Ayurvedic Massage & Bliss Therapy Program
Train in Abhyanga, Shirodhara, and Svedana — the cornerstone Ayurvedic bodywork therapies — at the first state-approved Ayurvedic college in the U.S.
- Kim Kinjo & Chris Garber
- Nov 5 - 10, 2026 | June 3 - 8, 2027
Ayurvedic Massage & Bliss Therapy
Train in Abhyanga, Shirodhara, and Svedana — the cornerstones of Ayurvedic Bodywork.
Fall cohort enrollment is now open. Class size is limited to maintain hands-on faculty guidance throughout the program.
Dates
- Nov 5 - 10, 2026
- June 3 - 8, 2027
Total hours
52 in-class hours, plus 12 hours of required outside coursework
Location
CCA Campus
The Foundation of Ayurvedic Spa and Panchakarma Practice
Students in the California College of Ayurveda’s Ayurvedic Massage & Bliss Therapy Program learn to perform one- and two-person Abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage), and to administer Shirodhara and Svedana — the warm oil and herbal steam therapies that round out a full Ayurvedic bodywork practice.
Training is hands-on and group-based: students work in groups of three, rotating through giving and receiving each therapy, guided directly by faculty at every step.
With the support of Ayurvedic principles for dosha-based assessment, students learn to select oils, technique, and pacing suited to each person’s constitution, rather than applying one standardized treatment to every client.
Curriculum Includes
- Abhyanga — one- and two-person Ayurvedic massage
- Shirodhara — warm oil treatment over the forehead
- Svedana — Ayurvedic herbal steam therapy
- Dosha-based treatment planning for each therapy
- Proper draping, positioning, and professional practice standards
Who this is For
Designed for practitioners and students ready to bring the cornerstone Ayurvedic bodywork therapies into their practice:
- Massage therapists and bodyworkers expanding into Ayurvedic modalities
- Spa and wellness professionals building a panchakarma-aligned service menu
- Ayurvedic students or practitioners deepening their clinical bodywork skill set
- Individuals exploring Ayurveda as a wellness or professional path
No prior massage or bodywork experience is required. What matters is a foundational understanding of Ayurveda before entering the workshop.
Training Format & Learning Experience
This six-day, in-person training is held at CCA’s Nevada City, California campus.
- Days 1, 2, 4 & 5: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST
- Days 3 & 6: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST
Instruction Style
- Live faculty-guided instruction
- Hands-on group practice, in groups of three
- Demonstration and supervised technique work
Learning Environment
Small group sizes ensure:
- Direct faculty feedback at every step
- Individualized correction of technique
- A collaborative learning experience
There is a flexible two-hour lunch break each day, generally between 12:00 and 2:00 PM. Food is not provided, but restaurants and grocery stores are available near campus in Nevada City.
A final written examination is administered at the end of the program. A passing grade of 75% is required to complete certification.
Additional Information
Prerequisites
- Completion of Ayurveda 101 On Demand with Dr. Marc Halpern, or
- The first module of Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine (PAM), or completion of the full PAM program
- Applicants currently active in Dinacharya or enrolled in another Ayurvedic school may also be eligible
Recommended (Not Required)
- Prior exposure to spa or bodywork settings
Experience working with clients
Tuition & Enrollment
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Workshop Fee | $1,495 (includes $250 non-refundable registration fee) |
| Available Discount | 15% off when enrolling in 2 workshops at full price; 20% off each when enrolling in 3 or more. Contact an Admissions Advisor to apply your discount. |
Learn from Experienced Practitioners
Faculty at the California College of Ayurveda bring years of experience in Ayurvedic bodywork, clinical practice, and massage therapy education, grounded in classical technique and modern application.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard spa massage applies a fixed set of strokes and movements, adjusted for pressure. Ayurvedic massage, or Abhyanga, is selected by dosha, and is paired with therapies like Shirodhara and Svedana as part of one whole treatment protocol, the same one used in clinical Panchakarma.
Some exposure is part of learning traditional full-body Ayurvedic massage, since the technique includes work on the torso. Instruction covers proper draping technique throughout, and bringing a screen for added privacy at your table is optional, not required. No student is ever required to participate in receiving or practicing chest or breast-tissue massage technique, and there is no massaging or intentional exposure of genitalia at any point in this program. Full policy details are provided at enrollment.
No. The program welcomes massage therapists, bodyworkers, wellness professionals, and Ayurvedic students alike. What's required is a foundational understanding of Ayurveda.
Applicants should have completed Ayurveda 101 On Demand, the first module of PAM, or the entire PAM program. Applicants active in Dinacharya or enrolled in another Ayurvedic school may also be eligible.
Yes. Registering for two workshops at full price earns 15% off both; three or more earns 20% off each. Discounts require registering together and cannot be combined with other offers.
California College of Ayurveda is state-approved, not accredited. It was the first state-approved Ayurvedic college in the United States, receiving state approval for its programs in 1996.
Step Into Teaching as a Healing Practice
If you’re ready to move beyond generalized instruction and teach yoga as a truly individualized, healing practice, this training provides the framework, hands-on experience, and credential to do so.