WHY AYURVEDA?
ESSENCE OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity is known as mother of all the medical systems. It is in fact the oldest complete system of healthcare as its principles are based on the universal law of nature. It is a unique, naturalistic approach that depends on the diagnosis of your unique characteristics to achieve a balance between the body, mind and spirit.
Since we are an undividable part of nature, synchronizing with its cycle and following its principles is the easiest, safest and cheapest way to self-healing. Health is a conscious choice, a proactive approach not a one pill, one size, quick fix.
Ayurveda is a prevention oriented way of life that treats the root of a disease, not only symptoms. Instead of surgery, synthetic drugs with an endless list of side effects, Ayurveda has a multiple approach to health which incorporates massage, Yoga, meditation, diet, herbal remedies, detoxification and daily routine.
PRINCIPLES
The vital concept of Ayurveda is based on correlation between five cosmic elements – space, air, fire, water and earth – which compose the whole universe and us. The five elements represent specific type of energy. Space is expansive consciousness comparable to nuclear energy. Air is an electrical energy; hot and penetrating fire states for radiant energy; water is chemical energy, as it is a universal chemical solvent; and finally earth has physical/mechanical energy. Combined together they create three bio-energies, expressed in terms of Doshas, known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every physical, mental and emotional process within the human body is controlled by these energies.
All five elements are present in each Dosha, but the predominance of Space and Air creates Vata, the principle of movement. The predominance of Fire and Water constitute Pitta, the energy of transformation. Likewise, the predominance of Water and Earth precipitates Kapha, the principle of cohesion, growth, substance.
Each of us has a unique proportion of these three energies that shapes our nature – our look, hair, eyes, body shape, behaviour, emotional responses, sleep, talk, food we favour, people we hang out with, career choices, etc. Predominance of one or more of these forces at the time of your conception establishes your individual constitution, called Prakriti. It is your true nature, which never changes.
There are 7 different body types in Ayurveda; some of us have a strong predominance of either:
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Majority of people have two predominant doshas, known as:
Vata - Pitta
Vata – Kapha
Pitta – Kapha
Lastly, there is the most unique group of individuals who have an equal amount of each energy, called a Tridoshic constitution.
HEALTH AND DISEASE
Imbalanced diet, wrong health choices, seasonal changes, etc. have a great influence on our doshic balance, therefore our health and wellbeing. When we interrupt life and fight natural processes, then we create a perfect environment for the disease, never otherwise. The main purpose of Ayurveda is to re-establish individual doshic proportion to the one at the time of your conception, to your true nature.
Finding out your basic constitution and current imbalances is the vital introduction to ayurvedic treatment.
Balance and harmony are central to the Ayurvedic view of health and disease. Harmonious communication between mind, body and spirit can be achieved by living in balance with the law of nature, which Ayurvedic medicine is based on.
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. ”