Learn Essential Sanskrit
Sanskrit is the language of Ayurveda
Learn Essential Sanskrit in clear, concise English with the most direct and effective system to prepare for Āyurvedic medicine.
Each 10 hour course includes
Self-study, 9 hours
Live exam, 1 hour
Video lessons and digital workbook on Google drive (requires Gmail or Google account)
Essential Sanskrit is ideal for
All students and practitioners of Āyurveda who have questions about Sanskrit or want to improve their Sanskrit
Anyone who wants to study Āyurveda
Anyone who has ever wondered what the difference is between Āyurveda and Āyurved, or Yoga and Yog, and why
Students of other Vedic sciences (Yoga, Jyotisha, and philosophy)
As a language, Sanskrit has the power to significantly expand one’s intellectual capacity. It structures and organizes memory banks, primes critical thinking skills and trains the mind to apply correct logic and analysis.
Essential Sanskrit prepares students to understand unique concepts in Āyurveda, think about them logically, and apply them in practice.
New students and seasoned practitioners will benefit from one-on-one instructor guidance with exercises in pronunciation, recitation and memorization.
Self-paced courses
Explore all coursesSanskrit One
Alphabet, phonetics and transliteration
This course introduces the language of Sanskrit in clear, concise English. Foundational concepts are explained with practical application to answer common questions. This first course is ideal for those who would like an introduction to formal study as well as those who want to refresh knowledge or fill in the gaps.
Learn about the history of the language, its current usage and practical application in Āyurveda through translation and common transliteration methods. The entire alphabet is explained in detail with and emphasis on phonetics through vocal practice and memorization exercises.
Sanskrit Two
Conjuncts, sandhi and word dissection
Students begin working with components of the Sanskrit alphabet to create complex sounds and syllables, half consonants, regular consonants, conjunct consonants and simple words. Students learn the concepts of schwa and virāma and their roles in the formation of akṣharas (syllables), conjuncts and words.
Through exercises of word formation and word dissection, students gain proficiency with the alphabet and its components. They improve recognition of akṣharas (syllables), and practice reading and writing through ĀYUT transliteration.
Students are introduced to intermediate Sanskrit language concepts including sandhi (word combining), Sanskrit dhātus (root terms), prefixes and suffixes.
Sanskrit Three
Preparatory terms for Āyurvedic medicine
Learn common Sanskrit terms used in Āyurvedic medicine in ĀYUT-transliterated form. Gain familiarity and mastery over each term by applying skills from previous workshops including word dissection, akṣhara composition analysis, schwa and virāma identification and sandhi recognition.
Terms are analyzed from an etymological perspective to determine their Sanskrit dhātu (root term), prefixes and suffixes. Students practice pronunciation of these Sanskrit terms and memorize their basic English translations through direct meanings and conceptual explanations. Terms with complex meanings are explained in greater detail to identify limitations of English translations.
Grammatical usage of terms, synonyms, antonyms and comparative sets are discussed. Students learn how to include the correct grammatical forms of Sanskrit terms in English sentences along with basic rules for Anglicization of Sanskrit terms through examples of singular, plural, noun, adjective and other grammatical forms.
What is Sanskrit?
Why is it required for Āyurvedic medicine?
Without knowledge of Essential Sanskrit, students in Āyurvedic medicine will not be able to read, pronounce or understand clinical concepts correctly. The complex language of Sanskrit has served as the language of Āyurveda for thousands of years. Its intricate logical thought patterns are reflected through the language.
In India, professional Āyurvedic medical training requires a minimum of 18 months of full-time study of Sanskrit, including reading the script, advanced grammar rules, and basic conversation.
Outside of India, this requirement has unfortunately been perceived as "too difficult" for many schools to enforce. The lack of proper, basic Sanskrit training BEFORE studying Āyurvedic medicine has led to a great dilution of classical, medical knowledge and deviation from rigorous, scientific standards and practice.
In 2016, ĀYU Academy was the first school in the US to require comprehensive Sanskrit prerequisites for professional Āyurveda. Gradually, other schools and organizations are adopting similar standards.
The Essential Sanskrit workshop series provides serious students the ideal opportunity to learn the language of Āyurvedic medicine in an organized, accessible way.
Learn to comprehend and communicate the nuances of Āyurvedic medicine correctly with Essential Sanskrit.
Essential Sanskrit
Prerequisites
None, courses must be completed in order
Instructor
Dr. Jessica Vellela, BAMS is the instructor for the Essential Sanskrit Workshop Series in all pre-recorded videos. As the first American-born woman to become a Doctor of Āyurvedic medicine and practice independently in India, Jessica is a leading educator in Āyurveda today. Her teaching style, methodology and organization make the complexities of Āyurvedic medicine accessible to a Western audience.
Duration
Each workshop is 10 hours total with 9 hours of pre-recorded lectures, study and memorization. This is followed by a final hour of live testing with a qualified instructor.
100% online
The entire workshop is online and available to students globally. Time slots for Live tests are available for all time zones. If you cannot find a suitable time, contact us to arrange it.
Workbook
Order the Essential Sanskrit workbooks on Amazon to complete the practice lessons easily. Students may also access view-only digital copies via Google drive.
Lectures
Lessons 1 through 6 include an hour of pre-recorded lecture per lesson. Students must complete the entire lecture, read the workbook material and answer a five-question multiple choice quiz.
Self-study
Lessons 7 through 10 include practice exercises covering material from lessons 1 through 6. Students must complete all practice exercises in writing before the live test.
Live test
Meet one-on-one with a qualified instructor for live testing. Demonstrate memorization and competency online via Google meet with a qualified instructor.
Completion Requirements
Complete, correct recitation of the Devanāgarī alphabet
Explanation of pronunciation, alphabet mechanics, transliteration, etc
Reading all simple terms in Lesson ten
Any additional requirements as determined by the instructor
Students will receive an electronic Certificate of Completion by successfully finishing all ten hours of the workshop.
Workshop access
Ongoing access to workshop resources is included in the cost.
Student experiences
“This workshop series should be a mandatory prerequisite for all professional Āyurvedic training.”
"This is a clear and very organized system to learn Sanskrit, making it accessible and possible. After successfully finishing this first book and workshop, I am excited to move right on to the second!!"
“I wish I had learned Sanskrit first. The terms and concepts make so much more sense now.”
"The Essential Sanskrit workbooks one, two and three are very well structured. I have made several attempts at getting a basic understanding of how Sanskrit works and this is the first time that I feel I am getting a glimpse of the logic. I would suggest this series to anyone who wishes to do the same."
"ĀYU academy is an excellent place to look for training as an Āyurvedic Practitioner. This series of Sanskrit workbooks provides the building blocks to explore the language and the science of Āyurveda. It is the starting point for one of the best education offerings for Āyurvedic medicine. If you plan to study Āyurveda seriously, check out ĀYU Academy with Jessica Vellela."
"The Sanskrit workshops at ĀYU Academy were a wonderful introduction to a fascinating language. They were well-organized, methodical and super effective at laying the groundwork for understanding Ayurveda in its own terms. Dr. Vellela is an incredible teacher!"
FAQS
Will the live test be recorded?
Yes, your live test will be recorded. The recording will be available in your Google drive folder withing two business days following the test.
How long will I have access to the workshop material?
You will have ongoing access to the online workshop materials.
Do I need to purchase the printed text?
If the printed textbooks are available where you live, we highly recommend that you purchase them. Check Amazon to see if it’s available where you live.
Why should I learn Sanskrit?
Students of Āyurveda, Yoga or any Vedic sciences are encouraged to learn Sanskrit to advance their basic understanding of the field. Sanskrit improves students’ abilities to learn classical theory and apply knowledge practically. Sanskrit is a requirement for study of all Vedic sciences in India.
My Āyurveda school said I don’t need Sanskrit to learn Āyurveda. Is that true?
Sanskrit is the language of Āyurvedic medicine and has served to maintain this practice for at least 2,500 years in documented history. It is the key to understanding Āyurvedic concepts and applying logical thought in clinical practice. The more one understands Sanskrit, the better they can learn and practice Āyurveda.
Will I learn how to read and write Devanāgarī script?
No, Essential Sanskrit does not include Devanāgarī script. This level of study is beyond what is required for Āyurvedic medicine outside of India. It generally requires about 100 hours of study and practice to reach a basic, working level (equivalent to 1st or 2nd grade level). Instead, Essential Sanskrit teaches the language using transliteration which allows the language to be represented accurately and accessible quickly to a Western audience.
What is ĀYUT?
The Āyurvedic Universal Transliteration Scheme (ĀYUT) is a method that allows Sanskrit Devanāgarī script to be expressed accurately in Roman letters with easy pronunciation for new students.