Diploma of Ayurvedic medicine

By JANINE OGIER

THE COURSE

Wellpark College is the only NZQA-registered tertiary institution teaching a three-year diploma in the therapeutic practices of Ayurveda, a system of medicine that began in India more than 5000 years ago and is still used today.

Ayurveda addresses the body, mind and spirit and the spiritual approach is yoga.

Students learn the use of herbs, lifestyle change and nutrition, as well as several cleansing routines and massage to change the constitution of the person being treated.

Ayurvedic medicine is an emerging field in New Zealand and most patients are Indian.

Because of the small number of practitioners established here and the growing market for herbal and home remedies, graduates can set up their own businesses.

Wellpark College has four terms and the course involves 800 hours of structured study each year. Students also need to devote an equal amount of their own time to study.

Graduates qualify for membership as practitioners in either the New Zealand Ayurveda Association or the Australasian Ayurvedic Practitioners Association after some additional practice. They can also register for the New Zealand Charter of Health Practitioners.

First-year students develop a broad understanding of Ayurvedic principles and philosophy and how to apply them in daily life.

They learn to describe body balances and imbalances, recognise the use of Ayurvedic herbs, advise on dietary and lifestyle changes according to patients' problems and understanding the spiritual side of Ayurveda.

In the second year, students concentrate on more detailed practical knowledge of diagnosis and learn to formulate treatment plans for specific diseases.

Theory classes look at the Ayurvedic view of anatomy and physiology, identifying 120 herbs and their properties and preparations made from them, and recognising the seven levels of pulse diagnosis.

Third-year students focus on supervised clinical practice, applying their knowledge of diseases and pathogenesis to treatment plans.

They learn to analyse clients' emotional issues and to help people to achieve balance in their lives by changing their lifestyle and diet.

Theoretical learning is backed by students' practical work in the college's dispensary.

Third-year students treat patients under supervision.

Assessment is based on written assignments and examinations for most modules and there is a final exam at the end of the third year.

Fees are $3900 including GST and a $200 non-refundable application charge. There are 12 places available.

WHAT PAST STUDENTS THINK

Jamila Knopp, 33

Home-based Ayurvedic practice

Waiheke Island

Graduated 2003

"I was looking for something in the alternative health field. I did an introductory course at an Ayurvedic college and hospital in India and loved what I learned and wanted to expand on that.

"When I moved to New Zealand I heard of Wellpark College and enrolled in the diploma.

"At some stages I wondered what I was going to do after the course, but I believe in karma and that the universe provides, so if I put in the hard work it is all going to work out.

"It is a difficult course. You have to be committed. There's lots of Western medical stuff to learn as well, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology.

"The Ayurvedic side of the course is very challenging because you have to study Sanskrit and know a lot of terminology and herbs.

"For two years we did all the theory and then we had a year of supervised clinical training.

"Having real-life clients was really good and it increased your knowledge about the subject, and herbs and people and counselling. It put it all together and gave me confidence."

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK

Dr Sebastiano De Mel

Ayurvedic practitioner

Dr Mel Traditional Ayurvedic Centre

Auckland

"Outside India and Sri Lanka the Wellpark College diploma is the most comprehensive in terms of the hours and subjects covered in the three years.

"The study is equivalent to five years in a bachelor's degree in India or Sri Lanka, but in those degrees students don't get taught much of a Western approach to patients.

"The Wellpark students get much more exposure to the Western approach and, as 98 per cent of my patients are Western, their knowledge is more relevant.

"The students have to cover about 28 patients in supervised clinical training. This practical training makes them more confident when dealing with patients."

DIPLOMA OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE

Wellpark College of Natural Therapies

Auckland

Phone: 360 0560

Website: www.wellpark.co.nz

Email: ayurveda@wellpark.co.nz