What is Ayurveda? If this question has been in your mind for some time- you’re not alone. Ayurveda is more than a system of solely treating illnesses. In the last decade, Ayurveda has been growing in popularity across the world. This is partly due to the work of Deepak Chopra, a well-known physician who combines western medicine with Ayurveda.
On the other hand, you could be interested in taking Ayurveda training because you want to take advantage of its rising popularity and help other people. Either way, you can benefit from this guide that will teach you everything that you need to know about Ayurveda.
What Is Ayurveda?
Also known as Ayurvedic medicine, Ayurveda is actually one of the oldest forms of alternative medicines in the world. It started in India over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is considered to be a holistic healing system, which means that it helps heal the whole body in a natural and holistic way.
It is also considered as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the US. For Ayurveda, balance should be achieved among the body, spirit, and mind of a person. An imbalance in any of the three will result in poor health and overall wellness.
The focus of Ayurveda is to promote good health, rather than fight disease. This means that if you are sick, Ayurveda is not a main treatment in your betterment. As in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda is based on theories of health and illness and on methods of preventing and treating health conditions.
The Ayurveda Concept
The concept of Ayurveda is simple – everything in this world, the universe, is interconnected. If you want good health, you have to make sure that three areas– body, spirit, and mind – are in a harmonious balance with the universe. An imbalanced relationship can lead to poor health.
In addition, Ayurveda is based on the belief that there’s nothing more powerful when it comes to healing and transforming the body than the mind. This is why if you want to be healthy, your mind should be in its best state along with an increased sense of awareness to help with your balance.
The Five Elements Of Ayurveda
In order to get more insight into Ayurveda, it’s also important to know the five elements that make up the universe. After all, it’s operating under the belief that the whole universe is interconnected.
Here are the five basic elements in the universe which every person is made of a combination:
- Air
- Earth
- Fire
- Space
- Water
These elements are combined together in your body to form three life forces, known as dosha. These doshas control how your body works. Understanding these doshas is important if you intend to practice Ayurveda.
The three doshas are:
- Pitta dosha (water and fire)
- Vata dosha (air and space)
- Kapha dosha (earth and water)
The Body Types Of Ayurveda
Now that you have an idea of what Ayurveda is about, let’s discuss your Ayurvedic body type. No, we do not mean your specific body build. You will need more information about your individual doshas and this can be obtained by taking an Ayurveda assessment.
Every individual inherits a unique mix of these three doshas. One (or two) doshas is typically more dominant in a person. Each dosha controls a different body function. It is believed that your chances of getting ill are directly connected to the balance of your doshas.
Knowing Your Dosha
Knowing your personal mind-body-constitution is crucial to make Ayurveda work for you. You see, every person is influenced by all three doshas, but they manifest differently in each of us. The best way for you to experience the benefits of this holistic healing system is to eat the right foods and do the right exercises for your specific body type. This is why it all starts with knowing your body type.
For example, you discover through an assessment your dominant life force. With your specific condition determined, you will be given recommendations as to the foods that you should eat and the exercises that you have to focus on. This is to maximize your health and well-being. In addition, eating these foods and doing these exercises can help restore and maintain balance in your body.
In addition, you will get suggestions on changes to make in your lifestyle. There will be specific changes that you have to do in order to help you experience the benefits of Ayurvedic medicine.
The Importance Of Meditation
Through the study of Ayurveda, you will also come across information about Ayurvedic meditation. Meditation plays an important part in the healing. As mentioned previously, the mind controls the body, and meditation provides good exercise and relaxation to the mind.
The Six Tastes Of Ayurveda
Eating a healthy diet is also important. This requires that you eat a balanced diet with all the nutrients represented in your plate. You have to make a conscious effort to ensure that you’re getting the six tastes of Ayurveda in your meals:
- Salty
- Sour
- Sweet
- Bitter
- Astringent
- Pungent
By enjoying the six tastes, you will feel more satisfied after each meal. This reduces the urge to snack on unhealthy foods. In addition, colors matter in a healthy diet. Make sure to ingest foods of different colors to ensure a balanced and varied diet.
By following these tips, you will experience one of the benefits of Ayurveda teachings. One of the best benefits is you get to improve your digestive system. By strengthening this, wastes and toxins are eliminated from the body efficiently. In addition, metabolism is improved which can also help with weight loss.
Conclusion
There’s no question that it makes sense to use the holistic healing properties of Ayurveda in our daily life. If you are considering Ayurveda practice, it starts with knowing your Ayurvedic body type. Now that you know more about Ayurveda, consult your doctor first if you are considering Ayurveda for a health condition.
