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Bachelor’s Specialization in Yoga & Ayurveda Wellnessonline

Discover the complete meaning of yoga

Watch the video about how yoga can be more than just asanas, 36 seconds

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Yoga is more than just physical exercise. Complete Yoga is a state of unity, experienced as perfect harmony between mind, body, and nature.

Watch the video about how yoga can be more than just asanas, 36 seconds

In this one-of-a-kind program, you’ll dive deep into the fundamental aspects of Yoga philosophy. At the same time, you’ll learn to establish and maintain the state of Yoga in your life through a variety of modalities, including the practice of the Yoga Asana (yoga postures), Transcendental Meditation technique, Pranayama (breathing exercises), and Ayurveda.

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MIU’s Yoga Teacher Training curriculum is credentialed by Yoga Alliance and graduates may register as an RYT200.

Ayurveda wellness

We teach the Maharishi AyurVedaSM health system – the modern, scientific revival of complete Ayurveda. Maharishi AyurVeda includes balancing the deepest value of mind – consciousness, which is the basis of balancing the body. It incorporates all aspects of mind, body, behavior, and environment in a scientific framework.

What is Ayurveda?

logo “Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is considered a complementary health approach.”

Is Ayurveda effective?

logo“Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care.”

Specialize in Consciousness-based Approach to Yoga

Consciousness-based Yoga is comprehensive in that it’s designed to cultivate coherence between mind, body, and consciousness. This system of Yoga naturally cultures the experience of “steady pleasantness” in mind and body and supports the expansion of consciousness. Referred to as Maharishi Yoga Asanas, this special approach was developed by MIU’s founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Maharishi Yoga Asanas are complemented by an intellectual framework rooted in profound insights from Yoga philosophy and the classic Yogic texts — Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and more.

In a research study published in the International Journal of Yoga, Maharishi Yoga Asanas were found to produce a “significant increase in happiness during the day and significant improvements in (1) sense of personal self, (2) transpersonal qualities, and (3) transpersonal self.”

In addition to this specialization, students will also be introduced to other styles and aspects of Yoga so that they know from direct experience the profound benefits of Maharishi’s Approach to Yoga.

Established in Yoga, perform action

Watch the video about finding what you stand for, 1 minuteAs a graduate of this program, you’ll be able to effectively teach the principles and practices of Maharishi’s Approach to Yoga in a yoga studio, wellness center, corporate or community setting of your choice. In addition to learning the postures and developing a refined personal practice, you’ll study the benefits of each asana, modifications, and contraindications.

Courses on anatomy and physiology will lay the foundation for lesson planning and personalization to help students move safely and comfortably through a class.

Required 2-week residencies

Watch the video about the residencies for the Bachelor's Specialization in Yoga, 1 minute and 11 secondsThough this program is primarily online, students are required to attend two 2-week in-person immersive yoga teacher trainings. The first occurs in the fall term and the second occurs in the spring term. These in-residence trainings give the student the opportunity to receive support in their personal yoga practice, as well as practice teaching, hands-on assists, cueing, variations, and modifications.

Get started by contacting Jenny Beth

Jenny Beth , admissions counselorJenny Beth is this program’s admissions counselor for US students. Jenny Beth will provide you with all the details of becoming a student, including connecting you with the program director or faculty.

Contact Jenny Beth >

International applicants may connect with us through our international inquiry form.


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Aug ’25 (campus & online)
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Degree requirements

To graduate with a Specialization in Life & Wellness Coaching, students must complete:


The Specialization in Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness is available only to US students.

Courses for this specialization may include

Featured faculty

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Fred Travis, PhD, Director

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Dr. Travis is Professor of Maharishi Vedic Science, Chair of the Department of Maharishi Vedic Science, Dean of the Graduate School, and Director of the Center for Brain, Consciousness, & Cognition. He earned an MS and PhD in Psychology from Maharishi International University and a BS in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University.

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Meredith Hart, MSc, Lead Instructor

meredith-hart

Meredith found her way to MIU after many years of study and practice in yoga, ayurveda, somatics, and bodywork. She holds an undergraduate degree in Transpersonal Psychology with a Yoga Therapy emphasis and is a graduate of the MAVIM program at MIU. Meredith was previously an undergraduate lead instructor in the primary courses in Maharishi AyurVeda and now teaches solely in the yoga specialization program at MIU. She is a graduate of five yoga teacher trainings including the MYA instructor training. She is a credentialed advanced yoga teacher and teacher trainer with Yoga Alliance (ERYT500) and a credentialed yoga therapist with International Association of Yoga Therapy (CIAYT).

With over two decades of practical experience, Meredith maintains a full-time practice in the healing arts which includes Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, and Yogic Counseling in the Bay Area, California where she regularly collaborates with allied health professionals. She plans to pursue her PhD at MIU in the Vedic Sciences. She is very happy to be a part of this wonderful program and school that facilitates Self-healing and transformation through knowledge and practice at MIU – a place and community that she also considers home.
Sankari Wegman

Śankari Menon Wegman, PhD, Adjunct Instructor

Sankari Wegman

Śankari was born in India and grew up on the east coast, where her initial love of physiology led her to pursue her first bachelors in Biology, specializing in premedical studies. Her interest in the philosophy behind physiology led her to pursue a second degree in Philosophy and Bioethics, and when she learned Transcendental Meditation and joined the program in Maharishi Ayurveda at MIU, the union of philosophy and physiology felt truly unified both at a deeply personal level and in her clinical practice. Inspired by the vision of Maharishi Ayurveda in helping individuals live in optimal health, happiness, and in harmony with their environment, she went on to complete her Master’s in Physiology and her Ph.D. in Physiology and Health at MIU. Her doctoral dissertation evaluated an undergraduate medical education curriculum that incorporated Maharishi Ayurveda and its impact on the practice of integrative medicine and the personal well-being of those future physicians.

Śankari has been an ayurvedic practitioner for over 20 years and has years of practice at the Raj Health Spa and the Integrative Wellness Clinic, under the mentorship and guidance of Vaidya Manohar Palakurthi. She is a certified teacher of the Transcendental Meditation technique, Maharishi Yoga Asanas, and as a Wellness Coach. She is currently in the process of completing her 200 RYT and is the Assistant Director for the Fellowship MS in Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda program for healthcare professionals that will be launching in the fall of 2023. She also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Maharishi School, where she heads the Development of Consciousness committee. She enjoys cooking and baking with her family, learning how to knit, and creating multi-media art projects with her children.

Cost & Aid for bachelor’s degree, 2025-26

US Online Undergraduate

This estimate is based on one year for a typical online Federal Pell Grant recipient (represents 90% of our online undergraduates). File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using our FAFSA code 011113, and then contact our financial aid office for questions on other variables.

Annual Cost and Typical Financial Aid
Tuition and fees$18,190
Grants and scholarship (typical)-$11,700
Net cost per year$6,490
Federal student loan-$6,490
Your payment$0

Part time online enrollment is available. Tuition is $600 per credit with normal load of 9-11 credits. Federal student loans are available and the federal Pell Grant is proportional to the credit load.

Additional Financial Aid Information

    The grants and scholarship described above consist of the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Grant, and institutional scholarship based on (1) full-time enrollment and (2) financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
    Many companies offer tuition assistance programs to their employees. If you’re currently employed, we encourage you to check on this. If they offer assistance, please contact MIU’s Financial Aid office.
    Federal Student Loans have limits based on lifetime usage, annual limits, and limited to the educational costs for each semester. Here are the annual maximum limits:

    • $5,500 per year for first-year dependent
    • $6,500 per year for second-year dependent
    • $7,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year dependent
    • $9,500 per year for first-year independent
    • $10,500 per year for second-year independent
    • $12,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year independent
    Federal Student Loan Repayment is postponed as long as you are enrolled at least half-time each semester. If your enrollment drops below half-time, you have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. There are also postponements for low income and unemployment, as well as repayment based on income and Public Service Forgiveness.

    There are a variety of money-saving tax benefits to assist in reducing the cost of education expenses. More about education tax benefits.
    Veterans should contact the VA for information on Veterans Education Benefits. Veterans eligible for BAH monthly benefits: The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part-time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. Our Veterans Certifying Official is our Director of Financial Aid.

Loan Repayment Options

    Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Payments may be fixed or graduated and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years.
    Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).
    Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.
    Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years.
    Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years.

Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at finaid@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.

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