AYURVEDA

What is Ayurveda?

Born in the region of present day India over 2500 years ago, Ayurveda translates to "life knowledge or wisdom". The ancient texts or scripts like the Ashtanga Hridayam, Charaka Samhita, Bhavaprakasa and much more contain valuable details on the makeup of nature and ways humans can stay balanced as well as heal disease through various methods. At one point in time this information was only spoken and passed down through chanting the verses or shlokas, as a way to memorize- just like today's children are taught the ABC's. It is a very effective way to learn! Ayurveda and yoga are both spoken and written in one of the oldest, and most beautifully vibrational languages of Sanskrit.

Ayurveda and yoga teach us that with clarity, awareness and an understanding of who we are, we are all capable of making the correct choices that lead us on the best path and most amazing journey of life. Practitioners, vaidyas or doctors can bring light to those in search of a way to better health but always the power is within each person to follow what their heart and soul speaks! This is very exciting because we are all capable of healing by our own hands and actions. In Sanskrit, ultimate health can be defined as swastha: one who possesses strong digestive strength, balanced breathing, balanced energies and tissues and sparkles with luster and glow and has a calm and peaceful mental state as well as attitude.

We can take a closer look at how Ayurveda describes the energies in nature that create different physical and mental constitutions as doshas. As you awaken your consciousness and develop a deep-rooted understanding of your mental and physical attributes it will play a significant role in how you choose to tailor your life through the choices you make to remain in, or obtain balance and harmony.

~The Gunas~ 10 pairs of contrasting properties
1. sheeta--ushna | cold--hot
2. laghu--guru | light--heavy
3. snigda--ruksha | oily--dry
4. sthoola--sukshma | gross--subtle
5. sandra--drava | dense--liquid
6. mrudu--kathira | soft--hard
7. sthira--sara | stable--flowing
8. manda--teekshna | dull--sharp
9. slakshna--khara | slimy--rough
10. pichila--vishada | sticky--clear

~The Elements ~
1. Akasha * vast space acting as a container and place of possibility. When I think of akasha, I am transported to the cosmos and the infinite capacity. For me it is forever, unfolding itself and collapsing in itself. The never ending idea of expansiveness can bring the quality of fear bhaya, or it can bring the quality of bliss or ananda depending on your perspective.

2. Vayu * movement of air and particles; the whimsy and grace. Wind flow is unpredictable and varying in it's form. It is the organic movement that spirals, jumps, circles, spins and is like jazz music; one doesn't know what is coming next. To some people the 'unknown' is scary but to others anticipation is the sweetest form of pleasure. Energy behind wind is spontaneous, adventurous, magnetic and expresses as art in all forms.

3. Tejas * heat and fire energy creating transformation and change. The sun and all stars in our universe express tejas. Tejas is the 'life-giving' source providing rays of heat for plants to grow and humans to remain in homeostasis via controlled temperature. Scientists believe the core of the earth is made of solid metals surrounded by hot, semisolid magma. With the introduction or depletion of fire we can always expect change and transformation to take place on all levels.

4. Aap * water, the life giving element which moisturizes, supports growth, smoothe movement and alkalinity. Our earth's surface is comprised of about 71% water and the average human body reflects a similar 60% water. After inception humans grow in the fluid-filled amniotic sac which provides stable housing and cushioning. Humans require varying amounts of water intake on a daily basis. Humans can go weeks without food but a lot less time without water. Every cell requires it. Given that humans are so dependent on water it is so important that we not dirty our natural resources and keep our earth clean!

5. Prithvi * earth, the heaviest element providing foundation, stability and grounding. The earth element is reflected in cell walls, tissues, organs, muscles, ligaments, tendons and much more. The earth element is more solid and dense.

~The Doshas~
Doshas consist of a combination of 2 elements and several gunas.

1. Vata * Elements: akasha + vayu | Gunas: sheeta, laghu, ruksha, sukshma, sara, khara, vishada

2. Pitta* Elements: tejas + aap | Gunas: ushna, laghu, snigda, drava, sara, teekshna

3. Kapha* Elements: aap + prithvi | Gunas: sheeta, guru, snigda, sthoola, sandra, mrudu, sthira, manda, slakshna, pichila

~Prakriti~
Each person has a unique identity with a combination of certain doshas that are more prominent in their makeup. This is called prakriti. Each dosha has characteristics, gunas or properties and those are expressed through body size, shape, color, texture. Besides physical makeup we also have characteristic traits and mental energies. All of these are examined to determine prakriti.