The Wisdom of Life
Ayurveda, the art of living in harmony with nature, is a holistic system of medicine that originated in India over 5000 years ago. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in health and well-being. Derived from a Sanskrit word, Ayus, meaning life and Veda, meaning wisdom, Ayurveda, the wisdom of life, offers a proven guide for a life of happiness, vitality, love and purpose. It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. From the ayurvedic perspective, human beings are not viewed as mere thinking physical machines but rather as fields of intelligence in dynamic exchange with the energy and information of the environment. Health is a dynamic state of harmony in which all the layers of one’s life are integrated.
Your Unique Mind/Body Type
Ayurveda explains that each one of us inherits a unique metabolic composition that shapes specific mental and physical characteristics, as well as emotional tendencies. From the five elements (space, air, fire, water, earth), the three doshas are derived – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Known as mind-body types, the doshas express particular patterns of energy – unique blends of physical, emotional and mental characteristics. A dosha can increase or decrease, and create an inbalance in the body/mind, which then creates an environment for disease to flourish. Ayurveda can bring the dosha back into balance through diet, lifestyle, herbs and body therapies. Most people tends towards a predominance of one dosha. Understand your dosha.
Creating Balance
Understanding your predominant dosha and how to balance it is key to recovery from and prevention of disease. In Ayurveda, health is defined as the dynamic state of balance between mind, body and environment. It is possible for each of us to achieve and maintain a vibrant and joyful state of health by identifying our mind-body type and then creating a lifestyle that sustains and nurtures our unique nature.
The first step is by creating a harmonized daily routine. This is done by recognizing that the human body has an inner pharmacy, capable of naturally generating the chemistry of happiness and health. Integrating dosha-balancing sounds, sensations, sights, tastes and smells, into your inner and outer daily routine is the first step on your path to timeless health.
An Ayurvedic Practioner is able to determine precisely which doshas are out of balance, and make recommendations based on that imbalance. These recommendations may include dietary and lifestyle changes, specific yoga asanas (poses), sound therapy (music and/or mantras), breathwork, meditation routines, gem and color therapy, and ayurvedic bodywork treatments. A practitioner’s goal is to help individuals understand their mind/body type and offer them the tools to live in harmony with it.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Ayurveda can effectively treat a wide range of problems from the common cold to chronic illnesses. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with Western medicine. Here is a list of some of the conditions Ayurveda can treat: allergies, colds, asthma, arthritis, acid reflux, IBS, indigestion, constipation, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, acne, anxiety, insomnia, PMS, menopause, HIV support, cancer support, fatigue, addictions, depression, ADHD, GERD, and wounds.
Ayurveda can also prevent disease by strengthening the metabolism and immunity, balancing hormone levels, and cleansing all body systems of toxins.