More Canadians are curious about Ayurveda, but many aren't sure what a consultation actually involves, especially one done over video. This guide covers what happens before, during and after an online Ayurvedic consultation, what it costs, and how to choose a practitioner you can trust.
In Canada, Ayurveda is offered as wellness and lifestyle guidance, not as medical care. A consultation looks at how you eat, sleep, move and manage stress, and builds a plan around your body constitution. It works alongside your family doctor; it never replaces them, and a responsible practitioner will never ask you to stop or change prescribed medication.
Because Ayurveda isn't a regulated health profession in Ontario, it's worth checking a practitioner's training. A BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is a five-and-a-half-year degree in India that includes a one-year internship, and an MD (Ayurveda) is a further three-year postgraduate degree.
A little preparation makes the hour far more useful. It helps to have:
An initial consultation usually runs 45 to 60 minutes by secure video. Most of it is conversation: your digestion and appetite, sleep, energy, stress, daily routine and health history. From that, the practitioner assesses your constitution and what is currently out of balance, using traditional Ayurvedic methods adapted for video.
You receive a written plan, typically within 48 hours, covering food choices and meal timing, a daily routine, and simple lifestyle practices suited to your constitution. Follow-up sessions adjust the plan as you go, because what works in week one often needs tuning by week four.
At Ayurveda Consulting, a free 15-minute discovery call comes first, so you can ask questions before paying anything. An initial 60-minute consultation is $89 CAD, with three- and six-session packages for ongoing support. Ayurvedic consultations usually aren't covered by provincial health plans or most extended health benefits, so check your own plan.