A foundational course in Ayurvedic cooking
The Art of Nourishment
Learn the foundational principles and elements of Ayurvedic cooking. This in-depth course will teach you how to nourish your body with intention and how to prepare balanced meals for yourself and others.
It includes practical application on a day-to-day basis, recipe guidance, lifestyle integration, live Q&A sessions and detailed materials.
- 6 modulesof Ayurvedic nutrition and cooking
- 50+ retreatsof cooking experience behind it
- Start anytimeself-paced, with monthly live Q&A
What you’ll learn
You will learn how to apply Ayurvedic principles, prepare balanced meals and adapt dishes to your individual needs, and how to use food as medicine to create balance and vitality in your life.
- Foundations of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic nutrition
- The five elements and how to relate to them
- Energy management in the kitchen, kitchen tools and mindful kitchen organization
- How to build balanced meals for all doshas, including the six tastes and the right food combinations
- Kitchen staples, time-saving tips, and eating well on the go + meal planning practice
- Seasonal dosha balancing, applying Ayurvedic principles and listening to your body’s needs
- Nourishment for vitality, immunity and longevity
- Ayurvedic superfoods
Six modules
Across six comprehensive modules, you will be guided through the foundations of Ayurvedic nutrition, food preparation and eating habits.
Each module builds on the previous one, allowing you to learn not only how to plan and prepare Ayurvedic meals but also how to support and nourish your body more deeply.
- 1
Introduction and foundations of Ayurveda
- Foundations of Ayurveda
- The 20 qualities in the context of nutrition
- The 5 elements
- The doshas
- 2
Digestion, natural rhythms and the Ayurvedic clock
- Agni (digestive fire) and how to support it
- Daily routines and natural rhythms
- Signs of imbalance
- 3
Energy in the kitchen and kitchen organization
- The mahagunas and their impact
- Organizing your kitchen
- Mindful cooking and eating
- Kitchen tools
- 4
Planning balanced meals
- Meal structure for balanced meals
- The six tastes (shad rasa)
- Spices
- Food combinations
- Preparation methods
- 5
Kitchen staples, healthy habits and practical tips
- Key kitchen staples
- Approaching food intolerances
- Healthy habits, time-saving hacks and meal prep tricks
- Eating well on the go
- Meal planning practice
- 6
Moving through the seasons and supporting vitality
- Balancing doshas through food and lifestyle
- Responding to your body’s needs through the year and life’s cycles
- Foods and practices for vitality and immunity
- Food as medicine
Built in real kitchens
The course comes from five years of cooking at more than fifty retreats across Europe, often in kitchens that were far from ideal, for groups who needed to be fed well on a schedule. I aim to share an everyday approach to cooking and nourishment, grounded in Ayurvedic tradition.
Join the waitlist
The next cohort is mostly self-paced, with materials released gradually and monthly live Q&A calls. You can start anytime.
Join the waitlist and get my free guide to digestive health.
“Alena cooked for my group in August 2025 and did a beautiful job. It was particularly commendable as the location was quite challenging. She was able to innovate and shift to a difficult environment, still resulting in beautiful nourishing meals in a timely manner. It was an excellent outcome.”
– Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule
Hi, I’m Alena
Over the past five years, I’ve cooked at more than 50 retreats across Europe, taking on a wide range of roles, from kitchen apprentice to leader, and thriving in solo gigs that challenged me to wear many hats.
Each experience taught me not just how to run a kitchen, but how to create nourishing meals that truly support people’s wellbeing.
After every retreat, participants would ask me about my recipes, eager to take home as much inspiration as they could. What they didn’t realize is that Ayurvedic cooking is so much more than following recipes.
Through this course, I hope to inspire you to rethink your approach to cooking and eating, to spark joy, and to see food as medicine.
Questions you might have
I don’t eat a vegetarian diet. Is this course for me?
Yes. The recipes are vegetarian, but the principles apply however you eat. The point is to understand the qualities of each ingredient well enough to build a balanced plate. I may add non-vegetarian recipes to the recipe library later, and you will have access to all ongoing recipe additions.
Do I need prior experience with Ayurveda or cooking?
No. Whether you’re just starting out or deepening what you know, the course meets you where you are.
Do I need special equipment?
No. A stovetop, a couple of pots, a cutting board, a knife, and some bowls and spoons are enough.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Written materials can be downloaded. The videos are available for at least one year, and beyond that for as long as the course exists.
What if I can’t attend a live Q&A call?
Everything is recorded, so you can watch it later.
Where do I find the spices and ingredients?
The common spices are easy to find. The goal isn’t to cook with exotic ingredients that all have to be imported, but to work with what is easily available.
Do I need to know my dosha before I start?
No. Module 1 introduces the doshas and the five elements, so you can start from scratch.
What if I have food intolerances?
Module 5 covers how to approach food intolerances, and the recipes can be adapted. If you have allergies or medical conditions, I recommend a 1:1 consultation with me before you start.
Is this suitable if my family isn’t into Ayurveda or healthy eating?
Yes. With kids, it’s mostly about getting them curious and involving them in the preparation. With adults, it’s their own responsibility: you can offer alternatives, but it’s not up to you to change their habits. Once they feel the difference in their body, they often come around on their own. Take it one step at a time.
How can I ask questions along the way?
Leave a comment on the module page, and I’ll reply. There are also monthly live Q&A calls.
When does it start, and can I join later?
The next cohort is mostly self-paced. Materials are released gradually, and you can start anytime.