Jennifer Kurdyla is an Ayurvedic practitioner, herbalist, yoga teacher, and writer who lives in Brooklyn, New York. Committed to sharing the ancient tools of Ayurveda and yoga with modern communities, she helps her clients and students discover personalized rituals that support their well-being in body, mind, and spirit. She thrives in the creative space of her kitchen, where she crafts seasonal plant-forward recipes with a focus on supporting digestion and reviving our sensory experience with food prepared fresh and with love. A former book editor and graduate of Harvard University, she is the co-author of Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women's Wellness (Tiller Press, 4/6/2021). Read more about her wellness services and educational resources at www.jenniferkurdyla.com and on Instagram at @jenniferkurdyla.
This twist on classic Thai coconut rice uses coconut water instead of milk, basmati rice instead of jasmine, and other cooling additions perfect for summertime.
Perfect for Spring or any time the kapha in you craves a treat, this cake is not too sweet or too spicy, making it a lovely choice for dessert, breakfast,...
Let's take a look at how we can receive true satisfaction from what we take in, rather than getting caught in the endless and insatiable search for more.
Many things can pull us out of our hearts. Learn how the pathways of rasa, prana, and manas can expand your ability to experience more love and joy in your...
In this vibrant and soul-satisfying soup, pumpkin moves out of its typically sweet role alongside rich and creamy cauliflower for maximum warmth and nourishment.
You've likely heard the phrase "beauty is only skin deep"—but Ayurveda says just the opposite. Here's how to nourish your beauty on every level, body, mind, and soul.
Ayurveda can help us develop a relationship with our habits that keeps us awake to who we are, rather than confined by an idea of who we think we should...
These tasty recipes incorporate mucuna into pantry staples you can use in a variety of ways, morning, noon, and night—like a happy pill you take with your meals.
Inspired by nature's seasonal plant-based offerings, this spicy-sweet apple crumble recipe is the perfect healthy and heavenly treat for late summer and early fall.
In Ayurveda, there's no one perfect diet. In fact, learning to shift your food choices along with your changing needs is essential to mastering great nutrition.
Embrace the healing properties of raw cacao with these four delicious recipes—perfect for Valentine's Day or anytime you're craving a healthy touch of sweetness for your body and mind.
Dive into the five layers of our being, known in Ayurveda as the koshas, and learn how nourishing these subtle layers can support whole-body and whole-being health.
Falling in love with Ayurveda and ready to share it with everyone you know? These tips will help you do so in a way that's clear, helpful, and unique to...
Rice and beans are tasty, versatile, and packed with nutrition. Try these dosha-inspired recipes in place of kitchari or anytime you want a wholesome meal.
Ayurveda views the body, mind, and soul as one intelligent and interconnected system. Learn how to support all layers of your being from the very root.
This nourishing broth features mineral-rich greens and offers a source of dense nutrition that requires very little work for the body to break down and absorb.
Is it possible to honor Ayurvedic food principles and create a delectably healthy summer salad that is perfect for barbeques and picnics? Yes! Simply follow these ABCs and you'll be set.
Jennifer has spent twelve years practicing yoga, four years teaching yoga, and four years living Ayurvedically.
Degrees and Certifications
Ayurvedic Practitioner certification—Boston Ayurveda, Inc.
Clinical Herbalism—David Winston's Center for Herbal Studies
Ayurvedic Health Counselor program—Kripalu School of Ayurveda
500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training—Yoga Works
Restorative and Therapeutic 100-Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky
Publications
Jennifer is the co-author of Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women's Wellness (Tiller Press, 4/6/2021). Learn more about it on her website.
Upcoming Events
Jennifer teaches in-person yoga classes in Brooklyn, NY; she also shares Ayurveda and herbalism through one-on-one consultations, workshops, and seasonal resets and community programs virtually and in-person. Visit her website at www.jenniferkurdyla.com for more details.
Jennifer's Point of View
How were you introduced to Ayurveda?
I first learned about Ayurveda through my yoga teacher training, which prompted me to seek out a practitioner for help with my chronic digestive and hormonal imbalances. After experiencing almost immediate relief with the Ayurvedic remedies she offered me to address my imbalance and constitution, I was hooked!
When are you most likely to go out of balance and how do you bring yourself back in balance using Ayurveda?
I easily go out of balance from excess vata in mind, body, or environment. Too many choices, requests for work, distraction, or inconsistency will affect how I digest and the state of my thoughts and emotions.
The most effective Ayurvedic remedies I turn to over and over are abhyanga, regular mealtimes, and an herbal boost with hingvastak or herbal teas. I focus on grounding rituals like belly breathing and wearing layers to stay warm and feel contained.
What does the future of Ayurveda look like to you?
The future of Ayurveda is bright to me. We're facing a moment where the value of preventive medicine couldn't be more obvious, and I think as we continue to endure the COVID pandemic and its repercussions more individuals will be thinking about how to support their health all the time through diet and lifestyle, using the accessible home remedies Ayurveda offers.
What's one Ayurvedic practice anyone can implement to spur change in their life, right here, right now?
Breathing! So many of us don't breathe fully or with awareness, and without that connection to prana (and oxygen) we prevent ourselves from experiencing so much fullness in our lives.
