Introduction to Ayurveda
WHAT IS AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is the medical science of ancient India: providing natural and holistic methods for wellness in body, mind and spirit.
Ayurveda recognises that you are completely unique: comprised and influenced by the energies of the five natural elements. The five great elements (pancha maha bhuta) are: Space; Air; Fire; Water; Earth.
Your wellness is determined by the ever-changing state of balance and imbalance of elemental energy within you.
Your unique elemental composition influences all aspects of your life: Eat; Sleep; Grow; Think; Feel; Be; Create.
THE DOSHAS
Your State of balance is referred to as your Dosha., which determines how you: Eat; Sleep; Grow; Think; Feel; Be; Create. Its kinda a big deal!
Your Dosha changes throughout your life, influenced by: diet; lifestyle; life experiences (such as trauma); time of life, time of day and the seasons.
There are three Doshas used in Ayurveda to diagnose imbalance and disease. Each Dosha is dominated by specific elemental energy with predictable characteristics associated with body type and mindset.
The three Doshas used to diagnose your state of balance are: Vata; Pitta; and Kapha. You can refer to the image attached to view the general characteristics of each of the Doshas.
DETERMINING YOUR DOSHAS
To determine your dosha, an Ayurvedic practitioner needs to be able to undertake the following 8 fold examinations:
Pulse assessment; Tongue exam; Eye; Speech; Touch; Physical Observation; and determination of functionality of the waste systems in particular: Stool and Urine.
A simple questionnaire is not enough to determine your Dosha. A practitioner may start with a questionnaire to gather some information, but this is a basic assessment and built upon in a face to face consultation (either online or in person).
CREATING BALANCE
Upon establishing your Dosha, Ayurvedic remedies align your elemental energies. These include:
Morning, evening and seasonal routines
Diet and nutrition (your kitchen is a pharmacy!)
Lifestyle choices and stress reduction
Life coaching (e.g. to find your purpose)
Vedic counselling (to help identify past experiences that may have contributed to state of balance)
Detoxification and other self care measures
Body work (e.g. massage tailored to your Dosha’s needs)
Yoga and meditation (it may not be what you think!)
Herbal medicine (including essential oils)
Mantra snd sound therapy
Chakra therapy and more!
To learn about my Ayurvedic services, head over to this link to learn more. SERVICES.
