Since 1993, the academy has been pursuing its vision of introducing people to traditional Indian medicine. To this end, founders Mark and Kerstin Rosenberg have created a place in Birstein where participants can learn about and experience Ayurveda in all its facets: centered around a historic forester’s lodge in the Vogelsberg region (Hesse), a modern educational institution has been established, with locations in Austria and Switzerland as well as a digital eAcademy. Adjacent to the campus is a vibrant Ayurvedic wellness center . In this way, teaching and applied therapy go hand in hand—a unique feature in Europe.
The training programs, seminars, and Ayurveda continuing education courses cover a wide range of topics related to healthy living, including:
Participants are free to choose how they wish to use the educational program: for their own health care —from Ayurvedic cooking to a lifestyle tailored to their constitution— or for their careers, through specialized programs for career changers or medical professionals. Numerous career examples from our graduates provide insight into the diverse opportunities for professional development with Ayurveda. In this spirit, the Academy is recognized as a nonprofit organization.
For many modules, participants can decide for themselves whether they prefer traditional in-person classes or live webinars. Those who want complete flexibility in terms of time and location will find what they’re looking for with the new Rosenberg eAcademy, which focuses on digital learning courses.
Birstein (Hesse) is the vibrant heart of our academy. Here you’ll meet people who inspire you. You’ll be surrounded by the atmosphere of a building designed according to the Vedic architectural principles of Vastu Shastra—an ideal setting for gaining new experiences on your professional and personal journey.
Follow your own curriculum! The order, times, and locations of the modules are flexible in many training programs. You can put together the individual modules in a way that best fits your life.
As a participant, you’ll benefit from the high standards we set for the quality of our instruction. The Academy has been ISO-certified for many years, demonstrating annually that it meets the strict requirements of ISO DIN 29990. In addition, we hold the seals of approval from Weiterbildung Hessen and ÖCert.
A certificate from the European Academy of Ayurveda is a mark of quality. It gives you access to key Ayurvedic professional associations, such as the VEAT (Association of European Ayurvedic Physicians and Therapists) or—for medical professionals—the DÄGAM (German Medical Society for Ayurvedic Medicine). In addition, we offer recognized professional training programs in Austria and Switzerland. Together with the Hanau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), we award the certification as an Ayurveda and Yoga Health Coach (IHK).
Learn from the best! The Academy’s faculty is unmatched in Europe in terms of Ayurvedic expertise. We collaborate with a large team of instructors from Europe and India. They all have many years of professional experience as well as in-depth knowledge in their respective fields. With this diverse group of instructors, you’ll get to know Ayurveda from various perspectives. Let these charismatic individuals inspire and motivate you.
The Academy’s instructors live what they teach. They have been practicing for many years themselves and incorporate their wealth of experience into their lessons so that you always keep the practical application in mind. In Ayurvedic therapy, medicine, and culinary arts, an internship is an integral part of the training—for example, at the Ayurveda Health and Wellness Center in Birstein. This helps you gain confidence in your own practice.
What might your own personal journey with Ayurveda look like, whether for professional reasons or for yourself? The best way to explore questions like these is through a conversation with us. That’s why personalized mentoring is included in your training. Just schedule an appointment.
The field of Ayurvedic medicine is constantly expanding. That is why our close ties to universities and clinics in India and Europe are so important. Through this active exchange, the knowledge we impart at the academy remains up-to-date and ensures that we meet our high standards of quality.
From stylish to simple: At the Academy’s guesthouse, you’ll stay in comfortable rooms that, depending on the category, feature Indian-inspired decor or practical furnishings. There are also affordable alternatives in the village, right next to the campus.
What does Ayurveda taste like? Our chefs in Birstein know how to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into Western cuisine. With love and care, they prepare delicious meals and buffets—certified organic and made with regional ingredients.
Learn from the best! Our instructors draw on their extensive experience and will inspire you with their in-depth expertise and personal charm. Get to know our large team of instructors:
It all began with a vision: to create a place where Ayurveda and yoga are practiced and taught. All that was missing was a location where we could bring our plan to life. In the small village of Birstein-Obersotzbach, 70 km just outside Frankfurt, we finally found what we were looking for: a historic, landmark-protected forester’s lodge surrounded by beautiful nature. After our first visit, we drove home with the feeling: This is it!
From Forest House to International Academy
Mark:
We bought the house and set about renovating it. Fortunately, my father was an architect and was able to help us. We financed the project with an idea that today would probably be called “crowdfunding”: family, friends, and even some of our contractors lent us small amounts. Combined with our own resources, that was enough to gradually transform the forester’s lodge and its old barn into a small seminar center.
Kerstin:
Yes, we had a seminar room, a kitchen with a dining room, and a guesthouse for the participants. And, of course, the old forest house, which we moved into ourselves and where our three children later grew up. Today we use it for office space, but in some places the old structures still shine through. Back then, we never would have dreamed that it would develop into a modern, international academy.
Mark:
That’s right. The focus has always been on bringing yoga and Ayurveda to Europe in an integrative and undogmatic way, so that people here can also benefit from this treasure trove of knowledge. After all, Ayurveda has so many incredible facets: traditional medicine, oil massages, herbal therapies, nutrition... Even with small, simple Ayurvedic practices, you can do so much for your own health, and many of our students have even discovered new career paths for themselves. They use Ayurvedic methods, for example, as doctors, therapists, or nutritionists.
A Love for India—Authentic Ayurveda
Kerstin:
Ever since our trip to India, we’ve felt a deep connection to this country, its culture, and its people. From the very beginning of the academy, we’ve traveled extensively in India to study Ayurveda at its source and build relationships with Ayurvedic doctors and universities. The long-standing friendships with our Indian partners are a great source of enrichment on a personal level, but also for our professional Ayurveda training programs and research.
Mark:
As our first Indian instructor, Dr. Gupta has been with us since the very first training program! And to this day, he doesn’t just teach in the Ayurveda medicine program. He still makes a point of leading our 6-day introductory course twice a year so that newcomers can understand Ayurvedic principles from the ground up. It’s just that we’ve since become Europe’s leading center of excellence for Ayurveda, with locations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At some point, therefore, a name change to the European Academy for Ayurveda was in order.
Kerstin:
In fact, we’ve clearly succeeded in inspiring others with our enthusiasm for Ayurveda: More than 25,000 people have now studied Ayurveda as a healing art and way of life with us. And it just keeps going: As recently as 2015, we expanded the academy in Birstein to include a new therapy center, and since 2020, we’ve had a modern e-learning platform called “eAcademy” online.
Mark:
Amid all this growth, however, one thing has remained the same to this day: our love for Ayurveda and for what we do. Perhaps that’s one reason why our students keep telling us:
Being back in Birstein feels like coming home.
Kerstin Rosenberg is an internationally renowned specialist in Ayurvedic nutrition, psychology, and therapy. Since 1996, she has been training people interested in Ayurveda to become nutrition and health counselors, Ayurvedic psychological counselors, and Ayurvedic therapists in various European countries. She has nearly 25 years of practical experience in Ayurveda and is in daily contact with patients, training participants, and spa guests.
As an active author, Kerstin Rosenberg has written numerous books on Ayurveda focusing on nutrition, women’s and pediatric medicine, prevention, and manual therapy; some of these have been published in multiple languages and are considered among the most renowned works in Ayurvedic literature.
A mother of three, she is a partner and managing director of the European Academy for Ayurveda, which she runs together with her husband. She is also a founding member and board member of VEAT—the Association of European Ayurvedic Physicians and Therapists e.V.
She has a particular passion for teaching and Ayurvedic cuisine.
Mark Rosenberg is the managing director and founder of the European Academy for Ayurveda in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Together with his wife, he is deeply committed to promoting the dissemination, recognition, research, and holistic application of Ayurveda and yoga.
Under his leadership, the Academy has grown into the largest center of excellence for Ayurveda in Europe, now featuring an affiliated Panchakarma therapy center that treats more than 1,000 patients annually. The institute has established many important partnerships with Ayurvedic universities and institutions to promote Ayurveda in Europe and to provide students with exclusive access to the unique sources of Ayurveda.
Among other roles, he serves as Chairman of the Board of VEAT—the Professional Association of European Ayurvedic Physicians and Therapists—and is a member of the Board of Directors of ADAVED—the German Ayurveda Umbrella Organization. He also serves as a speaker at international Ayurveda conferences in India and Europe. MGMS (India) awarded him the prestigious Vaidya Sundarlal Joshi Memorial Management Award in recognition of his outstanding management achievements in the field of Ayurveda. He also received the IASTAM Pandit Shiv Sharma Oration Award. In 2025, he will be awarded an honorary doctorate (D.Litt. h.c.) from MAM University in India.
His personal passion is Vastu—the Indian tradition of architecture and construction—which he has been studying for more than 20 years. He works as a Vastu and business consultant and gives lectures and seminars on Vastu, yoga, and Ayurveda.
The European Academy thrives because of the people who make it what it is—whether they’re in direct contact with our participants or working behind the scenes. That’s reason enough for you to get to know some of the team members who are dedicated to ensuring your well-being.
Principal
“Ayurveda brings happiness. My team and I are here to advise you on all questions regarding your education and housing at the academy.”
Education Coordinator / Co-Principal
“It is important to me to design Ayurveda education in a way that brings traditional knowledge to life and makes it relevant to real-world practice. In doing so, I place particular emphasis on supporting our students on their very different learning journeys and enabling them to pursue a path of learning that truly fits their lives.”
Representative for Austria
“Ayurveda touches us on every level. In the wellness practitioner training program, we learn together to embrace it with our hearts and minds.”
Media & UX Designer
"I handle the overall visual design for our Ayurveda center. The inspiring atmosphere of the campus inspires me and fuels my creativity—come by and experience this energy for yourself!"
Quality Manager
“At the academy, we all do our very best. As a participant, you can count on that, because every year an independent ISO auditor thoroughly reviews our quality.”
As part of a new partnership, we can now refer our students, after they have completed their undergraduate studies, to our partner university, MAM University in Nadiad (India), to pursue a master’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine (MSc).
The International Ayurveda Symposium is being held for the first time in Switzerland, in Lucerne, right on Lake Lucerne, in cooperation with the AMVS and the HPS. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. We were honored to welcome Indian Secretary of State Shri Rajesh Kotecha and Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari as guests of honor. Dr. Hans H. Rhyner was honored for his life’s work and his outstanding commitment to Ayurveda in Switzerland and Europe.
A new labor of love from Kerstin Rosenberg: The Food Festival in Birstein! Featuring live cooking demonstrations, Ayurvedic food tastings, talks, and workshops centered on the delights of Ayurvedic cuisine.
On May 1, the European Academy of Ayurveda will celebrate its 30th anniversary! It all began with a vision to create a place where Ayurveda is practiced and taught. This has grown into the Rosenbergs’ life’s work—and one of the most important centers of excellence for Ayurveda in Europe.
Ayurveda, whenever and wherever you want: The Rosenberg eAcademy is going online, along with a series of web-based self-study courses. Also new: webinars featuring live instruction from our instructors.
The International Ayurveda Symposium is being held for the 20th time. With this conference, the Academy provides an important platform for Ayurveda experts from India and Europe. The focus is on networking and professional development, as well as the shared goal of establishing Ayurveda in Europe.
The Academy is launching a CitySpot: The AyurSoul Concept Store with a café is opening in the heart of Frankfurt.
The All India Institute of Ayurveda, the Indian government's leading institution for Ayurveda, is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Academy of Ayurveda.
We obtained ISO 29990 certification—the most important internationally recognized quality certification for independent educational institutions—as well as the ÖCert seal for our academy in Austria.
We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Latvia (LU).
Opening of a new Ayurvedic therapy and wellness center on the academy’s grounds. Here, up to 5,000 patients a year can now find regeneration and healing according to the principles of Ayurveda.
Launch of a partnership with the Lucerne School of Natural Medicine, which enables Swiss students to earn a federal diploma in Ayurvedic medicine or therapy.
Founding of Rosenberg AyurMed GmbH. For the new brand, Kerstin Rosenberg developed an AyurCafé featuring a signature spice blend that participants can enjoy on campus and purchase from an online store. Also available: traditional massage oils, herbs, dietary supplements, tea, and spices.
In cooperation with Middlesex University in London, the Academy is launching an accredited university program. Physicians and alternative practitioners can earn a Master of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine (MSc Ayurveda)—a program that is unique in all of Europe.
The academy and its reputation are growing: It is therefore time to rename the Mahindra Institute the European Academy of Ayurveda.
Gujarat Ayurved University recognized our work by signing a cooperation agreement in the areas of research and education. Additional partnerships, including those with Benares Hindu University (Varanasi), the Mahagujarat Medical Society (Nadiad), and many others, are in the works.
The academy is also opening a representative office in Austria, where it will soon offer an accredited training program to become an Ayurvedic wellness practitioner.
The Academy’s training programs are very popular, including in Switzerland. With a new location in Zurich, the Academy is bringing its services closer to its Swiss participants.
The Rosenbergs initiated the founding of VEAT, the Professional Association for Ayurvedic Physicians and Therapists.
Founding of the Mahindra Institute in Birstein, named after our teacher and mentor. The initial seminars gradually evolved into professional training programs in the fields of yoga, Ayurvedic nutrition, massage, therapy, and psychology.
Opening of the first yoga and Ayurveda center in Frankfurt.
Light-filled rooms, designed according to the Vedic principles of Vastu Shastra, invite you in: Here you can study with focus and meet people who share your interests, surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of the Vogelsberg. To delight your palate, we offer Ayurvedic organic cuisine made with regional ingredients.
Training at the academy can set you on a new path in life, whether as a personal journey or for your professional future. Many of our students choose to work professionally with Ayurveda—as Ayurvedic practitioners or therapists, coaches, or yoga instructors. Find your own path to a meaningful career!
Our seminar highlights run like a common thread throughout the year. They allow Ayurveda experts to further their education in their specific fields, alongside instructors from India and Europe.
And for beginners, too, there is a wide selection of courses that introduce participants to topics such as Ayurvedic medicine, massage, nutrition, and psychology.
