ABOUT AYURVEDA

‘Ayu’ means Life. ‘Veda’ means Knowledge. Ayurveda is the ancient science providing guidance on maintaining health and treating disease. It describes a way of living that is self-healing by outlining personal practices that adhere to the natural rhythms and cycles of life on a daily and seasonal basis.

“It describes natural methods including diet, lifestyle, exercise, herbs, spices, oils, massage, minerals, mental hygiene, sounds, smells and actions to eliminate toxins, heal disease and promote health and wellbeing.”  David Frawley  

Ayurveda is Unique Among Health Systems

• It treats each person as an individual – Tri Dosha Theory, Vata, Pitta, Kapha. 

• It treats the root cause of ill health. It has a preventative focus; provides guidance on Lifestyle.

• The aims of Ayurveda are linked to universal and spiritual goals – the Knowledge of Life.

• It’s based on the principles of Natural Law.

• Ayurvedic understanding is subjective – treats the whole person.

• Ayurveda uses food as medicine.

HISTORY and philosophy

The tradition of Ayurveda extends back over five thousand years, making it one of the oldest scientific medical systems. The Vedic philosophy of Samkhya provides the main philosophy for Ayurveda.  Life is viewed as the intelligent coordination of the Soul – Atma, the Mind – Manas, the Senses – Indriyas, the Body – Sharira. According to Ayurveda, disharmony between the non-physical and physical parts of life will result in physical and mental imbalances.  

The three Qualities, or Gunas, are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is clarity, balance and light. Rajas is activity, change and excitable. Tamas is heavy, immobile and obstruction. These three are interrelated and dynamic, affecting each other. The three Gunas are part of everything in the universe and are essential for normal functioning, though not existing in equal proportions to one another. They also regulate our mind. Ayurveda recognises that what we think, do, and take in though our senses can influence the balance of the Gunas and impact our health and wellbeing. 

The five elements are the building blocks of the universe, including our body. Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth, they are responsible for the enormous diversity of life. The sense organs and motor organs work upon them.  Each element has a range of qualities and functions and when in balance in the individual, good health is experienced. When out of balance, disease may occur.
The three Doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the foundation of Ayurveda.  These three Doshas originate from the five basic elements. Each Dosha is associated with the specific qualities of the elements. These qualities reflect in the physical, mental and emotional characteristics of the person. When the elements are balanced, they are responsible for health.