Foundations of Ayurveda

Foundations of Ayurveda is a 200-hour online Ayurveda training from the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, offered through Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is for people who want a grounded introduction to Ayurveda, whether for their own daily life or as the first step toward becoming a 650-hour Ayurvedic Health Counselor or a 300-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher. Erin Casperson, Director of the School of Ayurveda, Larissa Hall Carlson and Kate O'Donnell are among the presenters, and the program also lists Scott Blossom and other faculty.

What to Expect

The training runs from January to June and blends live online sessions with self-paced study. Between sessions, at-home assignments give you time to practice the material rather than only hear about it. The Kripalu approach pairs education with experiential learning, so philosophy, practical skills and personal exploration sit side by side.

The curriculum covers six areas:

- The doshas: the core principles of Ayurvedic balance.
- Dinacharya: daily routines for modern life, including care of the senses, sleep, and mindfulness aligned with natural rhythms.
- Ayurvedic cooking: seasonal eating, digestion tips and Ayurvedic nutrition.
- Introductory Sanskrit: a look into the language of this ancient science.
- Ayurveda-informed yoga and meditation: yoga, pranayama and mindfulness practices seen through an Ayurvedic lens.
- Ayurvedic psychology: working with the mind to cultivate balance and well-being.

Live sessions rotate across Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Wednesday sessions run 4:00 to 6:00 pm Eastern, for 21 weeks. On select Fridays and Saturdays, sessions run 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern. Select Sundays run 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Eastern.

About Erin Casperson

Erin Casperson is a yoga teacher and the Director of the School of Ayurveda at Kripalu. She leads the program's information sessions and is one of its lead presenters.

About Larissa Hall Carlson

Larissa Hall Carlson is a yoga teacher and a member of the faculty for this training.

About Scott Blossom

Scott Blossom is a yoga teacher and presents within the program.

About Kate O'Donnell

Kate O'Donnell is listed among the presenters of the training.

The Setting

This training takes place online, so you can join from home. It is hosted by Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Session times follow Eastern time.

Before You Go

The course suits beginners through intermediate students. No prior yoga or Ayurvedic experience is required, and it works equally well for personal enrichment or as a stepping stone toward professional certification. It is taught in English.

Included are all live program sessions, a digital training manual, access to Kripalu Online Studio, and guidance on further certification pathways. Meals, accommodation, and textbooks beyond the digital manual are not included.

Online students are expected to take part fully in live classes, group work and homework. Admission is by application, and incomplete applications are not reviewed. Admissions are rolling and spots are limited, so applying early is encouraged. Applicants are notified by email. If the program is full, you can join the waitlist or choose a future training date within one year of acceptance. Kripalu also offers limited scholarships and payment plans for most Schools programs.