Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health, BA

Program Description

The BA in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health prepares students to be health consultants and educators in the field of prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Students choose a specialization track to further focus their studies on their personal area of interest. A student choosing a Low Residency track completes most coursework online plus two 2-week in-residence courses at MIU's campus in Fairfield, Iowa.

Choice of Specialization Tracks

Five BAAW Tracks offer specialized training in related disciplines and areas of study.

Ayurveda Wellness Consultant Practicum Intensive Track (on-campus)

Students learn how to practice the knowledge of Maharishi AyurVeda with clients in a clinical setting under the supervision of experts in Maharishi AyurVeda.

Ayurveda Wellness Consultant Track (online with two 2-week practicum courses on-campus)

Students learn how to consult with clients, family, and friends to help them achieve higher levels of health and wellness through Maharishi AyurVeda.

Ayurveda Wellness Educator Track (online)

Students learn how to educate individuals, families, and communities about the health benefits of a Maharishi AyurVeda lifestyle, encompassing proper diet, routine, exercise, and meditation for holistic wellbeing.

Life and Wellness Coaching Track (online)

Students learn how to use skills such as active listening, mirroring, motivating, feedback, suggestions, and a Consciousness-Based approach to coaching to become effective health consultants and educators.

Yoga and Ayurveda Wellness Track (online with two 2-week Yoga courses on-campus)

In-depth training in Maharishi Yoga, Maharishi AyurVeda, and Yoga Teacher Training.

Special Features

The Bachelor of Arts in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health program trains students to prevent disease and promote health. Areas of study include:

• Whole-Person Health: How to address the whole person, including body, mind, consciousness, all aspects of the lifestyle, and the near and far environment, emphasizing the therapeutic relationship between the health consultant/educator and client.
• Human Physiology and Nature's Intelligence: How human physiology is an expression of the deepest intelligence of nature and how to enliven nature's intelligence, the inner intelligence of the body, through the Transcendental Meditation technique.
• Pulse Assessment: How to detect balance and imbalance in the body and mind by feeling the pulse with three fingers.
• Diet, Digestion, and Nutrition: Study of edibles and how to prepare them for balancing and nourishing each person's unique physiology.
• Daily and Seasonal Routines: How to align the individual's life with the daily and seasonal rhythms of natural law.
• Family Health: How to promote health in the areas of preconception, pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care.
• Aromatherapy: How to use nature's essences for maintaining or creating well-being and an optimal state of health.
• Herbology: How to use Ayurvedic herbs and herbal compounds, their qualities, and actions on human mind and body, including their effects on various health conditions.
• Maharishi Yoga: How to practice the Vedic postures to enliven the mind-body coordination and support pure awareness, the state of Yoga.
• Biology: Human anatomy and physiology, including modern medical terminology, common diseases of the major organ systems, and the basis of their treatments.

Elective Courses

A variety of optional elective courses enhance the learning experience. One of the elective courses is Introduction to Maharishi AyurVeda Medical Jyotish where students learn how to determine individual mind-body types (Prakriti) and health tendencies (Vikriti) to predict upcoming “red-flag” health conditions.

Career Paths

The BA in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health program prepares graduates for a variety of paths in the field of alternative health care by implementing ancient scientifically proven approaches adapted to the modern world.

Students learn foundational knowledge in human anatomy and physiology from both modern and Maharishi AyurVeda perspectives and gain knowledge and skills to be health educators and consultants in the field of prevention of disease and promotion of health. Students learn to address the whole person, including body, mind, consciousness, all aspects of lifestyle, and the near and far environment.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon successfully completing the BA in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, inclusively, compassionately, and professionally across diverse audiences, contexts, and media. (Communication, Teamwork & leadership, Local & Global Citizenship) 
2. Integrate ethical guidelines, cultural awareness, and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility into inclusive, client-centered wellness practice. (Development of Consciousness, Health, Teamwork and Leadership, Local and Global Citizenship) 
3. Synthesize Ayurvedic principles, coaching psychology, and modern science with holistic and systems thinking to generate effective, evidence-informed wellness strategies. (Holistic Thinking, Critical Thinking,Problem-Solving) 
4. Design innovative, engaging, and accessible wellness content using digital tools to educate, inspire, and support diverse individuals and communities. (Creativity, Communication, Problem-Solving, Local & Global Citizenship) 
5. Evaluate your personal and professional growth through reflective practices that deepen self-awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate adaptive leadership. (Development of Consciousness, Health, Critical Thinking, Teamwork and Leadership) 

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a BA in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health, students must successfully complete 128 credits of study, including the 4-credit Exploring Consciousness course required for all undergraduate students, 8 credits of Writing for Career and Community courses, one required Forest Academy course plus one additional Forest Academy course per full-time semester after year one, 20 credits of Core BAAW courses, 32 credits of courses specific to their chosen track, and open electives.

All BAAW tracks include track-specific requirements and may include a Senior Capstone Project, reflection paper, and/or a portfolio of a minimum of 50 in-person client clinical encounters experienced during the program.