Ayurveda
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is said to be the oldest healing science. Literally translated it means "science of life". Ayurveda originated in India and is more a way of life than a specific healing modality. It encompasses the whole human; body, mind, and spirit. Proponents of this life style believe that balance and inner harmony are vital to living a healthy and vibrant life. Ayurveda is basically, living your life according to your specific body type or 'dosha'. Once you know your specific dosha, then your diet can be adjusted to include foods that give you optimum health and wellbeing.
If you are suffering from an illness of one type or other, practicing Ayurveda can help your body heal and restore its own energy flow. For those who are not ill but just want to live a healthier lifestyle, Ayurveda is the perfect way to help you live up to your very best potential.
What are the characteristics of the doshas?
There are three doshas: veta, kappa, and pitta. Ayurveda uses five elements to determine an individual's dosha; air, water, fire, earth, and space. Everyone is a combination of these elements and may have characteristics from all the doshas, however, one dosha will be dominant. The dominant dosha is the one that Ayurvedic healing and lifestyle centers around. To determine a person's dosha, an Ayurvedic practitioner will take into consideration; skin type, build, appetite, memory, bowel habits, emotional tendencies, and illnesses. In other words, they will consider the whole person which is essential in treating the whole person.
Vetas tend to be thin, fast, and are able to 'think on their feet'. Vetas also tend to have dry skin and are susceptible to constipation and anxiety.
Kappas are the calm individuals, easy going. They are solid built and are susceptible to diabetes, sinus congestion, obesity, and gallbladder problems.
Pittas are thought to have fiery personalities. They tend to have oily skin and are susceptible to heart disease, ulcers, and arthritis.
Diets prescribed by an Ayurvedic practitioner includes, not only specific foods and food groups, but also culinary herbs and spices. All of these work together to balance the prana or vital energy of a person's main dosha.
Besides diet, what are the other healing practices of Ayurveda?
Before beginning a new dosha diet, a person may be instructed to fast or go through a cleansing ritual to remove toxins and impurities.
Physical exercise, including yoga postures and stretches, is also a large part of the Ayurvedic lifestyle and is also individualized according to dosha type.
Meditation, an integral, part of the Ayurvedic system is for the mind and the spirit. Focusing on good things helps keep us calm and relaxed. In a calm, relaxed state, the body's life energy can flow freely promoting health and healing.
Ayurveda, though classified as a healing art, is actually a lifestyle of continuing health and vitality. It is a system of treating the whole person, if that person is ill, to make them well. It is also a system of living a life that naturally manufactures abundant energy and vibrant health.
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