In this episode of The Vitalist Podcast, Dr. Keiko sits down with Dr. Meghana Thanki, an Ayurvedic and naturopathic doctor, to explore the deep intelligence of Ayurveda, the original science of life. Together they unpack what it truly means to live in alignment with nature’s rhythms and the body’s innate wisdom.
Dr. Thanki shares how she was called to Ayurveda while studying naturopathic medicine, and how the sister sciences of yoga and Ayurveda form a complete lifestyle system for healing. You’ll learn about ojas (vital life force), the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), and how everyday rituals, from tongue scraping and oil massage to mindful eating, can restore balance and longevity.
They dive into practical tools for living Ayurveda in the modern world: how to nourish the seven tissue layers, feed your ojas, understand your constitution, and apply these timeless principles without overhauling your life. With warmth and clarity, Dr. Thanki bridges ancient medicine with contemporary wellness, showing that vitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about rhythm, awareness, and self-understanding.
BIO:
Dr. Meghana Thanki is a Naturopathic Doctor based in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in Ayurvedic medicine and holistic lifestyle healing. Her work blends the deep wisdom of Ayurveda with modern naturopathic principles to address not only symptoms, but the root causes of imbalance. Guided by the timeless philosophy that the body is designed to heal when in rhythm with nature, Dr. Thanki helps patients reconnect with their innate intelligence through personalized Ayurvedic care, ritual, and education.
HIGHLIGHTS:
What led Dr. Thanki from naturopathic school to studying Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science. (01:36)
How Ayurveda complements rather than contradicts what’s taught in naturopathic schools. (02:50)
Why Dr. Thanki chose naturopathic medicine despite coming from a family of MDs. (03:20)
How Dr. Thanki integrates traditional Ayurvedic practices into modern clinical care. (05:12)
What Ayurveda really means, the science of life, and how it teaches us to live in rhythm with nature beyond the yoga mat. (06:38)
Dr. Thanki explains “ojas,” Ayurveda’s concept of vital life force, and how to preserve it through daily rituals. (08:11)
The seven tissue layers of the body. (10:12)
How to directly feed your ojas with Ayurvedic superfoods like ghee, nuts, and spiced ojas balls. (11:00)
Why skin conditions often reflect blocked nourishment in the blood tissue layer, especially in pitta climates like Arizona. (12:12)
Why Ayurveda’s power lies in simplicity, and how to begin without overwhelm. (13:35)
Understanding the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and how they shape your body and mind. (15:35)
The role of Vata, the air element that governs all movement in the body. (16:15)
Pitta as the fire element and why balanced digestion applies to food, emotions, and even information. (17:07)
Kapha, the earth element that provides structure, strength, and grounded stability. (18:00)
How Ayurvedic constitutions are formed and why we are all born Kapha. (19:07)
Traits of the Vata constitution: creative, talkative, and energetic yet easily depleted. (20:18)
Traits of the Pitta constitution: organized, driven, and fiery in both body and mind. (20:55)
Traits of the Kapha constitution: steady, nurturing, graceful, and deeply reliable. (21:12)
How doshic balance is inherited at conception and why preconception cleansing matters. (22:10)
The doshas through life’s stages: from Kapha in childhood to Vata in elderhood. (23:11)
The ancient art of Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis to assess Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. (24:17)
Ayurvedic tongue analysis: how your tongue mirrors your digestion and toxicity. (25:04)
The benefits of traditional tongue scraping for digestion and detoxification. (25:31)
Using abdominal percussion to locate where each dosha resides in the body. (26:58)
What marma points are and how they serve as gateways of healing in Ayurveda. (28:50)
How oil therapy for the ears treats tinnitus, travel fatigue, and jet lag. (29:07)
Why we live in a Vata-toxic world and how regularizing Vata can prevent disease. (30:18)
Applying Ayurvedic eating principles without cooking Indian food. (31:01)
The top three Ayurvedic kitchen spices: cumin, coriander, and turmeric. (33:20)
How to bloom mustard and cumin seeds in oil to enhance digestion and flavor. (34:15)
The hidden gem spice asafetida and why it’s a must for bloating relief. (35:02)
How pressure cooking aligns with Ayurvedic digestion and the Plant Paradox principles. (35:43)
Dr. Thanki’s go-to teas and her caution around potent herbs like ashwagandha. (36:38)
How Ayurveda views the emotional roots of disease through spiritual psychology. (37:23)
Integrating Gene Keys and the work of Richard Rudd into Ayurveda. (38:02)
Dr. Thanki’s daily Ayurvedic practices and seasonal cleansing rituals. (39:12)
Her take on the modern longevity movement through an Ayurvedic lens. (40:44)
Inside Dr. Thanki’s Royal Retreats: immersive experiences in Ayurvedic living. (41:31)
Her Ayurvedic Supper Club: learning to eat for your dosha in community. (43:31)
About her book The Ayurvedic Lens: an educational memoir written at a Tom Bird retreat. (45:32)
Where to connect with Dr. Thanki online and in person. (46:35)
RESOURCES:
Follow @SecondNatureClinic
Visit Second Nature Clinic
Buy Dr. Thanki’s Book The Ayurvedic Lens
Copper Tongue Scraper
Book: Gene Keys by RIchard Rudd
Book: Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry
Spice Asafoetida Powder
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