Ayur-WHAT?

Ayurveda literally means "the Science of Life" in Sanskrit. It originated in India more than 5,000 years ago! (How did they know so much?!) It is actually considered to be the oldest healing science, which means that all other healing practices find their roots in Ayurveda. With some investigation, you'll notice that many of the familiar treatments we see in Herbology, Naturopathic medicine and Homeopathy, Chinese medicine, massage and body work, and yes, even Western allopathic medicine sound a lot like those found in the ancient Vedic texts.

Ayurveda teaches us that our bodies don’t exist separately from the natural world, and in fact one of the defining aspects of Ayurveda is this relationship to the wisdom of nature. The truth is, we are a part of nature, integrated and dependent upon it for our health and wellbeing. The energetic principles of Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water) and Kapha (Earth and Water) in Ayurveda move with the seasons, with time, with Nature and so we must adapt our lifestyle and diet accordingly.

One of the basic principles in Ayurveda is the practice of establishing and following a daily routine. This is not only extremely balancing for all doshas (those energetic principles I mentioned), but also necessary in order to affect any change. It strengthens digestion through regulating the biological clock and aiding absorption and assimilation (metabolism). Being in tune with Nature and creating and adhering to such a routine helps to promote inner peace, self-esteem, self-discipline, longevity and happiness.

Great emphasis is placed on prevention and maintenance of health. A skilled Ayurvedic practitioner will determine your individual constitution (prakruti) and current state of imbalance (vikruti) through a variety of diagnostic tools. When one understands the nature and structure of disorder, one can re-establish order. A plan is then created to return to or maintain balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s own individual constitution through close attention to diet, lifestyle, the use of herbs, right thinking and self-care rituals.

According to Ayurveda, life is to be supported by energy in balance, therefore, the practice does not focus on disease but rather a balance between body, mind and spirit and in accordance with nature. Life presents us with many challenges and opportunities. There may be much over which we have little control, but we do have the power to decide about some things, like diet and lifestyle and our own thoughts. It is important to pay attention to these decisions in order to maintain balance and health. Ayurveda can be used in tandem with Western medicine to make a person stronger and less likely to be afflicted with disease and/or to rebuild the body after allopathic treatments.

Ayurveda addresses all aspects of life: the body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that each of us is unique, that we respond differently to the many aspects of life. And through persistent practice, self awareness, and incorporating the concepts offered in Ayurveda, one can return to a natural state of balance.

Ayurveda, bringing you back to unity and awareness, back to health.