Effective use of daily routine • Effective use of seasonal routine • Devotional and spiritual practices affecting the mind and body • Evening routine (rātricaryā) • Transition of the seasons (ṛtusandhi) • Rasāyana (rejuvenating) foods • Vājīkaraṇa (aphrodisiac) foods • Resisting and not resisting urges • Knowledge of how specific diseases alter general lifestyle recommendations

Senses

Nama Scope of Practice Description. Recommendations: The practitioner should be able to recommend or prescribe the appropriate use of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing (sātmyendriyārthasaṁyoga) and administer the appropriate treatments.

Scope of Practice Definition. Treatment and Intervention: The practitioner should be able to prescribe the appropriate use of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing in the management of disease.

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to recommend, prescribe and/ or demonstrate the following


• Aromatic Therapy: The practitioner is able to identify excessive utilization, deficient utilization and mis-utilization of the sense of smell and instruct the client to make adjustments to their aromatic environment to support the healing process. This might include identifying substances such as turpentine or fabric softener that are disturbing the sense of smell as well as recommending the use of doshically appropriate aromatic herbs such as rose or sandalwood.

• Taste Therapy (diet and herbs): The practitioner is able to identify excessive utilization, deficient utilization and mis-utilization of the sense of taste and instruct the client to make adjustments to their gustatory environment (for more information see the food section) to support the healing process. This might include correcting a diet that is too salty, too pungent, too sweet etc. and recommending a doshically appropriate balance of tastes.

• Touch Therapy (self-massage): The practitioner is able to identify excessive utilization, deficient utilization and mis-utilization of the sense of touch and instruct the client to make adjustments to their tactile environment to support the healing process such as by instructing the client in Āyurvedic self-massage.

• Sound therapy: The practitioner is able to identify excessive utilization, deficient utilization and mis-utilization of the sense of hearing and instruct the client to make adjustments to their auditory environment to support the healing process. This might include identifying exposure to loud music or work-related noise as well as recommending methods to mitigate such exposures.

• Visual Therapy: The practitioner is able to identify excessive utilization, deficient utilization and mis-utilization of the sense of vision and instruct the client to make adjustments to their visual environment to support the healing process. This might include identifying aspects of the client’s work or leisure environment, such as excess screen time, that are stressful to the sense of vision and recommending methods to mitigate these exposures.

Related Pre-requisite or Complementary Knowledge: Knowledge of what the sensory and motor faculties are

• The sensory and motor faculties • Relationship of five elements (pañca mahābhūtas) to each sensory and motor

faculty • Effect of appropriate, excessive and absence of sensory stimuli on each of the five

sensory faculties and mind • Sensory stimuli affecting the doṣas


• Appropriate and inappropriate use of senses • Different oils used for nasya (medicated nasal drops) • Touch therapy including different forms of abhyaṅga (oil application) and

appropriate oils used for abhyaṅga (oil application) • Different tastes and influence on doṣas • The mind is and its functions • Relationship between the five elements and their respective tanmātra (five subtle

elements), sense and motor organs.

Herbs and Minerals

NAMA Scope Description. Recommend: Āyurvedic Practitioners should be competent to safely recommend predesigned herbal medicines, minerals and other natural substances for internal or external use with consideration of the dose (mātra), vehicle (anupāna) and timing (auśadha kāla) for the purpose of balancing agni (digestive fire), eliminating āma (undigested material) while supporting the malas (waste) and protecting and building ojas (essence of life), and treating disease.

NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Āyurvedic Practitioner should be competent to administer, combine, provide, compound, and dispense herbal medicines, minerals, or other natural substances. Herbs may be used for internal or external use for the purpose of balancing agni (digestive fire) and eliminating āma (undigested material) while supporting the malas (waste) and protecting and building ojas (essence of life), as well as for treating specific diseases affecting any dhātu (tissues), upadhātu (by products of nutrition), malas (waste) or srotas (pathways) in any stage of the disease pathology.

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and provide the following treatments and interventions

• The practitioner is able to recommend or prescribe the appropriate herbs to balance agni (digestive fire), eliminate āma (undigested material) and support the malas (waste)while protecting and building ojas (essence of life).

• The practitioner is able to recommend pre-designed herbal formulas or create custom herbal formulations that include the use of herbs, minerals or other natural substances for internal or external use with consideration of dose (mātra), vehicle (anupāna) and timing (auśadha kāla).

• Prescribe herbal and related medicines for the purpose of treating disease.

RELATED PRE-REQUISITE AND COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:


• Herb classification and their energetics based on taste (rasa), potency (vīrya), post-digestive effect (vipāka), quality (guṇa) and unique action (prabhāva)

• The actions of herbs (karma). The counselor is informed of the major actions of an herb. When Western terminology matches the Saṁskṛta t terminology, the Western terms should be known. When a unique action is described in Saṁskṛta that has no simple translation into English, then the Saṁskṛta terminology for that action should be known

• The effect an herb has on the agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material), doṣas, and malas (waste)

• How to prepare powdered mixtures (cūrṇa) • Appropriate dosage (mātra) based on age, strength, doṣas, agni (digestive fire)

and pattern of elimination ( koṣṭha) • The indications for using herbs and contraindications to assure safe use • Herbs based on storage, processing, purity and government regulations • Knowledge of the use of appropriate herb and herbal related medicines for the

management of specific disease conditions. • Knowledge of the effect an herb has on dhātu (tissues) and srota (pathways) • Knowledge of different anupānas (adjuvants) to target different doṣas and dhātus

(tissues). • Knowledge of basic FDA regulations that affect daily practice

o (Example Section 201 (g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B) states that herbs cannot make claims of support].

o Knowledge of those herbs restricted by the FDA. • Knowledge of the following herbs:

Saṁskṛta Name Latin Name Common Name

Āmalakī Emblica officinalis Indian Gooseberry

Anantamūla Hemidesmus indicus Sariva, Upalsari

Arjuna Terminalia arjuna

Aśoka Saraca indica

Aśvagandha Withania somnifera

Balā Sida cordifolia

Bakuchi Cullen corylifolium


Bhṛṅgarāja Eclipta alba

Bhūmyāmalakī Phyllanthus amarus Bhui -avala

Bilva Aegle marmelos Bael Fruit

Brahmī Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica (active debate on this)

Citraka Plumbago zeylanica

Dāruharidrā* Berberis aristata Daruhalad

Devadāru* Cedrus deodara Deodar

Dhānyaka Coriandrum sativum Coriander

Elā Elettaria cardamomum Cardamom

Eraṇḍa Ricinus communis Castor oil

Gokṣura Tribulus terrestris Gokharu

Gudūcī Tinospora cordifolia Gulvel, Amrita

Guggulu Commiphora mukul Guggul

Haridrā Curcuma longa Turmeric

Harītakī Terminalia chebula Chebulic Myrobalan

Hiṅgu Ferula assa-foetida Asafoetida

Jaṭāmāmsī* Nardostachys jatamansi Indian spikenard

Jātīphalā Myristica fragrans Nutmeg

Jīraka Cuminum cyminum Cumin

Jyotiṣmatī* Celastrus paniculatus

Kalamegha* Andrographis paniculata King of Bitters

Kapikacchu Mucuna pruriens

Kaṭukī* Picrorhiza kurroa Kutki

Kirātatikta* Swertia chirata Kade chirait

Kumārī Aloe barbadensis Aloe

Kuṭaja Holarrhena antidysenterica Kuda


Laśuna Allium sativum Garlic

Lavaṅga Syzygium aromaticum Clove

Lodhra* Symplocos racemosa

Maṇḍūkaparṇī Centella asiatica Gotu kola

Mañjiṣṭhā Rubia cordifolia

Marica Piper nigrum Black Pepper

Meṣaśṛṅgī Gymnema sylvestre Gurmar, Shardunika

Methikā Trigonella foenum-graeceum Fenugreek

Miśreya Foeniculum vulgare Fennel

Mustā Cyperus rotundus Nagarmotha

Nilgiri Eucalyptus blobulus Labill Eucalyptus

Nimba Azadirachta indica Neem

Padmaka Nelumbo nucifera Lotus

Pippali Piper longum Long Pepper

Punarnavā Boerhaavia diffusa

Rājikā Brassica juncea Mustard seeds

Rakta Candana Pterocarpus santalinus Red sandalwood

Raktapuṣpi Hibiscus rosa Hibiscus

Rāsnā Alpina officinarum Galangal

Saindhava Lavaṇa Mineral Salt

Śallakī Boswellia serrata

Śaṅkhapuṣpī Evolvulus alsinoides

Sat Isabgol Plantago psyllium Psyllium Husks

Śatāvarī Asparagus racemosus Asparagus root

Śilājitu Asphaltum Mineral Pitch

Śuṇṭhī Zingiber officinale Ginger

Svarṇapatrī Senna alexandrina Senna


Tagara Valeriana wallichi Valerian

Tarunī Rosa centifolia Red rose petals

Tavakṣīrī Maranta arundinacea Arrowroot

Tila Sesamum indicum Sesame

Tulasī Ocimum sanctum Holy Basil

Tvak Cinnamomum cassia Cinnamon

Uśīra Vetiveria zizanioides Vetiver

Vacā Acorus calamus Sweet Flag

Vasaka Adhatoda vasica Malabar Nut

Vibhītakī Terminalia belerica Beleric

Viḍaṅga Embelia ribes

Vidārī Kanda Ipomoea digitata Indian ginseng

Yaṣṭi Madhu Glycyrrhiza glabra Licorice root

Yavānī Carum copticum Ajwain or Wild Celery

*Herbs are difficult to obtain due to being protected species or endangered.

• Knowledge of various preparations of herbs and how they are made including: infusions, decoctions (kaṣāya), fresh juice (svarasa), jam (avalehya/lehyam), medicated ghee (ghṛta), powders (cūrṇa), medicated oils (taila), pills (vaṭi), moist bolus (kalka), and fermented preparations (āsava/ariṣṭa), including the following specific compound formulations:

Powders (Cūrṇa)

Tablets (Vaṭi) Decoctions (Kashaya)

Oil (Taila) Ghee (Ghṛta) Fermented Preparations (Āsava/Ariṣṭa)

Jams (Lehyam)

Avipattikara

Bh.Ra.53/25-29

Candraprabhā Vaṭi

Sha.Sa. Madh. 7/40-49

Dashamulam

Bh.Ra. 15/

Aṇu Taila

A.H.Su. 20/37-39

Triphala Ghṛta

Bh.Pra. Madh. 70/52-53

Abhaya Ariṣṭa

Bh.Ra. 9/175- 180

Cyavanprāśa



Hiṅgvāṣhṭaka

A.H.Chi.14/35

Citrakādi Vaṭi

Sha.Sa. Madh. 6/108-111

Amrutotharam/Nagaradi Kashaya

S.Y.Kashaya yoga

Bhṛṅgarāja/ Mahābhṛṅgarāja Taila

Bh. Ra. 64/271-272

Indukantham

S.Y.Ghrita yoga

Aśoka Ariṣṭa

Bh.Ra. 69/114- 116

Gudardraka/Ardraka Rasayana

S.Y. Guda prayoga

Sitopalādi

Sha.Sa.Madh.

6/134-137

Gokṣurādi Guggulu

Sha.Sa.Madh.

7/84-87

Dasamoolakatuthrayadi

S.Y. Kashaya Yoga

Brāhmī Taila

A.F.I

Mahatiktaka Ghṛta

S.Y. Ghrita yoga

Aśvagandha Ariṣṭa

Bh.Ra. 21/15-21

Agastya Rasayanam

C.S.Chi. 17/57- 62

Tālīsādi

Sha.Sa.Madh.

6/130-134

Kaiṣora Guggulu


Guluchyadi

A.H. Su.15/16

Mahāmaricyādi Taila

Bh.Ra. 54/303-311

Sukumaram Ghrita

S.Y. Ghrita yga

Daśamūla Ariṣṭa


Narasimharasayana

ras A.H. Utt.39/170- 172

Trikaṭu

Sha.Sa.Madh.

6/12-13

Punarnavādi Guggulu

Bh.Pra. Madh. 29/165-169

Varanadi

A.H. Su.15/21-22

Mahāṇārāyana Taila

Bh.Ra. 26/343-354

Kalyanakam Ghrita

A.H.Utt. 6/26- 28

Drakṣa Āsava

Bh.Ra. 9/17-173

Ashwagandhadi Lehya

S.Y.Avaleha yoga

Triphala

Sha.Sa.Madh.

6/9- 11

Yogarāja Guggulu


Gandharvahasthadi

S.Y .Kasa/30

Dhanwantaram Taila

S.Y. Taila/1

Brahmi Ghritam

Bh.Pra. Madh. 23/18

Jirakarishta

S.Y.Arishta yoga

Panchakola

Sha.Sa.Madh.

6/13-14

Dhanwantharam Gulika

S.Y.Gudika yoga

Kshirabala Taila

A.H. Chi. 22/45-46

Amrutharishtam

S.Y.Arishta yoga

Sudarshana

Churna

Bh. Ra. 5/445

Bala Taila

A.H. Chi.21

Punarnavasava

S.Y.Asava yoga

Chandanadi Taila

S.Y. Taila yoga

Draksharishtam

S.Y.Arishta yoga

Pinda Taila

A.H. Chi. 22/22

Balaswagandhadi Taila

S.Y.Taila yoga

Laṅghana / Śamana (Pacification of Doṣas) NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations: The practitioner should be able to recommend pacification (shamana) therapies to balance the doṣas and eliminate āma (undigested material)


NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Invention: The Practitioner should be able to design, implement and manage a plan for pacifying the doṣas and eliminating āma (undigested material).

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and implement that following therapies with the goal of pacification of the doṣas.

• Herbs and spices: Those that increase agni – digestive fire (dīpana) and metabolize āma- undigested material (pācana)

• Diet: See food section (kṣudhā nigraha – pacifying hunger) • Sensory Therapies: See sensory therapy section. • Exercise (vyāyāma) • Heat therapies (agni –therapies with the use of fire and anagni cikitsā- therapies

without the use of fire)


• Seven traditional forms of palliative therapy o Dīpana: Herbs/spices that increasing agni(digestive fire) o Pācana: Herbs/spices that digest āma (undigested material) o Kṣudhā nigraha: Control over diet including the use of fasting o Tṛṣṇā nigraha: Control over water and oil intake o Vyāyāma: Use of exercise o Ātāpa sevana: Forms of creating heat without directly increasing agni such

as sunbathing o Māruta sevana: Ways to cool the body to protect pitta dosha such as moon

walks • Āyurveda anatomy and physiology (qualities, elements, doṣas, sub-doṣas,

dhātus (tissues), upadhātus (by products of nutrition), malas (waste), srotas (pathways), agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material), ojas (essence of life))

• Indications and contraindications for palliation therapy • How to design a palliation program to correct an imbalance in each doṣa • Effective application of each therapy noted above • Assessing the client’s state of agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material)

and ojas (essence of life) • Assess digestion, tongue, stools and body odor as a means of identifying

āma(undigested material) in the body • Assessing doṣa vikṛti (pathological condition)


• Use of herbs and spices for balancing agni (digestive fire) and eliminating ama(undigested material)

• Effective, safe and appropriate, application of diet, herbs, sensory therapies, exercise and heat treatments

Laṅghana – Reduction Therapies: Pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations: The Practitioner should be able to recommend pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) programs as well as individual treatments (shodhana chikitsa – elimination therapies), including: classical pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas), and treatments for individual conditions, including the use of specialized traditional body treatments.

NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: Designing, implementing and managing pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) programs as well as individual treatments (śodhana cikitsā – elimination therapies), including: classical pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) and treatments for individual conditions, including use of specialized traditional body treatments. Includes pūrva karma (preoperational procedures) pradhāna karma (main procedure), (diet, lifestyle & herbs)

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and provide appropriate case management

Pūrva Karma (preoperational procedures)

• The practitioner should be able to properly design a pūrva karma (preoperational procedures) program and should be able to monitor the patient to be look for signs of over and under oleation (oil therapy).

• The practitioner should be able to manage the administration of the following therapies

o Pūrva karma diet (preoperational procedures) o Abhyanga (oil application) o Udvartana – Dry powder massage (as needed) o Swedana – Sweating therapies o Shirodhara – Pouring oil on the forehead


o Katibasti – oil well in lumbar region (As needed) o Hridbasti – oil well in heart region (As needed) o Udarabasti – oil well on abdomen (As needed) o Netrabasti – oil well on eyes (As needed)

Pradhāna Karma

• The practitioner should be able to properly design a pradhāna karma(main procedure) program and should be able to manage the patient as he/she goes through the program.

o Vamana – Medicated Emesis (not done routinely in US) o Virechana – Medicated Purgation o Basti – Medicated enemas o Nasya – Medicated nasal drops o Rakta Moksha – Blood letting (not done routinely in US)

Paścāt Karma – Rehabilitative measures

The practitioner should be able to properly design a paścāt karma (rehabilitative measures) program and should be able to manage the patient as he/she goes through the program.

It includes restoration of strong digestive fire to nourish, strengthen, and balance the newly detoxified tissues by recommending Rasayan (rejuvanative) herbs according to Prakriti (individual constitution).


• Knowledge of āma pācana (digestion of undigested material) • Knowledge of the process of pūrva karma (preparatory procedures) • Knowledge of the process of pradhāna karma (main procedure) • Knowledge of each pūrva karma (preparatory procedures) practice including

indications and contraindications • Knowledge of each pradhāna karma (main procedure) practice including

indications and contraindications. • Knowledge of the signs of successful and unsuccessful administration of each

practice


• Knowledge of how to adjust the program if the administration of a therapy is not successful.

• Knowledge of the oils and medicines to be used in each practice. • Knowledge of how to design a complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of

Doṣas) program including pūrva (preparatory), pradhāna (main) and paścāt (rehabilitative) karma (procedures).

• Knowledge of how to modify the complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program for patients with a vāta, pitta and kapha vikṛti (pathological conditions).

• Knowledge of how to modify the complete pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program for patients with various diseases.

• Knowledge of how to modify a pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) program with consideration of the patients response to the therapies including but not limited to: Changes in appetite, elimination pattern , overall strength,

Rejuvenation (Rasāyana)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations: The practitioner should be able to a recommend a post pañcakarma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas) rejuvenation program (paścāt karma)

NAMA Scope Description. Treatments and Interventions: The practitioner should be able to design implement and manage a post pañcakarma rejuvenation (paścāt karma)

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and prescribe the appropriate treatments and interventions.

• Post pradhāna karma care (paścāt karma) for the purposes of rejuvenating the body and mind.


• Knowledge of the principles and process of samsarjana karma (rehabilitating diet); including how restore healthy agni (digestive fire) while reintroducing foods into the diet.

• Knowledge of the use of herbs and herbal formulas in the rejuvenation process. • Knowledge of the appropriate timing for the administration of rejuvenative herbs

following pradhāna karma (Elimination of Aggravated of Doṣas).


• Knowledge of how to properly monitor a patient during the period of paścāt karma (rehabilitative procedures) and how to adjust a patients program in accordance with their response to care.

•

Tonification (Bṛṁhaṇa)

NAMA Scope Description. Skills and Competency: The Practitioner should be competent to recommend tonification (bṛṁhaṇa) therapy for the body and mind. NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Practitioner should be competent to design, implement and manage a program of tonification (bṛṁhaṇa) for sustaining the health of the body and mind. In order to be competent, the Practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and provide the following treatments and interventions.

• Dietary therapies that promotes tonification • Herbal therapies that promotes tonification • Internal and external oil therapies (snehana) • Daily routines and lifestyle that promotes tonification

Related to Complementary and Pre-requisite knowledge

• Indications and contraindications for tonification therapy • Designing a tonification program in accordance with the doṣa vikṛti (pathological

condition) • Managing a tonification program and make adjustments to the program in

accordance with the client’s progress • Assessing the state of agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material) and ojas

(essence of life) • How to assess the dhātus (tissues) and the signs of depletion


Types of Cikitsā (Treatment or therapies)

NAMA Scope Description: Practitioner should have a broad understanding of the different categories of cikitsā (treatment), as listed below:

Ekavidha: Nidāna parivarjana (removing the cause)

Dvividha:

1. Santarpaṇa and Apatarpaṇa (Strengthening and depleting) 2. Śodhana (cleansing of aggravated dosas) and Śamana (pacification of

aggravated dosas) 3. Śīta (Cold) and Uṣṇa (hot) 4. Urjaskara (Strengthening the body/ rejuvenating) and Rogaghna (treatment

of disease) 5. Roga praśamana (counteracting the disease) and Apunarbhava (prevention

of reoccurrence) 6. Doṣa pratyanīka (therapies focused on the aggravated dosa) 7. Vyādhi pratyanīka (therapies focused on the disease) 8. Ubhaya pratyanīka (therapies focused on both aggravated dosa and

disease)

Trividha:

9. Sattvavajaya (therapeutic measures aimed at strengthening the mind / psychotherapy)

10. Yukti Vyapashray (therapeutic measures based on rational thinking – three dosas, five elements and or three qualities of the mind etc.)

11. Daiva Vyapashraya (therapeutic measures appeasing conditions associated with the subtle body / faith therapy)

Caturvidha:

12. Śodhana (cleansing the aggravated dosas – panchakarma) 13. Śamana (pacification of aggravated dosas) 14. Āhāra (dietary regimen) 15. Ācāra (lifestyle regimen)

Pañcavidha:


16. Vamana (emesis therapy) 17. Virecana (purgation therapy) 18. Basti (enema therapy) 19. Nasya (medicated nasal drop therapy) 20. Raktamokṣaṇa (bloodletting therapy)

Saḍvidha: 21. Bṛṁhaṇa (Nourishing therapy) 22. Laṅghana (Reduction therapy) 23. Snehana (oleation therapy) 24. Rūkṣaṇa (Drying therapy) 25. Stambhana (Binding / blocking therapy) 26. Svedana (Sweating therapy)

Saptavidha:

27. Dīpana (Increasing digestive fire) 28. Pācana (Increasing digestion) 29. Kṣudhā Nigraha (Pacification of hunger) 30. Tṛṣā Nigraha (Pacification of thirst) 31. Vyāyāma (Exercise) 32. Ātapa sevana (Sun bathing) 33. Māruta sevana (Exposure to wind)

Pre-natal, Natal, Post-natal (Prasūti Tantra)

NAMA Scope Description. Skills and Competency: The Practitioner should be able to recommend diet (ahāra), lifestyle (vihāra), herbs (dravya) and treatments (cikitsā) to manage pre-natal, natal, post-natal health and pathologies and care of newborns. NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Practitioner should e able to design, implement and manage diet (ahāra), lifestyle (vihāra), herbs (dravya) and treatments (cikitsā) to manage pre-natal, natal, post-natal health and pathologies and care of newborns. In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and provide the following treatments and interventions.

• See Sections on Food/Diet and lifestyle. The practitioner is able to safely and supportively apply these practices to the pre-natal, natal and post-natal woman

• Support couples experiencing infertility to restore normal procreative abilities


• Utilize herbs to support and treat pre-natal, natal and post-natal women • Treat pre-natal, natal and post-natal woman who are experiencing illness • Provide supportive care for new born infants • Provide treatment for newborn infants who are experiencing illness.


• Doṣas increasing or decreasing during different times of the day and season • Age affecting the doṣas and agni (digestive fire) • Influence of appropriate physical, devotional, spiritual practices on doṣas and

guṇas (qualities) • Twenty guṇas (qualities), doṣas, agni (digestive fire), āma (undigested material),

ojas (essence of life) • Three Primal States (Mahāguṇas - sattva, rajas, tamas) • Drinking warm water in the morning (uṣāpāna) • Lifestyle impacting digestion and elimination • A regular routine influencing the doṣas • Practice of abhyaṅga (oil application), the oils to be used for abhyaṅga (oil

application), different types of abhyaṅga (oil application) • Effective use of daily routine • Effective use of seasonal routine • Devotional and spiritual practices affecting the mind and body • Evening routine (rātricaryā) • Transition of the seasons (ṛtusandhi) • Rasāyana (rejuvenating) foods • Vājīkaraṇa (aphrodisiac) foods • Resisting and not resisting urges

Children’s Health (Kaumārabhṛtya)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations – The practitioner should be able to offer appropriate recommendations for children of all ages

NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The practitioner should be able to design, implement and manage a plan to treat the imbalances in all the srotas (pathways).


• Recommend the proper herbal formulas


• Recommend, the proper Āyurvedic therapies • Recommend modifications in the diet • Recommend lifestyle changes • Monitor patients' progress and make the appropriate adjustments to the treatment

plan


• Knowledge of signs of imbalanced doṣas at kapha stage of life • Knowledge of current samprāpti (pathogenesis) • Knowledge of cardinal signs of diseases • Knowledge of herbs, creating herbal formulas, their synergistic effects • Knowledge of herbal preparations (oils, ghees etc) • Knowledge of appropriate dosage, time of taking herbs, • Knowledge of anupānas (adjuvants) in children

ENT / Head and Neck Region (ŚālākyaTantra)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations: The practitioner should be able to recommend preventative care and treatment for the head and neck

NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Interventions: The practitioner should be able to offer therapies to treat imbalances of all the organs around and above the neck region.


• Prescribe herbal formulas, or herb preparations for diseases of all the organs around and above the neck region

Related prerequisite or complimentary knowledge

• Knowledge of the anatomy of all the structures at and above neck • Knowledge of imbalanced doṣas, sub-doṣas, dhātus (tissues), upadhātus (by

products of nutrition), at these regions • Samprāpti (pathogenesis) of their diseases • Nidān pañcaka (five stages of pathogenesis) of their diseases • Knowledge of herbs, creating herbal formulas for these diseases


• Knowledge of herbal preparations (oils, ghees etc) • Knowledge of appropriate dosage, time of taking herbs • Knowledge of anupānas (adjuvants) • Knowledge of designing and performing special Āyurvedic therapy • Knowledge of indications and contraindications of such procedures

Psychiatry (Bhūtavidyā/Manovijñāna)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendations: The Practitioner should be able to competently recommend diet (āhāra), lifestyle (vihāra), positive conduct (acāra), herbs (dravya) and treatments (cikitsā) to treat pathologies of the mind.

NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Invention: The Practitioner should be able to design, implement and manage a plan to pacify the doṣas within the mid and provide treatments to treat pathologies of the mind.

In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations and implement that following therapies with the goal of pacification of the doṣas.

• Visual Therapy: Sāttvika (purity. positive) intake of impressions and the proper use of color

• Auditory Therapy: Sāttvika(purity. positive) intake of impressions and the proper use of sound

• Aromatic Therpay: Sāttvika (purity. positive) intake of impressions and the proper use of aromas

• Gustatory Therapy: Sāttvika (purity. positive) intake of impressions and the proper use of foods

• Tactile Therapy: Sāttvika (purity. positive) intake of impressions and the proper use of touch

• Effective daily routines • Changes to a person’s behavior • Herbal remedies for the balancing the doṣas of the mind, restoring a healthy

balance of prāṇa (vital energy), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) and are an important part of treating specific disease conditions

• Dietary remedies that not only balance the doṣas of the mind and restore a healthy balance of prāṇa (vital force), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) but also are an important part of treating specific disease conditions


• Lifestyle remedies that not only balance the doṣas of the mind and restore a healthy balance of prāṇa (vital force), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) but also are an important part of treating specific disease conditions

• Conduct correction that not only balance the doṣas of the mind and restore a healthy balance of prāṇa (vital force), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) but also treating specific disease conditions

• Additional sensory therapies that not only balance the doṣas of the mind and restore a healthy balance of prana (vital force) –tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) but also are an important part of treating specific disease conditions including visual (color), olfactory (aromas, netī (nasal salve), nasya – medicated nasal drops) , auditory (mantra and music) and touch (massage / oil therapies).


• Diagnosing the mental prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition) by quantifying sattva, rajas, and tamas

• The effects of sensory input on the mind • Effective use and misuse of the five senses • Overuse, deficient use and misuse for each sense organ • Prāṇa (vital force), tejas (radiance) and ojas (essence of life) and how to determine

their state • Three guṇas (qualities – sattva, rajas and tamas) and how to determine their state • What constitutes healthy behavior • Effect of sensory input on the mind • Designing a treatment program utilizing diet, lifestyle, adjustments to behavior and

how the senses are used • Various approaches to implementing the treatment program including adjusting the

pace of implementation of the program based on a client’s prakṛti (individual constitution) and vikṛti (pathological condition)

• Effective case management o Knowledge of how to conduct follow up visits to monitor progress and make

adjustments to the treatment plan including o Checking in on how the client is doing implementing assignment/homework

plan and lifestyle changes o An ability to support the client to be more successful in implementing the

treatment plan o An ability to assign additional homework / assignments or lifestyle changes

at an appropriate time


o Utilizing of the counseling process noted in the counseling section of this document

• Knowledge of four aspects of mind- manas, citta, buddhi (intellect), ahaṁkāra

(ego)

• Knowledge of definition, qualities, location and functions of mind

• Knowledge of the definitions and symptomatology of major diseases of the mind including anxiety and depressive disorders as well as degenerative conditions such as dementia.

• Knowledge that complementary Vedic science can support the ability to bring balance to the doṣa, subtle doṣas and the three guṇas (qualities – sattva, rajas and tamas) including Yoga, Jyotiṣa (vedic astrology) and Vāstu (vedic architecture). (see related sections of this document)

Yoga

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendation: The Practitioner should be able to refer patients to a practitioner of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga for assessment and education on the general scope and value of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga. NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Practitioner should be informed on Y Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga but its practice requires a separate certification. In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to:

• Refer the patient to practitioner of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga. RELATED PRE-REQUISITE OF COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE

• Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga • What a practitioner of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga does • The scope of practice of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga • How an Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga can complement client care • Therapeutic tools utilized by a practitioner of Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga

Jyotiṣa (Vedic Astrology)


(This will not be tested in the exam)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendation: The Practitioner should be able to refer patients to a Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology) for assessment and education on the general scope and value of Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology). NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Practitioner should be informed on Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology)but its practice requires a separate certification. In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to:

• Refer the patient to Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology)at the appropriate time.

RELATED PRE-REQUISITE OF COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:

• What Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology) is • What a Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology) does • The scope of practice of Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology) • How a Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vedic astrology)can complement client care • Therapeutic tools utilized by a Vedic or Medical Jyotiṣi (vdic astrology)

Vāstu Śāstra (Vedic Architecture)

NAMA Scope Description. Recommendation: The Practitioner should be able to refer patients to a practitioner of Vāstu (vedic architecture) for assessment and education on the general scope and value of Vāstu (vedic architecture). NAMA Scope Description. Treatment and Intervention: The Practitioner should be informed on Vāstu (vedic architecture) but its practice requires a separate certification. In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to:

• Refer the client to a practitioner of Vāstu (vedic architecture) at the appropriate time.

RELATED PRE-REQUISITE AND COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:

• What Vāstu (vedic architecture) is • What a Vāstu (vedic architecture) practitioner does • The scope of practice of Vāstu śāstra (vedic architecture) • How a Vāstu (vedic architecture) can complement client care


• Therapeutic tools utilized by a practitioner of Vāstu śāstra (vedic architecture)

Western Medicine

NAMA SCOPE DESCRIPTION: The Practitioner should be able to refer a patient for assessment and possible treatment by a medical practitioner. In order to be competent, the practitioner should be able to make the following recommendations: A referral to an appropriate Western Medicine Practitioner at the appropriate time. RELATED PRE-REQUISITES OR COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:

• The scope of practice of a Medical Practitioner, including which type of specialist is appropriate for the client’s condition.

• Knowledge of red flag symptoms that require referral

• How a Western Medical Practitioner can complement the care being provided by the Āyurvedic Practitioner

Medical Ethics (New requirement as of 9/1/20 to be fully enstated by 2/1/22)

NAMA Medical Ethics Curriculum Description: The practitioner has the knowledge and skills to adhere to the highest ethical standards consistent with Ayurvedic spiritual principles and societal norms.


- HIPAA Guidelines- The Ayurvedic professional should be familiar with the fact that HIPAA stands for the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act”.

Additionally, the Ayurvedic professional should know:

• HIPAA Guidelines were created to regulate how patient’s medical records or Personal Health Information (PHI) can be kept safe through privacy and security measures.

• HIPAA rules outline national standards for the privacy and availability of PHI between practitioners, doctors, medical centers, health insurance companies and other health providers.

• HIPAA Guidelines respect the privacy and dignity of the patient according to HIPPA requirements.


- Malpractice Insurance- Although at this time the Ayurvedic professional in not required to maintain malpractice per state or federal law, all health professionals should be aware that:

• If a health care provider causes injury to a patient through either negligent actions, or a violation of the recognized standard of care in that profession, it is defined as “Medical Malpractice”.

• Malpractice insurance policies help protect healthcare professionals in the event of malpractice claims, and to cover the legal fees associated with claims if they arise.

• It is highly recommended that the Ayurveda Professional carry professional malpractice insurance.

- Health Freedom/Safe Harbor Legislation. Each Ayurveda professional should be familiar with the laws applicable to his/her practice. Several states have enacted laws which are commonly referred to as “Health Freedom” or “Safe Harbor” Laws. These laws provide a way for unlicensed complementary and alternative practitioners to provide certain services in their state without risk of being prosecuted for the unlicensed practice of medicine.

Currently, eleven states have enacted some form of a health freedom law. Although these laws vary from state to state, the laws typically provide a way for unlicensed complementary and alternative practitioners to legally provide services that do not require medical training and credentials, or pose a known risk to the health and safety of state residents, if the practitioners make specified written disclosures to their clients, include specified disclosure language in their advertisements, and do not engage in certain prohibited activities. For more information regarding health freedom laws in general, and links to the laws enacted in each state, visit https://nationalhealthfreedom.org/

Each Ayurveda professional is expected to operate legally in the state(s) in which (s)he practices. If the Ayurveda professional is a licensed heath care practitioner, (s)he is expected to practice in a manner in compliance with his or her license(s). If the Ayurveda professional in not a licensed health care practitioner, (s)he is nonetheless expected to practice legally in each state in which (s)he practices. If the unlicensed Ayurveda professional is practicing in a health freedom state, the professional should be familiar with and follow the health freedom law of that state. Any Ayurveda professional who has questions or concerns about how to practice legally in his/her state should seek the advice of legal counsel.

- Charting- The Ayurvedic professional should understand the HIPAA Requirements for medical records:

• A Medical Record, or “chart”, is a collection of patient’s health information gathered by an authorized healthcare provider.


• Medical charts can be in the form of paper or electronic format. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requires medical records to be kept in a locked, secure location.

• Records must be maintained for a specified period of time according to state regulations. • Paper records should be stored in organized, locked areas with no access to unauthorized

personnel. • Electronic medical records should be stored in secure, password protected software that

allow for proper organization. • The Ayurveda Professional shall maintain patient privacy and confidentiality, in full

compliance with the health care privacy laws of the United States. This duty of privacy and confidentiality extends to patient medical records.

• The Ayurvedic professional who creates, maintains, preserves, stores, abandons, destroys, or disposes of medical records to do so in a manner that preserves the confidentiality of the information contained within those records.

• The Ayurveda Professional is expected to understand and follow the State laws concerning the release of patient health records.

- Professionalism- The Ayurvedic professional should understand and exemplify professional code which includes:

• Professional dress code: it is important for the Ayurvedic professional to maintain a professional appearance with their clients. Attire should reflect professionalism, while at the same time encourage patients to feel comfortable and confident in the care they will receive.

• Professional communication with patients and any parties related to the client’s care. Good communication is paramount and involves listening attentively to patients, respecting their point of view, and never allowing personal beliefs and values to adversely influence the therapeutic relationship. Communication is important for creating trust and patient-practitioner positive relationship.

• Honor that a professional relationship is based on trust. • Maintain polite, considerate and honest demeanor. • Informed Consent- The Ayurvedic professional should provide documentation of informed

consent to all clients. This is an ethical and legal obligation and is the process in which a health care providers educate about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430827/ Patients have the right to receive information and to ask questions about recommended treatments in order to be able to make informed decisions about their care.

- Principles of informed consent- The Ayurvedic professional should know about: • Disclosure of Information, nature of procedure • Competency of the patient (or surrogate) • The risks and benefits of the procedure. • Reasonable alternative • Risk and benefits of


• Voluntary nature of the decision and assessment of the patient’s understanding of the above elements.

- Practical Medical Ethics- Ayurvedic professional should have competency with practical medical ethics including case review, group work and additional training in practical case-based discussion. Practical Medical Ethics attempt to work out the implications of general theories for specific forms of conduct and moral judgment; formerly called Applied Medical Ethics.

1. Faculty and students participate in case based discussion. This can include live case work shared between faculty and students.

2. Group work involving students emphasizing various components of medical ethics. 3. Medical Ethics should be included throughout the Ayurvedic curriculum especially with

client care management.

- End of Life Care- The Ayurvedic professional should be familiar with, a definition of End of Life Care, and understand available options including hospice care, palliative care, home-based care, long-term care facilities, and hospital-based care. Each of these options provides an understanding and guidance for end-of-life care options. The Ayurvedic professional should understand that advanced care planning is critical to ensure that both caregivers and health care providers can understand their client’s wishes and provide all the options for someone who needs to make a choice regarding end of life care.

- Patient Rights- The Ayurvedic professional should know that differences in patient rights exist from state to state, but some are guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records and the right to keep them private. Medical ethics competency should include knowledge about certain states which have their own versions of a bill of rights for patients. Additionally, a patient’s rights and responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act are found on the HealthCare.gov website: https://www.healthcare.gov/health-care-law-protections/rights-and-protections/

- Examples of Patient Rights: • The Right to Appropriate Medical Care and Humane Treatment • The Right to Informed Consent • The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality • The Right to Information • The Right to choose a Health Care Provider and Facility • The Right to Self-Determination • The Right to Religious Belief • The Right to Medical Records • The Right to Refuse Treatment • The Right to make decision about End-of-Life Care

- Professional Boundaries- The Ayurvedic professional is familiar with the NAMA Code of Ethics.


• The Ayurvedic professional should know about in the Practitioner-Patient/Client Relationship providing a framework for healthy relationships between healthcare providers and clients. These include physical and emotional limits that protect the client’s vulnerability.

Business Skills

(New requirement as of 9/1/20 to be fully enstated by 2/1/22)

NAMA Scope Description: The Āyurvedic professional has the skills required or knows how to acquire them in the areas of business and strategic planning, financial, ethical and management practices in the field of Āyurveda to meet personal local and national business needs.


• Strategic Planning: The Āyurvedic professional can create an overarching plan to include a mission statement consistent with Āyurvedic principles.

o Business Plan: The Āyurvedic professional can create a more specific plan to implement its strategic plan. This would include achievable goals consistent with ethical, financial, educational and legal business practices.

o Refreshing the Strategic Plan: The Āyurvedic professional can update the strategic and business plans based on changing circumstances.

o Ethics: The Āyurvedic professional can apply the principles of the NAMA Code of Ethics in the business and professional environment

o . • Leadership: Above all else the Āyurvedic professional will demonstrate leadership competence to support

the honorable traditions of Āyurveda. • Financial: The Āyurvedic professional has developed the financial skills to ethically and accurately run their

practice. o Equity & Borrowing: The Āyurvedic professional understands that capital formation whether by

equity or debt provides crucial financial support for the practice. o Cash Flow: The Āyurvedic professional recognizes the need to generate ongoing positive cash flow

for the business to fulfill its financial obligations to its partners, clients, suppliers and/or investors. o Capital Expenditures: The Āyurvedic professional has developed the skill to appropriately purchase

and maintain necessary facilities and equipment to provide a high quality Āyurvedic experience. • Accounting: The Āyurvedic professional has developed the skills to understand the accounting needs of the

business and oversee or hire appropriate professionals as necessary to ensure accurate financial reporting. o Taxes: The Āyurvedic professional understands how to accurately report taxes as required by local

and national government. • Management Practices: The Āyurvedic professional will be familiar with the art of management as an

important component of any organization. o Scheduling: The Āyurvedic professional understands the importance to efficiently maintain rigorous

scheduling practices for clients, partners, employees, etc.


o Human Resources: Given the importance of partners, employees and clients in the Āyurvedic ecosystem, as well as the significance of diversity in culture and thought, the Āyurvedic professional understands the interactive skills to appropriately manage the human resource function.

o Facilities Management: The Āyurvedic professional understands the needs of finding a facility and making sure it enhances the needs of the business.

• Marketing: The Āyurvedic professional is familiar with the skills to assess the market environment to allow for identification of appropriate clientele.

o Advertising: The Āyurvedic professional will be familiar with the various advertising options available and be able to assess which can be utilized in an ethical manner.

o Online Presence: The Āyurvedic professional is aware of the technological options within its marketing functions.

o Specialty Marketing: The Āyurvedic professional understands the importance of marketing to any targeted demographics based on their specialties.

• Legal: As a basic foundation of any ethical business, the Āyurvedic professional will know the importance of being compliant with all current legal requirements related to the practice.

o Ownership Structure: The Āyurvedic professional will be familiar with the different business ownership structures available under law. This will include legal entity designations as well as not-for-profit businesses.

o Ownership/Management Succession: In order to ensure client continuity and continued growth of Āyurveda as a profession the Āyurvedic professional will encourage ownership and management succession planning as a best business practice.

o Regulations: The Āyurvedic professional understands the importance of and how to become familiar with all regulations impacting their practice.

o Licensing: The Āyurvedic professional will understand the importance of and how to research licensing requirements as deemed by the state.

o Interaction with Western Medicine (and/or other modalities): As a complimentary medical modality, the practitioner will be introduced to NAMA’s guidelines for appropriate referrals as well as interact with other medical practices in a manner consistent with client well-being.

o Taxation: The Āyurvedic professional will be introduced to concepts of local, state and federal tax laws and compliance.

APPENDIX F: SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR THE AYURVEDIC PROFESSION


Scope of Practice for the Ayurvedic Profession

The following listing of Professional categories for the practice of Ayurveda in the United States represents the current state of the profession and also the potential for the growth of the profession moving forward. These three categories are distinguished by their focus on health and wellness as well as the educational and experiential background needed to be competent as a professional in each category.

Ayurvedic Health Counselor: This category represents an entire field of Ayurvedic professionals versed and educated to serve the community in the area of prevention and health promotion with a focus on diet and lifestyle.

Ayurvedic Practitioner: This category represents the Ayurvedic professional with full clinical training in disease pathology, as seen through the Ayurvedic model. These professionals also practice prevention and health promotion through the focus on diet and lifestyle

Ayurvedic Doctor: This category represents more specialized training in Ayurvedic medicine and overview training in western allopathic medicine to enable this level professional the skills and knowledge to provide an integrative medical approach to their patients.

*The use of the term “doctor” may be limited by individual state licensure regulations.

This document is broken into four divisions clarifying the scope of practice in each category:

1. Description

2. Skills and Competencies

3. Recommendations

4. Treatment and Intervention Skills


ThreeProfessionalCategoriesGeneralDescriptionoftheScopeofPractice

Category CategoryIĀyurvedicHealth

Counselor

CategoryIIĀyurvedicPractitioner

CategoryIIIDoctorofĀyurveda

GeneralDescription

ĀyurvedicHealthCounselorsarecompetentinhealthpromotionanddiseaseprevention(svasthavṛtta).TheyutilizetheprinciplesofĀyurvedicmedicinetocreatedietandlifestyle(āhāraandvihāra)recommendationsaccordingtotheirassessmentofthepatient’sĀyurvedicconstitutionandimbalances(prakṛtiandvikṛti),stateofthedoṣas,agni,dhātus,malas,andmanas(mind).

Theyeducate,motivateandcounselpatientsinordertosupportthemtobesuccessfulinimplementingtheprinciplesofĀyurvedaintotheirlives.ĀyurvedicCounselorsreferpatientswhosediseasestate(samprāpti)isbeyondthethirdstagetoĀyurvedicPractitionersorDoctorsofĀyurvedafordiagnosis(nidāna)

ĀyurvedicPractitionersarecompetentinmanagingandtreatingdiseasefromtheĀyurvedicperspective,usingĀyurvedicetiology,(nidāna),pathology(samprāpti),diagnosisandmanagementofdiseases(kāyacikitsā),inadditiontobeinginthepreventionofdiseaseandpromotionofhealth(svasthavṛtta).Inadditiontodietandlifestyle(āhāravihāra),ĀyurvedicPractitionersuseherbsasmedicine(dravyaguṇavijñāna)andĀyurvedicpurification(śodhanacikitsā)andrejuvenativetherapies(rasāyana).TheyalsounderstandthebasicsofWesternanatomy,physiologyandpathology.Theyshouldbeabletocontributetotheprofessionsuchasbywritingarticles,contributingtoresearch,teachingatprofessionalconferencesorpresentingcasestudies.Theyareabletosupport healthy women during the pre-natal,and post-natal periods and to recommend Ayurvedic care for well newborns, to offer

ThegeneralscopeofpracticeoftheĀyurvedicDoctorissimilartotheĀyurvedicPractitioner,buttheyhavemoreextensive,in-deptheducationandrelevantclinicalexperienceinAṣṭāṅgaĀyurveda(all8branchesofĀyurvedicmedicine(1)).Theyalsohaveadditionalexperienceinteaching(5),demonstrations,practicalpañcakarmatraining,andresearchmethods.DoctorsofĀyurvedaunderstanddiseasefromanĀyurvedicperspective,whilepossessingaworkingknowledgeofWesternmedicaldiagnosticandtreatmentterminologyandpractices,sufficienttoenablethemtocorrelatethosetermsanddiagnosisintoĀyurvedicunderstandingandpractice.DoctorsofĀyurvedahaveaworkingknowledgeofWesternmedicalpathology,pharmacology,diagnosticreports,andtreatments,inordertointerfacewiththeWesternmedicalcommunityandmodifytheĀyurvedicmanagementofcasesaccordingly,asneeded.ButtheyarenotrequiredtoorderWesterndiagnostictestsanddonotprescribeWesternmedicines.ĀyurvedicDoctorshaveaninformedawarenessofpublichealthandepidemiology(janapadoddhvamsa)fromtheWesternandĀyurvedicperspectives.Theyareinformed


andtreatment(cikitsā)ofdisease

appropriate recommendations for children of all ages suffering from common, minor conditions, to recommend preventative care and treatment for common conditions of the head and neck, and to treat mild pathologies of the mind. They refer more serious conditions to an Ayurvedic Doctor.

consumersofresearchpertainingtotheĀyurvedicfield,andareabletoevaluate,discuss,andapplycontemporaryresearchwithinthecontextofĀyurvedicknowledge.Theyareabletomakesignificantcontributionstotheprofessionsuchascontributingtoorparticipatinginresearch,reviewarticles,conferenceteaching,orpresentationofcasestudies.(2)

Notations

1. Aṣṭāṅga Āyurveda:InternalMedicine(KāyaCikitsā),ENT(ŚālākyaTantra),Pediatrics

(Kaumārabhṛtya),Psychology(Bhūtavidyā/Manovijñāna),Rejuvenation(Rasāyana),Fertility(Vājīkaraṇa),Toxicology/Epidemiology(AgadaTantra),Surgery(ŚalyaTantra)–thelatterconfinedtotheoreticalknowledgeofcontemporarypracticeandhistoricaloverviewandunderstandingofĀyurvedicsurgery.

2. TheintentionbehindcreatingthisseparatecategoryistosetthebarhighforthedevelopmentoftheĀyurvedicprofession.Whilemanyschoolsmaynotfeelreadytoofferthisleveloftraining,itcarvesoutthedirectionforon-goingdevelopment,whilealsoidentifyingacategoryforexistinghighlytrainedandexperiencedpractitioners.

GeneralNotes:

1. Throughoutthisdocument,“disease”referstodiseaseaccordingtoĀyurvedicdiagnosisandtreatment.


SkillsandCompetenciesTheprofessionalshouldbeabletoshowskillandcompetencyineachofthefollowingcategories.Category CategoryI:Āyurvedic

HealthCounselorCategoryII:ĀyurvedicPractitioner

CategoryIII:DoctorofĀyurveda

Communication Counselingskills,“bedsidemanner”andculturalcompetencytotheirpatientbase.

Counselingskills,“bedsidemanner”andculturalcompetencytotheirpatientbase.

Counselingskills,“bedsidemanner”andculturalcompetencytotheirpatientbase.

Personal&FamilyHealthHistory

Takingadetailedcurrentandpastpersonalandfamilyhealthhistory



BasicVitalSigns Takingbasicvitalsignssuchasbloodpressure(raktacāpa)

Takingbasicvitalsignssuchasbloodpressure(raktacāpa)

Takingbasicvitalsignssuchasbloodpressure(raktacāpa)

Etiology(Nidāna) Determiningtheetiologicalfactors(nidāna)responsibleforthedoṣic imbalance

Determiningtheetiologicalfactors(nidāna)responsibleforthedoṣic imbalanceandthedisease

Determiningtheetiologicalfactors(nidāna)responsibleforthedoṣic imbalanceandthedisease

Prakṛti&Vikṛti AssessingphysicalandmentalprakṛtianddoṣaimbalanceusingAyurvedicdiagnosticmethodology(trividha,aṣṭavidhaanddaśavidhaparīkṣā)

AssessingphysicalandmentalprakṛtianddoṣaimbalanceusingAyurvedicdiagnosticmethodology(trividha,aṣṭavidhaanddaśavidhaparīkṣā)

AssessingphysicalandmentalprakṛtianddoṣaimbalanceusingAyurvedicdiagnosticmethodology(trividha,aṣṭavidhaanddaśavidhaparīkṣā)

20Guṇas Determiningwhichguṇasarepredominantinprakṛtiandvikṛti

Determiningwhichguṇasarepredominantinprakṛtiandvikṛti

Determiningwhichguṇasarepredominantinprakṛtiandvikṛti

Doṣas/Sub-doṣas Identifyingwhichsub-doṣasareinvolvedinapresentingimbalance

Identifyingwhichsub-doṣasareinvolvedinapresentingdisease

Identifyingwhichsub-doṣasareinvolvedinapresentingdisease

Dhātus/Srotāṁsi Determiningdhātu,upadhātu,andsrotāṁsiinvolvement(sāmyata,vṛddhi/kṣaya,duṣṭi)inapresentingimbalance

Determiningdhātu,upadhātu,andsrotāṁsiinvolvement(sāmyata,vṛddhi/kṣaya,duṣṭi)inapresentingimbalance

Determiningdhātu,upadhātu,andsrotāṁsiinvolvement(sāmyata,vṛddhi/kṣaya,duṣṭi)inapresentingimbalance

MalasandDhātumalas

Assessingthestateofthemalasthroughquestioning(praśna)

Assessingthestateofthemalasthroughquestioning(praśna)andspecialtests,includingtailabinduparīkṣā,mūtraandpurīṣadarśana.

Assessingthestateofthemalasthroughquestioning(praśna)andspecialtests,includingtailabinduparīkṣā,mūtraandpurīṣadarśana.


Agnis:Jāṭhara,dhātu,bhūta

Determiningtheclinicalstateofagnisbyquestioning(praśna)andobservation(darśana)



Āma Determiningtheclinicalstateofāmabyquestioning(praśna)andobservation(darśana)

Determiningtheclinicalstateofāmabyquestioning(praśna)andobservation(darśana)

Determiningtheclinicalstateofāmabyquestioning(praśna)andobservation(darśana)

Prāṇa,Ojas&Tejas

Determiningthestateofprāṇa,ojasandtejas



Samprāpti Determiningthestageofsamprāptibyobservations(darśana),touch(sparśana)andquestioning(praśna)

Determiningthefullsamprāptiofdiseaseconditions

Determiningthefullsamprāptiofdiseaseconditions

WesternDiagnosticReports

n/a

UnderstandbasicWesterndiagnosticandmedicalreports

UnderstandbasicWesterndiagnosticandmedicalreports

PatientStrengths/Assets

Assessinganddeterminingpatients’strengthsandwillingnesstofollowrecommendations



ResearchSkills Abletocreateandcollectcasestudiestocontributetoresearchonhealthpromotionsanddiseaseprevention(svasthavṛtta)

TheyareinformedconsumersofĀyurvedicmedicalresearch.Theymaybecapableofwritingarticles,contributingtoprofessionalconferencesandpresentingcasestudies.

TheyareinformedconsumersofresearchpertainingtotheĀyurvedicfield,andareabletoevaluate,discuss,andintegratecontemporaryresearchwithinthecontextofĀyurvedicknowledge.Theymaymakesignificantcontributionstotheprofessionsuchascontributingtoorparticipatinginoriginalresearch,reviewarticles,conferenceteaching,orpresentationofcasestudies.

RecommendationsTheprofessionalshouldhavetheknowledgewithintheirprescribedscopeofpracticeasnotedundertheGeneralDescriptiontobeabletorecommend/prescribethefollowapproachestorestorebalanceandsupportthehealingprocess.Category CategoryI:Āyurvedic

HealthCounselorCategoryII:ĀyurvedicPractitioner



Food(Āhāra) Recommendingappropriatefoodchoicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage(vaya),andpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Recommendingappropriatefoodchoicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage(vaya),andpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Recommendingappropriatefoodchoicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage(vaya),andpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Lifestyle(Vihāra) Recommendingappropriatedailyroutines(dinacaryā),seasonalroutines(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas.Recommendingandeducatingpatientsaboutat-homepreventiveandpromotivemeasures(svasthavṛtta),andpositiveconductmeasures(sadvṛtta).

Recommendingappropriatedailyroutines(dinacaryā),seasonalroutines(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas.Recommendingandeducatingpatientsaboutat-homepreventiveandpromotivemeasures(svasthavṛtta),andpositiveconductmeasures(sadvṛtta).

Recommendingappropriatedailyroutines(dinacaryā),seasonalroutines(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas.Recommendingandeducatingpatientsaboutat-homepreventiveandpromotivemeasures(svasthavṛtta),andpositiveconductmeasures(sadvṛtta).

Senses

(Indriyārthasaṁyoga)

Recommendingappropriateuseofsight,smell,touchtasteandhearing(sātmyendriyārthasaṁyoga)



Herbs(Dravya) Recommendingpredesignedorcreatingcustomherbalformulas,herbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstancesforinternalorexternalusewithconsiderationofdose(mātra),vehicle(anupāna),timing(auśadhakāla)andtheirsafeuseforthepurposeofbalancingagni,eliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalasandprotectingandbuildingojas.

Recommendingpredesignedorcreatingcustomherbalformulas,herbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstancesforinternalorexternalusewithconsiderationofdose(mātra),vehicle(anupāna),timing(auśadhakāla)andtheirsafeuseforthepurposeofbalancingagni,eliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalas,protectingandbuildingojas,andtreatingdisease.

*RefertoĀyurvedicPractitioner:EducationalOutlineforCompetency

Recommendingpredesignedorcreatingcustomherbalformulas,herbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstancesforinternalorexternalusewithconsiderationofdose(mātra),vehicle(anupāna),timing(auśadhakāla)andtheirsafeuseforthepurposeofbalancingagni,eliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalas,protectingandbuildingojas,andtreatingdisease.

*RefertoĀyurvedicDoctor:Educational

OutlineforCompetency

Yoga Referringpatientstoan

ĀyurvedaYogaTherapistReferringpatientstoanĀyurvedaYogaTherapist

ReferringpatientstoanĀyurvedaYogaTherapist


forfurtherassessmentandpossibletreatmentrelatedtoĀyurvedicYogatherapies.AbletoeducatepatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofĀyurvedicYogaTherapiesandthevalueofpracticingyogaforpromotionofhealthandthepreventionofdisease(svastha).



Pacification(Śamana)

Recommendingpacification(śamana)therapiestobalancethedoṣasandeliminateāma.



Laṅghana:Pañcakarma(Śodhana)

n/a Recommendingpañcakarmaprogramsaswellasindividualtreatments(śodhanacikitsā),including:classicalpañcakarma,andtreatmentsforindividualconditions,includinguseofspecializedtraditionalbodytreatments.Includespūrvakarma,pradhānakarma,(diet,lifestyle&herbs)

Recommendingpañcakarmaprogramsaswellasindividualtreatments(śodhanacikitsā),including:classicalpañcakarma,andtreatmentsforindividualconditions,includinguseofspecializedtraditionalbodytreatments.Includespūrvakarma,pradhānakarma,(diet,lifestyle&herbs)

Rejuvenation(Rasāyana)&ReproductiveVitality/Tonification(Vājīkaraṇa)

n/a(seebelow) Recommendingpostpañcakarmarejuventation(paścātkarma)

Recommendingpostpañcakarmarejuventation(paścātkarma)

Building/TonificationTherapies(BṛṁhaṇaCikitsā)

Recommendingtonification(bṛṁhaṇa)forthebodyandmind.

Recommendingtonification(bṛṁhaṇa)therapiesforthebodyandmind.

Recommendingtonification(bṛṁhaṇa)therapiesforthebodyandmind.

Pre-natal,NatalandPostnatalCareforMotherandBaby(Kaumārabhṛtya)

Recommendingbasicdiet(āhāra)andLifestyle(vihāra)guidelinesforpre-natalandpost-natalwomen

Recommendingdiet(āhāra),lifestyle(vihār),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)tomanagepre-natal,natal,post-natalhealthandpathologiesandcareofnewborns

Recommendingdiet(āhāra),lifestyle(vihār),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)tomanagepre-natal,natal,post-natalhealthandpathologiesandcareofnewborns

Children’sHealth(Bālāvastha)

Applicationofappropriaterecommendationsforchildrenovertheageof5

Applicationofappropriaterecommendationsforchildrenofallages

Applicationofappropriaterecommendationsforchildrenofallages


InternalMedicine(KāyaCikitsā)

Recommendingaplantopacifythedoṣasthataffectthedigestivesystem(annavahasrotas)

Recommendingaplanfortheeliminationofpresentingpathologiesandtherestorationofhealthinallsystemsofthebody.

Recommendingaplanfortheeliminationofpresentingpathologiesandtherestorationofhealthinallsystemsofthebody.

Head&NeckRegion (ŚālākyaTantra)

Recommendingpreventativecarefortheheadandneckregion,includingears,eyes,noseandthroat

Recommendingpreventativecareandtreatmentforconditionsoftheheadandneckregion,includingears,eyes,noseandthroat

Recommendingpreventativecareandtreatmentforconditionsoftheheadandneckregion,includingears,eyes,noseandthroat

Psychiatry(Manovijñāna/Bhūtavidyā)

Recommendingdiet(āhāra),Lifestyle(vihāra)andpositiveconduct(ācāra)tomaintainahealthymind.

Recommendingdiet(āhāra),Lifestyle(vihāra)andpositiveconduct(ācāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinthemind.

Recommendingdiet(āhāra),Lifestyle(vihāra)andpositiveconduct(ācāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinthemind.

Jyotiṣa ReferringpatientstoaJyotiṣiforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofJyotiṣa

ReferringpatientstoaJyotiṣiforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofJyotiṣa

ReferringpatientstoaJyotiṣiforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofJyotiṣa

Vāstu ReferringpatientstoaVāstupractitionerforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofVāstu

ReferringpatientstoaVāstupractitionerforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofVāstu

ReferringpatientstoaVāstupractitionerforassessmentandeducatingpatientsongeneralscopeandvalueofVāstu

WesternMedicalApproaches,(drugs,surgery,diagnosticprocedures)

ReferringpatientstoapractitionerofWesternmedicalapproachesforassessmentandpossibletreatment(presumesageneralunderstandingofthescopesofpracticeofvariouswesternmedicaldisciplines)




TreatmentandIntervention(Cikitsā)SkillsTheprofessionalshouldhavetheknowledgeandskilltobeabletoutilizethefollowingtreatmentapproachesand/orinterventionskillstosupportthehealingprocess(1)

Category CategoryI:ĀyurvedicHealthCounselor

CategoryII:ĀyurvedicPractitioner


Food(Āhāra) Demonstratetheselectionandpreparationofappropriatefoodsandspicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage,anddemonstratingpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Demonstratetheselectionandpreparationofappropriatefoodsandspicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage,anddemonstratingpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Demonstratetheselectionandpreparationofappropriatefoodsandspicesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas,rasa,season(ṛtu),digestivestrength(agnibala)andage,anddemonstratingpropereatingbehaviors(āhāravidhi)

Lifestyle(Vihāra) Demonstratetheappropriatedailyroutine(dinacaryā)seasonalroutine(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinesaccordingtoprakṛti,vikṛti,guṇas.Demonstratingat-homepreventiveandpromotive(svasthavṛtta)measures,andpositiveconduct(sadvṛtta)measures.

Demonstratetheappropriatedailyroutine(dinacaryā),seasonalroutine(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinecomponentsforthetreatmentoftheunderlyingconditions.Demonstratingat-homepreventiveandpromotive(svasthavṛtta)measures,andpositiveconduct(sadvṛtta)measures.

Demonstratetheappropriatedailyroutine(dinacaryā),seasonalroutine(ṛtucaryā)andlifecycleroutinecomponentsforthetreatmentoftheunderlyingconditions.Demonstratingat-homepreventiveandpromotive(svasthavṛtta)measures,andpositiveconduct(sadvṛtta)measures.

Senses/Sensorytherapies(Sātmyendriyārthasaṁyoga)

Demonstrateappropriateuseofsight,smell,touch,tasteandhearing

Demonstrateappropriateuseofsight,smell,touch,tasteandhearing,andadministerappropriatetreatments

Demonstrateappropriateuseofsight,smell,touch,tasteandhearing,andadministerappropriatetreatments

Herbs(Dravya) Administer,combine,provide,compound,anddispenseherbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstances.Herbs

Administer,combine,provide,compound,anddispenseherbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstances.Herbs

Administer,combine,provide,compound,anddispenseherbalmedicines,minerals,orothernaturalsubstances.Herbsmay


aretobeusedforinternalorexternaluseforthepurposeofbalancingagniandeliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalasandprotectingandbuildingojas.

maybeusedforinternalorexternaluseforthepurposeofbalancingagniandeliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalasandprotectingandbuildingojas,aswellasfortreatingspecificdiseasesaffectinganydhātu,upadhātu,malasorsrotasinanystageofthediseasepathology.

beusedforinternalorexternaluseforthepurposeofbalancingagniandeliminatingāmawhilesupportingthemalasandprotectingandbuildingojas,aswellasfortreatingspecificdiseasesaffectinganydhātu,upadhātu,malasorsrotasinanystageofthediseasepathology.

Laṅghana:Pacification(Śamana)

Designing,implementingandmanagingpacification(śamana)theapiesdirectedtobalancethedoṣasandeliminationofāmaofapatient.



Laṅghana:Pañcakarma(Śodhana)

n/a Designing,implementingandmanagingpañcakarmaprogramsaswellasindividualtreatments(śodhanacikitsā),including:classicalpañcakarmaandtreatmentsforindividualconditions,includinguseofspecializedtraditionalbodytreatments.Includespūrvakarma,pradhānakarma,(diet,lifestyle&herbs)

Designing,implementingandmanagingpañcakarmaprogramsaswellasindividualtreatments(śodhanacikitsā),including:classicalpañcakarmaandtreatmentsforindividualconditions,includinguseofspecializedtraditionalbodytreatments.Includespūrvakarma,pradhānakarma,(diet,lifestyle&herbs)

Rejuvenation(Rasāyana)&ReproductiveVitality/Tonification(Vājīkaraṇa)

n/a(seebelow) Designing,implementingandmanagingpostpañcakarmarejuvenation (paścātkarma)

Designing,implementingandmanagingpostpañcakarmarejuvenation (paścātkarma)

Building/TonificationTherapies

Designing,implementingandmanaging

Designing,implementingandmanagingtonification

Designing,implementingandmanagingtonification(bṛṁhaṇa)


(BṛṁhaṇaCikitsā) tonification(bṛṁhaṇa)forsustainingthehealthofthebodyandmind.

(bṛṁhaṇa)forsustaininghealthandcorrectingimbalancesofthebodyandmind.

forsustaininghealthandcorrectingimbalancesofthebodyandmind.

Pre-natal,NatalandPostnatalCareforMotherandBaby(Kaumārabhṛtya)

Designing,implementingandmanagingbasicdiet(āhāra)andlifestyle(vihāra)guidelinesforpre-natalandpostnatalwomen

Designing,implementingandmanagingdiet(āhār),lifestyle(vihāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)tomanagepre-natal,natal,postnatalhealthandpathologiesandcareofnewborns.

Designing,implementingandmanagingdiet(āhār),lifestyle(vihāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)tomanagepre-natal,natal,postnatalhealthandpathologiesandcareofnewborns.

Children'sHealth(Bālāvastha)

Designing,implementingandmanagingdiet(āhāra),lifestyle(vihāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)inchildrenovertheageof5,anddiet(āhāra)andlifestyle(vihāra)forchildrenunder5.

Designing,implementingandmanagingdiet(āhāra),lifestyle(vihāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinbabiesandchildren

Designing,implementingandmanagingdiet(āhāra),lifestyle(vihāra),herbs(dravya)andtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinbabiesandchildren

InternalMedicine(KāyaCikitsā)

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplantopacifythedoṣaswithinthedigestivesystem(annavahasrotas)

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplanfortheeliminationofpresentingpathologiesandtherestorationofhealth.

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplanfortheeliminationofpresentingpathologiesandtherestorationofhealth.

Head&neckregion (ŚālākyaTantra)

Teachpreventativecarefortheheadandneckregion,includingeyes,ears,noseandthroat

Teachpreventativecareandprovidetreatment(cikitsā)fortheheadandneckregion,includingeyes,ears,noseandthroat

Teachpreventativecareandprovidetreatment(cikitsā)fortheheadandneckregion,includingeyes,ears,noseandthroat

Psychiatry(Manovijñāna/Bhūtavidyā)

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplantopacifythedoṣaswithinthemind.

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplantopacifythedoṣaswithinthemindandprovidingtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinthemind.

Designing,implementingandmanagingaplantopacifythedoṣaswithinthemindandprovidingtreatments(cikitsā)totreatpathologiesinthemind.


Yoga Allcategoriesshouldbeinformedonyogatherapiesbutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

Allcategoriesshouldbeinformedonyogatherapiesbutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

Allcategoriesshouldbeinformedonyogatherapiesbutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

Jyotiṣa AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonJyotiṣabutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonJyotiṣabutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonJyotiṣabutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

Vāstu AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonVāstubutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonVāstubutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

AllcategoriesshouldbeinformedonVāstubutitspracticerequiresaseparatecertification.

Notations1. Alltreatmentandinterventionskillsforeachcategoryarebasedonthescopeofpracticeofthatcategory.Thus,treatmentmodalitiesfortheĀyurvedicHealthCounselorarelimitedtothemanagementofthefirstthreestagesofthepathologicalprocess.NoteonSaṁskṛtaForAllSections:Thefinaldocumentwillusetheinternationaltransliterationfontthatismoreuniversalandaccurateforeachterm.

APPENDIX G: Annual Review Form


Annual Ayurvedic Practitioner Program Review School Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Legal address: ____________________________________________________________________ Contact Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________Email: ___________________________________ Name of Program: _________________________________________________________________ Program URL: ____________________________________________________________________ Submitted by: _______________________________Title: _______________________________

1. Program Checklist for AHC

___Program meets 1500 + hour requirements including 150 + Patient Encounters

___Program hours do not include any homework hours

___Annual catalog is produced for the program

Catalog URL _________________________________________________________

___Program maintains student records of A&P pre- or co-requisite (6 college level credits)


___Program maintains proper use of NAMA logos on website, email signature, catalog and marketing materials (see attachment with current logos)

___Program uses NAMA approved statement on website, email signature, catalog and marketing materials regarding “NAMA Program Recognition” (see attachment with approved statement)

Website URL -______________________________________________________________

Number of program hours delivered live in person and/or live webinar: __________

Number of program hours delivered pre-recorded: __________

Current student enrollment: __________

Expected graduation date for current program(s): __________

Total graduates in previous calendar year: __________

Note any program changes (any change in hours + or -, changes in faculty, changes to curriculum, changes to program modes of delivery, program length, etc.). Details may be provided in an attachment 2. State documentation is verified and current (Include current state document)

___State document is specific to Ayurveda school

___State document is current to specific year

Notes:


3. Supporting documents

Current course catalog includes curriculum detail with contact hours

Include catalog URL _________________________________________________________

___Current program calendar is stated in catalog and/or website

___Addendum is signed and dated (include attached addendum)

___Sample copy of transcript provided to students (include sample transcript)

Notes: Signature: __________________________________________________Date: ________________ Program Representative: _____________________________________Date: _________________ Title: __________________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX H: SCHOOL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

susn


School Acknowledgement

_______________________________________________ Print Name of School

_______________________________________________ Print Name of Program Offered by School

I hereby understand, acknowledge, attest and agree:

1. I am authorized to sign this annual update on behalf of the School identified above (the “School”);

2. I have reviewed the _______________________ [insert program title]: Educational Outline for Competency (the “Outline”) published by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (“NAMA”), and certify that the Program identified above (the “Program”) provides education in each and every area listed in the Outline;

3. The School agrees to provide NAMA such other information and materials as NAMA may request at any time and from time to time, for the purpose of determining if the Program and School meet the education requirements and other standards now or in the future required for the listing of ___________________ [insert program title] programs on NAMA’s website (www.ayurvedanama.org);

4. Neither the School nor any of its owners, principals or instructors has ever been convicted of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;

5. Neither the School nor any of its owners, principals or instructors has ever had its/their license to render education services suspended, revoked or limited in any state or jurisdiction or been reprimanded, sanctioned or disciplined by any licensing board or any other person or entity;

6. The School will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations;

7. The School shall act in a manner in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, and shall be careful to avoid any act or conduct which might injure, directly or indirectly, in any manner, the reputation of NAMA or any other person or entity associated with NAMA;

8. Approval of this annual update is within NAMA’s sole discretion; 9. The School understands that approval of this annual update relates only to listing of

the Program on NAMA’s website, and such approval does not in any way guarantee or


imply that the Program, or the School, will be granted NAMA accreditation status or be entitled to any other right, benefit, acknowledgement or status offered by or through NAMA. annual update is approved, such approval shall be for a one year period ending one year from the date NAMA grants such approval, unless the approval is terminated earlier pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 below;

10. The School understands NAMA may, at any time, within its sole discretion, and with no advance notice to the School, suspend or terminate approval of the Program listing and/or remove the Program listing from NAMA’s website, after the occurrence of one or more of the following events: a. In the event the School ceases doing business; b. In the event the School fails by omission or commission in any manner to provide

educational services in a competent manner or in compliance with the educational requirements and other standards then in effect for the listing of ___________________ [insert program title] programs on NAMA’s website;

c. If any act or omission of the School or any of its officers, principals, or instructors, in NAMA’s reasonable judgment, is materially detrimental to NAMA;

d. In the event of the School’s willful and deliberate violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or administrative regulation;

e. In the event that the School or any of its owners, principals or instructors in any way lie(s) to or mislead(s) NAMA or its principals;

f. If the School’s permit or license to provide educational services is revoked, suspended or restricted in any manner;

g. If the School, or any of its officers, principals or instructors is found to have committed unprofessional or unethical conduct by any board, institution, organization or professional society having any jurisdiction, privilege or right to pass upon the professional conduct of the School, or the affected officer, principal or instructor;

h. If NAMA determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the School or any of its officers, principals or instructors has committed any act or omission which creates an offensive environment for students of the School;

i. If any act or omission of the School or any of its officers, principals or instructors, in NAMA’s reasonable judgment, subjects NAMA to shame or ridicule or otherwise diminishes NAMA’s reputation or good standing;

11. The School hereby authorizes NAMA, in its sole discretion, to perform and/or request criminal history checks and other background investigations to verify any and all information provided in connection with this application, and understands that discovery of false information in or related to this application, or of relevant criminal history, may result in denial of this application, termination of NAMA’s approval of the Program Listing, and removal of the Program listing from NAMA’s website (with no advance notice to me or the School);


12. All statements, answers and representations made in this annual update and/or in any supplementary materials are true, accurate and complete.

_______________________________________________ Print Name of School

_______________________________________________

Signature

Its: ____________________________________________ Title

_______________________________________________ Print Name of Signer

Date: __________________________________________

Appendix I: NAMA Certification Board (NAMACB) and Certification Exam information

The National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board is an Ayurvedic certification organization in The United States of America. Obtaining a NAMACB certification means that the candidate has demonstrated the entry-level


competencies for his or her category of practice by completing a NAMA-approved course of study and passing a rigorous certification exam and is engaged in ongoing training as a professional through continuing education and other activities.

THE WHY, HOW AND VALUE OF THE NAMACB EXAM

WHAT IS THE EXAM?

The National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) exams are critical for recognition of Ayurvedic medicine in the United States, as they provide a baseline for standardization. The exams are based on the core competencies that well-


rounded Ayurvedic curriculums in schools of Ayurveda in the United States are expected to cover.

WHY TAKE THE EXAM?

• Prepare for licensing (certification will be required once Ayurveda becomes a licensed profession in the U.S.)

• Distinguish yourself • Elevate the reputation of Ayurveda in the U.S.

AVAILABLE EXAMS

• Ayurvedic Health Counselor • Ayurvedic Practitioner • Ayurvedic Doctor (Beta exam coming soon)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

• AHC: $375 for registration • AP: $450 for registration • AD: TBD • There is an additional $125 fee for applicants who did not graduate from a NAMA

Recognized program for the administrative review needed to determine their eligibility to sit for the exam.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXAM?

• Documentation of education that meets the NAMACB’s Educational Requirements and covers the Core Competencies. This documentation includes a record of the number of hours you spent in class, case studies, and a transcript that showcases your work as a student.

• Educational Requirements o AHC Core Competencies o AP Core Competencies

WHEN CAN I APPLY TO TAKE THE EXAM?


As soon as you graduate from your program, you may apply to take the exam. You are responsible for having your school send your transcript to [email protected].

WHERE CAN I TAKE IT?

You may take the exam at one of the Onsite Proctor Centers that are located around the world. If taking the exam at an Onsite Center presents logistical challenges, you can take the exam at home via Online Proctoring if you comply with the proctoring technology and security requirements.

HOW LONG IS THE EXAM?

You will have 150 minutes to complete the exam. It consists of approximately 100 questions.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EXAM?

Multiple choice

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE EXAM?

• As soon as possible after graduation, when all material is fresh in your mind. • Before you begin practicing—We recommend that you take your terminus exam for

the level at which you will be ultimately practicing (i.e., do not take the AHC if you are planning to practice as an AP; do not take the AP exam if you are planning to practice as an AD).

Exceptions

• Take the AHC exam if you will be practicing as an AHC even if you will be enrolled in an AP program after completing your AHC program.

• Likewise, take the AP exam if you will be practicing as an AP even if you will be enrolled in an AD program after completing your AP program.

WHAT STUDY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

• Study Guide • Resource list of Sanskrit terminology • Article by a successful examinee • Find all study resources here

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE EXAM?


• You may take the exam again in three months. • You may take the exam up to four times. • All retakes must occur within three years of the date you first became qualified to

sit for the exam.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO QUALIFY FOR NAMA PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP?

Passing the exam and paying membership dues

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? [email protected] (213) 628-6291

Exam Study Guide

Participation in the NAMACB certification exam for Ayurvedic Health Counselors is integral to a professional’s growth as a member of an emerging healthcare profession in the U.S. As the crux of first well-established credentialing process for Ayurvedic medicine in the United States, the NAMACB exam offers an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to meet the rigorous educational and professional standards developed by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA).

The NAMACB has provided a Detailed Reference Guide as well as an AHC Study Guide complete with the objectives found on the certification exam and sample questions. Schools can share these resources with their students by accessing them directly on the NAMACB website.

Appendix J: New Requirements in Effect July 1, 2021

NAMA Program Hours Requirement Effective July 1, 2021

Program Total Minimum

Program Course Hours

Total Minimum In Person

Hours*

Total Minimum

Synchronous Hours**

Total Maximum

Asynchronous Hours***

AHC Program only 600 180 120 300

AHC+AP

Programs 600+900=1,500 180+360=540 120+180=300 300+360=660


AP

Program only 1,500 540 300 660

AHC+AP+AD

Programs

600+900+1,500

=3,000

180+360+900

=1,440

120+180+300

=600

300+360+300

=960

AP+AD

Programs

1,500+2,500

=4,000 540+1500=2,040 300+500=800 660+500=1160

AD

Program only 4,000 2,040 800 1,160

*In-person hours: Hours spent live and in person in classrooms or clinics with faculty physically present. This category includes practicums and clinical sessions. †Synchronous hours: Hours spent in virtual classrooms where students and teacher are online at the same time and are able to interact in real time. ‡Asynchronous hours: Time devoted to asynchronous online learning through the use of digital platforms. Participants are not required to be online at the same time. Coursework is delivered via web, email, and message boards. Students do not have instant contact with teachers.

Updated Anatomy and Physiology “Prerequisite/Corequisite” Requirements

Anatomy & Physiology Prerequisites/Corequisites

• In person: Usually two sequential semesters of an Anatomy & Physiology sequence at a local university or community college.

• Online: Anatomy & Physiology course that is accompanied by a certificate of completion to be provided to the school upon enrollment or before the AHC program awards the final certificate of completion for their program.

• A laboratory component is not required. • Courses must cover the terminology, structure, and function of the human body and include

the following topics:


o Overview of Cells o The Nervous System o The Cardiovascular System o The Respiratory System o The Digestive System o The Renal System o The Endocrine System o The Musculoskeletal System o The Immune System o The Reproductive System o The Skin o Medical Terminology o An emphasis on pathophysiology is encouraged but not required for AHC but will be

required for AP and AD programs. • This prerequisite can be met through previous A&P coursework. Schools are responsible for

certifying that previously taken courses meet the guidelines as demonstrated by course syllabi, and must obtain certificates or transcript details from the previous program to verify the coursework was completed. This information should be maintained in student records within the school.

• Final AHC/AP/AD program transcripts provided to the NAMACB for exam application must include verification that the A&P pre-/corequisite has been completed along with all other required curriculum for the AHC/AP/AD program as stated in the Educational Outline for Competency Guidelines.

• If the course is offered as a corequisite, it must be in addition to the minimum hours of Ayurvedic education per the Educational Outline for Competency Guidelines as published.

Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: 4 credits (1 credit=15 course hours) of college-level Anatomy & Physiology or equivalent

Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) and Ayurvedic Doctor (AD)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: 6 credits of college-level Anatomy & Physiology or equivalent

• For students considering further education in Ayurveda, a college-level, or equivalent, A&P course (6–8 credits) will be required for both Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) and Ayurvedic Doctor (AD) training. Schools should be prepared to guide students to the best choice of A&P courses based on the student’s ultimate career goal at the time of the student’s initial application and interviews.

recognized program handbook ayurvedic practitioner (ap)

Documents