Chopra's Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Online Enrichment

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Chopra’s Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Online Enrichment Program is an in-depth Ayurvedic course and is the prerequisite for the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Online Certification Program. Led by Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, Dr. Sheila Patel, and a faculty of Chopra educators, this program will take you on a journey that will enhance your own health, well-being, and spiritual life, and provide the foundation for sharing these practices with others in your community.

The Chopra Center’s Primordial Sound Meditation On Demand and Perfect Health online courses are included with the Enrichment Program. Participants will have access to the online courses upon completion of enrollment into the Enrichment Program. We recommend that participants begin the courses upon enrollment and before the start of the scheduled Enrichment Program.

Once the online Enrichment Program begins on the scheduled start date, you will be able to log in and access the program. The Enrichment Program is a 14-week course that requires a time commitment of approximately four to six hours a week, in addition to your daily Ayurvedic practices. Each session of the program will be released once a week according to the program schedule. The schedule will be available upon the scheduled program start date.

The Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Online Enrichment Program is highly interactive and engaging. You can look forward to:

• Working in study discussion groups with teacher training faculty and educators • Connecting with peers • Participating in live video conferences with program educators • Engaging and communicating through a private Facebook group and Community forum

Welcome to the Enrichment Program:

• Overview of the Enrichment Program – welcome and preparation for the course. • Preview the program schedule – notate the important dates on your personal calendar. • Meet your instructors – find out how they knew they were called to teach, how they’ll support you as you walk the same path, and how they define success in this program. • Creating Community – connect with other program participants from around the world through our private Facebook page and community forum.

Session One: Introduction to the Enrichment Program and the Principles and Origins of Ayurveda

• An Introduction to the Program – discover what you can expect from this transformational course and set your intentions in a special guided meditation

• Ayurveda: The Science of Conscious Living – explore the origins and core principles of Ayurveda, beginning with the recognition that your inherent state is health and your essential nature is pure consciousness, the infinite field of all possibilities • Ayurveda Is the Original Lifestyle Medicine – expand your awareness of your incredible ability to influence your genes and health through your daily choices about diet, exercise, sleep, relationships, and all the other aspects of your life

Session Two: Ayurvedic Cosmology and Philosophy

• Sankhya Philosophy – dive into the Vedic philosophy that shapes Ayurveda’s perspective of the universe, the nature of reality, and the purpose of life, including the 24 cosmic principles of Sankhya that describe the progressive unfoldment of consciousness into the manifest world of form and phenomena • You Are Pure Consciousness – gain insight into the age-old question Who am I? as you explore the Vedic perspective on the nature of your true self, which is pure consciousness, beyond space and time

Session Three: Essential Concepts in Ayurveda

• The Doshas and Their Qualities – expand your understanding of the mind-body principles that govern all of the activities of the bodymind, including sleep, digestion, detoxification, respiration, circulation, and an infinite number of other processes • Dhatus, Malas, and Srotas – explore foundational concepts in Ayurvedic physiology, including the functions and composition of the seven vital tissues, or dhatus; the three malas, or waste products; and the body’s network of channels, or srotas • Agni, Ojas, and Ama – learn the core Ayurvedic principles for digestion, detoxification and health, including agni, our ability to digest our food, emotions, and everything we experience; ama, the toxins that result from weak digestion; and ojas, the subtle essence of radiant health

Session Four: The Subdoshas

• The Subdoshas of Vata – delve into the five distinct subdoshas of the Vata dosha that reside in different locations throughout the body and govern specific physical, mental, and emotional functions • The Subdoshas of Pitta – learn about the five subdoshas of Pitta and how they carry out the functions of the fiery dosha responsible for digestion, conversion, transformation, metabolic function, and the regulation of body temperature • The Subdoshas of Kapha – discover how the five subdoshas of Kapha carry out the functions governed by this dosha, including construction, lubrication, protection, nourishment, cohesion, and stabilization

Session Five: Meditation

• The Benefits of Meditation – explore the profound benefits of meditation for your physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual awakening―and experience a special meditation guided by Deepak • Meditation and Well-being – discover how meditation eliminates chronic stress and increase gene activity that fosters your natural state of physical and emotional well-being

• How to Lead a Group Meditation – become comfortable and adept at leading group meditation for your students, friends, and family (lesson includes downloadable scripts and an audio download of Deepak leading a guided meditation that you can use as a model for your own group meditations)

Session Six: Pranayama

• Introduction to Pranayama – learn about the ancient Ayurvedic practice of pranayama and how you can tap into the power of conscious breathing to cultivate a clear, peaceful mind and a vibrant, healthy body The Benefits of Pranayama – explore the mind-body benefits of conscious breathing, including decreased stress, inflammation, depression, and anxiety; as well as greater energy levels, stabilized blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and inner calm • Pranayama Practices – receive instruction in foundational pranayama techniques from renowned yoga teacher Eddie Stern, who shares the specific benefits of each technique and practical tips on developing a daily pranayama practice

Session Seven: Mindful Movement

• Introduction to Mindful Movement – discover the power of mindful movement, which is exercise where you are present and aware of the sensations and movement of your body • The Benefits of Yoga and Mindful Movement – explore the exciting new research into how mindful movement can help you experience greater health, flexibility, strength, and happiness • Move Your Body: Yoga Practices for Well-being – receive guided instruction in simple yet effective yoga practices that you can enjoy at home and teach to students and friends

Session Eight: Perfect Health Class – Lesson One: Introduction to Ayurveda

In this session, you will begin to learn how to instruct the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle classes, starting with Lesson One: Introduction to Ayurveda. The topics in Lesson One include an overview of the Perfect Health course, the foundations of Ayurveda, the layers of life, the five elements (mahabhutas), an introduction to doshas, an exploration of each of the three main doshas and how they manifest when they are in balance and out of balance, how to interpret the Dosha Quiz, and using our attention to enliven our health.

Session Nine: Perfect Health Class – Lesson Two: Ayurvedic Nutrition

This session will guide you in how to teach Lesson Two of the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle class: Ayurvedic Nutrition. The topics covered in Lesson Two include digestion (agni, ama, and ojas), the six tastes, eating to balance each dosha type, the importance of a multicolored diet, phytonutrients, enhancing digestion with herbs and spices; and eating with awareness.

Session Ten: Perfect Health Class – Lesson Three: Emotional Freedom

In this session, you will learn how to instruct Lesson Three of the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle class: Emotional Freedom, which includes these topics: happiness, our core emotional needs, the nature of emotions, the seven biological responses, conscious communications, and a powerful emotional clearing process.

Session Eleven: Perfect Health Class – Lesson Four: Inner Pharmacy

This session will guide you in teaching Lesson Four of the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle class: Inner Pharmacy. The topics covered in Lesson Four include an introduction to healing through the senses and in an-depth exploration of the healing power of sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell. You will learn how to teach specific sensory practice to balance each of the doshas. You will also explore the sense of humor—using laughter as medicine.

Session Twelve: Perfect Health Class – Lesson Five: Ayurvedic Daily Routines

In this session, you will learn how to teach the final lesson in the Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle class, Lesson Five: Daily Routine. The topics in Lesson Five include the rhythms of nature, the dosha clock and the characteristics of each dosha time period, creating an optimal daily routine, doshas and the seasons, seasonal routines, detoxification, mindful movement, pranayama, and restful sleep. You will be guided in how to instruct a variety of Ayurvedic practices, such as neti pot and nasya, tongue cleaning, and Abhyanga self-massage.

Session Thirteen: Conclusion of the Enrichment Program

As we come to the end of the Enrichment Program, you will be guided to reflect on everything that you have learned and the ways in which your life has transformed as a result of applying the wisdom and practices of Ayurveda in your life. You will review the key principles from the entire course and focus on how you will continue to integrate these rich teachings in your life. For those embarking on the Certification Program, we will offer a preview of what is ahead.

Session Fourteen: Daily Ayurvedic Practices

This session is where you will find the daily Ayurvedic practices that we will recommend to you throughout the course, including guided meditations, pranayama techniques, and yoga practices. We will be updating and adding to the content in this session on a regular basis, giving you the opportunity to expand your experience of Ayurveda and its tools.

Each session of the Enrichment Program includes content in written, audio and video formats, reflection questions, quizzes, student frequently asked questions, resources, and live video conferences with program educators.

Throughout the Enrichment Program you will need to schedule time to complete the following activities. Completing these commitments will average an estimated four to six hours per week (or average of 30-40 minutes a day), in addition to your daily Ayurvedic practices.

• Complete the Primordial Sound Meditation On Demand course. • Complete the Perfect Health Online Course. • Read all written content within each program session, including resources. • Listen to audio content. • View video content. • Reinforce your knowledge with session quizzes. 4

• Connect with your fellow students through the community discussion forums. • Participate in the private Facebook group (optional). • Attend and participate in live video conferences for each session. Listen to and watch the recordings if you are unable to attend live. • Meet with interactive participant discussion groups via video conferencing. during scheduled times. (Recordings will be available if you are unable to attend live). • Join the monthly group meditation sessions. (Recordings will be available if you are unable to attend live). • Integrate information and Ayurvedic practices.

Each session in the Enrichment Program will include a live video conference. The video conferences are an opportunity for participants to ask program educators questions about the content within the sessions. Participants will be asked to post questions in the Community Forum before each of the scheduled video conferences.

The live video conferences are generally scheduled on a weekday at 12 pm (Pacific time). However, please note that video conferences may be scheduled at other times. Live video conferences are recorded and can be accessed after each of the scheduled dates. A schedule with the dates are provided at the start of the scheduled Enrichment Program. Video conferences are conducted through Zoom.

During the Enrichment Program, participants are invited to attend the online participant discussion groups. Participant group sessions are highly interactive with discussions on content in the course sessions that have been released. Led by teacher-training faculty, these groups are another opportunity to ask questions and create community among fellow students from around the world.

The participant group sessions are generally scheduled on a weekday with multiple times to choose from. The sessions are recorded and can be accessed after each of the scheduled dates. A schedule with the dates are provided at the start of the scheduled Enrichment Program. Sessions are conducted through Zoom.

The group meditation sessions are an opportunity for teacher training participants to connect with each other in the stillness and silence of meditation. The sessions are generally scheduled on a weekday at 12 pm, (Pacific time). The sessions are recorded and can be accessed after each of the scheduled dates. A schedule with the dates are provided at the start of the scheduled Enrichment Program. Sessions are conducted through Zoom.

Here is a list of the books to deepen your understanding of Ayurveda and mind-body health. The books are not required for the teacher training program and not included in the teacher training tuition.

• Perfect Health, by Deepak Chopra, M.D.

• The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra, M.D. • The Healing Self, by Deepak Chopra, M.D. and Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D. • MetaHuman, by Deepak Chopra, M.D. • The Wisdom of Healing, by David Simon, M.D. • Free to Love, Free to Heal, by David Simon, M.D. • Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar • Ayurveda: A Quick Reference Handbook, by Manisha Kshirsagar and Ana Cristina Magno • Ayurveda and the Mind, by Dr. David Frawley • Nonviolent Communication, by Marshall Rosenberg • One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How It Can Transform Your Life, by Eddie Stern

The basic equipment needed for the online courses is a computer or mobile device, internet access, microphone, speakers, and web camera. The live video conferences are conducted through Zoom and you will need to download the application to use. The video conferences can be accessed online or by phone. We recommend that you use one of the following browsers, up to date with the latest versions: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer/ Edge, or Safari.

Note: This information is subject to change.