Learn & study Ayurveda in Goa.
Ayurveda is the holistic ancient Indian medical science, which deals with the body, the mind and the soul. It is not merely a knowledge of curing ailments; it provides measures for a disciplined, disease-free, long, healthy and happy life.
It rests upon the principles of Pancha Mahabhuta, the five great elements, and the Tridosha theory of the three biological humors. It describes in detail the preservation and promotion of health, and the prevention of disease. It treats man as a whole. Because the medicines used are mainly plants, side effects are almost nil.
Owing to its efficacy, Ayurveda has attracted the attention of scholars of modern medical science in other countries. The curiosity to know and to use Ayurvedic knowledge is increasing all over the world.
The eight branches
Classical Ayurveda is not a single discipline but eight: medicine; paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology; psychiatry; surgery; ENT and eye; toxicology; rejuvenation and virilification; and anatomy. Physiology, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceuticals and Panchakarma belong within these branches.
Formal study in India
Ayurvedic education in India is a five-and-a-half-year degree course offered by a recognised university, followed by three years of post-graduation in a speciality. Only having gone through that may one become a qualified doctor of Ayurveda.
What this course is, and is not. The Basic Course is not a qualification to practise medicine. It is an authentic introduction, enough to look after yourself and the people around you, and a foundation should you wish to go further.
The Basic Course in Ayurveda
Ayurveda has grown more popular among people across the globe, and that growing interest has led them to look for places where it may be learned in the most authentic way. SWAN Ayurveda has arranged a short-term basic course, designed to give the fundamental knowledge and an introduction to the principles and philosophy of the science.
Who it is for. It is suited especially to beginners who have no prior knowledge of Ayurveda. No previous study is assumed, and none is required.
What you will do. Participants learn, and gain hands-on experience in, determining the doshas, choosing the right food according to dosha type, making medicines from easily available herbs, and giving some basic Ayurvedic treatments and massages. The course is designed to give you the tools to lead a healthy life, and to equip you to care for the people around you: your family and your friends.
Going further. The course creates a foundation for further and more detailed study in the field. For those who wish to take up work as an Ayurvedic therapist, we help by arranging a detailed, tailor-made course for that specific purpose.
What you will study
- Ayurveda basic principles
- The concept of the body according to Ayurveda
- Understanding Vata, Pitta and Kapha
- Introduction to Panchakarma therapy
- Theory and practice of the various kinds of Ayurvedic massage, and other techniques
- Ayurvedic cooking
- Basic information about practising Ayurvedic therapy
Read alongside. About Ayurveda covers the doshas, the dhatus and agni in more depth, and Therapies lists the massages you will practise.
Dates
The Ayurveda Beginners Basic Course runs for thirteen days, residential. Only ten participants are taken on one course, and seats are limited. Course dates are announced ahead of each intake, and check-in and check-out are on the published days. Write to us for the current calendar and to reserve one of the ten places.
Course fee
Per person, including your cottage, all meals and the whole course.
Budget Cottage
Row rooms with private bathrooms.
Standard Cottage
A private cottage with private bathroom and sit-out area.
Deluxe Cottage
The best-view cottage, with private bathroom and sit-out area.
To secure your place we ask for a 30% non-refundable advance deposit, by bank transfer or credit card. The balance is payable on arrival at SWAN.
Three kinds of accommodation are offered. All prices are for the whole thirteen-day course. Check-in is at 2 PM; check-out at 10 AM. Book now: pay the full amount and receive one extra night’s stay, free, subject to availability and to written confirmation from us.
What is included
Included
- Accommodation for the length of the course
- All meals, herbal tea, brunch and dinner, Ayurvedic vegetarian, served buffet style
- Consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor
- Lectures on Ayurveda
- Cooking class
- Sessions on the basics of Ayurvedic massage and marma points
- Free wi-fi
Not included
- Airport transfers
- Ayurvedic treatments and medicines
- Any item from the juice bar or the SWAN boutique
- Laundry
- Any item not specifically mentioned above
If you have a food intolerance, alternative food is provided. Tell us before you arrive.
Booking & payment
If paying by bank transfer, please email us a screenshot of the transfer. Payment by credit card through PayPal carries a 9% surcharge.
A note for solo travellers. The sharing price is for two people travelling together. We cannot guarantee to find someone for a solo traveller to share with, though if another interested guest comes forward, the two may share. Otherwise, please book single occupancy.
Arriving late? If you arrive late at night or early in the morning, please book your accommodation from the previous night, should you need immediate occupancy on arrival.
Arrival & airport transfer
Check-in is at 2 PM; check-out at 10 AM. Airport transfers to SWAN can be arranged for Rs. 2,200, each way. If you wish to be met at the airport, send us your exact flight and arrival details, ideally two days before you travel.
Your course teachers
The Basic Course is taught by Gyanmitra Saraswati, co-founder of SWAN, with the resident Ayurvedic physician supervising the treatments and therapies you will see and practise during the course. The group is kept to ten so that the teaching stays personal throughout the thirteen days.
Gyanmitra Saraswati
Co-founder · Yoga · Yoga Philosophy · Yoga Nidra · Ayurveda
Gyanmitra Saraswati is the co-founder of the SWAN Foundation for Ayurveda and Yoga Research and co-founder of SWAN Yoga Retreat in Goa, India. For more than two decades he has been involved in teaching Yoga, Yoga philosophy, meditation and Yoga Nidra, while working to preserve and share traditional knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda through residential programmes, courses, retreats and community initiatives.
His primary Yoga education was received at the Bihar School of Yoga, where he was initiated into Dashnami Sannyasa by his Guru, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. His education in Ayurveda includes formal training at Arsha Vidya Yoga Peetham in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he studied Ayurvedic treatment therapies and the principles and philosophy underlying their therapeutic application.
He teaches this course himself, introducing students to the foundational principles of Ayurveda, its understanding of constitution, lifestyle, food and the traditional approach to wellbeing. At the retreat he also oversees the Ayurvedic therapies and treatments given to guests, working closely with the resident physician and the team of therapists. Full biography.
Dr. Siddhesh Bandekar
Ayurvedic Physician
Dr. Siddhesh Bandekar is an experienced Ayurvedic physician with more than 15 years of clinical practice, centred on traditional Ayurveda, preventive healthcare and a personalised approach to wellbeing. At SWAN he is responsible for the Ayurvedic consultation and for determining the appropriate course of treatment for each guest.
He determines the therapies, their sequence and their duration, and reviews the guest during a programme when adjustments are required, the supervised, individual practice of Ayurveda that this course sets out to explain. He is also associated with Goa University and holds a degree in Alternative Medicine. Dr. Bandekar supervises the treatments rather than teaching the classroom sessions. Full biography.
The wider team. The course is supported by the resident Ayurvedic physicians and therapists at SWAN. Meet the full team.
Important health information
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes and describes Ayurveda and its therapies as set out in the classical texts. It is not medical advice, and it is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or an offer to treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Ayurvedic therapy at SWAN is undertaken as a supportive practice alongside, never as a replacement for, the care of your own doctor. Please do not stop, reduce or alter any prescribed medication except on the advice of your treating physician.
Every guest is assessed individually before any procedure begins, and suitability is determined by the resident physician. Responses vary from individual to individual, and no particular outcome or result is promised or implied.
If you live with a diagnosed medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take regular medication, please consult your doctor before booking and tell us in your consultation so your programme can be planned safely.
Frequently asked questions
The Basic Course in Ayurveda is a 13-day residential programme designed for beginners with little or no previous knowledge of Ayurveda.
The course introduces the fundamental principles of this ancient system of medicine, including the Doshas, Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, daily routines (Dinacharya), seasonal living, nutrition, herbs, lifestyle practices, and the foundations of Ayurvedic therapies.
Participants also gain practical experience through demonstrations and supervised hands-on sessions in traditional Ayurvedic massage and basic therapeutic procedures.
With only ten participants per course, the learning experience remains personal, interactive, and immersive. It provides an excellent foundation for anyone wishing to integrate Ayurveda into daily life or continue further studies.
No previous qualification is required. What matters is a genuine interest and a willingness to keep the ashram discipline, a full day, early starts and silence at night.
Your cottage, all meals, every session on the syllabus, course materials and your certificate. Ayurvedic treatments, transfers and personal purchases are extra.
To secure your place we ask for a 30% non-refundable advance deposit, by bank transfer or credit card. The balance is payable on arrival at SWAN. Send us an enquiry with your chosen dates and cottage type and we will confirm availability and send payment details.
Loose, modest clothing you can practise in, a shawl for early mornings and evening havan, sandals, a torch, insect repellent and sunscreen. Mats and props are provided.
Often, yes, many people add a few days of retreat or a short course of Ayurvedic treatments either side of a course. Tell us when you enquire and we will check availability.
What people say.
Written reviews from past guests.
“I truly recommend this place for people who are just beginning their yoga journey, as well as for those who are more advanced in their practice. I did a Panchakarma here, and it turned out to be one of the most important gifts I could give myself in this lifetime. I felt so light and wonderful after this Ayurvedic purification process. Feeling deeply inspired, I continued my journey by staying for the Ayurveda course and then the yoga training. I tried some other trainings after Swan, and I can easily say that the program they’ve created is both efficient and truly special—following the traditional ashram style of study. The foundational knowledge I gained here helped me a lot later on, especially when I encountered places where the focus was mainly on asanas and only a bit of theory, without a deeper understanding of the ancient science. The food menu is thoughtfully designed, allowing you to try cuisine from different parts of India. It’s very balanced—not too spicy—and includes fresh salads (which I really missed in Indian cuisine). The people here genuinely know what they’re doing, and you can clearly see how their approach influences your lifestyle, body, and mind. I’m so grateful I found this place on my own, without any recommendations from friends or family. It turned out to be a place I’m always happy to return to”
Reserve your place.
Tell us which dates you are looking at and which cottage you would prefer. We will confirm availability and answer anything still open.