Dr. Somesh Kaushik, an Ayurvedic and naturopathic physician, will begin offering a year-long certification course in Ayurvedic Health Counseling (AHC) starting September 17 and 18. The course will be held online and will follow the curriculum of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, says Kaushik.

An AHC is trained to focus on preventive health care and health promotion, with a specific focus on diet and lifestyle through traditional Ayurvedic principles and practices. The AHC curriculum of 650 hours consists of a series of lectures, clinical practicum, self-study, and case reports. Certification includes four areas of concentration: the concepts of Ayurveda, its history and philosophy, skills and competencies, as well as recommendations, treatment and other interventions. The course will meet one weekend a month (Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), with additional weekends if necessary. An internship is advised for completion of the course.

Kaushik has been practicing Ayurveda for more than 35 years. He received his training as an Ayurvedic physician at Kurukshetra University, India, and as a naturopathic doctor at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. In addition, he holds a dual MA in Public Health and Public Administration from the University of Alabama. He has taught Ayurvedic medicine at the Graduate Institute, University of Bridgeport, and National University of Natural Medicine, and has lectured about Ayurveda throughout the U.S. Kaushik recently founded the Institute for the Advancement of Ayurvedic Sciences, a research and teaching institution.