Ayurveda is a science of natural health care that originated in India as a sister science to yoga. It is approximately 5,000 years old and yet its teachings are timeless. The Light on Ayurveda Educational Foundation (LOAEF) publishes a journal of clinical ayurveda for students and practitioners of Ayurveda. The foundation exists to bring the knowledge of ayurveda to all. On this website can be found ayurvedic resources including a calendar of events, seminars, and courses teaching the science of Ayurveda. To help one find where to study the science of Ayurveda, this website has a listing of ayurvedic schools and colleges throughout the United States and abroad, including courses offered via distance learning.

For those interested in consulting with a practitioner versed in Ayurvedic science, we offer practitioner listings. Here one can find ayurvedic practitioners offering the specialties of ayurvedic massage, shirodhara, yoga and ayurveda, panchakarma therapy, and ayurvedic health education and guidance. The science of Ayurveda is based on understanding the principles that bring harmony and balance to an individual, in body, mind and spirit. It includes an understanding of the elements and the manifestation of the elements in terms of the three doshas. Harmony in one's life is brought about by techniques to balance the doshas. This may include the addition of yoga and meditation practice, the utilization of herbs, changes in one's diet and ayurvedic cleansing through panchakarma.

The science of Ayurveda includes the incorporation of seasonal and daily routines. It is highly attuned to the study of the changes in nature, including climactic conditions, seasons, and the daily cycles of time. When one achieves balance, one can attain the highest state of health.Ayurveda offers the world a system of preventive medicine. It also excels in dealing with chronic illnesses. Both of these areas present the greatest challenges to western medicine.

Ayurvedic practitioners are now educated through many schools and colleges offering courses in this science. Graduates of these courses may offer their services as health educators or consultants. They may offer specialized ayurvedic spa therapies including abhyanga (ayurvedic massage), shirodhara (streaming of warm oil on the forehead to quiet the mind), or panchakarma (a special combination of ayurvedic cleansing therapies). Yoga and meditation are often integral to their practices. Herbs may be utilized to assist in balancing and cleansing. Please Purchase Online