Ayurveda Consultations

09/16/2026

Maxxing is Messing with Mental Health

If you’re caught up in the Maxxing craze, here’s a short article worth reading that might encourage you to moderate your Maxxing:

Maybe it’s time we all started ‘moderation-maxxing’.

09/01/2026

Finding Mutual Respect and Purpose with Those for Whom You Have a Low Opinion

The tension is going to get worse in the runup to November elections. Here’s some simple advice for opening the possibility of dialogue:

Dear Justin, I feel like our current discussions of politics and social issues are so divisive. I struggle to engage with them and frankly, I disagree with many of them—even when they are the opinions of my friends, family, and neighbors. It’s hard for me to understand how people can have the op...

08/08/2026

The Myth of Protein

Contrary to popular opinion, when it comes to protein, the evidence suggests that less is more. Excess protein intake dramatically shortens lifespan in animal models. For a review of the current scientific thinking, see: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/eating-less-protein-could-help-you-live-longer/. For an analysis form the Ayurvedic perspective, see my blog: https://qatoqi.com/ayurveda/blog/the-myth-of-protein/

Many people have the mistaken idea that “carbs” are bad and “protein” is good. Learn what better to focus on to maintain health and vitality.

07/23/2026

Managing Anger

Anger is the most toxic human emotion. Here’s a short piece that adds to the general Ayurvedic perspective that focuses on maintaining Pitta balance in diet and daily routine: https://cruciallearning.com/blog/how-to-avoid-getting-angry/

And to take it a step further, in the scenario when you are feeling accused or attacked, which commonly provokes anger, here is good advice on how to handle the situation: https://cruciallearning.com/blog/responding-to-accusations/

Learn how to use the skills from Crucial Conversations to respond effectively when wrongly accused.

06/16/2026

How much exercise is enough?

A summary of accumulating scientific evidence suggests that most people enjoy long term benefit in terms of longevity and overall health from a couple hours of physical activity every week coupled with some strength training.

Weight lifting and other forms of resistance training can increase bone density, lower diabetes risk and boost mental health

06/14/2026

Research on Practitioners of Ayurveda

About two years ago, I launched a major research project seeking to look across the healing professions at the motivations for study, training outcomes, and current practice characteristics in relation to health and well-being. It was an outgrowth of my prior work with alumni of the Ayurveda training programs in which I teach at Maharishi International University (MIU). My colleagues and I ended up with over 10,000 survey responses including more than 2,600 physicians, 2,100 acupuncturists, 800 naturopathic doctors, 500 practitioners of Ayurveda, and 300 Yoga therapists. To our knowledge, nothing like it has ever been done.

Finally, one of the pivotal articles reporting study results is in print. It’s highly relevant to the conversation on clinician well-being insofar as it shows that Ayurveda practitioners mirror their clients in seeking tools to sustain/improve health and, at least when retrospectively self-assessed, that their training is associated with increased self-rated health. Moreover, it shows that the interest in spiritual growth that I found among MIU alumni seems to generally hold true among those who practice Ayurveda in the US.

Edwards, MT. Ga***rd, SA. An observational study of motivation and outcomes for training in Ayurveda. Explore. 2026 22;5. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2026.103459.

This link provides free access to the published article until July 24, 2026. It may be redistributed or posted without restriction: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1nDJe5WdZgXxD1.

My colleagues and I have already published results pertaining to Chiropractic: Brochin G, Edwards M. Motivations, training outcomes, and clinical practice characteristics of North American chiropractors: a cross-sectional survey. J Contemp Chiropr. 2026;9(1):171-184.

More will be coming over the next year. We are working on revisions to a paper on acupuncturists. Revisions on the manuscript pertaining to naturopathic doctors are waiting for a new editor to be appointed to the journal. The one for Yoga therapy is currently under review and we're close to finishing another one on integrative dietitians/nutritionists. After that, I hope to be able to focus on writing up the results pertaining to physicians and several other disciplines like massage therapy and health & wellness coaching before tackling the comparative analysis write up.

Send a message to learn more

04/01/2026

Struggling with Self-Control? Work on Your Habits.

If you feel like you have no willpower, this may be the most valuable article you ever read. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-build-self-control-according-to-psychologists/. It’s not a matter of foregoing pleasure.

Accumulating evidence shows that people who seem to have excellent self-control don’t struggle with temptations. Their natural tendency, developed through habit, is to spend their energies on meaningful activities. Simple things like following an Ayurvedic diet and daily routine can develop the habit muscle.

02/15/2026

February Newsletter with Banyan Immune Support Collection 20% discount thru the 17th:

Given the frigid winter we've had on the east coast, it might not seem possible, but spring is still due to the mid-Atlantic region around the beginning of March. Watch for my next newsletter for tips on spring detoxification. If you can't wait, see my website to get prepared: https://qatoqi.com/ay...

02/03/2026

Food and Body Odor

In general, Sattvic food is good for health. The food we eat affects not only our breath, but also our body odor. Surprisingly, scientists are just beginning to look into this. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/the-surprising-science-behind-how-certain-foods-can-make-you-smell-more/

The current knowledge is consistent with the Ayurvedic understanding of what is good for health. It turns out that women generally prefer the odor of men who don’t eat meat and who avoid alcohol (both are Tamasic, while freshly prepared lacto-vegetarian food is Sattvic). Even if they might like the after-effects of garlic (very Rajasic)on pit odor, they abhor it on the breath.

Beneath fancy perfumes and deodorants, our food choices may be quietly shaping our natural scent in unexpected ways

01/29/2026

Everyone Needs to Eat Fiber

The myth of protein is equaled only by the myth of carbs. Complex carbohydrates are an essential component of a healthy diet. They are found in many natural foods, especially in whole cereal grains, legumes, and vegetables. Fiber is a part of that. Here's a short explanation of fiber with examples of how to increase it in your diet:

Learn why plant-based foods are your friend.