WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
Considered by scholars to be the oldest practiced healing science, Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well-balanced lives. Ayurveda originated in India over 5000 years ago: the term Ayurveda is taken from the Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning knowledge.
The Science of Life
More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.
Purpose
To promote vitality and longevity by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness. This is achieved through proper habits, diet, and lifestyle, as well as herbal remedies, breathing practices, aromatherapy, and clinician-led interventions.
Uniqueness of an Individual
Ayurveda believes that each person has a unique constitution, “Prakriti,” determined at conception, which describes innate physical, mental, and emotional qualities that are unchanged throughout life. Each human’s Prakriti is comprised of three main forces – Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Striking the Balance
Everyone has Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, but usually one or two forces are dominant in a particular person. Many things can disturb the balance of these forces, including stress, seasonal weather, improper diet, excessive travel, and work or social responsibilities. Such disturbances manifest as discontent or disease. Ayurveda strives to bring these forces back into balance so that each person can thrive as their ideal, unique being.
Truly Holistic
Ayurveda is holistic and nature-based and depends on human practice and plant-based interventions for wellbeing.