ANACT FAQ

Do I need previous experience with Ayurveda or cooking?
No previous study of Ayurveda or professional cooking experience is required. Foundations is designed to build your knowledge progressively from fundamental principles. A genuine interest in food, health, and learning is the most important starting point.

When does the next ANACT Foundations cohort begin?
The next Foundations cohort will begin in January 2027. View the tentative schedule.

What will the schedule look like?
ANACT Foundations spans approximately eight months. On average, every other week includes one or two classes of approximately three hours each. Most weeks also include a two-hour Q&A session with teaching faculty and a one-hour Office Hours session.

Most live sessions take place between 10 am and 1 pm ET. Classes and Q&A sessions are recorded, so students can catch up if they are unable to attend live.

What if I can’t attend all the live sessions?
Students are encouraged to attend live whenever possible, but we understand that schedules and time zones may make this difficult. Classes and Q&A sessions are recorded so you can catch up at a time that works for you.

Can I take ANACT if I live outside the United States?
Yes. ANACT welcomes students from around the world. Because the training is online and classes are recorded, you can participate from wherever you live. Some ingredients used in the recipes may vary in availability by country, and substitutions are discussed when appropriate.

How much time should I expect to dedicate to the program?
This depends on the learning tier you choose:

Certification Option: Approximately 250 hours of learning and practice, including everything in Participant plus required readings, assignments, cooking practice, the recipe project, assessments, and small-group mentorship.

Non-Certification Option: Approximately 150 hours of learning over the eight-month training, including live and recorded classes, Q&A sessions, Office Hours, and community learning.

Which tier should I choose?
Choose Non-Certification option if you want to learn alongside a live cohort and participate in Q&A, Office Hours, and community learning without required assignments or exams; and Certification Option if you want the most comprehensive experience and wish to demonstrate competency and earn the ANACT Foundations Certificate and qualify to enroll for ANACT Professional.

Can I participate without completing assignments or earning a certificate?
Yes. Choose the Non-Certification option if you would like to participate in the live cohort experience without completing required homework, the recipe project, or exams.

Students who wish to earn the ANACT Foundations Certificate should enroll in the Certification Option and successfully complete all program requirements.

Is the course NAMA approved?
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) has approved ANACT Foundations for 28 PACE continuing education credits for qualifying Ayurvedic professionals. Credits are available only to Certification students.

How long will I have access to the course materials?
Students will have ongoing access to the course materials, including class recordings, recipes, readings, and supporting resources, but we encourage you to download them as well.

Do I need to purchase textbooks, ingredients, or other materials?
Students are responsible for purchasing the three required textbooks:

What to Eat for How You Feel by Divya Alter
Joy of Balance by Divya Alter
Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda by Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum

All other required readings and learning materials are provided through the course platform.

Students will also purchase their own ingredients for cooking practice and may need some basic kitchen equipment, depending on what they already have.

What kitchen equipment will I need?
We recommend having a chef’s knife, spice grinder, blender, and food processor. A more comprehensive equipment list, including optional tools, will be provided after registration.

Do I need to be vegetarian to take ANACT?
No. You do not need to be vegetarian to participate. The ANACT curriculum and recipes are vegetarian and do not include meat, fish, or eggs. Dairy-free and gluten-free options are also included.

Can I upgrade to a different learning tier after I enroll?
Yes. We understand that your goals and circumstances may change. You may upgrade from Non-Certification to Certification by paying the difference in tuition.

The cost of upgrading will be based on the Certification tuition in effect on the date you request the upgrade. If you upgrade during the Early Access period, your additional payment will be lower than if you upgrade after Standard Tuition begins. For example, through September 23, 2026, Non-Certification tuition is $3,200 and Certification tuition is $3,950, so the upgrade cost is $750. During the Standard Tuition period, Certification tuition is $5,250.

If you wish to upgrade after the training has begun, please contact us to confirm that sufficient time remains to complete the required mentorship, assignments, assessments, and exams.

You may move to a lower tier after enrolling; however, refunds or tuition credits for the difference are not available.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?
All ANACT Foundations tuition payments are non-refundable. Refunds or credits will not be issued if you withdraw from the training, are unable to participate, or choose to move to a lower learning tier.

If Bhagavat Life cancels an ANACT Foundations cohort and does not reschedule it, affected registrants will receive a full refund. This is the only circumstance in which Bhagavat Life will issue a refund or credit.

What happens to my payment plan if I withdraw from the training?
Enrollment in ANACT Foundations is a commitment to pay the full tuition, regardless of whether you choose to pay in full or through a payment plan. If you withdraw or are unable to complete the training, you remain responsible for any outstanding installments.

Can I transfer my enrollment to another person?
If you are unable to continue, you may transfer your enrollment to another eligible student with prior approval from Bhagavat Life. You are responsible for finding your replacement and arranging any reimbursement directly with that person. Bhagavat Life will not facilitate or be responsible for the financial transaction.

Can I defer my enrollment to a future cohort?
Yes. Certification and Non-Certification students may defer their enrollment to a future cohort if they are unable to continue with their current cohort. Please contact us to arrange the deferral. Your tuition payments will be applied toward the future cohort.

When is the enrollment deadline?

Certification and Non-Certification enrollment for the January 2027 cohort will remain open until December 31st, 2026 or until the cohort reaches capacity.