We offer this course four times a year, one for each season. In each season, we offer the complete Basics of Ayurveda 8 lecture series, as well as content which is customized for the current season, including. Here's what's included:
- 8 "Basics of Ayurveda" lectures common to all seasons
- 1-3 lectures introducing the current season
- 56 daily tips for the current season
- 56 of our top recipe picks for the current season
Many of our students sign up for all four seasons.
This course will help you
- Eat healthier, enjoy life, & celebrate food
- Achieve optimal health & vitality.
- Discover how to care for and fine-tune your body.
- Unlock your ability to listen and interpret your body's unique signs and signals.
- Discover how to care for your body to fight disease
- Learn how you can defend your health using food and your cravings as a guide.
- Feel better, more balanced, energetic, and emotionally stable.
Main Topics of Discovery
- The Ayurvedic approach to diet and nutrition
- Simple, satisfying meal options, recipes, & ingredients that are easy to prepare and delicious
- Know which foods can help your unique body, and which could hurt you.
- Understand your body's signs, signals, and cues through 'experiential anatomy ?', a humanistic approach through experiences that will deepen your mind/body connection.
- Practical techniques to architect and compose delicious, healthy recipes.
- Demystify unruly food cravings and how they can teach you about your imbalances.
- Mindful eating practices
Expectations
You can expect each week to experience:
- An expanded depth of taste and food intuition and new ways of understanding your body through food
- Aha moments of self-discovery
- Insight into your body's natural food rhythms and patterns
- Practical, simple ways that food can nourish your mind and body
- Supportive routines for your life-long journey of health and wellness
45 minute pre-recorded presentations will introduce you to new ways of balancing your body and emotions, new ways to explore food, and the Ayurvedic approach to dieting and nutrition.
You will also receive 56 recipes for try, and 56 daily tips that will change your life and practice, and facilitate your personal discovery process. You will also benefit from a private online discussion forum for members only so that you receive as much support as you need. Joyful Belly director and founder John Immel is also available throughout the course to offer discounted one-on-one consultations to further guide you on your unique discovery process.
- Convenient distance learning format
- Study in the comfort of your home or office
- Learn from anywhere in the world, on your schedule
- Enjoy sharing experiences in the group forum
Daily Emails & Exercises
During the program, you will receive daily brief emails with tips, ideas, and insights drawing from the wisdom of Ayurveda, Yoga, nutritionists, therapists, and health practitioners. Emails may include questions to inspire self-awareness, others may include breathing techniques and simple yoga exercises.
We will also recommend an optional supplementary book list should you be inspired to discover more on the topics we cover.
About the Course Instructor

John Immel is the founder of www.joyfulbelly.com, a leading Ayurvedic website that promotes better health through digestion with an Ayurvedic diet. John studied Ayurveda under Dr. Vasant Lad, as well throughout India. John coaches clients at his Asheville, North Carolina clinic on the relationship between illness and emotions, finding digestive balance, and using food as medicine. John started his career with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University and experienced Ayurveda for the first time while working on public health and service projects in South Asia and the Middle East. John is fluent in Bengali and a student of Sanskrit, the ancient language of Ayurveda.
"A powerful blend of audio files, lectures, emails, herbs, recommendations, and notes will help you navigate seasonal challenges."
When you register for Basics of Ayurveda Program, you will receive over $250 in discounts for the duration of the course:
- $60 discounts on consultations for 8 weeks
- 20% off herbs, formulas and massage oils for 8 weeks