Where Ancient Nutrition Meets Modern Kitchen Skills
At Yoga Dining Club, we believe that what you put on your plate is just as important as what you practice on the mat. Our Nutrition and Cooking Workshops were created to bridge the gap between knowing you should eat well and actually having the skills and confidence to do it every day. Since launching our first workshop in the spring of 2019, we have guided over 1,400 participants through the art and science of plant-based cooking, and the feedback has been nothing short of transformative.
Each workshop is a three-hour immersive experience held in our dedicated teaching kitchen in the Arts District of Los Angeles. We keep our groups intentionally small, between eight and twelve participants, so that everyone gets direct guidance, plenty of counter space, and the chance to ask questions without feeling rushed. Whether you have never picked up a chef's knife or you have been cooking plant-based meals for years, our workshops are designed to meet you where you are and stretch your capabilities in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Our approach draws on three streams of knowledge. The first is Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine that has guided food choices based on individual constitution, seasonal rhythms, and the energetic properties of ingredients for thousands of years. The second is modern nutritional science, including the latest research on gut health, anti-inflammatory eating, and whole-food plant-based nutrition. The third is professional culinary technique, because food that nourishes your body should also delight your palate. Maya trained in Rishikesh under an Ayurvedic nutrition practitioner and then attended culinary school in San Francisco, and that dual foundation runs through every recipe and lesson we share.
Workshop Format and What to Expect
When you arrive at our studio, you will be greeted with a cup of herbal tea blended specifically for the season. We start each session with a brief fifteen-minute overview of the nutritional theme of the day, including printed reference cards you can take home. Then we move to the hands-on portion, which makes up the heart of the three hours. You will work at your own station, following along as Maya and her assistant demonstrate each technique. There is no watching from the sidelines here; you will chop, blend, sauté, ferment, or bake alongside everyone else.
Around the halfway point, while something is simmering or resting, we gather for a short discussion about how to adapt the recipes for different household sizes, dietary needs, or budget constraints. This practical problem-solving session is one of the elements our participants consistently say they value the most, because it transforms a single recipe into a flexible framework you can use for weeks and months afterward.
The final portion of each workshop is a communal tasting. You sit down together at a shared table, enjoy the dishes you have prepared, and exchange impressions about flavors and textures. Many of our participants have told us that this part feels like the most mindful meal they have had in months, because the act of preparing food with intention makes every bite more meaningful.
Workshop Topics Throughout the Year
We run workshops on a monthly rotating schedule, with each month featuring a distinct theme. Here is an overview of the topics we cycle through over the course of the year:
Plant-Based Proteins: This popular workshop addresses one of the most common questions people have when transitioning to plant-based eating. You will learn to prepare tempeh three ways, make your own seitan from vital wheat gluten, build complete protein combinations with grains and legumes, and create silky cashew-based sauces that make everything more satisfying. We cover the science behind amino acid profiles and debunk common myths about protein deficiency on plant-based diets.
Anti-Inflammatory Cooking: Chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health concerns, from joint pain to cardiovascular risk. In this workshop, you will explore ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory properties, including turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, berries, and omega-3-rich seeds. The recipes focus on golden milk variations, vibrant grain bowls with anti-inflammatory dressings, and desserts sweetened naturally with dates and berries.
Gut Health Essentials: Your gut microbiome influences everything from digestion to mood. This workshop dives into prebiotic and probiotic foods, teaching you how to make your own water kefir, quick-pickled vegetables, and a simple miso soup from scratch. We discuss the difference between fermented and cultured foods, how to incorporate more fiber without digestive discomfort, and the connection between gut health and mental clarity.
Seasonal Eating and Ayurvedic Principles: Aligned with the current season, this workshop teaches you to select produce at its peak, prepare dishes that support your body's needs as the weather changes, and understand the Ayurvedic concepts of warming versus cooling foods. In autumn, for example, you might prepare a roasted root vegetable tagine with warming spices, while a summer session would focus on cooling cucumber raitas and raw energy bites.
Fermentation Basics: Fermentation is having a well-deserved moment, and this workshop gives you the confidence to start fermenting at home. You will make a jar of sauerkraut to take home, learn the fundamentals of kombucha brewing, and prepare a batch of fermented hot sauce. Safety and sanitation are covered thoroughly so you can experiment with confidence in your own kitchen.
Meal Prep for Busy Yogis: Aimed at practitioners who want to eat well but feel short on time, this workshop walks you through a realistic weekly meal prep routine. You will batch-cook grains, prepare three versatile sauces, assemble grab-and-go lunch jars, and learn freezer-friendly strategies that keep homemade food accessible even on your busiest days.
What You Take Home
Every participant leaves with a printed recipe booklet containing all of the recipes from the session, along with substitution guides, nutritional notes, and a shopping list template. You also take home the dishes you prepared during the workshop, packed in compostable containers. Beyond the tangible takeaways, participants consistently report that the most valuable thing they carry out the door is a new sense of confidence. Many tell us that after just one workshop, they start cooking meals they never would have attempted before, and their families notice the difference.
Pricing and Registration
Workshop pricing ranges from sixty-five to ninety-five dollars per person, depending on the theme and the cost of specialty ingredients. The fermentation and protein workshops fall at the lower end, while seasonal tasting menus and special guest instructor sessions are at the higher end. All prices include ingredients, equipment use, the recipe booklet, and leftover dishes to take home. We also offer a loyalty punch card: after attending five workshops, your sixth is half price. Group bookings of four or more receive a ten percent discount.
Private workshops for corporate teams, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, and other events are available starting at five hundred dollars for a group of up to ten, with additional guests at sixty-five dollars each. These can be customized with a theme of your choice, and we can incorporate a brief yoga or meditation component at the beginning to set the tone for a mindful experience.
What Our Workshop Participants Say
I signed up for the anti-inflammatory cooking workshop on a whim after my doctor suggested dietary changes for my joint pain. I walked out three hours later with five new recipes I actually wanted to make, a jar of golden turmeric paste, and more confidence in the kitchen than I have felt in years. The small group size meant Maya could answer all my questions about substituting ingredients for my nightshade sensitivity.
My partner and I attended the fermentation basics workshop as a date night alternative, and it was the best decision. We learned to make sauerkraut, kombucha, and hot sauce from scratch. Six months later, we are still fermenting at home every week. The recipe booklet lives on our kitchen counter permanently, and we have attended two more workshops since then.
As a yoga teacher myself, I wanted to deepen my understanding of Ayurvedic nutrition so I could guide my students more holistically. The seasonal eating workshop was exactly what I needed. Maya explained doshas and food energetics in a way that was both scientifically grounded and practically applicable. I now incorporate her seasonal eating framework into my teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
No prior cooking experience is required. Our workshops are designed for all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced home cooks. Maya and her team guide you through every step, and the small group size of eight to twelve participants ensures you get individual attention. We break down techniques into clear, manageable steps, and there is always time to ask questions or get help with knife skills, flavor balancing, or timing.
All of our workshops are fully plant-based and naturally free of dairy and eggs. We can accommodate gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and other common allergen restrictions when you let us know at the time of registration. Our team sources alternative ingredients in advance so that every participant can fully engage with the cooking process and enjoy the final dishes without concern.
Just bring yourself and your appetite. We provide all ingredients, cooking equipment, aprons, and printed recipe booklets. If you would like to bring a reusable container for leftovers, that is encouraged but not required, as we also have compostable takeaway containers on hand. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, and consider tying back long hair for kitchen safety.
We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance, as our workshops frequently sell out due to the small group format. Popular themes such as fermentation basics and holiday seasonal cooking can fill up three to four weeks ahead. You can join our mailing list to receive early access to registration, which opens on the first of each month for the following month's schedule.
Absolutely. Private workshops are available for birthdays, team-building events, bachelorette parties, and corporate wellness programs. We can customize the menu, theme, and even incorporate a brief yoga or meditation session at the start. Private events start at five hundred dollars for up to ten guests, with additional participants at sixty-five dollars each. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your event.
Full refunds are available for cancellations made more than seven days before the workshop date. Cancellations within three to seven days receive a fifty percent refund or full credit toward a future session. Within seventy-two hours of the workshop, we offer a full credit but no monetary refund, as ingredients have already been sourced from our local suppliers. Credits are valid for twelve months from the original workshop date.
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