What is Ayurveda?
Although there is no magical pill to remove all ailments, there is a very real system of healing that has been used for thousands of years to systematically remove dis-ease from the body and mind. Ayurveda — the most ancient of all medicine and the root of all systems of healing — is estimated to have originated between 5,000-10,000 years ago and is often referred to as the “mother of all healing”. Ayurveda provides information to harmonize every aspect of life based on one’s unique dosha or body type. As an example, the foods that are medicine for you may not work so well for someone with a different dosha. Therefore, all the specific aspects of one’s life are taken into account to create a customized solution to promote vitality, longevity and well-being, including: nutrition, lifestyle, routines, relationships, environment, season and so on. We are constantly interacting with our environment and that can either impart ease or dis-ease — move us toward balance or away from balance. Understanding what works for you personally is a powerful way to educate your Self and maintain or improve your health on all levels.
read moreWhat can Ayurveda offer?
Ayurveda offers a comprehensive healing system that is based on each person’s unique constitution or dosha. Once you’ve gained an understanding of your dosha, a customized wellness plan can be created specifically for you. By determining your innate, unique constitutional make-up of the five elements, also known as Prakruti, you’ve begun your journey into healing. Next you need to gain an understanding of what’s going on right now — your current constitution, or Vikruti. Each breath, each season, each meal, each smile or tear, affects our current balance. Like increases like and opposites balance. Each of us is so vastly different and that is why effective wellness plans are tailored for each individual — individualized medicine. As my teacher says:
“The knowledge of Ayurveda deals with the natural scope and purpose of life and includes its metaphysical and physical aspects along with health, disease and emotions. Ayurveda defines life as the conjunction of body, mind and spirit found in cosmic consciousness and embracing of all Creation.” —Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S.
read moreWhat is true health?
Have you ever considered your personal definition of health? Is it having the vitality to accomplish what you set out to during the day; or the vitality to attain what you set out to during the span of your life? For you, perhaps health is the mobility and strength to be active? Maybe it is that feeling of rediscovering yourself as you recover from a chronic disease. Health is wealth and freedom and each of us defines it differently. Health is far more than lack of dis-ease. According to Ayurveda, the definition of true mental, physical and spiritual health is this:
“One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (constitution) , balanced agni (digestive fire), properly formed dhatus (tissues), proper elimination of malas (wastes), well-functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses are full of bliss, is called a healthy person.” —Sushruta Samhita, 15.3
read more