Ayurveda
ayus = life veda = knowledge
Ayurveda is the oldest and most comprehensive natural medicine, originating in India. The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit language, translating as a “Knowledge of Life”.
Over 5000 years old, this ancient science is still relevant today to help find and maintain the balance in life that is required to become truly healthy. Ayurveda counsels that true health is not only physical, but is a state of wellness of the mind, body and spirit.
The aim of Ayurveda is not to treat disease but rather to maintain health. Where necessary, Ayurveda seeks to balance and bring back the health of each individual to their natural state, or natal constitution. In Ayurveda this is called one’s Prakriti.
Through diagnostic techniques Ayurvedaconsultation, the Ayurvedic Practitioner determines a person’s Prakriti. They also identify possible imbalances and disease tendencies, find the root causes of the dis-ease, and plan a pathway back to health.
The ancient Ayurvedic sages created a vast body of knowledge based on their understanding of the universe, the energies that are at work in it, and how these energies manifest into matter, the matter around us and within.
All manifest or formed energy is made from the Pancha Mahabhutas,
the 5 Great Elements.
These are Ether(Akasha), Air(Vayu), Fire(Tejas), Water(Jala) and Earth(Prithvi).
Ether is spacious, the space in which everything exists
Air is the force of movement
Fire is the power of conversion
Water provides fluidity and cohesion
Earth is stability and solidity
Ayurveda’s philosophy of life and health is based on the attributes of the 5 elements which are found in everything in nature, including us. Ayurveda teaches that we are not separate from nature but are a part of it.
The ancient sages found that the 5 elements combined in different ways to create Doshas, which are the forces that govern the functioning of the body. These Doshas, or bio- energies, are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each Dosha has a predominance of two of the five elements which imbues it with certain qualities.
The word Dosha means ‘that which can go out of balance’.
However in correct balance the Doshas sustain life and health for the individual.
