Ayurveda’s Future: The Importance of Community Voices in NAMA

Update Sept 26, 2025

After publishing this piece, I was told directly — by a NAMA board member — that they had been instructed not to be in contact with me. Think about that. An organization that claims to represent Ayurveda in the U.S. actively tells its leadership not to engage with practitioners raising concerns.

This is not transparency. It is silencing. And it is exactly how organizations like this keep power unchallenged. If Ayurveda is to have a future rooted in integrity, we must refuse this kind of gatekeeping and demand openness, dialogue, and accountability.

Ayurveda is built on connection, wisdom, and inclusivity. It expands our understanding of health and well-being to serve as many people as possible. As Ayurveda grows in the U.S., transparency in leadership and decision-making is essential, especially when it comes to who gets to participate fully in this field, including voices from the community, like NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association). NAMA is the largest professional organization for Ayurvedic practitioners in the country, setting membership standards, offering certification pathways, and influencing how Ayurveda is recognized and practiced on a broader scale.

I am a clinical practitioner with a growing business in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My practice is thriving—new clients are now being placed on a waitlist. I don’t need NAMA to validate my work. However, visibility and networking opportunities, particularly through professional associations, are important for any growing field. As I continue building my practice, I see the value in ensuring that Ayurveda remains accessible and inclusive for all trained practitioners.

One issue I have is that graduates of the California College of Ayurveda (CCA) are no longer allowed to test into their appropriate membership level.

• CCA was once an accredited NAMA school, but due to political, professional, and likely personal disagreements within the board, its programs were removed.
• Now, despite completing the same rigorous training that was once recognized, CCA graduates are being forced into a lower membership tier than what they were trained for.
• For example, despite being trained as a practitioner, I was told I could only test into the health counselor membership, which does not reflect my education or clinical practice.

This raises serious concerns:

1. If the training was once valid, why is it no longer?
2. Why are CCA graduates being forced into a lower membership level than they were trained for?
3. Who benefits from these decisions?

If you are a member, you have the power to shape the future of Ayurveda in the U.S. Who you vote onto the board determines whether it remains a gatekeeping institution or evolves into an organization that truly represents and uplifts all qualified practitioners.

Before you vote, ask yourself:

1. Do the board members you support believe in inclusion and transparency?
2. Are they actively working to make Ayurveda more accessible to all qualified practitioners?
3. Are they listening to the concerns of practitioners, or are they shutting down difficult conversations?

Your vote is not just a formality. It determines who gets access, who gets left out, and how Ayurveda will be practiced and perceived for years to come.

A Time for Reflection and Action

I don’t expect this post to make waves publicly. But I do hope it encourages reflection and conversation.

If you’re a practitioner, an educator, or a student of Ayurveda, I encourage you to share this post, have discussions in the ways that feel right for you, and consider what kind of future you want for Ayurveda in the U.S.

Because Ayurveda does not belong to a select few. It belongs to everyone who practices, studies, and upholds its wisdom. Let’s ensure it reflects the true spirit of Ayurveda—one of openness, inclusion, and transparency.

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