Ayurveda- The Science of Life, The Balance of Nature

 While I have been offering Ayurvedic Massage and Holistic Health Coaching with an Ayurvedic focus for quite a while now, the question still arises- What is Ayurveda? I figured it was about time to shed some light on the subject. You may actually be quite surprised that you've really known about it all along...

It is unfortunate that Ayurveda is not better known. After all, it is the oldest recorded medicinal practice in history, dating approximately 5000 years back. Ayurveda breaks down in 2 separate words. Ayur=Science & Veda=Life or Knowledge. Therefore, Ayurveda is The Science of Life. 

First derived from Southeastern Asian countries such as India, Ayurveda is still practiced using the elements to bring balance to one's health and well-being. Nature gives us the healing tools we need in order to thrive. With the use of Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Ether (Space), we can tend to our bodies naturally. The body and mind already rely on these elements to function properly. Body temperature, movement, thought, skincare, nutrition, breathing...all depend on nature's available components. Hence, this is how the elements can give us just what we need. No synthetics, no chemicals, no foreign substances in which our bodies can have adverse effects from. 

Ayurveda is very extensive and in-depth, but what is important to remember is that it takes the whole body-mind into perspective to prevent and treat, versus just tackling the symptoms. Balance is key and finding multiple therapies to assist in the healing process create the most effective and beneficial results. Ayurveda stresses the importance of the client being in charge of the healing process with the practitioner encouraging a proactive  lifestyle in order to create long-term changes. With Western Medicine, medications tend to be the 'quick fix bandaids' which only mask the underlying issue and lead to complications and side effects down the road. Eventually, medications cause deterioration of the immune system, digestive system, nervous system and so on. Medications can also become addictive, or at least depended on, and are difficult to discontinue use. 

Therapies involved in Ayurveda include massage, yoga, meditation, herbs, breath work, and detoxification. Some things you might be familiar with: Yoga is an Ayurvedic practice. Massage is done with warmed base oil (different oils for different skin types and Doshas- explained later), Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from flowers and plants. Herbal and Bach Flower Therapy is Ayurvedic, and so is oil-pulling with coconut oil for detoxing. The Netti pot is an Ayurvedic technique used to clear the sinuses. These are just some of the better-known therapies and techniques, but there are many more. 

Doshas- what are they? Well, in order to bring balance, we must know what is out of balance. The 3 Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) make up one's constitution. Our constitution involves a myriad of traits of the physical, mental and psychological self. If there is imbalance, there is elevation or suppression of a Dosha and it needs to be addressed. And how are these Doshas brought back into balance? The elements. For instance, Vata is a combination of Air and Ether. It needs to be balanced by grounding elements such as Earth and Water. Pitta's elements are Water and Fire. Using Air, Ether and Earth help balance the Pitta. With Kapha, the elements are Earth and Water. It needs balance with Air, Ether and Fire. From diet and herbs to active life and exercise, skin regiments, yoga and meditation, there are specific directions one can take and tools one can use in order to create their own custom lifestyle practice. 

(Want to know your Dosha constitution? Take the questionnaire here.)

Knowing the jist of how to balance can be pretty clear, but knowing specifically what to do for the imbalance may need some guidance. A few simple day-to-day balancing practices we already do naturally are bundling up when cold, cooling off when hot, resting when tired, eating when hungry, and drinking when thirsty. But beyond this, we may tend to ignore the signals of our body or give it what it needs the least. Finding the right pathway for you is very important, as every person is different with different needs. We all react differently to various stimuli; therefore, we have to have our own form of a healthy lifestyle and set of regiments that complement our constitution. 

Balance is known in Western Medicine as Homeostasis, but it is not focused on. With Ayurveda, it is the only focus. Having a natural balance in our life is vital to our health and well-being. It will keep us whole, live longer, look younger, feel better, and even prevent and fight diseases. It is mind over matter and nature plus nurture. Take care of your SELF!