The American Institute of Vedic Studies is an educational center providing a broad range of training programs, resources and publications. It focuses on Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, Yoga and their interconnections. It provides in depth examinations of Veda, Vedanta and Tantra along with the background system of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma. It is one of the few places in the world today that brings the greater Yoga tradition together and explains it in an integral and authentic manner with regard to its ancient lineages and branches.

The Vedic Institute is recognized internationally as an important center of Vedic learning and research. Founded and directed by Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri), it serves as a vehicle for his work, offering courses and consultations to go along with his many published writings. Vamadeva is one of the most honored acharyas or teachers of Vedic wisdom both in India and in the western world over the last thirty years. He is respected as an Ayurvedacharya (teacher of Ayurvedic medicine), Jyotish Brihaspati (teacher of Vedic astrology), Vedacharya and Vedaguru (teacher of the Vedas). He is regarded as a Pandit, a doctor or professor of Vedic wisdom. He is one of the few modern teachers to write definitive books in all major Vedic fields, based upon his original study of Sanskrit texts and his own direct experience, including commentaries on the Vedas themselves.

Yogini Shambhavi Chopra is the co-director of the institute helping with new retreats, tours, trainings, chanting CDs and publications. Yogini Shambhavi is one of India's foremost women teachers and gurus in the Shakti tradition, in yogic, Tantric and Vedic fields, and is now gaining a following in the western world. She joins Dr. Frawley (Acharya Vamadeva) for teaching programs and is available for personal consultations and individual guidance. Yogini Shambhavi is a noted writer and chanter, who has a unique power to inspire, motivate and uplift all who come into contact with her.

The institute is noted for its distance learning programs and correspondence courses, which are among the best and most comprehensive in their fields. Our courses have attracted thousands of students from numerous countries over the past twenty years. Our Ayurvedic Healing program is probably the most widely taken Ayurvedic distance learning program in the world in recent years. The institute has direct levels of student-teacher interaction as well for those who want deeper levels of instruction.

The American Institute of Vedic Studies works with several important Afilliated Schools in such diverse countries as Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Brazil, India and the United States that teach and promote our courses and programs, and which offer their own additional training in Ayurveda and the Vedic field. Note our courses and programs to the left of the home page.

Acclaimed Recent Books by Acharya Vamadeva (Dr. Frawley) 

Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound: Secrets of Bija (Seed) Mantras - just released by Lotus Press July 1. One of the most important new publications on how to employ mantras for healing, union with Divinity and Self-realization, examines mantras in Yoga, Tantra, Veda, Vedanta, Ayurveda, Jyotish and Vastu. This short and succinct volume can show you the deeper power and meaning of mantra in a practical and yet profound manner.

Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti  - presents the classical higher Tantra of Raja Yoga with the inner worship of Shiva and Shakti as the light of consciousness and its transformative power, based on the works of Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni, chief disciple of Ramana Maharshi.

Yoga, the Greater Tradition - note reviews in Yoga Journal, Yoga Plus and the Library Journal of America, one of the best overviews of Yoga in its broader scope of knowledge, devotion, action, prana, mantra and Self-realization. Beautiful illustrated hardback edition.


Yogini Shambhavi's Books and CDs 
Yogini Shambhavis' Beautiful new Yogini Bhava Chanting CD - beautiful and resonant bija mantras to the Goddess in her many forms of Durga, Kali, Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati, as well as Ganesha and Shiva, Dattatreya and Lord Saturn. Regarded by many who hear it as one of the best chanting tapes available. LISTEN TO TWO TRACKS OF SHAMBHAVI'S CD NOW!

Shambhavi's two books below have been widely acclaimed for their authentic portrayals of inner yogic experiences and have been best sellers in India. They are now available in the US as well.

Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within - the inner journey of the Yogini in communion with the Divine Mother, filled with wonderful stories and inspirations.

Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess  - an experience of Ma Kali and the Yoga of the Supreme Shakti. Regarded as one of the best modern books on the Goddess and her inner powers.

Our Annual Ma Ganga Retreat

We are happy to announce that our fourth annual Ma Ganga Retreat from March 10-16, 2011, is now open for early registration, with an extra day added to the program, on the Ganga above Rishikesh in a beautiful retreat setting with private access to the river. Its theme will be Soma, Rejuvenation and Immortality, exploring revitalization of the body, mind and spirit in light of our eternal essence of consciousness, using the tools of Ayurveda, Jyotish, Veda and Tantra. The retreat will be followed by our second Yogini Yatra from March 16-24, 2011 featuring special tours and classes at important temples in Ranikhet, Dunagiri, Jageshwar and Mahavatar Babaji's cave.
Our third annual Inner Tantric Yoga Experience: Ma Ganga Retreat, March 9-14, 2010 was a great success with sixty attendees from all over the world for Yoga, Ayurveda, ritual, mantra and meditation. 

Vamadeva and Shambhavi Programs - 2010
 
*****Programs in India and Brazil
Sept. 1 - Oct. 9: Programs and Pilgrimage in India, Himalayas, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam astrology conference.
Oct. 20 - Nov 10: Programs in Brazil, Uberlandia, Rio De Janiero, Belo Horizonte.
Oct. 21 - 26: Uberlandia, with Dr. Jose Rugue.
October 29 - Nov. 2: Yoga Shakti Retreat, with renowned teachers David Frawley and Yogini Shambhavi in the mountains by Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. The teachers will discuss health and well being according to Yoga, Ayurveda, Tantra and Vedic Astrology. The program will feature rituals and meditation, Hatha Yoga classes with brazilian teachers and contact with nature in this beautiful tropical setting. For more information: Module 1, Module 2.
Nov. 4 - 10: Belo Horizonte.

-----More Information on Programs 

How You Can Connect with the Vedic Institute

The Institute offers the following services and ways of interaction which can be accessed through the home page:

1. Books and Publications, including on-line books and on-line articles. Note also our on-line book list.
2. Internet Newsletter. The individual must sign up for this.
3. Internet Newsgroup. A discussion forum on Vedic and related topics.
4. Consultations, including special consultations with Shambhavi and Dr. Frawley using Vedic Astrology.
5. Distance Learning Courses (correspondence courses) on Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedic Astrology.
6. Advanced Training Programs for those studying the distance learning programs
7. Retreats, conferences and seminars, as described in our itinerary section. Note our yearly India Ma Ganga retreat.

More Information 

The main building of the Institute is a retreat center in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, located about 8000 feet near the National Forest, about five miles north of the Plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are not open to the general public but do accept visitors by appointment.

Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) founded the 'Vedic Research Center' in 1980 as a vehicle for his work on the Vedas that he had been pursuing since 1970. It was based on a vision of the Vedas as the foundation of Cosmic and Self-knowledge relevant to all living beings. In 1988, Dr. Frawley expanded the center into the American Institute of Vedic Studies to promote special programs in Ayurveda (Vedic medicine) and Vedic Astrology (Jyotish), perhaps the two most practical aspects of Vedic Science. In 2005, it introduced an additional Yoga and Ayurveda program. In 2005, Shambhavi Chopra joined the institute, which now brings in her work and writings as well. Shambhavi joins Dr. Frawley in his teaching programs.

The Institute offers special on-site training programs for individual students, giving preference to those who have taken other training programs of ours already. These follow the Indian gurukula model of students visiting and studying with Dr. Frawley on a one-to-one basis or as part of small classes. The Institute also sponsors various retreats and study programs in India, including a yearly Ma Ganga retreat in March in Rishikesh. It is developing a center in India in the Himalayas in the Ranikhet area. In addition, Dr. Frawley participates in many seminars and trainings programs worldwide.

The Institute maintains contact with many important scholars and teachers in various Vedic fields including Subhash Kak, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Simon, Dr. Marc Halpern, NS Rajaram, Pratichi Mathur, Dr. KS Charak, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Dr. Sunil Joshi, Dr. Subhash Ranade, Dr. Jose Rugue, Mas Vidal, Sandra Kozak, Atreya Smith, Georg Feuerstein, Chakrapani Ullal, Dennis Harness, Andrew Foss, Frank Morales, Jeffrey Armstrong and many others. Long term Institute research projects include:

• Integral Yoga and Ayurveda: teaching the interface of Yoga and Ayurveda on all levels from yoga asanas to meditation. Ayurvedic Psychology and Yoga: the mental and spiritual aspect of Ayurveda relative to Raja Yoga and Vedanta.

• Vedic Medical Astrology: relative to both health and disease for body and mind.

• Translations and interpretations of the Vedas, particularly the Rig Veda, and an explication of the original Vedic Yoga.

• Vedic Yoga and teaching prime Vedic practices of mantra, pranayama and meditation.

• Projection of Vedic and Hindu knowledge in a modern context for the coming millennium as Sanatana Dharma or the Eternal Tradition.

• Vedic and Tantric mantras and their practical application for health, connecting to nature and Self-realization.

• Connecting with the Devatas or Divine powers inherent both in nature and in the psyche through the Great Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu tradition. 

We welcome any suggestions or contributions to these projects. The background and philosophy of the American Institute of Vedic Studies can be understood by the following presentations of Vedic Knowledge and Hindu (Sanatana) Dharma. 

Vedic Knowledge

The Vedas are a vast set of spiritual teachings dating from the dawn of history. They consist of the mantras of numerous great Himalayan yogis and seers, who were said to have founded the spiritual paths for humanity at the beginning of this world-age over ten thousand years ago. The Vedas are the origin of Hindu religion and culture and have influenced religions and philosophies all over the world.

The Vedas contain the basis for the spiritual traditions of India that arose in the Himalayan region. The Vedas also contain keys to the Pre-Christian traditions of all Indo-European peoples - the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Germans and Slavs - whose ancient languages and cultures resemble the Vedic. The Vedas reflect the ancient solar religions and enlightenment traditions that once dominated the world from Mexico to China. As such, the Vedas represent the ancient global spiritual culture and yogic approach to life behind the earliest mystical traditions of the world.

The Vedas are centered in the deepest spiritual and self knowledge - the unity of the individual soul with the Divine. They teach us that there is only One Self in the universe, in which is bliss and liberation from the cycle of karma and rebirth. Vedic knowledge expands from this central point to help us understand the meaning of our entire existence on all levels including the physical body and the world of nature. The Vedas present the mantric key behind the entire process of cosmogenesis.

Vedic science represents an integral spiritual science, necessary to bring about a truly harmonious global civilization. It provides both knowledge of our True Self as well as that of the conscious universe in which we live, revealing all the secrets of nature and natural law.

The Four Vedas

1. The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas and presents the key wisdom of the ancient Rishis. It reflects the power of the Divine Word or universal mantra. It is the most important Vedic text that all the others derive from or are based upon.

2. The Yajur Veda presents the Vedic ritual, which inwardly is a practice of Yoga involving speech, breath and mind. About a third of it are mantras from the Rig Veda.

3. The Sama Veda is the Veda of music and song showing the ecstasy of Self-realization. It consists entirely of Rig Veda mantras set to a different and more complex chant.

4. The Atharva Veda provides additional special mantric insights for particular issues including healing. It contains many mantras from both Rig and Yajur Vedas, as well as many of its own.

The Brahmanas and Aranyakas
The Brahmanas provide ritualistic interpretations of Vedic mantras that also reflect yogic and mantric practices, much like the Yajur Veda. The Aranyakas extend this knowledge on a meditational level. There are numerous and long Brahmana texts, notably Taittiriya and Satapatha, but only a few Aranyakas, notably Taittiriya and Aitareya.

The Upanishads are clearest and most understandable portion of the mysterious Vedas. They present the spiritual secret of the Vedas, the knowledge of the Supreme Self or Divine I-am. They contain many yogic secrets as well. There are over a dozen old Upanishads of the late Vedic period with over a hundred Upanishads from later times.

The Bhagavad Gita of Sri Krishna, which comes from the Mahabharata, is regarded as the essence of the Upanishads and is perhaps the clearest and most significant single Vedic text.

Vedangas and Vedic Astrology
There are six limbs of the Vedas of which the most important is Jyotish or Astrology. The others are Chandas (Meter), Nirukta (Etymology), Shiksha (Pronunciation), Vyakarana (Grammar), and Kalpa (Ritual). Most of these deal with sound and mantra.

Vedic astrology unfolds the entire science of time and karma, making it essential for our right living both individually and collectively. Knowledge of our birth chart through Vedic astrology helps us navigate through the winding streams of our karma toward the timeless goal of our soul. Jyotish has its own vast literature like the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra or the works of Varaha Mihira.

Upavedas and Ayurveda
There are four Upavedas or Secondary Vedas of which the most important is Ayurveda or Vedic medicine. The others are Dhanur Veda (martial arts), Sthapatya Veda (Architecture) and Gandharva Veda (Music).

Ayurveda is not just a medical system but shows us how to find well-being and harmony in terms of body, mind and soul, covering our entire nature physical, psychological and spiritual. Knowing our individual Ayurvedic constitution and the appropriate life-style for it we can maximize all the potentials of our being and attain the full life of our soul. Ayurveda has many classical texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and the Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhatta.

Yoga
Yoga is the practice of Vedic knowledge that develops our inner faculties through meditation, leading us ultimately to Self-realization. While there are many forms of Yoga, the main classical system is the eightfold or Ashtanga system which constitutes the Raja Yoga of Patanjali. This in turn reflects older traditions found in the Mahabharata, Puranas, Upanishads and Vedas. Raja Yoga is an integral science of asana, pranayama, mantra and meditation based upon dharmic living principles. Its popular physical side in the West today is only its outer aspect.

Vedanta
Vedanta is the practical philosophy that arises from the Upanishads and systematizes their teachings. Its Advaita or non-dualistic form, such as found in the works of Shankaracharya, teaches the unity of the soul (Jiva) and the Creator (Ishvara) in the Supreme Self (Paramatman) or Absolute (Brahman) beyond time, space and karma. Devotional philosophies of Vedanta, like those of Ramanuja, Madhva and Chaitanya, emphasize the Divine as the Supreme Person (Purushottama).

Itihasa-Purana
These are encyclopediias of sacred knowledge and stories, covering all aspects of life and culture. There are about twenty Puranas and two Itihasas, the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the stories of Krishna and Rama. Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Jyotish are common topics in them, often explained in great detail.

Tantra
Tantra is a profound yogic path of ritual, mantra, and meditation. It centers on the devotional worship of Lord Shiva and his consort, the Goddess or Divine Mother. Real Tantra is concerned with the integration of male and female energies in the psyche through internal yogic practices. The sexual Tantra popular in the West is only the lower side of this greater system.

Tantric insights and practices are important in Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology. The worship of the Ten Great Wisdom Forms of the Goddess (Dasha Mahavidya) is one of the key Tantric practices, as is the Sri Vidya or knowledge of Sri Yantra.

Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma)
The following definition of Hinduism comes from the Supreme Court of India:

1. Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence as the highest authority in religious and philosophical matters and the Vedas as interpreted by Hindu thinkers and philosophers as the sole foundation of Hindu philosophy.

2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and appreciate the opponent's point of view based on the realization that truth is many-sided.

3. Acceptance by all six systems of Hindu philosophy of a great world rhythm, vast periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution that follow each other in endless succession.

4. Acceptance by all systems of Hindu philosophy of rebirth and preexistence of the soul.

5. Recognition of the fact that the means or ways to liberation are many.

6. Realization of the truth that though the Gods to be worshipped may be many, yet there are also Hindus who do not believe in the worship of images.

7. Unlike other religions or religious creeds the Hindu religion is not tied down to any final set of philosophical concepts or beliefs as such.