The training methodology is a combination of theory, practical and interactive sessions, which include:

• Basic Sanskrit classes to familiarise students with the primary characteristics of the Devanagari script
• Exposure to the primary Ayurveda texts - the Charaka Samhita, Sushrutha Samhita and Ashtanga Hrdaya. Students will also be referred to other classical texts such as the Ashtanga Samgraha, Sarangdhara Samhita and Bhavaprakasha
• Interactive sessions, organised to enable students to delve deeper into each topic to expand understanding
• Live demonstrations as well as video demonstrations of different procedures
• Hands-on work wherein students will work on each other in providing and receiving treatments
• Daily yoga and meditation sessions for physical, psychological and spiritual wellness. These sessions will improve physical flexibility, postural awareness, breathing and concentration levels, all of which are central to effectively providing treatment to others.

Students will also be encouraged to follow an Ayurveda way of life during the course so that they learn to consider their own wellness. Therapists/healers must be well in themselves before they can facilitate the healing of another.

1. Asana classes: This will include techniques and practices of the separate yoga sequences for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Shat karma Kriya, Teaching and practicing meditation and chanting, teaching basics.
2. Basic Sanskrit: Students will learn the Sanskrit alphabet in the Devanagari script. You will be able to read and pronounce Sanskrit, as well as some grammar.
3. Teaching methodology: Adjustments and alignment techniques will be taught for standing poses, forward bends, twists, backbends, inversions, and balances, the art of sequencing, and ethics of teaching yoga.
4. Anatomy and physiology: This includes basics of the skeletal, muscular, and respiratory systems, cardiovascular information, injury and recovery, esoteric anatomy, including chakras, nadis, prana, granthi and prana.
5. Scriptures, philosophy, ethics and lifestyle: This includes basic yoga philosophy, yoga sutras of Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradapika, three types of karma, seven bhoomikas, and the linkage between yoga and Ayurveda.
6. Group Practicum: This includes class observations and transcriptions focusing on adjustment, sequencing, theme, and music.
7. Small Group Peer Review and Practicum: These are classes that you teach in a small group setting to hone your skills. It includes student teaching as well as observing and assisting gin classes taught by others and oral presentation skills.
8. Satsang: This combines many of the subjects of the course, including chanting, meditation, japa and mantra, nada yoga and music, community responsibility, ahimsa, Ayurveda, philosophy and practical skills for conducting satsangs.
9. Pranayama principles and practice: This includes the principles and theory of pranayama, practical training in samavritti and visamavritti pranayama, including teaching methods.

The teaching methods used at the Ananda Spa Institute will be a balance between delivery of information and demonstrations of a procedure, hands-on practice, exercises, case studies and role-plays.  This will achieved through:

a) Explaining
b) Questioning
c) Demonstrating
d) Collaborating
e) Practice of all treatments, practical assesments and examinations.
 
A series of lectures explain the importance of developing a broad range of personal and professional skills and demonstrates how these can be used to allow students to achieve their full potential and complete their programme successfully.

The lectures are supported by seminars in which smaller groups of students discuss the content of the lectures, undertake exercise and group activities and receive tutorial support from the teacher.  Students may be asked to prepare material for presentation and discussion in seminars.

The use of visiting lecturers or guest speakers will provide further support to teaching and learning programme and encourage students to interact with persons working in the Spa industry.

Information Technology Skills Development

1. Basic concepts of information technology
2. Using computers and managing files
3. Word processing / Spreadsheets & database / Power point presentations

Group Work and Oral presentation Skills

1. Advantages and disadvantages of working in a group
2. Group skills, roles and contribution
3. Planning, preparing and delivering a presentation / Using visual aids

Written Communication Skills

1. Essays, reports, memoranda
2. Understanding the question – key words
3. Planning, structures, language skills

Getting Organised

1. Introduction to information research
2. Understanding assessments
3. Time management
4. Effective and efficient note taking

Career Planning

1. Working out a career plan / creating a Personal record file
2. Advantages and disadvantages / do’s and don’ts for career planning
3. Producing action checklists
4. Researching the market / updating your plan
5. Producing a CV and writing job application letters