What
is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means the "science of life". It originated in India more than 10,000 years ago and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged. Pronounced "Aa-your-vay-da", this ancient healing system has three main focuses: 1) Healing illness, 2) Prevention of disease and 3) Longevity or age reversal.
Laws of Nature and Spirituality In essence, Ayurveda explains the laws of nature that cause health or disease. The first cause of illness is said to be the loss of faith in the Divine or experiencing a spiritual emptiness. From here illness develops due to internal conditions (e.g., foods and liquids) or external conditions (e.g., seasons, lifestyle). The main factors that cause poor health (also described as imbalance) are 1) Poor digestion and 2) Weak immune systems.
When food is not properly digested it sits in the body. Nutrients are not absorbed and the food decays and forms toxins. These toxins cause most diseases in the body. Therefore, it is important to have good digestion.
The immune
system can become depleted by poor nutrition, overwork, drugs and other
excesses. The finest essence of nutrition develops a life sap that
protects the immune system, much like the sap of a tree heals the bruises
in its bark. In addition to promoting physical health, it is the life sap
that becomes transformed through meditation to produce mental peace and
spiritual development. With all the immune disorders that are prevalent
these days, it is even more important that persons develop their immune
sap.
What Makes Ayurveda So Unique?
This spiritual science offers numerous unique benefits:
It looks at people as individuals, not as a generic group.
It heals from the root-cause of an illness, not merely treating the
symptoms.
Only natural therapies are offered.
No side effects develop from the therapies.
Therapies are inexpensive and effective
How Does Ayurveda Work? Tridosha Theory:
The basic view of Ayurveda is that all of life (people, food, animals, nature, the universe, and diseases) are combinations of three energy-elements: air (called Vayu or Vata), fire (called Pitta), and water (called Kapha). When these elements are balanced, one is healthy. Illness is defined as an imbalance of these elements; all disorders are excesses of one or more element.
People and the Elements: A person's constitution (dosha) is predominantly one or more of these elements. Each element relates to certain body types, foods and health concerns. By nature, whatever a person's constitution is, they have a tendency for it to become excessed. For example an air constitution person (Vayu dosha) is thin and bony. Physical symptoms of excess air include dry skin, cracking bones, gas and constipation. Mental symptoms of excess air include fear, worry, anxiety and nervousness. When an air constitution (Vayu dosha) person is balanced they are creative, adaptable and have no physical health concerns. Ayurveda notes that certain foods increase air and other foods reduce air. In general, excess air is reduced by eating cooked or steamed foods, and eating every three or four hours. Foods like carrots, rice and mung beans reduce excess air. Broccoli, baked beans and barley increase air (e.g., they cause gas). Excessive lifestyles also increases the air element.
Fire constitution people (Pitta dosha) tend towards excess heat. When healthy they are strong, make good leaders and are warm and goal oriented. When the Pitta dosha is imbalanced, mentally they become hot tempered, impatient, irritable. Physically they develop heat-related disorders such as acne, rashes, diarrhea, ulcers, toxic blood, liver, kidney, gall bladder, heart and spleen disorders.
Water constitutions (Kapha doshas) tend towards excess water. When healthy they are strong, muscular, calm and loyal. When water becomes excessed, they develop lethargy, and a hoarding or greedy nature. Physically they develop congestion, overweight, edema, heart and kidney problems, etc.
Health means balance. Each constitution has a natural tendency to become imbalanced or excessed. By eating foods and living a lifestyle that reduces the the excesses, one remains balanced. Balancing produces healing, prevention, and reverses the aging process.
Many people have two or even all three elements in their constitution. In these cases, both elements tend toward excess. Thus foods and lifestyles that reduce both elements need to be followed.
What Therapies Does Ayurveda Offer?
Using a holistic approach, Ayurveda offers therapies for each of the five senses because different people learn better through different senses. Therapies include;
Taste:
Herbs and nutrition.
Touch:Massage
(abhyanga), yoga, exercise.
Smell:
Aromatherapy.
Sight:
Color therapy.
Hearing:
Music therapy, mantra meditation, chanting. Spiritual therapies include
meditation, living ethically, and working in a career that one loves or is
purposeful.
The basic principles of Ayurveda and how it can be used in one's daily life.
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Ayurveda is the most ancient and venerated of all medical systems. It is one of the most important health systems in India and it has attracted increasing attention form the West. While it is commonly accepted that Western medicine had it roots in Greek thought and practice, it has been shown that Greek medicine relied heavily on knowledge from the East ands India. There are those who suggest that Hippocrates, considered to be the father of Western medicine, based his medical knowledge on Ayurveda. Ayurveda comes from the two Sanskrit words, ayur meaning life, and veda meaning knowledge. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi brought it to the West in the 1070's, and authors like Deepak Chopra have popularized it in recent years. Ayurveda is a complete and highly integrated science of life. It is a holistic and complex spiritual and philosophical system. This system has been developed over thousands of years and is a subtle body of knowledge. The following if a brief outline of the central concepts of this system. This medical system is based on the system of prevention. This means that people are often treated before the symptoms of the illness become evident. A wide variety of healing techniques are used within the ambit of this system. These include, massage, mineral supplements, dietary change and medicated enemas. Ayurveda is centered on the five basic elements of creation. The philosophical foundation of this system is based on the following belief system in the beginning the universe was completely unified. This unity was differentiated into the five elements called panchamahabhutas. The first element to emerge was ether, which in turn gave birth to air, then to heat and water and earth. These elements are foundations of the Ayurveda system and the basis for further understanding of the body and health. One has to be careful about the interpretation of these various elements, as they are complex and symbolic. The elements do not act in isolation but in combination with the other elements to influence the human body. These combinations are known as doshas. These doshas must be in balance with the human being for health to be maintained. The idea of balance and equilibrium is a central concept in Eastern health knowledge. The relationship and predominance of one of the doshas over another is determined by the type of human personality and therefore determines the type the treatment to be given. The Doshas and personality types The three doshas, based on the five essential elements, make up the essential configuration of any person. The first is known as vata. This dosha is formed through the combination of Akasha, or space and Vayu, or air. Vata is the force that motivates and drives the body; for example, in the circulation of the blood and breathing. Without Vata, the other two doshas could not exist. The second dosha is called pitta. This is formed by the combination of tjas, or fire and water, or Jala. This force creates heat that drives the digestion and assimilative processes. This dosha is responsible for all metabolic activity in the body and for the functions of the intellect. The third dosha is khapa. This is formed by the combination of water, or Jala and prthivi ,or earth. This is the force of stability and cohesion that is responsible for form and structure in the body, from the cells to the bones and muscles. To understand the functioning of these doshas, we have to understand that, in Ayurveda, the individual is understood to be composed of different proportions of these doshas. Our makeup, in terms of body and mind, are a result of a predominance of one of these doshas over another. This also includes genetic inheritance from our parents. The most important aspect of Aryurveda is the balance of the various doshas. This is the foundation of the diagnosis and healing process. The various aspects of this balancing process involve a vast range of different elements, including the tissues of the body, the various channels of elimination and energy and the normal functioning of the five senses. Consulting a practitioner. When visiting a qualified Ayurveda practitioner, the first session will be concerned with diagnosis. Practitioners vary in their techniques but will essentially make a thorough examination of physical as well as psychological and spiritual aspects. The system of Ayurveda is completely holistic and comprehensive. The practitioner will also inquire into lifestyle, relationships, family history and astrological influences. There are different methods of diagnosis that are used. The three-point diagnosis consists of a evaluation through questioning, observation and appearance. Some practitioners use amore complex eight-point diagnosis, which involves an examination of the tongue, voice, skin, eyes, urine and stools. There is also a pulse diagnose which is a very exact science. The three pulse points on the wrist are diagnosed in relation to the three doshas. By the end of the diagnostic session, the practitioner will know the prakrit of the patient, which is the basic overall condition of the individual, and will have diagnosed any health problems.
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