Ayurveda Consultations

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.

11/24/2025

My November Dosha Seasons newsletter is now available

Because Vata represents movement and is inherently unstable, it's the Dosha that's most likely to go out of balance. It is involved in around 60% of diseases including most of those afflicting the elderly. Vata is cold, dry, rough, brittle and light. It is balanced by things that are stabilizing in...

10/22/2025

Ahimsa Re-visited

If my post last week got your attention, this is worth seeing: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-kings-protesters-reject-political-violence-survey-shows/

If the opposition to a violent, out-of-control, ego-centric leader remains strong but keeps its cool, the future of democracy remains bright. So far, it seems to be moving firmly in that direction.

Can you even imagine the outcome of an escalation of domestic violence? It wasn't pretty with the technology available 150 years ago. Today, it would be catastrophic.

Massive marches nationwide in the U.S. marked a turn against an increasing acceptance of political violence among protesters, report sociologists

10/21/2025

Read my latest newsletter focused on Vata-balance and instructions for Abhyanga:

Because Vata represents movement and is inherently unstable, it's the Dosha that's most likely to go out of balance. It is involved in around 60% of diseases including most of those afflicting the elderly. Vata is cold, dry, rough, brittle and light. It is balanced by things that are stabilizing in...

10/08/2025

Ahimsa

Non-violence is the heart of the first of the eight limbs of yoga and an essential aspect of Sattva, the evolutionary force that moves life towards perfection in enlightenment. This beautiful essay captures the essence of Mahatma Ghandi’s legacy of Ahimsa and applies it to the leadership requirements of the current world: https://saathee.com/gandhis-enduring-legacy-truth-leadership-and-nonviolence/ . Non-violence is a weapon of the strong leader who builds unity by putting ego aside and working one-pointedly for the collective good.

Amazingly, the author is Raajeev Aggerwhil a stand-up comedian from Los Angeles whose typical schtick involves self-reflective humor about the foibles of South Asians typified by his alter ego: Mr. Cheap Gupta. There is nothing funny about his article. It’s serious business that warrants our attention.

10/08/2025

Drawing Respectful Boundaries

This insightful piece of advice applies to personal life as well as work. https://cruciallearning.com/blog/how-to-respectfully-draw-boundaries-at-work/

My biggest challenge was mastering my own emotions about the situation. It’s all too easy for them to poison the relationship and short-change potential solutions to the problem.

The reason you’re hesitating to set a boundary with your coworker is you know it has potential to hurt her feelings.

09/24/2025

The Real Causes of Autism

When elected officials make a habit of disseminating misinformation for personal gain, a responsible public needs to take notice and act to protect themselves from future harm. Here’s a good summary about what is known about autism from reliable sources:

President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., have tied Tylenol use during pregnancy and folate deficiencies to rising autism rates—but the evidence is thin

09/16/2025

Conscientiousness Trumps Self-Control

Here’s a clear article that explains why conscientiousness is turning out to be a more important trait to cultivate in children than self-control:

Being conscientious will serve kids in the long run. Here are some tips to help them learn that trait

09/16/2025

All of Nature Has a Purpose

This fascinating summary of research into the social behavior of NYC rats is well worth reading: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-map-nightlife-and-communication-of-nyc-rats-to-help-urban/

I've been reading Darwin's Origin of Species and can't help admiring these adaptable survivors even though I'd rather not party with them.

A new preprint field study reveals that New York City’s rats aren’t just survivors—they’re talkative city dwellers with their own hidden nightlife. Mapping their movements and conversations could offer insights to transform urban planning and pest control