Ayurveda : an introduction

Ayurveda  or “science of life” is an ancient Indian system of medicine found on the immutable laws of nature. This traditional healing system teaches that not only can we halt the growth of disease, but we can actually eliminate it, through nutritional guidelines, exercise, stress reduction techniques and other treatment therapies.

Ayurveda views each patient as a unique, complex individual. Unlike modern western medicine, which focuses on the treatment of symptoms of an illness,Ayurveda concentrates on the source of the patient’s disease, using natural treatments to promote each person’s inherent self-healing abilities.

The basis of Ayurvedic philosophy is the belief that the intelligence of the natural world is within each of us. The five basic elements of the universe – ether, air, fire, water and earth – combine in the body into three characteristic humors (doshas): Vata (ether and air), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth). Ayurvedic Medicine stimulates our inner intelligence.

Ayurveda is the most comprehensive and ancient healing principle on the planet. Ayurveda focuses its attention on absolute and perfect health. ‘Ayur’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge. Ayurveda is the science of life. This 5000-year-old science of life concentrates on not the diseases but the whole lifestyle itself. The tree life energy, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the emphasis of Ayurveda. A well-balanced state of the three subtle energies ensures a healthy and harmonious life.

According to Ayurveda, all activities in the universe and in man are grouped into three basic functions – creation, organization and destruction. According to Ayurveda, the right balance of the three subtle energies, called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, is what maintains health. Ayurveda says the body is made up of tissues (dhatus), waste products (malas), and doshas (loosely translated to Energetic Forces). It is the Tridoshas’ job to assist with the creation of all of the various tissues of the body and to remove any unnecessary waste products from the body. It is also the Tridoshas that influence all movements, all transformations, all sensory functions, and many of the other activities in the human body and mind.