ABOUT ME

My name is Katerina Martin. I am a private chef and culinary instructor with over 1,000 hours of training in Ayurveda, yoga, and women’s health. I specialize in nourishing, anti-inflammatory meals that are easy to digest and support overall well-being. I create customized menus based on my clients’ unique needs and wellness goals, and I approach every meal with intention, care, and attention to detail.

My Journey with Ayurveda

After graduating with a degree in Human Physiology from the University of Iowa in 2015, I worked in psychiatry research at Penn State studying the relationship between diet and mental health. During that time, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training and was introduced to Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga. I immediately connected with its holistic approach to healing and the ancient wisdom of using food as medicine.

I began my formal Ayurveda studies at the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania, where I received my Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist certification. In 2017, I moved to Kauai to work as the head chef and kitchen manager at Hale Pule, an Ayurvedic retreat center.

In 2018, I moved to New York City to study and work with Divya Alter, a renowned Ayurvedic chef and author. For the past seven years, I have worked as the Assistant Culinary Director at Divya’s Kitchen, Manhattan’s first Ayurvedic restaurant. On the weekends you can find me teaching cooking classes at Bhagavat Life, the nonprofit Ayurvedic culinary school. Outside of my work, I love spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and sharing simple, nourishing meals with friends and family.

 

Education, Training & Certifications

  • Human Physiology, Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Psychology and Public Health, University of Iowa - 2015

  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Fannie Hungerford - 2016

  • 100 Hour Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, Himalayan Institute - 2017

  • 100 Hour Ayurvedic Chef Training, Hale Pule - 2017

  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Hale Pule - 2018

  • Ayurvedic Bodywork and Panchakarma Internship, Bliss Ayurveda - 2018

  • DONA Birth Doula Training, Debra Pascali Bonaro - 2018

  • DONA Postpartum Doula Training, Ann Grauer - 2019

  • Traditional Postpartum Doula Workshop, Birthday Presence - 2019

  • 250 Hour Ayurvedic Nutrition and Culinary Training, Bhagavat Life - 2019

  • 200 Hour Ayurvedic Postpartum Caregiver Training, Center for Sacred Window

  • 200 Hour Nada Yoga Teacher Training, Heart of Sound