Ayurveda, which literally means “The Science of Life” or “The Science of Living” (Ayur=life and Veda=science) is a system of natural healing that originated from the Vedic system of knowledge of India over 5,000 years ago. There are 4 Vedas (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda.
The goal of Ayurveda is to achieve optimal health and well being by addressing the uniqueness of each person. Ayurveda is different from other medical sciences in that it recognizes that everyone is different in regards to body type and psychological personality and considers all levels of being including physical, behavioral, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, familial, social, environmental, and universal. Using natural methods, Ayurveda allows each person to take responsibility for his/her own health by aligning themselves with the laws of nature. Ayurveda focuses on being in harmony with nature’s natural cycles (including seasons) and views health as balance between our body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Ayurveda focuses not only on creating, but maintaining vibrant health. Emphasis is on the prevention of imbalance in the body and mind, which can lead to disease. Ayurveda sees the creation of health and/or disease as the result of how we interact with the world in regards to our thoughts, conditioning, feelings, beliefs, and perceptions, which eventually determines our actions. Ayurveda believes that disease is created by lack of balance, poor eating habits, negative emotions, stress, and poor elimination.
The goal of Ayurveda is to achieve optimal health and well being by addressing the uniqueness of each person. Ayurveda is different from other medical sciences in that it recognizes that everyone is different in regards to body type and psychological personality and considers all levels of being including physical, behavioral, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, familial, social, environmental, and universal. Using natural methods, Ayurveda allows each person to take responsibility for his/her own health by aligning themselves with the laws of nature. Ayurveda focuses on being in harmony with nature’s natural cycles (including seasons) and views health as balance between our body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Ayurveda focuses not only on creating, but maintaining vibrant health. Emphasis is on the prevention of imbalance in the body and mind, which can lead to disease. Ayurveda sees the creation of health and/or disease as the result of how we interact with the world in regards to our thoughts, conditioning, feelings, beliefs, and perceptions, which eventually determines our actions. Ayurveda believes that disease is created by lack of balance, poor eating habits, negative emotions, stress, and poor elimination.
Simply put, Ayurveda believes that when we are in harmony with our true and highest selves, we create health and when we are out of touch with our inner nature, we create disease. Ayurveda strives to assist the body in journeying back to positive health.
For both chronic diseases and to reestablish balance, Ayurveda uses natural healing modalities rather than using prescription drugs. Some of these treatments include the use of herbs, a cleansing and pure diet, aromatherapy, music and sound, massage, music, seasonal alterations to diet and sleep, daily lifestyle routines, guidelines to eating, proper use of senses, a deep detoxification technique known as Panchakarma, yoga, meditation, breathing techniques such as Pranayama, and much more.
Many people are realizing that these valuable methods of healing are readily available and that by integrating these simple methods into daily life, health and healing are within reach.
For both chronic diseases and to reestablish balance, Ayurveda uses natural healing modalities rather than using prescription drugs. Some of these treatments include the use of herbs, a cleansing and pure diet, aromatherapy, music and sound, massage, music, seasonal alterations to diet and sleep, daily lifestyle routines, guidelines to eating, proper use of senses, a deep detoxification technique known as Panchakarma, yoga, meditation, breathing techniques such as Pranayama, and much more.
Many people are realizing that these valuable methods of healing are readily available and that by integrating these simple methods into daily life, health and healing are within reach.
Ayurveda recognizes that human beings are part of nature and have within them the qualities of space, air, fire, water, and earth. In this, there are three fundamental energies that are responsible for and govern all the functions of our bodies and minds. Western medicine is based on the structure of the body, while Ayurveda concentrates on the energies behind the structure. These energies or Tridoshas are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone has a unique proportion of these three doshas. Ones prakriti or body constitution is simply the exceptional proportion of the doshas at the time of conception, making each person unique.
VATAVata’s (wind element) are all about movement. The nature of a Vata is like the wind, moving and scattering things about. Vata’s tend to be of small, thin stature, light, enthusiastic, and energetic. The Vata time of the year is fall and early winter. During this time, it is easier for Vata’s to become imbalanced and those having some Vata within them can easily become imbalanced as well.
Balanced Vata’s are lively, creative, strong communicators, emotionally sensitive, compassionate, charismatic and multifaceted in interests and abilities. Imbalanced Vata’s tend to be anxious, have dry skin, insomnia, constipation, difficulty focusing, inclined towards fear and depression, zone out in conversations, have trouble making decisions and are overly active thinkers. |
PITTAPitta’s (fire element) tend to be more on the intense side. Pitta nature is transformational, giving light. Pittas are generally of medium build, are good thinkers and tend to have more discrimination than the other doshas. They are confident, have clear vision, speak to the point and are natural leaders. The Pitta time of the year is summer. During this time, it is easier for Pitta’s to become imbalanced and those having some Pitta within them can easily become imbalanced as well.
Balanced Pitta’s are warm and friendly, disciplined, and are good speakers. Pittas are also highly intelligent, goal oriented, and organized. Imbalanced Pitta’s tend to be irritable, jealous, angry, intense, loud, aggressive, and controlling. |
KAPHAKapha’s (earth element) tend to be easy going, relaxed, calm, content, methodical, and nurturing. Kapha nature is all about structure. The Kapha time of the year is late winter and spring. During these times, it is easier for Kapha’s to become imbalanced and those having some Kapha within them can easily become imbalanced as well.
When Kapha is balanced, they tend to be stable, loving, patient, loyal, accepting, and supportive. Imbalanced Kaphas are prone to weight gain, laziness, sluggishness, attachment, depressed, and introverted. Although we all have a little of each dosha, most of us are predominant in one or two of the doshas. Ultimately, one of the most important goals of Ayurveda is to determine one’s ultimate state of balance and equilibrium, identify where they are imbalanced, and then to bring them back to their natural state of harmony by using the natural methods listed above. |
