AYURVEDA: LIFE SCIENCE/LIFE KNOWLEDGE

Ayurveda is the world's oldest recorded healing system. Used for more than 5,000 years by many thousands of doctors on millions of patients, it is a proven system of prevention and healing. Ayurveda in Sanskrit means "the science of life", derived from two root words ayus and vid, meaning "life" and "knowledge." Ayus are the daily life cycles which represent the body, the mind, the senses, and the soul. Ancient rishis (an accomplished and enlightened person) of India established a sophisticated science of living known as Ayurveda, taking into consideration the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements of life necessary for optimal health and well-being. Ancient Ayurveda wisdom addresses health on every level.

Ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth are the five elements present in all matter, in various proportions, and compose everything in the universe. Humans have five senses; each is designed to perceive a form of external energy and absorb it into the body. The energies perceived by the five senses are the five elements. Each is created out of the other. All five exist in all things, including ourselves. In a health body, the five elements work in harmony, but an imbalance in any one element stimulates change in all the others.

Each of the elements govern different parts and activities of the body, so any imbalance points to a particular area. Excess Vata (ether+air) affects the colon with symptoms including flatulence, constipation, indigestion, back pain, dry skin, emotional disorders, arthritis, and also circulation problems. Excess Pitta (fire+water) affects the skin, metabolism, eyes, liver and the hair on the head, with symptoms including skin disorders, premature hair loss, diarrhea, and poor elimination process. Excess Kapha (water+earth) affects the joints, lymphatics, body fluids, and mucous membranes. According to the Five Element Theory, the human being is a model of the universe. What exists in the human body exists in altered form in the universal body. Ayurveda believes that everything is made up of five elements, or building blocks: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Their properties are important in understanding balances and imbalances in the human body.

AYURVEDA'S FOUR GOALS IN LIFE:

According to the Vedas (the spiritual root texts of Ayurveda), your soul has four goals or desires, which the texts call the purusharthas, “that which is for the purpose of the soul.”  

1. The fulfillment of your duties to society.

2. The accumulation of possessions while fulfilling duties.

3. Satisfying legitimate desires with the assistance of one's possessions.

4. The realization that there is more to life than duties, possessions and desires.

The aim of Ayurveda is not only healing the sick, but prevention of illness and the preservation of life. The Ayurvedic theory of creation discusses several factors which are interlinked: the body, the mind, the soul (consciousness), the five elements (panchamahabhutas). These four factors are complementary to each other and are equally important to every individual. Ayurvedic medicines are based on natural ingredients and prepared from herbs. 

In Ayurveda, your practitioner will offer various forms of treatment, to include panchakarma, medicines, dietary regimes, and regulation of lifestyle. You may also be offered or taught one or more of a wide range of therapies under the Ayurvedic umbrella: massage & oils, marma therapy, herbalism, rejuvenation therapy, diet, seasonal routines, and daily routines. 

Identify your Ayurvedic constitution and discover how adjusting your diet and lifestyle to suit your dosha can improve emotional, physical and spiritual health. From yoga and meditation to breathing exercises (pranayama) and self-massage (abhyanga), you will discover how Ayurveda works, its principals, and the wisdom to achieve optimum health and well-being.  The goal of Ayurveda is to support the body’s internal healing capability. Schedule your consultation with Ayurvedic Vitality by Virginia today!