Ayurveda
The following topics are covered on this page.
An Introduction to Ayurveda
The Five Elements and the Doshas
Determining your Dosha blend
Bringing the Whole Person into Balance
An Introduction to Ayurveda
Ayurveda (I-ur-vay-dah) is an ancient system of healing from India that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. These healing practices were first mentioned in the Vedas, the world's oldest known literature. The word "Ayurveda" is Sanskrit for "science of life." The practical techniques that comprise this system can be learned and used by anyone.
Ayurveda techniques represent the foundation of a spiritual and holistic practice, and are considered one part of a trinity of balanced health and consciousness. The other two parts are Yoga and Tantra. Yoga postures are for the body, and Tantric methods are for the head, or spirit. All three of these disciplines are meant to be practiced throughout a lifetime of constantly striving to be aware your own balance.
The Five Elements and the Doshas
Ayurveda is based on the idea that humans are a macrocosmic version of nature, which is seen as being comprised of five main elements. Therefore, the elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth correspond to hearing, touch, vision, taste, and smell. Ancient seers, called Rishis, believed that the human body and its experiences were all manifestations of cosmic energy, which is expressed through the elements.
The five elements are manifested in the human body as three principles, called doshas. The Vata dosha represents air and ether, the Pitta dosha is comprised of fire and water, and the Kapha dosha is comprised of the earth and water elements. These three doshas are present in everyone, in different amounts. Each person's tridoshic constitution is determined at their conception. When the personal dosha composition is out of balance, diseases can occur.
The doshas are responsible for several different physical and mental processes. For example, they can affect individual food preferences, elimination of waste products, and the creation and destruction of body tissues. The dosha balance can also affect your emotional balance, from fear and anger to love and compassion. The tridosha system is simple, yet detailed, and it takes years of careful study to comprehend the meanings and interactions between the elements.
Determining your Dosha blend
Often, you can tell a person's predominant dosha type by physical features, such as their height, build, facial features, hair texture, tongue appearance, and fingernails. Other characteristics such as emotions, personality type, and food preferences are also important to consider.
For example, a person with a high amount of "Vata" present can also exhibit some of the qualities of air, such as being a very energetic and fast-paced person, or being restless and creative but easily fatigued. A typical Vata-predominant person might be a tall and lanky with under-developed muscles. They can understand new concepts quickly, but have only short-term memory. Vatas have a tendency to be anxious and easily stressed.
Following is a list of some of the "qualities" of each dosha type. These qualities include some of the twenty recognized gunas, or attributes, that make up the framework of the dosha system.
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Though you can read a book and try to determine your dosha balance on your own, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a licensed Ayruvedic Practitioner before starting any treatments based on your observations.
Bringing the Whole Person into Balance
Once a person's dosha balance has been determined, they can be brought back into a more natural balanced state by using one or several Ayurvedic techniques. Some of the following techniques are more invasive, and some can be simply brought into your daily life practices and habits. Make sure to check with a licensed Ayruvedic practitioner before starting any treatments or ingesting herbs that you are not familiar with.
1)Therapeutic vomiting (Vaman)
2) Purgatives or Laxatives(Virechan)
3) Medicated Enemas (Basti)
4) Nasal passage cleansing and medication(Nasya)
5)Blood Purification (Rakta Moksha)
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