What to Expect from an Ayurvedic Consultation
a practical guide to stepping into this ancient system of care
The first time I met with an Ayurvedic doctor in India, I had no idea what to expect. I was 22, staying in an eco-village near the beach in Goa. I’d just spent a couple of weeks in Mumbai and had finally made my way down the coast to study and practice yoga.
I knew a bit about Ayurveda from my 200-hour yoga teacher training and was still coming to terms with my kapha constitution. I hadn’t yet learned about digestive guidelines or the Ayurvedic perspective on food combining. I wasn’t familiar with the body practices that utilize herbal oils—but I was definitely curious …and a little cautious.
Over breakfast one day, another traveler mentioned she’d had an appointment with the local Ayurvedic doctor. She said it was amazing. Intrigued, I scheduled one too. When I arrived at my session, I hardly knew what to ask, but I kept an open mind. I was curious to hear what he observed about my constitution—and what he might recommend.
I didn’t come to the consultation with a specific problem or goal.
At the time, I don’t think I even knew myself well enough to know what to ask. I just had a sense that I could feel better. And that there was something I wasn’t quite understanding about how to work with my own constitution.
I had done plenty of self-exploration, but still didn’t have a framework for living in my own skin. When I experimented with wellness trends or healing modalities, I often couldn’t tell what was actually working—because I didn’t have a clear baseline or a skilled practice of listening to my body.
(In retrospect, I was often congested and prone to heaviness—both tendencies of an imbalanced kapha constitution…)
Fortunately, I didn’t need to be prepared. I didn’t need to know exactly what to ask, because the framework of Ayurveda speaks for itself.
I stepped into the Ayurvedic Doctor’s cozy dimly lit office, wondering if he already knew everything about me. He asked me a few questions, then gently held my wrist and felt my pulse. (At the time, I had no idea what he was feeling for. Now I know that pulse reading is one technique for identifying someone’s Ayurvedic constitution.) The appointment was short—maybe 30 minutes. He shared a few poignant insights, and then he recommended one thing. It’s a practice I still live by today.
The practice involves putting a couple drops (or more) of herbal oil into each nostril. It’s called nasya.
At the time, I figured it would clear some lingering congestion. I had no idea it would also…
Soothe my nervous system
Clear my mind
Improve my sleep
Enhance my memory
Bolster my immune system
…let alone support vision, skin, allergies, circulation, and dosha balance.
More than a decade later, as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I do nasya every morning and teach all my clients about it. I’ve learned that all Ayurvedic practices are like this—even if they appear to be serving one main purpose, they always benefit multiple systems of the body.
This is because Ayurveda is holistic.
It looks at the whole person, rather than treating isolated symptoms. It helps us address imbalance at the root.
Your practitioner will help determine which core practices are most beneficial for your constitution, and that’s where you’ll start. It might be nasya—or something completely different. Either way, it should be something that feels possible and nourishing to you.
When I work with clients, we’re always strategizing for quality of life. It’s not about perfection; it’s about refining your diet and lifestyle in small ways that make a big difference in how you feel each day.
These shifts are how we tap into more energy, clarity, and harmony with our body’s natural rhythms.
If you want to learn how nasya—and other Ayurvedic lifestyle practices—can support your wellness, an initial consultation could be a powerful next step. But first, let’s ground in what Ayurveda really is.
Ayurveda in Essence
Ayurveda is an ancient medical science from India that offers a rich, deep and dynamic body of knowledge. Believed to be the oldest system of healing on Earth, Ayurveda is distinct in that it tailors preventative wellness, as well as the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, to the unique constitution of the individual. The focus is on bringing the elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) within the individual’s body back into balance, as well as the clearing of toxic metabolic waste from the bodily channels. From the Ayurvedic perspective, the imbalance of the elements and the accumulation of toxins are at the root of all disease.
The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda offers simple practices for finding cadence with nature’s rhythms, balancing the elements and tending to the fire (agni) within. It is a vehicle for returning home to our bodies and our innate wisdom.
As a practitioner, it is my hope that the small personal practices you learn through Ayurveda ripple out to positively impact collective and planetary wellbeing.
With roots dating back over 5,000 years, it is important to acknowledge that Ayurveda has endured various forms of oppression throughout its history — including being forced underground during the colonization of the British Raj. I am grateful for the people and systems that kept this wisdom alive throughout the ages, and am humbled to carry it forward.
What Happens in an Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is about connecting—gathering information, building the foundation, and identifying your most aligned next steps. It’s a chance for you to be seen and heard, and for your practitioner to offer meaningful, manageable guidance.
Together, we explore:
Your goals, challenges, and motivation for seeking Ayurveda
The doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—and how they are showing up in your body
Your current routines, diet, digestion, stress, sleep, menstrual cycle, etc.
Strategies for supporting ease, energy, immunity, resilience, and inspiration
Personalized remedies and practices aligned with your life stage and the season
Any questions, curiosities, barriers, or limitations
✦ Deep Listening
This session is spacious and conversational. You’ll get to share where you are in life, how you’re feeling, and what you’re longing to shift. You’ll be invited to reflect on your history and patterns with food, energy, emotions, and wellness—and begin to understand those patterns through a new lens.
✦ Body & Constitution Assessment
Part of the comprehensive intake process may include observation of your tongue, pulse, eyes, nails, and skin. When I meet with clients virtually, I always ask them to send me a picture of their tongue because is offers insight into their constitution and the state of their digestion.
Through conversation and observation, your practitioner will assess:
Prakriti: your natural constitution
Vikruti: your current imbalance
Dosha balance: vata, pitta, kapha
Dhatu health: the condition of your body’s tissues
Agni: your digestive strength
Āma: presence of toxins
✦ Inner Knowing
Many people arrive to an Ayurvedic Consultation already craving what they need on some level—they just don’t know how to trust it yet. Our culture teaches us to override those signals. Ayurveda invites us back into relationship with the body’s inherent wisdom.
My job is to help you clear the noise so you can remember what your body already knows. Together, we’ll untangle your cravings, explore the why behind them, and discover when and how to honor them with care.
What You’ll Receive
You’ll leave with clear, personalized guidance tailored to your constitution, current challenges, and life phase. These recommendations are designed to feel do-able, nourishing, and supportive of your whole being.
This process helps you:
Discover how your constitution shapes your health and needs
Learn to trust your body’s messages and cravings
Find small rituals that bring stability and ease
Build capacity for change and adaptability over time
You may receive support in the form of:
Tailored dietary guidance aligned with your constitution and season
Lifestyle rhythm suggestions around sleep, exercise, and routine
Herbal recommendations based on traditional Ayurvedic formulations
Yoga & meditation practices for grounding and clarity
Simple body therapies like abhyanga, nasya or marma therapy
Life-stage support including prenatal, postpartum, and newborn care
Foundational education in Ayurvedic principles and tools for longevity
How It Feels
Most people leave an Ayurvedic consultation feeling seen, heard, and empowered.
“Everything is lighter and better. I’m loving life, feeling really peaceful, and so much more in my body. I can’t express how disconnected I was from my body before I started working with you.”
“Working with Molly has been one of the best investments in my self-care. I feel heard and supported physically, emotionally and mentally. Her approach is gentle and effective.”
“When we started working together, I was struggling with energy, food and purpose. You helped me shift my lifestyle into one of comfort with Ayurveda. You gave me permission to nourish my body and give myself love and space to heal.”
“I am thinking positively about my choices and listening to my cravings for certain foods as insight rather than compulsions. I feel better and have fewer cravings for unhealthy foods like cookies because my tastes are being satisfied and listened to.”
“This is an entirely different, self-loving, balanced mindset that I intended to have but didn't know how to get a grip on. Our session helped me identify areas to loosen the grip and feel more at peace, pointing me in the direction I want to go.”
Follow-Up & Ongoing Support
After your consultation, you’ll receive written recommendations. Some will be easy to implement; others may need more time and strategy. That’s where follow-ups come in.
Ayurvedic lifestyle integration is a layering process. Each session gives us the opportunity to reflect and refine based on your lived experience. Follow-ups are ideally scheduled every two weeks for the first couple of months to build momentum and accountability.
Over time, you’ll:
Cultivate routines that sustain energy and elevate mood
Optimize digestion to enhance nutrient absorption and reduce toxicity
Explore rest and rejuvenation as medicine
Prevent burnout with rhythms that support your real life
Learn long-term practices for vitality, radiance, and resilience
Reclaim your wellness—and your power—to do your part in shifting our collective culture
Curious About Working Together?
If you’re feeling drawn to personalized support, here are two ways we can connect:
🌿 Book a 1:1 Ayurvedic Consultation
In this 75-minute private session, we will explore your constitution, current imbalances, and practical next steps for healing.
🌿 Become a Founding Member
As a founding member, I am humbled to gift you a 75-minute Ayurvedic Consultation ($200 value), plus full access to new recipes, guides, and the entire archive. It’s a seamless way to step deeper into this work.
FAQ
Do I need to be familiar with Ayurveda?
Not at all. Many clients come with little to no prior knowledge. I’ll guide you every step of the way.
What qualifies a NAMA Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner?
I am trained in the traditional system of Ayurveda, with over 2,000 hours of study and clinical experience. My practice follows the standards set by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association.
What’s it like to work with you?
With a predominantly kapha constitution, I bring steadiness, nuance, and deep listening to our work together. My multidoshic approach helps you feel truly seen—and gives you tools to return to your body’s wisdom with confidence and ease.
I’m not sure if a consultation is the right fit.. what should I do?
Let’s connect for a free 15-minute discovery call. It’s a chance to explore your questions, get a feel for how I work, and see if it’s a good fit before moving forward. Email molly@cultivatebalance.com to schedule.
I hope this guide gives your greater clarity and insight into the abundant possibilities of working with an Ayurvedic Practitioner.
With Care,
Molly
