About   Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the wisdom of life and healthy living. The notion of Veda (knowledge) and Ayu (life) together began over 5,000 years ago. The most ancient Sankhya Philosophy identified the close relationship between man and the universe and realized that therein lies a connection, a cosmic consciousness, an existence rooted in balance and harmony. Ayurveda is the practice of reaching balance and harmony within the individual and is referred to as “the Mother of healing sciences.”

The Body, Mind and Spirit Connection

Ayurveda looks at the human being not as a physical being, but as an interrelated spiral of Body, Mind and Spirit. In balance and harmony, the Body, the Mind and the Spirit equate to pure bliss and true health. The Mind influences the Body, the Body the Mind and inspiring both, the Spirit.

The Human Body – a flow of Energy

The body is not a stationary physical structure, as conventional medicine textbooks want you to believe. Rather, the body is a perpetual flow of natural energy. Ayurveda views this energy of life, commonly referred to as Prana, as central to our being and as key to our existence. In addition to this all-encompassing Prana, there are three other energies called Doshas that exist. These Doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The theory of three Doshas, or Tridosha Vichar, is the foundation of Ayurvedic practice. These Doshas and more importantly, the manner in which they are in harmony with one another, control the physiological and psychological functions of the entire body. Vata controls movement and action. Pitta governs digestion and metabolism. Kapha builds tissues and maintains fluid balance.

Body Constitution & Prakriti – an individual’s unique Blueprint

The naturally born balance between the three Doshas equates to an indvidual’s unique Body Constitution, or Prakriti. Within each individual a certain Dosha makeup exists, which is a unique combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This pre-determined Prakriti is each person’s blueprint which gives him or her unique characteristics… looks and personality, likes and dislikes.

What is your Body Constitution?

Read through the following questionnaire and circle the choices, which describe you over all your life (not who you want to be).

1. Physical
V) I am a slender person (size 0 – 8), I hardly gain weight
P) I am medium built (size 10-12)
K) I am well built (size 14-+); I tend to gain weight no matter what I do

2. Skin
V) My skin is dry and thin and itches often
P) My skin looks flushed; I have lots of moles and freckles on my body
K) My skin is smooth and soft; It looks pale sometimes

3. Face
V) My face is oval
P) My face is triangular (I have a pointed chin)
K) My face is round

4. Activities
V) I am a very active person, always on the go
P) I always think before I do anything
K) I am steady and graceful, I don’t like to rush

5. Actions
V) I walk fast, talk fast and I drive in the fast lane
P) My actions are very thoughtful, and precise, Like to drive in the middle lane
K) I am slow, I like to take my time, I drive in a slow lane

6. Sleep
V) I do not sleep soundly; I toss and turn, and sometimes get up early in the morning
P) I am a light sleeper, If something wakes me up, I can easily go back to sleep
K) I am a heavy sleeper, I sleep like a log

7. Appetite
V) Varies, sometimes I feel hungry, sometimes not, often I feel anxious if I don’t eat
P) I always feel hungry; if I don’t eat, I get irritable and angry
K) I don’t feel very hungry; I can go without food easily for a day

8. Bowel movement
V) I tend to constipate, may skip a day or two
P) I have regular bowel movements, sometimes they are loose, tend to get diarrhea
K) I have no problem; I wake up to go to the bathroom

9. Emotions
V) I am a born worrier, I often feel anxious and nervous
P) If things don’t happen my way, I feel very irritable and angry
K) I am a happy person, calm and content

10. Weather preference
V) I love warm and humid weather
P) I enjoy cool weather, I hate warm weather
K) I like warm but dry weather

11. Sweating
V) I hardly sweat
P) I perspire even after taking shower
K) I sweat only if I work very hard

12. Memory
V) I remember quickly, but forget quickly too
P) I remember what I want to remember, and never forget
K) I am a little slow to remember, but once I do, I never forget. I remember details

13. Actions
V) I tend to do things on the spur of the moment
P) I am a list maker, unless I plan, I don’t do anything
K) I don’t like to plan; it is easy to follow others

14. Stamina
V) I like to do things in spurts. I get tired very easily
P) I have medium stamina
K) I can work long hours, I have a good stamina

15. Mind
V) My Mind becomes restless often, it starts racing
P) I get impatient easily
K) It takes a lot to make me mad. I feel very calm

16. Personality
V) “Can I change my mind”
P) "Do it my way or the highway”!
K) “Don’t worry, be happy”!

17. Sports
V) I like action
P) I like to win
K) I like to have fun

18. Health problems
V) My symptoms are mainly pain, constipation, anxiety, depression etc.
P) I often get skin infections, fevers, heartburn, etc
K) I tend to get allergies, congestion, weight gain, digestive problems

19. Hobbies
V) I like art, (drawing, painting), love to dance, travel
P) I like sports, politics
K) I am a nature person; I like gardening, reading, and knitting

Your Score

Count all V's, P's and K's. That is your Body Constitution. If you fit more in 'V' category, then you may have more Vata predominance. If you circled more 'P' choices, you may have strong Pitta, dominating your personality and if 'K' choices seem more appropriate, Kapha may be responsible for your looks and likes.

Vata, Pitta, Kapha personality characteristics:

Physically, Vata people are slim and slender, very energetic, intuitive, and imaginative. They walk fast, talk fast and drive in the fast lanes and tend to “change their mind” often. Pitta people are generally medium in height, with sharp eyes, sharp nose and sharp tongue. They are very organized in their work, speech, and life. They like sports or politics because “winning is everything” to them. Their slogan is “my way or the highway”. Kapha people are mostly stout or well built, with rounded features, a sweet and easy going personality. Their frustration is, difficulty in losing weight. Their slogan is “Don’t worry, be happy”.

Ayurvedic Therapies

Ayurvedic practice emphasizes preventive philosophy and therapies. As this approach first identifies an Individual’s unique Prakriti and then creates a plan for rejuvenation and balance, each lifestyle recommendation is unique and changes with respect to an Individual.

Conceptually speaking, conventional medicine treats the symptoms while Ayurveda treats the cause. Ayurveda believes that if the cause is not removed, the symptoms will recur. Basic Ayurvedic treatment involves the removal of toxins- Panchakarma, a modification of diet and lifestyle and the use of natural herbs. Panchakarma is a profound detoxifying therapy. It has demonstrated its merits for generations across the globe and continues to prove itself in modern clinical trials. Studies continue to show that Panchakarma increases energy, mental tranquility and appetite and decreases diastolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol, chronic pain and stress.

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Ayurvedic Herbs

Herbs are fundamental to medicinal Ayurvedic practice. Long before the arrival of pharmaceutical drugs, people lived long, healthy lives. During these times, people relied on medicinal herbs for the prevention and treatment of disease. Case in point, 25% of current pharmaceuticals originate from natural herbs. Ayurvedic herbs continually test successfully in scientific research labs as being medicinally potent. The following herbs and their benefits are but only a few examples:

• Turmeric - a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-carcinogenic
• Ginger - anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, a natural digestive
• Triphala (Ayurvedic formula) - reduces retinal hemorrhages among diabetic and hypertensive, a natural laxative, overall rejuvenation
• Kutki – hepatoprotective (promotes liver function)

Ayurveda provides a proven perspective on health and healing although it is named ‘new-age’. Ayurveda embodies the concept of holistic medicine, of treating the whole individual, one’s Body, Mind and Spirit. An Ayurvedic approach to life is one of perpetual health and wellness, of prevention rather than cure.

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