The Ayurvedic Institute, which has been licensed as a private institution of higher education in New Mexico since 1994, offers training in the traditional therapy of East Indian Ayurveda, which includes the use of herbs, nutrition, panchakarma cleansing, and accupressure massage. The institute also offers training in the related disciplines of Ayurveda: Sanskrit, Yoga, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology). The institute's Ayurvedic studies program, which is the foundation of all its educational programs, consists of three academic courses: "Introduction to Philosophy and Theory of Ayurveda,""Introduction to Clinical Assessment," and "Introduction to Management of Disorders." Together, these courses entail approximately 700 hours of classroom instruction over 1 academic year and culminate in a certification of program completion. The courses are based on the Vedic educational model, which is based on using the self and a complete understanding of the self to transfer knowledge from teacher to student and which involves the use of practical examples, ceremonies, and stories. According to the institute's assessment criteria, which are described as a "blend of approximately 50% quantitative and 50% qualitative program analysis," its programs are successful in helping students who want to reach the goal of making Ayurveda a way of life. (Contains 10 references.) (MN)