What is Ayurveda?
More than a system for the prevention & treatment of illness, Ayurveda is the science or knowledge of life
The word derives from two Sanskrit roots “Ayur” which means life and “Veda” which means knowledge or science. Also known as “The Mother of Healing”
It is a holistic system of medicine which originated in India, over 5 thousand of years ago.
What can it treat?
Ayurveda is used to treat many different imbalances, some examples include;
Stress
Insomnia
Fatigue
Digestive issues
Pain - Joint, muscular, soft tissue.
Allergies
Anxiety, Depression
PCOS & other women’s health issues
Weight problems
Skin problems
The main concept of Ayurveda is that it personalizes the healing process, recognizing and understanding the unique individual and treating the whole person. Mind body and consciousness are recognized and treated as one entity. Ayurveda places great emphasis on prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through paying close attention to maintaining balance in one’s life, through right thinking, diet, movement, lifestyle and the correct use of herbs. Rather than treat a symptom, its focus is on treatment of the root cause.
The five basic elements Pancamahabhutas (space, air, fire, water and earth) manifest in the human body as three basic humours known as Tridoshas (bio-physical forces) called Vata,Pitta and Kapha. These three govern creation, maintenance and destruction of bodily tissues as well as the assimilation and elimination. Together they regulate and control the catabolic and anabolic metabolism.
Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, we all have a unique pattern of energy—a particluar combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics—which comprises our own constitution, or Dosha. The mind, body and personality are all direct reflections of your dosha. This constitution is determined at conception by a number of factors and remains the same throughout one’s life. Of the Tridosha, we are all a unique combination of all 3.
Vata - composed of space and air - the subtle energy associated with all movement. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle movement, and movement of cells. In balance it gives flexibility, creativity and artistic expression - out of balance is produces fear and anxiety.
Pitta - Fire and water, It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha - Earth & Water - the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and provides the “glue” that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
Many internal and external factors can disturb this balance and are reflected as a change in one’s constitution from the balanced state, and it is this imbalance which manifests as dis-ease. Ayurveda seeks to understand the unique individual, and the cause of disease in order to not only maintain balance, but also bring the patient back to balance and eliminate disease. If we don’t get to the cause, we can only ever treat the symptom.
Balance is the natural order; imbalance is disorder - Health is order; disease is disorder.