Are You Ready for the Wisdom of Ayurveda ?
My first exposure to Ayurveda was about ten years ago when I attended many workshops on the Teachers Path at the Chopra Center. It resonated with me. The idea of holistic wellness and incorporating mind-body-spirit into my personal health equation, which, by the way, was far from the allopathic medicine philosophy I grew up with, struck a melodic chord. Moreover, I understood how we must strive for our own independent path toward wellness based upon our unique body type, rather than following the masses on trending diet fads, crazy exercise routines and pharm pills or newfangled supplements touting health magic tricks. Ayurveda made scientific sense, plus it was backed by over 5,000 years of ancient wisdom. I had so much to learn….
Over the past nine years I devoured every book, post, lecture and lesson I could to understand more about Ayurveda and how this very ancient “science of life” could profoundly affect not only my own health and wellbeing, but those of others as well. I am particularly attracted to the biological and physiological effects emotions and stress play out on the body, and how (depending upon your genetic code, lifestyle and dosha type) each individual body will respond. I love the notion that each body strives for homeostasis and wholeness. Your body is working extremely hard to heal itself, but we, as intelligent humans, must learn to “listen to” and nourish the mind, body and SPIRIT. They all work closely in tandem to harmonize. Thats part of the beauty of Ayurveda.
So, I present to you a short synopsis of of Ayurveda and some of the core of its philosophies, by Dr. Arya Krisha, with whom I recently had the pleasure of meeting. Dr Arya Krishna graduated with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from the prestigious Amrita School of Ayurveda ,Kerala, India. She brings more than 2 years of experience in the field of Ayurveda. Currently she’s pursuing her Fellowship in Orthopedics Rehabilitation from the prestigious Appolo group of hospitals.
Dr. Arya Krishna shares her knowledge about the wisdom and healing powers of Ayurveda:
The Indian system of Medicine, Ayurveda is ancient and rich. Its earliest concepts are set out in the sacred writings called the Vedas, especially in the metrical passages of the Atharvaveda, which may possibly date as far back as the 2nd millennium BC. This system of Medicine has been practiced in the Country from time immemorial and has stood the test of time.
Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing which evolved among the Brahmin sages of ancient India some 3000-5000 years ago. There are several aspects of this system of medicine which distinguishes it from other approaches to health care.
- It focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of life energies within us, rather than focusing on symptoms.
- It recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people. Although 2 people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
- Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one absolute source (Paramatman). Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by living a life of balance according to her law.
- Ayurveda describes 3 fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. They are Vaata, Pittha and Kapha.
- Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorders of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.
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Panchakarma
Ayurveda is the rich store house of time tested and effective recipes for the treatment of several obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases. More important than these recipes are the specialized therapies which, while curing such diseases, strengthen the immune system in the body and thus help in the prevention of diseases and preservation and promotion of positive health. These specialized therapies in Ayurvedic Science are called PANCHAKARMA. It is no wonder therefore, that scientists and physicians in India and abroad are showing deep interest in this classical form of Ayurvedic treatment.
Panchakarma therapy primarily aims at cleaning the body of its accumulated impurities, and nourishing the tissues. Once this is achieved, it becomes very easy to rejuvenate these tissues and slow the process of aging. The term ‘panchakarma’ literally means five specialized therapies. The therapies that are included under this collective term are:
- Vamana Karma : Emetic therapy
- Virechana Karma : Purgation therapy
- Vasthi : Enema containing decoction of herbs
- Raktha Mokshanam : Blood-letting therapy
- Nasya karma : Nasal therapy
- Prior to the administration of these therapies, the body of the patient is to be suitably prepared and the therapeutic measures used for this purpose are called Preparatory Therapies. These are:
- Snehana karma : Oleation therapy (external and internal oleation)
- Swedana karma : Fomentation therapy
- In short, Ayurveda aims at the maintenance of health or prevention of disease in a healthy individual, cure the diseased and help in Rejuvenation.
- Ayurveda also advises proper diet and regimen for a healthy living. It is described in detail the daily regimen and seasonal regimen in classical Ayurveda.
For more detailed information about your particular dosha and maintaing your health or HEALING your body/mind/spirit, contact Dr. Arya directly at [email protected]
While we must all decide which types of alternative or integrative therapies may work or not work for us, I can only hope that you open your perspective to learn and understand how Ayurveda can help transform your wellness equation. There are many benefits to utilizing scientific technology to improve our wellbeing, but sometimes it just makes sense to return to our roots–the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda!
Wishing you happiness and the flexiblity in mind, body and spirit.
~Pam~
Live Life Passionately !
Arya Krisha is a lovely woman! Glad you got to meet her Pam.
I like your piece on Panchakarma. It’s a good element of Ayurveda to emphasis for one of your first posts. Keep up with the Ayurvedic content!
Thank you Loren for your comment. Yes, I am an Ayurveda devotee 😉 Studied with Deepak Chopra and follow Dr Vasant Lad as well. Many wonderful philosophies to maintain optimal health and to heal.