Ayurveda For All
Ayurveda, the holistic healing system of India, is in the news often these days, but it is actually one of the most ancient healing systems on the planet. It truly can help you live a longer, healthier, and happier life. Translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “the science of life.” Ayurveda is a vast assortment of interrelated practices that encompass literally every aspect of a person’s health and lifestyle. This health system emphasizes the science of longevity while focusing on the promotion of optimal health. Ayurveda is sometimes called “the mother of all healing.” According to scholars of Ayurveda, this system is the origin of most of the world’s healing systems — all Asian medical systems evolved from the core of Ayurveda. Although historians debate the dates, some authorities maintain there is evidence for written records of Ayurveda going back 5,000 years.
How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?
- Ayurveda is not a “one-size-fits-all” system. Instead, its regimens are tailored to each person’s unique prakruti (Ayurvedic constitution), taking into account his or her needs for nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, social well-being, and other lifestyle elements.
- Daily routines, called dinacharya, and seasonal regimens, called ritucharya, are recommended. Following these individualized plans help users of Ayurveda attain robust physical health, as well as mental and spiritual harmony.
- In Ayurveda, every individual is distinctive and there is no single diet or lifestyle routine that works for everyone.
- Prevention is key. Ayurveda focuses on providing specific guideline on how to preserve physical and emotional health.
- Prevention is key. Ayurveda focuses on providing specific guideline on how to preserve physical and emotional health.
- Food and lifestyle routines are considered the most important medicine. If you come to an Ayurvedic doctor with a complaint, you are more likely to leave with a recipe than with a prescription for pill.
Let’s explore one of the foundational principles of Ayurveda that may be able to improve your quality of life: Tridosha are the three factors that control our health and prevent disease. They are – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The balance of Tridosha enhances health and imbalance in Tridosha may lead to disease. The goal of Ayurveda is to teach people how to attain optimal health through a deeper understanding of themselves and their own particular nature in relationship to the world around them. It is a system based on natural healing through strengthening the body, mind, and spirit and allowing the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to work to their fullest potential.
Ayurvedic Tips for Balanced Living: Beneficial Daily Routines
- Rise before the sunrise.
- Drink a full glass (8 oz.) of room temperature or warm water.
- Clean your face, mouth and nasal passages and gargle with salt water.
- Do some light yoga or stretching exercise.
- Meditate for 20 minutes.
- Take a walk or run for ½ hour, 3–4 times per week.
- Have a nourishing breakfast according to your body type.
- Have a relaxing or complete meal at lunchtime. 11–2 pm.
- Meditate in late afternoon before evening meal for 20 minutes.
- Eat dinner between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. This should not be a heavy meal.
- Allow two hours after your dinner before going to bed.
- Bedtime 9:00–10:00 pm.
Tags: Ayurveda