Ayurveda and the Mind (Self-Paced)
In this course, you will gain a practical understanding of how Ayurveda and Yoga philosophy explain mental and emotional patterns, and how these insights can guide therapeutic practice. You will explore the qualities of the mind through the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) and learn how these influence clarity, motivation, stability, and emotional wellbeing.
You will become familiar with the inner landscape of the mind — including manas (sensory mind), buddhi (discernment), ahamkara (identity), and chitta (memory field) — and how patterns such as samskaras and vasanas shape behavior, habits, and perception over time. We will also explore the stages of the mind (bhumis) and common mental fluctuations (vrittis), helping you better recognize where a person is in their healing process and how to respond skillfully.
Through an integrated Ayurvedic and yogic lens, you will learn how subtle energies — prana (vital energy), tejas (clarity and transformation), and ojas (resilience and stability) — influence mental health and emotional balance. You will explore how to select meditation, pranayama, mantra, and self-inquiry practices based on an individual’s constitution and current state of imbalance.
You will also learn how trauma, lifestyle, and seasonal influences can affect mental doshic expression, and how to adapt practices to support greater steadiness, clarity, and ease. By the end of the course, you will have a clear framework for understanding Ayurveda’s model of the mind and how it contributes to a more holistic and compassionate approach to healing.
Required Textbooks:
- Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles by Vasant Lad (chapter 3: Prana, Sadhaka, Tarkpaka
Recommended Textbook
- Ayurveda and the Mind by Dr. David Frawley
Materials:
- Standard yoga props (2 blocks, blankets, 2 bolsters)
- Strap and sandbag/weight
- Candle
- Varied Colored items:
- Warm Colors
- Cool Colors
- Neutral Colors
- Optional: Gems or crystals, essences
Course Completion Requirements:
- Watching the Recordings.
Project Instructions
1. Discuss with mentor via email:dani@pranayogaschool.com your protocol for mental/emotional balance.
2. Practice 10-day yoga therapy protocol including:
-Stage of mind and guna assessment
-Meditation or mantra-based on education and experience.
-Doshic pranayama
3. Practice the protocol yourself for 10 days. Keep a short daily journal and submit a summary of your experience and how that may help a future care-seeker. (see upload template)
Link to final Project Template:
Email to dani@pranayogaschool.com
*Page numbers given in lecture might not match up with the numbers in your source material if you are taking this course asynchronous. Class recordings from 2025.