Introduction To Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the ancient holistic medical system from India, based on achieving physical and mental harmony with nature, which has been practised for more than 5000 years. Ayurveda means “science of life” (“Ayu” meaning life and “Veda” meaning science). Ayurveda was created during a time of great enlightenment, when the sages of ancient India developed and refined the skills of Yoga, a technique that is being increasingly appreciated in the West today. Ayurveda and Yoga are complementary to each other; some Ayurvedic remedies consist of special Yoga exercises.

Ayurveda is acknowledged by many leading scholars as the mother of medicine because Ayurvedic principles have influenced the development of Chinese, Greek, Arabic and other traditional medical systems. Even modern medicine has adopted a number of Ayurvedic concepts and many of the more recently developed therapies such as Reflexology, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Massage Therapy, Aromatherapy and Naturopathy are all to be found in the ancient texts of Ayurveda.

Holistic Approach
Ayurveda is a complete way of life. It is prevention-oriented, is free from harmful side-effects and treats the root cause of a disease rather than just the symptoms. Ayurveda views illness as caused by an imbalance in a person’s physical or mental constitution and therefore seeks to gently bring a person’s body back into a healthy balance. Ayurveda is not just for people who are ill but also for healthy individuals, because use of Ayurvedic techniques maintains good health.

Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda sees everything in the universe, including human beings, as composed of five basic elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements in turn combine with each other to give rise to three bio-physical forces (or Doshas) – Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water) and Kapha (water & earth).

Most of the physical phenomena to the nervous system by modern physiology can be identified with Vata. The entire chemical process operating in the human body can be attributed to Pitta, including enzymes, hormones and the complete nutritional system. And the activities of the skeletal and the anabolic system, actually the entire physical volume of an organism, can be considered as Kapha.

Every individual has within them all three bio-physical forces, but it is the dominance of any one or two or all three that makes up a person’s individual constitution (for example, a person may be Vata and Pitta dominant). The following describes the typical characteristics of a person dominated by just one Dosha:

Vata dominant people are generally lean and thin with bony limbs. Their hands and feet are usually cold and dry. The appetite and digestion are variable. Sleep is generally disturbed and less than others. They prefer warm weather and try to avoid cold and dry conditions. In general, vata people are creative, enthusiastic, active, alert and restless. They are prone to lower back pain, arthritis, sciatica, sleep disorders. They also generally tend to suffer from constipation, headaches, dry skin, circulation disturbances, stress and nervousness.

Pitta dominant personalities have a moderately developed physique with a muscular body. Skin is generally soft, warm and may have many freckles and moles. They have a strong metabolism, good appetite and digestion. This person usually takes a large quantity of food and drinks plenty of water. They cannot tolerate excess sun, heat and hard work. They sleep for moderate hours but their sleep is generally uninterrupted. They prefer cool weather and try to avoid intense sun and heat. They are very ambitious, courageous and intelligent. They are prone to conditions of inflammation, infections, sunburn, skin disorders, gastritis, stomach ulcers, diarrhoea, hyperacidity and headaches.

Kapha dominant people have well developed bodies with thick broad shoulders and long limbs. Skin is usually soft, oily and lustrous with a light complexion. They have a regular appetite with a relatively slow digestion. They cannot tolerate cold and damp weather. They prefer warm and dry weather. They sleep for long hours and the sleep is usually uninterrupted and deep. They are caring, centred, faithful, patient, stable and supportive people. They are loving and loyal to friends. They generally suffer from dull headaches, sinusitis, tonsillitis, respiratory infections, congestion, bronchitis, obesity diabetes.

Ayurvedic Treatments & Consultations
Ayurvedic treatments involve establishing an individual’s constitution and the nature of the imbalance and then seeking to return the individual’s body to a state of healthy balance. The treatments consist of the use of:

• Herbal remedies
• Specialist massages using herb-infused massage oils
• Nutritional advice tailored to bring balance to a person’s individual constitution
• Advice on lifestyle habits
• Specially selected yoga exercises to suit a person’s individual body constitution.

Following a lifestyle according to your body type not only helps to prevent diseases but also prolongs life. An Ayurvedic lifestyle can be very easily integrated into your individual lifestyle. A combination of herbs, foods, yoga exercises, massages and a lifestyle according to ones Dosha or body type helps to bring complete balance into ones life.

By Dr Deepa Apté, MBBS (India), YLA, BYV, ITEC, MICHT, MAPA
For more information, visit www.AyurvedaPura.com.