Save your money. Had the full PK treatment in 2017 and saw absolutely no improvements. None. Nada. Zip. Could've slept at home for a week and gotten the same effect. Were my expectations too high? No - I did a 2 week Ayurvedic treatment in India in 2002 and it was a life-changing improvement in sinus congestion and "brain fog", which required 2-3 cups of strong coffee daily. Unfortunately, the improvements went away over time - completely my fault for not following their recommended lifestyle changes (reduce dairy, etc.). Fast forward to 2017. Took some time between projects as my health had started to deteriorate. My mom had benefited from Dr. Lad's colleague, Dr. David Fowley (who wasn't practicing much in his old age), so I tried Dr. Lad instead. The house I shared with fellow patients for a week seemed run down, but clean. No worries since I was there to improve my health, not lounge at a 5-star hotel (the facility in India was far worse). Dr. Lad seemed very nice and empathetic, but you only get 30-45 minutes with him. His medical assistant (can't remember her name) seemed very rushed and told me I should be grateful for that extra 15 minutes with Dr. Lad. Really? I'm a paying customer, not a charity case! She was incorrect in her statement that there's no viral issue (went to a real doctor to confirm). She had none of Dr. Lad's empathy, and coupled with an inaccurate diagnosis, would definitely not recommend. The staff doing the PK treatment were very nice, but the treatment itself had no benefit. They kept suggesting adding more treatments (extra $), which felt nice, but again, no medical improvement. If you want a spa experience, go to an actual spa. If you want medical benefits, go somewhere else. Good luck in your journey! read more

I went to two free, open-to-the-public talks by Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute, he is I believe the founder. I was invited by a friend, who is a big fan of Vasant Lad, and says that he is the teacher of Deepak Chopra. There's apparently a film about him at the Guild at the time of this writing. What I don't know about Ayurveda could fill their bookstore (and probably does), but Vasant Lad is a great speaker, clearly highly knowledgeable, and kept it interesting, while being cautious not to describe Ayurveda as a magic bullet that we should all practice like authorities on our neighbors. The only slightly negative vibe I had was when he was determining the "doshas" of audience members, and then suggesting they were this, that, or the other thing ("Oh! You always fall asleep with a book!"). That part struck me as a little psychic-like. Ayurveda has a lot of basis to it, but at the same time I think that people like that psychic-who-am-I kind of thing and so he was offering that, but I found his lecture topics linking aspects to the science that I was more familiar with, to be more of interest. They had a brochure that I perused at the beginning, that requested please no photos, bare shoulders, open beverages, or children. All four of these things I saw in evidence, but people were trying to be respectful. The one heads up I would give, is that at least at the first talk, you needed to remove your shoes. The people at the Institute define nice. They served tea, and snacks, and they came up to you with authentic smiles and greetings, genuinely trying to be helpful and informative. I came away intrigued, having had a good time, and wondering if I wanted to pursue some course of study with them. Or at the very least, adopt some good, easy lifestyle habits that would probably make me a much happier, healthier human. read more

I came to the Ayurvedic Institute last September for a modified Panchakarma experience. It is meant to be 5 days, but I only had 3 days to spare. No matter, the staff was kind enough to work with me. I will admit, I'm somewhat bad about following rules, but I follow an 80/20 "good enough" rule. SO - when I was told to follow a mono kitchari diet for a week prior to arrival to aid in detoxing and purifying, I didn't really do that. I actually hosted and threw a party the night before I departed, so there wasn't much detoxification NOR purity going on. The panchakarma is meant to be a holistic cleansing and detoxification of mind, body, and soul. This was 3 days of pure indulgence. Daily Ayurvedic treatments of approximately two hours consist of: Abhyanga (a two-person synchronized oil massage), yes, 4 hands, 4 hands at once! You can choose the gender of your therapist, of course. Swedana (individual herbalized sweat therapy) is interesting - you essentially sit in a pod and sweat. It's like bringing the sauna to you. Finally, there is shirodhara (pouring of warm oil to the forehead), and it is the best treatment ever. It's meant to enhance and stimulate your 3rd eye, but it is also excellent at calming the nerves. Just imagine warm oil poured on your forehead in a relaxing environment for almost an hour. I can not stress what a feeling of tranquility this brings you. I would have done shirodhara 8 hours a day, 8 days a week. Wait. Overall, i'd love to return to The Ayurvedic Institute for the entire panchakarma experience. I returned back home glowing and rejuvenated. Yes, I even had the proverbial "There's something different about you" comments for about a week thereafter. Truly enjoyed it! read more

The school's leaders put money before their students' well-being! I was enrolled at SP1 for 2 trimesters and Two weeks into the3 rd trimester, I fell seriously ill with a condition that put my life in danger. Erin Kreeger, Ph.D., the dean of education lacked empathy and sincerity and demonstrated that the school's financial interest is above the health and well-being of the students. Due to my sudden illness, I had to leave the program. Although I only attended two  weeks of the trimester 3 quarter, the school would only refund 25% of my $ 3900 costs. Not only is the cost of the institute excessive, students also must pay for housing, food, books, etc... It is clear that the institute has very little compassion for or understanding of the sacrifices students make by enrolling: To enter the program, we not only leave behind our families, but we leave behind work that provides us income. What's more, Dr. Kreeger refused to recognize the studies I completed prior to falling ill. Although I completed two of the trimesters with good grades, she will not allow me to return the program to finish the third trimester only. She said I must start from the beginning of meaning repeating the 2 trimesters already had passed with good grades. Which also paid $3900 for each trimester plus books . rent etc. !! Although I had a consultation with Dr. Lad Two weeks before , I ended up in the emergency room, seems weard to me he was not aware of a preexisting condition although he has amazing reputation for his large experience in diagnosing..... While my life was in danger, Dr. Kreeger made a bad situation worse. They refused to talk to my husband, either in person or by phone, to allow my husband to explain why I could not continue and what was happening unless I spoke with them personally, which was impossible because I was still under great risk due to my heart condition. I believe this delay was intentional - to let more time pass so they would not have to refund my tuition under the excuse of me not signing papers before. Although they knew of the severity of my illness. Despite the high costs of the institute, the facilities and equipment are shoddy. Classrooms do not meet basic ergonomic standards:  Students have to sit in cloth chairs on the floor. The chairs are also very old. The toilets were broken and it took more than a month to repair them. Students cannot ask Dr. Lad questions unless they are "very important." It is difficult to imagine that students can only listen without asking, that is not ideal for daily learning of new concepts. In the exams, there are no study guides and there is little group integration. Students experience great stress as a result. Most teachers are recent graduates with only few years of experience, or very little guiding experience. This was a horrible experience....XXX read more

I spent a week here for the full panchakarma. The staff was kind, nurturing and knowledgeable. Every treatment was fantastic. The food and teas were plentiful and delicious. I could probably go on and on about the entire week...it definitely set me on path to greater health and wellness. I'm grateful for my time here, all that I learned, and all I let go of . read more

Assistant for dr Lad doesn't have empathy. Long time ago about 8 years I made appointment but they did not sent me notice and they told me it can take years.Know when I asking for update they make me look like fool that I had never made one and they are no waiting list at all . Dr.Lad has to many patients doesn't take new one. This year he can not see me anyway or help my dad just try next year. I asked politely if some herb can be order for my dad which had lung,brain and prostate cancer but no empathy at all. Where is understanding ?My dad is weak and nobody can at least try....He told me go to India??....I believed in Dr. Lad .......but this is disrespectful. This was just a very disappointing experience which I will definitely share with others. read more

I've been ordering Ayurvedic oils from the Ayurvedic Institute for over a year now, and couldn't be happier. Great products, good prices, and a really nice variety that is hard to find in stores. I especially like the oils made by A. Muzda Enterprises. read more

Snippy, simmering hostility from Alissa, who answered the phone to take my herbal formula re-order call. (I would have given two stars, because I don't remember any attitude, the first time I ordered, or I wouldn't have. Plus, my trusted physician offered them, as a source. The phrase that pops up for one star, "Eek! Methinks not," however, is just what I thought, when I did not complete my order, today." Finally, I said I did not like how she was speaking to me, and said I'd like to know her name and speak to a supervisor. With no hesitation, she gave me her name, but only said she'd see if a supervisor was available. Hmm... Again, as I'd already experience, there was no hint of concern about addressing my question with professionalism. After a couple minutes, on hold, someone says, flatly, "This is Deborah," and nothing else. I waited for an inquiry about my concern, but it was just dead air. So, I asked, "And who might you be, Deborah." Bored negativity would be how I can describe the tone of her response, "I'm the manager." I said, "That explains a lot about Alissa's attitude. Thank you, I'll find another vendor." You can decide if you want to purchase herbs from a purported healing organization that treats someone making a easy re-order as if they are in an argument, when asking about address, etc. Should completing sales orders be confrontational? If so, it's not the work for you. Okay, we all have bad days. Personally, I think management sets the tone for how reps treat customers. That seemed the case, today. read more

"I am so very pleased with my Ayurvedic consultation with the ASP1 students. The care I received regarding my health concerns was evident from the first moment we began to work together toward my goals. Their notes and discussion proved to me that they had listened attentively during my initial consultation and that they had given care and thought to their recommendations for me. I felt heard, they listened deeply with care. I felt uplifted and optimistic during and after our session. The Ayurvedic system of balance and wellness helped me better understand important aspects of my personal concerns, and the tangible results I experienced provided me with relief. I am grateful for their support. I am also grateful for the important educational and health support provided by the Ayurvedic Institute to the public." read more

I have been ordering products from them for many years and have also taken classes there. Dr. Lad is wonderful but his front desk staff are extremely unfriendly and rude. I will start purchasing my products with Mapi and Banyan from now on due to customer service. Would rather support and spend my dollars with kind people. read more

I've been going to the Ayurvedic Institute since 2000 for panchakarma treatment. I have the utmost respect for Dr. Lad and all the technicians/staff. I have always been treated with great respect, care and love. I am over 60 and I know panchakarma has had a remarkable impact on my well-being. For those who have never had panchakarma, please know that it is not a spa treatment. Panchakarma and Ayurveda can change your life, but it does require opening up to a new understanding of health and a willingness to change and let go of habits that do not support your well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lad and the Ayurvedic Institute to anyone who seeks healing. I base this recommendation on treatments I have received there the past 14 years. S.C. read more

During winter I was considering getting another round of panchakarma sometime in spring. I called and enquired as to some open dates, but did not set any appointment. My bad. My body is telling me "Need PanchaKarma!" Time to call... read more

I had a wonderful experience during my Panchakarma week. Everyone at the Institute was very knowledgeable and extremely professional. For the first time in years, I was able to get my blood pressure under control (which was running very high) and for that I was so grateful. But it also opened up new ways of thinking about how to maintain and optimize health and the importance of caring for yourself and others around you. The people who attended the week with me were also amazing and I learned alot from them as well. I highly recommend this experience to those who want to step up their health and well being. I am going back in the Spring. read more

I had been wanting to go to the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque for a pancha karma treatment for about four or five years. Finally blocked out the time and put aside the money to attend the institute in May. I wouldn't recommend this experience as I had a very unfortunate experience at the institute and was disappointed in some of the procedures and treatments and the way the institute handled the situation. They did not seem to supervise the practitioners that were giving the treatments very well and one of the practitioners seemed to be having a difficult time and was oversharing with the clients. When brought to the attention of the institute, they did not deal with it effectively. It basically ruined the experience and I left early as it seemed like a waste of time in the end. I cancelled a day of the pancha karma treatment and was told that I would still be charged for that day. Overall, it was not worth the amount of time or money spent. The yoga was really inadequate and half heartedly taught, there was no guided meditation which would have been nice since that was a part of the pancha karma experience. It was definitely not a spa and not luxurious which was fine as it is about the process of pancha karma. The staff overall was very nice and informed, just unfortunate that they did not supervise or take care of the one practitioner who was clearly having some issues. The sessions with Dr. Lad were interesting and he is a very well versed ayurvedic doctor, but also seems to have guru aspirations which was unfortunate. I still believe in the worthiness of the pancha karma experience and ayurvedic medicine as a whole, this was just a very disappointing experience and would not recommend the institute for an extended stay. Not worth the time and money expended. read more

BEWARE My wife went to India with the institute for 7 weeks in November. She was denied internet for the first 2 weeks, so there was no contact with the outside world. She was fed only wheat and milk the entire time and had a parasite (Krumi) midway through the trip. She was working 12 to 15 hour days in the clinic and only sleeping about 5 hours per night. During this time she happened to have an affair with another student, which she tried to hide from me upon arrival. I do not believe that Dr. Lad condones this type of behavior, but strange that all of this happened at a place that is promoting healthy mind, body and soul. Please be cautious in your involvement with this school, as this has been very destructive to our marriage. When she finally returned home she was deathly ill with flue like symptoms. Also she had severe memory damage as if she had been on drugs the entire time she was there. Now she is completely out of touch with reality and can not find her place in the western society. read more