AYURVEDA, HUMAN HERITAGE

In order to talk about Ayurveda, we need to first get rid of the prejudice against oriental science in general as that takes away the link to our cultural reality. In fact, it is a mistake to say that Ayurveda belongs exclusively to the Indian culture. Before chemistry was born and science took on the approach that peculiarly characterizes it today, men, nature and the cosmos were thought of as a unique interacting structure.

This individual and cosmic identity shaped a heritage common to all Western and Eastern sciences and has endured time despite the different face of modern times. These principles of universal synergy belong to a system of natural remedies, the same throughout the world, that has taken on different manifestations according to each culture.

This is the science the Ayurveda International Academy wants to spread, in accordance with those principles of cultural Universalism that are cross cultural. As we have already said, doing Ayurveda does not mean studying a faraway and exotic oriental science. On the contrary, it entails shifting the focus back to those principles that have ruled science till the application of Cartesian methodologies.

Ayurveda is part of our ancient cultural heritage, which is present all over the world due to the migration of the Arian populations from the West to the East.

The knowledge of Ayurveda does not concern a different way to work only, but, above all, it entails a different language of philosophical theories that define in a different fashion the very concept of science and health. For several decades we have witnessed in all societies with a long medical experience the re-discovery and subsequent spreading of natural health systems, which often come from faraway countries where they have been practised continuously over time.

Happy about this rediscovery of Ayurveda thourghout the Western World, the Ayurveda International Academy offers professional training to all those interested in gaining the ability to work in perfect harmony with the most ancient tradition of mankind.


At a time when all knowledgeable functions of men are obscured and limited by the activity of the intellect, the approach of traditional science and Ayurveda specifically seems to return the right weight to the values of existence. In fact, there is a deep bond between philosophy and the rules of optimal health present in them. Both, philosophy and the rules, treat the same subject, the well being of men.

For this reason healing and preserving good health can be achieved only following a process towards spiritual, mental, physical and environmental harmony. This is the Ayurveda Naturopath’s task. The humanistic approach to health gives the opportunity to treat positively health principles and characteristics. It is a valid tool to implement Well Being philosophy.


A concept of health is necessary to health as much as a geographic map is to a journey. The great mistake is to think that one can travel simply by looking at the map. Health needs a dynamic approach, one of constant search for the optimal equilibrium. The very journey is part of health, like the geographic map provides the rules and ways of travelling. Health and spiritual evolution are like the two sides of one coin. There cannot be any true science, nor any true medicine that does not find its root in a knowledge capable of giving answers to both aspects of existence.

With regard to this matter Ayurveda is able to meet people’s new well being demands in the best way; as it is a "Science of Life", much more than a medicine school.

The development of its system is intimately connected to the most important philosophical systems of India (Samkya, Nyaya e Vaisesika). Moreover, its classic texts contain notions of anatomy and physiology that are extremely interesting for those who study and practise Yoga and Tantra.

Health is home to all the latent potentialities of the individual that are here free to express themselves due to the harmony among all elements that build up a person. Harmony is the main characteristic of health, the equilibrium of the fundamental energies making up our mind and body. This is what being pioneers of this new approach to health offered by the Ayurveda International Academy means.


The word Ayurveda comes from two sanskrit terms: Ayus (life) and Veda (science). As "Science of Life", this knowledge goes far beyond the concept of modern medicine. According to this science, the curative aspect is only a part, and not the most important one, of a huge body of rules and doctrines necessary for optimum health and lasting mental and physical well-being.

The word "health" defined as "absence of illness" does not exist in the classical texts. Swastha, which can be translated as "balance", is the word used for good health.
This word has more implications than simply indicating a harmonious relationship among the bodily organs and vital functions. In fact a perfect state of mind needs three basic requirements for a perfect state of "balance": body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda acts in this holistic environment, underlying nourishment, behavioural precepts, massage, yoga, etc., rather than simply taking remedies.

AYURVEDA AND UNIVERSAL ARMONY

Ayurveda as the "Science of Life" lays out the principles of prevention of illness and maintenance of a state of good health in the individual, the community and the environment. Ayurveda is therefore a Science of Health and not a Science of Medicine. In fact the word health has, for Ayurveda, a clear and positive connotation of balance among a healthy body, serene mind, and elevated spirit, that does not fit the curative concept of modern medicine.

This holistic system considers the individual a Microcosm, a mirror image of the Universe: whatever phenomena take place in the external environment or Macrocosm is reflected on the individual and vice versa. From this point of view, respect for the environment takes on fundamental importance for the life of all living beings.

For this reason Ayurveda uses only natural products and techniques that do not have harmful side effects. Ayurveda remedies are all based on herbs and spices used in nutrition and all preparations can be used by both healthy and ill people. Similarly, the different practices and rules for a correct diet are useful both for prevention as well as for treating illness.

WELL-BEING STRATEGIES

In 1978 the World Health Organization (WHO) program “Good health for all by the year 2000” brought at the attention of the international community the importance of local practices directed at health and well-being that were not a part of the National Health Organization. These practices, according to the WHO, are a great wealth and make a valid contribution to diminishing the expenditure for health.

Today, in the new millennium and a long way from that campaign, the question of values to uphold and adhere to in order to make “health” the focal point of social development is again put forward with renewed emphasis. This task, essentially ethical, has seen over these years the involvement of the new generations as witnesses to the changes and renewal in cultural systems. A growing number of people has trustingly turned to this sphere of holistic well-being with good results. Practices aimed at the promotion and maintenance of good health, rather than the treatment of disease, are the real discovery of our era.

WELL-BEING PROFESSIONALS

The Ayurveda International Academy was created to fulfil the educational quest for new professionals able to express the ancient cultural heritage of Ayurveda and provide support to the fostering of prevention, well-being and longevity. This educational structure is a contribution to professional training, in Italy and Europe, for the advancement of physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the individual, the community, and the environment.

All the enrolled students will pioneer a new theoretical and practical training path, based on the different disciplines and traditional teachings of Ayurveda. The cultural globalization of the current millennium opens up new professional experiences, due to a growing demand for natural practices, regimens, and treatments, according to the principles of Ayurveda. Although there are still great differences between Eastern and Western lifestyles, Ayurveda as "Science of Life" offers a common ground for cultural integration and research.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

The Ayurveda International Academy (AIA) is a organization qualified to educate professionals, competent to operate in the field of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

As well as assisting our enrolled students to satisfactorily express their professional qualities, AIA aims to instil a true love for Ayurveda. In this way the students will be able to advance to independent working practice, certain of their ability to correctly operate within the fundamentals of the most ancient tradition of well-being which has been passed down to us.

All of the courses and teaching programs of the AIA have been developed according to the traditions and teaching methods used in India, keeping in mind the European, national, and regional demand for the formation of new professionals in the different branches of individual well-being.

The official recognition of Ayurveda calls for scrupulous training of professionals and practitioners in the various areas of this science.

To best present all these aspects to participants the courses offered by AIA are constantly being developed and adapted to make them respondent to the professional demands of the moment.

AIMS OF THE ACADEMY

The Ayurveda International Academy is a vital part of a wider community dedicated to the spreading of prevention, individual and social well-being, and the philosophical, theoretical and practical teachings of Ayurveda.

The aims of the Academy are:

To provide the best and most complete system of teaching Ayurveda

To prepare students in the various branches of Ayurveda

To develop and carry out programs of education to provide students with quality instruction

To promote and collaborate on research programs to better the knowledge and understanding of Ayurveda in the fields of prevention and maintenance of good health

To further the growing role of Ayurveda in prevention and well-being

To translate, practice and render widely accessible to all the benefits that Ayurveda offers for health, well-being and longevity through a series of teaching and research sessions

To work towards solving the problems relating to well-being, longevity and the quality of life through an ayurvedic perspective.

REFERENCES

At present AIA collaborates with different vaidyas and teaching centres in Italy, Europe and India. In particular in Italy it takes advantage of the advice and long experience of the Italian Institute of Preventive Medicine in Rome, while in Europe it follows the indications of the International Ayurveda Foundation (IAF) in London. In India it collaborates closely with Ayurveda Schools and Research Centres in different states, where AIA students can participate in workshops and internship.

RECOGNITION OF THE PROFESSION OF AYURVEDA NATURAL PRACTITIONERS

As for recognition of the new figures of professional practitioners linked to the Ayurveda sector, the three year AIA course has been officially recognised by the Italian Union of Heilpraktiker and Natural Practitioners. Upon receiving their diploma the students will be able to enrol in the Register of Ayurveda Natural Practitioners of this Union.

COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS

Our aim is not only to follow the process of instruction, theory, practice and research methodology of the students, but also to present to future professionals the varied aspects of Ayurveda culture, which spans the fields of science and art (dance, song, figurative art), spiritual practice (meditation, yoga, martial arts), astrology (Jotish) etc. For this reason students will have the opportunity to integrate their subjects of with complemetary themes.

RELATIONSHIP WITH ITALIAN INSTITUTIONS

The sector dedicated to well-being and prevention has recently drawn the interest of the more active Italian regions, with which AIA has begun to discuss the official recognition of Ayurveda and of the profession of Ayurveda Practitioner DBN.

The Ayurveda International Academy has been structured keeping in mind as much as possible the provisions of regional law, while following a full outline of its teaching activity. The program was planned with close and respectful attention to the integrity of Ayurveda culture and principles and with due consideration of the basic classical texts. In this way the subjective point of view has been eliminated, giving preference to the traditional vision of this science, as it has been preserved.

AYURVEDA AND DBN

Ayurveda is included rightfully in the Holistic Bio-natural Study sector, for the promotion of well-being and the quality of life. The Ayurveda International Academy represents the instrument prepared to educate Ayurveda practitioners in Bio-natural Studies.