The Brain Optimization Institute is equally devoted to healing and education. All of the healing services offered by the institute are provided by our faculty, licensed professionals & certified practitioners in their respective fields.

4361 Tujunga Ave., Suite B
Studio City, CA 91604
Los Angeles
Office: 818-508-1720

MAP AND DIRECTIONS

University of Healing Arts Catalogue

The University of Healing Arts Promise of Quality

We deliver focused information with deep substance that is respectful of the student’s time. Classes are kept to a maximum of seven students, making each student’s learning experience a high priority. The course content directly addresses the information necessary for an effective practice, with no superfluous detail. UHA is ideal for those who value their time.

Class Schedules
Courses with Certification

Available as 5-month programs or 2-week Intensives

* Nutriton with emphasis in Brain Nutrition Counseling (info)
* Life Coaching (info)
* Spiritual Psychology Counseling (info)

Masters Program

* Masters in Life Coaching (info)
* Masters in Spiritual Psychology (info)

Yoga Teacher Certification

Available as 5-month programs or 2-week Intensives

* Raja Yoga Training with Certification (info

Signing Up for a Certification Course

Groups are small - maximum seven students, per instructor, in one class. This system ensures that the student receives the necessary personal interaction with the instructor and does not waste his or her time with the slow pace of a class with dozens or even hundreds of students.  If you intend to get certified in any of our courses you may consider reserving your space in advance. For information about the upcoming courses, please give us a call.

The Length of Our Masters Program

Our Masters Degree programs requires the completion of 3 certification courses. These courses cover the 3 fundamental aspects of counseling and coaching: the physical, mental and spiritual. Each certification takes 5 months - unless you complete them in the intensive format. Additionally, the student will need to complete a practicum of 21 supervised sessions, and a twenty-page dissertation. Depending on your personal schedule, the courses, practicum and dissertations can be taken one at a time or within a fairly concurrent time frame.

Certifications: The Foundation of UHA Masters Degrees

The UHA Masters degrees are based on certification in the following fundamental fields: Brain Nutrition Counseling, Life Coaching and Spiritual Psychology. Together they address the 3 fundamental aspects of human life: physical, mental and spiritual.  

The Unique Value of UHA Certifications

Certifications are rarely, or perhaps never, recognized or credited as valid steps towards a Masters Degree. The University of Healing Arts acknowledges the significant investment and effort that obtaining a serious certification represents; therefore completion of UHA certification programs is credited towards the UHA Masters Degrees.

There are three certification courses required to attain a Masters. Each has been specifically designed to be a crucial part of an integrated, harmonious program that leads to true mastery. Additionally, upon graduation, the UHA program offers you the valuable flexibility of working either as a Life Coach or a Spiritual Psychology Counselor.

Throughout the Masters program, the student receives a solid preparation in the three fundamental aspects of life that govern health and happiness – physical, mental and spiritual.

What You Will Learn

You will be taught the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively coach or counsel your clients towards the fulfillment of their life's purpose and soul potential.  You will be taught how to guide them towards a fulfilling experience in the three fundamental aspects of life: physical (nutrition and caring for the physical vehicle), mental (positive thinking and caring for the mind), and spiritual (caring for the soul’s agenda and the “return home” into pure Consciousness).

Transfer of Credits or Degrees

The University of Healing Arts acknowledges that obtaining a Bachelor's degree almost always involves a significant effort and financial investment on the part of the student. Therefore, in most cases, it is our policy to accept a student’s Bachelor's degree and welcome them to graduate studies. You will be required to present proof that you have completed a Bachelor's program.  In case you have not yet attained a Bachelor's degree, you can still receive certification in any of our main certifications - Brain Nutrition Counseling, Life Coaching, Relationship Coaching and Spiritual Psychology.  These certifications can in the future, be applied towards your Master's degree, once you have completed a Bachelors program.  

Who are the Founders?

The founders of the University of Healing Arts and the Brain Optimization Institute are Juan Pablo Girardi, MS, MA, MFT and Viviana Girardi, B.A. CYT. Juan Pablo was born into an Italian/Spanish family in South America.  From early childhood he felt a great interest in science and later for the humanities, especially for the psychology of Consciousness.  At 24 , he graduated in engineering from the most prestigious University in Chile at that time.  After marrying Viviana, at 30, their spiritual interests brought them to the U.S.  Here, Juan Pablo completed a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and obtained his MFT State License (Marriage Family Therapist).  Juan Pablo has accumulated extensive clinical and coaching experience, gained through more than fifteen years of working with clients.  For over thirty years, he has also been deeply involved in spirituality, especially in non-dual teachings.

Viviana Giradi was born in one of the most beautiful places on the planet in the southern part of Chile.  From early childhood she felt a natural inclination towards sports and physical education. She graduated from the University of Chile with a Bachelor's in physical education. In her early twenties she felt a deep interest in the spiritual life and Yoga.  She has practiced Yoga for over thirty years. She was certified as a Yoga teacher by Erich Shiffman and she has been teaching Yoga for several years at the University of Healing Arts.

Accreditations

The University of Healing Arts and The Brain Optimization Institute are non-mainstream institutions. They are completely independent of any external financial or political interests, including dependency on shareholders or government funding. Our mission is Graduate Education at its best - that is our main focus.  If this is what you really want, we are here to serve you.  

Scholarships and Financial Aid

UHA and BOI are pleased to present their students with access to an entirely interest-FREE loan program. This can be applied, not only to all of our certifications and Masters programs, but also to our excellent healing arts modalities. For more information please contact us.

Class Duration and Scheduling

In the 5-month format, classes are held once a week. They last between one and half hour to two hours. Each week there is homework assigned for the following class.  Classes are usually held in the evenings, at our offices and classrooms in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.  Each certification takes about five months to complete (21 weeks.)

 
In the 2-week format, classes are held twice a day in the morning, and the rest of the day is devoted to personal work and homework. The first week’s coursework is comprised of five days - Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be spent on leisure and recreation. We encourage the student to make use of the many enjoyable activities available in Los Angeles. The second week, Monday through Friday, class schedule will be a repeat the first week. The final class of the program and celebration for completion will be held Saturday morning. We encourage you to use the remainder of the weekend for rest and recreation. We encourage you to stay a little longer in Los Angeles and enjoy the myriad diversions it offers.

Books and Homework

The courses require the student read from specific books that have been carefully selected to deliver the maximum study value. These books are all provided by the University or the Institute and are included in the price of the courses. After each class the student will have homework to complete for the following class. Most of these assignments involve reading a certain chapters from the books provided. You can expect an average of 2-3 hours of homework after each class. Occasionally the homework will involve seeing a particular movie that illustrates the study material or performing writing of an introspective nature.

Student Confidentiality

The student's personal and academic information, including e-mail correspondence, is completely confidential. The University of Healing Arts and The Brain Optimization Institute do not share this information with any other organization. 

Grades

No grading system is applied at any stage at the University of Healing Arts or at The Brain Optimization Institute. However, we do require a one hundred percent attendance of the classes and the completion of all the reading and assignments.

Completion of Classes and Homework

The certifications are granted upon completion all of the 21 classes and each one of the homework assignments. An honor system is used and the students sign an attendance sheet indicating they have completed their homework.

Missed Classes

Students can make up a maximum of two missed classes for no extra charge, in each course. This is done through one-on-one tutoring, by arrangement with the instructor. If the student misses more than two classes, there will be a reasonable charge for tutoring. Students are also welcome to make up missed sessions in the next quarter for no extra charge.

Dissertations

Each one of the courses requires a 4-page dissertation to be written and submitted before certification can be granted; either during the course or following completion. The subject of the dissertation is to be agreed upon by the student and the instructor.  During the course, the instructor may suggest various subjects that would be appropriate for an interesting, exciting dissertations. The students can then choose, according to their natural inclinations.

The final dissertation for the Masters degrees must be at least 20 pages. The topic chosen by the student may be in either Life Coaching or Spiritual Psychology. 

The review of the dissertation and feedback from the instructor, are included in the tuition.  Dissertations are graded on a pass/fail system. If the student's dissertation does not meet a reasonable standard he or she will be asked to improve his/her work.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for students that have graduated from the University of Healing Arts are varied and numerous, including the following: Teaching, Healing, Lecturing, Writing books and articles, Life Coaching, Spiritual Psychology Counseling, Wellness Coaching, Relationship Coaching, Brain Nutritional Counseling, General Nutritional Counseling, Retreat Facilitator, Creator of Educational CDs and videos, Yoga Instructor, Owner of a Yoga Studio, Founder of a holistic or wellness center and more.

Long Distance Certifications and Degrees

You can obtain certification in Brain Nutrition Counseling, Life Coaching , Spiritual Psychology Counseling or as a Raja Yoga teacher anywhere in The World by bringing together a group of interested participants. UHA will send a qualified instructor to your city. Have even more fun learning with your own group of friends or colleagues. UHA’s certification courses are available in either English or Spanish.

Note: The programs presented below are subject to changes at any time. This is to keep our curriculums as up to date as possible.

Nutrition with emphasis in Brain Nutrition Counseling™ Curriculum

N-BNC-1 - Healing the brain through scientific use of Carbohydrates and the application of this research to BNC.
(2 weeks)

N-BNC-2 - Healing the brain through scientific use of Protein and the application of this knowledge to BNC.
(2 weeks)

N-BNC-3 - Healing the brain through scientific use of Fats and the application of this to BNC.
(2 weeks)

N-BNC-4- Psychometric systems approach to balancing the neurotransmitters through natural supplements and the application of this scientific/clinical methodology to Brain Nutrition Counseling (BNC).
(3 weeks)

N-BNC-5 - How to correct sleep disorders affecting the brain using natural substances and the application of this natural and scientific approach to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-6-Fundamental, general supplementation to optimize brain functioning, increase intelligence, prolong youth, and extend life span and the application of this approach to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-7 - Use of supplements to optimize increasing blood flow to the brain while at the same time protecting and healing the cardiovascular system and the application of this research-based knowledge to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-8 - Minerals that affect brain function directly and indirectly and pertinent research, the corresponding supplementation, and the application of this information to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-9 - Antioxidants that have an impact on decreasing inflammation, improving brain health and optimizing brain functioning and pertinent research and the application of this crucial information to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-10 - Unique vitamins that have a powerful impact on brain functioning and the use of these nutrients in BNC.
(1 week)

N-BN-11 - The Brain - Gut Connection. How to heal, and improve the digestive and assimilation system, how this leads to a healthy, optimal brain and how this understanding is applied to BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-12 - Chelation of heavy metals and the brain. The ancient battle of the body to keep heavy metals away from the brain and modern natural technologies for oral chelation supporting this process and applications to BNC. 
(1 week)

N-BNC-13 - Natural antibiotics: How to combat germs, viruses and fungus using natural, powerful antibiotic substances. How this healing work can produce profound and rapid healing in the brain and how these solutions can be presented in BNC.
(1 week)

N-BNC-14 - Exitotoxins and immune disorders affecting the brain due to environmental pollutants. How you can protect yourself and protect your client’s in an environment that is more toxic to the human brain than ever.
(1 week)

N-BNC-15 - Case Analysis (Vignettes)
(1 week)

N-BNC Course Length: 21 weeks, or 2 weeks in the intensive format

Life Coaching with Certification Curriculum

LCC- 1 - The Power of Self-Caring. Assessing and helping your client to optimize Self-Caring - a fundamental  aspect of manifesting his or her Life Purpose.
(3 weeks)

LCC- 2 -The Science of Typology. Assessing your client’s type and guiding them towards authentic goals.
(4 weeks)

LCC- 3 - Cognitive Psychology.  Using empirical, Cognitive Psychology to help your client to identify and correct self defeating thoughts and beliefs.
(4 weeks)

LCC- 4 -From Victim to Victor. Using the powerful Victim, Victor and Vehicle model to help the client to move from the Victim to the Victor state and beyond.
(1 week)

LCC- 5 - Self-Concept. Assessing and correcting negative, self-defeating thoughts, affecting self-esteem and self-concepts in your client.
(1 week)

LCC- 6 - Metaphysics. Pros and cons of metaphysics. The law of attraction. Positive expectations vs. no expectations. Metaphysical techniques to create positive expectations - Positive Denial, Positive Illusions, Scripting, Affirmations technique, and more. Applications to coaching.
(3 weeks)
 
LCC-7 - The Life Coaching Process. Self-Caring, Identification of the Life Purpose, Goal Setting, Action Planning, Staying Focus, Dealing with Expectations. Applications to coaching your client.
(2 weeks)

LCC- 8 - How to dramatically decrease stress regarding outcome, by managing expectations. How to integrate the ethics and freedom of Karma Yoga in the coaching process. How this automatically leads to the highest ethical standards.
(1 week)

LCC- 9 - Healing the relationship with money. Business principles to create your own Life Coaching practice. The pitfalls of “dual relationships” and other issues. Ethics.
(2 weeks) 

LCC Course Length: 21 weeks, or 2 weeks in the intensive format.

Spiritual Psychology Counseling with Certification Curriculum

SPC- 1 - The Soul Level. The birth of individuality. Levels of spiritual development. The Soul's compassionate accountability. Vocation is a Soul issue.  Life purpose and the script for an incarnation. Applications to Spiritual Psychology Counseling (SPC).
(3 weeks)

SPC- 2 - The Map of Consciousness. Assessing and healing shame, guilt, despair, fear, sadness, anger and excessive pride and how to approach these issues in SPC.
(5 weeks)

SPC- 3 - Metaphysics vs. Mysticism and their place in SPC.
(1 week) 

SPC- 4 - Living a Life Free of Expectations and how this can be presented in SPC.
(1 week) 

SPC- 5 - The Art of Accepting the Present Moment. Why time does not exist? The Power of Surrender and how this is central to SPC.
(3 weeks)

SPC- 6 - The Power of Bhakti Yoga and where it figures in SPC.
(1 week)

SPC- 7 - The Path of Self-Inquiry and how to utilize this technique in SPC.
(2 weeks)

SPC- 8 - The Power of the non-dual Advaita Path, a key philosophy and Non-dual Therapy in SPC. How the modern Advaitists are transforming our world from inside out.
(5 weeks)

SPC Course Length: 21 weeks, or 2 weeks in the intensive format.

Curriculum for the Masters of Arts in Life Coaching with Emphasis in Specialty of Your Choice

MA-1 - Completion of the Certification in Nutrition with emphasis in Brain Nutrition Counseling™. 
(21 weeks)

MA-2 - Completion of the Certification in Life Coaching. 
(21 weeks)

MA-3 - Completion of the Certification in Spiritual Psychology Counseling.
(21 weeks)

MA-4 - Completion of the Practicum. 21 supervised sessions, one-on-one, with the instructor.
(21 weeks)

MALC-5 - Completion of a 20-page dissertation on a subject related to Life Coaching.

Note: The Certification Courses leading to this Masters Degree can be pursued sequentially or concurrently.  When taken sequentially, completion of the Masters program may last as long as two years. If taken together, for highly motivated students, the Masters can be completed in about a year, or even less.

Curriculum for the Masters of Arts in Spiritual Psychology Counseling with Emphasis in Specialty of Your Choice

MA-1 - Completion of the Certification in Nutrition with emphasis in Brain Nutrition Counseling™. 
(21 weeks)

MA-2 - Completion of the Certification in Life Coaching 
(21 weeks)

MA-3 - Completion of the Certification in Spiritual Psychology Counseling
(21 weeks)

MA-4 - Completion of the Practicum. 21 supervised sessions, one-on-one, with the instructor. 
(21 weeks, approximately)

MASPC-5 - Completion of a 20-page dissertation on a subject related to Spiritual Psychology Counseling.

Note: The Certification Courses leading to this Masters Degree can be pursued sequentially or concurrently.  When taken sequentially, completion of the Masters program may last as long as two years. If taken together, for highly motivated students, the Masters can be completed in about a year, or even less.

Curriculum for the Raja Yoga Training with Certification

RY-1 - Introduction to the Course. Raja Yoga and the The Four Yogas. (1 week)

RY-2 - The Soul Level. The birth of individuality. Levels of spiritual development and the role of Yoga. The Soul's compassionate accountability. Vocation is a Soul issue.  Life purpose and the script for an incarnation. Applications to Yoga.
(1 week)

RY-3 - The Map of Consciousness. Assessing and healing shame, guilt, despair, fear, sadness, anger and excessive pride and how this emotions can prevent the yogi to attain the Realization of the Self. Metaphysics vs. Mysticism and their place in Yoga. (1 week)

RY-4 - Internal Freedom From Expectations vs. External Monastic Renunciation. (1 week)

RY-5 - The Power and Potential Dangers of Bhakti Yoga when this is presented in a cult or sect format. (1 week)

RY-6 - Hatha Yoga 1 (1 week)

RY-7 - Hatha Yoga 2 (1 week)

RY-8 - Hatha Yoga 3 (1 week)

RY-9 - Hatha Yoga 4 (1 week)

RY-10 - Hatha Yoga 5 (1 week)

RY-11 - Hatha Yoga 6 (1 week)

RY-12 - Hatha Yoga 7 (1 week)

RY-13 - Nutrition for yogis. A yoga practice that neglects nutrition is a recipe for failure. In this class and its corresponding homework the student will learn the foundation of good nutrition, based on modern research and devoid of extremes or “isms” of any type. (1 week)

RY-14 - Teaching Meditation, guided meditations and Open Focus. Biofeedback as a very effective tool for teaching meditation and relaxation. How biofeedback can enhance the work as a yoga teacher and increase revenue. (1 week)

RY-15 - Cognitive Psychology -- Objective thinking is the first step towards Jnana Yoga (1 week)

RY-16 - Surrender and Accepting of the present Moment -- key to enlightenment. (1 week)

RY-17 - Ramana Maharshi and the liberating Power of Self-enquiry (1 week)

RY-18 - The Non-Dual Teachings of Nisargadata and Ramesh (1 week)

RY-19 - Contemporary Power of the non-dual path - the Modern Advaita Teachers (1 week)

RY-20 - Business Principles to succeed in Yoga (1 week)

RY-21 - The liberating and highest ethics of Karma Yoga (1 week)

4361 Tujunga Ave., Suite B
Studio City, CA 91604
Los Angeles
Office: 818-508-1720

MAP AND DIRECTIONS