What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge). This ancient practice translates to “knowledge of life.” But what is Ayurveda exactly? Based on the principle that disease arises from imbalances or stress in a person’s consciousness, Ayurveda encourages specific lifestyle practices and natural therapies to restore balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Ayurveda offers guidance on what is beneficial and harmful in relation to seasons, the day-night cycle, and different stages of life (childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age). It provides a profound understanding of the body and mind, describing their functions with exceptional mastery. It also classifies the qualities and actions of the animal, plant, and mineral kingdoms.
As Johns Hopkins Medicine explains:
“Ayurvedic medicine, (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is considered a complementary approach.” (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
In Ayurveda, health (Svastha) is defined as a state where all physical and subtle aspects of an individual, along with the soul, are in harmony. What is Ayurveda beyond its medicinal qualities? Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health, addressing prevention, discomforts, and diseases with a personalized approach to each individual.
Ayurveda is not just a medical system but a holistic health system that has been practiced for millennia, embraced by Eastern cultures and, more recently, the Western world.
As stated in the one ancient Ayurveda book:
“Only those who know the secret of the visible,
the science of creation,
can interpret the invisible,
the Creator behind Creation”
Atharva Veda, 10.8.37
The Purpose of Ayurveda
So, what is Ayurveda’s purpose? Ayurveda’s primary goal is to help us become aware of our true essence and understand our physical and psychological nature—our body constitution and temperament. It provides guidance on managing the body, mind, and soul through lifestyle, nutrition, herbal medicines, medicated oils, meditation, color therapy, yoga, and more.
Ayurveda promotes a lifestyle aimed at achieving and maintaining overall health, enabling us to lead a peaceful life, alleviate suffering, and fulfill our potential for happiness. Ultimately, its purpose is to guide us back to our original state, free from illness and unhappiness.
The Relationship Between Ayurveda and Yoga
Ayurveda and yoga are inextricably linked, representing a harmonious blend of twin sciences rooted in the Vedas. Ayurveda offers the guidance and resources needed for optimal health, while yoga cultivates the discipline to live that life.
The Ayurvedic path integrates with the three main paths of yoga:
- Jnana Yoga (Knowledge): Through profound philosophical teachings and Vedic thought.
- Karma Yoga (Action): By embracing therapeutic actions.
- Bhakti Yoga (Devotion): Through devotion to Ayus or life itself.
The Relevance of Ayurveda Today
Ayurveda remains timeless, as long as there is life, there is Ayurveda. To live well, we should all be Ayurvedic, or “knowers” of life. Today, more than ever, we feel a deep need to reconnect with nature, overwhelmed by the awareness of suffering caused by our distance from it and its laws. Ayurveda offers a clear path back to our origins, teaching us how to care for ourselves, others, and the environment. It serves as an “instruction booklet” for living in harmony with nature.
Incorporating Ayurvedic practices on your own can be beneficial, but working with an experienced Ayurveda practitioner provides deeper, personalized guidance. A practitioner starts by looking at your digestion—symptoms like gas, bloating, heaviness after eating, or burning indigestion are key indicators of imbalance. Ayurveda views digestion as the root of health, and when left unaddressed, digestive issues can spill over into more serious conditions such as hormonal imbalances, arthritis, anxiety, sleep deprivation, or chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. By working with a practitioner, you’ll gain insight into how to harmonize your body and mind, accelerating your path to long-term well-being.
What to Expect in an Ayurveda Consultation
An initial Ayurveda consultation takes around two hours, where we’ll discuss various aspects of your life, from digestion and sleep patterns to diet and relationships. I’ll also conduct a physical assessment, including observing your tongue, hair, skin, and bone structure, and for in-person consultations, I’ll take your pulse.
This Initial Consultation allows me to determine your dosha. Dosha is defined as “aspects that can cause problems”. Your dosha is the balance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. You may have heard of these terms, but they can be hard to understand. Below is more information to help clarify what Ayurveda can do for you, what your unique dosha is, and how you can make changes to bring yourself back to perfect (or near perfect) health.
Your natural constitution, or Prakriti, is your unique balance of the doshas. This was determined at conception and is not changeable. It represents you in your most balanced, healthy state. This is the balance that we will be working to restore. Every person has a different Prakrit, as each of us has a different fingerprint.
Your current state of the doshas is your Vikruti. The dosha or doshas which are out of balance have risen into excess, manifesting as disturbances in the body and/or mind. Ayurveda works to correct imbalances so that your body has an ideal environment in which to heal. Imbalances first begin to show up in your life as symptoms- i.e. gas, bloating, lethargy, intensity.
Understanding the 3 Doshas
- Vata Dosha (Ether and Air): Cold, light, dry, and mobile. People with a Vata constitution tend to be small and light-bodied. In balance, they are enthusiastic, creative, and light-hearted.
- Pitta Dosha (Fire and Water): Warm and fiery, with moderate body size. Pitta brings clarity, focus, and logic to the mind.
- Kapha Dosha (Earth and Water): Heavy, moist, and solid. Kapha individuals are stable, grounded, and compassionate.
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Ready to embrace Ayurveda and transform your health?
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