Learn Ayurveda Cooking from Scratch: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever wondered how to eat for your body type or cook meals that support energy and digestion, you’re not alone. A growing number of people are discovering Ayurveda—a centuries-old holistic healing system from India—and how it can transform their relationship with food.

Today, I’m reviewing one of the most beginner-friendly resources in this space: the Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners online course by Vidya Living on Udemy.

Whether you’re new to cooking, interested in plant-based diets, or simply looking for a more mindful way to eat, this could be the start of a delicious health journey.

Let’s break down what makes this course special and why so many people are turning to Ayurveda cooking online.

What Is Ayurveda Cooking and Why Does It Matter?

Ayurveda is more than just a “diet.” It’s a lifestyle approach that focuses on your unique body type (or dosha), the seasons, and how foods interact with your digestion.

Ayurveda cooking emphasizes:

• Seasonal eating
• Using herbs and spices for healing
• Warm, nourishing meals
• Tailoring your meals to your body’s imbalances

What’s beautiful is that beginner courses like the one by Claire Ragozzino and Julie Bernier simplify these ancient principles into practical lessons for modern kitchens.

You don’t have to be a herbalist or nutritionist to get started—you just need an open mind and a wooden spoon.

Overview: What’s Inside Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners

Offered on Udemy by Vidya Living, this course is a four-week immersive experience designed for complete beginners.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• ✅ Four live-recorded Ayurvedic cooking classes (originally on Zoom)
• ✅ A 22-recipe eBook featuring vegetarian, dosha-balancing meals
• ✅ Weekly video lessons, worksheets, and tools
• ✅ Guided menu planning for daily support
• ✅ A private online community for questions & interaction

What’s especially helpful is how hands-on the course design is. You literally cook alongside the instructors, pausing videos as needed. It’s as close to real-time mentorship as you can get without stepping into a cooking school.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is perfect for you if:

• You’re curious about Ayurveda but overwhelmed by where to start
• You need a structured, week-by-week system
• You’re interested in vegetarian or plant-based meals
• You want to learn how food can support emotional and physical balance
• You enjoy cooking with intention, not just for fuel

It’s especially tailored for total beginners. If Ayurvedic terms like “Vata” or “Agni” sound foreign, don’t worry—this course explains it all in plain, approachable language.

Pros and Cons: Is It Really Worth It?

✅ Pros

• Accessible curriculum designed specifically for beginners
• Combines theory (what Ayurveda is) with practical kitchen skills
• Encourages mindful cooking habits
• Offers online peer support and instructor Q&A
• Lifetime access to materials

⚠️ Cons

• No meat or animal protein recipes (strictly vegetarian)
• Live sessions are now delivered as pre-recorded videos
• Lacks certification if that’s your goal
• Few public reviews on Trustpilot or major platforms

Note: While it’s not the most advanced training out there, it’s a fantastic entry point—especially if you want to shift your cooking in a healthier, more nurturing direction.

Why This Course Stands Out (vs. Competitors)

So how does it compare with other Ayurvedic cooking programs?

Unlike pricier in-person certifications like Hale Pule (which requires over 100 hours of instruction), the Vidya Living course suits busy people. You can complete it on your own time without travel, kitchen overhauls, or a culinary background.

Compared to quick workshops like Cozymeal (usually 2-hour in-person dinners), it offers deeper learning. You’ll come away understanding not just WHAT to cook, but WHY to make those food choices for your dosha.

🔗 According to Ayurveda educator Julie Bernier, the key to Ayurvedic eating is adapting to your body’s ups and downs—not following rigid meal plans. This course makes that shift simple and doable. Source: Vidya Living

What Students Are Saying

While official testimonials are limited on public sites, here’s what we gathered from blog posts and discussion boards:

• “It totally changed how I prep meals during the week. I finally feel confident supporting my digestion.”
• “The recipe book is gold. I revisit it every season.”
• “Not a deep dive into Ayurveda science, but perfect for feeling nourished and grounded.”

Some Reddit users caution that Ayurveda can be pseudo-scientific if not taught well. In this case, however, the educators hold recognized credentials and experience in clinical practice and Holistic Nutrition.

What You’ll Learn in Week One (Sample)

Here’s a snapshot from the first week you log in:

• Discover your dosha and how it affects your digestion
• Set up your Ayurvedic pantry with essential spices and grains
• Learn how to make kitchari—a detoxifying Ayurvedic comfort food
• Practice an Ayurvedic morning routine

You’re given clear, easy-to-follow videos and can cook along in real time or at your own pace.

Pricing: Is It a Good Deal?

Let’s talk dollars.

The current course is priced between $199 and $249, depending on promotions. That includes:

• 4 weeks of guided learning
• 22 vegetarian recipes with meal planning
• Instructor guidance + community access
• Lifetime resource access

Compare that to a private Ayurvedic coach at $100+ per hour, and you’re getting serious value.

Plus, since it’s hosted on Udemy, you may catch a flash sale that drops it down significantly (we’ve seen discounts as low as $19.99 during events).

Pro tip: Look out for Udemy’s semi-annual sales in January, June, and November for 90% off rotations.

Final Verdict: Should You Enroll?

If you’re ready to hit reset on your cooking habits and nourish your body with purpose, this course is a smart, empowering choice.

You’re not only learning recipes. You’re learning how to listen to your body—and that’s priceless.

✅ Great for:

• Complete beginners
• People exploring holistic wellness
• Seasonal eaters or vegetarians

⛔ Not ideal for:

• Advanced practitioners
• Those needing meat-inclusive meal plans
• Certification seekers

Based on hands-on content, credible instructors, and real-world usability, I rate it a solid 8.5/10 for beginners.

Why wait for better health to start next year?

Take one small, intentional step today—your kitchen (and gut) will thank you for it.

🔍 Source Credibility:

According to course overview and feedback at VidyaLiving.com and Ayurvedic-focused blogs, the course has proven helpful for beginners seeking digestible, foundational Ayurvedic knowledge.

Let your next kitchen session serve more than cravings—let it serve healing.

Happy cooking!